Russia's larger-than-life jigsaw puzzles of prayer by Russia Beyond

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

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T h i s s p e c i a l a d v e r t i s i n g s u p p l e m e n t i s p r o d u c e d a n d s p o n s o r e d b y R o s s i y s k a y a G a z e t a ( R u s s i a ) a n d d i d n o t i n v o l v e t h e r e p o r t i n g o r e d i t i n g s t a f f o f t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l N e w Yo r k T i m e s .

The depopulation of Russia’s north has threatened some of the region’s most iconic buildings. Open-air museums of traditional wooden architecture have proven to be one way to preserve the culture of the region in a way that makes it both accessible and attractive to tourists.

The amazing wooden churches of Russia’s north must be seen to be believed. For centuries, the wooden churches of the Russian north have captivated travelers. With their soaring carved domes, made up of thousands of small shingles and constructed without nails, the buildings seem like larger-than-life jigsaw puzzles. The churches are a reminder of the wealth of the forests in Russia’s north, which once supported thriving towns through the timber industry. Today, however, the region is turning to tourism to save these unique monuments of Russian culture. Although many churches and other examples of traditional Russian wooden architecture have fallen into disrepair, several of the best examples of the style have been collected in easy-to-reach, openair museums. The best-known of these is on Kizhi Island, in Lake Onega near Petrozavodsk, the capital of the Karelia region. The stunning Church of the Transfiguration, with its 22 domes, is original to the island. It is part of a larger architectural ensemble that consists of a bell tower and two buildings — a larger, more open one for the summer and a smaller one that required less heating for the winter. According to legend, the church was built at the beginning of the 18th century by a single carpenter named Nestor. When the building was finished, it is said he threw his axe into the lake. In addition to this complex, the Kizhi architectural park features a number of small chapels relocated to the island from the surrounding region. The most striking of these is the 18th-century Chapel of the Three Prelates, originally from Kavgora village in the Kondopoga region of Karelia. Kizhi can be reached by hydrofoil from Petrozavodsk, which is accessible by an overnight train from Moscow. Other fine examples of Russian wooden architecture are found at Malye Korely, outside Arkhangelsk in the Murmansk Region. Malye Korely is divided into four sectors spread over some 140 hectares (346 acres) of rolling forested landscape and there are plans to add two additional sectors. These represent distinct historic parts of the vast Arkhangelsk region. On display are wooden churches and chapels, and a collection of windmills. One of the most striking displays in the first sector is the Church of the Ascension (with a separate bell tower) erected in Kushereka village in 1669. Its five cupolas rise from a massive flared roof with wooden shingles. Equally impressive is a late-16th-century log bell tower from the village of Kuliga-Drakovanovo. The park is located 25 kilometers, or 15 miles, south of Arkhangelsk. ■OLGA CHEREDNICHENKO SPECIAL TO RBTH

SEE MORE View a photo gallery featuring some of the best examples of Russian wooden architecture on our Web site: rbth.com.

RUSSIA’S LARGER-THAN-LIFE JIGSAW PUZZLES OF PRAYER

Your Guide to Discovering Russia Russia has something to offer every traveler — from those who have visited dozens of times to those yet to make their first trip to this vast country. There is much to discover outside Russia’s major cities, but the country changes so quickly that there are also many new things to experience in Moscow — even for repeat visitors. This edition of Russia Beyond the Headlines aims to encourage travelers to see more of Russia beyond Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral. The country’s north offers amazing architecture, while pristine natural landscapes beckon vacationers to the south and the far east. For those with a few extra hours to spend in Moscow, we suggest a walking tour that combines some of the capital’s bestknown sites with the latest trendy bars. Discover all that Russia has to offer with RBTH. PHOTOXPRESS

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Krasnodar

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GOING TO EXTREMES ON A RUSSIAN VACATION IN SOCHI Bungee jumping, windsurfing and more on the Black Sea coast

