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Give the gift of travel with an andrew harper membership.

Andrew Harper members enjoy personalized trip-planning services, the most unbiased travel reviews and exclusive access to the iconic Hideaway Report

NEW YORK , April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspire the next journey of the seasoned or aspiring traveler in your life with an Andrew Harper membership. It's the perfect way to elevate your gift-giving for Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduations, weddings, anniversaries or any special occasion.

"At Andrew Harper, we believe that travel is the ultimate experience," said Andrew Harper General Manager Don Jones. "Through the gift of membership, you enable your loved ones to see the world, learn about other cultures and have unforgettable adventures along the way. It's said that travel is the one thing you can buy that makes you richer, and an Andrew Harper membership is a perfect way to do that."

Hideaway Report is a monthly newsletter containing honest, unbiased reviews and recommendations of the world's most distinctive hotels, restaurants and travel experiences. Last year, Andrew Harper's editorial team visited 23 countries and reviewed 75 hotels, as well as cruises, restaurants, cocktail bars, lesser-known museums, boutiques and guided excursions. The editors work anonymously, paying their own way and never receiving compensation from the places they visit, so that they can deliver reviews with complete independence.

In addition to the Hideaway Report , membership benefits include the Andrew Harper Collection, a definitive travel-planning resource of 12 regional guidebooks updated annually; unlimited full-service travel planning; exclusive perks including VIP status at more than 1,600 luxury hotels worldwide and amenities such as dining and spa credits, complimentary nights and more; savings on travel packages; members-only promotions; access to private property auctions around the world; and a weekly wine concierge newsletter with personalized recommendations.

Members also receive full access to AndrewHarper.com, featuring on-location videos and photos, curated itineraries and articles about perennial favorites as well as off-the-beaten-path travel destinations and unique experiences, like an insider's food tour of Barcelona , a guide to Miami Art Week, how to bargain in Istanbul's bazaar and rediscovering paradise in Bali .

Andrew Harper travel advisors provide customized service and benefits unavailable to other travelers, working directly with members to understand their unique needs and interests. From trips of a lifetime such as safaris and private island escapes, to weekend getaways and city stays, they can create a personalized itinerary for any need. These expert travel advisors have the connections and expertise to take care of every aspect of luxury travel, including airline, yacht and cruise reservations, hotel and villa bookings; ground transportation; and concierge services such as restaurant reservations, spa appointments and tee times.

"Working with our Travel Office, members save time, money and improve their overall experience from start to finish," said Don Jones . "And in the process of planning a dream vacation, members save an average of $1,100 per four-night stay."

Membership starts at $250 per year for digital and $395 for print and digital. To learn more and become a member, contact 1 (800) 375-4685, join here or email membership services at [email protected] .

About Andrew Harper Andrew Harper , part of Global Travel Collection, is a full-service luxury travel agency composed of travel experts exclusively serving travelers by curating exceptional worldwide travel experiences from beginning to end. It includes full travel planning support, access to exclusive benefits and special promotions, and private auctions.

About Global Travel Collection Global Travel Collection (GTC), part of Internova Travel Group, is the most influential collection of international luxury travel agencies. More than 1,500 GTC advisors are industry leaders in providing premium travel services to leisure travelers, corporate executives and the entertainment industry. GTC's combined global reach and leverage translate into value, recognition and preferential treatment for its world traveler clients.

CONTACT: Gina Nisi [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/give-the-gift-of-travel-with-an-andrew-harper-membership-302121244.html

SOURCE Global Travel Collection

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We’re excited to bring back our annual members’ choice awards it’s an opportunity to recognize the outstanding destinations, hotels, restaurants and experiences that have left a lasting impression on your travels. your opinion matters to us, and we can’t wait to see which experiences and properties you believe deserve recognition., voting is open until october 9, so don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard. scroll down to begin voting or click here to view in fullscreen., unlimited travel planning when you book your trip with andrew harper.

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Decades-Old Travel Media Company Andrew Harper Goes Back to Basics

Laura Powell, Skift

September 4th, 2018 at 10:00 AM EDT

Truth in consumer travel coverage is a rare commodity in this day and age of influencers, paid content and the pursuit of profit. But one bespoke media company thinks it can succeed solely by sending writers around the world, paying the travel bills along the way.

