Sometimes you have such a strange feeling of déjà vu when pictures that you know from childhood come to life. And the first time you come to a new place, and there you are familiar with every street. Plyos is from such places. And you must visit it in order to understand for yourself what inspired Isaac Levitan in his work.
You can go to Ples on your own by car, or you can join an excursion group. One thing is clear - you won't need a car in the city. It is so compact that it can be bypassed in one day.
At the entrance to Ples there will be signs, and to start exploring the city, turn right at the sign for Mount Levitan. There is an observation deck near the Resurrection Church. A similar church can be seen in Levitan's painting Above Eternal Peace. However, the real chapel burned down, and another wooden church was brought in its place. The view from the mountain is fantastic - the Volga, the entire Ples at a glance.
And to explore the city, go down the wooden stairs, and you will find yourself on the embankment. There is also the famous house-museum of the artist Levitan. Be sure to visit it. This is a small merchant's house where you can see the originals of Levitan's paintings (not all, of course) and the interior of the rooms. Go to the window and look - you will immediately understand what inspired the artist so much.
Plyos is one large observation deck. Cathedral Mountain is the most ancient area of the city. Now it is a walking route, you can take great photos here. Among the cultural sites, the Assumption Cathedral has been preserved, erected on the site of a church that burned down in the fire along with the fortress.
Go downstairs and you will find yourself in the shopping area. This is a street of shops, souvenir shops and restaurants. The most famous present from Ples is smoked fish. Bream, sturgeon, carp, various kulebyaki. You can also try fish in restaurants on the waterfront. Many people strive to get to the famous hotel-restaurant "Private Visit". The very atmosphere, cuisine, views of the city are beyond praise. But only the price tag is upsetting. And now I will tell you a secret. Take a walk around the hotel, it is open to everyone. And go to the Noble Side for dinner. This eco-farm is located a little away from the city, there are signs at the exit. If you are traveling with children, the Noble Side is a must-see. There is a "Cat's House", and a farm with rabbits, chickens and various animals. What's the secret? The "noble side" belongs to the owner of the "Private Visit". And their kitchen is identical, only the price tag is cheaper. But impressions!
The biggest disadvantages of Ples include prices in restaurants and hotels in the city. And sometimes the overpriced price tag does not justify itself at all. Here you can only advise to come to Ples out of season. Since October 1, many establishments have been reducing prices, but it is in the fall that Ples is unusually beautiful. And one more small nuance - the lack of city toilets.
