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Wanderlust Passport Travel Journal (Grey, Navy, Pink, Yellow)

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Chronicle your adventures in a meaningful way with the bobo design studio Wanderlust Passport. This passport is designed to help you journal and keep track of the best memories of your trip. A place to jot down the location, highlights, and photos or ticket stubs from each location on your travels. The cover is made with a soft and luxurious faux leather that has a suede-like finish. It's waterproof making it equal parts fancy and rugged. The flex cover means it's rigid enough to jot down notes on the go, but nimble enough to fit into bag or backpack for a day of adventuring.

A5 Notebook. 5.8 x 8.3 in Smythe Stitch Binding for perfect flat lay on any page Included: Sticker Pack with 2 pages of stickers in back pocket

ABOUT THE MAKER

bobo design studio creates travel and wanderlust inpsired stationery, stickers, travel journals, and washi tape that encourage and enable you to explore the world around you. We celebrate travel, making new memories, and going on adventures both near and far. All the creations are illustrated and designed by Angie Chua, founder, heart, and soul of bobo design studio in California. Her work is inspired by her travels in both abroad and from her Airstream.

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Women Who Travel Podcast: What Is Passport Privilege?

By CNT Editors

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

You can listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify each week. Follow this link if you're listening on Apple News .

We dive into the thorny issue of passport privilege thanks this week’s guest, Shahnaz Habib, author of the new book Airplane Mode: An Irreverent History of Travel . Why do some travelers gain more visa-free access than others? Who determines how a place is seen through the lens of its guidebooks? And what does the word “wanderlust” mean, exactly? Shahnaz seeks to answer all that and more, and shares some of her own travel stories.

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Lale Arikoglu: Hello, I'm Lale Arikoglu. And welcome to an episode of Women Who Travel , where we set out to challenge what it means to be a tourist. Are bucket lists and guidebooks a good thing or a bad thing? Should we actually be using the word "wanderlust"? And why do some passports gain more visa-free access to countries than others?

Shahnaz Habib: I started getting interested in all these conditions that came about as a result of Colonialism, as a result of the way our passports are structures, as a, sort of the way guidebooks prioritize certain perspectives, and how that history then shapes modern tourism.

LA: Asking all these questions and more is my guest Shahnaz Habib, who grew up in a small town in Kerala in South India, went to Delhi for college, and now lives in Brooklyn . When her father travels from India to visit her, he thoroughly enjoys exploring just a few streets around her apartment. He finds it "perfectly fulfilling," he says. It's a perspective that's reshaping her own outlook on travel. And it's the genesis of her book Airplane Mode: An Irreverent History of Travel .

SH: I am really interested in how travel is a really consumerist activity at the heart of it. Um, we have all these noble aspirations around travel. And, you know, we're often told you're not a buying a thing, you're experiencing the world. But, there is a lot of consumerism involved in that, within that experience. And the global tourism industry is so clever at dressing this consumerist activity as this sort of educational or self-care activity.

LA: At the start of the book, Shahnaz is in a hostel in Istanbul, questioning the wisdom of seeing a place through the prism of a guidebook. And perhaps surprisingly, she calls herself a bad traveler.

SH: I had this image of a good traveler is someone who just gets up in the morning, gets to a place, walks out of the door, you know, is able to go to the palace and all the monuments, and then find, like, some cozy restaurant that nobody else has eaten in. And then manages to write this beautiful essay about that whole experience, and neatly package it. That was my idea of travel, because that's the kind of travel writing we're so often fed, right, in magazines and in books. And travel guidebooks also s- suggest that this is the kind of day that you should be having.

LA: Which I also, like, is the busiest day I've heard.

SH: [laughs]

LA: And I say this is a travel editor, and someone who writes those sorts of stories. And like-

LA: ... oh, my God. I mean, there aren't enough hours in the day to do everything you just described. [laughs]

SH: No, there aren't. I mean, it is, uh, a workaholic's day. I think the way guidebooks are structured, can make a lot of us feel that we are really bad travelers if we just do, you know, one quarter of what is suggested that, um, we do. In fact, now that is my modus operandi. I look at a guidebook, and then I look at what a suggested day is. And then I, you know, split into like one tenth, or one fourth, and then that's a perfect day for me. I just don't have the energy to do the whole day.