TAKE A TASTE OF RUSSIA’S TERROIR

The city of Sochi on Russia’s Black Sea coast was the site of some amazing athletic feats during the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. This former Olympic capital is one of the best places in the country to try some extreme sports — and not just of the winter variety. Just north of Sochi, en route to the ski resort of Krasnaya Polyana, the Akhshtyr Gorge is home to Russia’s only Skypark. The Skypark is one of dozens around the world created by New Zealand native A.J. Hackett, the founder of bungee jumping. The park’s central feature, the Skybridge is the longest suspension footbridge in the world. Measuring 439 meters long, or 1,440 feet, it rises to a height of 207 meters, offering views across the Caucasus Mountains on one side and the Black Sea coast on the other. Located in the center of oldgrowth forest in the Mzyatma River Valley, the park offers visitors the chance to see unique local flora, including Colchian boxwood, jasmine and rhododendron. The park also features numerous extreme activities. In addition to bungee jumps from either 207 meters or 69 meters, the park features the world’s highest swing — SochiSwing, which drops from a height of 170 meters. The MegaTroll, a kind of high-altitude trolley, takes visitors along a 700-meter path at a speed of 150 kilometers, or 93 miles, per hour. For those with less-extreme interests, the Liana Cave part of the Skypark includes a via ferrata — a protected rock-climbing route built by attaching steel cables to rock, making rock-climbing accessible for everyone. There is also the Mowgli adventure park, a typical ropes course — albeit one set high in the sky above a gorge; an interactive museum of bungee jumping; an 18-meter-high rock-climbing wall; and sightseeing platforms with beautiful views of the sea and mountains. There is also a restaurant perched on the edge of a canyon. The park gets rave reviews on TripAdvisor. Kirill Makarov, who gave it five stars, wrote:“It’s a fascinating journey over the bridge, but jumping down into the gorge on the bungee is for those with nerves of steel.” To u r c o m p a ny M a s t e r s k aya

Wines have been produced in the Krasnodar region of Russia since the time of Peter the Great.

Sample the best Russian wines with a visit to the Krasnodar Territory in the country’s south

Russia’s Krasnodar Territory has produced wine since the time of Peter the Great, but winemaking in the region only reached its peak in the late 19th century, when the well-known Russian wineries Abrau-Durso, Massandra and Novy Svet were founded. During the Soviet era, these winemakers remained among the favorites of the authorities, which helped them survive. The anti-alcohol campaign of the mid-1980s followed by the economic hardships caused by the break-up of the Soviet Union brought the Russian wine sector to the brink of collapse. Today, however, both large-scale winemakers and small producers are making their mark within Russia and abroad, and many of them are opening their doors to enotourism.

Fanagoria Fanagoria’s vineyards are spread over the Taman peninsula more than 1,300 kilometers, or 808 miles, from Moscow, but not far from the ruins of the ancient Greek city of the same name. In addition to a wine-tasting session, a standard tour of this winery includes a visit to the vineyards and Russia’s only wine barrel workshop. Other options include a dinner featuring seasonal produce and wines selected by a professional winemaker.

Lefkadia Located halfway between Krasnodar and Taman, Lefkadia is one of Russia’s newer wineries. Founded in the early 2000s, the vineyard’s location was carefully chosen for its terroir (French for countryside), and grapevines were brought from France. Patrick Leon, the leading winemaker of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, was hired as a consultant. All the effort paid off — Lefkadia produces some of Russia’s most drinkable wines. A visit to this winery is a true immersion in the world of Russian wine. In addition to a traditional vineyard tour, workshops and wine tastings, standard excursions include a visit to a wine museum and an enology laboratory.

Abrau-Durso The small village of Abrau-Durso near Novorossiysk has produced Russia’s best sparkling wines for more than 100 years.Visitors can see some of the country’s oldest wine cellars and learn about the two main methods of producing sparkling wines. Guests of the winery can also visit a local art gallery, take part in a culinary workshop or relax at a spa. ■EVGENIA ANDREEVA SPECIAL TO RBTH

A Newcomers Guide to the Best of Southern Russian Wines Dmitry Fedotov, a wine expert and a member of the supervisory board of the Winemakers and Winegrowers Union of Russia, suggests five Russian wines to try.

cherry and spices, and has a spicy, fruity and crisp flavor. A classic gastronomic pair would be steak, but it could also be paired with beef filets with complex sauces. Price: 1,600 rubles (about $27).

