If you are looking for inspiring and energy-charging places, you should definitely go on this trip. You will be offered ecologically significant natural objects that will give you strength and positive emotions. The menu includes: Gatchina nature and its amazing geysers, Lake Lipov, which is inextricably linked to the great Gulf of Finland, the Narva River and its two opposing giants, the N.K. Roerich estate in the village of Izvara and, of course, UNESCO-protected Duderhof Heights and Duderhof Lake. Feel the peace and quiet, forget the crowded places, the city traffic and the noise of the city. It's time to relax and enjoy the splendor of nature.
The route of this day will take you through the picturesque nature of Gatchina to the mighty Gulf of Finland. You will meet an unforgettable sunset on the shore of Lake Lipov and head for the Western border with Estonia, passing through the town of Ivangorod and the Narva River.
Take a stroll through Korpikovo's plum gardens and enjoy the vast expanses of Gatchina nature. Hold on for a moment and don't think about anything.
The fountains of geysers hit right in the middle of the forest from under the moss-covered ground. They are especially beautiful in summer. At this time of year, the jet reaches a height of one and a half meters. In winter, geysers freeze, forming bizarre forms from the ice. Their origins are shrouded in mystery. It is believed that in the soil layer under the geysers are natural gas deposits enclosed in a layer of underground water. Find the Artesian Spring nearby and pick up the cleanest and tastiest water to take with you on your way.
Have a good meal before the long journey. In the restaurant menu you will find many hearty dishes of Georgian cuisine.
Surrounded by linden trees, the lake is located in the depths of the Kurgalovsky Peninsula and has glacial origin. The lake is connected to the "big water" of the Gulf of Finland by the Lipovsky duct, an almost direct picturesque waterway. This confluence with the bay gives the waters of the lake a salty taste.
It's time for the long-awaited dinner! Warm up with delicious Finnish soup, its visitors highly recommend it. This cozy restaurant is located in the very woods on the banks of the river Luga.
The second day of the trip you will start at the border between Estonia and Russia, on the bank of the Narva River. On both sides of the river there are two important historical fortresses - Narva and Ivangorod. They are separated by an arrow's flight distance, only 130 m. Then you will visit the manor of Nicholas Roerich in Izvara - a unique complex of monuments of nature, archaeology, architecture, history and culture. This day will not pass without a natural park in the area of Duderhof Heights and the nearby Duderhof Lake, which you will visit on the second section of the road.
Ivangorod Fortress - the main attraction of the city, built back in the XV century by order of Ivan III. From afar it seems that two fortresses, Narva and Ivangorod, merge into one, but in fact they have always been warring forces.
Isn't it time to stop on vacation? You can warm up, fill up and buy goods on the way at Gazpromneft's filling stations.
Now on the place of ancient Novgorod settlement there is an estate of artist, writer and philosopher - Nikolay Roerich. The park adjacent to it has the status of a natural monument, there is a system of unfrozen spring lakes, an alley of love, the source of the river Izvarka and other natural and landscape objects that make this place so romantic and atmospheric. Excursions in the museum are on schedule: 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 The museum is open during the year from 10-30 to 17-30, weekends - Monday and Tuesday. Sanitary day is the last Wednesday of each month.
After such an inspiring walk around the estate and its surroundings, it is time to have lunch at the fancy art cafe, which is located right on the estate. Take your time anywhere and just enjoy. Bon appetit! In the cafe you can buy a book or a reproduction of a famous artist.
Not far from the station "Mozhayskaya" is the highest point within St. Petersburg. Three large hills - the Raven, Nut and Kirchhof mountains form the Duderhof heights. The hills were formed during the Ice Age. Today, on the slopes of the heights there is a half-wild Nagorny Park, which offers a great view of the suburbs of St. Petersburg. In addition, there is a spring with drinking water.
Walk along the shores of ecologically clean Duderhof Lake. This lake is fed by melt, rain and spring water. A small river Duderhofka flows out of the lake.
It's time to stop and remember the most memorable moments of this journey. You must be decently hungry and will be happy to taste the nourishing dishes of Scandinavian cuisine and enjoy the aromatic tea.