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Cadbury World

• West Midlands
• Business Studies ,  D&T ,  Geography ,  History ,  Maths ,  Philosophy ,  Science ,  Travel & Tourism +4 more

Photos of Cadbury World

What will students see and do?

Cadbury World is located on the grounds of the original Cadbury factory but it isn’t a tour of the factory itself. Instead, Cadbury World offers a self-guided exhibition tour introducing visitors to the history, the making and the magic of Cadbury confectionery.

There are numerous areas of interest at Cadbury World, such as: • 4D Chocolate Adventure: Ride the Crunchie rollercoaster and dive into liquid Cadbury Dairy Milk with Freddo and a whole host of Cadbury characters, as they whisk you away on an adventurous 4D cinema experience complete with motion seats. • Manufacturing Area: Features interactive video stations that share how popular Cadbury brands are made, including Creme Egg, Buttons and Roses. • The Gill Cocks Collection: Contains nearly 2,000 items of Cadbury memorabilia dating as far back as the 1800s, all of which have been donated by Gill Cocks, an enthusiastic curator. • Making Chocolate Story: Here’s where you’ll find out how it’s made with a few additional surprises. • Bull Street: Travel back in time to a recreation of Victorian Bull Street, the site where Quaker entrepreneur John Cadbury began the Cadbury business. • Purple Planet: Play in chocolate rain, grow your own cocoa tree and chase Creme Eggs with this interactive screen. • Cadabra: Enjoy a gentle ride through a chocolate wonderland full of familiar characters. • Aztec Jungle: Travel 1,000 years back in time to Mexico, where you’ll discover the origins of the cocoa bean deep in the ancient tropical rainforest. • The Cadbury Story: John Cadbury tells you the inspiring story of his early struggles to establish the business and introduces his sons, Richard and George. • Chocolate Making: Choose a favourite treat such as marshmallows or fudge to add to a pot of warm liquid Cadbury Dairy Milk. • Advertising Avenue: See how Cadbury’s advertising has been at the forefront of advertising, generating awareness, innovation and drumming gorillas. • Have A Go: Learn how Cadbury chocolate was made as a chocolatier guides you through the traditional chocolate-making technique of tempering. • The Bournville Experience: Discover the Quaker ethics of the Cadbury family and how the Bournville Village came to be built. • Journey To Europe: Learn how Hernán Cortéz brought the cocoa bean back to this continent and how chocolate quickly became the drink of choice in high society. • Green Screen: Choose from a selection of backdrops for a green screen photo opportunity.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

With over 30 years of experience in welcoming groups of all ages and more than 2,000 school groups attending each year, Cadbury World offers a unique opportunity to discover the rich heritage of the nation’s favourite chocolate brand.

Students can see a variety of zones showcasing the chocolate’s history and creation process, expand their knowledge with a one-hour curriculum-linked educational session, and check out the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience.

The full trip will take around four and a half hours and there are several covered marquees available for schools to use at lunchtime.

The educational sessions available include Design and Technology (KS1-3), Bean to Bar (KS1-2), The Maya (KS1-2), Aztecs (KS1-2), Victorians (KS1-2), Rainforests (KS1-2), Marketing Workshop and Extended Resource Package (KS3-4), Design and Food Technology (KS3-4), Geography (KS3-4), Marketing (KS4-5), Science (KS4), History (KS3), History (KS4), iMedia (KS4), Investigating Business (KS4-5), Leisure and Tourism Customer Service and Marketing (KS4) and Philosophy and Ethics (KS5).

Some of these educational sessions are also available virtually if you are unable to make it to the Cadbury World site, and the education team can create a bespoke workshop to cover other topics relating to Cadbury chocolate that are not included in the list.

Subjects covered

Teaching resources provided.

Cadbury World has put together workbooks for students to use as they tour around the site, including the Chocolate Trail (KS1-2), the Maths Trail (KS1-2) and the Mayan Workbook (KS2).

If you wish to try a fun activity in the classroom before or after your visit, there are themed colouring pages, including Mayan and Bull Street pictures, and a lesson plan for a marketing workshop (KS3-4).

There are several Mayans KS2 themed resources on the Cadbury World website, such as an interactive activity pack, a maths workbook, a guide to creating a calavera (an artistic representation of a skull) and a calavera colouring page.

Factsheets are also available on a variety of subjects: Bournville, the Cadbury family, the Cadbury business, investing in BRIC markets (KS3-4 geography, KS4-5 business studies), research and innovation (KS4-5 business studies, KS4-5 design and food technology), Mondelez Corporate (KS3-4 geography, KS4-5 business studies), and liquorice.

Minimum and maximum group size

Education sessions are available for groups of 25 or more students.

Details of risk assessment

Risk assessments for schools are available to download from the Cadbury World website. The site also offers two complimentary tickets for teachers who have booked a visit to do their own risk assessment.

Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment

Facilities on-site

As well as the many attractions listed, there is an African adventure play area, a Cadbury café and the world’s biggest Cadbury shop.

Opening times

Cadbury World is open Thursday to Monday, 9am-4.30pm (varies slightly throughout the year – check the calendar on the Cadbury World website for accurate hours).

Entry: £9.20-£12.40 per pupil (minimum of 15) Adult entry: £12.10-£16.80 per person* Talk: £10.95 per pupil (minimum of 25) Workshop: £12.50 per pupil Virtual workshop: £90 (maximum of 32 students) *One free adult admission for every eight paying school children. Coach drivers get free admission.

Travel arrangements

Those driving to Cadbury World should use the postcode B30 1JR, and additional directions to the site are available on the website. There is free coach parking on-site.

Bournville train station is also a 15-minute walk away and Cadbury World offers discounts on bus and train travel – check the website for details.

Cadbury World, Linden Road, Bournville, Birmingham B30 2LU

Book your school trip to Cadbury World

For information on booking your school trip to this venue, click below.

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Cadbury World Birmingham

Visit Website

0121 828 9300

West Midlands

69 Linden Road, Bournville, Birmingham, West Midlands, B30 1JR

MONTHS OPEN

Cadbury World in the West Midlands offers a unique experience that gives a fascinating insight into the rich heritage of the nation’s favourite chocolate. Your visit will take around 4.5 hours. This includes an educational talk or workshop (optional).

