Moscow is the capital and most populated city in Russia. Indeed it is the seventh largest city in the world with over ten million residents. Situated by the Moskva River, it not only is an economical and governmental centre, but hosts a rich arts and historical culture too. Because of its situation it has warm humid summers, with highs of 23 degrees Celsius and most of the annual rainfall and long, cold winters, where temperatures are typically minus 10 degrees Celsius. Snow can be present for about a third of the year.
Moscow`s Sheremetyevo Airport has great facilities, an eclectic mix of restaurants, post office, even an Irish pub! There is a luggage packing service where bags can be securely wraps in stretch wrap to ensure security and safety. There are shops to fulfil all your needs; snacks, toys, papers, communications and flowers and also facilities for charging your mobile and laptop. There are taxis available from outside the airport, but it`s safer to hire one from an official counter inside the terminal. Also there is the licensed transfer service which many consider to be the most reliable and economical. There are car hire offices in the airport should you wish to drive yourself.
Public transport in Moscow is infamously busy and overground can often be gridlocked particularly during peak hours. A popular way to travel is via the beautiful Metro, which is fast and efficient, but doesn`t have any signs in English. Stalin believed in creating public `palaces` and the chandeliers and art works that still adorn the Metro pay testimony to this.
Moscow has a vast range of places to visit, but top of many people`s list must be the Red Square. Packed with historical features, you can easily spend hours here. The easily recognizable ornate St. Basil`s Cathedral, the recently rebuilt Resurrection Gate and the voluminous GUM Department Store. The nearby Kremlin houses the country`s government and many of its buildings can be visited, for example the Cathedral of the Assumption, The State Armoury and Ivan the Great Bell Tower. Lovers of the arts will yearn for a visit to the Bolshoi Theatre. Its luxurious, neo-classic five-tiered auditorium is Russia`s largest theatre. Beware though that tourists will always be charged more than locals for seats at ticket kiosks, but this still may offer savings over hotel and travel agent deals. Moscow has nearly one hundred parks and Izmailovo Park is a particular favorite. It hosts a massive open-air market where you can haggle over traditional crafts, antiques, artworks and cold-war ! memorabilia. The home of Tsar Peter the Great, Izmailovo Royal Estate, is a stroll away and well worth a visit.
With so many places to visit over such a big area, it worth considering cheap car rental Heathrow before you travel, that way you will have flexibility and mobility when you visit this wonderful treasure of Eastern Europe.
Eugene Gapon was born and raised in Belarus. He graduated from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and currently lives in Moscow, Russia. What he enjoys most is learning about new technologies and entrepreneurship.
He is also the Co-Founder and CTO at Frent, a travel company that provides tours in Moscow. Frent gives you an opportunity to enjoy the local spirit with a local friend, who fluently speaks your language. He also writes about Moscow on the frent blog and you can follow him on Twitter.
