47,366 views
Traveling in Russia today can be a really interesting experience. Although you still occasionally encounter some shortcomings in rural areas, in general it can be seen that the country is growing economically and modernizing. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, it's literally buzzing - a new cafe on every corner, trendy shops and stunning modern architecture. On the contrary, in smaller cities or the countryside, development is also noticeable, albeit at a slightly slower pace. Many regions are undergoing revitalization, new roads, parks and shops are being built. In terms of prices, living in cities is definitely more expensive than in the countryside, but Russia still remains relatively affordable for tourists. A ticket on the Moscow Metro costs around 30 rubles (which is just over 7 CZK) and food prices are comparable to ours. In rural areas, prices are further reduced, although the choice of services and goods may be more limited. Russians are mostly very friendly and hospitable, although in the metropolises they are a bit reserved towards foreigners at first. In the countryside, people tend to maintain a more traditional, open attitude and are happy to invite you for tea or a home-cooked meal. But what they have in common is a strong sense of pride, family values and great loyalty to friends. We talk with Jan Buzek about Russia, life in it and traveling through it. Red-PA