MOSCOW

Today’s most famous site used to be the foundation stone of Moscow: In the 12th century the Kremlin was built as a fortification between the Moskva River and the Neglinnaya. Under cover of the walls, a congeries of houses and homesteads developed to become the political and economical city of nowadays. Since the 15th century Moscow is Russia’s capital, yet for 200 years it had to dispone this privilege to St.Petersburg. In 1918 Moscow regained the title of capital, after all it used to be Russia’s cultural stronghold throughout time.
Since the end of communism a lot has changed in Moscow: On every corner buildings get restored, streets rebuild and illuminated advertising installed. Critics of the modernization find fault with Moscow’s attempt to be more American. However: the capital is restless and the rapid innovations do not pass the population trackless. The newly rich reap the benefits of their freedom and international attention which the city brings along.

From the airport to the city
The airport Domodedovo is situated about 35 km from Moscow. There are several possibilities to get to city centre:
- Shuttle buses: Mini buses operate between the airport to the underground station Domodedovskaya, the 30 minute trip costs RUB 70,-. Bigger coaches operate on the same route but only cost RUB 50,-.
- Train: A commuter train operates between the airport and the train station Paveletsky in the inner city. Travel time: 1 hour 10 minutes, one ticket costs RUB 63,-. With the Aeroexpress you get to the same train station in a time of 45 minutes for RUB 150,-.

Taxi
Going with the taxi is basically not expensive in Moscow. You should only avoid to go by taxi from the airport to the city because one journey might take 30 to 90 minutes depending on the situation on the roads and at least costs RUB 900,-, and often much more.

Public transportation
The best and quickest way to travel in Moscow is by using the metro. Some stations of the biggest metro system in the world are real works of art. 10 tickets only cost about RUB 150,-.

Kremlin
This walled fortress is very important for the city's history, politics and religion. The walls were originally made from white stones but they were substituted by the characteristic red bricks in the 15th century. Behind the walls you find cathedrals, palaces, two big museums as well as the official seat of the president. You can get to the museum via the Kutafja tower and you can buy tickets for the cathedral at the small news stand at Cathedral square.
Roter Platz, Tel.: 79 52 02 37 76, 10am - 5pm, Metro: Bibliotheka Lenina

Red Square
The term Red Square (Krasnaia Ploshchad) has an ambiguous meaning. In Russian krasnaia means "red", in the Old Russian language it also meant "nice". During Tsar times the square was used as a market place. Moreover many demonstrations and gatherings of rebels were arranged on the square. One side of the Red Square is bounded by the Kremlin and on the other side the shopping centre GUM is situated.

Café-Restaurant Margarita
You should not miss this small comfortable cafe. It rather reminds one of an antiques shop than of a cafe, indigenous artists especially appreciate the inspiring surroundings. This cafe is often mentioned as an insider's tip in many travel guides. Margarita is considered as being legendary, pre-eminently due to the novel "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakow. The cafe is situated at the romantic Partriarch's Pond. It is really small so be prepared not to get a seat.
Ulitsa Malaya Bronnaya 28, Tel.: 299 65 34, 2pm–12pm, Metro: Mayakowskaja

Scandinavia
A great beer garden. How to get there: Tverskaja into town and then after the last doorway before Puschkin square go right.
Maly Palashevsky Pereulok 7, Tel.: 200 49 86

Cheremushinskij Rynok
A characteristically Russian supermarket in Cheremushinskij in the Lomonosovksij Prospekt. Fresh goods from all over Russia are offered for sale, you can make great bargains here.
Mon-Sat 7am–7pm, Sun 7am–5pm

Babuschka
There is nothing more Russian than Babuschka! In comfortable surroundings you are served traditional dishes at the uppermost level, unfortunately prices are correspondingly high. However, those who appreciate Russian kitchen or want to get to know it should really visit this restaurant.
Bol. Ordynka 42, Tel.: 23 02 79, Metro: Dobryninskaya

