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Tver

Tver (Russian: Тверь) is the administrative centre of the Tverskaya Oblast (region) and is located about 150 km North-West of Moscow and about 650 km South-West of St. Petersburg. The town boasts a population of 405,500 inhabitants. Tver was the former capital of one of the powerful medieval principalities and was also a model provincial town in Imperial Russia. It is located at the confluence of the Volga and Tvertsa Rivers. The city was known as Kalinin (Кали́нин) from 1931 to 1990 having been named after Mikhail Kalinin who was born in Tver and was Stalin's second-in–command. Tver Region is one of the largest regions in European Russia, with a total area of 84,100 km2 and borders Smolensk Region in the south, Novgorod Region in the west, Vologda Region in the north, and Moscow Region in the east. It has a population of 1,651,000. History The history of Tver makes for fascinating reading. Since its early times, it has been home to princes, the subject of rivalries and a place of intrigue and conspiracies. The origins of Tver can be traced back to 1164 when it was a mere trading and meeting point for traders from Novgorod. Formerly a land of woods and bogs, the Tver principality quickly transformed into one of the richest, most populated and highly-developed Russian states. What added to this was the influx of settlers from the devastated South where the scars of war with the Mongols were taking longer to heal than in the North. By the end of the 12th century, there was already strong rivalry with Moscow for supremacy in Russia. As Tver and Moscow were still young cities, the outcome of their rivalry was far from being certain. Mikhail of Tver, who ascended the throne of Vladimir in 1305, was one of the most beloved of the medieval Russian rulers. His policy of open conflict with the Golden Horde (the Mongols) led to his assassination in 1318. His son Dmitry "the Terrible Eyes" succeeded him, and, concluding an alliance with the mighty Grand Duchy of Lithuania, managed to raise Tver's prestige even higher. Exasperated by Dmitry's influence, Prince Ivan Kalita of Moscow engineered his murder by the Mongols in 1326. On hearing the news of this crime, the city revolted against the Horde. The latter joined its forces with Muscovites and brutally repressed the rebellion. Many or its citizenry were killed, enslaved, or deported. This was the fatal blow to Tver's pretensions for supremacy in Russia. In the second half of the 14th century, Tver was further weakened by dynastic struggles between its princes. Two senior branches of the ruling house, those of Kashin and Kholmsky, asserted their claims to the grand ducal throne. The claimants were backed up by Moscow and eventually settled at the Kremlin court. During the Great Feudal War in Muscovy, Tver once again rose to prominence and concluded defensive alliances with Lithuania, Novgorod, Byzantium, and the Golden Horde. Grand Prince Boris of Tver sent one of his men, Afanasiy Nikitin, to search for gold and diamonds as far as India. Nikitin's travelogue, describing his journey from 1466 to 1472, is probably the first ever firsthand account of India by a European (a monument to Nikitin was opened on the Volga embankment in 1955). On the 12th September 1485, the Principality of Tver succumbed to the armies controlled by Ivan the Great. However, this was not a peaceful period and one of the only reminders of this period is an elegant tent-like church in Kuskalino, a village 28km North–East of Tver. Until the 1760s, Tver remained a small trading post until the Great Fire of 1763, following which Catherine the Great rebuilt the city in the Neo-classical style. The centre was thoroughly redesigned and rebuilt. Crumbling medieval edifices were razed and replaced with imposing Neo-classical structures. The most important of these are the Travel Palace of the Empress (designed by the celebrated Matvei Kazakov), and the Ascension church (designed by Prince Lvov and consecrated in 1813). Tver once again gained importance during the construction of the road and railway between Moscow and St. Petersburg. The city rose to prominence as it was often frequented by the Russian nobility traveling between the new and old capitals. In 1931, the city was renamed Kalinin, after the notable Soviet leader Mikhail Kalinin who was born nearby. During this period, Tver underwent ruthless Sovietization as the last vestige of the pre-Petrine epoch, the Saviour Cathedral, was razed to the ground in 1936. In 1940, the NKVD (the forerunner to the KGB) massacred more than 6,200 Polish policemen and prisoners of war. The horrors of World War II did not escape Tver. A brief two-month occupation by the Wehrmacht left the city in ashes, destroyed both by the occupying powers and the local partisan resistance