Essential city breaks guide

Excursion rates include transport service, guide service (English language) and entrance fees.

Moscow city tour: On this city tour you will learn the history of this ancient city, as Moscow’s origins have long been shrouded in the mystery of time, there are many stories linked with it. You will see the unique historical, architectural and cultural points: the Kremlin, the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Moat (which people renamed as the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed), the Bolshoi Theatre, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. You’ll feel the originality and the grandeur of Moscow – the centre of cultural, spiritual, financial and political life of Russia.

The Red Square has always been the main square in Moscow. It was here that the town criers would run with the Tsar’s decrees, and tell of the Sovereign’s will to the crowds who gathered. On days of great church festivals there would be a religious procession from the Kremlin to red Square, and on such days the whole square would fill with people, and it would have the appearance of an open-air church. It was here that the magnificent cathedrals were built. One of them is the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Mother of God at the Moat. The cathedral was built in the mid-16th century by decree of Ivan the Terrible in honor of one of the wars. The small church of Saint Basil, which was built later on the grave of a God’s fool much respected in Moscow, gave the whole cathedral its second, more widely known name of St. Basil’s cathedral. St. Basil’s cathedral is unique among Moscow’s churches. It is not simply a place where people came to pray, but it is also itself an icon in stone.

The Kremlin is the historical centre of the city, the heart of Moscow. This is one of the most famous museums of the world, which continues to attract visitors in great numbers. Kremlin is located on a hill washed from one side by the Moscow-river. On the Kremlin grounds you can see the Tsar Bell and the Tsar Cannon and visit Annunciation (Blagoveschensky), Arkhangel (Arkhangelsky) and Assumption (Voznesensky) Cathedrals, the Bell -Tower of Ivan the Great and the Church of the Twelve Apostles – the wonderful monuments of Russian church architecture with unique richly decorated interiors.

The world-famous Armoury is one of the oldest museums of Russia, a virtual treasure house. It is the collection of Russian, Eastern, Western art works of the V-XX centuries, the tsar’s thrones, garb and armor, the unique silver and golden dishes. The tsars and grand prince’s regalia, the coaches of different centuries, the collection of arms, learn a lot of remarkable stories about the life of their owners. The Armoury as a depository of tsar’s treasures was first mentioned in chronicles at the beginning of the 16th century. That was the prototype of the future museum. Nowadays the collection of the museum numbers over four thousand items.

It is one of the most famous historical places of interest in Moscow of the 16th century. At the same time it is the functioning convent, which belongs to The Russian Orthodox Church. The architectural ensemble of the nunnery was completed at the end of the 17th century and till this day remains among the best of Russia. This was the richest convent in Moscow. Noblewomen of the time became novitiates in this nunnery. The territory of the Novodevichy nunnery is also the burial place. New Maiden Cemetery is divided into “old” and “new”. The quiet, “old” cemetery is situated on the territory of the convent itself, and it is a burial place for: the daughter of Ivan the Terrible, sisters of Peter the First, the heroes of the patriotic war of 1812, prominent writers, philosophers, poets and so on. The “new” cemetery was laid between 1898 and 1904. It is adjoins the convent on its south side. It was extended in the Soviet period when New Maiden Convent became the second most honored place for burials in the USSR, after the Kremlin walls. Among those who were buried on the grounds of the new cemetery was: Chekhov, Gogol, Bulgakov, the wife of Stalin and Nikita Khrushchev.

The State Tretiakov Gallery is the national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the greatest museums in the world. It was formed in 1856 and named after its founder, Pavel Tretiakov, who donated his private collection to the City of Moscow in 1892. The main building of the museum is located not far from the Kremlin. The collection consists of about 125,000 works of art. Among the items are the unique examples of ancient Russian icons, including the outstanding icons painted by Andrei Rublev, Dionissus and Simon Ushakov. There are a lot of works of painters of XIII – XIX c.

The Pushkin Museum is one of the major art museums in Russia. It is located in the center of Moscow, not far from Kremlin, opposite the Cathedral Of Christ the Savior. The collection holds more than half a million items from different epochs. Among them there is a unique collection of plaster copies of famous works of sculpture from the Antiquity, the Middle Ages and The Renaissance. The collection of the museum contains art works of great artists from Italy, Holland, Flanders, Spain, England, France and Germany. There is a world famous collection of French paintings from the 19th to the beginning of the 20th century, which contains major works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso from the collection of Moscow’s legendary art patrons.

