SpetsNaz Training

Entertainment in Russia

SpetsNaz Training in Russia

Systema SpetsNaz training schedule
in Russia

ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT IN RUSSIA

	Ulitsa Trekhsvyatskaya One of the main corridors that define the retail shopping district of the city center is the Ulitsa Trekhsvyatskaya pedestrian street. Though difficult to pronounce with a non-native tongue (just say it quickly as Tro-svet-ska-ya and you should get away with it), you will find a wide array of different shops and cafes here. Stretching from the Volga River , through Ploshchad Lenina ( Lenin Square ) at the city's main boulevard Ulitsa Sovetskaya, and ending at the modern Olymp shopping center, Trekhsvyatskaya is normally the chosen route for the window shopper, the people watcher, and anyone who chooses to take a casual stroll through the downtown
	City Park Situated on the bank of the Volga between the Tverskoy Bridge and the Stare Most ( Old Bridge ) is one of the jewels of respite and peace in the downtown area: City Park . Take a stroll along the picturesque pathways along the river's edge or follow the meandering trails through its semi-wooded interior. Although beautiful in the throws of winter's white wonderland, the park really comes alive in the summer months with outdoor cafes sprinkled about, the sounds of music and laughter filling the air, the wafting scents of shashlik (Georgian BBQ), and people from all walks of life enjoying themselves while waiting out the 11 pm sunset.
	Catherine's Travel Palace (Putevoy Dvorets) Commissioned by Catherine the Great to be constructed as a place to rest on her journeys between Moscow and St. Petersburg , this 1775 structure is one of the more imposing, and certainly one of the most impressive buildings in the city. Inside you will find 18th century interiors, furniture, and other items complimentary to the tastes of the Tsars. Fronted by a statue of Mikhail Kalinin, for whom Tver's Soviet-era name is derived, the Putevoy Dvorets also houses the city's Art Gallery with a decent collection of Russian and Western European works. Located at Ulitsa Sovetskaya 3 on the edge of City Park , the palace is open from 11am-6pm Wed-Sun, and admission is only around $ 1.
	Museum of Tver Life Housed in an 18th century merchant's house opposite the Volga River from the main city center is the Museum of Tver Life . On display are a variety of arts, handcrafts, furniture, and domestic artifacts that have been used in the city and the outlaying lands throughout the centuries. Located just off Ulitsa Gorkogo at Ulitsa Nakhimova 3/21, the museum is open from 11am-5pm Wed-Sun, and admission is only about 50 cent.
	Drama Theater Adorned in classical Russian baroque architecture, Tver's Drama Theater houses the local theater company and occasionally hosts traveling companies from Moscow and St. Petersburg . The main hall seats several hundred patrons for ballet, opera, and musical productions, while a second more intimate theater stages one-acts and smaller scale dramas and comedies. Although ticket prices vary, they are generally very reasonable considering the quality of the performances and usually require no more than 2 days advance purchase, if at all. Located at Ulitsa Sovetskaya 16, next to the Philharmonic and near City Park .
	Philarmonic Melodies from beautiful classical and chamber players usually fill Tver's Philarmonic, although they do from time to time, endeavor into other musical traditions, including the popular all night jazz festivals held twice each year. Located on Ulitsa Sovetskaya next to the Drama Theater and City Park .
	Circus While it could be argued that it is the more “low brow” of Russian cultural activities, the circus nonetheless has a place all its own, deep within most people's hearts. So much so, in fact, that performances take place in a permanent structure devoted for this sole purpose. Traveling circuses, like theater and ballet companies, are always in house staging shows most days of the week, featuring a wide variety of different types of animal, daredevil, and comedy acts. This is obviously a great place to take children, but the magic of the circus has the tendency to effect children of all ages.
Bowling Yes, bowling in Russia !!! With Russians!!! At a place named for a wrinkled dog (Shar-pei)!!! OK, it's a Chinese wrinkled dog, but nonetheless, there are few things in life, if any, that equal this experience.
Ice Skating It should go without saying that winter sports are popular in a place where the season of freeze can seem everlasting. Even if you happen to catch those fleeting few moments between frosts, you can still put on a display of grace for all to see at one of Tver's skating rinks all year round. Take to the ice any day of the week (in winter) for about $ 1 per hour at the outdoor Rink Khimik near the football stadium, or skate the magnificent Sport Palace, the venue for local minor league hockey battles, on Wed, Sat, and Sun for 80 rubles which also includes the rent for your blades. Don't forget to bring your camera for the spectacular action shots
Horseback Riding About a 10-20 minute drive up the Volga River on the St. Petersburg road, you can explore the woodlands of the city's outskirts by horseback. For around $ 15 per hour, your guide will lead you, your companions, and the horses you have commandeered along placid forest trails where you can breathe the fresh air and spot the abundant wildlife of the Tver region. A wonderful experience to share with someone special any time of the year.
Billiards Shooting a few games of pool is a favorite activity of many at the several cafes and bars around town who sport tables. You will find that 8-ball is generally the game of choice, albeit with a slightly Russian twist (tip: ask your adversaries about the rules before you start the game). If you feel particularly confident in your abilities, or if you are inclined toward a stiff challenge, you should try your hand at Russian billiards. Often a game of attrition, it is played on a large table with a handful of giant white balls and narrow pockets to sink them in. Matches can easily devour large chunks of an evening, unless you shoot a sharp stick.

