Four hours north of Moscow lies the small tourist city of Yaroslavl. This is a historical site that attracts many tourists, even in October. It also lies on the confluence of the Volga and Kostrol rivers.

We arrived to snow, slightly anxious that our accommodation, having been removed from Booking dot com, may not be the best. We got to the address and found a locked gate. We asked around if anyone had heard of this hostel but to no avail. When we same a man come out through the gate, we asked if he could help us. We then got to the building specified but it had no markings and the only door we could see had no doorbell or even a handle.

We gave up at this point and asked the gentleman where we could access WIFI to find somewhere else to stay. He immediately looked up a hostel and called them to check they had room. He then proceeded to drive us there (although it was only a ten-minute walk) and help us check in by translating for us. We felt so welcomed and we were repeatedly shown such warm hospitality that we couldn't help but love the place. We were only here a day but it made a very big impression on us.