marian owen travel

Your Stories: How driving her own coach holidays helped Marion Owen’s agency survive the pandemic

• Share on WhatsApp
• Share by email

Marion Owen says taking the wheel to provide holidays with a twist saved her business

Q. How did you start in travel? A. I was nine when I decided I wanted to be a travel agent. My first job after school, aged 18, was as a tourist cashier at Thomas Cook. I progressed into sales before joining AA Travel as assistant manager before taking the helm.

Q. Why did you launch Marion Owen Travel 27 years ago, and how has it evolved? A. I’d been made redundant so setting up my agency seemed a natural step. The business has evolved to keep up with the market. We sell all holidays, as you never know what a small booking can lead to in the future, but we focus on cruise, long-haul tailor-made holidays, escorted touring and our own collection. We sent more than 90 guests to Jersey in 2021 and we visited hotels there recently so we can best advise our clients. Generally, we attract couples and singles looking for a cultural experience.

We sell all holidays, as you never know what a small booking can lead to in the future, but we focus on cruise, long-haul tailor-made holidays, escorted touring and our own collection

Q. How well are your own escorted tours selling? A. Our 2021, UK festive tours were full, with almost 600 guests on trips from one to three days. Most of our own tours for 2022 are full too. I also escort overseas holidays with operators, such as APT, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Transun. I’ll escort anything that presses my buttons but there are only so many weeks in a year.

Q. What is it like escorting your own tours? A. Guests like the security of having me around; we’re very much ‘care in the community’ and go that extra mile. In 2020, I did tours to Scotland and Shropshire that I didn’t advertise; they were just for people we knew, so they felt safe and confident. I work while away and generate lots of business as everyone has ample time to discuss their plans with me and I get them booked as we travel.

I also escort overseas holidays with operators, such as APT, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Transun. I’ll escort anything that presses my buttons but there are only so many weeks in a year

Q. What happened when the pandemic hit? A. I returned from escorting a group along the Ganges in India and we packed up the office and I took everything home. Three full-time staff were furloughed while holiday planner Emma Higinbotham and I worked at home. One of our colleagues ended up working as a carer and another went to work at an admin firm. By October 2020, Emma and I were left. We need another member of staff now .

Q. How is the agency running now? A. We open our office from 9am to 2pm, Monday to Friday. The phones are always answered as they are diverted when we are not in the office. Emma is my rod – we are great friends and have laughed and cried together through the pandemic. She has travelled extensively and is very customer-oriented. Recently, she helped someone with UK train times – the customer returned and booked a cruise. She sets up older clients on smartphones if they need help and shows them how to use them for cruises. Higher-value bookings are coming in for 2023; everyone seems to want to splash out a little more, upgrade and tick off their bucket list.

Emma has travelled extensively and is very customer-oriented. Recently, she helped someone with UK train times – the customer returned and booked a cruise

Q. What marketing and networking do you do? A. We produce monthly news booklets incorporating our special departures and I write two advertorial features in local monthly publications – as well as Facebook, blogging and e-blasts. We attend the Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers (Atas) conference – it’s just about the best conference and I would not want to miss it as it helps us tremendously.

Q. Have you managed to take a holiday recently? A. Since March 2020, I’ve had a one-night break for my husband’s 65th birthday and a two-night break for a family wedding. I will make up for it this year. I cancelled my ski trip for this New Year but hope to escape between February and March. Our own tours are always an adventure and I love to explore. I’m lucky to have travelled the world but still have a bit of a bucket list to complete. I don’t really want to continue coach driving on my own so we need another driver. I had planned to retire 10 years ago, aged 50, but I’m not very good at saying no. Emma says I’m not allowed to retire.

Our own tours are always an adventure and I love to explore. I’m lucky to have travelled the world but still have a bit of a bucket list to complete

Why did you start driving your own UK coach tours?

In 2010, I obtained a tour operator’s bond with Abta to offer holidays with a twist. We had many ex-UK cruisers looking for extra holidays but not wanting run-of-the mill coach tours. I obtained my coach driver’s licence in 2012 as I was concerned that we only had one driver. Being a two-man crew allows us to share the driving and cuts down on breaks. During the pandemic, I have driven a few solo tours to cut overheads. We don’t return to destinations because many of our guests are repeaters and want a new experience.

I obtained my coach driver’s licence in 2012 as I was concerned that we only had one driver. Being a two-man crew allows us to share the driving and cuts down on breaks

But we do visit the Thursford Christmas Spectacular in Norfolk each year because it is a different show every time and regular guests call it their start of Christmas. I can book lots of holidays with customers while I am away. Our clients are like a travelling family and they know each other well. We have just bought a new Mercedes coach, built for a coach trade show which was cancelled, so it was reduced. It would retail at €750,000 but that’s not what we paid for it. Our domestic tours have saved us.

Share article

View comments, gatwick outlines india ambitions as new route starts, sandals resorts staff to climb volcano during 50-mile challenge, visit usa to host webinar series for uk travel trade, cardiff airport prepares for busy bank holiday after passenger uplift, jacobs media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 queen's award for enterprise..

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more .

THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2024 | Victoria Warehouse, Manchester

Top 50 - touring & adventure - marion owen travel.

Meet Yorkshire's Beverley Travel – TTG Top 50 champion 2023

'Our recipe definitely works': La Vida Travel's secret to a decade of success

TTG Top 50 2024 launches with raft of new features

Sign up for updates on ttg's major awards events, sponsorship opportunities.

If you would like to increase your brand awareness and connect with travel agents based in the UK & Ireland, contact us today to find out more about the range of sponsorship opportunities available. Email James Francis at [email protected] or call on +44 (0)20 3405 6527 . For any other queries about the event, please contact Sarah Lewington at [email protected] .

In association with

We use cookies to provide you the best possible experience. For more information, please see our privacy policy .

