MOSCOW - A Great Tour Guide for Moscow!

Private (reasonably priced) Tour Guide in Moscow - NIKA SPASSKAYA. She's a professional trained Tour Guide for Moscow and she's able to set up private day time tours for crews.

Nika is very sweet and friendly and she speaks perfect English. (she learned it while attending university in Penn State for a year).

She has experience working with our crews, so give her a call to take you by the hand and show you around.

By the way, Nika also has access to a car (her boyfriend's), if one is necessary to visit sites away from the city center. Just give her some notice via email before you arrive to set this up.

To reach Nika, call her mobile - 8-903-259-7337 or drop her a note via email at spasnika@yandex.ru

Enjoy your guided visit! and let us know how it all went!

Moscow - Cafe Margarita - Beer, Blinis and Fantastic Live Music

The Cafe Margarita in Moscow. Ahhh, The Cafe Margarita...what can I say about this wonderful, tiny Russian music venue? ...Well, for starters it packs a lot of punch for a tiny space. It's the size of your grandmothers TV room or library (and it looks like it too) and it's located in a corner, right across Patriarch's Pond (not very far from our hotel in downtown Moscow). The cafe comes alive in the evenings, when a trio of young, virtuoso musicians - two violinists and one pianist - begin their music sessions by playing beautiful soulful tunes for the audience to sing along.

If you go, don't forget to partake in the singing or in the "marraca" playing. Marracas, in this case, are home made percussion instruments made up of plastic bottles filled with beans. These are handed out to customers, so they can follow along with the musicians as they play. Participation, is part of the fun, so jump right in. You'll have a magical evening that you'll never forget, even long after your gone.


The cafe itself, is an adorable, small and intimate space that attracts a casual crowd. It's so small in fact, that you'd best make a reservation before you go, just in case it fills up before you make it there. The Cafe Margarita only takes cash, so do bring your rubles! In addition, they offer a simple menu of typical Russian food. I've sampled their strawberry blinis (crepes filled with fruit) and they were amazing! I would recommend them to anyone. I've also consumed a so, so fresh salad and a pretty tasty Russian soup. In the Russian tradition, the cafe also serves local and Check beers, aromatic teas, mixed drinks, and of course, vodka! Nastrovia!!! But it's the music show what you're here to experience, so sit back and enjoy.


The Cafe Margarita is an excellent choice for a late night snack or if you just want an adult beverage or some delicious hot tea to warm you up from the cold. Getting there is part of the fun. It's a very pretty walk from our hotel to the Cafe. Along the way, you'll pass some very high end residential neighborhoods that surround Patriarch's Pond. There are also a series of exclusive European boutiques (photos enclosed), French cafes, expensive and modern looking restaurants plus a Wine bar and a lovely looking Viennese pastry shop along the way making you feel as if you were walking the streets of Soho in New York, rather than a neighborhood in downtown Moscow.




Before going into The Cafe Margarita, be sure to take a stroll around Patriarchs Pond right across the street. It's like a miniature Central Park with a pond in the middle and a bench lined walk path that surrounds the water. The pond is a popular ice skating destination for the kids in the neighborhood. If there's ice and/or snow on the ground, they will be there "en force". The last time I visited Patriarch's Pond, there was an impressive ice sculpture exhibit along the water (photo enclosed). There was also an art exhibit of super large format photographs by the walking paths. Once you're done visiting the park (and pond), head to the Cafe Margarita and enjoy the experience.



By the way, The Cafe Margarita is a must experience if you visit Moscow. It is also, one of the top five recommendations of "things to do while in Moscow", posted by the New York Times's Travel Section. For additional information on the Margarita Cafe, Google it. Be sure to put Moscow in the end of the name. There are many individual posts and reviews about the place from previous Moscow visitors.

