The Russian Far East is about as far as you can go traveling east until you get back to the west.

This is what a lot of people think about traveling to Vladivostok, "The Lord of the East" — that what it means in Russian.

Vladivostok is not only known as a capital of Primorski (Maritime) Region and home to mighty Pacific Fleet. It is indeed a unique city. Founded on the shore of the Golden Horn bay, with overlooking hills it is amazingly beautiful. You just have to look a little bit deeper, and only then you will see how the memory of the past lives with expectations of future.

You can see it in the old parts of the former China Town, here called Millionka, and the multistoried building rising straight in to the sky; in the patches of the old pavement on the of the streets and modern fountains sparkling with thousands of colorful splutters.

People from different nations lived in this city for years, bringing their own cultures, traditions and customs and no wonder to this Vladivostok is considered to be the first European city for the Asian countries. Surprisingly it is also considered to be the first Asian city for Russia. Maybe because of this Asian-European clash of cultures you will never implicate this city with any other in the world.

Vladivostok has always been a generous and hospitable city. For many years it has been visited by major public figures such as Russian Crown Prince Nikolai II; Soviet Leaders Nikita Khrushev and Leonid Brezhnev, US President Gerald Ford, Russian President Vladmir Putin and many others. Among the people who at various times admired it enchanted spirit, were world-famous travelers such as Roald Amundsen, writers — William S. Maugham and others.

Of course everything here is connected with the sea: the names of the streets, the coat of arms that features not only a tiger but also two crossed anchors. The sea defines the character of Vladivostok. It is a very romantic city and it's got that lovely soft edge that you get from the sea port. Here you know that you are on the ocean, and people also feel that very strongly.

No wonder that founders of the city, a company led by Lieutenant Komarov, first arrived here by sea. They came on board of the military transport 'Manchzhur', which dropped its anchor on June 20, 1860 in the Golden Horn Bay. After establishing regular shipping services to the ports of the Japan, China and Korea, Vladivostok became known to the world. By the end of the 19th century it was the largest sea port in the southern part of Russia's Pacific coast.

Vladivostok is breathtakingly beautiful with its surrounding nature: multiple islands with untouched fauna, coastal waters full of wonders, Russia's only marine preserve located in the Gulf of Peter the Great.

Every season has got left its own mark on the city. In spring when it's foggy and damp, you feel how the air of adventure gets under your skin and you dream about sailing away, listening to the seagull's cries, breathing this air of change. In summer emerald grass with precious white sand and turquoise waves that kisses you bare feet make you crave for another day on the beach. In autumn leaves turn their colors into fire-red, screaming yellow and deep green and no wonder you feel yourself visiting some far away planet. And in winter taking walks with in the forest, with almost blinding white snow, afterwards sitting in the cozy cafe with a glass of mulled whine — what can be better?

It's worth saying that after the World War II Vladivostok became a closed city and was opened a second time only in 1992. Since then Vladivostok came a long way. Strengthening its cultural and economic ties Vladivostok has got 6 sister cities relationships around the world: Akita, Niigata, Hakodate in Japan; Pusan, Korea; Dalyan in China, and Tacoma and San Diego in USA. With its port, terminus on Trans-Siberian railroad and international airport Vladivostok is becoming an international business center like Singapore and Hong Kong — which can be easily explained by its Zodiac sign — Leo; it means that Vladivostok has got a great future. Vladivostok is an intellectual city with great educational, cultural and scientific potentials; it is a young and hopeful city.

And it's opened to everybody!