jocelyn sontag travel

TravelBeyond

Your next adventure is on the horizon

We are a team of dedicated advisors affiliated with Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc., a VIRTUOSO® MEMBER.  VWT is a part of the Frosch family, a Chase company.  Most importantly, we are your dedicated partners in turning your travel dreams into reality. With a passion for exploration and a commitment to seamless experiences, we curate journeys that go beyond the ordinary. Our team of travel enthusiasts bring together expertise, personalization, and a deep understanding of diverse destinations to craft unforgettable adventures. Whether you seek cultural immersion, thrilling escapades, or serene getaways, we are here to design and deliver the perfect itinerary. Let us guide you through a world of possibilities and create memories that will last a lifetime. Your journey begins with us.

“Working with Jocelyn Sontag and her team was amazing from start to finish. All details were considered and the trip was amazing! I recommend Jocelyn at the highest level."

Travel Beyond  

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New breed of travel agents competing against internet

In the past, you could find travel agents only in storefronts in towns and cities all across America. Retail locations are becoming less common but that does not mean agencies have gone away. There's a new breed of travel agents who are competing against the internet.

Rob Karp creates dream vacations, one client at a time. He started his agency, Miles Ahead, when he was just 14-years-old.

"My friends would go to their parents and say Rob is starting a travel business. Half of them would laugh, half of them would say that's great," Karp said. He eventually grew his client list to 600. "I'm twenty today with 12 employees and we sold $7 million in travel last year."

The Cornell University student mostly works from home -- a developing trend in the industry.

The American Society of Travel Agents recently conducted a survey that found almost half of travel agents now work from home. Jocelyn Sontag is one of them. She retired from practicing law to raise her children and then launched a second career, making her own hours as a travel agent. "Everything's electronic right now. I have all the files on my computer. I don't need to be sitting at a desk, all day long," Sontag said.

These days, agents are becoming more specialized, sometimes focusing on specific types of vacations like cruises for cat lovers, beer themed river cruises and tours, or nude travel. Karp says agents help cut through the online clutter. "If you treat time like money, we're your asset managers, and we're really helping you get the most out of your leisure time," she said.

Recent surveys estimate most consumers arranging a trip on their own view nine sites before booking.

Some travel agents charge either a flat fee or percentage of the total cost, though others don't charge anything. Those that do say the extra money is worth it because of upgrades and special treatment they can offer clients.

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Moshe Arenstein (Board Member) is a Journalist and TV Producer, currently an Executive Producer with NBC News/MSNBC. 

A passionate sports fan, Moshe plays soccer, basketball and tennis - and watches football as much as time allows. Moshe lives in Scarsdale, NY, with his wife and 3 children, who are lucky to be driven from one activity to the next. He wants at risk and special needs children in the county to have a similar experience, and believes Backyard Sports is the one organization that can provide that service.  

Moshe still has a dream of one day play - and score - in the football World Cup.

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“the program has given the children so much, including a new network of friends, new skills, the opportunity to have instruction from professional coaches and a strong framework to build their self esteem. i would encourage parents who desire to expand their child’s horizon to look into backyard sports. there is no greater reward than to see your child learning while having fun.”, mary figueroa, program director.

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Emilia Romagna Experiences

Emilia romagna experiences.

BY PERFETTO

Perfetto Traveler offers more than 2,000 unique, luxury and authentic experiences throughout Italy—all of which have been carefully sourced and are regularly vetted by our team. Our portfolios include classic highlights, VIP experiences, kids-and-family-oriented tours, shore excursions, wine and food journeys, artisanal and hands-on tours, outdoor adventures, off-the-beaten-track experiences and much more!

We invite you to browse through the small selection of our experiences in ischia below—and we look forward to sharing with you the full list of our offerings in the region, alto adige & the dolomites, what you say about perfetto.

Thank you so much! They had an amazing trip!! Everything worked out so well – even the weather cooperated

Thank you all for a spectacular job well done.  The clients had an amazing trip!

Perfetto was simply amazing! So responsive and coordinated every detail to perfection. We were genuinely so impressed and have never had a long trip run so smoothly. Each step of the way people arrived on time and helped us every step of the way. Seriously so thankful for your help!

They loved the trip, complemented Perfetto many times and told me my overall planning was excellent. I received a huge bouquet of flowers too!

I had a trip review call with Reagan Ramsower today who recently returned from a trip to Europe with his multi-gen family of 11. He had a wonderful trip and loved being able to share his love of visiting Italy with his extended family. Thank you for all of your efforts and coordination to make this such a memorable trip!

Bologna Culinary Tour

Take a private walking tour of Bologna’s medieval center with a focus on the city’s great culinary tradition! Begin with a visit to a traditional bakery to discover the different shapes of breads, including a tasting of crescenta, followed by a visit to a pasta-maker, where you see how tortellini and tagliatelle are made (including a tasting!) Continue to the medieval market to learn about parmigiano and balsamic vinegar (with tastings of both), as well as traditional local cakes. Pay a visit to a typical Bolognese osteria and discover the fun-loving side of Italy’s oldest university city (including a tasting of white Pignoletto). Then head to Beccari’s salsamenteria to explore the history (and a tasting!) of mortadella and local ham, accompanied by a glass of Sangiovese wine. Crown your tour with a visit to a famous local gelateria, for a taste of home-made gelato!

Includes a 3-hour tour with a private English-speaking guide and tastings; transportation is not included

Test-Drive a Ferrari on Apennine Mountain Roads

In this unique and unforgettable experience, test-drive a Ferrari 488 Spider on the Apennine Mountain roads in Emilia Romagna. Meet your private English-speaking instructor in Maranello and, after a technical briefing, get behind the wheel of the world’s most fabulous sportscar for a thrilling drive on these exhilarating mountain roads! Like the official Ferrari testers who drive these roads to evaluate the vehicles' performance, test your driving skills to the max as you navigate the sharp curves, the steep ascents and descents, and the long stretches of stunning roads!

Includes a private English-speaking instructor, technical briefing, a Ferrari 488 Spider available for a 60-minutes - approx 65km - road test

**Other Ferrari models are available on request

Full-Day Food Valley Tour: Prosciutto, Parmesan Cheese, Wine and Balsamic Vinegar

Enjoy a delightful full day exploring—and tasting—Emilia Romagna’s famous delicacies! Begin with a visit to a producer of Parmigiano-Reggiano and learn how the “king of cheeses” has been made in the same way since its invention by medieval Benedictine monks. First see the handmaking of the cheese, the salting by osmosis, and finally the "wheel cathedrals"—real walls of cheese in a single room! Next, visit a local producer of the celebrated prosciutto di Parma and learn why the best prosciutto can only be made in the hills of Parma, where the warm, dry Marino wind blows in from the Ligurian Sea. Afterwards stop for a delicious traditional lunch in a local trattoria. Then continue to a local Lambrusco winery for a tour of the facilities and a tasting of their sparkling red wine. Crown your Food Valley culinary adventure at an acetaia to learn the secrets of producing balsamic vinegar, which is aged in different kinds of wooden barrels (ash, oak, chestnut or juniper) that impart to it its unique, intense flavor.