groups. A large-scale resistance movement in the city and the region resulted in over 30,000 Nazi casualties during the brief but ruthless occupation of the city. Historically, Kalinin is the first major city in Europe to be liberated from the Wehrmacht. Today, apart from the suburban White Trinity Church (1564), there are no ancient monuments left in Tver. The downtown is graced with Catharinian and Soviet edifices, bridges and embankments. Tver's most notable industries are a railroad car plant, opened in 1898; an excavation-machine factory and a glass making factory. Tver is also home to Migalovo, which is one of Russia's biggest military airlift facilities. Location and Travel Information Tver is a major stop on the St. Petersburg railway line. There are also trains heading down to the Crimea and Caucasus. Moscow is about three hours southeast of Tver, and at the time of writing, single (one-way) tickets cost about RUB300. St. Petersburg is five hours to the northwest and costs about 1500 on average making both these cities a weekend escape or break from Tver. Tver is about two hours away from Moscow’s Sheremyetyevo (SVO) and roughly 3.5 hours from Domodyedovo (DME). Climate Tver's climate is generally on par with Moscow’s, even to the most seasoned of travellers, pleasantly surprising. Winters can indeed be cold, but they are nothing like as fearsome as you imagine. While popular myth makes temperatures of -45 seem the norm, the average winter temperature is about -15 to -20 degrees Celsius, with one or two cold snaps when it might go down to -25. Summers are fairly hot. Expect temperatures of up to +30 degrees Celsius as the norm throughout July and August. Mosquitoes can be a problem in rural areas throughout the warm months, so if you are susceptible to bites, it’s good to come prepared. Many chemists have a wide variety of mosquito repellents and stores often sell special devices for keeping them away from your room. Education Tver is home to a wide range of higher educational institutes including Tver State University, the most highly rated university in the region. It is also home to a technical university; medical, military, and agricultural academies; more than 20 colleges and lyceums; a number of branch campuses of some Moscow higher educational institutions and more than 50 high schools. Given this plethora of academic institutions, it is more than likely that your students will be studying at these institutes and are looking to acquire a good level of English to make them more competitive in the Russian job market - even in Moscow, English is still not widely spoken in comparison with other European cities. Hospitality Russians are renowned for their hospitality and the people of Tver are no exception. All year round, Russians generally prefer to spend their leisure time in cafes, at the cinema or theatre and in other similar places of entertainment. Another favourite Spring and Summer pastime is simply enjoying walks in the forest, enjoying the abundant nature, cooking shashlik (grilled meat) and relaxing with friends. You are likely to make many new friends in Tver through your students and will likely find enjoyment spending your free time with your new found friends in a similar way. Going to your new friends’ homes, you’ll be surprised by the abundance of food and drink on the table. Feeding guests well is a Russian tradition. Be careful with alcoholic beverages – it is best not to drink a lot. Though Russia may be famous for its vodka, Russians tend to think that a well-mannered person will not allow him or herself to drink to excess. Entertainment and Leisure Although Tver is perceived to be a provincial backwater by most Muscovites, Tver actually has not only a wide range of restaurants and clubs but also many attractions in the surrounding countryside. It combines the best of both worlds: a combination of a wide variety of nightlife with life in an up-and-coming Russian city away from the energetic and materialistic Moscow or the architectural splendor of St Petersburg. Yet, what this town lacks in these areas, it makes up for in an authentic eye-opener of Russian life – something you will rarely experience if you are in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Restaurants In Tver, as with Russia in general, it is often difficult to categorize establishments as “cafe/restaurant” or “bar/club” as the lines are often blurred to the eyes of a westerner. Some of the city's best restaurants, for example, are in dance clubs, and while there are full bars in most cafes, not one bar lacks a food menu. You can more or less drink a beer and eat something at any one of these places. Aragvi: If you are into discovering culinary treasures at quiet, “hole-in-the-wall” type restaurants, then this tiny little Georgian resto located on the 3rd floor