Tips for a budget traveler in Moscow
Moscow is known as one of the most expensive cities in the world. It’s the center of business life in Russia and like magnet it attracts people with ambition. But many Muscovites leaving here are not so wealthy. What are their secrets? Moscow has a lot to offer for budget minded visitors, but it’s important to know some rules.
1. You need to find a good guide book and a map of the city. There is no official tourist info in the city but one can get a free tourist map in one of 5-star hotels in the center of the city.
2. If you travel during the week instead of the weekend you can get much cheaper airline ticket prices.
3. Travel during a low season, avoid high tourist seasons. You’ll save a lot of money on airfare and hotels are cheaper in winter.
4. Get around Moscow by metro. This is the cheapest and fastest way to explore the city.
5. Book the train tickets online without commission. The only difficulty is that online reservation doesn’t give you the actual ticket. In Moscow you’ll need to go to the train station ticket office and collect your ticket.
6. Buy a ticket to Bolshoj theatre online. You don’t have to overpay to a travel agent.
7. Moscow hotels are very expensive. It’s much cheaper to rent a flat (a 1-room flat in the downtown can cost around 140 USD). There’re also several hostels in the very center of Moscow (Napoleon Hostel, HM Hostel Moscow, Yellow Blue Bus Hostel, Comrade Hostel and others)
8. There’re plenty of budget restaurants with tasty traditional food. A meal can cost around 10 USD. The most popular are Mu- Mu, Grabli, Yolki-Palki. You can also get a special offer during the day. Many restaurants have ‘business lunch’ menu – usually it’s noon to 4 pm on working days. Moscow has lots of local fast-food cafes. You can try a delicious Russian pancake with cheese, mushrooms or caviar in “Teremok” or a stuffed potato in “Kroshka-Kartoshka”.
9. Most of souvenir shops in the city center are very expensive. Go to Izmaylovo souvenir market which offers better prices and a very good choice.
10. Many of Moscow landmarks are free. Visit Red Square, Gum, Lenin’s Tomb, Christ the Savior Cathedral, Sparrow Hills and lots of beautiful parks and gardens.
Super Songs to Inspire Your Summer Holiday Playlist
For decades, musicians sung their heart out of their favourite destinations, and these great songs over the years are a good source of inspiration for holiday ideas as any other. These top tunes will help you pick your next holiday abroad.
Rio – Duran Duran
Since Duran Duran captured their feelings about Rio de Janeiro, dancing on the sand has never been the same. The song was written as an ode to band’s experiences while on tour in Brazil in the 80s.
Viva Las Vegas – Elvis
The King is very influential that any destination that he would recommend is well worth a visit. The best night life in the world can only be found here in the Sin City. Indeed, it’s Long Live Vegas.
Barcelona – Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury commissioned for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and he combined his own unique vocal talent with the excellent operatic voice of Montserrat Caballe. Without Queen, this song is his most successful single and a brilliant advertisement for the Spanish City.
America – Razorlight
The second album of Razorlight was entitled America. It said that when there’s “nothing on TV, nothing on the radio”, then take a holiday to America.
Vienna – Ultravox
The song Vienna is one of the synthesizer pop at its very best. It combines a classic piano melody with 80s synthesizer backing. The 1948 film The Third Man was the source behind the title of the song, which is based around Austria’s capital city.
Stranger in Moscow – Michael Jackson
This song is one of MJ’s slightly less well-known songs. However, it achieved critical success but failed in terms of record sales compared to his big hits like Billie Jean, Black or White and Thriller. During 90s when he toured Russia, this song taps Jackson’s loneliness.
Africa – Toto
A massive hit in 1982, this is the best known song if Toto. Africa is a big place to explore when planning a holiday destination, but the Serengeti National Park mentioned in the song is in Tanzania, also perfect for a far-flung Safari.
Amarillo – Tony Christie
Amarillo is a city in Texas with a 200,000 population. The place is unextraordinary and you have to find the way to be there. It is in between Albuquerque and Oklahoma on Interstate 40.
Down Under – Men At Work
The lyrics of Men At Work have already pointed out that going on holiday down under Australia is a great experience. Make sure you have yourself a thunder, chunder and vegemite sandwiches in equal proportions. Australia is a marvellous country with one of the world’s friendliest populations.
New York New York – Frank Sinatra
The classic song of Frank Sinatra inspired untold holidays to America. Tourists from all over the world travelled the Big Apple to see the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and various renditions of this song by street performers.
