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Best things to do in Moscow

2020-10-20T19:20:17.849Z

If you were looking for the best things to do in Moscow, this article is just for you.
For years relatives, friends and friends of friends have come to visit me in Moscow and during these countless visits I have been able to get a pretty clear idea about what are the best things to do in Moscow for those who visit the city for the first time.

The order (excluding point 1) is purely random. Let's get started!

1. Visit the Red Square and the Kremlin

We cut off the bull's head and don't talk about it anymore. Yes, visiting the Red Square and the Kremlin is one of the first things to do in Moscow.
The Red Square includes St. Basil's, the GUM (Moscow department stores) and Lenin's mausoleum. The latter is not necessarily to be seen: it's time to queue for hours to turn a few seconds around a mummy... it's up to you.

The Grand Kremlin Palace is almost impossible to visit now, so I advise you to give up and focus on the wonderful cathedrals, Armory and Diamond Fund.
The Kremlin is closed on Thursday! Every other day you can buy tickets at the checkout (in the center of Alexander's garden) or book a guided tour online.

2. Admire the Golden fountains of the VDNH

The VDNH (exhibition of the achievements of the national economy) is a huge architectural complex with gardens, monumental pavilions and, most importantly, wonderful golden fountains operating from mid-April to mid-October.
A wonderful park in which to spend a few hours immersed in a truly Soviet atmosphere. In winter, the entire VDNH turns into a skating rink.

Before you leave, make sure you have taken some pictures of the statue the worker and the kolchozian. 25 meters high, this monument is a symbol of Soviet communism just a few minutes walk from the VDNH.
Just before the main entrance to the VDNH you will see a tall and thin monument representing the launch of a rocket. That's the entrance to the Museum of Cosmonautics. Not everyone likes it, but if you have a passion for space well worth a visit.

3. Be ecstatic by the works exhibited in the (old) Tretyakov Gallery

Now, I don't particularly like museums, but visiting the Tretyakov Gallery is definitely one of the things to do in Moscow if you want to immerse yourself in Russian culture and art.
Everyone really likes the Tretyakov Gallery. It is not the usual museum and does not contain simple paintings, but works that in a single image tell a lot about art, culture, folklore and Russian life and their evolution over the years.

In Moscow there are several Tretyakov galleries: the one I'm talking about here is the old one that you get from the Tretyakovskaya stop (orange and yellow line) or Novokuznetskaya (dark green line).
You can buy tickets at the checkout.

4. Hunting for murals and graffiti

Moscow is not only domes, gold and red.
The city is literally full of murals and graffiti: some are simple advertising painted on the walls, others are true works of street art that tell the history and culture of Moscow and Russia.

In the center there are many, others are inserted in former factories converted into exhibition centers and art galleries such as Winzavod or ARTPLAY.

5. Make up and down from the train in the beautiful Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro is not only a convenient means of transport, but also a real underground museum that houses paintings, mosaics, frescoes, stained glass windows and statues.

Each station is unique: its walls, floors and ceilings are like books that tell an important chapter of Russian history.

More attractions and places in Moscow…

Free Things to do in Lisbon.

2020-10-05T21:21:27.141Z

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is famous for its narrow streets with trams, melancholic fado music, rich colours and the longest bridge in Europe, named after the great traveller Vasco da Gama. Is it worth going there? Of course! What's worth seeing? First of all, there are some great places to visit where you won't pay a single euro.

1. Belem

it is one of Lisbon's most attractive tourist districts. There are many attractions and monuments here, including the Hierominite Monastery, the Presidential Palace, the Carriage Museum, the Belem Tower, the monument to the Explorers and the magnificent gardens. The architecture of this place – floors, fountains, avenues-is especially beautiful. In addition, it is here that the most famous Cookies in Portugal are produced – Pasteis de nata (Pasteis de Belem). Cookie baking is associated with the Hierominite order, and the origins of the production date back to 1837. Today we can try these delicacies at Casa Pastéis de Belém. The well-known Patisserie is located near the Hierominite church and, despite the crisis, is thriving, you have to wait in a long queue to find a table. To get to Bele'm we can choose Tram No. 15 or buses (714, 729, 743)

2. Jerónimos Monastery

one of the most valuable monuments in the entire country. Its origins date back to the 16th century, when King Manuel I The Happy ruled Portugal. No wonder, then, that the building is considered a pearl of the Manueline style, which is characterized by numerous decorations and Moorish ornamentation. In 1501, the king ordered the construction of a monastery in place of the former chapel of Ermida do Restelo. The gesture was meant to be a gesture of thanksgiving to Vasco da Gama, for a happy trip to India. Until the mid-20th century, the monastery was under the care of the Jerónimos order, and in 1983 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3. Electricity Museum

this museum is completely free. It is located in a large post-industrial building on the river that was originally a power station (1900), and today shows the development of electricity and its effects. The museum is located on the outskirts of Bele'm, on Avenida de Brasilia and is open Tuesday to Saturday.