Ulitsa Trekhsvyatskaya

One of the main corridors that define the retail shopping district of the city center is the Ulitsa Trekhsvyatskaya pedestrian street. Though difficult to pronounce with a non-native tongue (just say it quickly as Tro-svet-ska-ya and you should get away with it), you will find a wide array of different shops and cafes here. Stretching from the Volga River , through Ploshchad Lenina ( Lenin Square ) at the city's main boulevard Ulitsa Sovetskaya, and ending at the modern Olymp shopping center, Trekhsvyatskaya is normally the chosen route for the window shopper, the people watcher, and anyone who chooses to take a casual stroll through the downtown

City Park

Situated on the bank of the Volga between the Tverskoy Bridge and the Stare Most ( Old Bridge ) is one of the jewels of respite and peace in the downtown area: City Park . Take a stroll along the picturesque pathways along the river's edge or follow the meandering trails through its semi-wooded interior. Although beautiful in the throws of winter's white wonderland, the park really comes alive in the summer months with outdoor cafes sprinkled about, the sounds of music and laughter filling the air, the wafting scents of shashlik (Georgian BBQ), and people from all walks of life enjoying themselves while waiting out the 11 pm sunset.

Catherine's Travel Palace (Putevoy Dvorets)

Commissioned by Catherine the Great to be constructed as a place to rest on her journeys between Moscow and St. Petersburg , this 1775 structure is one of the more imposing, and certainly one of the most impressive buildings in the city. Inside you will find 18th century interiors, furniture, and other items complimentary to the tastes of the Tsars. Fronted by a statue of Mikhail Kalinin, for whom Tver's Soviet-era name is derived, the Putevoy Dvorets also houses the city's Art Gallery with a decent collection of Russian and Western European works. Located at Ulitsa Sovetskaya 3 on the edge of City Park , the palace is open from 11am-6pm Wed-Sun, and admission is only around $ 1.

Museum of Tver Life

Housed in an 18th century merchant's house opposite the Volga River from the main city center is the Museum of Tver Life . On display are a variety of arts, handcrafts, furniture, and domestic artifacts that have been used in the city and the outlaying lands throughout the centuries. Located just off Ulitsa Gorkogo at Ulitsa Nakhimova 3/21, the museum is open from 11am-5pm Wed-Sun, and admission is only about 50 cent.

Drama Theater

Adorned in classical Russian baroque architecture, Tver's Drama Theater houses the local theater company and occasionally hosts traveling companies from Moscow and St. Petersburg . The main hall seats several hundred patrons for ballet, opera, and musical productions, while a second more intimate theater stages one-acts and smaller scale dramas and comedies. Although ticket prices vary, they are generally very reasonable considering the quality of the performances and usually require no more than 2 days advance purchase, if at all. Located at Ulitsa Sovetskaya 16, next to the Philharmonic and near City Park .

Philarmonic

Melodies from beautiful classical and chamber players usually fill Tver's Philarmonic, although they do from time to time, endeavor into other musical traditions, including the popular all night jazz festivals held twice each year. Located on Ulitsa Sovetskaya next to the Drama Theater and City Park .

