Anyone been to Moscow?

[FortFunFoSho]

How was it? Worth a trip?

Curious about it..

 

[rival]

in moscow, the trip takes you!

 

[beer]

I'd imagine it's not a plce you want to visit in the middle of winter.

 

[kami333]

I spent 3days in St Petersburg then took the overnight train to Moscow and spent 3days there last spring while I was studying in Europe. It was definately worth the trip for me, I'm a bio/history double major and although my concentration is in ancient history, I've taken all the Russian history classes offered. It was quite mind blowing for me cause I got to go to all the places I had read and studied about in class.

If you have the option, I'd go to St Petersburg rather than Moscow, although they are both worth it. St Petersburg just felt better to me, Moscow seemed like any other big city, rather modernized (to an extent) and lots of people. Be ready for a culture-shock, it was really wierd. Like walking down the main streets it's all nice and modern, take the wrong turn and you're in a courtyard with rusting Soviet era cars laying around. And all these people begging/selling stuff on the streets, especially near stations. Russian women were very pretty though, they know how to dress well. Too bad the same isn't true for the guys, all these big dudes in leather jackets walking around.

Food was ok, be ready to eat lots of meat, potatoes, and borsch. Night life was pretty good, if you end up going to Moscow be sure to check out the Karma Bar and the Hungry Duckling.

 

[FortFunFoSho]

I have travelled Europe fairly extensively. This summer i was going to visit a friend who is in the peace corps in Bishkek.

So we thought maybe hit up Moscow first.

Is it a must see?

St. Petersburg is a bit far away..

 

[kami333]

There's definately stuff to see and lots of stuff to buy (there a huge souvenir market/outdoor bazaar place near the outskirts). Kremlin, Lenin's Tomb, KGB museum, lots of stuff you could see. Whether it's worth the trip or not is a difficult one. There are other cities that are more worthwhile, IMO, like Prague or St Petersburg (lol, I love the place), but if it isn't too far out of your way, why not?

 

[Yosoce]

Moscow is lots of fun! I was there this summer and the Red Square was closed due to terrorist concerns, but it doesnt matter the Kremlin and the whole central Moscow area is great. Outside of the ring roads its not worth it tho, there its just dirty and squalid and everything you've been taught to expect from Russia. Definately hit up the black-market CD place ("CD-Rina") and the big open air bazaar (the stop is on the blue line I believe, somethings-skaya--dont remember). Most of all, go through the Alexendrevsky Park next to the Kremlin and talk to people, most of the vendors know english and are happy to practice it on you if you dont know Russian very well. I managed to get half a bottle of vodka and a tour of Arbat Street (another open-air market, but way overpriced) from some guy because I gave him part of a pretzel and let him practice english.

 

[Farbio]

pm markjrubin, he spent a few days there last year, he can tell you some stuff on visas and the like since he did his the exact opposite way you should

 

[Ameesh]

I've been to Moscow and St. Petersburg, i was pleasently surprised atr how beautiful both cities were and how incredibly hot the women are. there is good "shopping" and lots of sights to see if youa re at all into russian history. i would reccomend it.

 

[steveeast112]

It's a great place, but I personally think that both the cities of St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod are a lot nicer. I went to Russia on a foreign exchange trip, and I think that Moscow is way too modernized, but its good for seeing the basic sites like Red Square, St Basils, and Lenin's tomb. Other than that, most people agree that St Petersburg is the center of cultural life in Russia due to the gorgeous palaces and canals. If you have an extra few days, go see the city of Nizhny Novgorod. Its a very interesting place because it was a closed city during the USSR so you can see a lot of Soviet-era factories. Its pretty neat. If you want a bit more info on Russia, don't hesitate to PM me.