Listed under: Business Studies | Citizenship | Day Trip Destinations | Design and Technology | Educational Tours | Geography | Historic Buildings | Historical Heritage | History | ICT | Leisure and Tourism | Museums | Picnic Areas | Reward Trip | Science | Special Educational Needs (SEN) | Technology | Themed Attraction | Walking Tours |

What we offer on a school trip

With 30 years’ experience and more than 2,000 school groups attending each year, Cadbury World offers a unique experience that gives fascinating insight into the rich heritage of the nation’s favourite chocolate brand.

We offer 16 different educational talks, suitable for students of all ages, from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 5. There are a variety of educational talks, including the History of Chocolate, Design and Technology, Ancient Mayan Civilizations, Marketing, Science, ICT, and Geography. There are also Marketing and Design & Technology Workshops.

Accreditation and Awards

In 2021, Cadbury World were delighted to reconfirm its reputation as one of the best educational visits in the UK by being again accredited with the ‘Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge’.

What is typically included on our school trips

Your visit will take around 4.5 hours. This includes an educational talk or workshop (optional), entrance into Cadbury World, our fantastic 4D cinema show, and the fascinating Bournville Experience Museum. In addition to this, we also have the World’s Biggest Cadbury Shop, where there are treats suitable for all budgets!

Additional educational talks have been specifically designed for Key Stages 1-5, so you can mix and match topics or cover specific points:

KS1 & 2 Bean to Bar – Originality of raw materials (supports the IPC chocolate topic).

KS1 & 2 The Maya (Ancient Mayan Civilization) – The great city of Chichen Itza, Maya Gods, and their fascinating counting system.

KS1 & 2 Aztecs – The rise and fall of Montezuma and the importance of cocoa beans to Aztec society.

KS1 & 2 Design & Technology – New Product Development, including packaging design.

KS1 & 2 Victorians – Case study of George Cadbury as a famous Victorian.

KS1 & 2 Rainforests – Flora, fauna, and creatures of the Ghana rainforests.

KS3 & 4 Design and Food Technology – New product development, sources of ingredients, production methods, quality control (sensory evaluation), and food safety (HACCP).

KS3 & 4 Geography – Cadbury as a TNC, factors affecting ecosystems, urban development in an LIDC (in relation to cocoa growing in Ghana), and cocoa life.

KS4 Science – Understand science in the workplace of Cadbury, including the functions of the science and technology department, the role of a sensory evaluator, and health and safety in the workplace.

KS4 Leisure and Tourism Customer Service and Marketing – Overview of Cadbury World. Primary and secondary market research, the marketing mix, and SWOT analysis. The importance of meeting the needs of customers and how to provide and monitor customer service.

KS4 & 5 Investigating Business – Business ownership, aims and objectives, functional departments, stakeholders, and shareholders.

KS4 & KS5 Marketing – The role of marketing, market research, and the 4P’s and their importance. Understand different marketing strategies in relation to Cadbury products, and understand the USP.

KS2 and KS3 Design Technology Workshop – Gain an insight into the design process of Cadbury products by designing your own wrapper.

KS4 iMedia   – Discover how Cadbury utilises graphics and media in a range of different formats.

KS3 & KS4 History   – Discover the history of the Aztecs or gain a deeper understanding of the history of the Cadbury family and the exemplary working conditions and practices they pioneered.

KS3 & KS4 Marketing Workshop   – Gain a unique insight into how Cadbury utilises marketing planning tools & create a brand-new product & marketing proposal.

KS5 Philosophy and Ethics   – Explore the rich history and strong beliefs of Cadbury founder John Cadbury & the importance of Quaker businesses to the improvement of workers lives.

Group Sizes Catered For

Available for groups of 25 or more students.

Materials, Resources & Information Provided

Download our free online workbooks and resources here:  https://www.cadburyworld.co.uk/schools-and-groups/schools/resources

This includes our interactive Maya activity pack, factsheets on Cadbury and Bournville, and BTEC and GCSE workbooks. For teachers, we also offer free preview visits.

Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions

Photography and videoing is permitted throughout Cadbury World.

Risk Assessment Details

Cadbury World offers free teacher preview visits for 1 teacher and 1 guest.

These are available on any day we are open and offers teachers the opportunity to carry out their own risk assessment.

Teacher preview visits must be pre-booked with our booking office on 0121 393 6004.

Education Officer Information

Our education team is headed up by Education and Heritage Centre Manager Colin Pitt.

To contact Colin or the team email  cadburyworldeducation@ merlinentertainments.biz  or call 0121 828 9300.

Pricing Information

Visit Only:

Child – £9.20 Adult – £12.10

Including Talk:

Child – £10.95 Adult – £12.10

Including Workshop:

Child – £12.50 Adult – £12.10

Clothing Requirements

The wearing of school uniform or casual clothes is at the discretion of the school.

First Aid Information

All security personnel and 1 in 4 front of house staff are trained first aiders.

We also have a First Aid Room located in reception.

Available Facilities

We have two gifts shops, a restaurant, disabled toilets, a Changing Places facility and baby changing rooms.

Situated at the rear of the main building is the children’s play area (suitable for up to 12 year olds), the Bournville Experience Museum, 4D Chocolate Adventure, and a marquee and picnic tables set aside for packed lunches.

Accessibility & Disabled Facilities

Cadbury World offers many accessibility features including a Changing Places facility, large print scripts for the visually impaired, and BSL interpretation screens in a number of zones.

For full details of our access facilities, please visit:  https://www.cadburyworld.co. uk/plan-your-visit/ accessibility

Opening Hours & Information

As opening times are seasonal and varied, please refer to the Cadbury World website or select option 3 on our reservation line 0121 393 6004.

During term time, Cadbury World opens at 10am with last entry at 3pm.

See Link:  http://www.cadburyworld.co.uk/planyourvisit/openingtimes

Testimonials

“I would also like to add how impressed I am with Cadbury’s with how efficient and well organized the trip was, which was suggested by Cadbury’s employees. I was exceptional happy with the talk and how the whole day went and got positive feedback from students.”

“I was overwhelmed by how accommodating you were for us, and the kids had such a brilliant time! Thank you very much for being so willing to share your resources. I’ve been able to give the kids a quiz today to see how much they have remembered, and they really did take lots of the information in! I’m super chuffed!”

Other Information

Packed lunch prices start at £5.05.

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Cadbury World

• West Midlands
• Posted 6 years ago

School trip to Cadbury World

Based in Birmingham and set within the historic suburb of Bournville, Cadbury World offers a unique experience that gives a fascinating insight into the rich heritage of the nation’s favourite chocolate brand. A variety of zones showcase the history, chocolate making, and also include the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience.