Circus

While it could be argued that it is the more “low brow” of Russian cultural activities, the circus nonetheless has a place all its own, deep within most people's hearts. So much so, in fact, that performances take place in a permanent structure devoted for this sole purpose. Traveling circuses, like theater and ballet companies, are always in house staging shows most days of the week, featuring a wide variety of different types of animal, daredevil, and comedy acts. This is obviously a great place to take children, but the magic of the circus has the tendency to effect children of all ages.

Bowling

Yes, bowling in Russia !!! With Russians!!! At a place named for a wrinkled dog (Shar-pei)!!! OK, it's a Chinese wrinkled dog, but nonetheless, there are few things in life, if any, that equal this experience.

Ice Skating

It should go without saying that winter sports are popular in a place where the season of freeze can seem everlasting. Even if you happen to catch those fleeting few moments between frosts, you can still put on a display of grace for all to see at one of Tver's skating rinks all year round. Take to the ice any day of the week (in winter) for about $ 1 per hour at the outdoor Rink Khimik near the football stadium, or skate the magnificent Sport Palace, the venue for local minor league hockey battles, on Wed, Sat, and Sun for 80 rubles which also includes the rent for your blades. Don't forget to bring your camera for the spectacular action shots

Horseback Riding

About a 10-20 minute drive up the Volga River on the St. Petersburg road, you can explore the woodlands of the city's outskirts by horseback. For around $ 15 per hour, your guide will lead you, your companions, and the horses you have commandeered along placid forest trails where you can breathe the fresh air and spot the abundant wildlife of the Tver region. A wonderful experience to share with someone special any time of the year.

Billiards

Shooting a few games of pool is a favorite activity of many at the several cafes and bars around town who sport tables. You will find that 8-ball is generally the game of choice, albeit with a slightly Russian twist (tip: ask your adversaries about the rules before you start the game). If you feel particularly confident in your abilities, or if you are inclined toward a stiff challenge, you should try your hand at Russian billiards. Often a game of attrition, it is played on a large table with a handful of giant white balls and narrow pockets to sink them in. Matches can easily devour large chunks of an evening, unless you shoot a sharp stick.

BARS AND CLUBS

	Kultura The first modern Euro-style club in Tver, Kultura recently reopened after adding a much needed second level dance floor. Tables are arranged on tiers wrapping around the dance space in a semi-circular fashion similar to a Greek amphitheater. Comfortable booth seating makes for a nice place take a break from dancing, sip on a cocktail, and scream short sentences to your neighbor. While we don't recommend that you attempt an engaging conversation here, it is the place to be if you are serious about dancing. Music is mostly Euro/Russian Techno/House (in other words, don't expect many lyrics to sing along to), although there is the obligatory slow dance now and again enabling you to catch your breath. Reservations for a table are highly advised, especially on weekends. Kultura also has one of the best restaurants in the city (see more about this in "Cafes and Restaurants"). Located on Trekhsvyatskaya, one block from Ploshchad Lenina (Lenin square) and the Volga River .
	Zebra Club The "crown jewel" of Tver's downtown club scene, Zebra brings them in and turns them out on a nightly basis. Though one of the smaller clubs in terms of overall size, its energetic dance floor surrounded by spacious, comfortable booths is regularly packed with happy and high spirited dancers by 11:30 pm each night (almost like clockwork). Sit back with a cocktail and some sushi (see more on Zebra in "Cafes and Restaurants"), dance until your legs give out, or chill on one of the handful of soft couches in the back room and puff on flavorful herbs in a hookah pipe. Small tiki-esque tables also available near the main bar, slightly sheltered from the dancing action. While it can be difficult to find a place to hold any form of worthwhile conversation after the DJ starts throwing down beats at 11 pm (again, like clockwork), Zebra is an excellent place to party. Unless you arrive early to mark yourself a spot (around 10 pm ), reserving a table is highly recommended, and on weekends, it's practically mandatory. Located on Sovetskaya, one block from Ploshchad Lenina ( Lenin Square ).
	City Club The "elder statesman" of the downtown clubs, City occupies part of a baroque structure located across from the Drama Theater and City Park . Although its general decor may lack the "modern-ness" of Kultura and Mirror, its brilliance comes from its diversity of atmospheres in the many nooks and crannies of this relatively spacious club. You may choose to park yourself at one of the wooden tables on the perimeter of the small, yet lively dance floor, or perhaps a comfortable couch in their central bar lounge where good conversations and laughter are always in abundance. Maybe a table in the jazz lounge would better suit your mood, where you can witness a native Russian attempt to sing Sinatra standards with his jazz quintet (he's actually quite good). If you feel inspired (or appropriately inebriated), you can take yourself and your lot upstairs for a good, cathartic karaoke session. Want to shoot some stick? There is a billiard table in the bar lounge, and two upstairs (one of them Russian style). In the warm months of summer, the outdoor garden is also open complete with a full bar and occasional live music. All in all, it's hard to go wrong at City, especially with their excellent food served throughout the club. (see more about City in "Cafes and Restaurants"). As there are a large number of seats, reserving a table is not compulsory, but it is advised on weekends (especially if you plan to arrive after 10:30 ). Located on Sovetskaya, near the Drama Theater.

