The Magic Of Moscow (Moscow)

Member Name: Festa

Product:	Moscow
Date:	24/11/01 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent public transport to get around, Easily accesible from other parts of Russia, Lots of good attractions to visit

Disadvantages: Dual pricing system in place whereby it costs more for foreigners, Language can be a barrier

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 still on quite a high alert last year due to the problems in Chechnya. Make sure you carry your passport with you in case the police stop you.

* Language may be a problem because the English language is rarely spoken in the smaller shops and restaurants of the city. I was fortunate enought to have a Russian accompanying me.

THINGS TO SEE
* RED SQUARE - the trick when visiting the Square is top go early in the morning if you can (we arrived at about 8am) before they cordon part of it off for security reasons for trips to Lenin's Tomb. Otherwise leave it until later in the afternoon when the barriers are removed.

* ST BASILS CATHEDRAL - you must go and see one of the most shown images of the city with your own eyes.It lives up to all expectations. There are some amazing icons inside and also there are some good views across the city when you look out of the windows.

* LENIN'S MAUSOLEUM - visit it while you can. There are rumours that it may disappear once and for all in the near future. Maybe it is a rather morbid suggestion but it is an experience quite unlike anything I have ever experienced before. Security is very tight and you cannot take bags or cameras inside. You walk round a one way system (in total silence) past numerous guards and then stop to ad
mire the body (or wax statue). No doubt you will stand trying to decide if it is wax (of which I am almost convinced!)

* CHANGING OF THE GUARDS - this is your opportunity to see the guards goose stepping. A video camera captures it better than still photography.

* BULGAKOV MUSEUM - the museum is a 20 minute walk from the centre of the city but is a must for all fans of this Russian author. You will find it in an apartment block which has the walls decorated with scenes from his book. We found one of the owners of the apartment to show us around. There are manuscripts of some of the books on display.

* THE KREMLIN - No trip to the city would be complete without a trip inside the walls.

* BOLSHOY THEATRE - one of the homes of Russian Ballet. Tickets can be expensive (unless you can obtain one as a Russian citizen and pass yourself off as a Russian) but it is an experience not to be missed.

SUMMARY
It is a marvelous city to visit and June is a lovely time to visit when the first signs of summer are showing.

Shopping in the city is still cheaper than UK prices and if you like designer goods there is a new shopping centre near Red Square. You can also find lots of shops in the famous GUM store.

Wandering around the city I felt safer than I would in London.

Definitely a place to visit as it destroys your preconceptions of Russia!

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