of the Hotel Tourist near the train station is just for you. Though the ‘interior design’ lacks esthetic taste, the food more than makes up for it. The authentically prepared shashlik practically drips off the fork and nearly melts before it gets into your mouth. City Club: Another contender for the title of best shashlik in Tver, City Club also has an excellent selection of salads, soups, meat dishes, and desserts. Food is served in any of the many different areas, including the main lounge, jazz room, dance club, and karaoke room. Beautiful outdoor garden cafe in the summer months, complete with gazebos and the occasional presence of the owner's rabbit, provides a great place to enjoy the 11pm sunset. City Club is located on Sovetskaya across the street from the Drama Theater, Philharmonic, and City Park. Baltia: Located in a popular downtown location near the Tverskoy Bridge and City Park, Baltia boasts one of the best shawarma in town (Middle Eastern style “burrito” stuffed with chicken, cabbage, and a pinch of garlic). They also serve a decent chicken sandwich and pizza. Outdoor seating near the Volga is available during the summer months. This is a great place to get a midday snack or a quick and inexpensive meal. Fortuna Cafe and Restaurant : Perhaps one of the most romantic places in the city, Fortuna Cafe is definitely the place to take someone special. The quiet dining room contains less than a handful of tables in a very warm and cozy atmosphere. The service is excellent, as is the Russian-European food they serve. Fortuna is located on Trekhsvyatskaya, near the Olymp shopping centre. Nadezhda: A café and restaurant, Nadezhda serves fine Russian cuisine in a cozy non-smoking dining room. With excellent food and service, this is a great choice to bring someone special or simply meet with good friends. An occasional jazz band adds just one more touch of class to a restaurant already well stocked with it from floor to ceiling. Nadezhda is located on Ulitsa Sovetskaya, near City Park, City Club, and the Drama Theatre. Molodyezhnoe: Although there is some debate over whether this nice little restaurant serves the best shashlik in the city, there is, however a consensus that it ranks within the top three. Served in a non-smoking subterranean dining room, every single one of their soups, salads, meat, and fish dishes are superb both in taste as well as in price. Live musicians in the evening provide music for dancing. Outdoor garden tables are available during the summer months. Molodyezhnoe is located on Sovetskaya, one block from Ploshchad Lenina (Lenin square) and across the street from the Zebra Club. Osnabruk: Located inside the Osnabruk Hotel (on Ulitsa Saltykova-Shchedrina), this recently remodeled restaurant stands out as one of the finer dining establishments in the city. Its modern European styled dining room, with walls washed in a calm, muted salmon hue, reflect its German ownership and management –not a hair out of place. The restaurant serves excellent contemporary Russian, German, and Continental European dishes. There’s live music in the evenings; and breakfast is served from 7-11 am, which is rare in this city, as few people tend to go out for their morning meal. Fast Food and Snacks Street Vendors: You should always be a little cautious about the quality and safety of the food at most street vendors, especially when it comes to food that contains meat or mayonnaise. Piroshkis with mushroom, potato, and cheese are generally good bets, as are chickens from the small mobile trailers (with big happy chickens on them). Open fruit and vegetable markets, as well as the random person selling produce or herbs on the street are not only safe, but also probably some of the best quality food you can find (and at the best price). Although petro-chemicals aren't in widespread use here in Russia, especially on the local dachas (family gardens), it is still a good idea to give your fresh food a good rinse before you eat it. Arzee: set in a popular downtown location near the Tverskoy Bridge and City Park, Arzee boasts one of the best shawarma in town (Middle Eastern style “burrito” stuffed with chicken, cabbage and a pinch of garlic). They also serve a decent chicken sandwich. Outdoor seating near the Volga is available during the summer months. Arzee is a great place to get a midday snack or a quick and inexpensive meal. Baskin-Robbins: Though Tver has not been infiltrated by lots of major western franchises, somehow Baskin-Robbins made it- perhaps because Russians LOVE ice cream. Located on the busy Trekhsvyatskaya pedestrian street, Baskin-Robbins serves the same frozen treats that you would expect to find back home, although at last count, they were only 18 flavors (close enough, though). Nonetheless, a great place to put your sweet tooth on display on a warm summer