LA: I take a similar approach. Packing a day with so many things in these guidebooks. They're outlining, like, everything you need to cram in when you're there. You know, it's obviously very serviceable and very helpful, but it's also like quite a Western, Capitalist mindset to the entire idea or going somewhere is to kind of take, take, take, take, take.

SH: And that's why I was so happy to read about, um, Karl Baedeker, the man who popularized guidebooks and how he actually died of overwork. And I can totally picture that, because the way he systematized guidebooks as these, you know, series of travel days where you go from one monument to another, and then this is where you eat and this is where you sleep. You know, Karl Baedeker was a total workaholic. It's impossible for a normal tourist to replicate those days.

Steph Koyfman

Shannon McMahon

Charlie Hobbs

LA: Karl Baedeker began publishing what he called Handbooks to Europe in the 1820s. He was actually the first person to give ratings to monuments, hotels, and views. He believed that travelers could be freed from using paid guides and move around solo. But as the books became popular, sheer peer pressure meant that his readers felt they had to follow his advice, to compare notes and compete. And that still exacerbated today. Think of Yelp, or consider the bucket list.

SH: I kind of love looking through them and looking at a list of all the things that I probably will not do, but can then feel guilty about not doing. That's also part of my travel experience. I cannot imagine not looking at a guidebook. I've tried to do that, but I always feel a little restless. I always feel like, you know, I've just been shaped by modern tourism, right? Earlier generations of travelers, for instance, medieval travelers or travelers before the rise of modern tourism had to think of travel in terms of hospitality, in terms of asking for something from the place they went to.

Whereas, modern travelers, modern tourists tend to think of tourism as something that they are bringing to the places that they go to. The way we think of travel has become much more linked with this commercial transaction. You know, we review restaurants and monuments and cultural experiences. We are very aware of getting our money's worth out of these places. There's also a sense of competition, because we want that dramatic sunset moment, and we want to do it before other tourists get there. We need to get the best experience. We need to get the first experience.

LA: It's funny when you're talking about sort of r- reviews, people will review anything and everything at this point. And one thing I always think is really funny is if you go and look at some incredible ancient site on Yelp, for example, the Acropolis, I don't know.

LA: You'll see people give it one star.

SH: Right. This magnificent place that-

LA: [laughs]

SH: ... has existed for thousands of years, and someone will be like, "Bit shit."

SH: "Wasn't impressed."

LA: No. Bunch of stones, [inaudible 00:06:04].

SH: There's really not much to see, skip it. [laughs]

LA: [laughs] I'm not even sure if it was the Acropolis, but, so I, uh, apologize to the Acropolis if it didn't get one star, but.

SH: [laughs] Well there's that great book of, uh, National Park reviews.

LA: Yes. Yes. And, you know, we have our Readers' Choice Awards every year. And readers get to submit-

LA: ... their, you know, they vote for their favorite places in the world. Their favorite hotels and cities, countries, islands, all that. And, um, they also have, there's an option to leave a note and say why you loved a place. And I do have to reveal that the traveler editors love to look through the negative notes.

SH: Fascinating.

LA: And some of them are amazing. There was someone who said, like, you know, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world was too sandy.

LA: I, like, it's just, it's amazing. It's amazing. I can't, I can't get over it.

LA: [laughs] Up next, Shahnaz on where she grew up and how it shaped her.

Tell me a little bit about where you grew up.

SH: I grew up in a very small town called Ernakulam, in Kerala, which is a state in southern India. The road I grew up on runs parallel to the railway station. And so, there would always be like these little streets from which, like, people going to the station and people coming from the station would be running to catch the trains, or, uh, you know, coming out of the station. Um, and there was just this random assortment of businesses. Um, there'd be like, uh, uh, like, th- this time that I went back, I saw, uh, there was like this cluster of leather shops. Like all these people who are making school bags and shoes.

