Travel to Russia

Hunting and Fishing Museum

The first and only musuem of outdoor sports in Russia was opened in 1988. The museum is located in the Central House of Hunters and Fishers. The main exhibition is called 'Biological Diversity' and consists of stuffed wild animals and birds, such as foxes, beavers, raccoons, pheasants, ducks and other animals. The gallery of hunting arms and equipment illustrates the development of hunting weapons in Russia. There are rifles and other hunting arms from the 19th and 20th centuries on display.  Tours in English are also available but if you are not a hunting fan I wouldn't recommend this place... not good for impressionable childrens either.

Kuz'minki Park

Many of the large estates in Moscow's suburbs and beyond were once owned by the country's rich pre-revolutionary aristocracy. This one  in particular was the property of the Golitsyn family. Despite such lofty origins, the park itself suffers from the effects of a major fire in 1915 and decades of Soviet neglect. This does not exactly make it pretty, but the eerie solitude make it a worthwhile escape destination from the city proper. Incidentally, the estate's Egyptian Pavilion now hosts a biological research center.

Church of the Intercession in Fili

This two-storied stone cathedral is an excellent example of Moscow baroque - red-bricked and golden-domed- the structure is a geometric feast amid drab surroundings. Many of the icons inside were painted in 1693-1694 by the master of the Armoury Museum, K. Zolotarev. The furniture in the lower church was made in the early 19th century. The church was shut down in 1930 and, since 1980, has been a branch of the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Culture and Art. Services are not held but you can pray and thanks god for those amazing master pieces!.

All-Russian Exhibition Centre

This sprawling exhibition site was once host to a complex of exhibitions showing off the economic and technological fruits of the Soviet world. These days the 68 pavilions are full of pretty ramshackle stores with all sorts of household goods.  It hosts some 350 exhibitions each year and 40 to 50 of them are international.

Church of the Archangel Michael in Troparevo

This church was built in 1693. It was closed in 1937 and reopened at the beginning of 1989, making it one of the first Moscow churches to be returned to believers in Gorbachev's time. The church is home to the Donskaia icon of the Virgin and fragments of the remains of St. Nicolas. Boris Yeltsin and his wife Naina regularly attended the Easter Day services here but is not likely to be able to see them for safety matters I guess. Services are held daily at 8a and 5p. Liturgies on Sundays are at 7a and 10a.

Museum of Horse-Breeding

Over 35 hundred works of art plus countless photos and documents trace the history and outline the significance of horse-breeding in Russia. Many deal with the Russian cavalry and hunting on horseback. There are paintings by Vasilii Polenov (known for his Moscow landscapes) and sculptures by Piotr Klodt . Of the breeds, those native to the former Soviet Union are in focus here. Paintings of various breeds by Nikolai Sverchkov make up an enthralling gallery. The museum also houses a library on horse-breeding. There is also a unique collection of badges, bags, T-shirts, stamps, envelopes and postcards - all featuring horses! The museum building is part of the mid 19th century park estate belonging to the Timiriazev Farming Academy.

Armed Forces Museum

Russia has been one of the world's great military powers for centuries now, so this museum draws on a rich fund of history. Their stocks include 800,000 military and historical items, presented across 24 galleries. The exhibits are dedicated to the most important events of Russian history and illustrate the Russian Civil War, pre- and post-WWII periods and the development of the Soviet military machine. The museum organizes guided tours that cover topics such as the Moscow, Stalingrad and Kursk battles.

Thursday nights at Propaganda

This place boasts the trendiest Thursday nights in Moscow. It brings together the Russian middle class, local and foreign students, expatriates and anyone else who can appreciate the DJ's tunes and the club's relaxed atmosphere. It's widely known as one of the best clubs in Moscow. Normally quite busy, it gets packed by midnight when the disco begins. The music played is mainly acid jazz and all manner of variants, with the occasional switch to non-techno hits. Cover charge depends on the night of the week and the talent.

Radisson-Slavjanskaia Children's Club

Every Sunday, the Radisson Slavjanskaia hotel organizes family brunches with hot and cold dishes, fruit and unlimited champagne for adults. A fruit buffet is available for children and they can be entertained by clowns, watch good movies and listen to music. The specially trained personnel take good care of the children, so parents can feel confident about leaving their offspring here for a while. This place is popular with foreigners because the staff speak good English.

Pushkin Museum on the Arbat

This  XIX century house is a very intriguing place for those who would like to find out more about Russia's great poet Alexander Pushkin and about the Moscow of his time. This house was a very significant part of Pushkin's life. He married the beautiful Natalia Goncharova and he spent the first three months of his married life here.