Includes a full-day tour with an English-speaking guide and driver by Mercedes vehicle and tastings; lunch is not included

Cooking in a Private Countryside Palazzo

Together with your driver, head to the hills outside of Parma for a special private cooking class in a gorgeous private villa, opened just for you! There your English-speaking local chef guides you through all the steps of making your own pasta as you discover the secrets of the perfect tortelli di erbetta (stuffed pasta filled with herbs) or of tagliatelle al ragu . Next, learn how to prepare an authentic secondo —main course—such as involtini (meat rolls with ham and parmesan cheese) or veal scaloppine , accompanied by stuffed vegetables or eggplant parmesan, or, if you prefer, a delicious dessert. Then sit down and enjoy the fabulous meal you have just made! Afterwards, explore the villa’s many marvelous rooms, and see how balsamic vinegar is made in its private cellar.

Includes round-trip transportation by Mercedes vehicle with an English-speaking driver, a 5-hour private cooking class with an English-speaking local chef, the meal you have prepared with drinks, and a balsamic vinegar tasting

Full-day Tour of Ravenna and Mosaics Workshop

Together with your driver, depart Bologna in the morning and head to Ravenna to take part in this unique and fascinating mosaic workshop! An esteemed mosaic artist and a private English-speaking interpreter guide you through the techniques of this remarkable art form as you learn to create your own masterpiece. Next, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, meet your private English-speaking guide in front of your restaurant and explore the incomparable sites of this legendary city, which has eight monuments on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and marvel at its timeless mosaics, celebrated for both their artistry and deep meaning. Your visit begins at the Church of San Vitale with its glorious realistic mosaics portraying scenes from the Old Testament, and then to the jewel of Ravenna—the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia—with its mosaic ceiling depicting hundreds of gold stars on a background of blue, as well as a wealth of other dazzling 5th-century mosaics. At the end of your tour, rejoin your driver and return back to your hotel.

Includes a full-day tour by private Mercedes vehicle with an English-speaking driver, a 2-hour tour with a private English-speaking guide, admissions, and a mosaic workshop with a private mosaic artist and a private English-speaking interpreter; lunch is not included

Tour of Ferrara

A wonderful tour of the highlights of this charming Italian city! Begin at the impressive Renaissance walls that surround the city—the best-preserved in Italy. Stroll through the broad streets lined with beautiful palaces, also built during the Renaissance, when Ferrara was home to the famous court of the House of Este. Explore the Cathedral of St. George, begun in 1135, boasting elaborate relief sculptures depicting the Last Judgment, among many other treasures. Admire the Castello Estense, a massive brick building surrounded by a moat, right in the center of the city! Continue to the Jewish Quarter, where the Ferrara Synagogue and Jewish Museum are located. Here, from 1627 through 1869, the Jews were separated from the rest of the population of Ferrara. Then, passing the beautiful oval-shaped Piazza Ariostea, visit Palazzo Schifanoia (which means “escape from boredom”), one of the pleasure palaces built for the Este family, adorned with delightful allegorical frescoes by Cosimo Tura.

Includes a 2-hour tour with a private English-speaking guide and admissions; transportation is not included

Faenza Ceramic Workshop

Take part in this unique and fascinating workshop in the town of Faenza, the capital of Italian ceramics, which has even given its name to this fine tin-glazed pottery—faïence. An expert ceramic artist guides you through the techniques of this remarkable art form as you learn to shape, glaze, and fire your own objects. At the end of the workshop, take home your own ceramic creation, along with wonderful memories of a special day!

Includes a ceramic workshop with a private English- speaking instructor, private round-trip transportation with an English-speaking driver by Mercedes vehicle, and the ceramic piece you have made

Jewish Bologna

Learn about the rich and fascinating contribution of Jews to Bologna’s intellectual life and about the decision made by a 16th-century pope to establish a Jewish ghetto in the city. Pay a visit to the old ghetto and explore its streets as you learn about the varying reactions to its establishment. Continue your tour with visits to San Giobbe, San Petronio, and the Jewish Museum, where you will learn about the rich cultural history and the impact of Jews on Bologna. End your tour in the main square to admire the beautiful and elegant architecture before returning to your hotel with a new perspective of this fascinating city!

Includes a 3-hour tour with a private English-speaking guide and admissions; transportation is not included

The Enchanting Castles of Parma

On this unique and fascinating full-day tour, explore the enchanting castles of the region near Parma! Begin with a visit to the Villa Magnani-Rocca, called the “Villa of Masterpieces,” a beautiful private villa and art gallery displaying works by Goya, Monet, and other great masters, surrounded by a lovely romantic park. Then, make your way to the massive medieval hilltop castle of Torrechiara, built in the 15th century by the Count of San Secondo. The castle was constructed not only as a defensive structure, but also as a mansion for the count’s lover, for whom he created the famous Camera d’Oro (“Golden Chamber”) decorated with paintings by Benedetto Bembo. Then, head to a local winery overlooking the castle of Torrechiara for a special tasting of its wines and a delicious lunch of local specialties before returning to your hotel.

Includes a full-day excursion with a private English-speaking driver and guide by Mercedes vehicle, admissions, tastings and lunch

Tour of Modena (Half-Day)

A walking tour of this beautiful ancient city—known in recent times for its luxury sports cars, its balsamic vinegar, and its native son Pavarotti! Visit Modena’s many remarkable monuments, for which it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll through the labyrinthine medieval streets to Piazza Grande, with its beautiful stone buildings and arcades, among which is the stunning Cathedral of Modena—one of the finest Romanesque buildings in Italy—with its renowned Gothic bell tower, called the “Ghirlandina” after the bronze garland encircling the weathercock. Visit the city’s Town Hall and admire the “Sala del fuoco” (the “Room of Fire”) adorned with 16th-century frescoes by Nicolò dell’Abate portraying famous characters from ancient Rome. Then, after a delicious lunch of local specialties, stroll through Piazza della Pomposa to admire its elegant cafes and superb architecture.

Includes a half-day excursion with a private English-speaking driver and guide by Mercedes vehicle and admissions; lunch is not included

Emilia Romagna

By perfetto, emilia romagna.

