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Introducing Solovetsky Islands
Perched in the icy waters of the southern White Sea, the Solovetsky Islands (often referred to as Solovki) have for centuries been the scene of amazing extremes of human heroism, endurance, suffering and cruelty. The islands were home to one of the most famous and powerful monasteries in the Russian Empire (today much revived), a tsarist-era penal colony, and one of the cruellest Soviet prison camps. They are also places of unique and haunting nat- ural beauty, with countless bays, headlands and lakes, extensive forests and hardly any human inhabitants. Try to give yourself at least two days, preferably more, to explore Solovki. You're unlikely to regret it.
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Most people come between June and August, when navigation is open and it's not so cold. Vicious mosquitoes and swarms of midges (worst in July and August) can make you miserable at these times, so bring bug spray and clothing to cover all of your body.
July temperatures average 13°C, but the weather here is notoriously fickle: you must always be ready for cool to cold temperatures.
Last updated: Sep 28, 2008
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