Looking back to one of the cities that surprised, scared and impressed me all at the same time in the past months, here is a English adapted version of my first travel article in ELLE Romania.
As always, I want to be fair and transparent with you, so the places marked with an asterix (*) are places I have not had yet the pleasure to pay a visit, but they are still highly recommended amongst the well-traveled circle.
The capital of an excessively polarized society, Moscow best illustrates the contrast between the soviet architectural style of poor neighbourhoods and the glamorous and cosmopolitan city centre where the best apartments have a view over the Kremlin.
HOW TO GET THERE:
From Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport (OTP) to Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) there is a daily direct flight operated by Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot. The flight takes about three hours.
WHAT TO DO:
Besides the necessary visit to the Red Square, the Saint Basil Cathedral and the luxurious commercial centre GUM, you must see at least five metro stops: Kievskaya, Belorusskaya, Komsomolskaya, Ploshchad Revolyutsii and Novoslobodskaya. On top of these you must not miss a visit to the Kremlin, especially to the Armory, or to the famous Tretyakov Galleries or a night at the Bolshoi Theatre. Further recommendations are:
Tsaritsyno Palace
Located on a 405 ha propriety of Empress Catherine the Great, the Tsaritsyno Palace was designed especially for her, but it remained abandoned after her death. After 200 years, in 2007, the construction of the palace was finally finished and the palace became open to the visitors. You can find out more here.
Kolomenskoye Palace
A former summer residence of Aleksey Mikhailovich, this palace is made completely out of wood, after intense renovations which had to take place due to Catherine the Great’s decision to tear the building apart. Today, the palace is the host of interior events, and sometimes, on the 390 ha property there are music festivals. You can read more here.
WHERE TO STAY:
Ritz Carlton*
Located at a one minute walk from Red Square, Ritz Carlton is also enjoying the largest hotel rooms in Moscow. At the same time, the hotel’s restaurant is being lead by a three Michelin stars chef and the hotel’s bar offers panoramic views over the capital. You may access more information here.
Petroff Palace*
A former palace owned by Catherine the Great in which they say Napoleon also slept in, the Palace has 43 rooms decorated with royal charm and benefiting from all modern comfort. During summertime, the most renowned soloists from the Bolshoi theatre are the stars of outdoor concerts in the Palace’s garden. More about its story here.
WHERE TO GO:
White Rabbit*
Voted as the best Russian restaurant, eating at the White Rabbit is deemed as an unforgettable experience. Focusing on local produce and reinterpretations of traditional dishes, the restaurant is memorable also due to its glass dome, from where you have amazing views to Moscow City, the modern business hotspot of the Russian Capital. For reservations click here.
Café Puschkin*
Hosted by a baroque mansion, the restaurant has been topping Moscow’s horeca charts since its opening in 1999. Appreciated both for its Russian and French gastronomies and for its sumptuous dining rooms (where there were once a bookshop and a pharmacy), the restaurant deserves a visit. More information here.
I hope you liked these recommendations and maybe they inspired you to pay Moscow a visit!
Article originally published in ELLE Romania, November 2017 issue, number 240.
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