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Why Using a Travel Specialist Is More Important Than Ever

By CNT Editors

We've long looked to our network of trusted travel specialists to take us to the far corners of the earth. These are the pros who assemble many of the elaborate itineraries that appear in our magazine, and since the dawn of the pandemic, their up-to-the-minute insights on shifting safety protocols have made them even more essential. If you don't rely on them yet, now is the time to start. Which is why the 2021 edition of Condé Nast Traveler 's Top Travel Specialists comprises more members than ever before. Here, we give you all the reasons you need to book a trip with a travel specialist this year and share some of the best experiences our experts have ever put together—not just to show the scope and prowess of their work, but also to remind you of all the adventures ahead after a long year of staying close to home.

For the full list of Condé Nast Traveler's Top Travel Specialists, please visit cntraveler.com/travel-specialists .

All the reasons you should use a travel specialist—now more than ever

1. They make things work, no matter what “We keep our clients happy by helping them move or defer bookings without incurring cancellation fees while ensuring that our service providers—the camps, lodges, and hotels—don't lose bookings so that they can keep their heads above water.” — Anja Naude , Go2Africa

2. You trust someone to safeguard your financial future—why not your travel future? “Our role is becoming similar to a financial planner in that we are part of the client's team of advisers for their long-term plans. I have personally been referred by many financial planners and wealth advisers who understand the importance of a future travel portfolio or plan in retirement.” — Estee Gubbay , Luxurist Travel

3. Because you don't know everything “It's almost impossible to ask all the right questions. My job is to make sure the client understands how things will be different and to help them break through their assumptions about what they'll encounter so they have a smooth trip. A travel specialist can get things done that you don't even know need to be done.” — Elaine Baran , Esprit Travel and Tours

4. Travel specialists don't take no for an answer “Through sheer tenacity, I was able to get a client refunded over $18,000 from a tour operator who was not giving refunds.” — Alyse Cori , Travelwize

5. They make you a better traveler “ COVID-19 will pass, but now we're much more mindful of how we travel and can use this as an opportunity to use travel for good, rather than be reckless consumers.” — James Jayasundera , Ampersand Travel

6. Travel specialists have the best tools at their disposal “We know about health and safety protocols for each destination. Our tourism boards and partners have been in constant contact with updates, changes in safety regulations, and reassurance of care for our clients. Because we have ongoing personal relationships with our tourism partners, we can inspire our clients to explore the world again with confidence.” — Adrienne Sasson , Rubinsohn Travel

7. Because travel looks entirely different now “I expect there will be a growing interest in philanthropy and that vacations are likely to get longer as people want to enjoy slower travel—more time in less places. We're able to tap our contacts to help parents navigate working and schooling remotely.” — Melissa Matthews , Red Savannah

Our specialists on some of the most impressive trips they've ever planned

Sean Nelson of Oman Expeditions can plan camel treks through the desert.

“The Arabian wilderness, which is largely pristine and remote, requires a level of particular expertise. It's really a privilege to gain such access to an unspoiled landscape and the people who live there. That being said, we always try to enthrall and surprise. The largest sand dune in the world was discovered in southern Oman, and we were asked to track it down for a client. Our travelers tend to be adventurers who are conscious of the importance of low-impact travel. In this case, we ran a private expedition on a mind-blowing trail through the Empty Quarter desert and set up a comfortable camp with a private chef for his group at the bottom of the dune. It was a magical journey. It just so happened that, on this same trip, members of our team were reunited with camel-herding Bedouin family members they hadn't seen in years.” — Sean Nelson , Oman Expeditions

Sam Highley of All Road North plans trips that bring attention to Louisiana's disappearing wetlands

“Our mission is to connect travelers with people and places that change how they see the world. Clients of ours who were spending time in Louisiana had a completely immersive adventure: After breakfast at a great hotel in New Orleans, we took them to the skies in a De Havilland Beaver floatplane to fly south over the deep delta and outlying communities of Plaquemines Parish. This habitat is disappearing at an alarming rate, and from the air you can really see the challenges, as well as the efforts being made to conserve one of the largest alluvial floodplains in the world. They landed on the banks of the Mississippi and had lunch in a restored 1880s church. On the return flight, they dropped down in the maze-like bayou to the west of New Orleans and transferred to an airboat for a ride through the swampy marshland filled with wildlife.” — Sam Highley , All Roads North