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Queen of Clubs Italy

The level of attention and detailed questions to make sure this was a trip we would all enjoy were exceptional.

WendyPerrin.com Reader

You and your company did such a great job helping us navigate Rome and Florence with our little ones. Your follow up and follow through was off the charts, so thank you. I raved about your services and wanted to pass your information along!

Thank you for everything. The trips that you have arranged for us have been truly great!

Jennifer’s team provided top notch, personalised service throughout our weeklong stay in Rome. The guides that were selected for us were experts in their fields, and they added so much nuance and colour to our personal tours!

It was a wonderful trip. The itinerary and time at each place was perfect. The guides and drivers were phenomenal. We had a great mix of experiences!

Jennifer and her team were great to work with! When we had specific requests they were able to accommodate without difficulty. Thank you again for recommending a great travel agent to help create a memorable trip!

We really felt like we were in Italy at a special time and Jennifer’s choices helped us take advantage of all it has to offer!

Jennifer Virgilio and her associates furnished us with the best imaginable service in Italy, from scheduling private tours for us, to understanding who we are and finding guides who matched and built on our interests. We were in the hands of professionals

Jennifer did a great job developing an itinerary, helping us react with flexibility in-country, and putting us in the hands of great people on the ground!

My travels were certainly an unforgettable experience that encompassed nearly 2 years of planning and replanning, the tireless efforts of Jennifer and her team must receive the highest commendations. 

Sicily was absolutely fabulous! We had a fantastic WOW this afternoon in Paris!

We were so very fortunate to be able to experience an impromptu trip to Milan and the Piedmont region in early January 2022 — and we could never have done it without Jennifer!

We had a wonderful trip! Everything you set up for us exceeded our expectations!

We truly had an amazing time. The car services worked out perfectly, drivers couldn’t have been nicer and it all made our trip stress-free.

Jennifer and Chiara planned a terrific trip to Venice for our family of two adults and two older teen age boys!

Our time in Italy and London has been wonderful. Your tour guides are extremely knowledgeable, and the coordinators are very helpful!

Dear Susanna, we soon depart Lucca for Provence. A quick thank you for a wonderful set of arrangements! Thank you to you and your fine Italian team.

We enjoyed the daily messages from duty managers to remind us our daily activities. Jennifer and Maria were also super responsive. Every request was executed flawlessly. We would work with Jennifer for future trips again and again!

Jennifer, just a quick note to say how much we enjoyed the trip you put together for us. It was everything we might have hoped for. You have a first rate operation and a first rate team there. 

We had a fantastic day on the water swimming, sunning, and posing for classic Amalfi photographs! The hotel rooms were outstanding that even the porter helping with our luggage shared that it was one of his favorite rooms.

​​​​​​​We give Jennifer the highest recommendations - for great planning and for top-notch support on the ground to ensure those plans go as well as possible, regardless of the circumstances.

Hi Jennifer, our trip to France and Italy was truly exceptional. Your team did a great job at communications and logistics planning, and everything went without a hitch!

Mattia, the trip was fantastic and every experience and the guides you planned for us were absolutely outstanding. You delivered exactly what I was hoping for - an interesting and inspiring first trip to Italy!

Wanted to thank you for such an amazing trip. Really everything was so smooth, you picked out the best city’s, the best hotels, absolutely everything.

Client's Testimonial

We loved every single moment! We LOVED it and will never forget our first visit!

Greta, Jennifer and all, thank you all so much for arranging an amazing trip! Rachel and I had a wonderful time - the selections and services were top notch. You all did an incredible job. Hard to pick just one highlight!

I wanted to send you a note to let you know how grateful we are for your help with our trip. It was an amazing time for me, my wife, and my girls - and most of all, for us together. 

"Overall, this was the best trip we have ever taken, and we are so glad we chose you to create this once-in-a-lifetime memorable experience. Thank you!!"

Atlanta - Mojo Adventures - Molly Mathis

Hello Mattia, thank you for all of your hard work and patience! I truly appreciate you and the whole team!

Atlanta, USA - Atlas Wander Travel - Julie Boller

The team is great at relaying information correctly and efficiently to avoid a lot of going back and forth. It makes all the difference!

Atlanta, USA - Michele Wise Travel - Michele Wise

Todo fue perfecto y les gustó mucho la visita. Las entradas de teatro perfectas!

Barcelona, Spain - Viajes Andromeda - Teresa Sanchis

I truly appreciate all the help with this and personally I love working with Queen of Clubs!

Beverly Hills, USA - Protravel International - Mirjana Serfozo

We had such an excellent time on our trip! It was truly spectacular in every way, and we feel very lucky. Thank you for everything you guys did to make this become a reality!

Birmingham, England - Kathryn Burns Travel - Kathryn Burns

Thanks for being my "go to" for Europe. Thank for allowing me to relax once clients are in your hands. Bravo, my friend!

Thank you so much for this follow up Barbara, my clients had an amazing time! Thank you all so much for helping to make this adventure extra memorable. They absolutely loved the adventure and their time there!

Bristol, England - Mojo Active Adventures - Molly Mathis

Thank you Queen of Clubs for making our stay in Italy such a great experience!

Buenos Aires, Argentina - Furlong Fox - Flavia Decker

All spectacular, impeccable, very affectionate, and professional.

Buenos Aires, Argentina - Furlong Fox - Cecilia Ahumada

The clients specifically asked that I use Queen of Clubs again because they had such a pleasurable experience last year. 

California - Boutique Travel Advisors - Kim Parizek

They truly had a wonderful time and were impressed by the services provided by your team.  This was a bucket list trip for them that they have wanted to do together for a long time, and we thank you for helping make it full of treasured memories!

California - True Places Travels - Melody Hartwig

I just wanted to chime in quickly and say your team is so wonderful to work with!  Friendly, professional, and timely!

We use the Queen of Clubs teams around the world in all locations and our clients are always so happy and feel very well taken care of along the way!

Canada - Escape Artists Travel - Erica Gragg

I could not LOVE this more. Thank you! ​​​​​​​And that is why I do all of my Italy bookings with YOU… and France & Switzerland, too!

Chandler, Arizona, USA - Escape Artists Travel - Erica Gragg

Thank you for your patience and for helping me wow them - I am certain they will be back for future trips and hope to work with you again! Thank you so much Petra!

Chicago - Jetset World Travel - Elyse Zerweck

Thank you so much again for a truly special and amazing time in Italy! We will definitely reach out to you again!

Connecticut - Cruise Holidays and Vacations - Kim Cronin

Thank you so much for planning our trip!  It was really an experience and memory we will cherish!

