Pskov

At least 1,000 years old, Pskov reigns as one of the most venerable settlements in Russia. Its years have brought tumult though, and the mighty Krom citadel, now topped with gold-glimmering onion domes, bears the scars of many a fight – it underwent an estimated 26 sieges in the 1400s alone, has been invaded by the Teutonic Knights, and recaptured by Peter the Great in its time. These days, that rich history imbues the town with numerous captivating stories and atmospheric streets, making it a fine introduction to Russia, all only a mere 12 miles east of the border with Estonia.

Pskov tour guides will certainly want to showcase the proud Kremlin. Once the formidable fortress at the heart of the independent Pskov Republic, one can find the shiny spires of the Trinity Cathedral, gilding white facades and gold-leafed interiors inside its grounds. The other unmissable places to see are the Mirozhsky Monastary, for its Byzantine style frescoes and the Pogankin Chambers housed inside the National Museum.

The surrounding country is also littered with treasures. You can pay a visit to the dacha where the eminent Russian writer Pushkin rests. You can wonder at the handsome buildings of the Dormition Cave Monastery in nearby Pechory, which date from the 1500s. And you can uncover old Russia in the bucolic surroundings of Stary Izborsk.