Tour Cadbury World

With over 29 years’ experience and more than 2,000 school groups attending each year, Cadbury World offers a unique experience that gives fascinating insight into the rich heritage of the nation’s favourite chocolate brand. A variety of zones showcase their history, chocolate making, and now include the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience. They look forward to welcoming your group to Cadbury World for a day full of chocolatey discovery!

Add a curriculum-linked Educational Session to your trip

To complement your visit to Cadbury World, their professionally trained education team offer a variety of educational sessions which are linked to the curriculum for key stages 1 – 5. Talks and workshops are available in their dedicated education rooms every day during term time and free resources are available to download at www.cadburyworld.co.uk

Key Stage 1 & 2

For KS1 & 2 they offer sessions to support curriculum topics including The Aztecs, The Maya, Victorians, Design and Technology and ‘Bean to Bar’ which explores the process of manufacturing chocolate.

Starting in the Maya Kingdom of Meso America of the Aztecs and travelling right to present day, exciting Cadbury World education sessions can whisk pupils on an exciting journey of discovery as they uncover the fascinating ancient civilisation of The Aztecs or The Maya.

Discover the origins of the cocoa bean as students follow it on its journey through history. Learn about the evolution of Cadbury, from John Cadbury’s very first shop to modern day production at the factory. Plus, students can dress up as a modern-day factory worker or an Aztec leader as they get the chance to see real cocoa beans and chocolate making moulds from the Cadbury factory.

New for Key Stage 2 Design and Technology students, a brand-new workshop. Pupils can take a closer look at the fascinating process of new product development at Cadbury and work together to make their own chocolate wrapper.

Find further information of all the education sessions Cadbury World offer here

Typical school visit

• Arrival on your coach to Bournville, with free coach parking and admission for your driver.
• Enjoy the main attraction and journey through their chocolatey zones , lasting around 1.5hrs. Support this with some of their  free resources (Please be at reception 10 minutes before your admission time to the main attraction).
• Enjoy your packed lunch by the outdoor play area either at picnic benches or under the cover of their marquee. Lunch can also be purchased in the Cadbury Café.
• Expand your knowledge with a 1 hour interactive topic talk by member of their dedicated education team. Visit the Primary or Secondary pages for further information about the talks available.
• Take the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience, complete with motion seats!

How to book your visit to Cadbury World

MAKE A BOOKING ENQUIRY FOR YOUR SCHOOL’S VISIT HERE

The Cadbury World education team will contact you within 5 working days to confirm your booking.

Cadbury World have been awarded the LOtC quality badge and offers a host of benefits and discounts for groups, including free teacher preview visit and admission. Facilities include free parking for coaches, picnic areas, outdoor play area and self-service restaurant.

Linden Road, Bournville, Birmingham B30 1JR 0121 393 6004 [email protected] Visit Cadbury World website for schools

• Cadbury World Provides Introduction to Ancient Mayan Civilisation

School visit information displayed was correct at the time of publishing. Please check with the venue on their latest educational itinerary for your class visit.

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Home » Attractions » Central England » Cadbury World

Cadbury World

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Based in Birmingham and set within the historic suburb of Bournville, Cadbury World offers a unique experience that gives a fascinating insight into the rich heritage of the nation’s favourite chocolate brand. A variety of zones showcase the history, chocolate making, and also include the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience.

What We Offer Visiting Schools:

Cadbury World Cadbury World offers self-guided tours where pupils will discover the ancient origins of the cocoa bean and learn the history behind Bournville village, and explore how Cadbury manufactures and advertises popular products.

With over 30 years of experience and more than 2,000 school groups attending each year, Cadbury World offers a unique experience that gives a fascinating insight into the rich heritage of the nation’s favourite chocolate brand. A variety of zones showcase our history, chocolate making, and now include the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience. An excellent and educational trip to treat your students to in 2021.

Education Department Information:

To complement your Cadbury World visit, the dedicated and professional education team offer a variety of educational sessions which are linked to the curriculum for Key Stages 1 – 5. Talks and Cadbury workshops are available in our education rooms every day during term time and free resources are available to download online.

Itineraries, Resources, and Workshops:

Talks and Cadbury workshops are available in our dedicated education rooms every day during term time and free resources are available to download online.

For KS1 & 2 we offer sessions to support curriculum topics including The Aztecs, The Maya, Victorians, Design and Technology and ‘Bean to Bar’ which explores the process of manufacturing chocolate.

Sessions designed for KS 3,4 & 5 feature engaging examples to support a variety of subjects including Business, Marketing, Leisure and Tourism and Geography.

Accreditation and Awards:

Cadbury World have been awarded the LOtC quality badge and offers a host of benefits and discounts for groups, including free teacher preview visit and admission. Facilities include free parking for coaches, picnic areas, outdoor play area and self-service restaurant.

Contact the Educational Visits UK team to help plan your next school trip.

Accessibility

Accessible by Public Transport, Disabled Access, Disabled Toilets, Facilities for Hearing Impaired, Facilities for Visually Impaired, On Site Parking

Cater for Educational Groups, Coach Parties Welcome, Conference Facilities, Groups Welcome, Pre visit Available,

Baby Changing Facilities, Picnic Site, Restaurant, Shop, Toilets,

Low level service desks ● Large print ‘Access Assistance’ guide available from reception ● Infrared system for visitors with compatible hearing-aid system ● Visually Impaired large print script available of the tour ● Tactile surface changes to indicate differences in levels ● DDA-compliant handrails ● Stairs and steps with coloured warning edges ● Directional signage ● Changing Places facility ● BSL included on video screens in selected zones throughout the tour

Key Stage I, Key Stage II, Key Stage III, Key Stage IV, Primary, Secondary

Art, Business, Citizenship, Design and Technology, English, Geography, History, IT, Law, Leisure and Tourism, Maths, Philosophy, Religion, Safety, Science, Sustainability

+ MY LIST 18th November 2023 to 23rd December 2023 Step Into Christmas at Cadbury World

+ MY LIST 21st October 2023 to 5th November 2023 Freddo’s Spooktacular Stage Show

+ MY LIST 25th May 2023 to 15th October 2023 FREDDO’S MAGIC SHOW – CADBURY WORLD – Various Dates

Enquire Now

What is the capital of England?

Please see website for details

£9.20 per pupil for a tour of the exhibition only, £10.95 per pupil to include a talk, £12.50 per pupil to include a workshop

69 Linden Road, Bournville, Birmingham, West Midlands, B30 1JR

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Cadbury World

School Trips

West Midlands West Midlands History Ancient Civilisations Victorian Geography Environmental Geography Business Design English Food KS1 to University

Why book Cadbury World for School Trips and Educational Visits?