Evropeisky
In the restaurant of the Hotel Metropol you can enjoy outstanding European and Russian kitchen. The service is professional and at lunchtime the cheap "business lunch" is really recommenable. It is, however, unnecessary to have a cup of coffee in the cafe "Artistico".
Teatralny Proezd 1/4, Tel.: 927 60 62, 11.30 am to midnight, Metro: Teatralnaja, www.metropol-moscow.ru

Il Pomodoro
This exquisite restaurant is a perfect address for those of you who do not want to live without their pasta in Moscow. It is situated close to the north-west boulevard ring.
Bolshoy Golovin Pereulok 5, Tel.: 924 29 31

Baltschug Kempinski
Presidents and various celebrities already stayed in this 19th century building. It also offers a nice view over the Kremlin.
Uliza Baltschug 1, Tel.: 230 65 00, double rooms € 500,–, Metro: Nowokusnezkaja, Ochotnyj Rjad, www.kempinski-moscow.com

Hotel Ukraina
Hotel Ukraina is situated in an impressing multi-storey building, in the hotel's entrance hall a huge ceiling fresco is displayed.
Kutusowskij Prospekt 2/1, Tel.: 933 56 02, double rooms € 90,–, Metro: Kiewskaja www.ukraina-hotel.ru/index_eng.html

Ismailowo
This hotel (five houses with 30 storeys each) was built for the Olympic Games in 1980. You can get to the city centre in 30 minutes with the metro.
Ismailowskoje Chausse 71, Tel.: 737 70 55, double rooms from € 44,–

Danilowskaja
This monastery used to be the seat of the Muscovite patriarch and was actually thought for his guests. Now it is, however, open to the public.
Bol. Starodanilowskij per. 5, Tel.: 954 03 12, double rooms € 90,–, www.russia-hotels.de/mos/danilovskaya.htm

Up&Down
Here regularly celebrities show up, after midnight you can watch strips (by professionals of course and not by guests) Until 10pm free entry!
Zubovksy Bulvar 4, 8pm - 6am, Metro: Park Kultury

B.B. King Blues Club
Here jazz- and blues concerts are arranged. You can also already come in the evening and enjoy some snacks.
Sadovaja-Samotjochnaja Ulitsa 4/2, Metro Zwetnoi Bulvar

Tabula Rasa
Shortly before midnight concerts start here. On the dance floor you can lose the calories you gained from the blinis and caviar.
Bereschkovskaja nabereschnaja 28, 19–6 Uhr, Metro: Kievskaja then trolley bus 34, 17 or 7; or Bus 505, 119, 91 to Patentnaja Bibliotheka

The fact that the city cannot be seen in its actual splendour is due to Chruschtschow who arranged the destruction of some of its parts. Today the 70 metres broad popular Nowyj Arabtk shopping street can be found where in former times great mansions were situated. Parallel to Nowyj Arabtk the Arabat street is located, Moscow's first pedestrian zone. Here you find nice cafes, small shops and in summer you can sit outdoors and watch the souvenir traders, musicians and street artists. At the pedestrian zone beautiful old buildings are situated in which the nouveau riches of the city live. Metro:  Arbatskaja, Smolenskaja,Kropotkinskaja

At the Red Square the street Twerskaja Uliza starts in which the most expensive boutiques of Moscow can be found. In Kutuzowskij Prospekt, another  popular shopping street, the shopping centre Moskva is located. (upper price range).

Department store GUM
GUM could be compared to Harrod's in London - you should really visit this store but do not buy things here because everthing is more expensive. (Red Square 3, opposite to Lenin's mausoleum and Kremlin)

Like in other big cities Moscow cups are available in abundance. More typical for the country are, however, ceramic figures which display characters of sagas and legends; amber and lace as well as the not really cheap Fabergé eggs. Moreover items of the inventory of the Red Army are popular souvenirs. You can also buy your souvenirs at the market in Ismaijlowskij Park which is arranged every weekend. You should, however, take care with buying antiques, paintings and other valuable articles (everything expensive) because these goods might cause difficulties when you are leaving the country.