• Business Directory
• What is a BID?
• How we are funded
• Meet the team
• Meet the board
• Our Partners
• Improving Cleanliness
• Improving Security
• Improving Communication
• Improving Business
• Business Plan
• Annual Reports
• Newsletters
• City Centred
• Equipment Hire

A city centre travel business which sends thousands of people on journeys around the world reaches a milestone of its own this year. Marion Owen Travel will have clocked up 20 years in June. Marion herself had 14 years’ experience before she set up the business, and there are not many places she hasn’t been. “I haven’t been to Japan, Korea or Taiwan. They just haven’t happened for me yet,” said Marion, who heads a team of four people. “One of my favourite places is Canada, particularly Alberta and British Columbia for the scenery, wildlife and people. It’s got everything. And my favourite city is Vancouver.” Marion began her career with Thomas Cook, before becoming assistant manager of the AA Travel Hull office and then progressing to manager of the business. Her current business in Portland Street, Hull, was launched in June 1993 and has a database of more than 2,000 clients. Cruise holidays have always been an area of expertise, but there is a broader offer in the Marion Owen Travel brochures. “During the 1990s cruises became more accessible and affordable for regular holidaymakers, and now some of the ships are floating resorts,” said Marion. “I have first-hand knowledge of more than 140 ships, some ocean-going and others cruising the great rivers. But I don’t have a favourite destination. I like different features in different places, particularly on the cultural side, and whenever I look at something I just think about whether our clients will like it.” Cruises account for about half of the business of Marion Owen Travel, lower than in the past because of the effort to develop other areas including tailor-made holidays and group departures. “We put together small, escorted group tours to Alaska, Canada, India, China and Burma. Once people have tried them they come again because they know it will be an adventure, but one where they will be looked after,” said Marion. Technology is making a gradual difference to the way the business works, with email and internet playing more of a part and with plans to introduce online reservations, but most bookings are still made by phone. The company’s own coach tours, which have become a significant part of the business, cover Europe and the UK and aim to operate to the same standards as the cruises. “I always say you don’t go on holiday to endure something that is worse than your surroundings at home,” said Marion. “And our coach tours are the closest I will ever get to retirement, although they are tiring because, whilst our clients are there for a holiday, I look after them and still keeping on top of things at the office.” Marion’s ideal holiday is skiing, usually two trips a year, with her own experience of short breaks influencing her advice to others. “It is very important for people to make time for a holiday,” she said. “What we find is that someone who is in a very busy job is better having a break which is short and sweet rather than a long holiday, when you come back to a desk piled high with work and lose any benefit after just a couple of days.” Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said: “To many people it must seem as though Marion has the dream job, but it is clear that there is a lot of hard work involved. “To run a highly successful specialist travel business in the city centre for 20 years against stiff competition from the larger travel companies is a great achievement, and one which has put Marion herself on the map as a real travel expert.”

Photography: Copyright Karl Andre

Hull Business Improvement District (BID) Ltd. registered office: 34-36 Beverley Road, Hull, HU3 1YE. A company guaranteed and registered in England no. 5483900. VAT Number 902 638 044

• Privacy Policy

Tripping the light fantastic: Aurora provides stunning backdrop to mark 30 years of Marion Owen Travel

SPECTACLE: The Northern Lights in Karesuvanto, Finland. Pictures by Phil Ascough

Chewing the Fat - Out to lunch with Phil Ascough

Enjoying a Northern Lights tour with one of Hull’s top travel agents, Marion Owen

It was literally a top of the world experience and the sort of spectacle that makes Marion Owen so pleased she pursued a career as a travel agent rather than in hairdressing.

The aurora were dancing above the forest pines, expanding across the horizon and hovering high above the snow-covered hillside trail where we stood, stretching our necks and switching our smartphones into night mode to capture the head-spinning display.

There had been a few appearances earlier in the week but nothing on this scale. On the final night, this was the headline act of a northern lights tour which made the most of the Arctic conditions in of one of the most northerly villages in Finland to take people for trips by snowmobile, dogs and reindeer across a frozen river border and atop one of the thousands of icebound lakes.

It was another resounding success for Marion, who in May will celebrate the 30th anniversary of her travel agency which is still in its original office in Portland Street, Hull, now squeezed in between its more modern neighbours St Stephen’s and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.

Talking about the reasons behind Marion’s career choice proved rather difficult for her, and even brought a few tears.

She said: “My mum and dad worked really hard. He had a supermarket on Askew Avenue and they just couldn’t leave the business. My dad felt really awful that I didn’t know what a holiday was and everybody at school was taking about where they had been.”

GLOBETROTTER: Marion outside the Davvi Arctic Lodge Hotel at Karesuvanto, Finland

Marion recalls her grandfather minding the shop for her earliest family holidays in Cayton Bay and then Newquay, when her dad nearly had to go home to sort out a problem at the shop.

To prevent a repeat scenario the following year they decided to fly to Jersey from Brough. The construction of the huge Capper Pass chimney put paid to that idea and they flew from Leconfield via Heathrow instead. Coming back they somehow caught the wrong connection from Heathrow and ended up at Teesside.

Captivated by the excitement and the confusion, by the age of nine Marion had set her heart on a career as a travel agent.

At 18, she gained experience with the Hull offices of various national concerns including Thomas Cook and the AA, before setting up on her own after the latter pulled out of holidays to concentrate on motoring matters. Marion Owen Travel secured its ABTA licence in June 1993 and drew on its excellent network of contacts and an unrelenting commitment to customer service to offer holidays with a difference.

Marion said: “We are a bit off the beaten track and we tend to get customers who are genuinely interested rather than just browsing. If people want an easy holiday they tend not to come to us but if they want something different they know we can help them.

“We would quite like to do some of the easy work but I don’t think it would be as much fun!”

LOCAL HELP: Marion with reindeer pulling sleighs across a frozen river

I first paid serious attention to Marion Owen Travel nearly a year ago when the company was named top travel agency in Yorkshire at the TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies 2022 Awards.