What activities are available during group visits?

Which curriculum subjects do you cater for, english [click to read].

Curriculum topics available: Persuasive writing, Creative writing.

Design Technology [click to read]

Curriculum topics available: Mechanics and engineering.

Business [click to read]

Curriculum topics available: Marketing.

Environmental Geography [click to read]

Curriculum topics available: Materials and recycling, Sustainable living, Fairtrade.

Food [click to read]

Curriculum topics available: Nutrition and healthy diets, Where food comes from.

Victorian [click to read]

Curriculum topics available: Factories and The Workhouse, Childhood and Schools.

Ancient Civilisations [click to read]

Curriculum topics available: Maya Civilisation.

What size groups do you cater for?

Do you offer on-site classroom facilities, is there first aid on site, do you offer access for visitors with disabilities, anything else, sorry, planmyschooltrip do not currently feature trips to this venue..

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Why not share your opinion with fellow teachers by reviewing? Please only submit a review of Cadbury-World if you have visited this place during a school trip:

Cadbury World

Delve into the rich heritage of the UK's beloved chocolate brand and provide your students with an unforgettable learning experience.

A typical visit to Cadbury World will include:

Cadbury World Tour:  Embark on an enchanting journey through our deliciously themed zones. This immersive experience will last approximately 1.5 hours. 

Lunch Break:  There are several sheltered marquees set aside specifically for school groups.

Educational Session:  Dive deeper into the world of chocolate with a 1-hour interactive discussion led by the Cadbury World knowledgeable education team. It can be tailored to Primary or Secondary ages.

4D Chocolate Adventure:  Cap off your visit with a thrilling 4D cinema experience enhanced with dynamic motion seats!

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Cadbury World

With over 25 years' experience and more than 2,000 school groups attending each year, Cadbury World offers a unique experience that gives fascinating insight into the rich heritage of the nation's favourite chocolate brand.

A variety of zones showcase our history, chocolate making, and now include the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience. Through the self-guided Cadbury World attraction, your pupils will...

Discover  the origins of the cocoa bean amidst trees and waterfalls in the Aztec Jungle. Learn  the history behind the creation of the Cadbury factory and Bournville village by the Cadbury brothers.  Explore  how Cadbury manufacture popular products and 100 years of innovative advertising and packaging design. Watch  our chocolatiers work their magic as they reveal the ingredients and making of chocolate. Enjoy  the magical Cadabra ride and an adventurous journey in our 4D cinema experience!

Educational Talks

Expand your class' knowledge with a one hour curriculum-linked educational talk to complement your self-guided tour, featuring interactive and engaging examples to support your topics, presented in our themed education rooms. Talks are available to groups of 25-110 students and have been specifically designed for specific Key Stages so you can mix and match topics or cover specific points. 

Talks for Key Stage 1 and 2

Bean to Bar  - Originality of raw materials (supports the IPC chocolate topic)  The Maya (Ancient Mayan Civilization)  - The great city of Chichen Itza, Maya Gods and their fascinating counting system  Aztecs  - The rise and fall of Montezuma and the wonders of the maguey plant Design & Technology  - New Product Development, including packaging design  Victorians  - Case study of George Cadbury as a famous Victorian  Rainforests  - Flora, fauna and creatures of the Ghana rainforests  Building a Village: Settlements  - A comparison of life in Bournville, UK and Adjeikrom, Ghana Chocolate Through The Ages  - Explore how cocoa originated from ancient civilizations to Cadbury heritage

Talks for Key Stages 3, 4 and 5

BRAND NEW KS3 Design & Technology Workshop KS3 & 4 Design and Food Technology  KS3 & 4 Geography KS4 Science KS4 Leisure and Tourism Marketing KS4 Leisure and Tourism Customer Service  KS4 ICT KS4 Investigating Business KS4 Business Studies Marketing  KS5 Business Studies Marketing KS5 People in Business

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School Travel

Birmingham 2 Nights

Birmingham is a wonderful base for a fun-filled historical school trip.

Head back to Victorian times at the Black Country Living Museum, one of the finest and largest open-air museums in the United Kingdom. Indulge in the wonders of Cadbury World, and then visit the award-winning Thinktank in the heart of the city.

VISIT BIRMINGHAM, ONE OF THE UK’S MOST POPULAR CITIES.

Let your students enjoy a trip with the fun and excitement of The Black Country Living Museum, Cadbury World, and so much more on this great trip.

Take your class on an adventure like no other. Visit Cadbury World, where the UK’s tastiest chocolate is made. Then to The Black Country Living Museum, where the children can experience the day-to-day life of years gone by. An amazing place to explore, it is set in a landscape of 26 acres, and is one of the most extraordinary open-air museums in the UK, offering a glimpse into 300 years of history.

Also, a visit to Thinktank is included. This award-winning science museum includes a science garden, a planetarium, and an exciting programme of events and activities. There is something for everyone to enjoy.

And, if you wish, we can send you off to the Space Centre in Leicester.

“Office staff were very well organised and communicated excellently. All queries were answered very efficiently and quickly”

BIRMINGHAM HAS MORE CANALS THAN VENICE

Depart from your school and head to Birmingham. First stop is Thinktank, Birmingham’s fantastic science museum.

Why not add a visit to Leicester’s National Space Centre on your way to Birmingham? (Additional charge)

Afterwards, you can head to your accommodation where the children can settle in. An evening meal at the accommodation is included for this evening.

You will spend the day visiting The Black Country Living Museum. A great day out for both students and teachers.

Take part in a 1912 school lesson, bringing the curriculum to life with unique and memorable learning experiences. The costumed characters will explain what it was like to live and work in one of the world’s most heavily industrialised landscapes.

Depart the accommodation and before returning home end your trip with a fun filled visit to Cadbury World! Offering a wonderful experience giving children a fascinating insight into the rich heritage of the nation’s favourite chocolate brand.

With a variety of zones showcasing history, chocolate making, and now includes the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience.

After the visit you will head home back to your school.

Price from £ 249 PP

Get an online quote in seconds

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• Private Coach throughout
• Travel by train may be possible, please ask
• 2 night Full Board accommodation
• Free itinerary booking service
• 1:10 free places for supervising staff

TAILOR YOUR TRIP

CALL US NOW ON 01384 398 893 OR  EMAIL US  TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS FURTHER

WHAT’S EXTRA?

