With affordable airline (Aeroflot) tickets, a quick online visa (5-6 days) process, a ruble-rupee conversion (1 Russian Ruble equals 0.92 INR) that is at par with each other, cool climes, great food and nightlife, lots of shopping and easy access to some of the world’s top heritage sites, Moscow could be just the right place for your next dream holiday. It’s extremely safe to travel and is already seeing a rise in the number of footfalls of avid travelers from around the world.

Kremlin and Red Square
What better place than Kremlin and Red Square, the cultural, economic and political center of Russia to kickstart my Moscow tour. The Kremlin has always been the power center of Russia. But that’s not what I’m talking about today. I was simply awestruck by the stunning beauty of this medieval city-fortress with five palaces and a few cathedrals inside that is today the residence of the Russian President.

The Moscow Kremlin and Red Square, the Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye and the Novodevichy Convent are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Russia’s most valuable treasures can be seen in the Armoury Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin. You can also visit the Assumption Cathedral, the coronation church Cathedral square of the Moscow Kremlin built in 15th century, as the place of coronation of Russian princes and tsars.

St. Basil’s Cathedral
Although part of the Red Square, this UNESCO World Heritage Site deserves a special mention. It remained the tallest in Moscow for 39 years following its completion in 1561 and consecrated in honour of the Day of the Protection of the Holy Virgin. The exotic appeal of St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Cathedral of Intercession at the Red Square left me spellbound. One can never get tired of these nine church towers crowned with candy-coloured onion domes, embellished with layers of cornices, kokoshniks, windows, colourful tiles and unique patterns that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale book. We highly recommend you set aside two hours to indulge in a Moscow Tea Party at the Baltschug Kempinski Hotel to get a vantage view of this national monument, one of the Seven Wonders of Russia.

Other must-see spots while walking down the Kremlin are the legendary Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell from the times of the royal dynasties and the Saviour (Spasskaya) tower.

Cathedral of Christ the Savior
The second tallest Orthodox church in the world, this white and gold architectural masterpiece is the largest Orthodox church in Russia and is a symbol of Russia’s spiritual revival after the Soviet era. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior from where the head of the Russian Church, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, serves. It was originally erected in honour of the victory in the war of 1812 over Napoleon. The existing building, built in the 1990s, is a recreation of the temple of the same name, destroyed in 1931.

Zaryadya Park
Do keep a few hours to walk around the Zaryadya Tourist Information Centre and the Zaryadya park during your visit here. There are about 900 parks in Moscow. The largest parks of culture and leisure in Moscow are Gorky Park, Sokolniki, Izmailovsky, and Kolomenskoye State Museum Reserve.

VDNKh
This magnificent park in the north of Moscow features more than 250 Soviet-era palaces and pavilions, arches and fountains, a Vostok rocket, and Soviet aircraft. VDNKh stands for the Exhibition of the Achievements of the National Economy. We took a stroll around the exhibition at Pavilion 75, called the International Forum-Exhibition “Russia”, an ensemble of all 89 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which was very enriching. Each location highlighted the remarkable facets about each of the regions, the traditions of the people living in it, what they are proud of, and the indomitable spirit they live by.

Museums in Moscow
Moscow has more than 100 theatres and over 400 museums. Among the many art museums, there are the State Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. There are vast exhibition venues such as the Central House of Artists, the Manezh exhibition hall, and others.

If you’re a cinema buff you may want to know about its origin and history at the Cinema Museum. Moscow has film studios that produce the best Russian films, recognised masterpieces of international cinema: Mosfilm, Gorky Film Studio, and Soyuzmultfilm.

Moscow Metro
Moscow is blessed with an excellent metro system and a tour of the Moscow Metro Station with a ride is a must. I was totally impressed with not just its connectivity and frequency, but also the grand and ornate styling of all the stations that resemble the interiors of palaces of the tsars.

UNESCO monuments in Moscow
The UNESCO World Heritage List includes 32 cultural and natural sites from Russia. Three of them can be seen without travelling outside Moscow. The Moscow City Tourism Committee offers a selection of unique architectural monuments that are worth a visit. A masterpiece of world architecture and the main symbol of Russia is located in the heart of Moscow and strikes the imagination from the first glance at the ancient tiles and ruby stars of the Spasskaya Tower. Spare half a day for a visit to the Kolomenskoye estate.

Radisson Yacht Erwin River Dinner Cruise
Take a Boat trip on the Erwin River yacht and dinner to see all the beautiful sights of Moscow, as you set on this romantic sail. The food is top notch and the wonderful views of the historical sights in the very center of the capital are an added bonus. Breathe in some of the Moscow’s finest as you indulge in a two-course lunch or dinner aboard an inviting Radisson Royal Flotilla. Enjoy enchanting panoramic views on a yacht cruising through Moscow’s best views of Kremlin, Saint Basil’s Cathedral, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Peter the Great Statue and Moscow City skyscrapers representing a new, modern face of the Russian capital against the old.

