Travel to Moscow

Introducing Moscow

Moscow is a city of superlatives. It boasts the most billionaires, the most expensive cups of coffee and – coming soon – the most colossal building in the world. It is also the most expensive and, according to one poll, the most unfriendly city in the world. Is it any wonder that a popular nightclub is called simply The Most?

Moscow may occupy the number one spot, but these lists hardly capture the reality – the vitality – of the capital. Free (relatively) from the strictures of censorship and hardship, Russia’s capital city is experiencing a burst of creative energy, evident in all aspects of contemporary culture. Former factories and deserted warehouses have been converted into edgy art galleries and intriguing underground clubs. World-class venues such as the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum are experimenting and expanding. Tchaikovsky and Chekhov are well represented at Moscow theatres but you can also see world premieres by up-and-coming composers, choreographers and playwrights. Foodies flock to wine bars, coffee bars, sushi bars and even beer bars, while night owls enjoy a dynamic scene of exclusive nightclubs, bohemian art cafés, underground blues bars and drink-up dives.

The ancient city has always been a haven for history buffs. The red-brick towers of the Kremlin occupy the founding site of Moscow; churches and monuments remember fallen heroes and victorious battles; and remains of the Soviet state are scattered all around the city. Even history is being examined in innovative ways, as new museums broach subjects long brushed under the carpet.

The capital is even experiencing an unprecedented growth in birth rates (Muscovites are really getting busy). From artistry and history to recreation and procreation, Moscow is a cauldron of creativity. Dare we say that it is so much more than The Most?

Top 10 Moscow attractions

From artistry and history to recreation and procreation, Moscow is definitely a cauldron of creativity. Here’s the top ten quintessential Moscow experiences.

1. Kremlin: This is the domain of officialdom, which visitors will perceive immediately. The atmosphere is befitting Russia’s authoritarian image: the powerful Kremlin walls, the stately buildings and the proliferation of police emphasise the idea that this regime takes itself seriously (as have all regimes that have ruled from the Kremlin). Nonetheless, this is the area where visitors to Moscow spend most of their time, and rightly so. The historical significance and architectural magnificence of this 1-sq-km space is truly awe inspiring.

2. Assumption Cathedral: With its five golden helmet domes and four semicircular gables facing the square, the Assumption Cathedral (Uspensky sobor) was the focal church of prerevolutionary Russia, and the burial place of most of the heads of the Russian Orthodox Church from the 1320s to 1700. A striking 1660s fresco of the Virgin Mary faces Sobornaya pl, above the door once used for royal processions. If you have limited time in the Kremlin, come straight here. The visitors’ entrance is at the western end.

3. Armoury: The Armoury dates back to 1511, when it was founded under Vasily III to manufacture and store weapons, imperial arms and regalia for the royal court. Later it also produced jewellery, icon frames and embroidery. During the reign of Peter the Great all craftspeople, goldsmiths and silversmiths were sent to St Petersburg, and the armoury became a mere museum storing the royal treasures. Despite the disasters that have befallen this collection throughout the centuries, the Armoury still contains plenty of treasures for ogling, and remains a highlight of any visit to the Kremlin.

4. Terem Palace: The 16th- and 17th-century Terem Palace (Teremnoy dvorets) is the most splendid of the Kremlin palaces. Made of stone and built by Vasily III, the palace’s living quarters include a dining room, living room, study, bedroom and small chapel. Catch a glimpse of its cluster of 11 golden domes and chequered roof behind and above the Church of the Deposition of the Robe.

5. Diamond Fund Exhibition: If the Armoury hasn’t sated your lust for diamonds, there are more in the separate Diamond Fund Exhibition in the same building. The collection, mainly precious stones and jewellery garnered by tsars and empresses, includes such weighty beasts as the 190-carat diamond given to Catherine the Great by her lover Grigory Orlov. The displays of unmounted diamonds are stunning, revealing the real beauty of these gems.

6. The State Museum: The State History Museum has an enormous collection covering the whole Russian empire from the time of the Stone Age. The building, dating from the late 19th century, is itself an attraction – each room is in the style of a different period or region, some with highly decorated walls echoing old Russian churches. Reopened in 1997, each year sees the addition of a few more Galleries.

7. Bolshoi Theatre: Theatre Square anchors ul Petrovka with its three grand theatres surrounding a wide plaza and flowing fountain. The centrepiece, of course, is the world-renowned Bolshoi Theatre. The present pink-and-white beauty was built in 1824, replacing the Petrovka Theatre that previously stood on this site. This historic theatre saw the premier of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake in 1877 and The Nutcracker in 1919.

8. Ice Sculpture Gallery: Ice sculpture has a long history in Russia, but it’s not usually a year-round attraction. Until now. Cool off in the first-ever year-round Ice Sculpture Gallery, which is housed in a refrigerated winter-wonderland tent at the west end of Krasnaya Presnya Park. The changing exhibit is small but spectacular – the frozen masterpieces enhanced by colourful lights and dreamy music. Sculptures have depicted elaborate scenes from Russian fairytales, which changes on a biannual basis. The admission price includes a special down vest and warm fuzzy foot-covers to protect you from the -10°C climate.