Connecticut, USA - Largay Travel - Heather Bahora

Heather,  we knew this trip was going to be great, but it far exceeded our hopes! The itineraries, services and details—both small and large—that you recommended and planned for us were fantastic!

They had the most wonderful time and were so very thankful for all of the hard work that went into the trip! Thanks very much for all of your efforts on this trip – I am so happy they had such a lovely time and memorable trip!

Connecticut, USA - Valerie Wilson Travel - Jessica Blouin

We had a wonderful time. All of your guides, drivers and hotels were fantastic. We appreciate that every detail was taken care of. Thank you for arranging an amazing vacation!

Crowborough, England - Joanna Davis Private Travel - Penny Henson, Client's Testimonial

Thank you for making me look like a Rock Star with your fantastic company and guides!

Dallas, Texas - Campbell Travel - Lori Key

The client said that Carolina and the driver were FABULOUS! This is a great statement as they always expect the best. You all delivered. Thank you for making me look like a Rock Star!

Dallas, Texas, USA - Campbell Travel - Lori Key

Everything worked like clockwork. Incredible service , knowledge and very personable! Excellent work everyone. You make me look like RockStar!

Dallas, Texas, USA - Campbell Travel - Lori Key 

He said everything was fantastic and that you all did a wonderful job!

Dallas, Texas, USA - Frosch Travel - Gina Griffin

The boat ride was fantastic! Great Captain. My favorite was the cooking class in Ravello. It was simply wonderful.

Dallas, Texas, USA - Strong Travel - Karen Conditt, Client's Testimonial

I received a text message from the clientt yesterday when they got home to Dallas saying: “The trip was perfection.”

Dallas, Texas, USA - The Tynan Travel Company - Melanie Harding

​​​​​​​There is absolutely no way I could have pulled this off without your help! 

Dallas, Texas, USA - Travel Designs - Wade Benham

Thank you so much for the amazing trip you helped plan. I appreciate all of the time you and your teams spent making the trip extra special. They will be back, for sure!

Dallas, Texas, USA - Travel Edge - Caroline Settle

Thank you so much for helping plan what was definitely one of our top trips ever. Your attention to detail was enviable.

Denver, USA - WendyPerrin.com Reader

Thanks again for providing a wonderful tour for the client. Always a pleasure to work with you and your team.

Des Moines, Iowa, USA - Kathleen Stahl Travel - Taylor Brandel

I have been working with Queen of Clubs for a couple of years now. They never disappoint with their unique experiences and 5-star level of service for all my clients!

Florida - Signature Travel Network - Stacey Blum

THANK YOU, Mattia! You are an incredible resource, always positive, and have an insanely fast turnaround time. I don't know what I would do without you! 

Florida, USA - Luxe & Nyx - Katie Parris Griffin

Hi Tiago, thank you for emailing through soccer tickets. You have been amazing and extremely helpful. Looking forward to working with you on future bookings!

Geelong - Executive Travel Management - Vitina Malgeri

Thank you everyone! ​​​​​​​They LOVED their trip and wrote a wonderful review, which wouldn't be possible without you!

Georgia - Co.1028 Travel - Lori Burton

Wow! Jozsef Balazs is amazing. I work with a lot of ‘on the ground’ people and he is a standout! Honestly, he deserves both a raise and a paid vacation! 

Georgia - Uniglobe Atlanta - Marissa Barker

OMG! Queen of Clubs pick up was amazing. Nicole was a gem. Highly recommended.

Glendale, California, USA - Plaza Travel - Elizabeth Anderson

I spoke to the client at length last night and she had rave reviews for her trip and guides! She said those guides had such positive things to say about Queen of Clubs, that she was convinced we were the right choice for their trip! 

Greenville - Thornton Hall Travel - Flo Banks

The client and I are so thankful for you. Once again, Queen of Clubs completely “wowed” our clients! We appreciate you so much.

Greenville, South Carolina, USA - Thornton Hall - Lynn Brown

Thank you for planning our trip of a lifetime. We felt like jet setters when we arrived at our hotel in Venice by boat. We wouldn’t change a thing. Amazing experience!

Greenville, South Carolina, USA - Thornton Hall Travel - Suzanne Hagins

We had the most wonderful time in Italy! It was fantastic!! Everything was perfect. Thank you again for organising a beautiful vacation for us.

Greenville, South Carolina, USA - Thornton Hall Travel - Lynn Brown, Client's Testimonial

First class company! The drivers and tour guides were amazing. Antonio did a great job keeping us updated the night before our excursions.

Greenville, South Carolina, USA - Thornton Hall Travel - Lynn Brown

Everything exceeded my client's expectations!

Greenville, South Carolina, USA - Thornton Hall Travel - Lisa Hall

We loved all our tour guides! I have already recommended you to others and will most certainly call you for our next trip!!!

Greenville, South Carolina, USA - Thornton-Hall Travel - Lisa Hall

I am just reading this again. You all did a great job. The clients called me the night before they were flying back and told me all about the passports. I am so thankful for you all and the ability to help them.

We arrived home after the most amazing trip we could have ever imagined! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Greenville, South Carolina, USA - Thornton-Hall Travel, LLC - Lisa Hall, Client's Testimonial

Your teams are amazing. I sing your praises high and low! Every single one of my clients has had nothing but great things to say upon returning home.

Harbor Springs, Michigan, USA - Luxe & Nyx - Katie Parris Griffin

I received the best feedback today! Thank you for making it such a wonderful experience for them. I look forward to our continued work together!

Harbor Springs, Michigan, USA - Luxe & Nyx - Georgia Paige

You all have worked so hard with all the challenges the clients have. Thank you all so very much!

Irving, Texas, USA - Iantosca Travel - Ralph Iantosca

You have really done a wonderful job, Greta. I appreciate all of your hard work on this entire trip!

Irving, Texas, USA - Iantosca Travel LLC - Ralph Iantosca

Hi Jennifer, I love your team and working with them. They are so buttoned up!

London, England - Frosch Travel - Dave Kass

It’s all been truly exceptional - you guys are amazing - thank you!

London, England - Joanna Davies Private Travel - Joanna Davies

Above and beyond impressed with the service that you and your team provided to our top clients!

Los Angeles , USA - Roam Travel Company - Charlotte Barillier

Queen of Clubs is first class in every way - thank you for everything! I can’t wait to return to Italy and to use you again!

Los Angeles, California - SmartFlyer - Beth Sanlorenzo

Without you and your amazing guidance and contacts, our trip would have only been a fraction of what it was. Everything about it was perfect!