In a media release from Hull BID, I reported that a decisive factor was Marion’s commitment to go the extra mile. She told how she took the wheel of the coach herself to lead a series of excursions and coach tours when Covid hit and the rising cost of drivers started to eat into the company’s profits during 2021.

Marion said: “I have had a coach licence for ten years so I was already a back-up in case the driver became ill. It all proved worthwhile because I was able to drive some tours myself and keep costs down.”

The advent of coach trips was part of Marion’s strategy of finding new ideas to tackle changes in the industry. Her business has always been a specialist in cruises but when the terms for dealing with the big operators became less favourable she developed the group travel side.

When Covid hit, borders closed but people still wanted to travel. Marion modified the offer again.

She said: “With Covid, UK tourism was able to highlight what it has to offer and that’s how our coach holidays started. We had a lot of customers who wanted to see the interesting sights and didn’t want to drive themselves. They wanted everything sourcing for them so we provided quality coach holidays.”

Among the lingering problems from Covid are staff shortages in related, essential business sectors: “So many people after Covid didn’t want to go back to work. It’s not only in this country, it’s every country, and I can’t see it changing for some time.”

Another issue is impatience among one or two customers who haven’t grasped the need for greater flexibility when making their bookings: “With some people their patience has waned and they can’t appreciate that we have to work day to day, schedules might change a few times but we will still get everybody sorted. We stick to it until everybody has got what they need.

“Throughout Covid, as soon as the government allowed people to travel we were able to get everybody where they wanted to go, and to do that we were on call 24/7.”

The positive trend post-Covid is a population with a greater hunger to travel: “Generally our customers are people who enjoy culture and activities and want to have everything done for them so they can just turn up and relax.”

The size of the team varies from as many as ten, dropping to just Marion and colleague Emma Williams in recent years. The addition of Marion’s sister, Susan, now makes three but Emma’s daughter Macie, who has been helping out, will soon be heading off to college.

Marion said: “As we shed staff naturally we ask ourselves whether we need somebody else, and more to the point whether we can get the right person. You have to get someone who is passionate about the job.”

READY WHEN YOU ARE: Marion with dogs about to lead the sled tour across a frozen lake

Marion’s husband Kelly, a retired aircraft designer, has helped with some tours but their son Cameron has no ambitions to enter the business, instead pursuing his own career as a strength and conditioning coach.

After retiring from his supermarket, Marion’s dad Gordon escorted one trip, with 72 guests split between two hotels in Cyprus.

Marion recalled: “Someone locked themselves in the bathroom, someone else lost their false teeth and someone else ended up in hospital because they didn’t take their water tablets. I realised I’d asked my dad to do too much, and we never took a group that big again!”

That doesn’t mean every trip is trouble-free, but hiccups are usually relatively minor and easily resolved. Even the time when Kelly picked up an elderly traveller to take her to join the coach. He checked with her that he had the correct case, he passed it on to the coach driver and it arrived safely at the other end.

Only when it was reopened at the destination did everybody realise that instead of the guest’s clothes for a glamorous event in a swish hotel the case contained her late husband’s cassette collection.

Marion said: “All she had were the clothes she stood up in, but fortunately she was already beautifully turned out and we were only there for one night.”

YORKSHIRE’S FINEST: Marion Owen, right, and colleague Emma Williams with the TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies 2022 award for top travel agency in Yorkshire

On our trip, passengers were already checking in at Humberside Airport when one couple realised they had left one of their passports at home. With the co-operation of the airport security team, Marion was able to send a car to the couple’s home in East Yorkshire, retrieve the passport and get them onto the plane in time.

Flying to Enontekio airport, there’s not much of a view as you cross the North Sea, Norway and Sweden en route to Finland. When the clouds clear you can just about work out that the patches of grey are the forests, and the white in between is the ice coating the frozen lakes, rivers and roads.

Thoughts turn to your chances of surviving a crash landing in such terrain. And, as we like to write about food, what you might eat, or what might devour you? A bear? A wolf? Or, perhaps more likely, a fellow passenger feeling peckish given the inadequacy of the in-flight menu!

But we arrived safely and conducted a series of bite-sized interviews over substantial lunches and dinners built to support the outdoor schedule, a glass or two of fine, Karhu Finnish beer, and during the activity programme which is an essential part of the tour.

You can’t be sure the aurora will come out to play – a travel writer for The Times poured out 1,500 words this week about not seeing them – so you pack in all the other action to ensure everybody will have plenty of memories to take home.

With glimpses of the aurora during the first three nights, added to the exhilaration of trips on snowshoes, on snowmobile, and being pulled by dogs and reindeer across the ice and snow, it was easy to understand why Marion has already sold out her 2024 trips and is now booking for 2025. And then came the aurora extravaganza on the last night.

The worry for our hosts Transun and all the other aurora operators must be long-term sustainability. Daytime temperatures during our trip rarely dipped below about minus 3. The snowshoe expedition leader, an authority on navigating the forest’s flora and fauna, told us the norm for this time of year should be around minus 15 to minus 20. The tour is likely to be available for a few years yet, but Marion is always looking for new options.

She said: “You have to keep reinventing your offer and your business, changing to keep up with the market. You can’t sit still and think people will keep walking through the door and everything will work out, because it doesn’t always do that.”

Become a Patron of The Hull Story . For just £2.50 a month you can help support this independent journalism project dedicated to Hull. Find out more here

Marion doesn’t have a favourite tour destination but one of her most memorable trips was a 28-day special taking in air, sea, road and rail and calling at the Calgary stampede, the Rockies, Vancouver, Alaska and other points, with guests jumping on and off along the way.

The long distance bookings, and particularly the tailor-made tours, are higher revenue but the group tours, which include some cruises, generate significant volume. And every trip is a sales opportunity – on our group tour to Finland, guests were checking availability for a repeat visit, and others were asking about bespoke arrangements to go to South African and Japan.

