Sitting at the point where the mighty Volga river meets the smaller Kotorsol, Yaroslavl is a prosperous town dating back to 1010, which is rightly often referred to as the capital of the Golden Ring. Famed for its beautiful river side promenade, medieval churches and frescoes Yaroslavl boasts a UNESCO protected city centre filled with 18th and 19th Century Russian architecture peppered with huge medieval gates and towers. In addition to its pristine architectural sights, Yaroslavl also has a fine art museum and a wealth of historic treasures on show in the main monastery. Perfect for a relaxing city break Yaroslavl can easily be seen in a weekend, while if you have an extra day or two it’s a good jumping point for a trip to the picturesque river ports of Kostroma and Ples just a 1.5hr bus ride away.