Moscow

Moscow

In Moscow we begin where Russia begins, in Red Square naturally.  With the colorful St Basil’s cathedral at one end, the square is the heart of the capital and it is from here we step behind the imposing walls of the Kremlin.  Inside its fabled cathedrals and extensive collections at the Armory, we begin to understand the historical foundations of this grand and imposing country.
In our exploration of the city we’ll also cruise along the Moscow River, see a top-calibre show (the Moscow State Circus, for one or the Bolshoi ballet), and visit the Tsar’s summer estate at Kolomenskoye.  The galleries we survey provide insight into Russian art from early icons to more contemporary masterpieces.   There’s time for shopping too, of course, and as we’ve been visiting Moscow with international school groups since 1990, we know just the shops and markets for you.
Highlights
  • Discover the treasures of past czars in the Kremlin Armoury
  • Explore the mazelike interior of St Basil’s Cathedral   
  • Delve into the horrors of the Stalin era at the Gulag Museum  
  • Bargin while shopping along Arbat Street 
  • View the contents of the Lenin Mausoleum   
  • Take in a performance of the famed Bolshoi Ballet   
  • Enter the Kremlin through the famed Trinity Gate  
  • Probe into the role of the Soviet military in WWII at the Victory Park Museum   
  • Laugh through a show at the famed Moscow circus   
  • Learn about post Soviet education with a visit to a local Moscow school    
  • Photograph the capital’s panorama from the Lenin Hills  
  • Take the plunge into Russian cuisine with a serving of traditional Beef Stroganoff
When to go
moscow1The city is a year round destination with not a bad time to visit.    And before you shiver at the thought of heading to Moscow during a Zhivago winter, note that at least half of our groups travel during to Moscow during the months of November to March.  Maybe because our first group to Moscow was in December 1989 and there was just something about viewing the snow topped domes of St Basils wearing gloves, scarf and a Russian hat followed by a steaming serving of borscht.  Can’t get more Russian than that.  Getting warmer, spring can be beautiful, a city coming out from under the snow.   With the flowers in Alexander Gardens in bloom, with the city’s green spaces truly green and when the skies are (often) blue, the months of April through June are wonderful.   September and October are months of change with mostly favorable weather…warm enough to explore without much consideration.  Yet, regardless of the season you choose, etr, with 20 years experience in the capital, will make sure you get the most out of your time in Moscow.
How long do you need for your Moscow exploration?
etr tours has been operating student tours to Moscow since 1990 and most often we suggest a minimum of four nights to get a real feel for the capital and the unique historical and cultural elements.  However, most of our groups combine Moscow with the second capital, St Petersburg, for an intriguing (and time efficient) seven night program.    Drop us a line and we can outline what it contains.   But remember, as 100% of etr’s programs are custom designed, we can build the best program for your specific duration and your academic focus.
Flights
Moscow, with two major airports, is served by over 50 airlines, including etr partner airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Swiss International and Air France. From the Middle East, daily flights easily get our groups to Moscow with Emirates or Qatar Airlines.
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