Day two starts with a trip to the river which slices through the heart of the city. The Moscow River offers the best way to get a proper sense of the capital’s sprawling centre as it winds through the city. Capital Shipping Co runs sightseeing river cruises from the docks near Kiyevsky station and Novospassky Bridge. They offer short trips that last a couple of hours, as well as longer versions and even hop-on, hop-off tours. The trips start from about £10 and the sailings are offered between May and September,
Along the way, you can see, and get out and explore if you want to, SparrowHiIls, home to the imposing State University building; the Moscow International Business Centre, with its cluster of skyscrapers; the smart Gorky Park, complete with Russia’s own take on Disneyland; the towering Peter Pan-esque statue of Peter the Great; and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, with the latter being well worth a look inside. Then spend the afternoon back on land exploring the area around Pushkin Square. Art lovers should make for the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, while others curious about Moscow’s Soviet past should try the Museum of Contemporary History. If you haven’t been there yet then end the day with some good Russian fare at Pushkin Café.
Day three should start with the Metro. This was proposed by Stalin as ‘palaces for the people’, the 300km network of Metro lines is a magnificent sight. Get yourself a day ticket and explore. The top stops include Revolution Square Station which 72 bronze statues, Novoslobodskaya for its stained glass, Kurskaya for the mosaics, Komsomolskaya for the chandeliers and the white-walled Mayakovskaya. Get off at Partizanskaya station to enjoy bargain hunting Russian style at Izmaylovo Market, a place stocked to the gills with old war trinkets, Soviet spoils and whole colonies of nesting dolls including some decorated as Vladimir Putin. Izmaylovo flea market is the best place to select a memento from the Russian capital, just remember not to pay the price first asked as it only for tourist who do know better. Ask the price and then walk away you will get a new offer but you can get lower. Also, spread your money through a few pockets if you have less the price will be more reasonable. You can also say this is my last $xx for a lower price.
If you feel like a quieter time then head back towards the centre for Novodevichy Cemetery. This is the resting place of Russia’s first post Communism president Boris Yeltsin. The sheer range of headstones makes it feel like a sculpture garden. Nearby, check out the 16th-century Novodevichy Convent, it was allegedly saved from destruction in 1812 when resident nuns snuffed out the bomb fuses laid by Napoleon’s troops. If you get a chance on route to the airport, make a final stop at the plush Yeliseev’s Food Hall, which is ten minutes walk from Tverskaya Street to buy as much caviar and black bread as your luggage or customs allow. Now you will something to remember your trip once you are home.
Along the way, you can see, and get out and explore if you want to, SparrowHiIls, home to the imposing State University building; the Moscow International Business Centre, with its cluster of skyscrapers; the smart Gorky Park, complete with Russia’s own take on Disneyland; the towering Peter Pan-esque statue of Peter the Great; and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, with the latter being well worth a look inside. Then spend the afternoon back on land exploring the area around Pushkin Square. Art lovers should make for the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, while others curious about Moscow’s Soviet past should try the Museum of Contemporary History. If you haven’t been there yet then end the day with some good Russian fare at Pushkin Café.
Day three should start with the Metro. This was proposed by Stalin as ‘palaces for the people’, the 300km network of Metro lines is a magnificent sight. Get yourself a day ticket and explore. The top stops include Revolution Square Station which 72 bronze statues, Novoslobodskaya for its stained glass, Kurskaya for the mosaics, Komsomolskaya for the chandeliers and the white-walled Mayakovskaya. Get off at Partizanskaya station to enjoy bargain hunting Russian style at Izmaylovo Market, a place stocked to the gills with old war trinkets, Soviet spoils and whole colonies of nesting dolls including some decorated as Vladimir Putin. Izmaylovo flea market is the best place to select a memento from the Russian capital, just remember not to pay the price first asked as it only for tourist who do know better. Ask the price and then walk away you will get a new offer but you can get lower. Also, spread your money through a few pockets if you have less the price will be more reasonable. You can also say this is my last $xx for a lower price.
If you feel like a quieter time then head back towards the centre for Novodevichy Cemetery. This is the resting place of Russia’s first post Communism president Boris Yeltsin. The sheer range of headstones makes it feel like a sculpture garden. Nearby, check out the 16th-century Novodevichy Convent, it was allegedly saved from destruction in 1812 when resident nuns snuffed out the bomb fuses laid by Napoleon’s troops. If you get a chance on route to the airport, make a final stop at the plush Yeliseev’s Food Hall, which is ten minutes walk from Tverskaya Street to buy as much caviar and black bread as your luggage or customs allow. Now you will something to remember your trip once you are home.