• Travel Insurance if you require it
• Entrance to Places of Interest (we’ll send you all costs with your quotation)

Ironbridge 2 nights

Liverpool 2 nights

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Cadbury World’s new ride sets students a chocolate mission

2024-02-08T14:43:00+00:00

School children will uncover what ingredients goes into making a bar of Dairy Milk aboard a new educational ride to open at the Birmingham attraction.

Every guest will leave with a Cadbury treat after the experience.

Set to open this spring, the trackless ride will see students set out on a mission which is given by the Cadbury character Freddo, before they jump aboard a Cadbury car and complete an immersive quest to collect all the ingredients needed to make a bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk, using lasers to zap them up.

The ride will be brought to life with sounds, lights and smells, as well as lasers, 3D sets and virtual screens. As riders disembark their car, they will be able to collect a Cadbury treat made with all the ingredients they have ‘collected’. 

Cadbury Chocolate Quest will take the place of current ride, Cadabra, which is closing after 27 years.

When complete, visitors will journey through a multi-sensory experience to find out what goes into creating a bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk.

The new ride is included in the price of admission, with schools able to book a one-hour educational workshop to complement the visit, within a themed classroom setting.

Workshop examples include Bean to Bar (KS1 & 2) where pupils learn about the origins of the cocoa bean, while KS3 & 4 options include dedicated talks on a range of topics from food technology to marketing.  

Tim Waters, regional director of the Birmingham cluster at Merlin Entertainments, said: “The motivation and inspiration behind the new ride comes with larger ambitions for the future of Cadbury World, and we’re excited for our guests to enjoy what’s in store at our attraction this year.”

The new ride is part of a wider £8 million investment for Cadbury World, which will see extensive enhancements made to the Have a Go Zone, a completely revamped Bournville Experience and an upgraded Advertising Avenue.

Schools can also experience the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema, chocolate making demonstrations, and much more on a visit.

For more information about school visits to Cadbury World, go to  www.cadburyworld.co.uk/schools-and-groups/schools .

• Cadbury World
• Food & Drink
• KS1 (Ages 5-7)
• KS2 (Ages 7-11)
• KS3 (Ages 11-14)
• KS4 (Ages 14-16)
• West Midlands

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What's the best state for you », xi's trip to europe may lay bare west's divisions over china strategy.

Xi's Trip to Europe May Lay Bare West's Divisions Over China Strategy

FILE PHOTO: China's President Xi Jinping speaks at the "Senior Chinese Leader Event" held by the National Committee on US-China Relations and the US-China Business Council on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Pool/File Photo

By Laurie Chen and Michel Rose

BEIJING/PARIS (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping heads to Europe for the first time in five years next week in a visit that may lay bare European divisions over trade with Beijing and how the continent positions itself as a pole between the United States and China.

Xi travels to France, Serbia and Hungary at a time when the European Union is threatening to hammer China's electric vehicle and green energy industries with tariffs over huge subsidies the bloc says gives manufacturers in China an unfair edge.

With China's economy facing headwinds and the U.S. closing itself off to Chinese firms, the European Union could have some leverage over Beijing. But the bloc's 27 members are not neatly aligned, undermining their ability to shape Chinese thinking, analysts say.

Overshadowing the visit are European concerns over Chinese support for Russia's wartime economy two years into its military campaign in Ukraine.

Lin Jian, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry, said Xi's visit would "inject stability into the development of China-Europe relations and make new contributions to peace and stability in the world".

Xi's goal would be neutralising the EU's economic security agenda, including its tariff threats, by exploiting internal differences, said Mathieu Duchatel, senior fellow at the Institut Montaigne.

"There's a very strong divide and rule element," Duchatel said of China's strategy towards Europe. "That's not hidden but in plain sight."

European companies and governments have long complained of restricted access to the Chinese market and unfair competition. A Kiel Institute study estimated China's subsidies for its firms range between three to nine times other major economies.

The European Commission has the exclusive right to run trade policy for the whole collective EU, but within the bloc member states have struggled to agree how to fix the trade imbalance.

Macron seeks a more aggressive EU stance on subsidies and warned that the bloc risked falling behind if it did not permit exemptions to its own competition rules in the face of 'oversubsidies' by China and the U.S.

'WE DON'T PROTECT ENOUGH'

"We regulate too much, we don't invest enough, we don't protect enough," Macron told The Economist in an interview published on Thursday.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in April pressed Xi for better market access for German firms. But on the EU anti-subsidy investigations, apparently anxious to avoid antagonising Beijing, he said the bloc should not act out of protectionist self-interest although competition should be fair.

Some French government officials say privately that they are concerned Berlin will try to undermine the electric vehicle probe, which has zeroed in on Chinese carmakers BYD, Geely and SAIC. China is a key market for Germany's export-led economy and its carmakers such as BMW and Mercedez-Benz.

Scholz is due to dine with Macron and the two leaders' wives in Paris on Thursday, two sources involved in the planning said.

Noah Barkin, a senior adviser at the Rhodium Group and close follower of EU-China relations, said Macron would encourage Scholz to join him and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for four-way talks with Xi in the French capital, as Paris seeks to present a united front. The Elysee Palace declined to comment.

"A worrying gap has opened up between the German position on China, on the one hand, and the position of the French and the European Commission, on the other. There is simply a greater readiness in Paris and Brussels to push back against Beijing on the trade front than there is in Berlin," Barkin said.

RUSSIA CONCERNS

"Europe has quite a bit of leverage, but that leverage flies out the window if European lenders are sending different messages to Xi," Barkin added.

Xi will be in Europe from May 5-10.

A Macron aide said the French leader would add his voice to calls from Washington, Brussels, Berlin and elsewhere for China to stop exports to Russia of "dual-use" and other technologies propping up Russia's war effort.

In Serbia and Hungary, any public comments by Xi on Russia will face close scrutiny. Xi is due to host Russian President Vladimir Putin in China later in May.

Observers said Xi's choice of Serbia and Hungary was designed to pull closer two European countries that are pro-Russia and large recipients of Chinese investment, including financial aid for a delayed rail project linking their capitals.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he was honoured by Xi’s visit, and he expected a free trade agreement between the two countries signed last October to come into force on July 1.

Chinese analysts said Xi could use his stopover in Belgrade, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of NATO's bombing of the Chinese embassy there, to play up China's anti-NATO agenda.

China has amplified Russian efforts to blame the U.S. and NATO for escalating the Ukraine war by supplying arms to Kyiv.

