Bryansk, Russia

Capital City

With a population of just 373,310, Bryansk is a far cry from the glitz of Moscow. This industrial city in southwest Russia is defined by its heavy machinery factories and gloomy Soviet architecture. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the climate is a frigid humid continental - think long, cold winters and short, damp summers. While the city has a storied history dating back to the 10th century, its modern-day reality is one of crumbling infrastructure and lingering wartime scars. Bryansk is best suited for those seeking an authentic, no-frills Russian experience, though the risk of crime and red tape may prove too much for the faint of heart.