Caitlin Morton

CNT Editors

Jessica Puckett

“Several weeks before I was to escort a group of 22 to Italy, a tour operator called to say that what I had previously confirmed—an after-hours visit to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel with a private guide—was now unavailable. Refusing to accept the news, I picked up the phone and tried some of my contacts on the ground in Italy until I found one who was able to pull off the impossible. And so we arrived at the Vatican one evening and began our private tour. When we reached the Sistine Chapel, a small and humbly dressed man met us at the locked door. A large ring of dangling keys hung from his belt. He knew exactly which one would unlock the door to the sacred chapel...and in we went.” — Lynn Tyger , Frosch Travel

Lynn Tiger of Frosch Travel gets clients after-hours access to Vatican City.

“One of my clients joined zebra researchers as they did a game count flying over the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana. The photos he took from that Cessna 206 with the doors off were pretty spectacular.” — Dan Achber , Trufflepig Travel

“We pulled off a helicopter safari deep into the main Himalayan range in search of the elusive snow leopard. We capped it off with a night's stay alongside monks in a remote monastery.” — Phil Bowen , Guides of Bhutan

“I was working with first-time clients on a family trip to Disney World , and from the outset we established that this was absolutely not about ticking off boxes or cramming in all the rides. I knew that they had pursued their Professional Association of Diving Instructors certification just before this trip, so I set the father and son up with private access to scuba diving in Epcot's 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium in the Living Seas Pavilion. It's filled with more than 6,000 sea creatures and has perfect visibility. Early the next morning, they set off with a photographer on a private Wild Africa Trek safari at Animal Kingdom . They fed hippos and crossed an elevated rope bridge that hovered over alligators and crocodiles and drove through the savannah where lions lounged on warm rocks and elephants gathered in herds. This trip went well beyond the typical Disney World playbook.” — Phyllis Polaner , Smartflyer

“We sent a drone up in Raa Atoll in the Maldives to look for manta rays. When we found one, we summoned our client from his villa onto an awaiting boat so he could snorkel alongside them.” — Lindsey Wallace , Linara Travel

Meg Austin of Meg2book arranges trips that include diving and sailing in Antarctica..

“For a 50th birthday trip I arranged diving under the ice in Antarctica, alongside leopard seals, and a private sail through the Drake Passage. I also scored permits to Palmer Station, one of the U.S. research centers in Antarctica. I knew I needed a vessel that could navigate the ice, which moves. No one would give me a ship. Finally, I found one, in Russia, so I scheduled conference calls in the middle of the night. I'll never forget the chuckle I got from the Russian owner of the ship when I said we won't take no for an answer. And we did it. We got it.” — Meg Austin , Meg2book

“When my client said she wanted a truly authentic experience that didn't feel produced or refined for the sake of tourism, I suggested Ethiopia. She visited the secluded Omo Valley, an ancient land where tribes are untouched by modern life. This is a raw, genuine, and deeply transformational encounter. From there she took a helicopter up to the highly remote Danakil Depression. It's the hottest, least hospitable place on earth, where lava lakes and neon-hued hydrothermal fields create a tapestry against the shimmering salt pans. It's like landing on Mars. To say few people on the planet will ever set foot there is an understatement.” — Teresa Sullivan , Mango African Safaris

Erica Gragg of Escape Artists Travel once planned a yoga class inside Istanbul's Basilica Cistern.

“This is something that could never be duplicated, but I once arranged a yoga class for 20 in the underground Basilica Cistern of Istanbul .” — Erica Gragg , Escape Artists Travel

“A gentleman contacted me to say that he'd been thinking about finally returning to Vietnam. As an American soldier he was based somewhere near the demilitarized zone in central Vietnam, and he had made friends with the local families in the village near where he was stationed. He wanted to find one family in particular, to see them and make peace in his heart with all that had happened. He said that he didn't expect I'd be able to find them. Still, I asked him to tell me what he could remember. He described a station, past the main road and down a hill. There was a small river by the village and a family with two boys and a girl. It wasn't much to go on, but I shared this with my Vietnam partner. ‘Is there any possibility we can find them?’ I asked. My Vietnam partner said it was worth trying. So he rented a motorbike, then a boat, and went out to the general region to ask around and see what he could find. It took two days of scouting, but sure enough, we found the family. When my client returned from his trip, he said he found a peace he never thought he'd be able to achieve before he passed.” — April Cole , Kaanect

Lesley Egbert of Live Longitude Travel can plan a Costa Rica trip that includes rappelling and feeding sloths.