1. LEFKADIA: Flamingo 2013, Krasnodar Territory This wine has a pale tourmaline color. Its aroma embraces the tones of raspberry, wild strawberries and spices. It has a lively, mineral and fruity taste. I recommend serving it with light meat and fish appetizers, seafood salads and shellfish. Price: 1,100 rubles (about $19).

4. ABRAU-DURSO: Brut L’Art Nouveau Imperial 2010, Krasnodar Territory A sparkling wine with a light golden color produces beautiful strings of tiny bubbles and a quickly dissolving head of foam of moderate thickness. It has a flowery and fruity aroma with the tones of green and yellow apples, and a crisp, mineral and flamboyant flavor. I recommend serving it with sea scallops, mussels and other seafood dishes. Price: 1,500 rubles (about $26).

2. VEDERNIKOV WINERY: Krasnostop Zolotovsky, 2012, Don Valley This wine has a dark pomegranate color. It has a slight aroma similar to a jam with the tones of blueberry, eucalyptus and spicy herbs. The flavor is sweet, spicy, fruity, crisp and a little salty. It is perfect for main meat courses, such as mutton kebabs. Price: 1,300 rubles (about $22). 3. DIVNOMORSKOE ESTATE: West Hill Blend 2012, Krasnodar Territory This wine has a beautiful dark cherry color. Its aroma contains the tones of dark plums, cassis and hints of bird

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5. CHATEAU LE GRAND VOSTOCK: “Le Chene Royal” 2011, Kuban (Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc) This wine has a light golden color and a crisp, creamy, fruity, dense flavor. The aroma combines white and green apple tones with vanilla and cardamom. It goes well with fatty grilled fishes or poultry. Price: 900 rubles (about $15).

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Preklucheniye (Workshop of Adventure) offers hiking and trekking trips into the many gorges surrounding Sochi. Among the company’s offerings is a special spelunking tour. All equipment for descending into underground canyons — which are nearly as high as the open-air versions — is provided, including helmets, flashlights, harnesses and carabiners. Masterskaya Preklucheniye also offers rock-climbing group trips around Sochi and the ski resort area of Roza Khutor. Experienced rock climbers, however, know that the region has plenty of great sites to explore independently. There are four main climbing destinations in the mountains around Sochi, but the largest and most traversed is Guamka, with 36 routes ranging in difficulty. Posting about Guamka on the climbing Web site 27Crags, Konstantin Gorodorozya wrote:“Really impressive historical place with canyon river and unique microclimate. Most routes are bouldery, but climbing is various and interesting.” Down on the coast, Sochi is one of the best places in Russia for a variety of wind-related watersports, including skimboarding, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Rentals and training sessions are available in front of the beachfront Zhemchzhina hotel in downtown Sochi. FunAqua also offers surfing courses for kids and adults on one of Sochi’s beautiful sandy beaches. ■OLGA CHEREDNICHENKO SPECIAL TO RBTH

Getting to and Around Sochi Thanks to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, it has never been easier to travel to Sochi. In addition to connections via Moscow and St. Petersburg, tourists can fly into Sochi from Istanbul. High-speed trains run from Sochi’s Adler airport to the city center and Olympic park as well as to other coastal cities. Convenient cable cars also run regularly from Sochi to the mountain resort of Roza Khutor.

MARINA KOROBKOVA

Russia is not known for its wines, but this could be set to change.

Like It? Take Some Home Russia remains the best place to sample and buy Russian wines. Russian varieties, unfortunately, lack respect worldwide. This factor — along with the costs and bureaucracy involved in exporting the small quantities that Russian producers wish to send abroad — means that few bottles are available outside the country. According to the Russian analytical agency Ciffra, last year, Russia’s share of worldwide exports of still and sparkling wines totalled only several hundred thousand bottles. In comparison, the country’s exports of vodka and hard liquor were more than 500 times as much.

