Vlada, a Russian content creator, moved to Oviedo in March with her partner in search of a quieter life surrounded by nature.
Through her social media profiles, she shares her discovery of Asturias, highlighting its gastronomy, landscapes and the warmth of its culture.
Her conclusion is clear: "Russians have a lot to learn from Asturians" about preserving traditions and living with less stress.
Vlada, a Russian content creator, moved to Oviedo last March with her partner in search of a quieter life. "We were looking for a safe place, surrounded by nature and without extreme temperatures in summer," she explains. The Asturian capital won her over because it combines "all the advantages of a city" with privileged access to the natural environment. "To disconnect among mountains and green landscapes, you don't even need to take the car," she assures. Since then, she shares her daily life in Asturias through her social media profiles, where she shows cultural life, gastronomy, leisure and some of the most emblematic corners of the Asturian capital and the entire Principality.
Vlada, Russian content creator based in Oviedo:Foreigners usually associate Spain with palm trees, the Mediterranean Sea, paella and flamenco. But Asturias showed me a completely different reality. Mountains with snow-capped peaks, the cider culture or the bagpipe bands in the streets... Moving here surprised me once again with how diverse this country is.
Going up to the Covadonga Lakes was like going up to paradise. I feel that there are fewer and fewer places left in the world that convey so much tranquility and peace of mind.
VLADA'S ASTURIAS: KEY PLACES AND IMPRESSIONS
› Favourite place: Covadonga Lakes, "like going up to paradise."
› Gastronomic discovery: Fabes with clams, moscovitas from Rialto (name reminiscent of Moscow), rice pudding.
› Culture: Surprised by the pride and care in preserving towns and traditions.
› Lifestyle: Values the "slow life" philosophy and the connection with nature.
› Similarities: Finds common ground in spoon dishes and hearty winter food.
GASTRONOMY AND CULTURE: SURPRISES AND CONNECTIONS
Gastronomy has been one of the great discoveries of her new life in Asturias. The first thing that caught her attention was the size of the portions. "It's impossible to finish them without company," she jokes. If she had to choose a dish, she would stay with fabes with clams. "I feel sorry that they are not as popular outside Spain as paella, because they deserve much more recognition." She also remembers the moscovitas from Rialto, which aroused her curiosity for sharing a name with the demonym of her hometown, Moscow, and rice pudding, which she defines as "an experience on another level."
Beyond gastronomy and landscapes, what has most surprised her is the life preserved in the Asturian villages. Accustomed to a very different reality in Russia, she assures that the contrast is very evident.
Vlada:I love the affection and pride with which people talk about their villages, how they preserve their festivals and traditions and how they manage to turn them into tourist destinations. Russians have a lot to learn from Asturians in this sense.
CULTURAL CONTRASTS AND SIMILARITIES
› Village preservation: Admires the care and pride in keeping traditions alive.
› Community feeling: Highlights the importance of festivals and local life.
› Russian similarity: Spoon dishes and hearty food bring back memories of home.
› Key difference: In Russia, many villages are losing population and dynamism.
› Life lesson: Asturians know how to combine modernity with tradition.
SLOW LIFE: A PHILOSOPHY TO ADOPT
After several months living in the Principality, Vlada believes that Asturias fits perfectly with those seeking a more leisurely life. "It is a perfect place for those who connect with the slow life philosophy, with less stress and less obsession with material things." In fact, she recognises that her routine has changed since she arrived: "I spend more time in nature, I go hiking... Asturias awakens in you the desire to switch off your mobile phone and enjoy what you see around you." Her testimony reflects the appeal of the region for those seeking a deeper, more authentic connection with their environment.
VLADA'S LIFESTYLE TESTIMONY
› Reason for moving: Search for a safe, nature-rich place without extreme temperatures.
› Oviedo's appeal: City advantages with immediate access to nature.
› Routine change: More time in nature, less stress.
› Connectivity: Even without a car, green landscapes are accessible.
› Philosophy: Slow life, disconnection and enjoyment of the present.
For InasTour, testimonials such as Vlada's confirm the growing attraction that Asturias holds for international buyers seeking a change of lifestyle. The region offers not only quality of life and a spectacular natural environment but also a community that keeps its traditions alive and a gastronomic culture that surprises and wins over those who discover it.
Asturias is a perfect place for those who connect with the slow life philosophy, with less stress and less obsession with material things.
Vlada's story is a testament to the power of Asturias to captivate those seeking a different way of life. Her journey from Russia to Oviedo reflects a growing trend: the search for places where quality of life, connection with nature and community take precedence over the frenetic pace of large cities. The region not only offers stunning landscapes and rich gastronomy but also a culture of preservation of traditions that, as Vlada points out, can serve as an example for other parts of the world. Asturias is positioned as an ideal destination for those looking to slow down and rediscover the essential.
ORIGINAL REPORT
This article was originally published by La Voz de Asturias. You can read the original version here: La Voz de Asturias — Vlada, content creator, highlights the Asturian way of life: "Russians have a lot to learn from Asturians"