This time we chose Kolomna.
Because Since the crisis affected a part of our company, then, out of economy, we booked rooms at the Sovetskaya Hotel. It is one of the cheapest in the city. When we went to the hotel website, we virtually returned to the gloomy world of soviet holidays and business trips. The site offered, in addition to standard rooms, such exotic as one-room six-bed rooms. This fact, and the very name of the hotel, made us expect a meeting with the past with some anxiety.
Everything turned out, unfortunately (or fortunately) not so exotic and quite everyday. "Sovetskaya" is a typical Soviet hotel from the seventies, but after adequate reconstruction it has become a standard hotel without serious advantages and disadvantages. The rooms have a typical set of equipment, and in the bathrooms there are some soaps and junkies with shampoo. And six-bed rooms are intended for children who come to the competition at the local ice palace.
When I come to any Russian hotel, I always try to find some zest. In "Soviet" they are also available. For example, in small halls on the floors where there are several armchairs and a coffee table, these tables do not decorate as in most cases a blown-out vase with a plastic, creepy flower. Figo! In the "Soviet" on the tables are hefty plush cats. Cozy, cute and wildly creative. And a hotel cafe. Firstly, breakfast cost me 28 rubles. (tea, sugar, bread, an egg with mayonnaise) and secondly, when the wife asked to slap a couple of spoons of condensed milk on some of her dishes, the frustrated waitress said that condensed milk was not supposed to be for this dish (and there was not enough of it left) but she could treat us homemade jam. (Well, in what 5 * can you find such lively human communication with the staff? )
Even before the trip, we agreed that we would not visit monasteries, churches and other standard old Russian sights in Kolomna. After trips to Uglich, Vladimir, Pereslavl, etc. , information about princes and architects mixed up into an unimaginable mess. (Although it is worth noting that the Kolomna Kremlin, monasteries and temples can compete with Vladimir and Suzdal. For the fact that Kolomna is little promoted as a tourist center, the Minister of Tourism of the Moscow Region needs to tear something off. )
The city is full of other interesting places. In the first place in our rating was the Museum of the Kolomna Diesel Locomotive Plant. Monasteries can be forgotten. This museum - never. (Unfortunately they didn't. )
Blacksmith Museum. There is a forge at the museum and you can order a master class. After the Kolomna blacksmith, showing off to the public, showed how and what, our respectable friend (150 kg. KHN) forged a horseshoe, at least not worse.
Art Museum Communal apartment. Somehow connected with Venichka Erofeev. (Didn't hit)
Pastila Museum. I was not very eager to go there, waiting for some boring telling about recipes. No. . . It's different there. This is a restored merchant's house. All employees are dressed in 19th century clothing. A dazzlingly beautiful woman in crinolines sits you at a round table under a lamp and, treating you to marshmallow, begins to tell a really interesting story.
Regional Museum. If you are not a fan of the movie "City Zero" - then just a museum. And if you are a fan, then appreciate the first phrase of the guide (poking a mammoth bone with a pointer) - the first settlement on the site of our city appeared several thousand years ago. And further in the same spirit.
I will not describe all possible non-monastic points of visit. The list is solid. You can see it on the city's website. By the way, the city is wildly positive. Here are some facts and sketches - I took a taxi eight times. Not once did the Chanson radio play in the car; . . When we were tempted by the sign "Snack bar", we got into absolutely Erofeev's smelly wine glass and fell out into the street in horror, a heavily drunk gangster-looking gentleman in sweatpants, leather jackets and a keparik came out behind us. Further dialogue - Tourists adit? ------Yeah-------Do you want to eat? -------Yeah-------Tada listen. There's a nice restaurant on the corner. Don't go there. Expensive and x. . vo. Go around the corner, there are three establishments. Go there. And don't go here. Here we are going. ------ Thank you --------- Thank you, you came to us. You are guests. Like this. This person, despite his peculiar appearance, understood that we brought money to his city. And I did not immediately understand that he did not care about his own comfort by not advising us to go to his wine glass. He was afraid that we might not like the atmosphere there, and we would be dissatisfied. Another sketch. - An absolutely typical nymphet of a podonkovsky type was standing at the shopping center and dialing a number on the phone. I smoked nearby and heard almost all the dialogue. “Where are you?... chirping in response……. . Here you are sitting in warmth and comfort, and I'm standing here and freezing so lonely and missing you. . ” Huh! ? Cool? Almost poetry. Another positive - In the museum I heard a local pre-revolutionary saying, which is still used - "After the wedding, the lady became prettier by half a pood. " I myself do not like toothpick women, and this proverb fell on my soul. The city also has its own tram and they love it. And there is plenty of such positive in the city. You will see for yourself.
In general, I advise you to visit. The column is worth it.
Restaurant "Deja Vu", cafe "Nameki"
Sauna "Empress" The good thing is that you rent it completely. The only downside was that it was a bit cramped for the nine of us. 5-6 people just right.
On the way back to Bronnitsy make a detour (500 m. ) and put flowers on Pushchin's grave. He was worthy.
Good luck.