Moscow’s famous metro survives in all its constructivist glory, decorated with chandeliers and acres of marble. Most of its stations have been designated as architectural landmarks. The length of the underground lines exceeds 250 kilometers to more than 160 metro stations, new ones are continuously added. The palace-halls of the metro stations, which are among the most beautiful in the world, were built about fifty years ago; the first line was opened in 1935.

Sergiev Posad – the center of Russian Orthodox Church. All the history of the formation of Moscow not only as of the main center of administrative, but also of the religious life of the Russian state would be shown to you during this excursion. You will visit the chapels, churches, cathedrals and monasteries of Moscow. This is a visit to the Holy-Trinity Sergeius Monastery (Lavra), founded by St. Sergeius of Radonezh (1314 – 1392) in 1340. You’ll visit the Sacrisity, where the treasures of Lavra are held: the unique icons, the church clothes, book, presented by the Russian Tsars and grand princes. You’ll see the austere and elegant churches of XV-XVII c., Theological Academy. You’ll learn about the event, connected with Lavra and it’s role in the spiritual life of Russia.

Discover the Real Moscow with the Moscow city break specialists: 0845 299 7807

Exclusively throughout the year, Vamos Travel can provide private guided city tours, which can range from 3 – 5 hours. If you would like a private guide at your disposal, to gain a deeper insight into Moscow and to guarantee a fabulous sightseeing adventure then we suggest you add this to your enquiry form and contact Vamos Travel today. “Let’s Go!”

The Arbat is Moscow's liveliest pedestrianized street, a shopper’s paradise and a symbol of Old Moscow. It is mentioned in the cities chronicles as far back as 1493 and has remained throughout the centuries as a place of vibrancy and of artistic flair. The streets are aligned with souvenir stalls, cafes & restaurants and for first time visitors to the Russian capital, this is a premier short break tourist area to explore. The Arbat is one of the oldest areas in Moscow and to the south of the street visitors have the opportunity to discover an area called Kropotkinskaya, which is a lot quieter and full of historical houses. Here you’ll find, the biggest cathedral in Russia, the Christ our Saviour and the incredible Pushkinsky Museum.

Moscow's celebrated Bolshoi Theatre situated on Theatre Square, is a masterpiece of 19th century Russian neoclassicism and is adorned with a massive, eight-columned portico, surmounted by the horse-drawn chariot of the god of the arts, Apollo. The Bolshoi Theatre is considered to be the second largest in Europe, after the famous La Scala Theatre of Milan, it seats over 2,000 people and its auditorium is an impressive 21 metres tall, 25 metres long and 26 metres wide. Whether or not a lover of opera & ballet holidays, this six tiered auditorium, which is richly ornamented with chandeliers, gold stucco decorations and plush red velvet furnishings is a fantastic place to visit during a weekend stay in Moscow. An evening at the Bolshoi is still one of Moscow's most romantic occasions and we advise anybody visiting on a romantic or culture getaway break to book tickets for a performance.

If the heart of Russia is the Kremlin, then its soul must belong to its oldest facet, Cathedral Square. Also, named the City of God, it is here where tourists can discover the three enormous & most famous cathedrals and marvel upon the spectacular designs, which were the work of Italian architects during the late 15th and early 16th Century. The oldest and largest of the Kremlin's churches, built as the great seat of the Russian Orthodox Church is the impressive Cathedral of the Assumption. This centre piece of Cathedral square was where the Tsars were invested and emperors were crowned. The Cathedral of the Assumption cannot be missed whilst on a weekends break in Moscow, it is undoubtedly a must-see as are the other two cathedrals on the square; The Cathedral of the Annunciation and The Cathedral of the Archangel Michael. Also of interest on the square for discerning travelers, is the Tsar Cannon and Bell. Tsar Cannon is the largest of its kind in the world, with a barrel in excess of five-metres long, weighing over 40 tons and the Tsar Bell, is also the largest in the world. Interestingly, both the cannon & bell have never been used.