For more information on The Cafe Margarita's history, please click on the following link: http://www.passportmagazine.ru/restaurants/1073/ The cafe has gone through many re-incarnations since it's initial opening. Read it's history and laugh, it's actually pretty humorous. The name of the cafe is based on a famous Russian book authored by Mikhail Bulgakov (1891-1940), The Master and Margarita. Sadly, Bulgakov's brilliant literary work was suppressed by the Stalinist regime for over forty years.

If interested in reading this book, Amazon sells several English translations. You can also visit The Master and Margarita's official website at: http://www.masterandmargarita.eu/en/. By the way, The Master and Margarita's story takes place, not surprisingly, around Patriarch's Pond.

Cafe Margarita
Address: Malaya Bronnaya ul. 28
Metro: Mayakovskaya or Pushkinskaya
Phone: 699 6534
Open until midnight

Moscow - New Cool eating Diggs!

Just flew Moscow this past month and I found two new restaurants steps away from our layover hotel. Yes, they have English translated menus! What a relief! and one cafe is right next to the other, so here it goes.

The first one is The Icebox Cafe. This is a very modern, Starbucks type cafe with free wi-fi, modern decor, and a relaxing atmosphere where one can linger for hours cruising the net, with out causing a stir. They specialize in pastries, coffees, and simple pre-made salads and sandwiches that you can eat while you are there or you can take back to your room.


The second place is called Biskotti Cafe and you wouldn't know this by reading the sign in the street that reads BNCKOTTN (photo enclosed), but your clue to find this restaurant will be the red bench that sits out in the street, right in front of the place. This is a reasonably priced, western style restaurant, that serves a large variety of international dishes. It also has free wi-fi and offers a relaxing dining atmosphere with hip, modern decor and great music in the background. I had a delicious mozzarella and tomato salad, plus a wonderful shrimp risotto during my first visit. On my second visit, I had a yummy Beef Strogonoff served with wild mushroom over creamy, home-made mashed potatoes. Not bad at all, I promise. Prices are reasonable - About ten dollars per entree and lots of options on the menu.







The location of these places is as follows. Make a right from the front door of the hotel, walk to the corner. Make a right as if you were going to the food market. Walk past the market to the next block on the same side, and just past the fancy men's clothing store (you're still on the same side as the food market), you will see first the Icebox Cafe, and right past it, the Biskotti Cafe. Remember, look for the red bench.

Enjoy these two new, nice eating options nearby the hotel in Moscow. They are really perfect spots to get nice snacks and meals while you're on a short stay in Moscow.

Do you have any favorite watering holes or eating spots in Moscow? Let us know, so we can share them with everyone. Send pictures too, so we can see what you are talking about and don't forget to share this with your flying partners. That's how we grow!

Interesting Sight In Moscow

By any chance, have you seen this building in Moscow? It sits right across the Kremlin, on the other side of the Moscow River, not far from the Red October Russian Chocolate Factory along the water.

To identify it, just look for the large Mercedes Benz logo-sculpture on it's roof. It's pretty visible from the Kremlin - Photo enclosed above.

So what's so important about this particular building in Moscow? Well, amazingly, much sinister, movie-style (Russian) government spying took place here during the Stalin years during the 1940's. At the time (as per my Russian tour guide), the building housed top leaders of the Stalin's government. These folks, sadly, were unaware that their building had double walls to spy on them.

Tragically, as a result of the spying, literally, "through the walls", an obscene number of top government leaders who resided in this building, were exiled to Siberia as a punishment for speaking against Stalin or his government. Eeeek!

Do you know any curious stories about Moscow? If so, send them in, so we can share them with our readers!

Pass this on, so we can grow!

Dosvitania!

Moscow - Sandunovski Sauna/Bath House

Once again, we're back to flying those fantastic four and five day long winter trips to Moscow. These extended stays, provide us with a great opportunity to do "what Russians do" in the winter - they head for the "banya" (the Russian bath house).

So what is this "banya"? Well, it's a Russian spa/sauna, a restaurant and a bar all packed up into one place - A perfect place to relax, defrost and detox your body Russian style.

