This week, we journey to Moscow, Russia's vibrant capital, rich in history, art, and culture. While current travel advisories advise against visiting, we hope this guide inspires future adventures when conditions permit.

The thing that inspired us most about this massive city is the mix between modern and classical architecture. You’ll learn more about landmarks like St. Basil’s Cathedral (classical) and Ostankino Tower (modern) in the “this week’s inspiration” section. Seeing these types of buildings in the same area gives you a real feel for how technology and humanity have advanced over the years.

Walking through Red Square in the winter gave us a real appreciation for the Russian culture. There was a great festival going on and people were enjoying the time outdoors despite the frigid conditions (more on that below). It’s the type of place where you can just stop and look at the amazing buildings around every corner.

It might seem odd for us to write about a place that has heavy travel restrictions for U.S. citizens. However, we were able to visit Moscow twice (in January 2016 and July 2017) and both times were incredibly inspiring to us because of our interactions with the locals and the stunning architecture. We hope to return someday if relations with Russia improve.

Moscow is cold in the winter…negative temperatures. We were on a guided tour of the city one wintry evening in early January 2016. Our guide took us to Red Square where there was an outdoor winter carnival going on. It was the kind with rides such as carousels, a mini ferris wheel, and people were everywhere. It was -8 degrees Fahrenheit and locals were happily eating ice cream cones.

We interacted with quite a few locals but the conversation that stuck out the most was with a lady in the subway on our second visit there. We decided to take the public transportation in the the city from the airport (the first time we were picked up and taken straight on the tour).

We like to have the most authentic experience we can so we try to use subways when we can. The Moscow Metro is a comprehensive system and can be overwhelming if you can’t read Russian. We were doing fine until we had to change trains in busy station. After a few mintues of standing and looking around, a lady came up to us and asked if we needed help. And emphatic “yes” encouraged her to jump into “help the foreigners” mode. She really stepped up.

We spent just a few moments talking to the lady but she directed us and gave of some kind words of encouragement for the rest of our trip. This reminded us we liked the city enough to come back for a second trip.

Red Square
At the heart of Moscow, Red Square is surrounded by significant landmarks, including the Kremlin, Lenin's Mausoleum, and the State Historical Museum. It's a central gathering place for events and a must-visit for its historical significance.

St. Basil’s Cathedral
Known for its colorful onion domes, this cathedral was built in the 16th century and stands as a symbol of Russia's unique architectural style. Inside, visitors can explore chapels adorned with intricate frescoes.

The Kremlin
This fortified complex houses government buildings, cathedrals, and the Grand Kremlin Palace. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was originally built with wood in the 12th century but was rebuilt in the 14th century with stone and eventually red brick later on.

It is usually open 10am - 6pm most days except Thursady. Note that the presedential offices are off limits. Visitors can tour the Armoury Chamber, which displays royal artifacts, including Fabergé eggs and imperial carriages, see about one third of the grounds, and visit the various museums.

Bolshoi Theatre
A premier venue for ballet and opera, the Bolshoi Theatre offers performances in a grand setting. Attending a show here provides insight into Russia's rich performing arts tradition.

GUM Department Store
Located on Red Square, GUM is a historic shopping mall featuring luxury boutiques and eateries. Its impressive architecture and glass roof make it a popular destination.

Tretyakov Gallery
Home to an extensive collection of Russian art, the gallery showcases works from medieval icons to contemporary pieces. It's an essential stop for art enthusiasts.

Museum of Cosmonautics
This museum celebrates Russia's achievements in space exploration, featuring exhibits like Yuri Gagarin's space capsule and models of spacecraft. It's an engaging experience for visitors of all ages.

Gorky Park
A central park offering recreational activities, art installations, and open-air events. It's a favorite spot for both locals and tourists to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Ostankino Tower
The first free-standing structure to reach 1600 feet (500 meters). It was once the tallest building in the world. It’s used mostly for telecommunication but has a revolving restaurant.

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While we are not promoting travel to Russia from the U.S. at the moment due to the official Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory in effect, Passport Inspiration aims to inform subscribers how you would reach and navigate the destinations we feature when advisories are lifted.

Check here for current updates on traveling to Russia from the U.S.

Moscow’s major airports are Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo. Once in the city, Moscow has an extensive and efficient public transportation system, including the famed Metro with stations that are destinations in their own right, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, all accessible with a reusable Troika card.

For our non U.S. email subscribers, here are a few hotels we found:

Lotte Hotel - centrally located and had the best Tripadvisor reviews

Ararat Park Hotel Moscow - located right next to Bolshoi Theatre

Russian cuisine offers a variety of traditional dishes:

Moscow experiences cold winters, with temperatures often below freezing. Essential items include:

We hope this overview of Moscow's rich offerings inspires future travel plans. Stay informed about travel advisories and prepare for an unforgettable experience when the time is right.

Here are a few of our affiliate links to help you when in cold weather places (like Moscow was for us.) It’s no extra cost to you and helps us keep this email free for everyone. 😀

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob