Moscow

One of my biggest regrets is never having to been to Berlin whilst the wall was up. Amanda, my wife, once managed to visit East Berlin - with no papers - but that's a different story! Since the demise of Communism, I've been behind the former Iron Curtain twice. On this occasion, we visited Moscow. There's a lot to say about Moscow and I won't be able to say it all here, naturally - but I'll do my best to give an informative glimpse of this fantastic city. I can't comment on hotels because we're lucky enough to have friends who own a flat in Moscow, and that's where we stayed. Let me try to tempt you, anyway! I guess ...  Read the complete review

I hope what follows will be of some use to those who, on the one hand, have never been in Russia before, and, on the other, prefer travelling on the cheap and on one’s own (without any bodyguards or escorts). · Don’t come to Moscow in November to March inclusive. In any case wait until there is no snow. Keep in mind that hundreds of locals break their limbs on the notorious slippery pavements every winter. “Snowfalls” come back with a vengeance to town, as a rule, in early June: most of the city’s greenery comes from poplars that shed fluff in due course. Early May is perhaps the best timing for a visit. · Sadly, ...  Read the complete review

I arrived in Moscow after an overnight train journey from St Petersburg. We had a quick coffee. purchased a map of the Metro and set off to explore the city. TRANSPORT The Metro stations in the city are excellent places to begin your sightseeing. Many of them are like museums in themselves with the huge chandeliers and fascinating decoration. The trains are cheap, fast and efficient. Even in rush hour they weren't as crowded as the Tube in London. GENERAL * The prices in the city are about one third more than in St Petersburg and so to the everage Russian who deosn't live in a major city, they are extortionate! * The city was ...  Read the complete review

Generally I try to be rather guarded about my personal life but I want to share an extraordinary experience that I had in Moscow that has altered how my future vacations will be handled. First off I married a sweet beautiful Russian girl who I love very much. I was a comrade of her brother in the defense of Servian culture in Bosnia a few years back and romance blossomed when I ended up in Russia for several months and so on. Her family still lives outside of Moscow so it is more or less a given that we visit there at least once a year now that we have a life approaching normalacy. The purpose of the vacations is family of course, and this is her ...  Read the complete review

There is a stereotypical view of Russia , it can hardly be ignored , we've all seen the history videos and propaganda proclaiming them as the "red menace" or "the evil empire" (according to the Reagans). This is far from the truth. I have been to Russia three times so far in my relatively short life so far , this is mainly because a relative of mine lives and works there. What there is to see in this city will amaze you , so I’ll start with the numerous good points. I said I’d start with the good points but there is one bad point when starting in the Moscow airport "Sheremetyevo" , if you're not a ...  Read the complete review