While you visit, you may have a full meal, drink a variety of alcoholic beverages, sweat in scorching hot saunas and dip in freezing cold pools. It sounds awful, but it's great, I promise. The banya is a very popular activity for Russians of all ages during and a preferred meeting place for politicians and business men.

If interested in a "banya", head to the fanciest and most historical one in central Moscow, The Sandunovski Bath House, which is located only a couple of blocks away from the Kremlin. This attractive bath house, was originally built in the 1890's for the nobility and was later refurbished to it's original architectural splendor in 1992. In the 1900's, the Sandunovski bath house, was frequented by famous people like Leo Tolstoy and Alexandr Pushkin. Today (thank the communist gods) it welcomes everyone.


Banya attendance in Russia, cuts across all ages and social classes and it's considered a great equalizer. Everyone, regardless of class or rank is treated the same while at the banya. Russians also believe that while the church is good medicine for the soul, the "banya" is the best medicine for the body. As a result, most Russians consider a visit to the banya an integral part of their daily lives.

If you decide to visit the Sandunovski Bath Housee, plan your visit carefully. Have your hotel concierge write the address of the bath house in Cyrillic, so you can take it with you. This way, you can ask for directions if you get lost. Also, have the hotel call ahead to make a reservation in your name. FYI, there are two levels of spas in the women's side - one is fancier (second floor) and the other (main floor), is the equivalent to a general public admission.

For your first visit, I recommend you purchase the "higher end" ticket, just in case you need extra help navigating the rules of the bath house. All banya services - drinks, food, massages, slippers, towels, scrubs, etc.- are available "a-la-carte" and for an extra charge. If you decide to go, just bring yourself and all else will be provided.

Be prepared to shed your clothes in an open space with all other spa visitors. They provide secured lockers (behind the spa counter) to store valuables. The essence of the banya experience (as I discovered) is to alternate repeated visits to the hot sauna with cold showers or dips in the freezing cold pool. Do it for as many times as you can stand it. In between these sessions, catch your breath in the lounge, drink some shots of vodka and relax.



After a few sessions of hot and cold, a massage, a body scrub, birch branch back whacking plus some delicious, hot mint tea, I felt my body the most relaxed I have ever felt. When I walked back to my hotel, my feet felt like they floated above the snow and I could barely feel the freezing cold chill of the night. I understood then why the banya was so popular in Russia, specially, during the winter months.

FYI - Folks will be walking around the banya completely nude, wearing a cone shaped, felt hat. Don't freak out. While this is definitely odd looking, the hats serve a very important purpose. They protect the top of ones head from burning while inside the very hot Russian saunas. Who knew these were kept so hot? If you go, protect your brain cell and the top of your hear and either wear the obligatory cone hat or a simple towel wrapped around your head.

Hope you enjoy the banya! as much as I did!

Nastrovia!


PS- Sandunovsky Bath House has a different entrance door for men and women. The men's entrance, is right on the corner (photo enclosed below); The women's entrance, is half a block down the street that runs to the right of the men's entrance. (Photo enclosed above with lady entering)


Sandunovsky Baths

Full Name: Sandunovsky Baths, Moscow, Russia
Cost: From Rbl1000; children from Rbl300
Opening Hours: Daily 8am-10pm
Address: Building 3-7, 14 Neglinnaya Ulitsa 107031
Directions: Kuznetsky Most Metro
Contact Details: Sandunovsky Baths
Phone: +7 (8) 495 625 4631 or +7 (8) 495 628 4633 (private banya)

Moscow - Museum Of Gulag History

The Museum of Gulag History in Moscow, is a tiny museum wedged between upscale shops and cafes, near the Bolshoi theater in downtown Moscow.

Like a "small house of horrors", this museum documents a tragic chapter in Russian history (most active during the Stalin era) when millions of Russian citizens where forced into brutal Siberian labor camps when suspected of being "enemies of the State". These camps were active during the years of 1918 through 1988.