At a time when consumer travel media outlets are trying to stay profitable through brand extensions, custom content, affiliate advertising and pay-to-play coverage, one middle-aged publication is going back to basics.

Andrew Harper is a mysterious name that has been around the luxury travel world for decades. The pseudonymous critic started the Andrew Harper’s Hideaways newsletter in 1979. Every month a small, but discerning (read rich) subscriber base received a publication filled with unfiltered reviews of high-end hotels.

Sharing the “truth in travel” mantra claimed at the time by Condé Nast Traveler, Harper funded his own excursions and always traveled incognito. To help subsidize the editorial operation, the empire expanded during the 1990s to include a travel agency and a travel directory filled with paid listings of partnering hotels, cruises and tour companies.

In 2006, a small Austin, Texas-based investor group purchased the Andrew Harper brand. Last year, the group sold the profitable travel agency operation and the Andrew Harper Alliance hotel program to Travel Leaders Group . Andrew Harper CEO Crista Bailey said the sale left the company to focus “on its crown jewel, using the extra cash from the sale of the agency to fund the editorial portfolio.”

That portfolio is made up of Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report, AndrewHarper.com , and The Andrew Harper Collection, a glossy series of guidebooks. As in the past, reporters writing for these outlets travel under cover, and Andrew Harper pays the bills.

Making Money

But exactly how do those bills get paid? After all, Andrew Harper covers properties that can cost more than $500 a night, and according to Bailey, reporters stay at least two nights at each destination. Even so, the publication doesn’t accept advertising, and does not include paid content. In the past, proceeds from the agency side of the business subsidized the editorial. Now, however, the strategy is growing profits by increasing subscriptions.

John D. Cullen, who is chairman of the board and part of the company’s ownership group, said 90 percent of current revenue comes from membership dues.

“Subscriptions are the revenue driver. Travel Leaders Group pays a modest stipend pay for lead generation. But to be clear, whatever we get from TLG is not funding the brand,” Cullen said. Additionally, partnerships bring in ancillary revenue.

Nancy Novgorod, the former editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure who is now launching Culturati Travel Design in affiliation with Valerie Wilson Travel, thinks the strategy could work.

“This is a very different animal from Conde Nast Traveler or T+L—a membership model for access to a product that comes at an extremely high price and addresses the interests and needs of a top-tier affluent audience,” Novogrod said.

“Unless they are envisioning making big changes, the cost of producing The Hideaway Report is modest—so I think it can work, particularly with the help of partnerships that increase their reach.”

Bailey’s prime goal, however, is adding members, who pay $395 annually for a print and online subscription, and $250 for solely digital access. There are currently 16,000 members, and the goal is to grow the numbers by “reaching a younger, more digital-savvy audience.”

Andrew Harper’s recent growth figures may bear that out. When Bailey inherited the CEO position 16 months ago, “the membership skewed older. The average age was in the 60s, with 65 percent of members being male and 35 percent female. Seventy percent had an annual household income of $2 million or more,” she said.

However, Bailey says that recently, “We are seeing, in new member growth, they are 50/50 female/male, in the age range of 45-65 and still highly affluent.” In the past year, the number of new members has doubled, with the total member base up 16 percent year over year.

Paywalls and Partnerships

How has the company achieved this? “We have tested multiple channels this past year – digital, social, direct mail, print, radio, partnerships – to uncover product fit with market; effective channels and types of messaging that resonate with a younger, more digitally-savvy audience,” Bailey said.

The testing has pointed the company “in the direction of highly focused acquisition efforts via digital, social, direct mail, partnerships and customized landing pages.” For example, in addition to placing ads in the print version of The Wall Street Journal, Andrew Harper is part of the Wall Street Journal Plus loyalty program .

After speaking with colleagues at The Wall Street Journal and other publications the company also started testing a paywall in April.

Of course, a big part of the value of any media company lies in the data it collects and the demographics of Andrew Harper’s subscription base could leave luxury marketers salivating.

“We are taking this one step at a time – building a data warehouse to strengthen our business. We are collecting data on members in aggregate, understanding their behaviors,” Bailey said.