Closer to home, Marion has found that her customers enjoy the “quirkiness” of Shetland and the Scilly Isles, and she’s looking forward to September and a nine-day trip which is the next instalment of her round-Ireland tour.

She describes her own holidays as few and far between. India is a favourite, as is Mauritius for golf with Kelly, spa treatments and “good food, good wine and good company”. They are also keen skiers.

Next on her personal list is the North West Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and she’s planning it now.

After 44 years in the industry, Marion is acutely aware of the toll which constant travel can take, and she’s mindful of the need to manage the number of escorted tours.

She said: “I have always travelled a lot. Even with the AA I would go away ten times a year. Pre-Covid I was away almost as much as I was at home and when everything stopped it was quite hard because I was so used to being away!

“This year I have been trying to keep it down, but then I was going to retire when I was 50 – I don’t know what happened there!”

Frustration as Tigers held by PNE

Michael mcintyre: extra bonus arena performance announced after show sells out ‘in minutes’.

Marion Owen Travel

Location & hours.

Suggest an edit

21-23 Portland Street

Hull HU2 8JX

United Kingdom

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Other Travel Agents Nearby

Find more Travel Agents near Marion Owen Travel

Related Cost Guides

Town Car Service

Marion owen travel Review

Write a review, 😍 i recently used marion owen travel to book my va....

😍 I recently used Marion Owen Travel to book my vacation and I couldn't be happier with the experience! The website was easy to navigate and the rates were competitive. The customer service was outstanding. I highly recommend them! 😍

Start collecting reviews today

Claim your business to immediately update business information, respond to reviews, and more, i recently booked a trip through marionowentravel.....

I recently booked a trip through marionowentravel.com and it was a great experience. The website was easy to navigate and the rates were competitive. The customer service was also very helpful. Highly recommend!

😊 I had a fantastic experience booking my vacation...

😊 I had a fantastic experience booking my vacation with Marion Owen Travel! The website was user-friendly and had a wide range of options. The rates were reasonable, and the customer service was excellent. I will definitely book with them again! 😊

I had a wonderful experience with Marion Owen Trav...

I had a wonderful experience with Marion Owen Travel. Their website was easy to navigate and provided all the necessary information. The rates were reasonable, and the customer service was excellent. I highly recommend them.

I had a good experience booking with Marion Owen T...

I had a good experience booking with Marion Owen Travel. The website was easy to use, and the rates were reasonable. The customer service was also helpful. I would use their services again.

I recently used a travel service from marionowentr...

I recently used a travel service from marionowentravel.com and was very happy with the experience. The website was user-friendly and had all the information I needed. The rates were competitive and the customer service was top-notch. I would definitely use their services again.

Marion Owen Travel is a great company. Their websi...

Marion Owen Travel is a great company. Their website is easy to navigate and provides all the necessary information about their services. The rates are reasonable, and the customer service is excellent. I booked a trip with them recently and everything went smoothly. I highly recommend Marion Owen Travel for all your travel needs.

Marion Owen Travel is a great company to book your...

Marion Owen Travel is a great company to book your vacations. Their website is user-friendly and provides all the necessary information. The rates are affordable and the customer service is exceptional. I highly recommend them.

I recently booked a trip through marionowentravel.com and it was a great experience. The website was easy to use and the rates were competitive. The customer service was also very helpful. Highly recommend!

👍 I had an amazing experience booking my vacation ...

👍 I had an amazing experience booking my vacation with Marion Owen Travel! The website was easy to use and had a wide range of options to choose from. The rates were reasonable, and the customer service was excellent. I will definitely be booking with them again! 👍

Get 1000 High Domain Rating Links to Your Business

Business transparency.

• Did not verified company info
• Ask their customers for reviews
• Did not replied to negative reviews

Find out what customers think about Marion owen travel

Trustburn is the best place to read candid reviews from real customers about marion owen travel. get a comprehensive view of the company, from pricing and customer service to product quality and more., try our chrome extension, more companies.

Marion owen travel

Marion Owen Travel

Marion Owen Travel For bookings and information telephone 01482 212525 www.marionowentravel.com 23 Portland Street, Hull HU2 8JX Office hours for…

For bookings and information

telephone 01482 212525

www.marionowentravel.com

23 Portland Street, Hull HU2 8JX

Office hours for telesales: Monday to Saturday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Office to visitors: Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 2.00 pm.

Realted Posts

Fitmums & friends.

Cottingham Fitmums & Friends A fun and friendly fitness walking, running and cycling club. For men and women (16+). All…

The Bathroom Sanctuary

  The Bathroom Sanctuary 26 King Street, Cottingham HU16 5E Telephone: 01482 247321 www.thebathroomsanctuary.co.uk

Catholic Women’s League

The Cottingham Catholic Women’s League Meet  Monday evenings in the Garden Room, Holy Cross RC Church, Carrington Avenue, Cottingham at…

Cottingham History

Cottingham is a village and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It lies just to the north-west…

East Riding Cricket Society

The East Riding Cricket Society Programme 2018 to 2019 East Riding Cricket Society returns to the King Billy this winter…

Recent Posts

• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library launch event
• Summer fun: What’s on across the East Riding
• Olympic cycling hero gears up for the Beverley Grand Prix
• Blood pressure monitors now on loan from East Riding Libraries
• World champion cyclists ride into town for the Beverley Grand Prix

• Visit Our Blog about Russia to know more about Russian sights, history
• Check out our Russian cities and regions guides
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to better understand Russia
• Info about getting Russian visa , the main airports , how to rent an apartment
• Our Expert answers your questions about Russia, some tips about sending flowers

Russian regions

• North Caucasus
• Chechnya republic
• Dagestan republic
• Ingushetia republic
• Kabardino-Balkaria republic
• Karachay-Cherkessia republic
• North Ossetia republic
• Stavropol krai
• Map of Russia
• All cities and regions
• Blog about Russia
• News from Russia
• How to get a visa
• Flights to Russia
• Russian hotels
• Renting apartments
• Russian currency
• FIFA World Cup 2018
• Submit an article
• Flowers to Russia
• Ask our Expert

Stavropol city, Russia

The capital city of Stavropol krai .

Stavropol - Overview

Stavropol is a city in the south of the European part of Russia, the administrative center of Stavropol Krai, one of the largest cities in the North Caucasus.

The population of Stavropol is about 458,200 (2022), the area - 172 sq. km.

The phone code - +7 8652, the postal codes - 355000-355047.

Stavropol city flag

Stavropol city coat of arms.

Stavropol city map, Russia

Stavropol city latest news and posts from our blog:.

12 January, 2020 / Wooden Church of the Nativity of Mary in Rozhdestvenskaya .

2 December, 2019 / Tsvetnik - the Oldest Park in Pyatigorsk .

16 June, 2019 / Abandoned Uranium Mine in the Stavropol Region .

6 May, 2019 / Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Stavropol .

30 September, 2011 / Beautiful nature of Stavropol krai .

More posts..

News, notes and thoughts:

11 October, 2016   / Stavropol was recognized as the most well-organized city in Russia as a result of the All-Russian competition "The most well-organized city (rural settlement) of Russia" held in 2015. The second place was taken by Ufa and Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk took the third place.

History of Stavropol

Foundation of stavropol.

People began to settle in the territory of present-day Stavropol and its environs in ancient times. This is evidenced by more than 20 settlements found by archaeologists here (from the Eneolithic era (4-3 millennium BC) to the Middle Ages).

With the arrival of the Polovtsians (Cumans), a Turkic nomadic people, sedentary life was interrupted. The Nogais and Kalmyks roamed here. In 1556, Astrakhan was taken by Russian troops and the Astrakhan Khanate ceased to exist. This opened the way for Russia to the North Caucasus and the Caspian Sea.

As a result of the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774, a new border was established from the mouth of the Terek River to Mozdok and further north-west to the fortress of St. Dmitry (Rostov-on-Don) and Azov. The need arose to protect this region on the southern outskirts of the Russian Empire by building a chain of fortresses.

In 1777, the fortress of Stavropol was founded - one of ten fortresses in the Azov-Mozdok defensive line. For the construction of fortresses and service in the garrisons, the Volga and Don Cossacks were relocated to the Caucasus.

The main work on the construction of the fortress was completed in 1778. It was a pentagon surrounded by earthen ramparts and ditches with a total length of 1,698 meters and an area of 10 hectares. In 1779, the fortress was attacked by a 1,500-strong detachment of Caucasian highlanders. The assault was repulsed and the fortress was not damaged. Retired soldiers began to settle near the fortress. They were supplied with weapons, oxen and horses. In 1782, 494 retired soldiers already lived there.

More Historical Facts…

Stavropol in the 19th century

In 1809-1811, the earthen structures were replaced by stone defensive barracks. At the same time, to the east of the fortress, the Stavropol village of the Khopersky Cossack regiment arose, where its headquarters was located. The central part of the village was in the area currently occupied by the municipal market #1 (Nizhny).

Creating the Azov-Mozdok defensive line during the aggravation of the struggle with the Ottoman Empire for the North-Western Caucasus, the Russian government set itself the task of strengthening the borders and maintaining peaceful relations with the Circassians and other mountain peoples. The military administration of the Caucasus sought to establish economic ties with them - to develop the exchange and sale of goods. Stavropol became one of these centers.

Stavropol became a kind of main gateway to the Caucasus. The Great Cherkassky highway passed through the town connecting St. Petersburg and Moscow with the Caucasus. In 1816, the first printing house in the North Caucasus appeared here. In 1847, Caucasian Oblast was transformed into Stavropol Governorate with the center in the town of Stavropol. It began to play an increasingly prominent role in the cultural life of the Caucasus. In 1853, the population of Stavropol was about 17,000 people.

After the uprising of the Decembrists, a lot of its participants were exiled here. In 1837-1841, Stavropol was visited by Mikhail Lermontov, exiled to the Caucasus. Here he met with Dr. N.V. Mayer, who became the prototype for Dr. Werner in Lermontov’s novel “A Hero of Our Time”. In 1845, the first Russian theater in the Caucasus was opened in Stavropol.

With the formation of Kuban and Terek Cossack oblasts and the end of the Caucasian War, the military-political and economic importance of Stavropol dropped sharply. This trend was further aggravated by the construction of the Rostov-Vladikavkaz railway, which opened in 1875. Stavropol found itself far away from the railway. However, it still remained one of the centers of the grain trade. Telegraph communication between Moscow and Tehran, London, Bombay was carried out through Stavropol and Tiflis.

Stavropol in the 20th century and beyond

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 27 Orthodox parishes in Stavropol, a Catholic church, a synagogue, a Lutheran church, and a mosque. In 1913, the population of Stavropol was about 62,400 people. In the 1920s-1930s, almost all of them were closed. Only the Assumption Church, built in 1849, was not closed and functioned without interruption.

In 1934, Ordzhonikidze Krai with the center in Pyatigorsk was formed from the huge North Caucasian Krai. In 1935, Stavropol was renamed Voroshilovsk (in honor of Kliment Voroshilov, a prominent Soviet military officer and politician). In 1937, the center of the region was transferred from Pyatigorsk to Voroshilovsk.

According to the 1939 census, the city had 85 thousand residents. On August 3, 1942, during the Second World War, it was captured by the Germans. The city was liberated by the Red Army on January 21, 1943.

In 1943, Ordzhonikidze Krai was renamed into Stavropol Krai, the city of Voroshilovsk - into Stavropol. The rationale was as follows: “the difference in the name of the regional center and the region causes difficulties for institutions and citizens”.

