On our next day, my family and I went to the ancient town of Suzdal, which is about a 20-minute drive from Vladimir. We were lucky to visit on a beautiful day when there weren't many people around, and, of all the times I've been to Suzdal (six or seven), this was by far the best. I would write more, but I'll let the pictures tell the story.

One of the most beautiful places in Suzdal

A tower in the wall ringing the St. Euthymius Monastery 

Inside the monastery

The monastery's bell tower. We got lucky and heard the bells, which is an affair that lasts several minutes.

Closeup of the bells. One guys plays all the bells using ropes and foot pedals. 

Another sleeping cat

Inside the Transfiguration Cathedral

Old frescoes on the walls

Old writing. To a reader of modern Russian, this is incomprehensible 

View of the monastery's garden 

Looking toward downtown Suzdal

A cathedral in the museum of wooden architecture 

A wood home in that museum  

The Suzdal kremlin 

A mailbox

I love these boxy UAZ  trucks

Inside the Suzdal kremlin  

A reconstruction of a typical village-style wooden church  

Suzdal has too many churches to count  

Another Suzdal local 

Inside the courtyard of a former prison used to hold political convicts, including one of the Decembrists   

More Suzdal churches 

Suzdal is also famous for medavukha, which is honey mead. We bought some.