Hey there! I’m Denis, originally from Russia but now enjoying life under the Italian sun, where I’ve completed my Master’s degree and swapped gray Moscow's sky for pizza and gelato (a solid upgrade, if you ask me). I’m all about exploring new places and meeting new people. I really love to spend time with locals because no tourist map can beat a local’s secret tips on the best hidden spots or where to find the tastiest food around.

I’ve spent a good chunk of my free time volunteering at a summer camps in different countries, hanging out with kids and convincing them (sometimes successfully) that veggies are cooler than sneaking cookies from their suitcases. Spending 24/7 with the kids means for me a possibility to put something meaningful in their heads and give them a good (i hope) example. Plus, working alongside counselors from all corners of the globe—from Morocco to Australia—adds a whole extra layer of fun and learning.

I also spent time in Ankara, Turkey, teaching English with the European Solidarity Corps. Living there gave me a glimpse into the everyday life of a country that’s both traditional and full of surprises, from navigating the lively street markets to joining endless rounds of tea at family gatherings. It was all about breaking out of my comfort zone, embracing new cultures, and getting to know people in a way that no tourist experience could offer.

When I’m not volunteering or teaching, you’ll probably find me somewhere on a hiking trail, carrying way too much gear and chasing the next great view. I’ve tackled some big ones like the Tour de Mont Blanc and Alta Via 1, where the climbs are tough, the blisters are real, and there’s always an adventure waiting around the corner—sometimes in the form of a cow staring at you in the early morning hours. Hiking is my way of pushing limits, finding peace, and being in nature (even when it’s throwing some unexpected surprises my way).

I’m all about good conversations, new experiences, and seeing places from the inside out. If you’re up for sharing travel stories, exploring off-the-beaten-path spots, or just having a chat over coffee or a hike, I’d love to connect!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Staying with locals when you travel is like getting the unfiltered version of a place—no tourist traps, just the real deal. Before moving to Italy, I had this postcard-perfect image of pasta, piazzas, and Vespas, but once I started living here, I realized how much of the true culture I had missed. That’s when it hit me: a tourist visit barely touches the surface of a country. Real life is in the everyday moments — sharing a homemade meal, learning the local quirks, and navigating around the city like a local—that show me how the city/country really is.

Interests

• books
• reading
• hiking
• psychology
• hitchhiking
• lakes
• mountains
• phylosophy
• bicycle
• selfimprovement

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Freakonomics, Jack Kerouac, Steven King, Richard Bah, Jack London and ton of others, from classic to modern books about buisness or marketing. Can speak for hours about fantasy books!
Music: System of a down and bunch of russian underground songs :D

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Go throw Italy with CS and tent! It were 2 weeks of awersome traveling!!)
Staying in mountains in tent and looking on stars on the sky, because in mountains, on the high, i can see in thousands times more stars than in city and it is breathtaking.

I love very much time when i am traveling throw the new countries. My minds is changing with every new day, becaue i meet and speak with a lot of people. Then i return home and i need several days to adjust it all in my head and i believe that each travel/project/volunteering add something to me and make me just a bit, but new person

Teach, Learn, Share

I have bunch of stories from all over the world and can speak for hours about life, economics, psychology, people, books, nature and other and other topics!

Countries I’ve Visited

Armenia, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, Russian Federation, Turkey