9. Gorky Park: Part ornamental park, part fun fair, Gorky Park is one of the most festive places in Moscow – a perfect way to escape the hubbub of the city. Officially the Park Kultury (Park of Culture), it’s named after Maxim Gorky. The park stretches almost 3km along the river, upstream of Krymsky most. You can’t miss the showy entrance, marked by colourful flags waving in the wind, and the happy sounds of an old-fashioned carousel.Inside, Gorky Park has a small Western-style amusement park, which features two roller coasters and almost a dozen other terror-inducing attractions (that is, aside from the view of the Peter the Great statue). Space buffs can shed a tear for the Buran, the Soviet space shuttle that never carried anyone into space. In winter the ponds are flooded for skating and tracks are made for cross-country skiing.

10. Moscow Museum of Modern Art: A pet project of the ubiquitous Zurab Tsereteli, this museum is housed in a classical 18th-century merchant’s home, originally designed by Matvei Kazakov (architect of the Kremlin Senate). It is the perfect light-filled setting for an impressive collection of 20th-century paintings, sculptures and graphics, which includes both Russian and foreign artists. The highlight is the collection of avant-garde art, with works by Chagall, Kandinsky and Malevich. Unique to this museum is its exhibit of ‘nonconformist’ artists from the 1950s and ‘60s – those whose work was not acceptable to the Soviet regime.  Be sure not to bypass the whimsical sculpture garden in the courtyard.

Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia/moscow

Travel To Sidney

Introducing Sydney

At the heart of Sydney - Australia's oldest, largest and most diverse city - is the outrageously good-looking Sydney Harbour. Like a psychedelic supermodel, the city curves and sways through this glamorous maze of sandstone headlands, lazy bays and legendary surf beaches. The Sydney experience is essentially physical - dunk yourself in the Bondi surf, sail under the Harbour Bridge on a yacht, jog along the Coogee cliff tops or rampage through Centennial Park on horseback. Everybody seems to be outside - the beaches are swarming, street cafés buzz and the harbour blooms with sails.

Jealous as hell, the rest of Australia stereotypes Sydney as more body-beautiful than bookish, more carpe diem than museum - a narcissistic 'Sin City' fixated on sunglasses, salons and soy lattes. Sure, there's a lot of blonde dye in Bondi, but the genetic legacy of the British and Irish convicts who built Sydney is more evident in gutsy self-belief than anything mirror-worthy.

Sydney is no less complex socially than it is on the map. An edgy multiculturalism ignites the food scene and fuels the nocturnal life - you'll lose yourself in the restaurants, bars and clubs just as easily as on the streets. Aboriginal heritage makes an impact through art; you'll see many urban galleries celebrating indigenous culture.

Whether it's the launching pad or the final fling of your New South Wales adventure, your Sydney days will be active and engaging, your nights indulgent and intense. The rest of Australia is in denial - Sydney is as good as it gets.

Introducing Sydney Harbour

Stretching 20km inland to the mouth of the Parramatta River, Sydney Harbour (aka Port Jackson) is Sydney’s shimmering soul, its beaches, coves, bays, islands and waterside parks providing crucial relief from the ordeals of urban life.

Forming the gateway to the harbour are North Head and South Head. Watsons Bay nestles on South Head’s harbour side, fostering a salty cottage atmosphere. The harbour beaches are generally sheltered, calm coves with little of the frenzied foam of the ocean beaches.

Things to do

Sydney’s has quite a unique landscape with the spectacular Blue Mountains, beautiful Sydney Harbour and seemingly endless sandy beaches. Whether you’re in town for a week or a weekend there is certainly no shortage of activities to keep any traveller on any budget occupied. The following list will provide anyone with a complete view of Sydney’s truly amazing landmarks and hotspots, which can be enjoyed by anyone.

Just an hour and half out of the cities centre is Sydney’s Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains offers some of the best views and scenery in New South Wales. Once there, a wide range of activities is available for both the adventurous and the romantic. Visit Australia’s wildlife park to see the locals in their natural habitat, horse ride through the canyons and take a cable car and see the famous Three Sister’s. A day trip or weekend here would certainly be worth the drive.

Right in the heart of the city and on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour is the Sydney Royal Botanical Gardens. This beautiful garden setting is the perfect spot after a big days walking to grab a coffee from the café (located in the centre of the gardens) and people watch the afternoon away. Although in the middle of the city, the gardens offer a tranquil experience to end the day.

The world famous Bondi Beach is a must see for everyone, offering a huge range of activities. You can try your luck surfing or simply sit at one of the many restaurants and bars and be amazed by the scenery and buzz of activity going on around you. The beach in summer can get extremely busy but still quite easy to find a spot for you and your partner or family. Watch out for the lack of clothing worn on this beach if travelling with young children.

Catching the Manly ferry from Circular Quay in the cities centre is truly the most breathtaking experience in Sydney. This ferry allows you to get the best views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House all the while cruising on the most beautiful harbour in the world. This is the best opportunity to take unspoilt photos of the city surrounding you. The views only get better once you arrive in Manly

Sights in Sydney

Sydney has plenty of sights. Of course you'll have to visit the famous Sydney Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. The museums and the art galleries will keep you occupied for a few days as well. When you’re tired, relax in one of the many parks and don’t forget the Centennial Park, the largest one in Sydney. The Harbours are interesting areas. As you might know, Sydney borders water on many sides so it’s worth checking out the different aspects of the several harbours, with their own fishing markets, theme parks and water-worlds. Nearby the Sydney Harbour Bridge, visit the Rocks area where the first settlement in Australia took place and that still offers a wonderful insight into the way things were a long time ago.

Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/sydney And http://www.world66.com/australiaandpacific/australia/newsouthwales/sydney/sights