To find the museum, please follow Brenda Skeen's (DCASW) directions - she was there this past week and claims that her visit was well worth it and her experience, very powerful. To locate the museum, "...take the street to the right of the Bolshoi Theater, pass the theater and several blocks past the TSUM department store...(you'll find the museum)...tucked in between a lot of swank stores on the right side...you can't miss it if you look for the barbed wire". (thank you Brenda!)

If you wish to learn a bit more about the "Gulags" before you go, I recommend you visit this impressive site produced by the University of George Mason. (link follows)
It's called Gulag - Many Days, Many Lives and it's a compilation of Gulag survivor interviews, short films, photographs, paintings, poems and stories from survivors of the Gulags.
Gulag: Many Days, Many Lives | Days and Lives

Museum of Gulag History
16 Petrovka, Moscow
www.museum-gulag.narod.ru
Entry Fee - $1.20

Photo and story, courtesy of Brenda Skeen (DCASW). Thank you Brenda!

MOSCOW - Hot Baked Potatoes!

Sometimes all one craves after a long international flight is a small, hot snack before crashing into deep REM in your hotel bed. In Moscow, you can go to "Mr. Potato"- at least, that's what I call the place, since I can't read the sign in front of the store. They serve perfect sized, large, hot baked potatoes stuffed with a variety of fillings of your choice to eat there or to take out.

"Mr. Potato" is a diminutive store no larger than a walking closet. It's primarily a take-out place, but they do have three or four stools along a tiny, cramped bar in case you prefer to eat your potato right there when you purchase it.

"Mr. Potato" is located across the street from Coffee Mania, on Nikitskaya Street, with in walking distance of our downtown layover hotel. Ask the concierge for directions before you leave the hotel. Hint, the inside is bright yellow and the logo on the entry door, is a circle containing a man carrying a huge potato (photo enclosed).

A baked potato with one or two fillings at "Mr. Potato" will set you back a couple of bucks and it will leave you tummy warm and full. Eat one and you will feel "just right" to head back to your room for some badly needed sleep.

"Mr. Potato" is a chain, so wherever you see the logo around the city, you'll be able to step in for a freshly baked and stuffed potato.

Enjoy!
Enjoy!

Historical Museum. Moscow

Short Moscow layover? No time to tour the city? No worries, visit the Historical Museum on Red Square, for some fascinating Russian history .

The museum is housed inside a fancy red brick building from the 1870's, directly across St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square (photo enclosed).

To enter, you must pay an entry fee (about 10 dollars cash). Pre-recorder English guides (highly recommended) are available for an extra fee.

The museum houses a wonderful collection of gold artifacts, ancient manuscripts, old coins, city paintings that show how Moscow grew, religious icons, etc. Plus, one can view the beautifully painted interior ceilings of this historical building.

Check with your concierge for current museum hours of operation before heading for a visit, since the official museum website is not very user friendly.


Historical Museum. Moscow museums. Places to visit. Sight of interest of the Moscow.

Private English Speaking Driver - Moscow

Can you read these directions in Russian? Well, neither could we, that's why we hired a driver in Moscow that spoke English when we visited a historical site outside of the city limits this past week.

Yes, you can venture out on the Metro and then connect to the public bus system to reach these sites, but if we had done this, we would have never found the place or discovered it's various stunning porcelain exhibits, for we could not read any of the signs.

In comes Igor, the taxi driver we hired for a few hours from the hotel. He was our life saver! (the Taxi stand is located in the lobby of our downtown layover hotel). We hired him by the hour for about $45 dollar an hour and he drove us in comfort in a car large enough to fit five. He found the Estate we wanted to visit with out a problem with the aid of his modern GPS. Once we got there, he asked all the million dollar questions like "where's the entry door"(this is always a tricky one in Russian tourist sites), "how much do we have to pay to enter" and "what else is there to see in this site". Honestly, there's no way that we could of figured out any of this by ourselves, I mean it. No one at the estate spoke English and you can see for yourself what the signage looked like in the photo above!

