Golden Ring of Russia.

The towns that make up 'the golden ring of Russia' are very interesting, in particular: Suzdal, Rostov Veliky, Kostroma, Pskov, and Yaroslavl (whose 1,000th anniversary will be celebrated in 2010). In each of these cities you can get acquainted with the architecture and culture of Old Russia, for each of them has its own Kremlin. Suzdal is the most frequently visited, since it is located not very far from Moscow.

The old Russian city of Sergiev Posad, founded by the Rus¬sian saint Sergiy Radonezhsky, is also located a short distance from Moscow. As the center of the Russian Orthodox faith, it is home to the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, as well as to numerous churches, monasteries and theological schools. Pilgrims from all over Russia come to this spot, so if you want to understand Russia better and expe¬rience something of its way of life yourself, we most definitely recommend visiting.

While you are there, you may also consider visiting the Museum of Toys in Sergiev Posad. The museum has over 30,000 unique and interesting exhibits displaying a wide range of items, from Russian toys and patterns for Western European toys to those from China and Japan. Even now, the inhabitants of Sergiev Posad are continuing the town's age-old folk tradition of producing handmade toys, so you will surely find a wide variety of inexpensive Russian souvenirs there while on your visit.