Hungary has also in the past blocked EU statements criticising China on human rights.

Shen Dingli, a Shanghai-based international relations scholar, described the outreach to Serbia and Hungary as part of China's efforts to deepen divisions within the West.

(Reporting by Laurie Chen in Beijing and Michel Rose in Paris; Additional reporting by John Irish in Paris, Andreas Rinke in Berlin and Daria Sito-Sucic in Belgrade; Editing by Richard Lough, William Maclean)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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Education and Schools in Moscow

This guide was written prior to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and is therefore not reflective of the current situation. Travel to Russia is currently not advisable due to the area's volatile political situation.

Despite much debate over the education system in Russia, the country has a high literacy rate. The quality of schooling has improved greatly over time, though it is still far from perfect.

There are public, private and international school options for children of school-going age in Moscow. Most expats choose to send their children to international schools. Expat parents often find that the teaching language and the method of instruction in public and private schools are not ideal for non-Russian children.

Entry requirements into schools may differ, so expats are encouraged to contact the schools directly for more information. In general, expats must provide their visa, the child’s birth certificate and any academic records.

The school year in Moscow follows the Northern Hemisphere pattern, with the longest break being in the summer months. The school week is generally Monday to Friday, from 8am or 9am to 2pm or 3pm.

Generally, there are three stages of schooling: primary school with Grades 1 to 4; basic secondary school from Grades 5 through 9; and upper secondary school which goes up to Grade 12.

Public schools in Moscow

Public school education is free to both Russian and foreign citizens. Parents only pay for meals and school uniforms.

The quality of state schools is debatable, and classrooms tend to have many students. The language of instruction in state schools is mainly Russian. This means, especially for older students who do not speak Russian, this option is often not feasible.

Private schools in Moscow

Private schools are less common than state schools. They provide the same Russian curriculum and teach mainly in Russian, but class sizes are smaller. Private schools are not free but are less expensive than international schools. Due to the language barrier, however, the options for expat education in Moscow remain mostly limited to international schools.

International schools in Moscow

Most international schools in Moscow are expensive. Curriculum models range from those that follow American or British teaching systems to ones that combine the Russian curriculum with international curricula. Alternatively, some offer the International Baccalaureate. There are several English-language schools to choose from, as well as schools teaching the German, French and Indian curricula.

Demand for the most prestigious schools can be high, and long waiting lists are to be expected. For this reason, expat parents moving to Moscow should attempt to enrol their children as early as possible.

Special-needs education in Moscow

There are limited schooling options for children with disabilities in Moscow. That said, efforts to develop the school system for those with disabilities are being made to avoid excluding these children. International schools are aiming to improve the possible support they could give. Some schools provide interventions including learning support, occupational therapy and speech programmes to enable students with mild to moderate learning disabilities to continue their education.

Homeschooling in Moscow

Homeschooling is becoming more and more common in Moscow, especially in comparison to the rest of the country. Expat parents must follow certain regulations. One such regulation is that they must enrol their child into a licensed school which acts as a supervising body. In some cases, homeschooled children can get access to resource provisions such as books. The school can also act as the exam centre when children must write formal exams.

Tutors in Moscow

Being such a large city, Moscow has many options for finding tutors. Expat parents will find various online platforms and portals through which they can hire a tutor for their child in Moscow. Tutors will be extremely helpful in assisting expat children with learning Russian, adjusting to their new school environment and curriculum, and getting up to speed in classes.

Further reading

►For a list of schools in Moscow for expats, see  International Schools in Moscow

►For a more in-depth description of the different schooling options available, see Education and Schools in Russia

Expat Interviews "My kids go to the French school. Our experiences have been mixed there. But overall it has met our needs (and price)." Read what Amanda has to say on her children settling into Moscow from her interview .

Are you an expat living in Moscow?

Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Moscow. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.

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Expand your class' knowledge by complementing your visit with a one hour curriculum-linked educational session, presented in our themed education rooms.

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Cadbury World

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Photos of Cadbury World

What will students see and do?

Cadbury World is located on the grounds of the original Cadbury factory but it isn’t a tour of the factory itself. Instead, Cadbury World offers a self-guided exhibition tour introducing visitors to the history, the making and the magic of Cadbury confectionery.

There are numerous areas of interest at Cadbury World, such as: • 4D Chocolate Adventure: Ride the Crunchie rollercoaster and dive into liquid Cadbury Dairy Milk with Freddo and a whole host of Cadbury characters, as they whisk you away on an adventurous 4D cinema experience complete with motion seats. • Manufacturing Area: Features interactive video stations that share how popular Cadbury brands are made, including Creme Egg, Buttons and Roses. • The Gill Cocks Collection: Contains nearly 2,000 items of Cadbury memorabilia dating as far back as the 1800s, all of which have been donated by Gill Cocks, an enthusiastic curator. • Making Chocolate Story: Here’s where you’ll find out how it’s made with a few additional surprises. • Bull Street: Travel back in time to a recreation of Victorian Bull Street, the site where Quaker entrepreneur John Cadbury began the Cadbury business. • Purple Planet: Play in chocolate rain, grow your own cocoa tree and chase Creme Eggs with this interactive screen. • Cadabra: Enjoy a gentle ride through a chocolate wonderland full of familiar characters. • Aztec Jungle: Travel 1,000 years back in time to Mexico, where you’ll discover the origins of the cocoa bean deep in the ancient tropical rainforest. • The Cadbury Story: John Cadbury tells you the inspiring story of his early struggles to establish the business and introduces his sons, Richard and George. • Chocolate Making: Choose a favourite treat such as marshmallows or fudge to add to a pot of warm liquid Cadbury Dairy Milk. • Advertising Avenue: See how Cadbury’s advertising has been at the forefront of advertising, generating awareness, innovation and drumming gorillas. • Have A Go: Learn how Cadbury chocolate was made as a chocolatier guides you through the traditional chocolate-making technique of tempering. • The Bournville Experience: Discover the Quaker ethics of the Cadbury family and how the Bournville Village came to be built. • Journey To Europe: Learn how Hernán Cortéz brought the cocoa bean back to this continent and how chocolate quickly became the drink of choice in high society. • Green Screen: Choose from a selection of backdrops for a green screen photo opportunity.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

With over 30 years of experience in welcoming groups of all ages and more than 2,000 school groups attending each year, Cadbury World offers a unique opportunity to discover the rich heritage of the nation’s favourite chocolate brand.

Students can see a variety of zones showcasing the chocolate’s history and creation process, expand their knowledge with a one-hour curriculum-linked educational session, and check out the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience.

