East of Moscow on the Volga River, intriguing Kazan is an ancient and historical city. Primary sights include its university (where Tolstoy and Lenin went to school), the Kazan Kremlin, the 16th-century Spasskaya Tower, and charming gardens and parks.
Most visitors add a day to cruise down the Volga, Europe's longest river. You may not want to make a special trip to the city, but if you're in the area, a day spent in Kazan can be quite pleasant.
450 mi/725 km east of Moscow.