day. Paterson: One of the best things to happen to Tver since the Germans retreated in WWII, Paterson not only provides western-style groceries to the masses 24 hours per day, but also has an on-site bakery and deli section with ready-made items for those who can't wait to get home. Inexpensive, convenient, and tasty, too. Located on the ground floor of the Olymp shopping center. Robin Bobbin: Don't be fooled by their unappealing logo of a voraciously hungry pig-boy happily consuming everything within his reach (trust me, it's a weird picture), this little place located at the food court on the 2nd floor of the Olymp shopping center serves a decent array of fast food. It’s quick, inexpensive, and there’s rarely a long line. Cafes Mon Café: Quietly located on Svobodniy Lane, behind Drama theatre, this cafe and coffee house offers the enjoyment of wonderful soups, salads, deserts as well as a wide variety of coffees and teas at very moderate prices. Stylish décor, a convenient location in the centre, moderate prices and a great menu is what makes the attraction of this place. Kofein Coffee House: Situated in the very centre of town, this modern coffee house is a great place to take your friends. Kofein offers a cozy relaxing atmosphere as well as a wide variety of coffee and teas, milkshakes, a full bar, snacks, deserts, cakes and pies. There is a smoking and non smoking section. Coffee Break: This café offers a wide array of coffees and teas. They also serve non-mayonnaise salads, (a rarity in Russia) open-faced sandwiches, and sweet snacks at moderate prices. Perched on the 3rd story of the Olympic shopping center, Coffee Break boasts beautiful views of busy Tverskoy Prospekt and T'maka River. Terentyev: Another new and modern styled coffee house, Terentyev is located in the heart of the city's downtown at the corner of Tverskoy Prospekt and Sovetskaya. Inexpensive coffee and teas, moderate prices for sweets, and painfully expensive imported bottled German beer. Nightlife Zebra Club: The "crown jewel" of Tver's downtown club scene, Zebra brings 'em in and turns 'em 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). Located on Sovetskaya, one block from Ploshchad Lenina ( Lenin Square). Zerkalo Club: The newest of the major clubs in the city center, Zerkalo has stood out from the rest since the day they first opened their doors. Fabulously decorated in modern "Euro-chic-trendy-whatever," this elegant club also boasts one of the best restaurants in the city. A large main dance floor provides house/techno beats for the masses to move to, while a small lounge downstairs provides a place to cool off to more ambient tunes or even blues. Comfortable couches (that verge on being too hip to sit on) with cocktail tables are scattered throughout the club to set up your home base or take a temporary reprieve from dancing. As the main floor is usually quite loud, the "blues room" is a good choice to chat up your friends, neighbors, and whomever else. One tip: dress to impress at Zerkalo, because it is not only someplace to see, it is a place to be seen. Reserving a table is always a good idea as they are relatively limited in number. Located on Prospekt Pobedy, near Ploshchad Kaposhvara and Victory Park. 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 Zerkalo, its brilliance comes from its diversity of atmospheres in the many nooks and crannies of this relatively spacious club. City Club is Located on Sovetskaya, near the Drama Theater. Sightseeing in Tver 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 a winter's white wonderland, the park really comes alive in the summer months with outdoor cafes sprinkled about, music and laughter filling the air, the smell of shashlik (Georgian BBQ) and people from all walks of life enjoying themselves while waiting out the 11 pm sunset. The Volga River: The mighty Volga, whose headwaters are only a few hours drive outside of the city, provides the context for a number of the locals' favorite recreational activities. On warm sunny days, regardless of whether or not it is a weekend, the beach located just across the Old Bridge from the city centre is always packed with swimmers, sunbathers, and BBQ aficionados. From the dock at City Park you can take an hour-long riverboat cruise out beyond the city limits, or you can be the captain of your own vessel by renting a paddle or row boat from the boathouse near the beach. With only a small amount of preparation (and an even smaller amount of encouragement), you can easily entice anyone into joining you for a picnic and swim just 10 minutes up river from downtown. Pathways and parks on both banks also are nice places to take walks and absorb the beauty. 