We visited that day The Arkhangelskoe Country Estate, home of the "exceptionally wealthy Prince Yusupov". The property is located about 30 minutes away from Moscow's downtown by car, depending on traffic.

The charge for his services ( through the hotel) were $45 dollars per hour, but if you call him ahead of time, he claims that he can rent a private vehicle and then charge us less - $30 to $35 dollars per hour instead. For this, one must call him ahead of time on his private phone number so he can rent a car ahead of time and get the day off. His number if you decide to call him from Moscow is 8-906-052-9597. His rates when shared between two or three people, can be real deals. We ended paying about $50 dollars each between three, including a tip.

When we visited The Yusopov's Estate, the main home was closed for renovations and we did not find out about this until we got to the property. Actually, we were not even advised of this closure at the gate when we purchased our full price entry tickets. Amazing, but so Russian, I'm afraid. Fortunately, there were a couple of other pretty amazing exhibits on the property and with Igors' help, we were able to locate them. Thanks Igor!

If you choose to hire Igor for an excursion, you'll have a wonderful time with him. He's a very tall, gentle, professional young man who studied music in college and he has lived in Moscow since he was 15 years old, so he knows the city very well. Don't forget to tip your driver at the end of your excursion please. Russians make very little money and Moscow, as you know, is a very expensive city.

Dosvitania! (see you later..)

Tretyakov State Gallery - Moscow

I visited the Tretyakov Gallery on my last trip to Moscow and it was amazing! If you love art and specifically paintings, this is the place to go. In my opinion, it's even more impressive than the Pushkin Museum of Art in Moscow.

The Tretyakov State Gallery is a mammoth collection of Russian art from the 11th to the 20th Century. It was originally the private collection of Mr. Pavel Tretiakov's, a wealthy Russian industrialist of the 1800's. He donated his collection to the city of Moscow in 1892, for the creation of a National Gallery or Art for Russia.

If you like Russian Icons or Impressionist style paintings by Russian artists, you will love the stuff in this museum. Don't miss the laminated English cards with explanations of the art in each room. You may also rent the pre-recorded English tours for additional fee.

To get to the Tretyakov Gallery, you can either take the Metro (a bit confusing ) or walk from our layover hotel. The walk is easy, scenic and really, not that far. Just head towards the Kremlin, cross Red Square and pass St. Basil's cathedral heading towards the river. Cross the river by taking the Moskvoretskiy Bridge located right behind St. Basil's. Continue on that same street until you cross the river a second time. You will now be at the start of Bolshaya Utilisa (Bolshaya Avenue) a lively commercial street. Don't go down this street, instead, turn right along the river bank and walk by the water for one or two small blocks until you reach the next pedestrian bridge that crossed back over the river. Don't cross over the river, instead, make a left on that street and walk away from the river. The museum is on your right on that first block. It's a red brick complex that has English and Russian signs pointing to the entrance doors (photos enclosed).

For more information on the Tretyakov's hours of operation, it's admission prices and about it's special exhibits, you can visit their main web site on the following link -Tretyakov State Gallery

I hope you enjoy your day at the museum like I did!

A Little Bit of India at Maharaja Restaurant - Moscow

On my last trip to Moscow, I joined the crew at The Maharaja, a fantastic Indian restaurant near Red Square. I learned about this restaurant from Phil, our first officer. He found Maharaja the previous week while he walked the streets of Kitai Gorod. At the time, he decided to eat his dinner there and loved it, so much, that he couldn't wait to get back there for more the following week and invited us to come along.

Well, Phill was right! the restaurant was wonderful. Thanks Phill! The service was attentive and welcoming ( a rarity in Moscow), and the food was really tasty. In a city best know
n for hard staring waiters, difficult to read menus and high prices, The Maharaja was such a pleasant surprise. They served great food, had a friendly staff and the prices were reasonable - We spent about $30 dollars each (excluding alcohol).