The full trip will take around four and a half hours and there are several covered marquees available for schools to use at lunchtime.

The educational sessions available include Design and Technology (KS1-3), Bean to Bar (KS1-2), The Maya (KS1-2), Aztecs (KS1-2), Victorians (KS1-2), Rainforests (KS1-2), Marketing Workshop and Extended Resource Package (KS3-4), Design and Food Technology (KS3-4), Geography (KS3-4), Marketing (KS4-5), Science (KS4), History (KS3), History (KS4), iMedia (KS4), Investigating Business (KS4-5), Leisure and Tourism Customer Service and Marketing (KS4) and Philosophy and Ethics (KS5).

Some of these educational sessions are also available virtually if you are unable to make it to the Cadbury World site, and the education team can create a bespoke workshop to cover other topics relating to Cadbury chocolate that are not included in the list.

Subjects covered

Teaching resources provided.

Cadbury World has put together workbooks for students to use as they tour around the site, including the Chocolate Trail (KS1-2), the Maths Trail (KS1-2) and the Mayan Workbook (KS2).

If you wish to try a fun activity in the classroom before or after your visit, there are themed colouring pages, including Mayan and Bull Street pictures, and a lesson plan for a marketing workshop (KS3-4).

There are several Mayans KS2 themed resources on the Cadbury World website, such as an interactive activity pack, a maths workbook, a guide to creating a calavera (an artistic representation of a skull) and a calavera colouring page.

Factsheets are also available on a variety of subjects: Bournville, the Cadbury family, the Cadbury business, investing in BRIC markets (KS3-4 geography, KS4-5 business studies), research and innovation (KS4-5 business studies, KS4-5 design and food technology), Mondelez Corporate (KS3-4 geography, KS4-5 business studies), and liquorice.

Minimum and maximum group size

Education sessions are available for groups of 25 or more students.

Details of risk assessment

Risk assessments for schools are available to download from the Cadbury World website. The site also offers two complimentary tickets for teachers who have booked a visit to do their own risk assessment.

Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment

Facilities on-site

As well as the many attractions listed, there is an African adventure play area, a Cadbury café and the world’s biggest Cadbury shop.

Opening times

Cadbury World is open Thursday to Monday, 9am-4.30pm (varies slightly throughout the year – check the calendar on the Cadbury World website for accurate hours).

Entry: £9.20-£12.40 per pupil (minimum of 15) Adult entry: £12.10-£16.80 per person* Talk: £10.95 per pupil (minimum of 25) Workshop: £12.50 per pupil Virtual workshop: £90 (maximum of 32 students) *One free adult admission for every eight paying school children. Coach drivers get free admission.

Travel arrangements

Those driving to Cadbury World should use the postcode B30 1JR, and additional directions to the site are available on the website. There is free coach parking on-site.

Bournville train station is also a 15-minute walk away and Cadbury World offers discounts on bus and train travel – check the website for details.

Cadbury World, Linden Road, Bournville, Birmingham B30 2LU

Book your school trip to Cadbury World

For information on booking your school trip to this venue, click below.

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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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19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

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Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

• 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
• Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
• Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

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Why Your Chocolate Fix Is About to Get More Expensive

Cocoa prices are going nuts, after a crop failure in West Africa was followed by a rush of investor speculation.

Credit... Carl Godfrey

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By J. Edward Moreno

• May 10, 2024 Updated 6:39 a.m. ET

A failed crop, followed by a wave of financial speculation, put cocoa prices on a roller coaster this year, rattling an industry reliant on inexpensive crops and labor.

This is not how things normally go in the cocoa market. For much of the past decade, the price of cocoa in one key global benchmark hovered around $2,500 per metric ton. Last year, after poor harvests in West Africa, the price began to creep up — rising to $4,200 a ton by December, a threshold that hadn’t been crossed since the 1970s.

Then the financial speculators began to pile in — betting prices would rise further. They pushed the price above $6,000 a ton in February, $9,000 a ton in March and $11,000 a ton in mid-April. Since then, the price has swung wildly, falling nearly 30 percent in just two weeks before bouncing up again. By Thursday, the price was $8,699 a ton.

Large food companies have been raising prices and warning that they’ll have to continue to do so if cocoa doesn’t stabilize. Companies that use more pure cocoa — rather than the palm oil and other fillers that go into many candy bars — will be hit hardest, though some premium chocolate makers note that they’ve always paid much higher prices in order to compensate farmers fairly.

The situation doesn’t look as if it’s going to settle down soon. Here’s what you need to know.

What happened to the cocoa crop?

A combination of low rainfall, plant disease and aging trees led to a disappointing crop in Ivory Coast and Ghana in 2023. The two countries produce about two-thirds of the world’s cocoa, so the shortage hit the global market hard. It continues: The International Cocoa Organization recently forecast that global production will trail demand by 374,000 tons this season, which ends in September, after a 74,000-ton shortfall last year.

There’s no quick fix for this. Cocoa trees take years to produce fruit, giving farmers little incentive to plant more since they don’t know what the price of the crop will be when they bear fruit. Some may prefer to use more of their land for growing rubber or mining gold.

But while the production shortfall underpinned the initial price gains, speculation from investors like hedge funds took things to another level.

“Yes, there’s fundamentals that trigger the move, but then these financial considerations add to it and compound to the situation.” said Judy Ganes, a commodities consultant. “It’s money driven.”

How is the global price of cocoa set?

Like any commodity, cocoa has many different prices.

In Ghana and Ivory Coast , the government sets a seasonal rate that cocoa farmers are paid, in an effort to protect them from volatility in global prices. After market prices spiked in April, the Ivory Coast’s agriculture ministry agreed to raise that rate for the rest of the season — but it is still far less than the increase in global commodity markets.

In other countries, farmers are paid market rates.

But big buyers, like Hershey and Mondelez, and commodity traders buy and sell cocoa on global exchanges, where they trade physical beans as well as futures contracts that can require them to take a delivery of beans at a future date.

It’s in the global exchanges that prices have become disconnected from the reality on the farms.

The global benchmark for cocoa is a futures contract traded on the Intercontinental Exchange — and a buyer of that contract is agreeing to a price for a metric ton of cocoa beans to be delivered to one of several ports in the Eastern United States.

One big factor behind the price spike this year is that those futures contracts are settled with physical delivery of the cocoa — which means traders who are selling the contracts need to keep large reserves of cocoa beans on hand. That can result in an upward spiral, as traders are forced to buy more cocoa in order to replenish their inventories.