Los Angeles, USA - WendyPerrin.com Reader

Just wanted to say thank you so much for creating such a fantastic experience throughout the entire trip. The trip was unforgettable!

Los Angeles, USA - All Star Travel Group - Susan Duffy

My entire family would like to thank you for helping put together the most memorable trip we can imagine.

Los Angeles, USA - Byron Travel Group - Chad Rodarme, Client's Testimonial

It was an amazing trip and we are so grateful for your help! 

Los Angeles, USA - Byron Travel Group - Chad Rodarme

Queen of Clubs, great to work with for both tours and transportation, very professional. Would use them again. Tours were fabulous!

Los Angeles, USA - Frosch Entertainment - Dave Kass

Another job WELL done. You have truly proven that I can rely on you. Consider me a QoC evangelist.

Los Angeles, USA - Go With Altitude - John Beeler

I really appreciate everyone's help.

Thank you so much, Naike!   The clients absolutely loved their trip, and spoke very highly about the services from Queen of Clubs – in each location, France, Switzerland and Italy!

Los Angeles, USA - New Act Travel - Wade Benham

Dear Luna, Naike, and all team of Q of Clubs Italy, you are seriously the best!!!

Madrid, Spain - Nuba - Mariana Lazzeri 

Big thanks to you both for helping plan such a special and memorable trip for us. Everything was seamless - from the transfers, to the hotels, to the experiences - and we didn’t have to worry about a thing.

Marin County, California, USA - Protravel International - Vikram Seshadri

You did an OUTSTANDING job! My client was singing your praises!

Massachusetts, USA - Largay Travel - Gail Rosenberg

Thank you so very much for all the attention provided. It is such a pleasure to work with you. Thanks so much for the report and for pleasing the clients to the maximum.

Mexico City, Mexico - ITG - Mihael Jerman

So much gratitude with Queen of Clubs Lifestyle Luxury Services for the most amazing day tour to the Vatican Museums!

Mexico City, Mexico - ITG - Jason Santamaria

Muchas gracias por todo Mattia. Todo maravilloso! Agradezco tu apoyo y espero poder molestarte pronto para un futuro cliente.

Mexico City, Mexico - Viajes El Cortes Inglés México - Maria de los Ángeles Escobedo Vázquez

Queen of Clubs has been amazing and the guides they chose for us have been beyond fantastic!

Naples, Florida - Preferred Travel - Wendy Taylor

It has all been wonderful, thank you for your help!

New Canaan, Connecticut, USA - Valerie Wilson Travel - Paula Murphy

Everything so far has been PERFECT! Everything!

I must tell you what a pleasure it was to work with Barbara on a recent complicated itinerary. She was so responsive and patient and helpful!

Thank you for all of your hard work! I am glad they had a good experience and thanks for all of your patience with me with the back and forth with the hotels.

New Canaan, Connecticut, USA - Valerie Wilson Travel - Jessica Blouin

The client was very happy with all of the hotel choices and how smoothly everything went! Thank you, thank you for all of your hard work on this trip and on all of my other upcoming trips

We could not have seen or enjoyed our honeymoon half as much without you. The service was truly exceptional… you made every moment magical and smooth! You were so incredible to us!

New Jersey, USA - Coveted Journeys - Katy Hentenaar, Client's Testimonial

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for going above and beyond and truly making me look like a ROCK STAR!

New Jersey, USA - Coveted Journeys - Katy Hentenaar

Thank you for your email and thank you for all of your help with the clients' trip.  They emailed me yesterday that they had an amazing trip, so thank you for everything you did to make that happen!

New York - Elli Travel Group - Amy Guenzl

They said that all the services were so smooth that they were afraid they were doing something wrong – their travels had never gone so smoothly before!

New York - Life Is Short Adventures - Lisa Harris Boyd

"The hotels in Sicily were fabulous (especially Verdura) and the tours were excellent! Now that I experienced the ease of getting through an airport with a greeter I am a convert!"

New York - Pro Travel - Janice Martorano

The clients loved everything about their special Italy and Paris trip with Queen of Clubs! I wish you a wonderful holiday!

New York - Valerie Wilson Travel - Susan Gringauz

Our clients have nothing but positive feedback. The WhatsApp group chat with your 24 hours emergency contact is a game changer! Your entire team makes us look like rock stars and we look forward to planning lots more trips! 

The clients were very happy! Queen of Clubs absolutely does not disappoint my clients or me! You took a very complicated request and made it simple!

New York - Valerie Wilson Travel - Judy Kurzban

Dear Jennifer, I wanted to thank you and your team, specifically, Giulia, for orchestrating the perfect trip for me and my brother. There was not a single glitch. It all ran like a finely tuned violin - something, Jennifer, that your company does so very

New York, USA - WendyPerrin.com Reader

There seemed to be many people behind the scenes taking care of us. In all, I would not hesitate for a second to recommend Jennifer's team and of course, Wendy Perrin.

The entire trip, Paris and Rome, worked out beautifully. Your guides were superb in engaging the children and enlightening the adults at the same time. All went very very well.

Your service and availability were so appreciated. Thank you for making me look good.

New York, USA - Elaine Goldhill Travel - Elaine Goldhill

The family had a great time! Thank you so much for making their trip memorable!

New York, USA - Four Hundred - Ilana Silverman

Queen of Clubs did an excellent job and was worth the price. Thank you and your team for doing such a great job!

New York, USA - In the Know Experiences - Patty Ehinger

The clients were beyond happy the entire week with the services. You all are ROCKSTARS! I absolutely love working with you guys knowing that everything is done professionally and promptly. Thank you 100 times!

New York, USA - Jet Set Getaways - Jenna Canfora

Just arrived home and want to thank you, for making this an incredible weekend for us. Thank you again, you were all delightful and made the weekend.

New York, USA - Number 1 Power Travel - Donna Guttman

Thank you SO MUCH. I now realize how essential this transfer and porter is in Venice. I’ll be requesting this from Queen of Clubs as well as other services, I can’t wait to refer clients to you and start working.

New York, USA - Ovation Travel - Limor Decter

I was in Italy during some of their trip, and the clients had amazing feedback for your services, great job and thanks for making MY job seamless!

New York, USA - Ovation Travel - Ben Borelli

Thank you for making everything easy for my family and I. You were awesome!

New York, USA - Protravel - Masha Englin

Their pricing is the best in the industry and always presented with photos and details. Full details are updated right up to departure time. You can book with Queen of Clubs with assurance. You are in excellent hands!

New York, USA - Protravel International - Siobhan Hennessy

Giulia, in all my years of doing this, I don’t think I have had a more positive review of services. It was a 30 minute phone call filled with raves!