“I planned a trip to Costa Rica for a father and his teenage son who had some physical disabilities and was mostly blind. They wanted to do this trip, and all the adventure activities they possibly could, before his condition worsened. Because the son could feel and hear better than he could see, I arranged white water rafting on a low rapid class, tandem zip lining, tandem waterfall rappelling, and ATV riding. They got to go into the animal sanctuary with a guide to feed a sloth and handle and feed the toucan. I put them at hotels where they would get the star treatment, and because I set them up with a private guide and driver for the duration of the trip, the father got to feel like he was on an actual vacation. I think about this trip a lot, because our job is so much more than just planning travel. We create these magical moments and memories that will last a lifetime.” — Lesley Egbert , Live Longitude Travel

“For our client's 40th birthday, we helicoptered six couples from Reykjavik directly to a glacier in Iceland's wild interior. We set up a bespoke camp with six heated tents, a private chef, an astronomer, and a DJ. They were lucky enough to party the night away under the northern lights. To clear the cobwebs the next day we arranged for the more hardy members of the group to swim between two tectonic plates in the crystal clear waters of the Silfra fissure. We then deconstructed the entire camp and left the glacier without a trace of anyone having been there.” — Mark Allvey , Untold Story Travel

Tom Marchant of Black Tomato gets clients access to sites across Egypt during a cruise.

“We created an epic itinerary for a family cruising the Nile in a private dahabeah to Egypt , Jordan, and Oman. We pulled everyone out of bed at 4:30 a.m. and transferred them to the Giza Plateau to experience the Pyramids before they opened to the public. We even tapped a photographer to capture the family as the sun rose in front of the Pyramids and the Sphinx. They went on a private tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum with archaeologists and an Egyptologist, and had an after-hours tour of the Valley of the Kings where they accessed King Tutankhamen's tomb. It's hard to overstate the sheer magnificence of sailing in a glorious dahabeah. It's really the trip of a lifetime.” — Tom Marchant , Black Tomato

The small victories they pulled off in 2020

“In a year where very few were able to travel, my guests were among the first Americans to travel to Kenya after the lockdown in August. They had an amazing time and really helped others feel more confident about traveling.” — Elizabeth Loftus , Alluring Africa

“Our client decided to go to the Serengeti for the wildebeest migration. Because he was arriving in just two weeks, we knew exactly where the animals would be, and he experienced it all with no one else around.” — Elizabeth Gordon , Extraordinary Journeys

“I pulled off a 50-person retreat in the Dominican Republic—with two weeks' notice. People came from around the world, and everyone made it. It was an amazing way to end the year.” — Dawn Oliver , Well Xplored

This article appeared in the April 2021 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here .

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Luxury Skiing in the Rocky Mountains: Insider’s Guide to Peak Experiences

The insider advice on this page is from one of Wendy’s Trusted Travel Experts for the American West, Meg Austin of Meg2book LLC.

Meg has been skiing in Colorado since she was five, including a stint as an instructor. She lives in Vail and also knows Aspen, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Jackson Hole, Keystone, Telluride, and other resorts like the palm of her hand. She will gauge your group’s experience level and use her local connections to put you not just on the right mountain, but in the best hotel room, condo, or house with prime access to the ideal runs. She’s also strategic about squeezing the most value out of expensive lift tickets. Flustered by your family’s complicated mix of ability levels and interests? Her private guides can help you avoid the lines and ski a variety of terrain—and if not everyone is a hardcore skier or snowboarder, Meg also knows where to find the best snowmobiling, snowshoeing, yoga, cooking classes, and spa treatments.

