Explore More - Epic Expedtions

MOSCOW The political and

MOSCOW The political and economic center of Russia, Moscow is the country’s largest and most impressive city—a modern metropolis ripe for exploration Far from the gray and secretive world of cold war espionage dramas, Moscow is a megacity with approximately 12.5 million people and a history reaching back more than 800 years. A cultural center for Russia’s ballets and orchestras, it also boasts a wealth of iconic architecture, spectacular sights, impressive monuments and eye-watering shopping experiences for those with deep pockets. Start your exploration in Red Square (in Russian, Krasnaya Ploshchad)—home of the Kremlin, a walled complex of palaces, cathedrals and government offices, much of which is open to the public, including the Patriarch’s Palace, the Kremlin Armory and the State Kremlin Palace. Lenin’s Mausoleum can also be found here, as can the striking St. Basil’s Cathedral with its renowned colored domes. Cross the Moskva River to the picturesque Gorky Park and visit the impressive New Tretyakov Gallery, filled with 20th-century classics by Marc Chagall and Wassily Kandinsky, among others. The Tretyakov Gallery is also on this side of the river, housing a collection of more than 170,000 artworks. Wander back through Red Square and along the attractive Nikolskaya Street, browsing the designer names inside the GUM Department Store, and then up toward the Bolshoi Theater. If you are able to see a ballet there, its stunning red and gold interior will take your breath away. Must-sees Traffic jams in central Moscow are common, so travel by Metro. Trains run more often than any other subway in the world—every 1½ minutes at peak times—ferrying more than 6 million passengers a day. Many of the Metro stations themselves are a sight to behold, with large vaulted interiors and marble columns, most of which were designed or decorated by famous Russian architects. Find ornate mosaics, stained Clockwise, from above: Red Square featuring St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin’s Spasskaya Tower; the Komsomolskaya Metro station; statue outside St. Basil’s Cathedral; the vaulted interior of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior 82 VIKING.COM EXPLORE MORE

CITY GUIDE glass panels, and even sculptures and art. The history of Russia’s space exploration is just as interesting as NASA’s, so venture out to the Cosmonaut Museum, which sits at the foot of the arresting Explorers of the Cosmos monument. The museum covers the history of Russian astronomy, flight and space programs—from the Sputnik satellites to the first manned spaceflight, the first space walks and more, including the space dog Laika and cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. Shopping If the rich pickings of the GUM Department Store and Petrovsky Passage are a bit beyond your means, head to the Izmailovsky Market for handmade crafts, traditional toys and unique souvenirs, from Russian antiques to classic winter hats. For a wide range of stores and restaurants, as well as a massive aquarium, visit Aviapark—the secondlargest mall in Europe. Gastronomy In Russia’s capital, you can expect to find a fabulous, thriving culinary scene that is both modern and traditional, with residents still looking for those same authentic dishes and flavors that have been staples in Russia for generations. Russian cuisine is both distinctive and unique, and heavily features meat, poultry and fish in dishes served on special occasions. Among the most popular is the blini, a type of mini pancake that is served with sweet or savory toppings, including caviar and smoked salmon. Pelmeni are the Russian version of dumplings that are a favorite in this part of Europe. Moscow locals are also partial to piroshky, a simple pie stuffed with vegetables or meat. Go online: Watch a video of the Waterways of the Tsars itinerary at vrc.com/videos. EXPLORE MORE VIKING.COM 83