The initial goal in doing this is “building out a community platform to give members more voice. But as we become more informed, we can leverage and share that data in a smart way and establish ourselves as a thought leader. and look at advertising, sponsorship, events, maybe licensing opportunities.”

“Time will tell, but our ownership group has swum against the tide in every investment we’ve been successful in. It may be contrarian to say, but our strategy is to absolutely go back to basics instead of reinventing the brand. We believe the time has come back to when the basics are going to be very valuable.”

Editor’s Note: On Tuesday, Andrew Harper CEO Crista Bailey announced that while the legal name of the company will continue as Andrew Harper LLC, the consumer-facing brand name will become The Hideaway Report. The AndrewHarper.com website will redirect to hideawayreport.com. In 2019, the company plans to rebrand the guidebook series under The Hideaway Report, while the name of the newsletter may or may not change.

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Tags: hotels , luxury , media

Photo credit: The Whitby Hotel in New York City. The hotel features on Andrew Harper's list of standout properties. Firmdale Hotels

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Meet the New Travel Agents (a.k.a. Travel Networks)

How do these networks stack up against each other, and what does it cost to take advantage of their perks?

By Shivani Vora

Why would travelers ever plan a vacation on their own when their money will go a lot further with the help of a travel agent? At a time when booking trips online seems to be the norm, it’s a message that several travel networks, each with their own group of travel agents, are increasingly pushing.

With more than 16,000 agents globally, Virtuoso is one of the largest networks. That scale can benefit the traveler: Book a trip with a Virtuoso agent, said Albert Herrera, the company’s senior vice president of global product partnerships, and you will get hotel perks such as free breakfast, room upgrades and spa treatments; these extras are worth up to $450 a property. “If you’re staying at three hotels on one trip, you’re looking at more than $1,300 of amenities that you’re not paying for,” he said.

Signature Travel Network has more than 7,000 agents. Ignacio Maza, the company’s executive vice president, said that the network’s agents can get clients benefits valued at up to $500 at hotels; on cruises, more than $1,000.

Smaller networks also offer amenities for their clients: Andrew Harper Travel , for example, began in the 1970s as a hotel review company but expanded around 15 years ago to offer travel planning services; currently, the company has around 20 agents.

How do these networks stack up against each other, and what does it cost travelers, if anything, to take advantage of their perks? Here is a breakdown of some of the top networks.

Signature Travel Network

HOW TO FIND AN AGENT signaturetravelnetwork.com

NUMBER OF AFFILIATED HOTELS More than 1,030, both large chains and boutique properties; the collection includes four- and five-star hotels.

THE COST Signature doesn’t charge a membership fee to use its agents, but some charge fees of up to several hundred dollars.

CRUISES? Yes, 30 lines. Benefits vary by sailing, but could include onboard credits, prepaid gratuities and shore excursions. Also, on a select 200 a year, travelers get a private guide and driver for a day at selected ports — a perk valued at up to $900, according to Mr. Maza.

HOTEL PERKS Up to $500 of amenities at hotels, including daily breakfast for two, an extra amenity such as a $100 dining credit, room upgrades and early check-in and checkout, when available. Some properties, like the Ritz Paris , offer additional benefits including round-trip airport transfers.

HOW TO FIND AN AGENT virtuoso.com/advisors

NUMBER OF AFFILIATED HOTELS More than 1,250 luxury hotels, both large chains and boutique properties; 900 of those can be booked through virtuoso.com .

THE COST Virtuoso doesn’t charge a membership fee to use its agents, but some charge trip-planning fees; depending on the complexity of the trip, fees can range from $50 to several hundred dollars.

CRUISES? Yes, 31 lines, with more than 500 select sailings a year. Travelers get an $800 credit to use one of three ways: onboard, for a private car and driver at a port of their choice, or for a tailor-made excursion.

HOTEL PERKS Up to $450 of amenities at hotels, including daily breakfast for two, room upgrades (either guaranteed at the time of booking or on a space available basis) and early check-in and late checkout, when available. All affiliated hotels also offer extras for their Virtuoso guests which vary by property. Examples include a six-course dinner at Casa Gangotena in Quito, Ecuador and a horse-drawn carriage tour with a stay at Alpaga Megève in Megève, France.