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Covid safety intel

Meg lives in Colorado and has been skiing there this season. She reports that lift lines have been reconfigured for social distancing, with chair lifts and gondolas taking fewer skiers, and new rules are in place for areas where people congregate. Most resorts require masks both in town and on the mountain, screen employees for symptoms daily, and have reduced capacity by limiting ticket sales and requiring reservations for each day of skiing. Restaurants offer limited indoor and outdoor seating, so reservations are necessary for both lunch and dinner—but many take-out options are also available. To minimize your exposure, Meg can arrange for equipment delivery and private, Covid-tested ski instructors. She recommends home rentals and condo hotels, and she can have groceries stocked in your kitchen before you arrive.

Where to Stay and Eat

Chalet worth the splurge In Vail: Game Creek Chalet, a four-bedroom, five-bathroom chalet that sits 10,500 feet above sea level—and high above Vail Village—in the Game Creek Bowl. Just getting there is an adventure on the gondola and snowcat (it’s near Game Creek Club; see “Meal worth the splurge”). Once there, you and up to nine friends can have the whole place plus a butler at your disposal starting at only $1,250 a night. At the peak of peak season that rate can rise to $5,000 or more, but the per-couple price is still comparable to Vail Village accommodations—and the chalet’s isolated mountaintop setting is in its own league: You’ll never forget waking up and carving tracks in fresh snow before others are even thinking about catching the morning’s first gondola up to the summit. If you want a deal, don’t travel around the holidays.

Meals worth the splurge In Vail: Food always tastes better after a day on the mountain, and it tastes even better at the remote Game Creek Club’s restaurant. Get there by taking the Lionshead gondola to the top of Vail Mountain, then jumping into a blanket-filled snowcat for a ride across the slopes to the restaurant (try to plan your dinner for a full moon). The food is great—particularly the scallops, which melt in your mouth, and the delectable elk.

In Telluride: Take the gondola up to Allred’s for a late happy hour or early dinner with stellar views of Telluride’s boxed canyon, and a gorgeous sunset from 10,551 feet. The halibut is to die for—but so are the porcini rotelle and the bison ribeye! Make sure to request a window-side table.

Must-have dish Rocky Mountain oysters, of course! It may be better not to know what they’re made of, but when they’re prepared well they taste like a combination of sweetbreads and calamari.

Best spots for a drink J Bar in Aspen’s Hotel Jerome. Built in 1899, it’s a Colorado institution—and the best place in town for celebrity sightings.

The Remedy Bar at the Four Seasons Vail is all about views and fire pits, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a deck that is the perfect place to enjoy the stellar signature haute chocolate (add a shot of whiskey for a kick). Too cold? There are fireplaces inside, as well as huge TVs with the capability to watch all your favorite teams at the same time.

There are only eight chairlifts on Aspen Mountain and only one ski-in/ski-out hotel. Chair 9 at The Nell, right at the base of Chair 8, is the place to après. Reserve one of the four private booths, or try to figure out who did.

In Telluride, Gorrono Ranch sits on the Misty Maiden run; grab one of the signature margaritas and chill on a lawn chair to enjoy the epic Mt. Wilson view!

Slope worth the trek Many resorts get day trippers due to their proximity to big cities (Denver, Salt Lake City). Not Telluride. This is the real ‘Ole West. The scenery is stunning and dramatic, the town upscale but unpretentious. It’s also known for its foodie scene, arguably better than Vail’s or Aspen’s, and quite varied for an out-of-the-way ski town: Here you can find Middle Eastern, Thai, Mexican, Detroit-style pizza, French, Italian, farm-to-table cuisine, and of course your basic steak-and-seafood mountain fare. Fly into TEX via Denver; the airport’s just outside town.

What to See and Do

Skiing in Vail. Photo courtesy Meg Austin.

Don’t miss Night skiing. It’s you and the mountain after dark at Keystone, Sundance, Snowbird, and Steamboat. The shadows are very cool, especially when there is a full moon. Access varies per resort; Keystone offers the best deal of the bunch since anyone with a day pass can ride the lifts until 8 p.m.

Best place for advanced skiers For a good challenge, Jackson Hole is hard to beat. But Aspen Mountain, with its crooked fall lines, comes close: Normal fall lines go straight down the mountain, allowing you to plan your turns accordingly, but Aspen’s crooked lines make for sharp changes in pitch and direction that require even expert skiers to concentrate (and wear helmets). If you can, stay at The Little Nell, the only true ski in/ski out hotel in Aspen.