If you want to eat at The Maharaja, it's not hard to find. About a 20 minutes walk from our layover hotel, it's just off Red Square (about 6 blocks away). Make a left on the street right at the end of the GUM Department store. This street turns into Pokrova Utilisa. Maharaja is located right off Pokrova, in a tiny street that crosses Pokrova Utilisa called Starodsadski. This street is between a Gourmet Supermarket on the right side of Pokrova and a light blue church. Turn right into this small street, walk about 10 steps and on your left, you will find the entry door for Maharaja.

Passport to Moscow food critics claim that the Maharaja serves the best Curry west of Dubai! I can tell you that my Chicken Tika was delicious!

Maharaja's address is: 2/1 Pokrova, Kitai Gorod. Make sure the concierge writes the address in Russian before you leave the hotel so you can ask for directions in case you get lost. To get there, you can either walk from the hotel or take the Metro to the Kitai-Gorod stop.

The Maharaja accepts credit cards, their staff speaks English and they have English menus (what a relief!). A major plus for Moscow, I promise!

Have a great meal!

The Maharaja Restaurant
2/1 Pokrova
Kitai Gorod
921-9844
(open from noon to 11pm)

The Bolshoi Theatre of Russia

Do you want to see the The Bolshoi Ballet perform in their home turf next time you're in Moscow? If that's a yes, have the hotel concierge call to reserve your tickets, as soon as you arrive at the hotel from the airport. You may also purchase tickets via the official Bolshoi website, an option that I have not explored.

If you're serious about going to one of these shows, have your credit card ready and be prepared to cough up $90 to $120 dollars per seat. Last minute seats go fast over the phone and if you take too long to think about it the seats and price you were quoted, will be gone. Remember, the Bolshoi Ballet only performs at home in Moscow during the winter months because during the summer months, they tour the world, so it's best to see in the winter months.

The Bolshoi Theatre is located a short walk away from our downtown layover hotel. Check before you go, which theatre will hold your performance because they have several performance sites for the Bolshoi in Moscow. If you're not familiar with the layout of the city, be sure to get clear directions from the front desk attendants for your assigned theatre before you leave the hotel or take a cab so you won't get lost. One last thing, please, don't be late!

For additional information/schedules for The Bolshoi Theatre performances for 2010, please visit the official Bolshoi Theatre website (in English) in the following link: The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia

Flavored Russian Vodkas

Everyone knows that Russia is the land of Vodka, but did you know that Russia has hundreds of vodka brands to choose from? and that some of them are flavored with herbs, fruits or with honey? if this interests you, keep reading.

The "In Your Pocket" Moscow free guide claims that the best Russian vodkas are Russky Standart Platinum, Diplomat and Marusya and that the cheapest ones are, Sibirskaya, Korona and Zolotaya Bochka .

If you want to buy vodka while in Moscow, go the local supermarket (there is one right around the corner from our layover hotel), or to the Gourmet Russian Supermarkets, like Gum Gastronom located inside the GUM department stores, or to the Duty Free shops at the airport.

The supermarket will be your cheapest option, but the selection is limited. Duty Free shopping is more user friendly, because the sales people speak English and the selection is better than the supermarket, but don't expect to see hundreds of options there either. For a greater selection of upscale brands of vodka, head to the The Gourmet Supermarkets, but expect to pay more.

I saw a colorful selection of "flavored vodkas" that may interest you, in a Duty Free shop at the airport. They sold individual bottles for $6 to $12 dollars a piece or pre-packaged sets of five small bottles (each of a different flavor) for $8 dollars a set. This set is a nice option if you're interested in sampling the different flavors. Some of these flavors are cranberry, honey, honey chilly and birch (picture enclosed).

I also spotted some cute Matroshka Doll shaped Vodka bottles (photo enclosed) in the same Duty Free Shop at the DME airport. This shop is the first one on your right, after the the security check point and immigration. These bottles were not only attractive, but they were unusual because of their shape. However, their price was high. Each bottle sold for $29 dollars. Quite a bit more than all the others. Oh well.