Ensemble Travel Group

HOW TO FIND AN AGENT ensembletravel.com

NUMBER OF AFFILIATED HOTELS Around 700, both large chains and boutique properties; the collection includes four- and five-star hotels.

THE COST Ensemble doesn’t charge a membership fee to use agents, but some charge trip-planning fees.

CRUISES? Yes, 26 lines. On more than 1,500 select cruises a year, travelers receive various benefits such as room upgrades, onboard credits and shore excursions.

HOTEL PERKS Benefits vary by property, but could include room upgrades, daily breakfast, spa treatments, and food and wine welcome baskets. The Raffles Makati in the Philippines, for example, offers daily breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails and 50-minute massages for two.

American Express Travel

HOW TO FIND AN AGENT AmexTravel.com

NUMBER OF AFFILIATED HOTELS More than 1,000 affiliated luxury properties.

THE COST Several network benefits are exclusively for American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders — the annual fee for a Platinum card is $550. (The company doesn’t reveal the cost of the Centurion card.) In addition, some agents charge small trip-planning fees.

CRUISES? Yes, 15 lines. On sailings of five nights or more, travelers receive an onboard credit of between $100 to $300.

HOTEL PERKS The average value of benefits travelers receive at each hotel is $550, according to Tom Stein, the vice president of American Express Travel. These include a space-available room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, noon check-in, when available, and a guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout, as well as an additional amenity that varies by property — examples include a spa treatment, a meal or a bottle of wine.

Andrew Harper Travel

HOW TO FIND AN AGENT andrewharper.com

NUMBER OF AFFILIATED HOTELS 500. The majority are 40 rooms or less.

THE COST $395 a year. In addition, advisers charge a $250 “commitment” fee which is applied to the cost of the trip once travelers book.

CRUISES? Yes, around a dozen lines. Travelers receive $100 onboard credit on every sailing.

HOTEL PERKS Benefits include daily breakfast, room upgrades upon availability or at the time of booking and an additional amenity valued at $100 that varies by property — examples include a dining credit or a cooking class.

An earlier version of this article, using information provided by a company publicist, misstated the name of a travel network. It is American Express Travel, not Fine Hotels & Resorts.

A picture caption with an earlier version of this article misidentified a building in Quito, Ecuador. It is the San Francisco Cathedral, not the Casa Gangotena hotel.

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Moscow Travel Guide

Guide to Russia
Russian Destination Guide

Why travel to Moscow

Contrasts: 12th century monasteries and some of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe can be found side-by-side in this complex and captivating city. The diversity of this mega-city is astounding. Only a few steps away from the solemn red facade of the Kremlin and the sounds of righteous church bells, a buzzing night scene and alternative-fashion boutiques can be found.

Culture: In Moscow only the best goes. Be it a theatre, restaurant or gallery, the standards are certain to be world-class. The Bolshoi ballet company is reputed to be even better than the Mariinsky’s and “MMOMA” (Moscow’s museum of modern art) exhibits works of art as profound as any that could be found in the famed MOMA.

Convenience: Unlike the rest of Russia, it’s easy enough to get by with just English in Moscow and, driving excepted, it is surprisingly safe: the murder rate is lower than in some of America’s major cities.

Top Sights in Moscow

St. Basil’s

Novodevichy Convent

MORE SIGHTS

Moscow Fact File
History of Moscow Russia
Arriving in Moscow
Getting Around
Moscow Museums
Nightlife in Moscow
Moscow Restaurants
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Activities in Moscow
Outside Moscow

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Why visit Moscow

It would take more than two days to walk around the perimeter of the biggest city in Europe, Moscow. Many of its inhabitants barely know what’s beyond the few blocks around their flat and there are so many attractions that it’s almost impossible to know where to start. If there is such a thing as an antidote to boredom, Moscow City is it. The mind-boggling range and diversity of things to do, places to eat, parks, historical monuments and more means that a vacation in Moscow has a wealth of activities to offer for every type of traveler, from young families to retirees.

