Suzdal: Where time stands still

I've seen my fair share of museums, but it's rare that you walk down the streets of a city and feel as if you're in one. Suzdal, one of the Golden Ring cities, is a unique experience in that regard. There seems to be a beautiful church on every corner, the painted houses seem to have remained unchanged for generations, and the small gardens dotting the hillsides create a picture unlike anything I've seen.

This being the case, it shouldn't seem ridiculous that this was our hotel.

The Rizopolozhensky monastery, founded in 1207.

When I read that staying in a monastery was an option, it seemed to be the only one. Our planning for this trip was very minimal so it took some time to find this place, but it was worth it.

Especially when I saw the leopard print living room chairs.

My favorite view in town was directly behind the Spasso-Ephimovsky monastery, overlooking the Pokrovsky Convent.

Lazarevskaya Church

Antipievskaya Church

The Suzdal Kremlin and it's breathtaking, blue-domed Rozhdestvensky Cathedral.

It was such a peaceful retreat and the weather in Suzdal was sunny and warm enough that I even removed one of my two coats! A miracle in the city of steeples!!! Fantastically fresh food, good company and the express train from Vladimir back to Moscow (1 hr. 45 min.) made it all the better!