Crave Theatre
You cannot leave Moscow without an evening steeped in all things erotic, exotic and erogenous. Everyone around was dressed up in formals, as they sipped on their bubbly and nibbled on berries. Answer to all your fantasies and desires Crave Theatre is about what’s hidden behind numerous images of a woman and how one can catch the uniqueness beyond the veil of stereotypes. The Director Vasily Kozar, Founder and CEO, Crave Theatre Moscow Oleg Kulukhov, investigates the answer to every man’s sacramental question: “What women want?”

Culinary Haven
Expect the best of global cuisines catering to a diverse range of palates in Moscow. Home to some of the best cuisines from across the world, you’ll be spoilt for choice here. Do take a walk around the Arbat Street. Besides the typical Russian Borscht, iconic beetroot soup, beloved across Slavic countries and Pelmeni, semi-circular dumplings that are super-thin dough stuffed with minced meat, onion and herbs, you can feast on delicious Italian, Continental and even Indian food, including a good number of vegetarian options. A heartfelt Spasibo (thank you in Russian) to our Russian guides Yana Lyubina and Demian Vadym for some of the best restaurant recommendations.

Sixty One of the highest restaurants in Europe, Sixty on the 62nd floor of the Federation Tower will take your breath away not just for its spectacular views, but also flavourful food. Try their baked mussels.

Dr. Zhivago In the very heart of Moscow, just a block from Kremlin, it carries the name of the legendary novel. Get a splendid view of the Kremlin, eating Russian food here. Try the Halibut fillet with summer salad.

Vse Len Plonked in the heart of VDNH, this rustic eatery surrounded by forests, is an ideal place to whet your appetite. The meats here are a must try.

Bagebi Come here for authentic Georgian food and artistic corners within the Tsereteli Gallery building, with a stunning glass atrium and frescoes, it provides a beautiful setting for great pictures. Try the perfectly cooked kharcho and khachapuri.

Pushkin Go back in time on a dinner date with history at this 18th century Russian aristocrat’s bijou mansion, named after the Russian poet Aleksandr Pushkin. Enter this baroque building and you will feel like you’re in a time capsule going back to the era of stucco-work and cast-iron grills, almost like you’re in a museum. The menu is Russian noble cuisine and a classic French gastronomy.

Taj Mahal If you’re missing Indian food, then a delicious Indian meal at Taj Mahal won’t disappoint you. Try the Palak Paneer and Dal here. Another place that we liked for Indian food was a small section called Indian Point at the Briquette Market.

With ruble’s devaluation shopping can be a breeze in Moscow. I picked up a few popular souvenirs like the Matryoshka dolls, Russian chocolate and sweets like Russian gingerbread, Pavlovo Posad shawls, Khokhloma artefacts, fridge magnets and other Soviet memorabilia for our friends and family back home. And of course, lots of beautiful memories that I will always cherish for a lifetime.

Uncovering Misconceptions about Moscow
The most common myths among Indian tourists about the Russian capital, Moscow were revealed in a recent survey by Intourist.

Myth #1: Moscow is too cold. Reality: There are four seasons, and the summer is warm. Moscow spring is probably the loveliest of them all with its fresh air, blossoming trees and cafeteria terraces opening all over the city. Visit an open pool in the summer like Chaika or Luzhniki, explore any of the parks. Sure, winters are cold, but with central heating you don’t feel it.

Myth #2: Moscow is too Soviet. Reality: Moscow’s architecture is a beautiful eclectic mixture of nearly a thousand years of history. A couple of beautiful landmarks from different times will appear just around the corner. Besides Soviet architecture, there are buildings dated with XII-XIX centuries along the ‘bas-reliefs’ from the art nouveau period and shining skyscrapers of the Moscow-City cluster — all for your aesthetic pleasure.

Myth #3: Moscow is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Reality: There are options for a trip with any budget. There are lots of accommodation options, eateries and shopping establishments to fit your desires and financial possibilities:

Myth #4: There is no decent food in Moscow, except for borscht and pelmeni. Reality: Moscow is full of the high-quality restaurants with Russian and world cuisines. A homesick Indian tourist can also easily find an authentic eating place with Indian vegetarian options.

Myth #6: Moscow is unsafe. Reality: Crime rate in Moscow is lower than in many European tourist cities. Moscow is an extremely hi-tech city. Last year, Moscow became the leader among BRICS cities in terms of technological and spatial development. Moscow has a “smart city” system – outdoor CCTV cameras and a face recognition system on the streets and in the subway.

Myth #7: Nobody speaks English in Moscow. Reality: Young generation of Moscovites speaks English fluently. Travelling nowadays is a popular hobby among millennials and Gen Z, so the majority of young Moscow residents speak fluent English.