In 1946, an industrial natural gas field was discovered near Lake Sengileevskoye. By the mid-1950s, the construction of the city gas pipeline was completed. In 1951, Stavropol was awarded the first place among the cities of Russia for the best landscaping. This success was repeated in 1952 and 1954. In the same years, the Central City Park repeatedly won the title of “The Best Park in Russia”. In 1956, there were 123,000 residents in Stavropol.

The 1960s-1970s saw the peak of industrial construction in Stavropol. During this period, dozens of enterprises of mechanical engineering, light, chemical, construction, food, processing, and other industries were commissioned, reconstructed and updated. In 1989, the population of Stavropol was about 318,000 people.

In 2014 and 2016, Stavropol took first place and was recognized as the most comfortable city in Russia.

Architecture of Stavropol

Old building in Stavropol

Author: Yuri Syuganov

Stavropol architecture

Author: Jason Ramsey

On the street in Stavropol

Stavropol - Features

The name “Stavropol” reflects the practice of assigning pseudo-Greek names to new settlements, which was widespread in the Russian Empire at the end of the 18th century. Thus, Stavropol literally means “the city of the cross”. The reason for choosing this name is a matter of debate.

According to one version, it arose because the fortress in the plan had the shape of an elongated polygon, the basis of which was two intersecting axes resembling a cross. According to another version, during the laying of the foundation of the fortress, the builders dug out a large stone cross. According to the third version, when determining the places for the construction of the fortresses of the Azov-Mozdok defensive line, the Stavropol fortress was marked on the map not with a dot, like all other fortresses, but with a cross.

Stavropol stands on the hills in the central part of the Ciscaucasia on the Stavropol Upland, about 1,400 km south of Moscow, at the intersection of the Rostov - Stavropol and Astrakhan - Elista - Nevinnomyssk - Cherkessk highways. One of the streets of the city is named “The 45th parallel” indicating its exact latitudinal position. Thus, Stavropol is equidistant from the North Pole and from the equator.

It is located on the watershed of the Azov and Caspian Seas, in the middle between them. This location initially gave Stavropol an important geopolitical significance, which is quite accurately reflected in the aphorism “Stavropol - the gates of the Caucasus”.

The territory of Stavropol is stretched from the southwest to the northeast by 24 km and from the south to the north by 16 km. The peculiarity of the city is that the forests are adjacent to the city buildings. Stavropol is often called one of the greenest cities in Russia.

Stavropol is a city in the south of Russia, which determines its climatic features, especially the amount of solar heat. The tropical marine air from the Mediterranean Sea brings stifling, humid weather in summer, thaws in winter. The average temperature in January is minus 2.3 degrees Celsius, in July - plus 22.3 degrees Celsius. Stavropol is known for frequent strong winds with a speed of 20-25 m/s. The windiest months are February and March.

The federal highways R216 Stavropol - Elista - Astrakhan and R269 Stavropol - Bataysk pass through Stavropol. The airport of Stavropol offers regular flights to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi. City transport is represented by buses, minibuses, trolleybuses, taxis. In summer, you can ride a bike around the city. The most popular rental point is located in Pobedy (Victory) Park.

The unique souvenirs for Stavropol include the healing herbal balsam “Strizhament” made from herbs and berries and infused with strong alcohol. Stavropol honey will be another tasty purchase. Gift soap made from Tambukan therapeutic mud and decorated with reliefs depicting Stavropol sights is also an excellent souvenir. Local hand-painted porcelain souvenirs with beautiful stucco decoration will also serve as a good memory of this city.

Main Attractions of Stavropol

Fortress Mountain - the historical center of Stavropol from where you can view most of the city from several observation decks. In the past, the Stavropol Fortress stood here. Here you can see one of the most recognizable symbols of Stavropol - the seven-meter monument to the Red Guard Soldier erected in the 1970s. Another attraction is a large light and music fountain with a diameter of 38 meters, opened in 2018. Sculptures installed along its edges depict 8 federal districts of Russia.

There is also the majestic Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Originally built in 1843-1847, it was destroyed in the 1930s. In 2004-2012, the church was restored and became the tallest building in the Stavropol region (76 meters). It is often windy on Fortress Mountain, so dress warmly. Suvorova Street, 2.

Alexandrovskaya Square - one of the central and busiest Stavropol squares, named in honor of Emperor Alexander II in the middle of the 19th century. The second name of this place is Angel Square due to the fact that a monument to the Guardian Angel of Stavropol was erected here by the 225th anniversary of the city. There are restaurants, offices, and shops in the surrounding area.

Stavropol State Museum-Reserve - the oldest museum in the North Caucasus. The museum collection is housed in the building of the former trading rows of the 19th century. More than 300 thousand items are stored and exhibited in the funds and expositions of this museum. The main exposition is represented by 3 halls: nature, archeology, and ethnography. Dzerzhinskogo Street, 135.

Stavropol Regional Museum of Fine Arts - one of the most interesting places in the city. The largest collection of art treasures in the North Caucasus is kept here. The museum has an impressive variety of monuments of ancient, Western European, Eastern, and Russian art. The department of decorative and applied arts has folk art and modern art objects. By visiting this unique place, you can learn a lot about the development of culture in the Stavropol region and the world from the 5th century BC to the 1990s. Dzerzhinskogo Street, 115-119.

Picture Gallery of P. M. Grechishkin - an art gallery located in the building of a former mosque in the central part of Stavropol. Its collection consists mainly of the works of the painter P. M. Grechishkin. In 1987, after the end of his personal exhibition, he donated more than 160 of his pictures to the city of Stavropol. The gallery also exhibits paintings by other artists - about 500 exhibits in total. Among them there are interesting works by young Stavropol artists. Mikhaila Morozova Street, 12.

Art Gallery “Parshin” - a private museum of contemporary art. Exhibitions of contemporary artists are held here, the staff conduct master classes and performances. The design of the gallery is a combination of Art Nouveau and interior elements imitating the old ones. General Ermolov Boulevard, 1.