Kultura

The first modern Euro-style club in Tver, Kultura recently reopened after adding a much needed second level dance floor. Tables are arranged on tiers wrapping around the dance space in a semi-circular fashion similar to a Greek amphitheater. Comfortable booth seating makes for a nice place take a break from dancing, sip on a cocktail, and scream short sentences to your neighbor. While we don't recommend that you attempt an engaging conversation here, it is the place to be if you are serious about dancing. Music is mostly Euro/Russian Techno/House (in other words, don't expect many lyrics to sing along to), although there is the obligatory slow dance now and again enabling you to catch your breath. Reservations for a table are highly advised, especially on weekends. Kultura also has one of the best restaurants in the city (see more about this in "Cafes and Restaurants"). Located on Trekhsvyatskaya, one block from Ploshchad Lenina (Lenin square) and the Volga River .

Zebra Club

The "crown jewel" of Tver's downtown club scene, Zebra brings them in and turns them out on a nightly basis. Though one of the smaller clubs in terms of overall size, its energetic dance floor surrounded by spacious, comfortable booths is regularly packed with happy and high spirited dancers by 11:30 pm each night (almost like clockwork). Sit back with a cocktail and some sushi (see more on Zebra in "Cafes and Restaurants"), dance until your legs give out, or chill on one of the handful of soft couches in the back room and puff on flavorful herbs in a hookah pipe. Small tiki-esque tables also available near the main bar, slightly sheltered from the dancing action. While it can be difficult to find a place to hold any form of worthwhile conversation after the DJ starts throwing down beats at 11 pm (again, like clockwork), Zebra is an excellent place to party. Unless you arrive early to mark yourself a spot (around 10 pm ), reserving a table is highly recommended, and on weekends, it's practically mandatory. Located on Sovetskaya, one block from Ploshchad Lenina ( Lenin Square ).

City Club

The "elder statesman" of the downtown clubs, City occupies part of a baroque structure located across from the Drama Theater and City Park . Although its general decor may lack the "modern-ness" of Kultura and Mirror, its brilliance comes from its diversity of atmospheres in the many nooks and crannies of this relatively spacious club. You may choose to park yourself at one of the wooden tables on the perimeter of the small, yet lively dance floor, or perhaps a comfortable couch in their central bar lounge where good conversations and laughter are always in abundance. Maybe a table in the jazz lounge would better suit your mood, where you can witness a native Russian attempt to sing Sinatra standards with his jazz quintet (he's actually quite good). If you feel inspired (or appropriately inebriated), you can take yourself and your lot upstairs for a good, cathartic karaoke session. Want to shoot some stick? There is a billiard table in the bar lounge, and two upstairs (one of them Russian style). In the warm months of summer, the outdoor garden is also open complete with a full bar and occasional live music. All in all, it's hard to go wrong at City, especially with their excellent food served throughout the club. (see more about City in "Cafes and Restaurants"). As there are a large number of seats, reserving a table is not compulsory, but it is advised on weekends (especially if you plan to arrive after 10:30 ). Located on Sovetskaya, near the Drama Theater.