Reasons to Vacation in Moscow in 2022

The Bolshoi theatre is familiar to almost everyone as Russia’s grandest theatre, but what people don’t know is that there are many more bolshoi (big) sites in Moscow that are worth travelling all the way to Moscow to see. For more than 100 years, the world’s biggest bell has been hidden behind the Kremlin’s walls and inside Moscow’s main park (which is bigger than some countries!) there is the world’s largest outdoor ice-rink. Travelers that visit Moscow can stay at the Izmailovo, Europe’s biggest hotel, then eat at the largest and most historic McDonald’s in Europe and after that have fun at the largest European indoor theme park!

Ancient Past & Stunning Architecture:

As those who travel to Moscow will see, just because Moscow is a city of record-breaking, glitzy high-rises doesn’t mean that there is no history. On the famous Arbat street, time-worn, wooden storehouses and century-old churches are squashed up against grey, soviet blocks which are then towered over by 21st century office-blocks. Unlike its much younger sibling, St Petersburg, Moscow’s roots stretch way back to the 12th century. Within the walls of the Kremlin, the city’s oldest building the Cathedral of Assumption can be admired in all its 500+ years of age.

Culture & Convenience

For a foreigner who has never visited Russia, Moscow is the perfect stepping stone into this great land of mystery. From the country’s best classical ballet troupes to snow-white troikas trotting through the parks, all the highlights of Russian culture can be had in Moscow without any of the complications that would be expected in other, less developed regions of Russia.

Cheap as Caviar

In Moscow, everything is bargain when with the current foreign exchange rates being what they are. Even caviar doesn’t seem so dear when the exchange rate is at 60rub to the dollar, so go on indulge yourself! Take your 2022 vacation in Moscow and have the best of both worlds, with European luxury at very affordable prices.

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

We had a great time both in Moscow and St Petersburg. Your travel agency was excellent in coordinating the whole trip. Everything worked like clockwork. The guides assigned to us were very nice and friendly. They had a great knowledge of their subjects. The cars and the drivers were great. The hotels were good and the itinerary was good. All in all, it was a wonderful experience. It was nice dealing with you and your company. Thank you very much for a great Russian experience. Have a great future ahead

31 reviews of Express to Russia Moscow Tours in Moscow

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Things to do in Moscow: how to visit Moscow | Unmissable, cool & unusual

September 2, 2023

What are the best things to do in Moscow? What to do in Moscow? First, I will list the main places to visit by theme, passing by the must-sees, but also more unusual places in Moscow. Then, I will describe what to see in Moscow in one day and how to visit Moscow in 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 days. Let’s go!

Good to know. For more information, click on the places to open the dedicated blog posts.

Main places to visit in Moscow & best things to do in Moscow

I worked in Moscow and I loved this city for its dynamism and energy. We find there from time to time to see friends, remember good memories and enjoy this giant city! Then the time has come for us to share with you our practical guide.

TOP 5 must-see places in Moscow

Moscow Red Square
St. Basil’s Cathedral
Cathedral of Christ the Savior
Bolshoi Theatre

Places of cultural, historical and religious interest in Moscow

Novodevichy Convent and cemetery
Tretyakov Gallery
Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
Kremlin Izmaïlovo (pseudo-historic place, recently built in the image of the old, one of the best things to do in Moscow for your Instagram account 😉 )
Park and ancient village of Kolomenskoye

Visit Moscow of the Soviet era

Moscow State University and Sparrows Hill
VDNKh and the Museum of Astronautics, one of the key landmarks of the Soviet era in Moscow
GULAG Museum
Metro stations
The Stalinist skyscrapers, scattered all over the city

Less touristy places in Moscow

Gorky Park and the GARAGE museum
The old Krasny Oktyabr factory
Zaryadye Park
Center for Contemporary Art, WINZAVOD
Business center, Moscow City

Main districts of Moscow to visit

Patriarch Ponds
Tchistye Prudy
Kuznetsky most
Arbat Street

However, regardless of the length of your stay, whether you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days or in 2, you need a visa. The article Obtaining a tourist visa for Russia could then be useful in any case.

What to do and see in Moscow in one day?

List of things to see and do in Moscow in one day:

Go to Red Square
Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral
See Kremlin walls (but not to visit)
Visit Cathedral of Christ the Savior
Discover Kuznetsky most districts and see Bolshoi Theatre building
And if you have time at the end of the day: go to the Sparrows Hill or to the Moscow City for a beautiful view

Things to do in Moscow in 2 days

If you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, there are 2 purposes: do not miss the essential places of Moscow and optimize travel.

First day: Red Square , Saint Basil’s Cathedral , Zariadye Park, Bolshoi Theatre , Kremlin
Day 2: Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the former Krasny Oktyabr factory on Balchug Island, Gorky Park, Moscow State University (one of the Seven Sisters buildings ) and Sparrow Hill

As 2 days os really short, be sure to choose an accommodation in the best districts where to stay in Moscow .

Walking on Red Square in Moscow: one of the unmissable things to do in Moscow

Iconic place and one of the must-see places in Moscow and even in Russia! Besides, if there was only one place to visit in Moscow in 2 days, this place would then be Red Square, without hesitation. Therefore, starting the city tour with Red Square is ideal . Several buildings are on the square, but not all of them have to be visited. Check out my blog post about Moscow’s Red Square in detail to learn more and not miss anything.

Visiting Saint-Basil’s Cathedral inside

Even more emblematic than Moscow’s Red Square! Built in the middle of the 16th century under the orders of Tsar Ivan Le Terrible, this cathedral is one of the most beautiful monuments of Orthodox art, and definitely one of the unmissable places in Moscow. Visiting Saint-Basil’s Cathedral inside is one of the most beautiful things to do in Moscow!

Visit estimate time : 1h30
Entry ticket : 700 RUB. Tickets can be purchased on the cathedral’s official website 45 days before the tour.
Audio guide (recommended): 500 RUB
Opening hours : June to August 10 am-6pm; from November to April: 11 am-5pm; May, September, October 11 am-5pm. Cathedral closed on Wednesdays. Entrance is closed 45 minutes before closing.
Find out more in the dedicated article: Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow

Take a walk in Zariadye park: one of the coolest things to do in Moscow after visiting Red Square

Zaryadie Park is just a 10-minute walk from St. Basil’s Cathedral, so it’s easy to include in your itinerary if you’re going to visit Moscow in 2 days. From its heights, you can see the red walls of the Kremlin. But, the most impressive point of view is the platform which overlooks the Moskva river. A must see! And clearly one of the coolest things to do in Moscow!

Open 24 hours a day
Good to know! Park Zaryadye is also a place to visit in Moscow in winter. Find out more here: What to do in Moscow in winter?

See the Bolshoi Theatre and discover the Kuznetsky Most district

The Bolshoi Theatre is the most famous Russian theater in the world. The most economical way to see a presentation at the Bolshoi Theater is to take the tickets on the theater’s official website in advance, so here is our tutorial to help you: How to buy entrance tickets to the Bolshoi? In addition, several pedestrian or one-way streets

The Bolshoi Theater is the most famous Russian theater in the world. The most economical way to see a presentation at the Bolshoi Theater is to take the tickets on the theater’s official website in advance, so here is our tutorial to help you: How to buy tickets to the Bolshoi? In addition, several pedestrian or one-way streets are located north of the theater. It is therefore very pleasant to find them to leave the main axes of the megalopolis.

IMG_3040 tickets Bolshoi Theatre dress code

Visit the Moscow Kremlin

Visit Kremlin is on top of things to do in Moscow. A place of power for centuries, the Kremlin then shows us a whole different image when viewed from the inside. If you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, the Kremlin is certainly one of the must-see places in Moscow.

Opening hours : Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thursday.
See our blog post about visiting the Moscow Kremlin

Moscow Kremlin: skip-the-line tickets and 8 things not to miss

Visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

This impressive Moscow Cathedral is the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is a must see if you visit Moscow in 2 days and clearly one of the things to do in Moscow. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior was first built in 1883 in memory of Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s Grand Army. Then in 1931 Stalin ordered its destruction. It was then rebuilt again (identically) only in 2000.

Where? Ulitsa Volkhonka 15. At the foot of the Kropotkinskaya metro station.
Opening hours . Daily: 10: 00-17: 00, except Monday: 13: 00-17: 00
Free entry (some closing restrictions, for example a short)

Good to know! In orthodox religious places, one must avoid excessively uncovered clothing. Women should cover their heads. After visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, you can explore Bolotny Island and Gorky Park. This is one of the routes our guide to Moscow.

