Moscow - City Break
Discussion
So on Friday, myself and the Mrs, are off to Moscow for the weekend. Arrive around 17:00 local time on Friday, and leave approx the same time on Monday.
We have a few things we want to do. Most involve trying to keep warm, and not getting mugged, ripped off, or murdered. However there must be some other must do things?!
We are staying not far from Red Square, and we have figured out not to use the "taxis" from the airport, but to get the train, and Metro, and we have a few things planned. However any advice most welcome.
(Did try the PH search for this - but it is down!).
Thanks
We have a few things we want to do. Most involve trying to keep warm, and not getting mugged, ripped off, or murdered. However there must be some other must do things?!
We are staying not far from Red Square, and we have figured out not to use the "taxis" from the airport, but to get the train, and Metro, and we have a few things planned. However any advice most welcome.
(Did try the PH search for this - but it is down!).
Thanks
Good luck - Russia can be utterly bewildering to a first time visitor. You seem sensible, but certainly important to keep your wits about you.
Sorry I can't help specifically on Moscow as I haven't been. Do not expect western levels of service
Looking forward to reading your review (hint)
Sorry I can't help specifically on Moscow as I haven't been. Do not expect western levels of service
Looking forward to reading your review (hint)
The Kremlin is surprisingly beautiful,as is red Square. Look at the diamonds there when you're at it. The metro is amazing. I got off at numerous stations just to wander round them. Visit the markets on the Arbat.
Not a friendly,or cheap town. If you are really flush Pushkin is a superb resto but very pricy and most were expensive and bad.
The famous GUM mall is just a collection of expensive Westee brands at the stage. Did not even buy a water there.
Not a friendly,or cheap town. If you are really flush Pushkin is a superb resto but very pricy and most were expensive and bad.
The famous GUM mall is just a collection of expensive Westee brands at the stage. Did not even buy a water there.
Puggit said:
I was told there was a prossie in the bar I was in last Wednesday. The problem is the women are generally so fit you can't tell
I used to travel a lot alone on business (pre the Mrs!). I can tell a hooker from a mile away. You get a feel for it when travelling alone across Asia, Europe, and the US.Difference is that they are not the bars I am looking for now............ I am looking for a cultural experience.
I will post back with opinions on my return.
Puggit said:
I was told there was a prossie in the bar I was in last Wednesday. The problem is the women are generally so fit you can't tell
Go to Night Flight on Tverskaya. A beautiful girl will come up to you and proposition you within a few miutes of your arrival. It is not because you are on smoking hot form this evening, but because she is a prostitute.The first time I went there, an absolutely lovely-looking girl (not at all the over-made-up, brazen type) sidled up to me and whispered "would you like to have sex with me tonight?" in my ear. For half a second, my ego started to preen itself, then my brain gave my ego a kick and told it the sad truth that she wa a w
e.Zod said:
Go to Night Flight on Tverskaya.
My mate called that place 'the Swedish Embassy'... I went to visit him a few years ago and played in their annual golf tounement at the Moscow Country Club... there was a vodka bar by every tee manned by very beautiful girls.My 2 abiding memories of 4 days I spent there... the most expensive place I've ever visited in my life and the most beautiful girls I've ever seen.
I go to Moscow once a month on average (am going on Monday) and have spent a little time there and think it´s a great city. It can be very expensive and you need to keep your wits about you, but the centre is just like any other European city.... but a bit colder than most.
What to do:
Red Square - St Basils, GUM, Lenin
Underground - It´s really good and from Red square you can get quickly to 3-4 amazing stations
The Kremlin - well worth going around parts of it... it´s spectacular
What I found quite dull
Gorky park - not worth it
Food:
Goodmans - For steaks - Fillet Mignon - pepper sauce!!
It´s expensive. Well the city part is. There are lots of other places to eat, in fact some of the food is great in the smaller restaurants. Be brave and go for it.
Other tips
Watch out crossing every road at all times.
You can get a ride from lots of cars... I used to do this a lot and it was cheap, but take the official taxi´s as it is much more comfortable. Once you´ve been in a lada without windows, you´ll understand.
