Kostroma, Russia

Capital City

With a population of just 267,481, Kostroma is a far cry from the glitz and glamour of Moscow. This historic city in Russia's heartland offers a slower pace, but the tradeoff is a heavy bureaucratic burden and a punishing continental climate with long, frigid winters. The city's medieval churches and 18th-century architecture provide cultural charm, yet the Soviet era has left its mark, with many religious sites razed or repurposed. While the Volga River lends natural beauty, Kostroma is no tourist magnet - this is a place for hardy Russians seeking a quieter, more traditional way of life.