Sochi’s Skypark features two bungee jumps, the world’s longest suspension bridge and the world’s highest swing, which drops from a height of 170 meters.

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Moscow

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DPA/VOSTOCK-PHOTO

BALCHUG ISLAND

CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOR

KRYMSKY BRIDGE

KRYMSKY EMBANKMENT

PARK KULTURY METRO

Hitting the Pavement

GORKY PARK

Discover Moscow with three new walking tours that wind past some of the Russian capital’s bestknown sites as well as its little-known gems. Follow this guide and look for more online.

Revamped Gorky Park is now a model for other public spaces in Moscow.

The Moscow that travelers discover today is much different from the one portrayed in old Soviet — and even post-Soviet — guidebooks. It’s a modern city easily traversed on foot. Let RBTH be your guide on a walk between two of the Russian capital’s most iconic landmarks — the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and Gorky Park. Walking time: 1.5 hours Route length: 5.5 km, or 3.4 miles

WALKING THROUGH THE RUSSIAN CAPITAL

to eat — from snack bars to gourmet restaurants — so visitors can spend their whole day wandering through the manicured grounds.

Andreyevsky Bridge

Get out in the streets and discover Moscow by taking this walking tour from the Cathedral of Christ the Savior to Gorky Park

Cathedral of Christ the Savior The route begins next to the Kropotkinskaya metro station. Here, towering on the embankment is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Built to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon, it was destroyed by the Soviets in 1931. The church was rebuilt as an exact replica of its predecessor in the 1990s. The church’s viewing platform provides a splendid vista of the Kremlin, the city center and the Moscow River. Entrance to the church is free, but it costs 200 rubles (about $4) to enter the viewing platform.

Patriarshy Bridge

Balchug Island Continue on the bridge across Balchug Island, an artificial land mass that was

to modern sculptures, Muzeon is also home to several old Soviet statues that were removed during the 1990s. These include busts of Brezhnev, statues of Lenin, secret police head Felix Derzhinsky and Stalin without his nose. The embankment also runs by the “new” Tretyakov, the branch of the famous museum that contains works by the most important Russian painters of the 20th century: Malevich, Petrov-Vodkin and Kandinsky.The museum is an ideal stop if Moscow’s capricious fall weather takes a turn for the worse.

Yakimanskaya Embankment The embankment is probably the most difficult section of the route as it requires walking along a narrow sidewalk on the edge of a large street. Just five minutes along the route, however, the Yakimanskaya Embankment becomes the Krymsky Embankment, which has undergone a recent remodeling and now features wide walking paths, landscaped gardens with fountains and bike paths. Walkers can take a break here on the embankment’s many benches or grab a take-out coffee at one of the cafes along the path — but watch out for skateboarders.

Muzeon The Krymsky Embankment is also sometimes known as the Muzeon embankment, because it runs beside the Muzeon Sculpture Park. In addition

Gorky Park SERGEY BOBYLEV / TASS

In front of the church is the Patriarshy Bridge, a favorite crossing of many Muscovites, with views of the House on the Embankment, home of many Stalin-era officials. Just five years ago a walk around the city center would have stopped here, as the end of the bridge was blocked. Today, however, the bridge leads to the former territory of the Red October Chocolate Factory — now a huge cluster of popular bars, offices and design spaces.

formed in the 18th century during the construction of theVodootvodny Canal to protect the city from floods. Not many Muscovites know about this island in the center of their city. At the end of the Patriarshy Bridge, turn right onto theYakimanskaya Embankment.

THE KREMLIN

KITAI GOROD

A walk around the historic heart of Moscow includes the iconic Kremlin and the Bolshoi Theater.

Visitors can explore the neighborhoods of Kitai Gorod and Chistiye Prudy, just north of the Kremlin.