St. Andrew’s Cathedral (1897) - a majestic church built in the Russian-Byzantine style with a pronounced central dome and a richly decorated facade. Dzerzhinskogo Street, 157.

Tiflis Gate - a triumphal arch erected in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Battle of Borodino (the key battle of the French invasion of Russia of 1812). The gate was located at the beginning of the Tiflis tract, from where carriages under the protection of the Cossacks departed in the direction of Vladikavkaz in the 19th century. In the 1930s, the monument was destroyed. In 1998, it was restored in its original appearance. Karla Marksa Avenue, 13.

Pobedy (Victory) Park - the main park of Stavropol with rides, cafes, and sports grounds typical for such a place. You can also find an equestrian club and a water park here. The park is quite crowded on weekends and on holidays. Shpakovskaya Street, 111.

Central Park of Stavropol . Its history began in the 19th century, when the mansion of General A. A. Velyaminov stood here, surrounded by a picturesque garden. Already at that time, the park had decorative flower beds, artificial ponds, benches, an orchestra platform, and a gazebo with a balcony. In Soviet times, it was repeatedly awarded the title of “The Best Park of the USSR”.

Cold Springs - a group of springs gushing out from under a layer of limestone, at an altitude of 620 meters above sea level in the Taman forest. You can get here from Dzerzhinsky Street or by walking a little down from the memorial “Cold Spring” on Lenina Street. There are a lot of pools built at different levels here, so that the water flows smoothly from one to another. The pools themselves have steps for easy descent.

In summer, people come to this dense cool forest with springs for picnics. The bravest ones plunge into cool water, the temperature of which always remains unchanged, about +10 degrees Celsius.

“German Bridges” - the remains of viaducts and bridges in the vicinity of Stavropol built at the beginning of the 20th century as parts of the Armavir-Tuapse railway, which was partially destroyed during the Russian Civil War. This name was given due to the fact that engineers from Europe, in particular from Germany, took part in the construction. Some of the bridges are still in service today.

Stavropol city of Russia photos

Pictures of stavropol.

Residential buildings in Stavropol

Author: Vadim Alian

The Guardian Angel of Stavropol

Author: Nikolay Tyumenev

Scientific library named after M. Yu. Lermontov in Stavropol

Author: Keren Fleshler

Places of interest in Stavropol

Stavropol City Council

Author: Alexander Topchiev

Stavropol Railway Station

Author: Evgeniy Kuriy

Memorial Fire of Eternal Glory in Stavropol

Sights of Stavropol

Cathedral of St. Andrew in Stavropol

Author: Maxim Kirsanov

Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Stavropol

Lenin Square in Stavropol

• Currently 3.10/5

Rating: 3.1 /5 (199 votes cast)

Stavropol Krai

• 2 Other destinations
• 3 Understand
• 6 Get around
• 11 Stay safe

<a href=\"https://tools.wmflabs.org/wikivoyage/w/poi2gpx.php?print=gpx&amp;lang=en&amp;name=Stavropol_Krai\" title=\"Download GPX file for this article\" data-parsoid=\"{}\"><img alt=\"Download GPX file for this article\" resource=\"./File:GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\" src=\"//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-width=\"20\" data-file-height=\"20\" data-file-type=\"bitmap\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" class=\"mw-file-element\" data-parsoid='{\"a\":{\"resource\":\"./File:GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\",\"height\":\"20\",\"width\":\"20\"},\"sa\":{\"resource\":\"File:GPX Document rev3-20x20.png\"}}'/></a></span>"}'/> Stavropol Krai is a region in Southern Russia , which borders Krasnodar Krai to the west, Rostov Oblast to the north, Kalmykia to the east, and all the republics of the North Caucasus to the south.

• 45.05 41.983333 1 Stavropol — this capital city is located in a particularly mountainous area of the region and was one of Russia's most important bases during the Russian conquest of the Caucasus ; former home to Mikhail Gorbachev and it has a particularly nice urban park
• 44.200833 43.1125 5 Mineralnye Vody — a health spa city named for its "Mineral Waters" at the edge of the; a common flight destination for visitors to the North Caucasus

Other destinations

Stavropol Krai contains a large number of Caucasian health spas/sanatoria, which Russians have visited for over 200 years to treat various ailments (and just to escape the northern climate of Moscow and Saint Petersburg . As such, the region has been home to many of Russia's most prominent figures, including writers such as A.S. Pushkin and Mikhail Lermontov, whose works have embedded the Pyatigorsk region into the national consciousness. A great read for anyone visiting the region is Lermontov's short novel, A Hero of Our Time , which is set in various areas in the south of the Krai.

Stavropol Krai is also notable for its exceptionally diverse climactic and topographic diversity. The environments range from sand deserts, to mud flats, to steppe, to forest, to mountains, to permafrost!

Russian is the soup of the day.

By rail, most visitors will arrive at the regional transit hub of Stavropol .

Domestic flights to Stavropol ( STW   IATA )and to Mineralnye Vody ( MRV   IATA ) (which is closer to Mount Elbrus, the North Caucasus , and the health spas) are common around Russia.

• Mountain Beshtau Uranium Mines (RU) . 238 kilometers of mines inside Mount Beshtau 7 km from Pyatigorsk city. Closed in ~ 1971, but explored by diggers today. The site guides offers adventure descend into the mines with ropes and equipment. ( updated Mar 2019 )
• Mountain climbing
• Quail hunting
• Sulphur baths

Because of its proximity to the conflict in Chechnya , the security situation is very poor in Stavropol Krai. While kidnappings are unlikely, there have been fairly regular bombings of public areas and official facilities in the southern cities and in Stavropol over the years. While a visitor is fairly unlikely to be victim to such terroristic attacks, the resulting crackdown has led to strict and unfortunately corrupt policing of the area — a visitor is quite likely to be harassed for bribes.