Situated on the bank of the Moskva River is the largest Orthodox church in the world, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. It was originally built to commemorate Russia's victory over Napoleon in the Napoleonic Wars. Emperor Alexander I originally commissioned the construction of the church in honor of Christ the Savior in Moscow as a thanksgiving to God and to honor the victorious Russian army. Despite considerable debate about its design, the church was finally completed some 40 years later in 1881 and lavishly decorated, although none of its original decor survived when the church was demolished in 1933 under Stalin’s orders. Through considerable hard work and determination from the Russian public, funds were raised throughout the 90s and Russia’s largest church was reconstructed anew. Today, the Christ the Saviour is a visible symbol of Faith, national glory, honor and a witness to many historical events. Without a doubt, this church is Russia’s most impressive ecclesiastical building and is a must-see during a Moscow city break. Come see the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and feel its power and prestige.

The capital was founded in 1147 by the Grand Prince Yuri Dolgoruky and to protect the ever expanding city from foreign raids, the area was fortified. The many monasteries were also fortified to protect the city under times of threat and one that remains today is the Danilov Monastery. It was founded in 1282 by the son of Alexander Nevsky, Prince Daniil Moskovsky and survived as the last working monastery in Russia until 1930, when the monks were expelled and it was used for a children's home. It was only in 1983, that the state handed the monastery back to the Orthodox Church, which restored it fully. Today, the church is the official residence of the Moscow Patriarch and the seat of the Holy Synod. The Danilov Monastery is one of the finest tourist attractions in Moscow to be enjoyed, where city visitors can discover all four church buildings in all their ancient splendor.

Kazan Cathedral is a name of several Russian churches dedicated to Our Lady of Kazan, a holy icon which the Russian Orthodox Curch probably venerates the most. The original Kazan Cathedral in Moscow was built in 1636, then some 300 years later in 1936 it was destroyed by Stalin, who wanted to make room on the Red square for his military parades. It took until the 1980s, before a decision was made to rebuild the Kazan Cathedral. The restoration was carried out between 1990-93 to the exact details of ancient measurements and historical photographs. Today, many tourists come to the Kazan Cathedral to see the famous pink & white exterior and the many green and gold domes. It’s a great sightseeing attraction and shouldn’t be missed on your Russia holiday break. Come and enjoy the delights of early Muscovite church architecture or time your trip with one of its regular services.

The Moscow Kremlin is Russia's mythic refuge, a city within itself, containing a multitude of palaces, armories and churches, a medieval fortress that links the modern nation to its legendary past. The Kremlin is the heart of Moscow and of the Russian State itself. For most of eight centuries, the Kremlin has been the seat of power for the Princes, Tsars and most recently the Presidents and it is the first place to put on your sight seeing list. It is one of the biggest museums of the world, filled with endless world famous monuments, churches and attractions which cannot be possibly be missed whilst exploring in Moscow. The Kremlin walls, surmounted by 20 towers, envelop beautiful 15th & 16th century cathedrals and churches in Cathedral Square, the Great Kremlin Palace, the Patriarch's Palace and the Palace of Congresses. Other landmark attractions to found are the Tsars cannon, the largest in the world, the beautiful Spasskaya Tower, the world's largest bell, treasures & jewels of Russian tsars, including the Fabergé eggs and the 180-carat diamond given to Catherine the Great. Amongst the many religious sites, spectacular towers and golden domes, we recommend to our city break clients to visit the Armoury Museum and the Diamond Fund, whilst exploring the Kremlin, Russia’s premier holiday hotspot.

Outside the Kremlin wall, facing the Red Square is the Lenin Mausoleum, which contains the embalmed corpse of the first Soviet leader, Lenin, who died in 1924. This granite tomb attracts thousands of curious holiday visitors each year. The Mausoleum itself is a rare masterpiece of modern architectural simplicity, essentially a pyramid of red & black granite cubes. The red to symbolize Communism and the black, to represent the mourning of a leader. The body lies there in a glass casket, bathed in a halo of light, for all visitors to see.

The Lomonosov Moscow State University has more than 600 buildings at its disposal, but none are as impressive as the sky-scraper on Lenin Hills, occupying over 1 million square metres. The MSU imposing central building stands on the Vorobyovy Gory, overlooking the Luzhniki district and makes for a fantastic Moscow holiday snap shot. The enormous gothic skyscraper was commissioned by Stalin, along with 6 others dotted across the capital known as "The Seven Sisters", and was built between 1949 and 1953. The front terrace makes for endless photo opportunities and offers stunning panoramic views of the city.

