The first decade of May pleases with two long periods of non-working days at once. At this time, daylight hours noticeably increase, the weather is already quite warm, everything is blooming around – ideal conditions to get out into nature!

Yasnaya Polyana, located half an hour from Tula, is associated with the name of Leo Tolstoy. Spring gives the museum-estate of the great Russian writer a special charm. In addition to educational excursions, it is very pleasant to walk here, enjoying the beautiful nature and magnificent May flowering.

At the main entrance to the estate, we are greeted by the recognizable symbols of Yasnaya Polyana – two pretty turrets with green roofs and weathercocks in the form of flags. And to the left you can see a small building called the "heater". In the 1890s, the school for peasant children founded by Tolstoy was located here, where the eldest daughters of the writer, and sometimes he himself, gave lessons.

The picturesque birch alley leading from the turrets to Tolstoy's house bears a somewhat bizarre name for the modern ear – Preshpekt. However, at the end of the 18th century, when the estate was owned by the writer's grandfather, Prince Nikolai Volkonsky, the word is quite familiar. Preshpekt was Tolstoy's favorite walking place and, by the way, appears in his famous novel War and Peace.

Along the bright birch alley we slowly approach the house where the writer lived for more than 50 years and created his main works. There is a museum here, where the atmosphere of the Tolstoy's era is carefully preserved: furniture, household items, photographs and a library containing more than 20,000 books.

Adjacent to the house is the old linden park Kliny, laid out in the French style. The name is associated with the characteristic layout of alleys in the form of triangles – "wedges". The park today looks almost the same as it did 200 years ago when it was laid out.

Chepyzh oak grove begins right behind the writer's house. There are several oak trees that are over 300 years old. Tolstoy liked to walk through the forest and even built a small hut here so that he could retire from a large family and work quietly.

The lower park of the estate, in contrast to Kliny – landscape, or English. A characteristic feature of English landscape architecture – orientation to the existing natural environment. In Yasnaya Polyana, poplars, maples, elms are planted along steep ravines, and a spectacular cascade of three ponds has been created here. The route through the Lower Park ends with a gazebo-tower, from which you can see the road leading to the estate.

Apple orchards, founded back in the time of Prince Volkonsky, – decoration and pride of Yasnaya Polyana. Tolstoy increased the planting area from 10 to 40 hectares, and 7800 trees were planted by the writer himself. In May, apple orchards are buried in the white foam of flowering, representing an amazingly beautiful sight.

In Yasnaya Polyana, the day flies by unnoticed, and if the weather is good, you want to stay here longer. AZIMUT Park Hotel Tula, located in proximity to Tolstoy's estate, – an ideal place for a relaxing holiday surrounded by magnificent nature.

If you are heading to Yasnaya Polyana from Moscow, your path will pass through Tula. Here, an inquisitive traveler will also see many interesting sights, for example, the ancient Kremlin of the 16th century. AZIMUT City Hotel Tula – a modern hotel complex where you can comfortably stay on a trip.