4. Berardo Museum

the second free museum is the Berardo located on Praça do Império - in the Belem Cultural Center (opposite the Hierominite monastery). The museum displays works by artists such as Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol (portrait of Judy Garland), Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró. The collections include about 250 works – photographs, paintings, sculptures and installations.

5. Edward VII Park

the huge (26 ha) park located in the northern part of the city offers not only the opportunity to relax among the greenery, but also beautiful views (it is located on a hill). The park was named after the British King Edward VII, who came to Lisbon at the beginning of the century to improve relations between the countries. The park contains 2 palm trees, a pond and a sports pavilion dedicated to Carlos Lopez, the Portuguese athlete who won the marathon at the Los Angeles Olympics. Edward VII Park also frequently hosts exhibitions and concerts.

The best boutique hotels in Lisbon…

The best boutique hotels in Marrakech

2020-09-25T12:43:35.701Z

Do you have the chance to visit Morocco or want to go there? Here are the best boutique hotels in Marrakech to make your stay unforgettable!

Marrakech is considered the most beautiful city in Morocco, and is located in the far west of the country. A leading African economic lung, it is one of the most popular destinations for tourists from all over the world. They come to discover sumptuous mosques, majestic palaces or quite simply to enjoy the sweetness of life.

Besides its medina, Marrakech is the gateway to the Atlas and has become world famous for its colorful and cheerful souk. Dating from the 12th century, the minaret of the Moorish mosque of Koutoubia dominates the city and impresses onlookers.

Besides, you won't have to put in much effort to find where to sleep, the city having focused all its development on tourism. A comprehensive hotel offering also offers a wide choice of establishments, but we wanted to highlight a very specific range: that of boutique hotels, charming hotels with high added value.

If you want to live a unique experience in this pearl of the Maghreb, here is a selection of the best boutique hotels in Marrakech.

2 Skies

The 2 Ciels Boutique Hotel is not just one of the best boutique hotels in Marrakech. It also has a restaurant, a beautiful outdoor swimming pool and a terrace with a view.

Located in the pretty Guéliz district with colonial architecture, it offers beautiful air-conditioned rooms. The establishment is only a few hundred meters from the Palais des Congrès or from the Carré Eden, a beautiful shopping center. You can also admire the sublime Majorelle garden, bought by Yves Saint Laurent.

Regarding service, 2 Ciels is undoubtedly a benchmark in the city's hotel establishments. An attentive room service pampers you 24 hours a day on request!

What do we recommend? Wait for the sunset to enjoy the bar on the roof. A magical moment in the heart of one of the most beautiful cities in the Maghreb!

Hotel Du Trésor

The picturesque district of Guéliz is definitely full of exceptional establishments. If we tell you about the Hotel du Trésor, which has only one star, it is well worth a visit. In the heart of the medina, just five minutes from Djemaa el-Fna square, it is located in a traditional riad.

You sleep in typical rooms, nicely decorated and equipped with a fireplace. Authenticity dictates, birds wake up customers but that helps make the experience unforgettable, right? Moreover, it is for its authenticity that the Hotel du Trésor is second among our top boutique hotels in Marrakech.

The little extra? Free parking> is located just across the street, to park your rental vehicle if you have one. This is a good solution for exploring this beautiful country in depth!

La Sultana Marrakech

La Sultana is a prestigious hotel in the heart of the Kasbah. Ultra-luxurious, it offers a very high level of comfort to its customers. In addition to its instagrammable rooftop, its swimming pool is one of the most beautiful of all the boutique hotels in Marrakech. Its rooms and suites decorated in a refined oriental style offer rare comfort, even for the city.

A tasty traditional breakfast is offered to guests every morning: if the weather is nice, they can enjoy it in front of the majestic Atlas Mountains, visible from the terrace. All top-of-the-range services are present, such as an airport shuttle, a large choice of excursions and careful room service. If your budget allows it, no hesitation: meet at the Sultana!

Even more boutique hotels in Marrakech…