Um, and I've always been fascinated by how certain, you know, uh, vendors kind of cluster together. Um, so I feel like this road is sort of like remaking itself as like a sort of like road of leather vendors. Uh, there is a little f- flour mill, and, um, as a child, I used to often to the flour mill, when my mother's grains, my parents would send me to the flour mill to get an, get all the grains, uh, milled. And I still do it now, because, uh, I loved the idea of going to a mill to get something ground. We buy so much flour now from the supermarket, and still, this little mill is still running. And there's this one man who still will grind your poultices and grains.

There's a lot of development on both sides of the street, especially now when I go, you know, what used to be all these houses, are rapidly giving way to apartment buildings. And there are lots of little bakeries where, um, I used to stop after school to get, you know, little snacks, like a little samosa or an egg puff.

LA: God, I bet they smell so good there.

SH: Yeah. Exactly. And, yeah, luckily the bakeries are still there. And somehow they seem to be expanding. There seem to be more bakeries. At some point, I said the people on this road will keep these bakeries alive.

LA: You're from a country that is a huge tourist destination.

LA: When you were in Kerala, and I guess, sort of also just moving around other parts of the country, how aware were you of tourists? And what did you think of them?

SH: I loved the tourists. As a child, I really enjoyed seeing them. They just seem so weird.

LA: Were you aware of what countries those tourists were coming from? I'm interested to know if it was dominated by certain parts of the world.

SH: It was mostly white Europeans and Americans. I mean, Kerala, it's such a tourist paradise in so many ways. And the tagline for Kerala, the tourism department's tagline for Kerala is "God's own country." And Kerala has promoted itself as a, uh, tourist destination. So of course we get so many tourists. Um, and, you know, just over the course of my own lifetime, I feel like I've seen the beaches of Kerala go from really these like benign, charming places where, you know, residents like me and my friends and, y- local families would go for walks and hang out, and, you know, eat some peanuts and watch the waves in the evenings. To these places that look like they come out of these glossy magazines like yours, right, where people are just sunning themselves.

And it means that it's no longer, many of these beaches are no longer accessible to local people any more. It means that many of the beaches, uh, have become private property in ways that they were not before.

LA: I mean, I'm British and move around the world as a British tourist-

LA: ... um, European tourist. I work for an American travel magazine. How do you think, sort of, of this dominance of Europe and America in the travel space has shaped how we do it? And why we do it? And our expectations of it?

SH: So, the dominance of British and now, uh, American travelers, is not an accident, right? There's a reason why the British became the first modern tourists. It's because British colonial activity around the globe was taking them to places, and it made it easier for the British to travel to all these places in Asia and Africa and the Middle East. Colonial history has kind of also shaped the way the world is put on a platter for tourists. The way the world is arrayed as these places and these experiences that you can pick and choose and buy and take home a little bit of. And you can turn away from your own complicity in what made these places so poor, or so desperately in need of tourism.

We often talk about how, you know, tourism brings so much good to the people. But when we do that, we rarely think about why these places are so dependent on tourist dollars. We don't think about how, for instance, all the other forms of travel that happen, like migration, are sort of like the other shadow underside of this kind of colonial power exchange.

LA: There's an underlying assumption in a lot of Western travel writing, that roaming freely and exploring at will, is only a good thing. There's even a word for that burning desire to see the world: Wanderlust. And that's where things get complicated.

SH: I have wanderlust. Um, so many of us do. But I also want us to critique wanderlust as this feeling that it has become so much easier for us to act on, because the world has been shaped by colonialism.

LA: What do you think of the word itself: Wanderlust?

SH: I'm very suspicious of the word now. I see it so often used. It's almost become like a little mantra, right? It's a hashtag. It's on Instagram. I mean so many travel magazines use it so freely. So I'm very suspicious.

LA: I have a rule that I delete it from any story that's filed to me. I will not-

SH: Oh, really?

