Advantages: A unique and interesting experience, some fascinating sights Disadvantages: Can be a confusing and not as beautiful as most European capital cities
General Impressions
Let me start this review by saying nothing in Moscow is easy. We spent a great deal of time in confusion! This is partly because of the language barrier. In France, Italy or Spain you can make out at least some of the written word or you find you actually remember something from school after all. Russian cyrillic is, however, incomprehensible to the English eye. Then there's the fact that Moscow isn't really set up for tourists at all. Nobody "tells" you anything. Nothing is signposted or explained. For example there did not appear to be a single sign pointing to the Lenin Mausoleum (and I wish I could tell you where he was now, but I still don't know, we never found him), the metro stations are often unmarked and unsigned and there is nothing explaining the three different types of ticket that can be bought ...
Tricia24 19.05.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Moscow (Russia)
Advantages: A unique cultural experience which you will never forget. A high "WOW!" factor. Disadvantages: Without local knowledge or a grasp of the language, it could possibly be pretty intimidating
One of my biggest regrets is never having to been to Berlin whilst the wall was up. Amanda, my wife, once managed to visit East Berlin - with no papers - but that's a different story! Since the demise of Communism, I've been behind the former Iron Curtain twice. On this occasion, we visited Moscow.
There's a lot to say about Moscow and I won't be able to say it all here, naturally - but I'll do my best to give an informative glimpse of this fantastic city. I can't comment on hotels because we're lucky enough to have friends who own a flat in Moscow, and that's where we stayed. Let me try to tempt you, anyway!
I guess the first thing to say is that the currency is a little confusing - in the sense that you're never quite sure whether to use US dollars or Russian roubles. Most of the time it's fairly obvious but it helps if you ...
Advantages: Fascinating city, diverse mix Disadvantages: Expensive, arbitary opening hours, queues
always have details of what?s on, and to avoid a separate booking charge, we went straight to the venue to book them.
All in all, I?d recommend Moscow for the experience but don?t go if you are on a budget or want a relaxing holiday. If I were to go again I?d also pick a more central hotel ? the Hotel Metropole has a great location opposite the Bolshoi, but to be honest it will be unlikely. ...