Continue walking along the embankment to reach the western entrance to Gorky Park, which has earned many accolades since its reconstruction in 2012. The park’s reopening ushered in a new era for Moscow’s recreational areas and has been a model for parks all over the city. There’s something for everyone here: deck chairs, free public Wi-Fi spots, ponds teeming with swans, platforms to practice crossfit and yoga, play areas for children and places to rent all kinds of wheeled transport, from bikes to rollerblades. The park also offers plenty of places

Nine venues in Moscow will take part in the annual Circle of Light Festival. Some of the world’s best light designers will present video mappings projected against some of the most iconic buildings in 2D and 3D installations and multimedia shows as part of the event.

THE RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY ON THE FRUNZENSKAYA EMBANKMENT

From Sept. 26 to Oct. 4 MOSCOW

Artists from Russia, France, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates will display their work on the buildings belonging to Russia’s Defense Ministry and the Andreyevsky Bridge over the Moscow River.

Continue walking along the river to the southern end of Gorky Park, just before it merges into Neskuchny Garden and Sparrow Hills. The border of the park is the Andreyevsky Bridge, a glass-covered pedestrian walkway perfect for observing the bends in the Moscow River. From the bridge, you can see the towers of the Academy of Sciences and Moscow State University on one side and the round Luzhniki Stadium on the other.

Ending the walk There are several paths from the end of the Andreyevsky Bridge back to the subway. One is to backtrack through Gorky Park, turn left at the park’s entrance, cross the Krymsky Bridge, and arrive at the Park Kultury metro stop. Otherwise, turn right at the park’s entrance and walk to the Oktyabrskaya metro station. Another option is to walk to the end of the Andreyevsky Bridge, cross the street and walk up to the Frunzenskaya metro station. This may be the best option, as next to this metro are two wonderful 19th-century estates with their own parks: The Trubetskoy estate in Khamovniki and the house museum of the great writer Lev Tolstoy. Those who wish to include one or both of these museums in the walk should start early and wear comfortable shoes. ■KIRA EGOROVA RBTH

lightfest.ru

THE BOLSHOI THEATER The façade of the Bolshoi Theater will become a canvas for variations on the opera “Carmen” and the ballet “Swan Lake.”

VDNKH The revamped VDNKH (trade center and amusement park) will stage a light show that will involve a performance by ﬁgure skaters. Light installations will greet visitors at the park entrance and accompany them along the main promenade.

THE CENTRAL CHILDREN’S STORE Amazing stories about fantastic creatures and a parade will turn the façade of the country’s biggest children’s store into a fairytale village.

PATRIARCH’S PONDS THE MOSCOW RIVER

At the location memorialized in the Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov’s mystical novel “Master and Margarita,” the characters of the novel will be projected on the surface of the pond.

Boats projecting light and multimedia shows will run from the House of Music near Paveletskaya railway station to the Luzhnetskaya Embankment. Projections from the boats will be visible on both sides of the river. This announcement was produced by the Department for Multicultural Policy, Interregional Cooperation and Tourism of Moscow

CHISTYE PRUDY (CLEAN PONDS) T R AV E L 2 M O S C O W. C O M

The Life in the City light installations will illuminate this favorite haunt of Moscow’s young people.

Far East

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APPS

FOR SUMMER’S END, A VISIT TO THE PACIFIC ISLE OF SAKHALIN Although known as an economic hub thanks to its oil and gas wealth, the island of Sakhalin in Russia’s Far East is blessed with pristine natural sites. The warm sunny days of early fall are the best time to experience Sakhalin’s diverse marine wildlife. September is migration season for the endangered Western grey whale, a species that is believed to be 30 million years old. The whales, which grow to a length of almost 15 meters, or 49 feet, and weigh around 40 tons, can be spotted from the eastern coast of the island. Experts believe that there are only about 100 Western grey whales on the Asian side of the Pacific, and this month, visitors can catch a glimpse of the cetaceans as they move north to feed on shrimp and small fish. During the winter months, they will return to the eastern Pacific to breed. A whale-watching excursion, a pleasant day trip, is only a short drive away from Sakhalin’s capital,Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. If pursuit of the elusive grey whales sounds too difficult, visitors can go to Seal Island, just off Sakhalin’s southern coast. The island, which is just 1.6 kilometers (.9 miles) long and 19 meters wide, is a nursery for north-