LA: As an editor, I'm like, I can't see that word any more. [laughs]

SH: O-, i- is, why is that? I want to know more.

LA: I think it's, I mean it's incredibly overused. I think it's sort of a, an, and now I'm really talking from like an editor's brain. But, uh-

LA: ... a sort of lazy way-

LA: ... to describe why you want to travel.

SH: It's not this sort of like genuine, human emotion, just sort of like bubbling up from inside you. It's actually a commercial experience. And it's such a shortcut, because, you know, the reasons why we want to travel may often be more complicated than just wanderlust. And when I see people using that term, I suddenly have this impulse to [inaudible 00:14:08] them and say, "Did you know that wanderlust has been sold to us as something we, uh, have to have, because it makes the world a better place, and it makes you a better traveler?"

LA: We've been, sort of, so far, kind of talking about leisure travel. But, people travel for all sorts of reasons.

SH: Mm-hmm.

LA: Family, being one. And you have relatives all over the world.

LA: What's traveling for that been like? What's that experience been for you?

SH: Well, it's sort of a part of my life every year. Um, it's something I sort of have to kind of build into the rituals of the year, right? So, nowadays, I mostly travel to see my family during the summers, which is when I have a daughter, she goes to school, so this is the only time of the year that we can travel together as a family. The summer is when she has holidays. And for me, it's one of these rituals that really keeps me grounded. Um, I don't think I could ever... I mean the years that I've had to go without that ritual, like during the pandemic, or very early on, uh, after my, after I moved to the US, when, um, I did not have the, have an entry visa to come back. And I had to spend a few years without seeing family.

I mean, those years were really difficult for me. So, um, you know, th- for me this is part of like the seasons of the year, like, the, spending summer with my family. And it's really important. And it's also a way of just de-centering, e- the United States experience just knowing that, that my life here in Brooklyn is just a very small part of, uh, my own experience. I want to sort of, uh, be split into two. I want to feel the heartbreak of leaving my family at the end of every summer. And just feeling my heart splintering when I'm in the taxi going to the airport.

To me, that has become, you know, almost like a tradition. It feels very much like, you know the Sharia ritual of mourning? Like in a lot of cities, you will see these huge processions where, uh, young Muslim men and women are grieving the death of the prophet's grandson. And they're sort of like beating themselves on the chest and inflicting pain on themselves. This is kind of what leaving home every year feels like for me.

LA: Oh, God. That hits home for me. That's-

SH: Does it?

LA: Yeah. 100%.

SH: Yeah. Absolutely. Um, and I know it's coming every year. And I go towards it, because it's a pain that makes me feel human. And it is a pain that makes me feel loved. So, that heartbreak is both in my travels.

LA: In a minute, how me and Shahnaz have fathers who are not always enthralled by travel. And the power of the passport, how it can help and hinder the way we move around the world depending on where we're from.

There was a bit in your book-

LA: ... you know, your dad kind of crops up.

SH: Yes. Quite, quite a lot in it.

LA: And then there's something you said in your book about how your dad hates traveling, but he sort of is, has been cursed with children who've all moved to different countries.

LA: And it reminded me of my own dad, 'cause he also hates traveling, and I've-

SH: Really?

LA: ... moved all the way from the UK to New York.

LA: And I'm interested to know why your dad doesn't like to travel.

SH: Well, I think he never really saw the point of it. He just finds it annoying and difficult. And, you know, the m- more I grow older I can see his point, right? Travel is kind of painful. And those economy class seats are torture devices. And I think he never really understood travel as a global good. We are told often that travel is this wonderful thing to do, it expands your horizons, it makes the world a better place.

And he did not grow up with that conditioning. So, it never occurred to him to use, or think of travel as the way you make yourself a better person. Uh, but also, it was conditioned by the fact that, you know, as a man in India with a Third World passport, travel was not really an option, um, beyond a certain point. Uh, you could not dream of just carrying off to other places. You could not, no one in, um, India growing up when he did in like the 60s and 70s, dreamed of foreign travel as an accessible form of recreation. It was extremely inaccessible. Not just because of the money, but also because of the way certain passports do not open doors.

