Moscow

As the capital city of the world’s biggest country, Moscow has a lot to live up to. On the surface the city, with it’s solemn Dr Zhivago splendour appears bleak and emotionless with it’s beauty and ugliness inextricably intertwined. But, bubbling under the weight of centuries of turbulent history is an exciting, modern city. The Kremlin and Red Square are perhaps, and always will be the landmark symbols of Russia from which the whole city’s layout of concentric circles and radial lines emanates. The Kremlin is a magnificent building of Ural marble and glass reflecting the golden domes of the Cathedrals and the Kremlin’s nineteen towers. Visit the fascinating cathedrals and museums inside what is, essentially the beating heart of the city. There is the Assumption, Archangel and Annunciation Cathedrals, the Church of the Deposition of the Robe, the Patriarch’s Palace and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower huddled around the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square all well worth a visit. Similarly, you can’t visit Moscow without strolling through the expansive Red Square outside the Kremlin’s northeast wall. Walking over the old cobbles that have seen so much drama and strife is an eerie experience, especially at night when the square is lit up with the imposing St. Basil's Cathedral rising up at the South end of the square.

Crowds also flock to see Lenin’s granite tomb. With hats respectfully removed, visitors can view Lenin through a 3-sided glass case where the Communist leader’s embalmed body has lain since his death in 1924. Leaving the tomb takes the visitor into a plot beneath the Kremlin wall, which is packed with other historical leading lights such as Stalin, Leonid Brezhnev and many others. There are plenty of museums and galleries to visit, but the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum really should not be missed for it’s stunning collections including one of the best ranges of Impressionist and postimpressionist paintings in the world. For shopping, head to the famous GUM Department Store that, far from the long queues and empty shelves of the past, is now a lively shopping centre crammed with fantastic shops including top name stores such as Benetton and Yves Rocher.Meanwhile, Moscow clubs and bars also continue to grow in number, although prices are high due to the Russian mafia who touch every aspect of Soviet life. Perhaps more dangerous however, even than the mafia, is the illegally produced vodka which is 100% guaranteed to blow your head off, no bullets required. Moscow is a definite must-see.

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