Moscow's Charm

Moscow is the capital and Mother of Russia, embodying the nation's soul and simply dazzles.

Our first stop is the famous Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow's premier showcase for pre-Revolutionary Russian art. The entire collection--in landscapes, portraits, genre scenes and history painting--offers telling insights into what it is that makes Russia and Russian people special with their own life, culture and arts.

Moscow is older and odder, a much more layered city than its sister city St. Petersburg in the north. It has combination of Asiatic and European feel in it. The modernization of the last few years, the upscale shopping, the chic restaurants, the bars and nightclubs, is a veneer that welcome in many respects, is easily peeled aside to reveal a city that constantly fascinates, constantly surprises.

One of the biggest surprises is that, in spite of undergoing enormous changes - the rebuilding of the city after the 1812 fire that end to Napoleon's attempted conquest, or the complete make-over in the Soviet era - Moscow still holds on to its history and charm.

Some of the past is gloriously displayed, as with the Kremlin, a fabulous conglomeration with origins dating back to the 12th century, the adorable confection of the 16th century St. Basil's Cathedral, and the magnificent Novodevichy Convent. There is even some glory from Soviet era in the subway stations or better known as Metro in Moscow, that Stalin had designed like art galleries in every station.

Moscow is the kind of city that rewards getting off the beaten track and wandering through the side streets. Immediately east of the Kremlin is the district of Kitai Gorod or Chinatown, one of the oldest parts of the city, first settled in the 13th century, is perfect for a couple hours stroll. Here there are several little churches and monasteries that are worth seeing.

At the north west of Kremlin, travelers can have tea at GUM, the Soviet era department store that was once Muscovites' only source of scarce "exotic" goods, but now daylight streams through its glass roof down onto brand-name boutiques spread over three storeys.

Not far from GUM is the Hotel Metropole, one of Moscow's grand old dames, opened in 1901 and still an Art Nouveau luxury site. Heading down is the Bolshoi Theatre - the renown opera and ballet art performance showcase centre of Moscow and Russia.

Along the streets and places in Moscow, there are certain glamorous and charm that easily win tourists' hearts to visit it again.