Next time you're in Moscow, take some time to check out the Russian vodkas and let me know what you find. If you discover anything interesting, let us know, so we can share it with our readers. Send your story to us at postcards@me.com and we will publish it in our next post.

For additional information about Vodka, click on the enclosed link by Wikipedia. Vodka - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Enjoy and Nastrovia!

Moscow - Get your Russian Fur Hat

(DCA crew in Moscow photographed)

Many of you have written to ask me questions about buying a Russian fur hat. Where do I get one, what kind of furs are these hats made from and how much do they cost?

Well, here's the skinny on the Russian hats. You can find fur hats for sale in several locations around Moscow. One of the most accessible spots is right in front of the entry gate to Red Square. As you approach the ancient metal entry gates, you will see several the free standing, souvenir stalls. Some of these sell Russian fur hats.

A second good option is Old Arbat Street. This is a pedestrian mall with in walking distance from our downtown layover hotel (ask concierge for directions) where there are several nice souvenir shops that stock a wide selection of fur hats for reasonable prices.

One last spot and perhaps the least explored, is the gift shop in the main floor of our layover hotel. To find the shop, walk past the elevators in the lobby level and then make a quick right. The shop is on the right side of the hall about 10 steps down. The last time I was there, they had a nice selection of fur hats and they were very reasonably priced, so take a look here before heading out in search of the perfect fur hat.

By the way, most of the "Russian" hats sold to tourists, are made of rabbit fur. These are NOT the same hats that local Russians wear. They may look similar, but the real Russian hats are made of more expensive furs and they cost way more! Lots more!

Hats for tourists come in various sizes and colors and cost anywhere from $30 dollars to $50 dollars, depending on how well you bargain and on how many hats you decide to purchase.

Do you have any other questions about Moscow? please write to us at postcards@me.com
We look forward to your comments and feedback.

Pass it on and help us grow!

Photo, courtesy of Angela Curlee (dcasw)

Moscow - Free Moscow Guides in English

This is a great little free English city guide that has really good suggestions for "things to do" in Moscow. See if you can find one of these In Your Pocket Moscow Guides. They are usually kept in most Moscow hotel lobbies, restaurants, etc. but if you can't find a copy, just visit their website for more information on Moscow by clicking the following link - www.inyourpocket.com/russia/Moscow

Once you've seen this guide, let us know what you think of it. Also, if you have any other suggestions about places or activities we shouldn't miss while in Moscow, let us know by submitting your ideas to postcards@me.com. We look forward to your feedback.

Dosvitania!

MOSCOW - Must Applications for your iPhone

There are several iPhone Applications that will make your trip to Moscow a breeze. They are the following:

-The Russian Alphabet - This is helpful Application for when you're trying to read anything while in Russia. Their Cyrillic alphabet is as confusing as Chinese writing. Made by Proffit Ink ($1.99).

-Moscow Subway 2010 - This is one of my favorite travel iPhone Applications. It's very easy to use and it's in English! A major plus in Russia, believe me. It contains colorful diagrams of all the metro lines and stops in the Moscow Subway system so you'll never get lost if your choose to ride it. Made by Asteria ($2.99).

-SpeakEasy Russian - An fun Application that tells you in short recordings and by category, how to say all the essentials, "hi, good bye, where's my beer", etc. Very useful in a country where few speak English. Made by Benjamin McDowell ($3.99)

-Moscow Street Map - A map of Moscow Application with options like "tell me where I am" and where I can find the nearest ATM, Bank, etc. - very useful in a country where all directions are written in Cyrillic. Made by Dubbele.com ($1.99)

All these iPhone Applications were generously shared with us by Phil Schmoeller, IAD Flight Officer for UAL. Thanks Phil!

If you have any travel questions or suggestions about Moscow or any other travel destination, share them with us and write to postcards@me.com. We'd love to hear from you!

