Off to Moscow - What to do?

[Rich_AR]

Off to work in Moscow for 8 days next week. I'll have plenty of free time too. I'm staying quite centre (1.8 miles from the Red Sq)

Anyone recommend cool things to see, do etc whilst I'm there?

Guess some vodka consumption will be happening...

Edited by Rich_AR on Monday 15th June 16:39

[Fume troll]

Do carry your passport with you at all times.
If someone drops money in the street in front of you, don't pick it up to give it back to them.
Do check out the metro, especially Arbatskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Ploschad Rovolutsii and Komsomolskaya for their architecture, chandeliers, gold leaf etc.
Red square and the kremlin are cool
See if you can go to the Bolshoi, it's not that expensive.
Izmailovo Park, huge open market selling all sorts of tat, but also cool cold war stuff like mig flight helmets and space "stuff".
Don't go to Ooo la la...

Cheers,

FT.

[chunkymonkey71]

you have to buy a big furry hat.

[Rich_AR]

chunkymonkey71 said:

you have to buy a big furry hat.

That is something I will be doing!

[Rich_AR]

Fume troll said:

Do carry your passport with you at all times.
If someone drops money in the street in front of you, don't pick it up to give it back to them.
Don't go to Ooo la la...

Cheers,

FT.

Care to expand on these?!

[VetteG]

Which hotel are you in? I worked there for 6 years and know it pretty well. The Kremlin is a must and do the armoury tour while your there. You can also do a walking tour round the centre which is very interesting, your hotel will organise it. Lots of good restaurants about, but they can be expensive as can the nightclubs.
The Metro is a must as well, but it can be offputting. On the whole its pretty safe, watch out for scams in the tourist areas, one of the favourite's is someone dropping a roll of money, if that happens just turn away and keep walking or else you will find yourself fleeced of cash.
If you let me know your hotel I will try and guide you to a few places within walking distance. PM me if you like.

Graeme

[VetteG]

Meant to say that by law you must carry your passport at all times, A PITA but you get used to it.

G

[Rich_AR]

VetteG said:

Which hotel are you in? I worked there for 6 years and know it pretty well. The Kremlin is a must and do the armoury tour while your there. You can also do a walking tour round the centre which is very interesting, your hotel will organise it. Lots of good restaurants about, but they can be expensive as can the nightclubs.
The Metro is a must as well, but it can be offputting. On the whole its pretty safe, watch out for scams in the tourist areas, one of the favourite's is someone dropping a roll of money, if that happens just turn away and keep walking or else you will find yourself fleeced of cash.
If you let me know your hotel I will try and guide you to a few places within walking distance. PM me if you like.

Graeme

Thanks, just PM'd you

Yes I did read that about the passport.

[Fume troll]

Rich_AR said:

Fume troll said:

Do carry your passport with you at all times.
If someone drops money in the street in front of you, don't pick it up to give it back to them.
Don't go to Ooo la la...

Cheers,

FT.

Care to expand on these?!

Passport - it's the law to carry ID. Police love shaking down tourists on the offchance that they've forgotten, and will escort you to a cash machine to get the "on the spot" fine and avoid all the hassle of the police station.

Dropped money - Scammer will walk past and drop a roll of money, and keep walking. When you pick it up and run after him he'll be grateful, then seconds later will be all confused as half his money is missing. He'll ask you to turn out your wallet to confirm you haven't stolen his money. An "official" will miraculously appear, maybe in uniform, maybe not, to arbitrate. It's quite common. Walk away.

Ooo-la-la...couldn't possibly comment!

Cheers,

FT.

[Neil_H]

Drink lots of vodka, straight.


For breakfast.