Moscow - A Great Weekend

The wow factor hit me from the second I stepped off the plane at Moscow’s super New Domodedovo Airport. I didn’t know quite what to expect, was it to be a question of ‘going back in time’, would I need to take a plug with me for the sink in my Hotel room, will the snow be up to my neck and I wouldn’t be able to get around, am I allowed to go anywhere I want or will there be someone watching me at all times?

All my concerns and questions were answered almost immediately upon arrival. Domodedovo airport was one of the most modern I have ever visited and it was just plain sailing from landing to collection of baggage.  But beware, Domodedovo airport could be the last place in Russia that you see the English language!

Transfers to Moscow from the airport are simple and inexpensive as the taxis are well regulated or you can travel by bus or train.  The train platform is almost inside the terminal building.

One thing that strikes you drive from the airport to the centre of Moscow is that although there is a steady trickle of snow, there is non on the roads or on the pavements.  The reason for this is an army of workers keeping the roads and pavements clear, constantly clearing and sweeping, every few turnings you see snow ploughs parked up.

We arrived at the Ararat Park Hyatt Hotel which is within walking distance of Red Square, the Bolshoi, Lenins Tomb and the Kremlin.  Check in was quick and efficient, our passports were kept for registration! And returned to us an hour or so later.  The Hotel is spacious and luxurious, the bedrooms are individually designed with all the facilities one expects from one of the top Hotel chains in the World.  Giant size television in the rooms with SKY tv on tap and yes… a plug in the bathroom..

Our first night (of 2) we went for a walk to Red Square, now this is the time to visit Red Square, all lit up, amazing colours, snow on the roof tops. We ate at ‘Russian Theme Restaurant’, the type of restaurant you would expect to find at Disney.  Great food, excellent service, interesting entertainment and a chance to see and taste Russia of old.

Back to the Hotel for a good nights sleep and it’s an amazing breakfast in the morning. The buffet at the Hyatt is second to non with fruits from all over the world on offer. 

Daytime we did the ‘whole’ Moscow tour including Red Square by day, the Kremlin etc. It was like going back in history, seeing areas you had only read about or seen on the television.  The Kremlin, incidentally, is a walled city, not as we had always thought the ‘Houses of Parliament’.  Department stores that would rival any in Paris or London and incredibly opulent restaurants.

Our final night included a visit to the Bolshoi Theatre.  The Bolshoi have Ballet one week and Opera the next, we happened to catch the opera week.  The wow factor arrived yet again, it was like walking into a piece of history, an aware inspiring complex packed to capacity.  I have never seen a stage like it, it seemed to go back for miles and the stage sets were just out of this world and received  standing ovations from the audience before any of the players set foot on the stage. The orchestra pit seated some 40 musicians, and the stage players seemed to have the cast of millions! I was impressed too with the audience that consisted of a large percentage of young people, this was due to the very low, I assume subsidised, entry fee.  We sat close to the stage in the top seats that cost £8 each.

We were sorry to leave Moscow and certainly would go again.  This is certainly going to be one of the top weekend break destinations for the future.  Disadvantages would be waiting for visas which are expensive, the Russian language which is nothing like English making Street signs etc difficult to understand. The advantages outweigh any disadvantages… A great adventure, amazing sites, great food and very friendly people to deal with.

19 September 2005