New York, USA - Protravel International - Robert Smith

Italy was amazing! We had the best time and all worked out perfectly!

New York, USA - Protravel International - Daria Kaldawy, Client's Testimonial

On behalf of the committee, who represents all of the employees of our great company and myself we want to say thank you. Partnering means so much and your value is so greatly appreciated!

New York, USA - Protravel International - Andy Pesky

I can’t thank you enough for all of your help with the clients. You have truly gone above and beyond.

New York, USA - Protravel International - Allyson Greenfield

I would recommend everything we did. Thank you SO MUCH for the trip of a life time!

New York, USA - Rapture Travels - Shelley Rapp

EVERYTHING was absolutely perfect! They were blown away. I have to say, this might have been one of the greatest carried out programs I've ever seen.

New York, USA - Roman & Erica - Jeffrey Jackowitz

I realize that it’s a phenomenal amount of work to taking care, not to mention all the other agents. We are just really grateful for your team!

New York, USA - SmartFlyer - Maria Wicke

I wanted to say GRAZIE MILLE for organizing the truffle hunt for my friend and I! From start to finish, the tour was perfection!

New York, USA - SmartFlyer - Beth Sanlorenzo

Thank you for these wonderful tours with great guides. I truly hope to be back soon to explore these cities and more.

New York, USA - Travel Experts - Jeff Traugot

I just wanted to say a very big THANK YOU for all of your assistance with my clients. Both have returned from Italy with wonderful feedback and said they were so happy to have been in contact with your team throughout their trip.

New York, USA - Valerie Wilson Travel - Robin Boyarski

Jennifer and Mara, I wanted to thank for creating the greatest trip - everything was incredible and we truly loved every minute.

New York, USA - Valerie Wilson Travel - Jocelyn Sontag

Thank you! They had the MOST amazing time! A ton of work that went into it but it was all worth it!

We love Queen of Clubs! Thank you so much for setting up such great experiences and all of the amazing work you do for our clients!

New York, USA - Walker & Hays - Rachel Hays

I would like to compliment your entire staff for the outstanding and excellent service during our stay in Paris & Italy! It was impeccable and made our vacation extra special!

Newport Beach, California, USA - Social Media - Katherine Nonna

Many thanks for everyone's help with this very tight deadline itinerary. I think you blew the clients away!

Newport Beach, California, USA - Uncorked Escapes - Natalie Neesan

I appreciate you all taking such good care of them. This is how we grow OUR business!

North Carolina, USA - Thornton-Hall Travel - Lisa Hall

The guide was extremly knowledgeable and very sweet and she made a perfect end to their trip. Thank you!

Orlando, Florida, USA - Katie Bean Travel - Katie Merrigan, Client's Testimonial

"We had an amazing time in Italy.  The best part of our trip was the part that you planned for us."

Palm Beach, USA - Swoon Worthy Travel, LLC - Shari Weinstein

I was very impressed with your quick service. your response time was exceptional!

Pasadena, California, USA - Scheck Trek Travel - Vicki Scheck

Your guides and greeters were the best we’ve had in the world! Truly. Every single team we met at each airport, train station and hotel were top notch!

Pennsylvania, USA - Avenue Two Travel - Kelly Pincus

Clients are loving their stay in Amalfi. They are noticing the QoClubs difference. The private boat to Capri was "one of their top 10 days EVER” and they travel a lot. Thank you for taking such good care of them.

Plano, Texas, USA - Seamless Travel - Anthea Gilchrist

Here is what the clients had to say: "We loved this trip more than you know!! Thank you." Thank you! You guys are rock stars!

Ponte Vedra Beach - Tate Escapes - Tate Hallford

Whatever you are doing, you're doing it right!

Portugal - Solseta Travel - Simon

it's unusual for clients to send me two different messages to say how delighted they have been with your arrangements so far for them, so my sincere thanks to you and the team for that.

Portugal - Solseta travel - Simon

Yesterday as I asked for feedback, I will send you exactly what they wrote. They are so cute: "It was a dream come true! The bar is set super high for the next time we're lucky enough to make it back over to that side of the world!"

Protravel Inc - Lisa de Wolff - Lisa de Wolff

The trip was incredible - and the Villa Di Piazzano was the absolute best! Thank you for planning the best trip ever.

Raleigh, North Carolina, USA - E-destinations - Elaine Smith, Client's Testimonial

They had a wonderful time in Rome & Florence. They said everything was amazing! Loved their guides too!

Raleigh, North Carolina, USA - E-destinations - Elaine Smith

Omg our Montepulciano day was amazing! Such a fantastic personal attention and truly authentic experience!

Raleigh, North Carolina, USA - Sandy Pappas Travel - Sandy Pappas

I can honestly say that without amazing partners and friends like the teams at Queen of Clubs we could not be as successful, knowledgeable and create such lasting wonderful memories for our clients. I know that all of our jobs are not easy currently but h

Raleigh, North Carolina, USA - Your Travel Designer - Jolene Detillion

I need to tell you that every detail of our trip has been absolutely fantastic! I really appreciate everything you’ve done to set this up and frankly I can’t imagine things being better than this!

San Francisco, California, USA - Travel Struck - Courtney Regan, Client's Testimonial

Seriously, the team is ON FIRE! Beyond their excellent knowledge, response time and cheerfulness, the itineraries are excellent. Really interesting and perfectly tailored for each client.

San Francisco, USA - Azurine Travel - Michelle Murre

​Thank you Susanna! They loved absolutely everything you planned, thank you.

The Vatican tour was spectacular. My client could not rave enough about the Vatican guide who was extremely knowledgeable, he was impressed by her PhD and she was wonderfully personable and accommodating.

San Francisco, USA - Journeys Unparalleled - Margot Kong

Terrific gelato masterclass!

I just wanted to note that the clients loved their tour guides in Florence and were so appreciative of all you did to make their tours so special.

San Francisco, USA - Protravel - Vikram Sshadri

Today ROCKED!

Santa Ana, Costa Rica - Surf City Travel - John Decker

I want to thank you for your attention throughout the process and let you know that the clients loved the tour and you! Thank you very much for all your attention from the beginning!

São Paulo - PHD Travel - Sergio Aguiar

Hi Naike, I wanted to second what the client said: "The team at Queen of Clubs are truly top-notch professionals! We loved working with them!"

South California - True Places Travels - Melody Hartwig

THANK YOU! It was very important to me to impress these clients and you crushed it! 

St Louis, Missouri, USA - Luxe & Nyx - Katie Griffin

We can’t say enough good things about the travel planning support...I’ve honestly never been on a trip where every detail was so thoughtfully managed. We can’t thank you enough!