The Novodevichy Convent (New Nunnery) is a 16-17th century complex of 15 buildings in a tranquil southern suburb of Moscow and is one of the oldest religious complexes in the capital. The Novodevichy is a magnificent architectural ensemble, surmounted by golden domes, valuable wall frescos and interconnected by leafy gardens that are a welcoming break from the bustle of the city. The convent is an extremely attractive place to visit during a weekend break in Moscow, full of irreplaceable artifacts that document the most interesting historical episodes. Novodevichy has been described like a ‘mini Kremlin’ due to the numerous about of buildings & monuments to be found. The biggest landmark to be found here is the 5 domed Smolensk Cathedral built in 1525, but all the other churches have their own unique features and are open to all city breaks visitors. Of further interest is the convent’s cemetery, which subsequently became a traditional burial place for the church dignitaries and lords. It’s the resting place of Chekhov, Eisenstein and many famous Russian poets & writers. The Novodevichy Convent is simply fabulous and should be high on your list of what to do in Moscow.

The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts is also a fantastic place to see and second only in reputation within Russia to the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg. The Pushkin Museum was established in 1912 and is an excellent educational and public institution where the most important periods of art history from the ancient times to the New Age are represented. Artwork collections range from Egyptian to Impressionist, the most notable artists being Claude Monet & Picasso. The collections & exhibitions available to the public are so extensive that it would take days to see everything. We suggest you take a museum plan and start with the rooms that appeal most. Though its not ‘off the beaten track’, discerning explorers will appreciate the art and history that the Pushkin Museum offers. The extensive & impressive collections of works is definitely worth a look. Visitors should hold onto their admission tickets as they are also valid for the adjacent Museum of Private Collections, which displays 19th- and 20th-century Russian and foreign art.

Adjacent to the Kremlin is another spectacular main attraction and is will be firmly on the tourist map of ‘What to see’. Red square is a dramatic 700m-long (2300ft) space, dominated by the walls and towers of the Kremlin on one side and the facade of the GUM department store on the other. For centuries of its existence Red Square has been witness of many famous and tragic events of Russian history. Upon entering Red square one can feel the past & you can almost sense that you’re standing in the spiritual centre of Russia. Throughout hundreds of years, dating as far back as the 15th century, the square has had many different names. It was once called Trinity Square after the Holy Trinity Church which stood where St. Basil's Cathedral is now to be found, but from the 17th century it became known as the Krasnava (Red) Square. Today, the Red square is the centre of Moscow’s festive & cultural events, from concerts to military parades. The Red Square cannot be missed on a luxury break and will be a magnificent highlight during your holiday in Moscow.

The St Basil Cathedral’s domes are Russia’s most famous image and is Moscow’s major landmark city break sight. The cathedral was constructed on the edge of the Red Square, where the Trinity Cathedral was once stood and it was built between 1555 and 1561, to commemorate Ivan the Terrible’s victory over the Mongols at Kazan. The Tsar named the new church the ‘Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin on the Moat’, as the victory day occurred on the festive day of the Intercession of the Virgin. However, the cathedral is more commonly known by its nickname St. Basil's after the ‘holy fool’ Basil the Blessed. St. Basil's is a delightful array of swirling colors and redbrick towers. Its design comprises a central chapel surrounded by eight chapels, each crowned with a different coloured and uniquely patterned onion-shaped dome. Each multi-coloured dome commemorates a victorious assault on the city of Kazan, whereas the ninth & central spire, with its eight-pointed star, symbolizes the Christian Church as a guiding light to mankind. The effect of the ensemble is stunning and will undoubtedly be a highlight during a holiday break in Russia.

The State Tretyakov Gallery is the national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the greatest museums in the world. The most important collection of traditional Russian paintings in the world resides at the Tretyakov Gallery. At present, the Gallery's Collection contains more than 130 000 works of painting, sculpture & graphics, that are displayed in two separate buildings at different locations. The gallery is nothing short of spectacular and for lovers of art & culture, this is a definite must see on your Moscow holidays. The 62 rooms of the Tretyakov Gallery will have you captivated. See for yourselves and make this a culture break you’ll never forget.

“Discover the Real Moscow with Vamos Travel”