Tretyakov Gallery
Lavrushinsky Pereoulok 12
Tel 007.495.208.9045
www.tretyakovgallery.ru/english/
Feast your eyes on Russian art from the 11th to 20th century.  The eclectic collection of more than 130,000 works includes paintings, sculptures and graphics, and is filled with newly discovered masters.

The Kremlin
Metro: Ploshchad Revolutsii
Indulge in Russia’s fascinating history, politics and religion inside the red brick walls of this grand fort. Four cathedrals, three palaces and two museums-- not to mention the President’s residence and an Armory – await the educated visitor who is prepared with comfortable shoes to see it all.

Novodevichy Monastyr (New Maiden's Convent)
1 Novodevichy proyezd, Moscow, Russia
Tel. 495.246.8526 or 495.246.2201
Escape the constant bustle of the city, and retreat to red and white crenellated walls and golden domes, visible for miles around. Moscow’s most famous-- and possibly Russia’s most beautiful-- convent is a must-see. Built in 1524, the grounds are steeped in royal history, as the convent served as a retirement for noble women and a residence for daughters and relatives of nobility.

The Metro
With chandeliers, mosaics, stained glass windows and sculptures, the Moscow Metro is one of the most beautiful examples of urban planning in the world. Visit Mayakovskaya, built in 1938 and featuring beautiful mosaics; Novoslobodskaya, opened in 1952 with back-lit stained glass; and Ploshchad Revolutsii, with bronze soldiers depicting different types of socialist workers.

Kuskovo Estate
2 Ulitsa Yunosti
Tel. 495.375.3131
45 minutes from Moscow, this is the retreat where Boris Pasternak wrote Dr. Zhivago. The Nobel laureate also has a museum in his honor. In the winter, rent cross country skis and visit the 15th century Church of the Transfiguration. Summertime brings festivals and concerts to this elegant country residence.

Carre Blanc
19/2 Seleznyovskaya U1
Tel. 7095.258.4403
A very popular French restaurant with a seasonal outdoor terrace. Their specialty is lamb with goat cheese.

Vogue Cafe
7/9 Kuznetsky Most
Tel. 7095.923.1701
Typical Russian comfort food such as pirogis or buckwheat kasha served in a genteel, club-like setting with framed Conde Nast magazine photos covering the walls. Enjoy caviar aplenty.

Kitezh
23/10 Ul. Petrovka
Metro: Pushkinskaya
Tel. 495.3.209.6685
Resembling a chic dungeon, this restaurant was recently featured in a Russian edition of Gourmet magazine. Traditional Russian dishes like Beluga caviar with cranberry sauce are served in white linen. 

GUM (State Department Store)
3 Red Square
Tel. 095.921.5763 or 095.929.3217
www.gum.ru
Elite Russian shopping is at its zenith at GUM, which is the Russian acronym for “State Department Store." Built in the late 1800’s, this huge structure features hundreds of stores, has beautiful ornate railings, glass ceilings and a central fountain. You can even pick up a bottle of vodka in the shape of a Kalashnikov rifle.

Krasny Oktyabr Chocolate Factory
22/24 Ovchinnikovskaya nab.
Metro: Boroviskaya
Surprise a loved one with a gift of Russian chocolate. Krasny Oktyabr’s, or Red October, chocolates are the best. Give them in tins or styled in themes of bears or Little Red Riding Hood. The factory has retail stores throughout the city as well.

Pyl’ Vekov (Dust of the Centuries)
86/1 Taganskaia ploshchad, 2nd Floor
Tel. 795.915.7021
Commission trading of jewelry, paintings, statuettes and more beckon the inquisitive shopper to take a break from the typical boutique shopping experience. Old furniture and some amusing items can be had at reasonable prices. Rare paintings, however, can also be found at Pyl’ Vekov and its giant trading hall.

Cristall Outlet
41 Zamorenova Ul.
Metro: Ulitsa 1905 Goda
A trip to Moscow wouldn’t be complete without vodka, would it? Cristall is Russia’s oldest and biggest Vodka producer. Pick and choose from more than 10 distinct brands of vodka, or go for inexpensive bottles of real Stolichnaya.

Note: Half or more of all Vodka sold on the market is counterfeit of established brands. Your best bet is to buy from outlet stores or distilleries, not kiosks. Quality is not ensured in fakes, and alcohol poisoning could occur.

Bolshoi Theatre
1 Teatralnaya Place
Tel. 495.292.9986 or 495.250.7317
www.bolshoi.ru
Marvel at the detail of the ornate set and costume designs as you take in a show by one of the world’s premier ballet and opera companies, both named after the theater. Chandeliers, gold stucco decorations and plush velvet make buying a ticket worth even one glimpe inside this breathtaking venue, but order early-- shows sell out fast.

Le Club
21 Verhnaya Radischevskaya 21
Metro: Taganskaya
Tel. 495.915.1042
www.le-club.ru/eng
Catch some of the world’s best in jazz, funk and blues at Le Club. Winton Marsalis, Ravy Coltrane and other jazz greats have passed through here. Dress code enforced. 

Three Monkeys (Tri Obeziany)
71 Sadovnicheskaya Ul., Bldg. 2
Metro: Paveletskaya
Tel. 495.951.1563 or 495.953.0909
This well-established gay club spins with the city’s best DJs, while a mostly young crowd - including plenty of women - writhes to the beat.

A Priori Club
12 Ulitsa Bolshaya Molchanovka
Metro: Arbatskaya
495.291.7783
www.aprioriclub.ru
The hottest after-party spot on a cold winter or warm summer night, A Priori goes until dawn or later. While the techno music blasts, the hippest of the hip drink and dance their vodka buzzes away.  

Novaya Opera
3 Karetny Ryad
Metro: Tverskaya
Tel. 495.200.0868
www.novayaopera.ru/en/theatre.htm
Novaya means “new,” and that describes the cutting-edge expressions found with this Opera, which is quickly rising to international prominence. The theater views both traditional and modern scores as “springboards for interpretation.” See your favorite opera in a new light.

Galereya
27 Ul Petrvka
Tel. 7.095 9374544
A steady night life is present in this restaurant that offers excellent Russian and European dishes. The disco music is loud, the decor is a chic beige and brown and the people-watching is hypnotic.