St Louis, Missouri, USA - Smart Flyer - Robert Merlin, Client's Testimonial

I don't even know how to begin to say thank you properly. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Seeing Pope Francis was a surprise of a lifetime!

St Louis, Missouri, USA - Smartflyer - Robert Merlin, Client's Testimonial

Hi Mattia, I honestly don't know what I would do without you and your team. You have been flawless in your execution all year!

St. Louis, Missouri, USA - Luxe & Nyx - Katie Griffin

Best trip ever! We loved every minute of it. They were so helpful and communicative and went out of their way to help us rearrange a few things...I truly can’t say enough good things about them.

St. Louis, Missouri, USA - Smartflyer - Robert Merlin, Client's Testimonial

Goodness, gracious! We had such a fantastic trip to Italy - truly spectacular. Every detail was planned with great thought and executed perfectly.

St. Louis, Missouri, USA - SmartFlyer - Robert Merlin

My clients are absolutely thrilled with the arrangements for Venice. Thank you for all your hard work to make me look good with them! You are the best!

Texas - Frosch Travel - Dee Bucklew

They mentioned that they LOVED Rome! The food was great, the tours were wonderful, and they were able to see the Sistine Chapel with the lights on and were the only people there, while normally there are over 40,000 people per day!

Texas - Lowe Luxury Travel - Ane Lowe

Trip was amazing! The greeters were so important on the way home as the airport was so crowded and we were able to bypass the lines. I was able to go up to the rooftop restaurant one time for breakfast and it was lovely. Incredible experience, as always!

Texas, USA - Departure Lounge - Aimee Cook

Thanks again for everything! This is exactly what i had hoped for! Great work!

Texas, USA - DF Destinations - Diane Frisch

Incredible service! You are the Best!

Texas, USA - Travel Designes by Campbell - Lori Key

Fantastic experience in Milano! ​​​​​​​Thank you to Maria, Freda, Joseph and Lucas for the organization on our spectacular morning in Milan, we can't wait to tour with you again!

Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Butterfield and Robinson - Megan Marut

Our trip was truly special thanks in large part to you and your team! We were blown away by all that you did.

Venice, Italy - Gustave Travel Co. - Judy Konkoly, Client's Testimonial

Queen of Clubs does not know impossible. They have unparalleled access, they are responsive, and are fast to deal with any last minute changes.

Venice, Italy - Gustave Travel Co. - Judy Konkoly

This was so smooth. I can't wait to work with you again soon!

Vienna, Austria - Lily Pond Luxury - McLean Robbins

"Given all the moving parts to our France and Italy trips, and the fact they were all run like a Swiss watch, is so valuable when in foreign countries. And Queen of Clubs is the bomb! Also, all of our guides in France and Italy were terrific!"

Washington - True Places Travels - Cate Caruso

Thank you for all your assistance with my client! I met them last night and they absolutely LOVED their cruise at the Blue Grotto with Captain Mariano!

Waterbury, Connecticut, USA - Largay Travel - Margaret Nichols

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Here at Queen of Clubs, we believe in being forward thinking, open minded and independent, which keeps us well ahead of the curve. We remain completely flexible so our clients’ desires can be flawlessly met. We provide our services loyally and honestly, ensuring the needs of our guests are surpassed every time!

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Moscow Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + More [2023]

· everything to know about visiting moscow, including the best things to do and how to get around. ·.

Moscow is Russia’s vibrant capital city, and it also happens to be the largest city in all of Europe. The city’s long and infamous history makes it one of the most unique places we have ever visited.

The architecture ranges from centuries-old palaces to uniform, gray concrete buildings. The people range from cold and private to warm and welcoming. Moscow is a city is strong juxtapositions, and we learned a lot during our time there.

This post will break down all you need to know about visiting Moscow, including the best things to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more.

The Best Things to Do in Moscow

1. explore the red square.

The Red Square is the heart of Moscow. Most of the city’s top attractions can be found here, including just about everything on this list. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are all located here, and the State Historical Museum and GUM are not far from here, either.

The Red Square is a common home for parades, protests, and seasonal celebrations. There are massive Christmas celebrations here, with food vendors and carnival rides set up in numbers.

2. Check Out the Ziferblat

The Ziferblat is a café in Moscow that is unlike any café we have ever been to. While most cafes charge you for your drinks and food, the Ziferblat charges you for your time.

Upon arrival, you are given a clock. When you leave, the barista calculates how much time you spent in the café and charges you accordingly. This concept was created to help visitors to be more intentional with their time, and the cafe itself is incredibly charming.

For a detailed look at everything you need to know before you visit, make sure you read my post about visiting the Ziferblat Cafe in Moscow .

3. Marvel at St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in the world, and it was the single thing we were most excited to see while in Moscow. Built almost 500 years ago, St. Basil’s Cathedral is recognized by its colorful domes and whimsical style. The church is of the Russian Orthodox faith, and the inside is just as wondrous as the outside.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the edge of the Red Square, making it incredibly convenient to visit. Entrance for non-worshippers costs 800 rubles, and tickets can be bought at the church

4. Explore the Kremlin

The Kremlin is the largest active fortress in Europe, and it is the site of most of Russia’s government affairs. In addition to government buildings, the Kremlin Complex is filled with courtyards, towers, and museums that are open to the public. If you have the time, you could spend a couple of days fully exploring all that there is to see in the Kremlin.

5. Walk Through Lenin’s Mausoleum

Vladimir Lenin is one of the most important figures in Russian history, and his body is located perfectly embalmed in a mausoleum in the Red Square. The Mausoleum is open to the public to visit, and as long as you are willing to go through a few security checks, it is easily one of the best things to do in Moscow. Its convenient location in the Red Square makes it a can’t miss attraction.

There is absolutely no photography allowed inside the Mausoleum. Do not test this rule.

6. Wander Along Arbat Street

The Arbat is a very popular street in Moscow that is lined with stores, cafes, and other touristy attractions. It is one of the oldest streets in the city, dating back to the 1400s. This street is both quaint and trendy, and there are many walking tours that introduce tourists to the neighborhood’s wonders and highlights.

7. Catch a Show at the Bolshoi Theatre

As a lover of the arts, it is hard to think of Moscow and not think of ballet. Russia has always been a top dog in the world of fine arts, and Bolshoi Theater is one of the best places to catch a performance. We were lucky enough to attend an Opera here, and it is a venue that you don’t want to miss out on if you enjoy opera, ballet, or orchestral performances.

