This is a guest post from Michal Kniec, A student from Canada.
As a Canadian I welcome the winter and everything that comes with it. I find it welcome to visit places not only during the season but experience the beauty within such scenery. When I came across the opportunity to visit Moscow during my Christmas break I knew I couldn’t turn it down.
Red Square at Night
The city is not known for being easy on the traveller’s pockets so some research ahead of time saved me a bundle of money. Focusing on finding a place to stay I found that the HM Hostel Moscow offered the best service and was located in the heart of the capital. Priced at around $40 a night, the hostel was small but certainly a great location in an otherwise expensive city. With a large TV in the recreational room and just a block away from Arabat Street, I certainly didn’t have any complaints.
With the snow gently falling across my face I went to the most famous attraction in the city: the Red Square. It is considered the hub of the city, as all the streets meet at the center and is flanked by the most famous buildings in the city. The name of the square derived from the word Krasnaya which means either red or beautiful. Taking in the air and the magnificent size I watched people go about their day as soldiers marched across the great plain.
Winter Red Square
While at the square I wanted to observe the once great communist leader in his mausoleum. Vladimir Lenin’s final resting place has been a site of great pilgrimage for many political devotees. A place of mourning but also of education, going there felt like exploring a crucial part of the countries past.
Exploring the Kremlin, cathedrals and museums all near the square I wanted to find something a little more unique. Taking a stroll through the outskirts of the city center, I stumbled upon the Old English Court. Being attracted by the unique name in the Russian city, I found that the quaint old building was a museum dedicated to Russo-English relations. Presenting an array of different types of money, documentation as well as visual representations, it was a very different experience.
Feeling famished, I decided to find somewhere to dine out in Moscow. With a budget in mind, Le Pain Quotidien was highly recommended by several people I approached on the streets. With most food priced between $14 and $26, I ordered the Confit de Canard with roaster potatoes and onions. The wondrous taste still haunts me as I think about that meal. Whether you’re interest in a small snack or a full meal, I’d definitely recommend it.
Church in Tsaritsino Estate
The winder wonderland that was Moscow should not be missed. With so many different things to do for a reasonable price it is a must see destination that will leave you yearning for more. With something for everything, the rich history and culture provides one of the most enjoyable experiences imaginable.
Author Bio: Michal Kniec
Michal Kniec, after completing a History degree in Canada, decided that a little change of scenery would do him some good and moved across the world to Manchester. Now studying law, he loves to write, cook, and travel as much as possible on this pale blue dot.
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Moscow sounds like a great place to visit but I never knew it was considered expensive to travel there. Is it cheaper to go doing our Christmas or would you recommend a better time?
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It looks beautiful from the images and I have always had an interest in Russia. Thank you for sharing this. And yes, Le Pain Quotidien is a restaurant I’ve fallen back on many times in many different countries when I needed something good and didn’t understand the local places. It’s a good worldwide chain that doesn’t feel like a chain restaurant.
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There are certain parts of Russia I’ve been interested in, I imagine it’s a very interesting country to visit but never considered it as a winter wonderland before either.
Very interesting !