"Moscow in Summer" a Moscow Travel Page by cocoandsami

I first visit Moscow and St Petersburg in 1998. Coming back here this year, i am amazed at the changes that have happened in this time.
1. It is far more expensive then i remember
2. There are casinos everywhere
3. Even more western influence then i remember

I have had 5 trips to Russia in the last 6 months - all being work. However, this time, i managed to take a Saturday off and had a bit of a sightsee (luxury).

One thing about Moscow - it is so busy all the time, it just never stops. The traffic is crazy (don't ever trust a driver when you are a pedestrian - always use the pedestrian underpasses to cross busy roads). My only time out in Moscow is in my hotel room, or in a lovely quiet restaurant

Having been to Moscow before, i was a little selective in what i decided to see in the 1/2 day i had free.

I started with St. Basils Cathedral, it was something that i had always remembered. It is well worth taking the time to visit this cathedral, it is truely an amazing piece of art/work/architecture. It costs to go in, and now, it also costs if you want to take photos, but this is well worth paying for.

I moved on to taking a tour through the Kremlin next, although i was a little pushed for time. I elected to take a audio guide (i think it costs 15 USD to do this). I would actually recommend taking a tour or picking up a guide outside the gates (there are a lot of them around and will approach you). Visiting the Kremlin on your own is a little waste of time. I would also recommend that you take the day, and visit the Armoury (again, more expensive, but well worth it).

It is pretty amazing walking around the inside of the Kremlin.

After the Kremlin, i decided to go and play on the underground. There is a substantial underground system in Moscow, that has been in operation since about 1938 (i think). The underground is quite safe (well, it is safe during the day), very cheap (13 Roubles for a trip anywhere), and the best thing about the Moscow underground is some of the stations.

These stations are absolutely beautiful and should be in museums. I have included one photo, but these do not do the underground beauty justice at all (btw - not all stations are beautiful - need to be selective).

I visited Komsomolskaya and Novoslobodskaya. However i have seen pictures of Kiyevkaya-Koltsevaya, Mayakovskaya, Arbatskaya and Taganskaya-Koltsevaya which all look beautify and spectacular.

a hint for travelling the underground. it is fairly easy as each station is dedicated to one line either north or south. Make sure you write the station names in Russian (this helps to pick which platform, as the names are all in Russian text). If you keep a few names on a piece of paper for the destination, it really helps. i then count the stops until my destination.

Other places worth visiting (from my trip in 98):
VDNKh - Exhibitions of National Economic Achievements. Particularly the Friendship of the Peoples fountain (1953). This is a big park with many lovely exhibition buildings.

Also, if you make it to Moscow, heading to St Petersburg is a must. Moscow is impressive, but St Petersburg is spectacular (and the Hermitage is there). Take 3 days to look around. Either fly Aeroflot (i have done this twice - twice too many times, but i think they have improved) or the overnight train (but take a first class sleeper).