When it´s busy, people will bump into you. Metro´s espeically as you have to push your way in at times. This is normal
You can get the train from the airport to the city
Walking is fine in the city centre. Be careful if you go outside of this space at night as it can feel uncomfortable when you are new to the city
Ask at the hotel if they think you should carry your passport. I usually do and have only been stopped by the police once. Also know the address of your hotel
If you have specfic questions, then I will try to answer them
What to do:
Red Square - St Basils, GUM, Lenin
Underground - It´s really good and from Red square you can get quickly to 3-4 amazing stations
The Kremlin - well worth going around parts of it... it´s spectacular
What I found quite dull
Gorky park - not worth it
Food:
Goodmans - For steaks - Fillet Mignon - pepper sauce!!
It´s expensive. Well the city part is. There are lots of other places to eat, in fact some of the food is great in the smaller restaurants. Be brave and go for it.
Other tips
Watch out crossing every road at all times.
You can get a ride from lots of cars... I used to do this a lot and it was cheap, but take the official taxi´s as it is much more comfortable. Once you´ve been in a lada without windows, you´ll understand.
When it´s busy, people will bump into you. Metro´s espeically as you have to push your way in at times. This is normal
You can get the train from the airport to the city
Walking is fine in the city centre. Be careful if you go outside of this space at night as it can feel uncomfortable when you are new to the city
Ask at the hotel if they think you should carry your passport. I usually do and have only been stopped by the police once. Also know the address of your hotel
If you have specfic questions, then I will try to answer them
The jiffle king said:
Lots of information!
Thanks for this. All packed and ready to go. Have had a few restaurants recommended - a bit concerned as been told to dress smart for the restaurants.
http://www.whiterabbitmoscow.com/about/
http://www.cafe-pushkin.ru/en/
http://www.elgaucho.ru/
I struggle with smart casual, and I have no idea what smart/warm looks like! I had not planned on taking anything other than thermals, jeans, jumpers, gloves, hat, coat, and timberlands!
Fats25 said:
Thanks for this.
All packed and ready to go. Have had a few restaurants recommended - a bit concerned as been told to dress smart for the restaurants.
http://www.whiterabbitmoscow.com/about/
http://www.cafe-pushkin.ru/en/
http://www.elgaucho.ru/
I struggle with smart casual, and I have no idea what smart/warm looks like! I had not planned on taking anything other than thermals, jeans, jumpers, gloves, hat, coat, and timberlands!
Warm - Think of the coldest UK day and it;s like that at the minute. It can get to -20C and that is brutal, but it's not too bad now. Lots of layers and a hat is essentialAll packed and ready to go. Have had a few restaurants recommended - a bit concerned as been told to dress smart for the restaurants.
http://www.whiterabbitmoscow.com/about/
http://www.cafe-pushkin.ru/en/
http://www.elgaucho.ru/
I struggle with smart casual, and I have no idea what smart/warm looks like! I had not planned on taking anything other than thermals, jeans, jumpers, gloves, hat, coat, and timberlands!
Smart casual for restaurants? Smartish jeans and a shirt are usually fine, and you'll have a big coat on anyway I expect. I've not seen anyone kicked out for jeans and a polo shirt
You might want a spare pair of shoes for the hotel and in case it snows.... Which is does a lot at this time of year
enjoy, it's a great place
Moscow will be cold and if it's snowing Timberlands will be perfect. Don't worry about dressing up too much - everyone will just be warding off the cold at this time of year. Spent large amounts of time there working over the last couple of years.
If you walk over the bridge just south of Red Square and turn right and along the embankment, you'll go past the British Embassy and then shortly after that the road narrows and you come into quite a trendy nice area - it's where there was once an old chocolate factory I think. The restaurants and bars there are good fun and the food is generally good. I tend to feel quite safe there too.
Nobody queues for tickets in the Metro so just join in the throng at the ticket office - you'll get used to it. The train to and from Domodedovo is a good service and very punctual.
I use the hotel concierges to get me taxis when moving around Moscow - in the central area there are plenty of hotels and they almost all speak good English and will be willing to help you.
It's quite a dirty city with lots of beggars - use your small change to give something to them - you'll see the locals willingly giving especially to the older ones. Parts of the pavements are often taped off to protect you from icicles crashing down from the gutters so watch for that. All, and I do mean all, the hotels will have prostitutes working the bars and lounge areas - they'll often jump in the lift with you and pretend to be rooting around their handbags looking for the swipe key you need to get the lift moving. I normally kick them out but that's just me. I reckon if whoever has called them wants them enough they can come down and get them
This is all done with the full awareness and approval of the hotel so don't bother complaining!!