The natural wealth of this island off Russia’s Pacific Coast makes it a unique destination for the fall ern fur seals which cover the island. The seals, which are among the most sociable of marine species, can also be spotted off Sakhalin’s eastern coast and often swim up to the boats. Seal Island also houses a bird colony made up of a variety of sea birds. In late summer, visitors can glimpse common murres and kittiwake, crested auklets, Siberian rubythroats, rednecked stints and narcissus flycatchers, among other species. Although Sakhalin has some 16,000 lakes spread across its 948-kilometer length, only the lakes in the southern part of the island are warm enough to swim in. Tunnaicha Lake, about 30 km away fromYuzhno-Sakhalinsk, is surrounded by mountains and is one of many tranquil spots near the capital. Parallel to Tunnaciha Izmenchovoe Lake is separated by a narrow stretch of land from the Sea of Okhotsk. Sakha-

lin natives believe that the land around the lake contains minerals, so they often take some soil back with them to use as fertilizer in their garden plots. Southern Sakhalin has several lakes and lagoons that are popular with fishermen including Busse, a lagoon known for its delicious scallops. In summer, the area of lakes in southern Sakhalin known as the Warm Lakes are great for camping and swimming. Visitors interested in Soviet history shouldn’t miss a visit to one of the largest marine collective farms in the former Soviet Union. The Kirov collective farm, located near the town of Korsakov, was established in May 1959. The farm, which was formed by uniting 15 fishing cooperatives, is one of the rare collective farms that survived the demise of the Soviet Union. Guests

of Kirov farm can buy salmon, pollock, cod, flounder and herring, as well as other varieties of fish and seafood. Famous for its seafood, Sakhalin’s local cuisine reflects its richness of its marine produce. Many shops sell salads with shrimp, squid and crab. In the island’s markets, it is also easy to find oysters, scallops, crabs and various types of fish. September is one of the best months for watersports. Busse Lake is popular for kayaking and canoeing, while fishermen wearing diving suits row to the center of the lake in canoes to catch scallops. Those looking to go diving should head to the southernmost end of the island. In September, the warm waters of Aniva Bay, just north of the Japanese island of Hokkaido, are warm enough to swim in. Adventurous swimmers can swim from the edge of Sakhalin to the Aniva Cape lighthouse, built by Japan in 1939. The warm weather in Sakhalin stretches on usually until the beginning of October, making the island an ideal place to enjoy the last days of the Russian summer. ■AJAY KAMALAKARAN RBTH

Tech to Make the Most of a Visit to Russia Google Maps Free/iOS/Android The Google maps app is probably the most convenient mobile map available. Users can create a route, find their destination on a satellite or aerial

map, and calculate the time needed to get from one place to another — an extremely important feature in a big city with heavy traffic like Moscow.

Hotel Tonight Free/iOS/Android There is no better app for travelers who like to make lastminute decisions. Hotel Tonight distinguishes itself from other booking apps by offering the best price on same-day hotel rooms. The booking is confirmed in seconds via the app and it would be hard to find a better deal.

Yandex.metro

Western grey whales can be spotted migrating along the eastern coast of Sakhalin in September.

Free/iOS/Android Although this app currently works for two cities only — Moscow and St. Petersburg — it is definitely a feature that the locals use every day.

Yandex metro plans the best route, estimates the time needed and even allows riders with local transportation cards to refill them via the app.

Booking.com Free/iOS/Android This convenient app provides travelers with a list of hotels and a variety of photos and ratings from previous guests. Although Booking.com also offers other services besides finding accommodation, Russians mostly use it for booking hotel rooms rather than reserving tickets or cars.

