Shrouded in the most beautiful of ancient legends, Solovetsky islands (also called Solovki) still maintains its enchantment and is justly considered the pearl of the Russian North. Annually, thousands of people come to Solovki to see one of the most worshipped monasteries, to pay respect to famous Russian saints, to marvel at the wonderful historical, architectural and hydro technical monuments. They also come to be surrounded by the atmosphere of the past, and to get under the spell of the magnificent Russian Northern nature.

Solovetsky islands is located in the western part of the White Sea, in the Onega gulf, less than 150 km from the Polar Circle. It consists of 6 big and many small islands with the total area of about 300 square km. The biggest is the Greater Solovetsky Island on which the legendary medieval monastery stands.

Despite the vicinity to the Polar Circle, winters are not severe here because of the warming influence of the Norwegian Current, a northern arm of the Gulf Stream. During the coldest months temperatures are only as low as 10 or 20 degrees below, which considered to be a very mild winter.

The islands' picturesque relief, shaped by the steep hills, low sandy banks and covered with large stones, forms unique setting for the diverse nature zones and creates an abundance of floral and animal wild life. Archipelago's special microclimate is also determined by the influence of the White Sea and 564 lakes located on the islands. The territory is covered with swamps and woods: pine-trees grow on sand-dunes and sand terraces, fir trees - on rocky ridges, and birch-trees - in waterlogged places.