Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

Eastern Europe

Crimea Hopeful: Awaiting International Direct Flights

Aleksandr Shatskih

The Head of the Crimean Parliament Committee for Sanatorium-Resort Complex and Tourism Alexei Chernyak is hopeful direct international flights to Crimea will resume soon. In 2016 the region welcomed almost 6 million tourists, many from within Russia.

Georgia Releases Map for Oenophiles

Aleksandr Shatskih

The Georgian Wine Association released the first guide for wine tourism in the country. Scannable QR codes allow visitors to find their favorite oenophile destinations fast.

Dubrovnik Announces Plans to Limit Tourist Access to Old Town

Aleksandr Shatskih

The Dubrovnik Carnival is one of the highly anticipated festivals of the year, attracting thousands of locals and tourists to the cobbled streets of the Old Town, but the city decided to comply with UNESCO’s recommendations to limit access of people to the World Heritage Site each day. According to news from the region, UNESCO […]

Chinese to Invest €270 Million in Bulgaria

Aleksandr Shatskih

Chinese investors will invest €270 million euros ($294 million) to construct Sofia, Bulgaria’s new cargo airport, and to develop a new luxury resort. While the specific investors have not been named, Sofia’s Mane Capital AD is involved in advising on the deal.

Among the People of Russia: Vitaly Vakhrushev

Phil Butler

We met the man in the Summer of 2016. We noticed him every time we passed the city center on business. In the evenings he was always there, this good-natured 70-year-old, always, always smiling. On our first meeting I stopped just to say hello, this is when I learned his name is Valentin.

Moscow Winters Past and Present

Aleksandr Shatskih

Winter. It is the season when thousands of beach-loving Russians head to the tropics to escape the greyness and what seems like the never-ending cold. I, however, enjoy the fleeting magic of the white kingdom where every day is different and when you can stay comfortably wrapped in a woolen plaid and sip hot tea watching the snowflakes twirl outside the window like elegant ballerinas.