The volume of trading can also affect how the price changes.

In January, the number of active cocoa contracts jumped 30 percent from the year before, data from the Commodities Futures Trading Commission show. But that trading volume fell sharply starting in April — as prices peaked — and the smaller number of trades resulted in big price swings in the past two weeks.

Though prices have come down from their highest point, they’re likely to stay elevated for some time, said Paul Joules, an analyst at Rabobank, “because of the systemic issues that are going to take a while to resolve.”

Carla Martin, a Harvard professor who studies the cocoa industry, said the broader market might look more efficient if farmers had more price-setting power based on their supply.

“There’s actually a ton of money in cocoa, it’s just getting captured in very specific nodes of the supply chain,” Ms. Martin said. “The market itself does not actually solve these kinds of problems, the problems get solved by people.”

What does this mean for chocolate bars?

Chocolate prices are mostly rising. When Hershey and Mondelez, which owns brands like Cadbury and Toblerone, reported earnings recently, the price swings were a big topic of conversation.

Mondelez said it raised its prices about 6 percent in the first three months of the year, and Hershey about 5 percent, and both said they would be willing to push prices up more if the cost of cocoa stayed high. Both companies said their profits had increased by double-digit percentages over the previous year as consumers continued buying their products despite rising prices.

Luca Zaramella, the chief financial officer of Mondelez, told analysts on April 30 that the market was “overreacting” and that it would very likely correct itself in the latter half of the year.

Still, he said, “it’s absolutely critical for us to get ready for potentially cocoa staying at these levels.” Mondelez could protect its profits, Mr. Zaramella said, by trying to secure large orders of cocoa during market downswings or reducing costs for other inputs, like ingredients.

Some “bean to bar” chocolate makers, which have always paid a premium for the cocoa they get from smaller farmers, say they’re having a different experience.

“The premium cocoa price never changed,” said Dan Maloney, who runs Sol Cacao, a chocolate business in the Bronx, with his two brothers. “It’s almost like the bulk price caught up with the premium price, but we were always paying premium.”

Mr. Maloney said he was already paying $9,000 to $12,000 for a ton of premium cocoa, which he obtains from farmers around the world, particularly in Latin America and Africa. Sol Cacao charges $8 for a 1.86-ounce bar, while a four-ounce Hershey bar is about $2.

Mr. Maloney said he charged those prices to ensure the quality of the product and ethical treatment of farmers in the industry, which has a history of exploiting children and enslaved people for labor .

“They market chocolate as candy,” Mr. Maloney said of large manufacturers. “We market it more as a luxury, something to savor, like a bottle of wine.”

Some cocoa farmers see buyers like Mr. Maloney as allies who protect them from the whims of the financial markets.

Gustavo Mindineros, a cocoa farmer who leads a co-op of producers in Tumaco, Colombia, said farmers tended to favor smaller buyers when production was low because they bought fewer beans at a higher price.

“The large company guarantees volume, but they don’t recognize quality,” Mr. Mindineros said. “Smaller buyers do recognize quality, and they pay a premium for it.”

J. Edward Moreno is a business reporter at The Times. More about J. Edward Moreno

The Chocolate Lover’s Guide

Indulge for a moment or two by learning more about this most delectable treat..

You may have heard about chocolate’s potential health benefits. But is it really good for you ?

A recent report found high concentrations of cadmium and lead in dark chocolate. There’s no reason to panic, experts say — but it’s worth a closer look .

What is it like to work with chocolate? A chocolate maker in California spoke of his fascination with cacao beans and the tastes he looks for in his products .

Convenience is only one reason to love chocolate chips. They also hold their shape better than bars and deliver more flavor in baked goods, Genevieve Ko writes .

Hungry yet? Try these make-ahead desserts , an unfussy mousse  or one of our most popular chocolate recipes .

Not in the mood for baking? Wirecutter has selected for you the best boxed chocolates .

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Movie Review: A radiant teenage road trip in ‘Gasoline Rainbow’

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In sibling directors Bill and Turner Ross ’ latest, “Gasoline Rainbow,” five Oregon teens just out of high school make their meandering way some 500 miles to reach the coast for what’s been billed as the “End of the World” party.

They are like countless young protagonists before them: on the road to find out. But while they share much of the same yearnings and anxieties of American road travelers from “On the Road” to “Easy Rider,” the circumstances of their particular coming of age are uniquely theirs — and what’s on the radio dial is, too. “Dude, I want to listen to some Shakira, bro,” one says from the backseat of their van.

This being the Ross brothers — the makers of the Texas-Mexico border portrait “Western” and “Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets,” in which they brought 22 people to a Las Vegas dive bar and asked them to act as though it was closing the next day — we are in a hybrid film world, part documentary, part fiction. Our characters — Micah, Nathaly, Nichole, Tony, Makai — are nonprofessional actors and their journey is a loosely constructed series of encounters that mostly unfold naturally.

It’s a filmmaking approach that can, in its weaker moments, result in the worst of both worlds: the rambling narrative of documentary and the manufactured quality of fiction. But on the whole, the Ross brothers’ observational, immersive filmmaking gets close to something bracingly real.

In the case of “Gasoline Rainbow,” which opens in theaters Friday, much is expressed by the land the teens traverse. Whether by car or on foot, their travels take them under highway overpasses, through sprawling train yards and along long rows of wind turbines. Global warming is mentioned only once, but it hovers over their uncertain future. They make their way across baren, dry lands and industrial blight. The name of that party is no coincidence.

Bleak as that may be, “Gasoline Rainbow” — which would fit comfortably alongside films like Alma Har’el’s “Bombay Beach” and Andrea Arnold’s “American Honey” — is most concerned with the question of: So what now? For these young people, unsure of what to do with their lives, getting out on the road provides plenty of answers. The world they’ve been left by older generations may be damaged. “Do you know what the difference is between kids and adults?” one elder tells them. “Adults aren’t supervised.” But there is beauty to be found, like shimmering pools of gasoline, if you’re willing to hit the road and make some new friends.

The answer lies most in community — in daring to leave the house, meet strangers and find like-minded souls. Perhaps more than anything, the Ross brothers — with a keen eye for American eccentrics — are interested in gathering together all the most interesting people they can find. And the spirit of camaraderie that results warms just as much as the bonfires gathered round in “Gasoline Rainbow.”

“Gasoline Rainbow,” a Mubi release, is not rated by the Motion Picture Association. Running time: 110 minutes. Three stars out of four.

Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP

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