8. Visit the State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum is one of the most respected museums in Moscow. Despite its name, it is not really focused on the history of Russia as a nation. Rather, it contains a collection of artifacts from all throughout Russia’s history.

The museum’s collection is very broad in nature. It houses some items from indigenous tribes that used to occupy the region, pieces collected by the Romanov family, and more.

9. Wander Around GUM

GUM is an absolutely massive mall within walking distance of the Red Square. It isn’t just the size that draws visitors here; it’s the sense of luxury. The mall is so beautiful inside, much like the metro stations.

While visiting a mall might not sound like it belongs on a bucket list, this mall does. You will not want to miss out on visiting GUM while in Moscow.

10. Admire the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

While St. Basil’s Cathedral is the most iconic church in Moscow, it isn’t the only one. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is absolutely stunning, with massive golden domes. It is the tallest Orthodox church in the world, and it is the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow.

It is located just about a mile from the Red Square, just south of the Kremlin Complex. You can walk to it from the Red Square in about 20 minutes.

How to Get to Moscow

Flying to moscow.

Moscow has three major international airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO) , Domodedovo (DMO) , and Vnukovo (VKO) . All three of them are directly connected to downtown Moscow by the Aeroexpress trains, which leave every 30 minutes throughout the day. By Aeroexpress train, you can expect to get to the city center in 25-45 minutes depending on the airport that you fly into.

Sheremetyevo is the biggest and busiest of the three airports, and it is the one you are most likely to fly into – especially if you are coming from outside of Europe or the Caucus region. We flew into Sheremetyevo on a direct flight from New York City.

I usually provide backup airport options, because flying right into the city isn’t always the cheapest way to get where you’re going. Unfortunately, when it comes to Moscow, don’t really have a choice other than to fly right into Moscow. It is a very remote city, and it is usually the cheapest place to fly into in Russia as a whole.

Since Sheremetyevo is so busy, you will probably find a great flight option anyway. I wrote in  my post about finding cheap flights  that using hub airports will lead to more affordable airfare, and the same logic applies here. Even though Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot, is no longer a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Moscow is still a major hub connecting passengers from all over the world.

READ OUR CHEAT SHEET

Train or Bus to Moscow

Trains and buses are one of the most popular ways to get around Europe. However, they’re of very little use when you’re trying to get to Moscow.

Moscow is hundreds of miles from the nearest major cities. The only major European city that can even be reached within 8 hours on the ground is St. Petersburg, and even the Baltic capitals of Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn are over 12 hours away.

If you want to get to Moscow, the best option is almost always to fly. While the train routes to Moscow are scenic, they simply take forever.

How to Get Around Moscow

METRO | TROLLEYS | TRAMS | BUSES

Moscow has one of the most memorable metro systems in the world. Its metro lines are very deep underground, and the stations are absolutely stunning. Each station has its own unique style, but all of them contain escalators that seem to go on forever.

The system was built in an effort to showcase the power of the Soviet Union and its bright future. The plans were a form of propaganda, but they resulted in what is still one of the most visually appealing subway systems on earth.

Moscow’s metro system isn’t just pretty. It is also very useful and accessible. The system has 17 lines that connect the city and its surrounding area.

But wait; there’s more!

The Moscow metro system is also incredibly affordable, with each ride costing less than a dollar. The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow, as it is almost impossible to beat the connection times and the low cost to ride.

Tickets can be bought at electronic, English-speaking kiosks in stations, or directly from ticket counters at certain larger stations. There are also day passes available, which are a very solid option if you plan on riding the metro several times per day.

The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow.

In addition to the metro system, Moscow also has a network of buses, trams, and trolleys. This system is nowhere near as convenient or well-connected as the metro, though, and is likely of little use to you during your trip. There is no Uber in Moscow, but a similar app named Yandex is available if you need a ride in a pinch.

How Many Days Do You Need in Moscow?

Moscow is the biggest city in all of Europe, and it is absolutely loaded with things to do. You could spend weeks in Moscow and still find new things to do. Of course, most travelers don’t have that kind of time to spend in one place!

I recommend spending no less than three full days in Moscow, and ideally closer to five or seven.

Moscow is very spread out, and it can take some time to get from one major point to another. There are also so many places that are nice to just sit back and relax, which is hard to do when you’re in a hurry trying to cram activities into just a few days.

If you only have a week to visit Russia, I’d advise spending all of the time in one city. If you decide to split your time between Moscow and St. Petersburg, I recommend not trying to squeeze in any day trips beyond those two cities.

When Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Moscow?

There are two different ways to approach this question. Personally, I think the best time to visit Moscow is around Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the weather will be absolutely freezing, Moscow is a surreal winter wonderland in December and January.

We were in Moscow right before Christmas. While it was very cold, you can always bundle up. Exploring the Christmas markets and pop-up ice skating rinks throughout Moscow is one of my favorite memories from anywhere I’ve traveled, and I dream of going back to do it again.

If you aren’t fond of the cold, Moscow is beautiful in the summer. It tends to get pretty cold in the shoulder seasons, so if you want warm weather, you should plan to visit in the summer. Moscow actually gets pretty warm in July and August, and there are a bunch of fantastic places to soak up the sun within the city.

The best time to visit Moscow is either around Christmas or from late May to August.

Is Moscow Safe to Visit?

While Moscow is a truly wonderful city, there’s no denying that visiting Russia comes with risks. As the country is run by an infamous communist dictator, concerns about visiting are valid. While we didn’t experience any sort of threat or negative treatment during our time in Moscow, we visited in a peaceful time.

In our experience, Russia doesn’t seem to detain normal Americans or Westerners to use as pawns. As a regular person, as long as you don’t commit any crimes, there is a slim chance you will run into any issues. However, Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

To make matters worse, Russia has a bad reputation for gang violence. While the Russian mafia has very little interest in normal Western tourists, they won’t hesitate to pick a fight with anyone who ventures into their sphere of influence. If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

Finally, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, things are all very different. Russia is currently at war, and there are battles raging within 8 hours of Moscow. While it is still relatively safe to visit, that could change at any time as the war with Ukraine continues.

Is Moscow Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt, Moscow is worth visiting. It is one of the most unique major cities we have ever visited, and we hope to make it back one day. The Russian Orthodox churches are stunning, the city’s history is unlike any other, and the food is to die for.

While many visitors prefer St. Petersburg to Moscow, I think Moscow deserves a lot of hype of its own. Moscow is the beating heart of Russian culture and history, and it’s a place I highly recommend checking out if you have the chance.

That’s all we have for you about Moscow! I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Russia’s capital.

Have you been to Moscow? Or is this your first time visiting? Comment below if you have anything to add to our travel guide!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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