To Moscow, to Moscow, to Moscow!
A. Chekhov
Moscow offers a journey to history at every corner and many images of contradictions. For instance ,where else you can find a huge shopping center a few meters away from Lenin’s Mausoleum? Christmas is the most magical period to visit the Russian capital not only thanks to snowflakes. Red Square at the best edition, impressive decoration ,many Christmas markets and events will make you to forget the cold very soon. So don’t hesitate and create your best Christmas memories!
TRANSPORTATION/ACCOMODATION
Cold weather during winter discourage many travelers so get advantage of the low prices to visit Moscow. We arrived early in the morning at Domodedovo airport so we had arranged a taxi pick up from Yandex taxi (like a Russian Uber).In about 45 minutes we arrived at the hotel. Choose a hotel near to a metro station to avoid walking in the cold. We chose Novotel Kievskaya which was near to metro and train station. Public transportation is convenient and cheap so use it as much as possible. Metro stations , also , look like museums worth visiting them!
WHAT TO DO AND SEE
Red Square is the city’s heart. Take your time for some photos in front of St Basil’s Cathedral, visit Lenin’s Mausoleum and admire one of the most historical squares in the world . Grab a warm wine from the Christmas market and enjoy the festive atmosphere heading to Cathedral of Christ the Saviour . You can spend a whole evening inside the Kremlin by strolling around the presidential residence. There you can see the enormous Tsar Bell, Ivan the Great Bell Tower and get lost among countless exhibits of the Kremlin Armory and Diamond Fund. Visit Poklonnaya Hill for a panoramic city view and don’t skip the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics. Don’t miss the chance for a theatre performance at the famous Bolshoi Theater and shopping at the GUM Department Store.
GUM in christmas mood Memeorial Museum of Cosmonautics Christmas decoration at Red Square Lenin’s Statue Night view in Moscow Locals in Moscow Kremlin Kremlin Red Square at night
EATING AND DRINKING
Even though many travelers think that Moscow is not a food destination, the traditional dishes impressed me. I suggest Shinok where you can enjoy your dinner next to a small zoo! Try out borscht (beef soup with vegetables), pirozhki (fried pastry with meat or potato), pelmeni (pastry dumplings with minced meat), shaslyk (Russian kebab), Olivier salad (authentic Russian salad) and beef stroganoff. Feel like an aristocrat by enjoying your coffee and the delicious desserts (I suggest Napoleon millefeuille) of Cafe Pushkin. Taste authentic Russian vodka and Kvass, a traditional beverage made from black bread .
Borscht Napoleon millfeuille Cafe Pushkin
Things to have in mind
- Moscow’s metro is a bit complicated so get a free map at a metro station to use it.
- Don’t let the cold weather to ruin your trip. Get prepared for snow and prefer a waterproof pair of shoes.
- Tickets for Bolshoi Theater are cheaper if you book them well in advance. If you want to avoid staying outside in the cold book “skip the line” tickets for all the monuments in their sites.
- Remember that Moscow has sunlight from 10 am until 5 pm. Plan having this in mind!
EXTRA TIP: Be patient with communication in English with the Russians…