I'm assuming you've got your visa sorted. When you get to check in don't try and go through security at the British end - they want to check your visa before you travel so you have to go to one of the gates to check in.
Have fun. it's an interesting city but not one I would travel to as a tourist, but then I've probably been there too much now. St Pete still appeals one day.
If you walk over the bridge just south of Red Square and turn right and along the embankment, you'll go past the British Embassy and then shortly after that the road narrows and you come into quite a trendy nice area - it's where there was once an old chocolate factory I think. The restaurants and bars there are good fun and the food is generally good. I tend to feel quite safe there too.
Nobody queues for tickets in the Metro so just join in the throng at the ticket office - you'll get used to it. The train to and from Domodedovo is a good service and very punctual.
I use the hotel concierges to get me taxis when moving around Moscow - in the central area there are plenty of hotels and they almost all speak good English and will be willing to help you.
It's quite a dirty city with lots of beggars - use your small change to give something to them - you'll see the locals willingly giving especially to the older ones. Parts of the pavements are often taped off to protect you from icicles crashing down from the gutters so watch for that. All, and I do mean all, the hotels will have prostitutes working the bars and lounge areas - they'll often jump in the lift with you and pretend to be rooting around their handbags looking for the swipe key you need to get the lift moving. I normally kick them out but that's just me. I reckon if whoever has called them wants them enough they can come down and get them
This is all done with the full awareness and approval of the hotel so don't bother complaining!!I'm assuming you've got your visa sorted. When you get to check in don't try and go through security at the British end - they want to check your visa before you travel so you have to go to one of the gates to check in.
Have fun. it's an interesting city but not one I would travel to as a tourist, but then I've probably been there too much now. St Pete still appeals one day.
Stephanie Plum said:
I'm assuming you've got your visa sorted. When you get to check in don't try and go through security at the British end - they want to check your visa before you travel so you have to go to one of the gates to check in.
I assume you mean at Heathrow?What you are saying is that I need to go to a desk to check in (despite already checking in on-line), so the BA Staff can check my Visa?
Thanks for the other info.
Fats25 said:
Puggit said:
I was told there was a prossie in the bar I was in last Wednesday. The problem is the women are generally so fit you can't tell
I used to travel a lot alone on business (pre the Mrs!). I can tell a hooker from a mile away. You get a feel for it when travelling alone across Asia, Europe, and the US.Difference is that they are not the bars I am looking for now............ I am looking for a cultural experience.
I will post back with opinions on my return.
Back on topic, if anyone wants to experience some - relatively - unspoilt Eastern Europe I can thoroughly recommend Vilnius. A Beautiful city with some super restaurants and generally safe and friendly.
The jiffle king said:
Fats25 said:
Thanks for this.
All packed and ready to go. Have had a few restaurants recommended - a bit concerned as been told to dress smart for the restaurants.
http://www.whiterabbitmoscow.com/about/
http://www.cafe-pushkin.ru/en/
http://www.elgaucho.ru/
I struggle with smart casual, and I have no idea what smart/warm looks like! I had not planned on taking anything other than thermals, jeans, jumpers, gloves, hat, coat, and timberlands!
My record low in Moscow was -37 in February.All packed and ready to go. Have had a few restaurants recommended - a bit concerned as been told to dress smart for the restaurants.
http://www.whiterabbitmoscow.com/about/
http://www.cafe-pushkin.ru/en/
http://www.elgaucho.ru/
I struggle with smart casual, and I have no idea what smart/warm looks like! I had not planned on taking anything other than thermals, jeans, jumpers, gloves, hat, coat, and timberlands!
Warm - Think of the coldest UK day and it;s like that at the minute. It can get to -20C and that is brutal, but it's not too bad now. Lots of layers and a hat is essential
Smart casual for restaurants? Smartish jeans and a shirt are usually fine, and you'll have a big coat on anyway I expect. I've not seen anyone kicked out for jeans and a polo shirt
You might want a spare pair of shoes for the hotel and in case it snows.... Which is does a lot at this time of year
enjoy, it's a great place
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