A Year in Moscow

Tuesday 10 April 2007. Not a trip, but a life experience. This wasn't a journey like the others, it wasn't wanted and it wasn't planned. I spent a year in this city for work reasons and it would be impossible to try to show or communicate all the sensations, impressions and emotions experienced. Describe Moscow in two words? 1000 contrasts. Visit it, admire Red Square and the Kremlin, be amazed and get lost in its wonderful metro, wander through the different districts noticing and breathing in what history has left and produced here. Don't be discouraged by the incomprehensible language or by the apparent coldness of this people who are in reality made up of so many peoples.

Try Georgian cuisine, go to the flea market in Izmaelovski Park (Metro: Partizanskaya), enjoy the views from the Sparrow Hills and from Kolomenskoe park, absolutely don't miss a visit outside Moscow to the towns of the golden ring. If you can...go in winter and without an organised trip. The hotels chosen by tour operators are rather far from the centre and will allow you little independence; you'll see everything but you won't breathe the REAL Moscow. Book online a little flat in the centre for the nights you want, they'll send you the invitation to get the visa and will guarantee you transfer from the airport, registration in Moscow and good services at prices acceptable compared to central hotels. What else can I say? The very centre of the city is no more dangerous than ours, but be careful in the outskirts! Happy travels discovering the east.