The old Krasny Oktyabr factory: one of the coolest things to do in Moscow

If you cross the Moskva River by a pedestrian bridge which is located just in front of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the city and at the same time you can discover Balchug Island. Furthermore, if you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, you can include this island in your itinerary between the cathedral and Gorky park. Here is the old confectionery factory Krasny Oktyabr, which has gradually turned into a fashionable micro-district. There are then some elements of street art, cafes and restaurants and some Moscow bohemian side. At the end of the island you can see a gigantic 98-meter-high monument dedicated to the Russian reforming tsar Pierre The Great.

Good to know! You can find on this island are the trendiest nightclubs in Moscow. On weekends, there are taxi caps after midnight so there are so many people. On the other hand, if you go there in winter and during the day, the island is quite empty and less interesting to see.

Gorky Park is one of the TOP places to visit in Moscow, because it allows you to better understand the life of the locals and their rhythm. In fact, it’s a huge entertainment park. For example, in winter there is a giant ice rink and in summer – free dance or yoga lessons, sandy beaches for playing volleyball, an outdoor cinema. So, like the locals, have a Stakantchik (ice cream or cooked corn), and enjoy the atmosphere of the place: that’s one of the interesting things to do in Moscow to discover the city.

Where? Krymsky Val 9. 20 minutes’ walk from Krasny Oktyabr, along the quays.

Sparrow Hill and Moscow State University

The Sparrow Hill, Vorobiovy Gori in Russian, is the highest point in Moscow. It is rather known to Russians, but less to travelers. A nice view on Moscow opens from the hill, and in particular on the Luzhniki Stadium. In addition, on the hill itself is the Moscow State University: an impressive skyscraper from the Soviet era.

How to get there? By bus T7 (35 min) from Oktyaborskaya station, near Gorki Park. By metro (Vorobiovy Gorki station) + climb the hill on foot. On foot along the Moskva along the Gorky Park (1h30) + climb in funiculars.

Good to know! It is possible to cross the Moskva river by funicular. We actually tested it and it was pretty cool! That is one of our favorite things to do in Moscow!

What to do in Moscow in 3 days?

If you are going to visit Moscow in 3 days, it would be interesting to dive into the Soviet era which strongly marked the country and the city. After the Bolshevik Revolution, the capital was transferred from Saint Petersburg to Moscow, in order to mark the change of power. Moscow then became the world showcase for communist ideology. Here are the best things to do in Moscow for 3-day-trip!

VDNKh, visit Moscow of the Soviet era

VDNKh is a large exhibition center in the north of Moscow, where there are still several striking witnesses of the USSR. The most interesting are the Museum of Cosmonauts and the Statue of the Worker and the Kolkhozian , which will certainly impress you with its size!

GULAG History Museum

The explanations of the museum are very well done. We really have the feeling of going back in time. If you are going to visit Moscow in 3 days and you are interested in history and this subject in particular, I recommend this museum. Visit the GULAG History Museum is one of the most interesting things to do in Moscow.

Discover the Patriarche Pounds district

It’s a nice neighborhood in Moscow where you can come across rather affluent locals, but not necessarily very bling-bling. Take a walk in this area is really a cool thing to do in Moscow! In addition, the Ponds of Patriarch is one of the places of Bulgakov’s novel “Master and Margarita”. As this is an interesting area to see, we have included it in a walking tour of Moscow. The route ends at the Moscow Kremlin, which is very convenient, because you will be able to visit Moscow in 3 days by optimizing your trips.

What to visit in Moscow in 4 days: TOP things to do in Moscow in 4 days

If you want to visit Moscow in 3 days, you will already see a lot of things. On the other hand, if you stay one more day, you have plenty to do! The Novodevichy Convent, the Tchistie Proudy district and the Izmaylovo Kremlin are very good candidates for you, if you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days.

Visiting Novodevichy Convent in Moscow

The Novodevichy Convent is one of the most brilliant examples of Russian architecture, according to UNESCO. This beautiful complex was built in 1524 and today consists of the convent, but also of a cemetery whose status could be compared to that of Père-Lachaise in Paris. Visiting Novodevichy Convent is one of the great things to do in Moscow, if you want to go a little bit outside of the center!