Airbnb Free/iOS/Android

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1. This may seem like a fairly obvious statement, but you can’t take away the tiger’s food – otherwise you risk becoming its next meal. 2. Do not try running away from the animal: Tigers are very curious by nature, so it will start following you. Besides, it’s not like you can outrun it

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This app from the vast Yandex family lets customers track their ride while waiting and receive a receipt via email. Users have the option of making

And, just in case, the dos:

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East taiga forests you keep seeing what look like tiger footprints, it is better to change direction. Tigers do not appreciate unwanted attention, and the animal might return to see just who is following it. 1. If there are any signs of a tiger nearby – a fresh footprint, or a roar – turn back and try leaving the area. If this occurs near a populated location, call the police – they’ll know what to do. 2. Try increasing your size visually to seem larger than you and the tiger are – for instance, raise your backpack above your head. If there are other people with you, hug – you will look like one large entity in the tiger’s eyes. 3. Speak to the tiger in a loud and calm voice. 4. Tigers are scared of arc flashes and open fire, so if you happen to have a flare, and the tiger is closer than 15 meters away from you, light it up (the flare, not the tiger).

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The don’ts:

anyway – it’s the fastest forest animal. 3. Just like with other predators, you can’t look a tiger directly in the eye – it scares them and may provoke an attack. 4. On the chance you meet a cub – no petting! Its mother is nearby, and a tigress with cubs is much more dangerous than even a wounded tiger. 5. Don’t try shooting a tiger. First and foremost, trying to harm a tiger is a felony in Russia. Secondly, you are unlikely to kill it, but will definitely attract attention instead. So shooting tigers is dangerous too. 6. In case you go ahead and shoot a tiger, wounding it (which, again, is considered attempted murder in Russia), or have found a wounded animal, do not try to help it. If it was harmed by a human, the predator might try avenging itself. Leave the area and call the police – they will contact a special wildlife encounters team. 7. Do not follow a tiger – intentionally or not. If during a hike in the Far

ted and rated by other users. All transactions take place on a thorough and safe platform, The app also has a messaging service.

This rebranded version of Get Taxi is trying to make its mark on Moscow streets by offering special perks such as sushi delivery at lunchtime. One of the features that makes this app stand out from its competitors is voice support for blind and visually impaired passengers.

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF MEETING RUSSIA’S BIG CATS While it may seem surprising to some, meeting an Amur tiger, Asia’s largest predator, is not unusual for the residents of the Russian Far East. In 2014, an Amur tiger even appeared on a crowded beach in the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk. The beach-goers froze in shock – and the tiger eventually went away. RBTH spoke to Sergei Aramilev, director of the Vladivostok-based Amur Tiger Center to find out how to avoid such an event and what to do if it does occur to you. The tips apply to any large predatory animal that can be encountered in the wild.

This world-famous app for booking apartments, houses or rooms also works in Russia. All hosts and guests have publicly visible profiles and are vet-

5. If you have something you can throw, do not try hitting the tiger, as it may think you are trying to attack. Rather, aim at the gap between you and the animal. 6. Loud noises that cannot be encountered in nature – such as the grinding of metal against metal – scare tigers away. Clapping won’t help, as it can be encountered in nature. ■GLEB FEDOROV RBTH

Amur tigers can be safely seen at the Primorskye Safari Park, 75 kilometers from Vladivostok.

special requests, like a car that will take a bike or that has a child seat. Rides start at 200 rubles ($3), but total fare depends on travel time.

Uber Free/iOS/Android Yes, Uber works in Russia as well. Unlike the other taxi apps, this program works directly with drivers, not taxi companies. Of course, the driver has to have a special license to work with the service. As elsewhere, a customer’s ride on Uber in Russia can be paid via his or her PayPal account.

RBTH for iPad Free/iOS Those who feel like reliving the places visited on their trip or searching for new sites to travel to in the future, can log on to the RBTH for iPad app. Our app combines the best

coverage of Russia through news, analysis and opinions with rich multimedia content and clear design. With RBTH for iPad, Russia is closer than ever.

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