Stavropol Krai is the nearest “island of freedom” (in every sense) for residents of neighboring Chechnya and Ingushetia, who often visit this region for entertainment purposes (alcohol, nightclubs), therefore, it is not uncommon to run into them in entertainment establishments and at night on the streets. They are often armed with knives and pistols. To prevent conflicts, it is better to refrain from reacting to possible provocations on their part and simply walk away from them.

• Stavropol State University — located in Stavropol, owned in 1996
• North Caucasus Gumanitarium Technological University — main located in Stavropol, but have own filials in Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk and Ingushetia
• North Caucasus Gumanitarium Technological Institute;
• Stavropol State Medical Academy
• Stavropol State Agrarium University — one of the best agrarium university in Russia;
• Pyatigorsk State Linguistic University — one of the best linguistic university in Russia.Located in Pyatigorsk;
• Pyatigorsk State Technological University — located in Pyatigorsk
• Kislovodsk State Technological University — located in Kislovodsk

In Stavropol krai there are three GSM operators (MTS, Beeline, Megafon), one 3G-UMTS operator (Beeline) and one CDMA operator on 800 MHz frequency (RusSDO) and they often have offers that give you a SIM card for free or at least very cheap. If you are planning to stay a while and to keep in touch with Stavropolean and other North-Caucasus, South-Russians people, then you should consider buying a local SIM card instead of going on roaming. If you buy a SIM card from a shop you'll need your passport for identification. It only takes five minutes to do the paperwork and it will cost less than $10.

Stavropol Krai is a common jumping off point for tourists venturing into the North Caucasus . Basically any city in the region can be reached via minibus or taxi from Mineralnye Vody.

• Has custom banner
• Has mapframe
• Has map markers
• See listing with no coordinates
• Has Geo parameter
• Southern Russia
• All destination articles
• Outline regions
• Outline articles
• Region articles
• Bottom-level regions
• Pages with maps

Navigation menu

Stavropol Krai Travel Guide: All You Need To Know

Stavropol Krai, often simply referred to as Stavropol, is a federal subject (krai) of Russia located in the North Caucasus region. It is known for its diverse landscapes, agriculture, and cultural heritage. Here is some information about Stavropol Krai:

Places to Visit in Stavropol Krai: Pyatigorsk: This famous spa town in the region is known for its natural mineral springs and lush parks. The Proval Lake and Flower Garden Park are popular attractions.

Kislovodsk: Another renowned spa town, Kislovodsk boasts beautiful architecture, promenades, and the Kurortny Park.

Stavropol: The capital city of the krai offers historical sites, such as the Ascension Church and Stavropol Drama Theater.

Mineralnye Vody: This city is a gateway to the region’s spas and the nearby Caucasus Mountains.

Essentuki: Known for its therapeutic mineral water, the city features picturesque parks, including the Essentuki Park.

Budyonnovsk: A town with a rich Cossack history and cultural heritage. Explore Cossack traditions and history in the Cossack Museum.

Best Time to Visit Stavropol Krai: Summer (June to August): Summer is an excellent time to visit Stavropol Krai. The weather is warm, and outdoor activities are in full swing.

Spring and Autumn: Spring (April to May) and early autumn (September to October) offer milder temperatures and are suitable for sightseeing and exploring the natural beauty of the region.

Things to Do in Stavropol Krai: Visit Mineral Springs: Enjoy the healing properties of the mineral springs in the spa towns of Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk, and Essentuki.

Hiking and Nature Exploration: Explore the region’s natural beauty by hiking in the Caucasus Mountains, visiting parks, and taking in scenic landscapes.

Cultural Experiences: Learn about the diverse cultures of the region, which include Cossack traditions and historical sites.

Try Local Cuisine: Savor traditional dishes like shashlik (kebabs), pelmeni (dumplings), and local dairy products.

How to Get Around Stavropol Krai: Public Transportation: Public buses and minibuses (marshrutkas) serve many cities and towns in the krai.

Trains: The region has a railway network that connects cities like Stavropol, Kislovodsk, and Mineralnye Vody.

Taxis: Taxis are available in urban areas and are a convenient way to get around. Ensure you agree on the fare before starting your journey.

Car Rental: Renting a car can be a good option for exploring the region independently, especially if you plan to visit more remote areas.

Where to Eat in Stavropol Krai: Local Restaurants: Explore local eateries and restaurants to enjoy traditional Russian and Caucasian cuisine.

Cafes and Tea Houses: Visit cafes that offer Russian tea, pastries, and local dishes.

Street Food: Look for food vendors selling local snacks and quick bites in markets and town centers.

Where to Stay in Stavropol Krai: Accommodation options in Stavropol Krai include hotels, guesthouses, and hostels, with choices for various budgets. Popular places to stay include the spa towns and larger cities like Pyatigorsk and Kislovodsk.

Travel Tips for Stavropol Krai: Language: Russian is the primary language spoken in Stavropol Krai. While English may not be widely spoken, knowing some basic Russian phrases can be helpful.

Currency: The currency used is the Russian Ruble (RUB). Credit cards may not be accepted everywhere, so it’s advisable to carry cash, especially in more rural areas.

Safety: Stavropol Krai is generally safe for tourists, but be mindful of your belongings and practice common-sense safety precautions.

Climate: The region has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Be prepared for seasonal weather conditions.

Respect Local Traditions: Be respectful of local customs and traditions, especially in regions with Cossack heritage and culture.

Transportation: Familiarize yourself with the local transportation options and consider using taxis or ridesharing apps for convenience.

Stavropol Krai offers a mix of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and historical heritage. By following these travel tips, you can have an enriching and memorable visit to this diverse region in the North Caucasus.

You might also enjoy:

Exploring ennis: unveiling the charms of county clare’s heart, discovering the beauty of the autonomous region in muslim mindanao (armm), southern denmark region (region syddanmark) travel guide: all you need to know, phek travel guide: all you need to know, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.