Of course you are most welcomed to stay with me in the Village of Dubrovki, 5 miles down from Staritsa, on the left side of the Volga. Take a look at www.russian-horse-rides.com/izba.htm. A roof over your head, a couch in front of the fireplace, running hot water, abundant even if simple food, AND ALL YOU WANT HORSE RIDING are available in exchange for a $25/person/day contribution to the household. Explore www.russian-horse-rides.com and tell me if you want to stay at my place. For more pictures of the surrounding countryside see the Russian version of the site, www.unclepasha.com/horses.htm.

I am glad to say that my neighbours were inspired by my examples and now too offer grassroots hospitality in exchange for a bit of financial help. These two pages have no English translations but should give you an idea what it is like to stay with them:

http://www.restplace.ru/ - This is my neighbour Nicolas. Same village but bigger and better house with a view onto the Volga river. The bad things is that your host is a chain smoker.

http://horses-tver.narod.ru/ - This is Sergey-the-vet who looks after my horses. A fun place and closer to Staritsa. Don't expect much comfort and solitude but consider him is you are a gregarious sort.

Need your visa registered?

I spoke to the Volga Hotel people and was assured that visa registration is no problem. It is done on the spot in their hotel's accounting office across the river.