So, yeah. Um, partly I think it was just his natural inclination to just dislike travel, find it difficult, find it boring, find it annoying. Partly, I think it was also the lack of opportunities and, uh, not feeling entitled to travel. So it was a combination of both those things, I think.

LA: One word that you've been saying a lot is privilege.

LA: And I think we've been thinking about it in a financial context.

LA: But it's also in terms of the passport you hold. And there's a lot of discussions about passport privilege and passport power. There's even a list that comes out every year-

LA: ... that ranks the most powerful passports.

LA: I actually looked up the world's most powerful passports right now.

LA: And the top five are: Singapore, Japan-

LA: ... Finland, France, Germany.

SH: Interesting.

LA: The UK has dropped down a bit after Brexit.

LA: And the US, I think, just slides in, in the top 20.

SH: Oh, top 20? Okay.

SH: Yeah. That is interesting. It's a really interesting carousel of international power, watching the passport rankings.

LA: I feel like I'm going to take us completely on this full circle to the start of this conversation. Which is, the power of your passport affords you that freedom of movement.

SH: Hm. I think passport privilege is one of those privileges that really gets taken for granted. We don't have the same kind of conversations around why some people have passports that will let them travel visa-free to any country in the world, while other people have to, you know, apply for a visa s- three months before and fill out forms and pay fees. I mean it's such blatant discrimination. So, that's why I, um, you know, I came across this term passportism, to talk about the discrimination of some passports, passports of certain colors.

Um, and you know, I tr- started traveling with an Indian passport, and I now have a US passport. And I forget it too. Sometimes it's so easy to travel with my US passport that I have to pinch myself sometimes and be like, and remind myself that I get to walk through this, you know, smart gate or this, you know, immigration counter so easily. I can go to this line so easily, because of my passport privilege now.

LA: What was your experience with your Indian passport?

SH: So, with my Indian passport, and I write about this in a chapter in which I talk about not going to Paris, because of all the [laughs] nesting doll of documents that just, I just couldn't muster together in time. Right? With my Indian passport, I would have to apply for a visa well in advance, uh, submit documentation, you know, ranging from what kind of job did I have, uh, fin-, you know, financial documents, like proof of income for like the last several y- years.

Um, and just basically, just kind of prove to the consulate that I am not in danger of becoming a burden to, uh, their country. Uh, and it's just this incredible suspicion of Third World passports. The Third World passport is guilty even before it has arrived on the shore of whatever country it is arriving in.

LA: What you're describing is very familiar to me, because while I have a British passport, my dad, until he became a British citizen about 10 years ago, and until then he had just his Turkish passport.

LA: And just to go on holiday, from the UK to Spain, a holiday that many, many, many people in Britain take every summer-

LA: ... my dad would have to get a visa.

LA: And it would take months.

LA: And I think that's one of the reasons why my dad hates to travel. Because the hassle of it, and I think the humiliation-

SH: Yes. Thank you.

LA: ... of having to go through that process, was something he simply wanted to avoid.

SH: Yeah. I mean, that is the word for it. It's not just a hassle, it's a humiliation. And this experience is sort of made humiliating deliberately in order to keep people with Third World passports from dreaming of travel. I don't think there's anything, and listen, I don't think it's just a random coincidence that there is this long list of bureaucratic hoops to jump through. I think it's very much about letting people from the Third World, letting people with like the wrong color passports know that you are not welcome. So, yeah. I absolutely think the word humiliation is right.

LA: From what I understand, you, in order to get a US passport, you have to renounce your Indian passport.

LA: And that's something, you know, it's very different from country to country. And that's how it works if you're an Indian passport holder.

SH: Mm-hmm. Yeah.

LA: What was it like to give that up? I imagine it was quite emotional.

SH: Yeah. I mean, I held onto it for a while. But then, like with your father, it just made no sense because I was spending so much time applying for visas when I had to travel. It was painful, but yes, uh, I renounced my Indian passport.

