2026 Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in January)

**Review of "From Van Gogh to the Avant-Garde" exhibition at the Tretyakov Gallery (Samara):** A brilliant collection! Vibrant works by Van Gogh, Mone, Renuar. A must-see for art lovers in Samara city!

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 💡 Tips

It was a trip to Samara, Russia 🇷🇺 We explored the Historical and Cultural Landmarks. We visited Samara Embankment (Самарская набережная). We walked along the Volga River, enjoyed the scenic views, and relaxing in the local parks. I would suggest you to rent a bicycle or taking a boat ride on the river. 📍 Volzhsky Ave, Samara, Russia 💰 Free (Boat rides vary from 500-1,500 RUB per person) We also visited Stalin's Bunker (Бункер Сталина). We explored the underground bunker built during World War II for Joseph Stalin, including its secret passages and historical exhibits. 📍 Frunze St, 167, Samara, Russia 💰400-700 RUB per person We also visited Samara Space Museum (Самарский космический музей) and learnt about the history of Soviet and Russian space exploration, including real spacecraft, models, and interactive exhibits. 📍Leninskaya St, 21, Samara, Russia 💰300-500 RUB per person If you are looking for a good restaurant for lunch, you could try out Graf Tolstoy (Граф Толстой). They served mainly on Traditional Russian cuisine. We ordered Beef Stroganoff, Cabbage Rolls, and Kulebyaka (Russian fish pie) 🥧 which were all very tasty. 📍 Chapaevskaya St, 201, Samara, Russia 💰800-1,500 RUB per person We also went to Iversky Monastery (Иверский монастырь). We visited the historic Russian Orthodox monastery, admired its architecture, and enjoyed the serene atmosphere. 📍Volzhskiy Prospekt, 1, Samara, Russia 💰Free We also visited Zhiguli Mountains (Жигулёвские горы). We were hiking, bird watching, and enjoying panoramic views of the Volga River. 📍Samarskaya Luka National Park, Samara Region, Russia 💰Park entry is around 200-300 RUB per person, guided tours may vary. We also visited Samara Academic Drama Theater (Самарский академический театр драмы). We watched a local theater production and enjoyed the architecture and history of one of Russia's oldest theaters. 📍Chapaevskaya St, 174, Samara, Russia 💰Tickets range from 500-2,000 RUB per person Last but not least, I would recommend you to try Maximilian's Brewery (Максимилианс). A restaurant that serves German food. We tried the German-style sausages, pork knuckles, and house-brewed. 😍😍😍The services were amazing too 💯 📍Novo-Sadovaya St, 106G, Samara, Russia #europetrip #vacation #trip