Moscow

Russia’s iconic capital Moscow is founded on a turbulent history of revolution and conflicting ideologies. It’s a city of striking contradictions, where old Lada cars look out of place on streets lined with luxury bars, and opulent shopping malls rub shoulders with crumbling housing blocks. Moscow has experienced many changes since the fall of the Soviet Union and the arrival of international tourism. Capitalism has left its mark and, yes, you’ll even glimpse the inescapable yellow arches of a McDonald’s peeking out from behind the russet facade of the Red Square.

Despite its high concentration of oligarchs, poverty is still very much an issue in the capital. But forget the Cold War stereotypes; local people can be very friendly, and the slightest smattering of Russian will get you far. Tours usually allow for some free time to explore the city independently but, if the trip starts in Moscow but barely lingers there, you may want to arrive a few days earlier to take it all in.

Moscow’s Red Square derives its name from the Russian word for ‘beautiful’, rather than the red brick of the formidable fortress walls. The squat vault housing Lenin’s Mausoleum, where the former Soviet leader’s embalmed body is on display to the public, is the only inconspicuous building here. In contrast, directly opposite the tomb, is the lavish three-storey GUM department store, stocked to the rafters with international, high-fashion brands. After visiting the gingerbread house-like State History Museum and the marshmallow swirls of St Basil’s Cathedral, you’ll have time to explore the imposing citadel of the Kremlin. Its great Armoury is home to some of the country’s most remarkable treasures, from entire coaches made of gold to a diamond throne. A trio of three magnificent cathedrals, Ivan the Great’s Bell Tower and the enormous, broken Tsar Bell complete this city within a city.