LA: I think it's notable that you chose to say the words Third World.

SH: I tried not to use it, because of course it's a word that has fallen out of fashion. But, it is the w- the phrase that I use most of the time to describe a certain kind of experience. I've tried to use the global south. I tried to use developing countries. But I do feel those terms are, I mean I kind of hate developing countries. I have to actually use that term a lot at work. And I think it's such a lie. Because this idea that development is some kind of linear progress, and that the developing countries, if they do all the right things at the right time, they're going to reach this developed status. And then it's like this happily ever after ending.

That's so essentially false. And there's something so weird about this aspiration to be developed, when developed often means industrialized, highly carbon dependent. So, you know, the categorization of least developed countries, developing countries, and developed countries, to me it's a historical falsehood. I love the term Third World. I find it very poetic. And I think it's time to, you know, reclaim it the way a lot of other, like, like queer was reclaimed. I think it's often used derogatorily, but even within that derogatory use, the phrase has a certain attitude. The phrase has a certain, um...

It's sort of like response back to this categorization of, you know, First World and Third World, uh, it kind of transcends to me that sort of like categorization even though it is part of that categorization. I like how the Third World reminds me of like a third eye. It's kind of like a perspective, a vision that is, goes beyond like, you know, what you can see with two eyes, and what you can just sort of see and experience in this one dimension.

LA: The third eye is a really beautiful way of describing it. It's wonderful.

SH: It's definitely possible to still have fun on our travels. Um, and I don't think questioning our biases and questioning privilege is going to make it any less fun. I think the shape of trouble will change, because your thoughtfulness or your concentration of the history of travel will shape your understanding of the world. And that can only be a good thing. For me, travel is still, I still look for work to travel so much, I still find that, um, I learn so much on my travels and I cannot imagine not traveling. But, yeah, it's absolutely possible to find joy and have meaningful travel experiences even while knowing how much modern tourism has been shaped by all these, um, forces of consumerism and colonialism.

LA: Well, this has been a fantastic conversation. Thank you so much for chatting to me about it.

Next episode we take a deep dive into the party scene in Ukraine, where a burgeoning rave culture continues to emerge, even amid the war. We chat with guests who share stories of what it's like to rave when there's a curfew to factor in, find joy in connection amid such uncertainty, and DJs who double as volunteers to remove rubble and work at restoring damaged buildings.

I am Lale Arikoglu, and you can find me on Instagram @Lalehannah. Our engineers are Jake Lummus and Gabe Quiroga. The show's mixed by Amar Lal. Judith Kampfner, from Corporation for Independent Media is our producer. See you next week.

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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Wanderlust Passport Travel Journal- National Parks Edition

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Calling all National Parks lovers!

Our tried and true travel documenting system for the Wanderlust Passport is now designed for National Park enthusiasts!  Start documenting your National Parks visits with this journal specifically designed to help you remember all the activities and memorable moments from your visit. 

Record hiking trails and campsites, rate your stay, and collect your cancellations all in one place! 

PRODUCT DETAILS:

Each Passport comes with a National Parks Sticker Book from each of the 63 parks so you can decorate your pages or mark off the places you've been.

• Printed on a 90lb smooth paper so it can hold up to your pens
• Saddle stitch binding for easy lay-flat use
• Laminated soft cover that makes it easy to pack in your backpack and hold up to the elements
• 60 pages in total with 29 entry spreads to document your adventures
• includes a trip log and a travel wishlist section
• Size A5, 5.8 x 8.3 

Customer Reviews

Just bought and used my Wanderlust Passport Travel Journal for my recent trip to Utah's National Parks. It was perfectly portable for collecting those National Parks stamps, beautifully designed, and ready to fill with once-in-a-lifetime memories. Also loved the matching stickers and accessories.

Kept seeing the ad for this on IG. Last month I was in Palm Springs and stopped by the Bobo Palm Springs store. As soon as I saw the National Parks Wanderlust Passport in person, I knew I was getting it.