Discovering Tchistye Proudy district

It’s one of the most popular areas of Moscow, with many cafes, restaurants and bars nearby. It is therefore a place to discover if you want to visit Moscow in 4 days. It is just as pleasant for a stroll as for the discovery of local life. For example, in winter the pond turns into an ice rink.

Visiting the Izmaylovo Kremlin, one of the coolest things to do in Moscow!

The Izmaylovo Kremlin is more of a tourist than a historic place. On the other hand, it is a pretty impressive place to discover, especially on weekends. Inside the Kremlin, there is a flea market where you can find a little bit of everything, but mostly good souvenirs to bring from Moscow. For example, chapka, traditional Russian scarves or matryoshka (Russian dolls). Add the Kremlin and the Izmaïlovo market to your itinerary if you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days, because it is a nice and very colorful place! Visiting the Izmailovo Kremlin is one of the things to do in Moscow, if you want to put colors in your Instagram account! 😉

In 4 days, we will have the opportunity to see several Moscow: Classic Moscow, Moscow of old Russia, Soviet Moscow and a little bit of the new Moscow. So what to visit in Moscow on the 5th day of travel?

What to visit in Moscow in 5 days?

Art lovers will be delighted to discover the Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, while others will prefer to stroll along Arbat Street, see the buildings of Moskva-City or visit Bunker 42.

Admiring Russian art at Tretyakov Gallery

Founded in 1856 by an industrialist and great lover of art, the gallery has grown over the decades, and then bequeathed to the state. Today the collection includes more than 140,000 pieces, 15,000 of which are paintings. Visiting the Tretyakov Gallery is one of the things to do in Moscow if you want to discover Russian art!

Where? Pereoulok Lavrouchinski 10. A 5-minute walk from Tretiakovskaya station
Opening hours. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Closed on Mondays.
Entry tickets. 500 RUB.

Visiting the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts presents the treasures of ancient Egypt, the paintings of Rembrandt and Cézanne, a fine collection of Impressionism.

Where? Ulitsa Volkhonka 12
Opening hours. Daily: 10: 00-20: 00, except Thursday: 11: 00-21: 00. Closed on Mondays. The boxes close an hour before closing.
Entry tickets. The prices vary according to the collections from 300 to 750 RUB.

Walking on Arbat Street

All Russians know Rue Arbat. So, walking on Arbat street is one of the things to do in Moscow. However, after the years, little by little it became very touristy. This is a pedestrian street only. There are souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes there, but it is no longer the most authentic neighborhood in the city.

Seeing the buildings of Moskva-City (Moscow City)

Moskva-City is Moscow’s business center, much like Paris’s Defense district. The skyscrapers of Moskva-City are among the tallest in Europe: 373 meters high! Very nice place to see at dusk.

Good to know! You can admire a nice view of Moscow City from the docks of Tarasa Shevchenko. It’s especially beautiful in the evening with all the lights on.

Bunker 42, one of the most unusual things to do in Moscow

Bunker 42 is a secret military complex which was to be used by the Soviets in the event of a nuclear attack: a space of 7000 m² 65 meters underground!

Where? 5 Kotelnitcheski Lane, 11.
Prices. 2200 RUB per person
Opening hours. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Restaurant inside. Original, but rather a tourist trap.

What to visit in Moscow in 6 days or more?

There are still so many places to see, because Moscow is a big megalopolis and there is always something exciting to do there. For example: the ancient Kolomenskoye village or the WINZAVOD contemporary art center .

If you are interested in history and want to see Russian cities on a rather “human scale”, it would certainly be interesting for you to discover the cities of the Golden Ring . For example, it is very easy to get to Sergey Posad from Moscow (less than 2 hours in train). Visiting the Golden Ring is one of the best things to do in Moscow if you are staying more than a 5-6 days.

There are still plenty of places to see in Moscow, however I did my best to list here the best things to do in Moscow, what to see in Moscow in one day, but also in 2, 3, 4 or 5 days in Moscow!

Moscow travel tips:

Airport transfer: how to go to Moscow?
Where to stay in Moscow (hotels, districts)?
Tourist voucher for Russian visa
Christmas and New Year in Moscow
What is the best time to visit Moscow?

Novodevichy Convent and cemetery in Moscow: tickets, cemetery map

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