Explore – Moscow
Explore Moscow THIS MONTH EGOR TATARENKO OF THE ARARAT PARK HYATT OFFERS HIS MUST-DO LIST OF THINGS TO SEE IN THE RUSSIAN CAPITAL Concierge’s Corner FIRST TIMER? Whether you’re coming for leisure or business, make some time for a Kremlin tour (www.kremlin.museum. ru/main_en.asp). Once you’ve explored the cathedrals, palaces and the Government office within, head [...]
Explore
Moscow
THIS MONTH EGOR TATARENKO OF THE ARARAT PARK HYATT OFFERS HIS MUST-DO LIST OF THINGS TO SEE IN THE RUSSIAN CAPITAL
Concierge’s Corner
FIRST TIMER? Whether you’re coming for leisure or business, make some time for a Kremlin tour (www.kremlin.museum. ru/main_en.asp). Once you’ve explored the cathedrals, palaces and the Government office within, head to Red Square. On one side is Lenin’s Mausoleum, where you can view Lenin’s embalmed body, on another you can shop in GUM, Russia’s largest department store. Rising up over this grand plaza is St Basil’s Cathedral.
BEEN BEFORE? There are a number of unusual attractions that you might not see on a first visit. Novodevichy Convent and Cemetery, (Novodevivhy pr, 1) is one of the most peaceful places to escape to on a nice day, or enjoy a walk through the Kuskovo Estate (Yunosti str), which used to be the Sheremetyev Counts’ summer residence.
POWER LUNCH Visit the Vogue Café (+7 495 6231701, Kuznetsky Most, 7/9) offering a combination of European and Asian cuisine. This hotspot is a creation of Arkady Novikov, one of the kings of the Moscow restaurant scene. The Pushkin Café (+7 495 6295590, Tverskoy blv, 26) offers fine dining in a pre-Revolutionary décor; try blinis with caviar and vodka here.
TAKE A DATE Have a romantic dinner at The Most Café (Kuznetsky Most, 6/3). It serves delicious French pastries in a baroque interior. Take a stroll through Red Square and head to Bosco Café (Krasnaya sq, 3) for a cocktail or designer ice cream (flavours include tomato and basil) as the sun sets over St Basil’s Cathedral.
TOP TIPPLE Have a drink on the summer terrace of the Conservatory Lounge, on the Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow Hotel’s 10th floor (Neglinnaya, 4). There’s panoramic views of the Kremlin, the Bolshoi Theatre and the Duma Parliament Building. Bar 30/7 (Petrovka, 30/7) has a lively atmosphere on Fridays, and you can follow it up with a visit to the nearby Dyagilev nightclub (Karetny Ryad, 3/7).
TAKE HOME There’s a great range of souvenirs at the Izmailovsky flea market (Izmaylovskoe Shosse, 166-7875) open weekends 9am-6pm, but get here early. Don’t leave without buying some black caviar from Yeliseyevsky (16/2 Tverskaya ul) or Dorogomilovsky (Mytnaya str, 74).
Photography: Shutterstock EGOR TATARENKO is Head Concierge at the five-star Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow hotel. He is now a Vice-President of Russia’s Les Clefs d’Or concierge association. Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow, 4 Neglinnaya Street, Moscow 109012; +7 495 783 1234; www.hyatt.com