Best place for children Beaver Creek’s ski school is known as one of the best in the country. For starters, you don’t have to take three lifts before you can actually ski—just one easy, warm ride on Buckaroo Gondola at the mountain’s base. Beaver Creek’s long, wide green runs are perfect for beginners, and they end the day handing out warm chocolate-chip cookies! Manor Vail Lodge, at the base of Golden Peak in Vail, is another favorite with quick, easy children’s ski-school access and wonderful multilingual instructors for the little ones. For those with more on-mountain experience, this property offers great “back bowl” access for powder seekers, and the terrain park is right there for those wanting to play or show off!

Best for skiers of different levels Vail has varied terrain that is suitable for every level of skier. Some of the best Vail runs: Apres Vous in the back bowls; try the trees where the powder is deeper and because of the trees, lasts longer. Riva Ridge, four miles nonstop from top to bottom. Highline for bumps; perfect fall lines make it easier than it looks. Try it nonstop for a great workout! A bonus: Vail’s Gondola One has heated seats and Wi-Fi. If Forever is groomed, go there first—but don’t tell anyone else.

Best for skiers (not snowboarders) Deer Valley and Alta don’t allow snowboarders, so there is no fear of being in a boarder’s blind spot. However, there are some wonderful properties at Dear Valley, including the Montage, that offer a quick and easy shuttle service to Park City for those who do want to board.

Best for purists Big Sky is underrated and understated: no frills, just skiing. Another Wyoming resort, Jackson Hole, has steep-and-deep runs and a wild-west feel—and a few fabulous five-star hotels: The secluded Amangani is a (complimentary) 20-minute drive from the Jackson lifts. The new Caldera House is small but has all the necessities, and it’s steps from the tram. A word of advice for these more remote destinations: If you see a baby moose on the slopes, steer clear or his mom will chase you!

Cheap thrill Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass and Aspen’s Ikon are great deals for those traveling at peak times. Epic’s unrestricted pass—which gives you unlimited skiing at Vail, Park City, Beaver Creek, and others, and skiing with few restrictions at Whistler Blackcomb, Telluride, Crested Butte, Lake Tahoe, resorts in Japan and Australia, and more—starts around $850 for an adult. Given that day passes in peak season can cost $200 at the window, this is well worth it for families who can only travel over school holidays.

How to spend a snowless summer When the snow melts, you can enjoy five-star luxury and three-star pricing at many of these resorts, with music, dance, and other events scheduled all summer long, plus hiking and biking on the mountains (with some gondolas still open to save you the climb). See Summer at a Ski Resort? Yes, and Here’s Why .

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Best Times to Go

January to early February is the hands-down best time to ski in the Rocky Mountains. After Christmas break and before Presidents Day, you’ll get excellent snow, great value, and smaller crowds. Yes, it’s the coldest time of year, but that means the snow is dry enough for locals to call it “Champagne powder.”

December. The festive season is very festive! Meg can have your rental house or condo stocked with a decorated tree and a fridge full of holiday provisions, and arrange a private instructor to take you skiing for the week (and cut lift lines).

Worst Times to Go

Thanksgiving and Easter. Conditions can be hit or miss, but on the plus side, you can get great deals—and iffy conditions make you a better skier!

Biggest Rookie Mistakes

Not drinking enough water. Hydration lessens the effects of altitude sickness.

Failing to secure dinner reservations in advance. This is especially important at peak times.

Renting a car. The cost of renting and parking could cover stocking your unit with food and hiring a private chef for a night. If you’re staying in a ski resort town, you can usually take a bus or walk to the slopes.

Packing your ancient skis. Ski rentals have come a long way in recent years, so leave the old equipment at home and demo the newest technology in skis or snowboards.

The Souvenir

Visit a second-hand clothing store in any ski town—such as Holy Toledo in Minturn, a cute little town between Vail and Beaver Creek—to find a pair of barely or never-used Bogner ski pants for a fraction of the usual $700 price tag. Bogner’s stuff is top-quality, toasty-warm, and looks good on.

Don’t Forget To Pack

Hand warmers, toe warmers, sunscreen, and lip balm with SPF of at least 50.

Bragging Rights

Have you dreamed of schussing down Aspen’s silent, empty slopes before they’re open to anyone else—or sweeping the mountain with the ski patrol after it’s closed? If you’re staying at the Little Nell, Meg can arrange for you to do just that: carve first or last tracks on Aspen Mountain.

