You'll find plenty of typical Soviet architecture in Samara, and you can't help but appreciate the city's rich history. As well as being a center of art and culture, the natural surroundings of the Samara are simply breathtaking. The banks of the Volga River stretch for 5 km, and here you can laze and soak up some sun, while in winter, the city's forests offer a range of exciting winter sports. Samara was also home to literary icons such as Pushkin, Tolstoy and Gorki, and so it has a special place in the hearts of Russians.