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 was 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 15 rubles. Activities and Entertainments Bowling: Yes, bowling in Russia; with Russians; at a place named Shar-pei. Although you may never spot anyone like the Big Lebowski nor any of his cohorts roaming these lanes, you will see something you are likely to have never seen before: Russians bowling. A relatively new phenomena here in Russia, bowling has instantly become beloved by many despite (or perhaps because of) its lack of history in this country and general awareness that it even existed- until now. The lanes of Shar-pei are doused in black light so that the fluorescent balls and white pins glow like neon powered by a nuclear reactor. Automatic scoring for the novice, forgetful, or lazy players (not to mention the "number fudgers"), the obligatory shoe rentals (in US sizes), and the full bar service help make it all come together nicely, regardless of how many pins you leave standing in the end. They also serve food, which is decent, although it is unlikely that it will do much to improve your game. Nonetheless, you are sure to have fun at Shar-pei. Ice Skating: It should go without saying that winter sports are popular in a place where winter seems 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 30 rubles 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 400 rubles per hour, your guide will lead you, your companions, and the horses you have commandeered along peaceful forest trails where you can breathe the fresh air and admire the abundant wildlife of the Tver region. 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. The Drama Theater is located at Ulitsa Sovetskaya 16, next to the Philharmonic and near City Park. Philharmonic: Melodies from beautiful classical and chamber players usually fill Tver's Philharmonic, 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 Theatre and City Park. Circus: While the circus could be seen as the more “low brow” of Russian cultural activities, it 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 to 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. Daily Living in Tver You will be pleasantly surprised by this charming town that offers a variety of activities, both indoor and outdoor. The information here shows that Tver is more than a quiet town but a regional administrative centre for the Tverskaya Oblast. (Region) Accommodation: You will probably stay in a two-room flat, with kitchen, bathroom and toilet. Language Link pays all bills with the exception of the telephone (calls are free within the city). The flats are not luxurious! However, they are liveable and furnished with the basic necessities. Bedding, cutlery and crockery are all supplied. They should be situated close to the school and to public transport. Try to get to know your neighbours, they are mostly very friendly and keen to help you with any problems you have. It goes without saying, treat them with respect- no loud music at night, banging doors, etc. Laundry and Dry Cleaners: For laundry and dry cleaning, it is best to explore the Paterson shopping centre, although prices may be on the expensive side. Alternatively, your students will probably know cheaper places in and around town. Utilities - Telephone and Internet: Prices for long-distance telephone calls vary. There are, however, ways of lowering the price of long-distance calls using IP-telephony. All the key mobile providers are present in Tver: MTS, Beeline and Megaphone. Charges cost from 1.5 cents to 3 cents per minute. The quality of the connection is high. Check out the local services providers for internet connections. Useful Numbers: After arrival in Tver, teachers will be supplied with the school administrator’s mobile number which they can use for any questions that they may have. Other numbers which may, though hopefully not, prove useful are fire (01), police (02) and ambulance (03). Electricity: The electrical standard in Russia is 220 V/50 Hz and requires European style two-pin plugs. If you are bringing electronic equipment with you, it is advisable that you purchase any needed adapters prior to your arrival in Tver. The power supply is reliable and cases of power outages are very rare. The streets of Tver are generally well-lit. Water: The quality of water in Tver is ok for brushing teeth and washing but it is advisable to buy bottled water (About 50RUB) or to boil before use. Traveling around Tver: Travelling around the city is cheap and easy. Tver has a bus, trolleybus and tram network linking the centre with its suburbs and outlying towns. At the time of writing, the average price for a ticket for travelling within the town was about RUB15. There are also ‘marshrutkas’ (mini-buses) which follow bus routes and are also fairly frequent (about one every five minutes). The drivers generally wait until they are full before departing for their destination. Money and Financial Matters Cash: Exchanging Dollars and Euros to Rubles is quick and easy to do at several Western Union outlets, exchange bureaus, and banks. In Tver, however, these places will charge a small premium in addition to the central bank rate, unlike the Bankomat machines. Also one very important item about exchanging cash in Russia: make sure that your native currency is clean and crisp without tears or ink marks, or they will generally give you a poor rate if they accept it at all. For dollars, notes issued after 2000 are preferred. Automated Teller Machines (ATM/Bankomat) : Recently, Tver has seen an explosion in the number of automated bank tellers throughout the city center, meaning that the days when visitors would arrive with a bundle of cash in their pockets to fund their expenses is over. Bankcards and credit cards with Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Plus, Star, and several other network affiliations are accepted. As of this writing, Russian banks don't add surcharges, so depending on how much your own bank charges for using a non-network machine, this might be a good way to exchange to rubles as you will get the national bank rate (which is much better than if you exchange with cash). Credit Cards: Although credit cards are still not widely accepted here in Tver, they are accepted by major hotels, a few of the finer restaurants, and Paterson (the 24 hour grocery store). You can also get cash advances at Bankomats, should the need arise, and if you plan to travel to Moscow or St. Petersburg, you will find plenty of opportunities to put them to use. Don't count on being able to use anything other than Visa or MasterCard, however. Traveler's Cheques: Be forewarned that if you decide to bring traveler's cheques to Tver, there are only a few selected banks and exchange bureaus that will cash them, and you will be charged high commissions (5-7%). Considering that you will also be at the mercy of long lines and quirky business hours, we recommend that you have additional means of funding your expenses as well. Shopping Paterson: One of the best things to happen to Tver since the fall of Communism, Paterson not only provides western-style groceries to the masses 24 hours per day, but also has an on-site bakery and deli section with ready-made items for those who can't wait to get home. Inexpensive, convenient and tasty. The cornerstone of the Olymp shopping center, Paterson carries the widest range of western and Asian ingredients, sauces, spices, liquor, and a host of other items that, until it opened, were rare if they existed at all in Tver. Ranging from a little more to a lot more expensive as compared to other grocery stores downtown, it also has its own bakery, butcher, and deli on the premises. Another big plus is that it is the only major grocery store that is open 24 hours. Located on the ground floor of the Olymp shopping center. Central Market : Without a doubt, the best place to buy fresh locally-produced meat and cheese is at the Central Market. While there are a few food vendors working inside the main pavilions every day, the bazaar goes into full swing on the weekends when thousands of people make their way to purchase just about anything you can imagine: household goods, health and beauty products, fur hats, boots, jackets, plumbing hardware, electronics, furniture, pirated MP3's, DVD's and software, (not that Language Link approve of such actions). An excellent place to hunt for souvenirs, shop for farm fresh food, music, or just to take in as a unique experience. For further adventures into provincial Russian retail chaos, be sure to check out the neighboring "Tver" shopping center as well. Located across the T'maka river from the Circus and Central Hotel. Dom Hleba: Need some freshly-baked bread? Dom Hleba ("bread house") is your answer. Offering a wide variety of freshly baked breads and pastries, this place can't be beat when it comes to quality and price. One word of warning, however: if you don't speak Russian, don't go it alone, as the cashier kiosk is located well away from the baked goods in a Soviet-style "pay first, take receipt to counter, get bread" system. (In other words, pointing and mumbling will get you nothing). Located on Trekhsvyatskaya, near Bulvar Radishcheva (just follow your nose!). 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. Healthcare The quality of healthcare in the Tver region is reported to be of a high standard. While not in line with Western standards, you can expect professional treatment from the staff at any hospital. It is advisable to have your own private medical insurance. The Language Link Promise We promise that we will do our best to make your time in Tver a positive and memorable experience. Apply Online N.B. Please be sure to place 'Tver' in the space allotted for 'Preferred Posting (first choice)'.