Oka reserve, mystical Old Ryazan and Bastanova mountain

In the morning we will visit the Oka State Reserve, one of the most picturesque parts of the Meshchera. Visitors have three options: - "- Standard excursion It includes three blocks: a general introduction to the reserve, visiting the cages with cranes and a visit to the bison nursery. I recommend to choose the excursion at 10.30 (next only at 12.30). The visit will take 1.5-2 hours and don't forget to look at a souvenir shop. - "- Specialized tours accompanied by scientific staff This option will cost 1500 rubles per group, but you need to record at least 2 weeks in advance. - Ecological horseback riding in the forest and meadow (routes from 5 to 15 km). I offer lunch in the neighboring village of Dobryanka. In the cafe "Brykin Bor" promise to feed boiled food, homemade cutlets and rouge pies. The drinks are aromatic herbal tea, cold kvass and homemade mors.

The second point of today will become Old Ryazan - the only one of the capitals of ancient Russia, which turned into a "dead city". The city did not last long: after its ruin in 1237 by Batu Khan it could not be restored. Not much remains of the ancient capital: a huge hill with a flat top. Archaeological values have long been transferred to museums. And the half-destroyed red-brick arch is the remains of the church, which was built in the XX century in memory of the burnt ancient cathedrals.

It's a great trip, isn't it? And for it to be dynamic, come to the Gazpromneft filling station, take water and a snack.

On the way home, we'll meet another settlement, Perevitsk. There's not much information about the ancient city in annals - it was badly damaged during Mongols' attack and Moscow-Razan internecine battles. The place of the disappeared city is called Bastanova Mountain. On its top there is a stone with lines of Sergey Esenin: "How beautiful is the land and a man on it...". Esenin wasn't lying: it's a great place to have a picnic, meet the sunset and finally enjoy the curves of Oki.

We'll stop by the roadside cafe "Pomponchik" for a couple of minutes to pick up branded doughnuts (I recommend swept away!) and a cup of hot tea.