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  to Staritsa from St. Petersburg

 
Nov. 2, 2004
     
  Train to Staritsa Every other day there is a train going from St. Petersburg to Staritsa, en route 6 hours, and arriving around 7am.

Note that "Station Staritsa" is about 10 miles from the city, and the cost of taxi ride to the city is around 400 roubles ($13-15). Busses run from the station to the city every couple of hours.

  
  Via Tver There is a lot of traffic between St. Petersburg and Tver but most of our guests in the past arrived around 6am, just when the first bus runs from Tver to Staritsa. Or take a cab that will get to to Staritsa for an equivalent of $25, in roubles (700 or so roubles).  
  By car You can travel the main road. Simple but tedious and not necessarily fast because of construction zones, traffic jams, or accidents. .  
  By car, the fun and adventure way Alternatively go the St. Petersburg - Novgorod - Staraya Russa - Ostashkov - Torzhok - Staritsa route.
  • Novgorod was founded by the Vikings and has a history that falls out of the Russian pattern of despotism, silly rivalry, and outright insanity. While the rest of the country was serving as feeding grounds for greedy rulers and living on the verge of survival was the norm, Novgorod enjoyed democracy and vibrant economy till Moscow's ruthless Tzar Ivan-the-Third and then his infinitely worse grandson Ivan-the-Terrible crushed Novgorod's independence.
  • Staraya Russa originated as a health resort famous for its mineral springs and sulfur muds. Dostoyevsky lived and worked there for several years. Staraya Russa saw some of the heavier World War 2 fighting as part of the the so-called "swamp front", and the War Museum is certainly worth visiting.
  • War scars are fresh in the area between Staraya Russa and Ostashkov. Lots of fortifications and graves, and buildings still bear bullet or shrapnel marks.
  • Ostashkov is on a huge system of lakes, most of which are part of a nature reserves. The main attraction are boat rides.
  • Torzhok (translates as "market place") is remarkable for the number and quality of its churches.
 

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