Travel across Russia this winter and win prizes in the photo contest

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

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Try the famous Pozhansk burgers, ride a sleigh at the residence of Santa Claus, drink aromatic tea at the New Year's fair, take a million atmospheric shots - it seems that the plan for the winter holidays should look like this! The Shell petrol station chain will help organize the rest. Together with well-known bloggers, it announced the continuation of the Make Up Competition for travelers. Go on trips along New Year's routes, share photos and win prizes. All you need is a car, a phone and a good mood.

Ride a sleigh in the residence of Santa Claus, visit the amazing museum of felt boots, see a real monument to the steam locomotive, taste the famous Pozhansk burgers and take a million atmospheric pictures - it seems that the plan for the winter holidays should look like this! Winter short routes from famous bloggers will help you feel the holiday atmosphere, and participation in the photo contest "" will make the journey even more exciting. Go on city trips from the two winter routes of the competition, upload pictures of your favorite attractions to social networks and win prizes from Shell ClubSmart. All you need is a car, a phone and a good mood. And we will tell you which places should be photographed first. And do not forget that on the way you can always drop by the Shell gas station, where you will not only fill up with excellent fuel, but also drink aromatic coffee!

Torzhok

Torzhok is one of the oldest cities in Russia, the history of which goes back to the 9th century. Once here, first of all, go to the Novotorzhsky Borisoglebsky Monastery, founded in 1038. The ancient temple was built on the picturesque slope of the Tvertsa River - this is the place where you will take photos that will be the envy of even experienced travel bloggers. After walking around the monastery, visit the only helicopter museum in Russia. It contains more than a dozen models designed by the best aircraft designers of the USSR. And also Torzhok is the birthplace of fire cutlets, which Pushkin himself. Try them! You may also want to write poetry.

Vyshny Volochyok

The journey to this town should be started, oddly enough, on Red Square. The famous ruby stars of the Moscow Kremlin were made at the Krasny May glass factory of Vyshny Volochok. Today it is no longer open, but the city has a museum with impressive works by Russian glass artists. After that, go to the felt boots museum and take a picture next to the central exhibit - Tsar-Valenok. The two-meter giant weighing 52 kilograms was made by hand from white felt for the opening of the museum in 2013. Do not forget to buy themed gifts for your loved ones here: warm vests and felt slippers and, of course, felt boots.

Valdai

Valdai is one of the most beautiful small towns in Russia. Here tourists will be delighted not only by the historical architecture, but also by the impressive nature. Valdai stands on the shore of the lake of the same name, so upon arrival in the city, immediately head to the "Glade of Skazok" embankment. It was opened after reconstruction just six months ago: now it is a modern well-kept park with playgrounds and beautiful New Year's illumination. Here, at dusk, very romantic photos will be obtained. Then go on a guided tour of the Bells Museum. You will be told about the history of this instrument and shown, among other things, a Chinese bell from the 16th century and an Italian campanus from the 12th century.

On the way to Valdai, visit the small village of Kuzhenkino. It is famous for its Art Nouveau wooden railway station, built in 1906. If you find yourself there on Saturday morning, you can take a picture of a real retro locomotive running on the Bologoye - Ostashkov route.

Velikiy Novgorod

Veliky Novgorod is too big for a short excursion, so we recommend going there for a couple of days at once. Start your walk at the Novgorod Kremlin, the oldest surviving building of this type in Russia. It was first mentioned in the annals back in 1044. Afterwards, we recommend going to the Pedestrian Bridge over the Volkhov River and to the Iron Museum. On the bridge you can take good photos with the Kremlin in the background, and in the museum you can see several dozen old irons.

Another significant place in the city is the Vitoslavlitsy Museum of Wooden Architecture. This is a large architectural and ethnographic complex in the open air, consisting of huts, village chapels and churches. Here you can see how the peasants lived in the 19th century and study the history of Russian wooden architecture.

It is best to take this long and eventful route with a reliable guide and quality fuel from Shell to be sure on the road and get the most of your winter pleasure from your vacation.

Vologda

Vologda is one of the oldest cities in the Russian North, founded in the 12th century. In the city, first of all, you need to see the Vologda Kremlin, on the territory of which there is the majestic St. Sophia Cathedral of the 16th century. The territory of the Kremlin is divided into 14 excursion zones. These are architectural monuments of the XVI-XVIII centuries, halls with expositions and seasonal exhibitions. All the museums in the Kremlin must be allocated at least half a day. Then go to the ethnographic complex "Semyonkovo" to look at the peasant life of the Russian North in the 19th century. It is also worth stopping by the Butter Museum, where they will tell you about the history of the traditional dairy industry. As a souvenir of the trip, visit the Vologda Souvenirs store. There you can buy lace, flax, felt boots and, of course, local treats: Vologda butter, honey, jam and sweets.

Veliky Ustyug

Veliky Ustyug today is, of course, first of all the homeland of Father Frost, so the whole photo hunt will take place in his residence. The “Path of Fairy Tales” leads to his palace. On this path, travelers will pass by Lesovichka's house, a 12-month meadow, a magic well and Mikhailo Potapych's bridge. If you still have strength after the walk, you can ride a sleigh or a snowmobile in the complex.

Kotlas

After Veliky Ustyug, head to the small town of Kotlas. There is also something to see there. In the center of the city, right among the residential buildings, there is a real Yak-40 aircraft. There used to be an airfield at this place. There is another impressive object at the central station - a monument to a steam locomotive, which was used in the development of the North. And finally, "Dinopark" - a complex with dinosaur sculptures. But you need to go here not only for the photo with a Tyrannosaurus. Locals say that it is from here that the best view of the Dvina River opens up.

Syktyvkar

In Syktyvkar, you should start your walk from St. Stephen's Cathedral. After the tour, go down Svobody Street to the Sysola River embankment. There you will get very beautiful pictures of snowy landscapes. And do not forget to take a picture of the symbol of the Zyryan alphabet - the letter Ӧ, which disappears, just like the Russian E. In addition, you can get to Paris through the capital of the Komi Republic! This is the name of one of the districts of the city where the French captives lived in 1812. Some of the buildings in the quarter have survived from those times.

Cloudberries and pine nuts should be taken away from Syktyvkar as souvenirs. And in local cafes, be sure to try venison.

Yoshkar-Ola

The capital of the Republic of Mari El became known among tourists due to the large-scale renovation of the historical center. In the early 2010s, a new area appeared along the Malaya Kokshagi River, reminiscent of the iconic quarters of Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. Therefore, be sure to take a photo on the local version of the Bruges embankment, in the Dutch Quarter and at the copy of the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin. And of course, before heading home, try Mari cuisine in local establishments.

How to take part in the #NAVERSTICESHELL contest?

The "" competition will run from January 4 to January 20. To participate you need:

• publish photos from travels along the routes of the competition in your personal account on Instagram, Facebook or VKontakte;
• put the hashtag # catch upcshell under each photo and indicate the geolocation;
• mark Shell accounts on social networks:, "",.

Each week, a jury will select one winner and award him 15,000 points towards the Shell ClubSmart loyalty card. The main prize is 30,000 bonus points. They will be drawn based on the results of the entire competition. With winning points, you can fill up a full tank of excellent fuel, have a snack or buy Shell ClubSmart souvenirs at Shell filling stations: a thermo mug, travel bag, lunch box or sweatshirt.