She’s got other tricks up her sleeve, too. Want to hold a private ski race for you and your family? Have a ski-in, ski-out mountaintop wedding? Go on a private moonlight snowcat tour? Set out for a day with a snowcat driver who’ll drop you on remote slopes you can ski by yourself? Think of any over-the-top experience and there’s a 98 percent chance she can make it happen.

A Perfect Day

Skiing with one of the Rocky Mountains’ best private instructors. Anyone can arrange a private lesson, but Meg works with private instructors who have at least ten years’ experience on the mountain you’re skiing—they’re like concierges on skis! They’ll help you secure the best equipment (it makes a huge difference), bypass lift lines, find the best runs for your ability, and improve your technique and allover ability.

Great pools and beachfront...

Waterfall and mud bath..., finding an island that fit....

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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

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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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Moscow Vacation Packages

Moscow vacations are always a great idea when it comes to traveling in Russia. Plan your trip to Moscow with a leading tour operator for Russia and enjoy the ease and pleasure that comes from it. You will stay at the centrally-located hotels, enjoy guided tours to Moscow's best sights with charming local guides, and, most importantly, feel relaxed and immersed in the Russian culture at all times. Wondering what the ideal way to see the best of Moscow is? Well, with a private tour to Moscow, of course! We will listen to your travel preferences and prepare a custom Moscow itinerary just for you. Let's start talking about your upcoming vacation to the gorgeous capital city of Russia.

Moscow Tour Highlights

Explore the capital of the largest country in the world, Russia.

Learn about the most visited sights in Moscow that are worth adding to your Russian itinerary. Create a fantastic tour to Moscow with a destination, choosing your wished activities.

• Moscow walking tour
• The Red Square
• St Basil's Cathedral
• Moscow Subway ride
• Tretyakov Gallery
• The Red Square in Moscow
• The Bolshoi Theater
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Moscow's Kremlin exploration
• 'Seven Sisters' Skyscrapers

Tips for Moscow Travel

Take a look at the good-to-know tips before visiting Moscow and have a fantastic time in the capital.

What to pack

Make sure to check the weather prognosis before your trip and pack accordingly.

When to travel

Moscow is beautiful all around the year. Choose traveling time according to preferred activities.

We suggest to always have some cash with you. You will need Rubles (RUB) for Russia.

How much to tip

Tipping is not required in Russia, but it's considered good etiquette, tip 10%-15% of your bill.

The average summer temperature is approx 18°C (64°F), and winter is around -6°C (22°F).

Some of the most popular souvenirs from Moscow are caviar, Krasnaya Moska perfume.

Best Moscow Sights

One of the highest points in Moscow and one of its most breathtaking places - the Sparrow Hills.

See the 344-feet Cathedral of Christ the Savior - the tallest Orthodox church in the world.

Enjoy masterpieces of Russian opera and ballet in Moscow's legendary Bolshoi Theater.

Being the most recognizable symbol of Russia in the world, Red Square is an absolute must see when in Moscow. 

The famous GUM is a large department store in the Kitai-gorod part of Moscow facing Red Square.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is Moscow’s most famous artistic work of architecture set in the romantic Red Square.

History and luxury is revealed inside the Kremlin as the Armoury Chamber displays treasures like Faberge Eggs.

The symbol of Moscow and entire Russia, the Kremlin is often described as the 8th Wonder of the World.

Moscow Metro is like a whole underground city that holds the world's largest collection of Stalinist Art.

I am very satisfied.

I have been using the Firebirds (Travel All Russia) services for a while. I am very satisfied.

WOW. From the choice of hotels to...

WOW. From the choice of hotels, an itinerary that ran to plan, the amazing Guides and drivers, and of course the stunning cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. No long queues for entry to museums, churches, and palaces.  I would gladly recommend using Firebird Tours (Travel All Russia) to anyone.

THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

I must say from the day I started to book my tip till the day I got home I had one GREAT trip and experience I always felt safe and cared for help was seconds away not that I needed any I will defiantly highly recommend your company to any traveler to Russia WELL DONE to the Whole team THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

We enjoyed the whole trip a lot

Overall we enjoyed the whole trip a lot. Moscow is beautiful and clean. Thank you very much for your patience and excellent organization of this tour. Everything ran very smoothly and according to schedule. The guides met us on time at hotels or at our train carriage on arrival. They all spoke good English, had a good local knowledge and were very kind and helpful.

The tour lived up to all expectations

I’m most pleased with Travel All Russia in arranging our ‘Volga Dream’ Russia tour, I would recommend using your services again as every aspect of our tour went off without a hitch. The communication between our tour representative was excellent as we required additional days on both ends of our tour. The visa process and the logistics were flawlessly implemented.

We had a great time in Moscow!

Everything was perfect and we are very satisfied with services and accommodations.

Loved my time in Russia

The trip was great. Especially want to mention the guides I had on the extra days were exceptional. Both guides and drivers worked out well. Thanks again for all your help and attention. Loved my time in Russia, and still haven’t stopped talking about it.

Exploring Magnificent Russian Capitals, June 2017

Just want to say that our guide in St Petersburg was really outstanding. You really felt like someone was looking after you. Very observant - knowledgeable. We really enjoyed time spent with her.

Exploring Vibrant Moscow, June 2017

The experience was great!!! We had an excellent guide. The hotel was fabulous.

Thank you for your help !!! was an unforgettable trip.

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Visit Moscow Tours

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Moscow tour package 4 days/3 nights.

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Moscow in 1 Day (Walking tour)

Welcome to visit moscow tours.

We provide authentic, informative and memorable tour packages and city tours, at very competitive prices. Visit Moscow Tours are available not only in Moscow, but also in other cities: Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Suzdal and Sergiev Posad.  We also organise customised individual programs tailored just for you.

Our guests come in large groups, small private groups, as couples or as single travellers. We take care of and treat our guests with respect in a friendly and warm family environment. We show people our beautiful cities with passion and deep knowledge of their history, culture and traditions.

Our guides are extremely hospitable, helpful and well-informed. They are simply the best because only by providing the best services can we make the world fall in love with Russia. And we are very happy when our guests say that they will definitely come back to Russia and that they will tell all their friends how great Russia is! That is what inspires us to put even more dedication and hard work into our tours, knowing that what we do is positive and meaningful.

Our classic tours include tours of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, two main Russian cities.

Moscow is a big and busy  megalopolis and Russia’s capital city, where more than 12 million people live and work. Our capital city is happening place; it is mysterious, elegant, luxurious, fashionable, clean and bright, with its unique legends, traditions and events. It is with great pride that we show the Red Square and the Kremlin, our Underground and Tretyakovskaya Gallery, among other stunning attractions.

Saint Petersburg is our second capital,  the second largest city in the Russian Federation. This wonderful city has a strong and lively aristocratic spirit, uniquely Russian royal architecture, magnificent museums and theatres. Saint Petersburg bears the royal heritage of Russia, which can be felt in its air, its streets, parks, monuments, museums and citizens.  In Saint Petersburg tours, we will take you to the Hermitage, Peter and Paul Fortress, Faberge Museum and Orthodox Cathedrals. We’re sure you will love it!

If you have a few more days to spare, venture into the dreamy Russian countryside in Suzdal or Sergiev Posad. Suzdal is a small town with a population of about ten thousand people, situated on less than 15 square kilometres. This tiny area is home to 53 historic cathedrals, five monasteries and a kremlin. Church domes are visible like mushrooms from anywhere and everywhere in the town like in a fairy tale. No wonder Suzdal is called the ‘Town Museum”.  It is definitely worth visiting!

Just try any of Visit Moscow Tours’ tour packages or any individual city tour, and we promise that you will want to come back to Russia again.  Russia is huge with countless amazing places to visit. There are so many unique experiences to be had and energies to be felt that one tour is definitely not enough to explore this vast land. It is also a very safe destination to travel, and we have a tradition of warm hospitality. Our people adore and take care of visitors as our own guests, and even if they do not know your language very well, they still try to be helpful and hospitable.

Our guides will show you the most interesting attractions and historical places, taking you on a journey to the past to enjoy stories of medieval times, the Romanov monarchy, the Soviet Era. And of course, we will show you the contemporary life of our country through authentic local experiences.

We look forward to meeting you soon!