Moscow - The Tchaikovsky Conservatory

To attend a classical music concert in Moscow, go to the historical Tchaikovsky Conservatory located within walking distance of our layover hotel. It is the yellow building with white columns that sits almost next to Coffee Mania on Nikistkaya Avenue, right behind the Lenin statue shown in the enclosed photo (get directions from the concierge). The main entry door to the Conservatory is right behind the Lenin statue. (photo enclosed).

Shows at the Conservatory start at around 7pm and tickets go for 400 to 500 Rubles (about $13 dollars), depending on the location of your seat. The theater is beautifully ornate on the inside, worth the price of admission.

Show schedules and tickets can be obtained from the Hotel's Front Desk (they order them over the phone) or you can go directly to the conservatory on the evening of a show and purchase your tickets from the "not so friendly" ticket booth attendants. I recommend the first option, since the lobby theater will seem confusing and chaotic for a first timer, and it will be very crowded right before the show.

For more information (in English) about the Conservatory, i.e., schedules, shows, history of the conservatory and a seating plan, click on the enclosed link : Moscow P. I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory - Halls - Great Hall

Enjoy the show!

Do you have a favorite cultural venue in Moscow? Ballet, Art, Music? Share it with us! Send us your story to postcards@me.com and we'll post it in our blog.

Moscow - An Amazing Cup of Hot Chocolate

If you're into drinking thick-as-mud, ebony black, delicious hot chocolate, the type that you can eat with a spoon, here's a wonderful little coffee shop near our layover hotel that serves a killer cup.

I can't pronounce the name of the place, but I'm enclosing the photo of their street sign so you can find it. Much like our Starbucks chain in the States, these coffee shops can be found all over Moscow. See if you can spot one as you walk around the city. They are not as expensive as Coffee Mania and they are very popular with the student crowds. The one near our hotel is located almost across the street from Coffee Mania, the trendy and expensive Cafe on Nikitskaya Street, an easy walk from our layover hotel.

To get there, head towards the Kremlin via Nikitskaya Street, pass the three street kiosks on the side walk that sell fruit and snacks across from Coffee Mania. As you go past the last kiosk, you will see the coffee shop in a basement location down brown carpeted steps . Go down and voila! you're there.
(picture enclosed of the steps and sign).

The Hot Chocolate come in three sizes - small, medium or large. I've only tried the small and the medium sizes and they're both decadent. Either size has plenty of hot chocolate and the price per cup is around 400 Rubles
( about $ 7 dollars).

Enjoy the luxury of dark, black hot thick chocolate in the winter! and if you have any Moscow recommendations you wish to share, please send them to us via postcards@me.com so we can publish them.

Pass this on so we can grow.

Moscow - Great Blinies!! Low Price!

If you find yourself walking along Old Arbat Street, the pedestrian mall near the hotel, you'll eventually come upon this colorful red trolley cart. What do they sell/serve? Blinis! the beloved traditional Russian snack - small crepes filled with sweet or salty fillings like caviar or jam.

If you're up for a quick taste and a light snack, head inside the car and check out their simple menu. They have an English translation with pictures by the cash register so you can easily, point and purchase blinis and drinks.

Once you receive your goods, you can either eat inside the trolley (although it's kind of tight and crowded at times) or outside in one of their two tables in front of the trolley car.

Enjoy!

PS- Classically blinis are served with sour cream, caviar or smoked salmon.

Do you have any restaurant or travel suggestions about Moscow that you wish to share with us?
If you do, please submit them to
postcards@me.com

Moscow - Dinner or Lunch with a View

For a lovely rooftop view of the Kremlin plus friendly and attentive service (drinks, lunch or dinner) try the rooftop restaurant at the Hyatt Hotel in Moscow.

The Hyatt is located one block away from the Bolshoi Theatre (if you stand and look at the Bolshoi straight on, it will be to your right, one block over, in the street parallel to the park). You can ask your concierge for directions, if my directions sound confusing.

Enjoy!