I just finished documenting my first visit to Saguaro National Park. I love that there is space for the Cancellation stamp, especially since I couldn’t find my NPS Passport that I normally put the cancellation stamps in.

I highly recommend getting this if you’re going to be visiting any National Parks, Monuments, and Historic Sites. Great way to preserve your memories. I can’t wait to document more of my National Park visits.

Bobo Design passports are awesome. I love filling it out as it's just relaxing and I get to relive the memories! And, Angie, the business owner is AMAZING! Thank you for this awesome hobby!

grand daughter she like to go to parks

The cover ripped when I took off the packaging and it wasn’t was I was expecting. It was more of a blank notebook than a national park book.

Angie of bobo design studio here. I am sorry to hear you had a bad experience with our product. As a small business each customer experience is so incredibly important to us and I’d like to find a way to make it right. We are happy to send you a replacement journal as the cover shouldn’t have ripped off that easily. We’ve sold thousands and haven’t had that feedback. While quality issues are rare, they can happen so I’m hoping it’s a one off with your order.

The National Park Edition Passport should have also had an entire section for you to document your parks visits with the accompanying sticker book. Our system is also centered around collection of cancellation stamps and recording your activities in the park. We are sorry if that was not what you expected.

We are happy to send you a replacement if you wish or honor a refund as the cover should not have ripped upon opening.

Thanks for giving us an opportunity to make this right for you.

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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Your Passport from New York City: In Photos

Your handy guide to all the easy-to-access Wanderlust events worldwide if you live in NYC. Snag a Passport and gain entry to all of them—for one price!

Our 2019 event calendar is live! We’ll be teasing out our teacher and speaker lineup over the next couple of weeks, and announce music headliners in early February. Tickets go on-sale January 22. Mark your calendars.

New York City may be the greatest city on Earth, but that doesn’t mean its 8 million residents aren’t itching to leave now and again. Much has been speculated about millennial New Yorkers packing up and heading upstate or out West, but sometimes what a city-dweller really needs to fall back in love with an urban jungle isn’t a massive upheaval, but a reset button. With wide-ranging events that feed your body, spirit, and soul, Wanderlust is that perfect reset. And now, with Passport, you can travel to any Wanderlust event anywhere in the world, for one price. If you’re one of those New Yorkers craving the kind of reset that only a wellness festival can bring, use this handy guide to choose the destination(s) that are best for you.

4-Day Destination Festivals

We bring together a remarkable group of yoga and meditation instructors, musical performers, speakers, artists and chefs for a transformational retreat at world-renowned mountaintop resorts. Choose your adventure with multi-level yoga and meditation sessions, mouthwatering organic foods, heart-pumping music, inspiring lectures and workshops, and boundary-pushing outdoor activities. Find your true north at any of these easy-to-travel-to locations from NYC.

Stratton Mountain, Vermont

Snowshoe, West Virginia

2-Day City Festivals

These all-new Wanderlust events give you the opportunity to experience similar programming to our signature mountaintop retreat festivals, but without leaving the confines of an urban city center. For New Yorkers, our hometown event in Brooklyn is right in our backyard—but that’s no reason not to check out other nearby locales as well. Note that images are from past 108 events in these cities; we’ll be able to lift the veil on what our 2-Day City Festivals look like after we have our first in 2019!

Brooklyn, New York

Boston, Massachusetts

1-Day 108 Events

Combining a 5K run, yoga, and meditation at your favorite local park, Wanderlust 108 is a field day for the mindful community. Join our global movement for a day of practice, fitness and spontaneous dance parties.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Washington DC

Toronto, Ontario

Tampa Bay, Florida

International Events

Your Passport is your ticket to not only events in the US and Canada, but also to Wanderlust events around the world. With easy-to-access destinations from New York in Europe, Passport is your perfect excuse to trek across the Atlantic and join the global mindful movement. Check out our European events in:

… And check back as more dates are added for 2019!

Questions? We’re here to help. Purchase a Passport and get exclusive concierge support to help with your travel planning. Can’t wait to see you on the road!

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