Tour Guide, Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia
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Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod can be done by high-speed train Lastochka which is approx 2500 RUR for return tickets or less if you book in advance, it`s a good weekend trip, for one or two days. Lastochka ( and Strizh train) go 5 times daily, otherwise there overnight sleeper trains, too. Don`t forget to Google Russian railway map, if you are thinking to discover more of Russia and see also Vladimir, Murom, Kazan or Perm which are the nearest tourist destinations.
Nizhny is a great place for panoramic pictures, for its hilly relief and splendid river views, you will surely enjoy the top hill view of the early 16th-century fortress, Nizhny Kremlin, and a few other tourist streets like Pokrovka, Rozhdestvenskaya or Ilyinka. Pechory Monastery, a beautifully restored mid 17th-century architectural complex is also absolutely worth visiting, along with the brand-new 2012 built cableway across the Volga, the longest and the most fascinating in Europe, that`s not yet in the guide books so you probably never heard of. As to museums, Nizhny downtown boasts an impressive collection of Russian art, an XIXth century photography museum and quite a number of other tourist attractions.
Midway Moscow to Nizhny there is also Vladimir which is recommended for any fan of history who's got limited time or budget, also reachable by Lastochka or any other train passing in the direction of Moscow. Vladimir is a medieval (XII century) heritage site with amazing old Russian architecture worth seeing, formerly the key city of today’s Central Russia Slavic lands. If you plan a two-day trip, also visit Suzdal, nearby Vladimir, another heritage site, part of the famous Golden Ring itinerary. Otherwise, if you travel by car, halfway from Nizhny to Vladimir on Moscow highway you can drop at Gorokhovets, small town on the river Klyazma, today also turned into a tourist place.
In Nizhny province there is a pretty good choice within 120 km from Nizhny, such as Makariev monastery founded in 15th century by monk Macarius, from the riverside it looks a proper medieval fortress, it used to be a famous seasonal marketplace on the Volga for a few centuries. This site is reachable by overnight tourist or by road.
Diveevo monastery also known as Vatican of Nizhny, a popular Russian pilgrimage site 190 km from Nizhny by road. Its Trinity Convent and the story of St.Seraphim, a local hermit who spent years of solitude in humble prayer, is said to be protected by Virgin Mary herself and offers holy spring water to Orthodox believers and all those in need. A good mid-way stop may be ancient Arzamas, a small cozy town with several churches of the XIXth.
Boldino Pushkin`s countryside house, the great Russian poet’s retreat is 230 km from Nizhny. They have his house museum and a park, which explains a lot for those who appreciate Pushkin`s literary work and his deep feelings for Russia, its history and landscapes. On your way it`s advisable to make another stop, to have a look at the Manors of Pashkov & Baron Henri Antoine Jomini (120 km from Nizhny in Gagino district) and visit the oldest parks formerly owned by rich families and now to in ruins.
The other side of the river, across the Volga Nizhny to Bor Bridge, there is surely more to see:
Gorodets , the oldest settlement in the area, older than Nizhny but unfortunately burnt to the ground the tartars and never fully recovered, is 70 km from Nizhny and full of picturesque wooden carved houses, its little museums are quite friendly to visitors and show a lot on the traditional Russian household and local crafts.
Otherwise, Semyonov was known as the cradle of the local craft woodwork Golden Khokhloma, a famous Russian souvenir widely known all around the world.
Chkalovsk is another interesting place, especially interesting for aviation fans, the town was the homeland of the famous aviator of the 30s, Valery Chkalov, the first pilot to perform a nonstop flight through the North Pole, Moscow to the USA, they preserved his old country house and a hangar with his legendary aircraft ANT25.
SvetloyarLake, part of local nature reserve 130 km from Nizhny is known as the Russian Atlantis, you may have heard the Russian tale of Kitezh, the old town gone under water to hide from the approaching enemies; the place has inspired many Russian artists and composers.
And then, there is also a little town of Balakhna, an ancient site of salt production known since as early as XII century, just 35 km from Nizhny. The history of this place is rich and full of amazing discoveries, from the mammoth skull and early human settlements to the oldest tented-roof church in the region (St. Nicholas Church) dated of the times of Ivan the Terrible and his conquest of Kazan (1552).
Nizhny and its countryside are worth seeing, it is a lot about history and natural beauty.
Welcome to Nizhny Novgorod!