Moscow is Not a Romantic Place? 5 Facts to Refute This Myth

Moscow is not seen as the most romantic place on Earth. There are plenty of reasons for that: cold and unpleasant climate, very busy people, overcrowded streets with rushing citizens…Many moscovites complain that there is little place for love, personal life or romantic gestures in their lives. But if you slow down and take a look around, you will see that there is room for true romance in Moscow.

We will tell you about some places with history and romantic atmosphere that can take you away from the busy daily routine and show a new side of the big city. For St. Valentine’s Day we have a special offer for you – a group tour to different romantic spots in Moscow city.

Legends of the Novodevichy monastery

Novodevichy monastery is a beautiful but mysterious place that is surrounded by many legends. One of them is about czarevna Sofia – sister of Peter the Great. Sofia put great effort in building a bell tower and a temple in Novodevichy monastery. Ironically, this place was meant to become her prison after a power struggle with her brother.

Naprudnaya tower where Sofia was imprisoned is now called Sofyina. People believe that if you touch the foundation of this tower and make a wish (especially a romantic wish) it will surely come true. Take note – this is applicable only for women!

Luzhkov bridge

Luzhkov bridge is a beloved place of the newlyweds. It was built while Yury Luzhkov was the mayor of Moscow, but the name of the bridge has nothing to do with it. This bridge starts from a place that was once called Tsaritsin Lug (Lug means meadow) – that is why it was called Luzhkov, “meadowy”.

This romantic naming kind of predicted its romantic destiny. Newlyweds started to put locks on the bridge while throwing the keys in the river. Eventually local authorities decided to put a special tree for locks on the bridge. But soon there was no empty space left so they put more trees. Now there is a whole alley of “love trees”. Even if you don’t have a couple you can put a ribbon on a tree and make a wish – maybe soon you will find your soulmate!

Master and Margarita

Well-known all over the world, “Master and Margarita” novel by Mikhail Bulgakov a tragic love story in which Margarita has to decide: a life with a loving and rich husband or true happiness with a poor writer. Places described in this novel have become very famous for excursions and walks.

You can visit house number 10 on Bolshaya Sadovaya street – a place where Bulgakov used to live and where his novel takes place. Inside the building you can find an inscription: “I’ve waited for you and you haven’t come. I will continue waiting here until I meet you”. Maybe ladies you will find your Master and gentlemen perhaps there is a Margarita waiting for you around the corner.

Vorobyovy Gory

A place behind the Moscow State University, an observation deck on Vorobyovy Gory (Literally means Sparrow Hills) is a very common place for wedding photo sets. According to a legend, Moscow was built on seven hills – Vorobyovy were among them. This place is especially attractive for newlyweds not only because of the amazing view and beautiful landscape but for the youthful atmosphere. During summer there are numerous newlyweds and their friends who are celebrating, drinking champagne, chanting – “Gorko!”

Beloved Pushkin

Alexander Pushkin is the favorite Russian poet, we say that he is our everything. His poetry touched a lot on the eternity of love and romance. There is a very famous poem “I loved you” that Russians learn in school – even years after graduation we all remember it by heart:

I loved you and my love may still be there,
Deep in my soul remains to stay aglow.

That should not cause you any more despair –
I do not want to hurt you any more.

I loved you unrequited in still wonder
Through bouts of jealousy and diffidence.

I loved you so sincerely and tender –
God bless you with such love of someone else.

Pushkin was very passionate and obviously jealous – he initiated 15 duels, four of them took place, in one of them Pushkin died. That was a duel with Dantes, a young officer who was in love with Pushkin’s beautiful wife. Pushkin was a genius and died too young – a fate of many passionate creators. But he still overlooks muscovite couples: a place behind Pushkin’s monument is a well-known meeting point for a first date.

One of our goals at Big Time Moscow is to bring you truly unique experiences, specifically for expats who have already been to all the usual places. Today, we would like to recommend Cheburechnaya Druzhba – a Soviet-style ‘café’ that serves steaming hot chebureks.

Located at the Sukharevskaya metro (orange line), opposite the McDonalds, and next to the Indian spice shop, it is easy to find.

A cheburek is a half-moon shaped pastry filled with meat. They are hot and tasty, freshly baked on location, and not to be confused with the tough, oily ones you buy from kiosks.

The café still  operates the way it did in Soviet times. There is a corner in which to clean your hands, a queue at the serving window and high tables to facilitate eating.

There are no chairs, no waitresses and no filling options.

While you are queueing, have a quick look at the drinks options – cold drinks, beer, kvass and different teas are available. The Cheburek cost 50 roubles each. The cashier will take your order and ask you how many people are in your group, and then give you plates and napkins for each person.

The queue moves very quickly; we were helped within seconds. After you receive your meal and drinks, you eat at one of the convenient high tables.

The Cheburek is eaten in a similar fashion to the khinkali (хинкали). First, bite a little hole in the top, and then carefully drink the sauces inside. Then, fold it in half and eat it like a big samoosa. I drank kvass with mine – the sweetness of the kvass really balances the savory sauces. Apparently, sweet tea is also recommended with this meal.

Treat yourself to one (or two!) this weekend!

PrintOut in Russian with the address

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10C3VrjmqwwQ6WU3TVO_F6envKkXCazDP3cMP5_t_vbs/edit?usp=docslist_api

Exploring Vnukovo

Though the Vnukovo Airport is one of Moscow’s three main airports, it is still unfamiliar to many tourists and foreigners. For a long time it went unnoticed because of its old-fashioned approach to service, and as a result of some accidents in the past. It is curious that even many Muscovites do not know about its enticing history, but are only aware of its unique national status.  

Though it is modest in comparison to some of the city’s larger airports, it is modern and clean, and is considered to be the international airport. For over 60 years it has been the airport serving the official Russian and international delegations and administration. The president of Russia is among its clients.

Its story began in 1937. At the time, the main objective was to unload some of the city’s bigger airports. Technical work commenced in spite of a huge lack of cement, and the complex was completed in 1941, after a major delay. There was no official opening at the time, since the country was sadly at war.

Vnukovo is the closest airport to the city center, at only 27 km (about 17miles), away. It is also located at a higher level than other Moscow airports. This is a significant feature that helps to stabilize the flight schedule in conditions of fog, strong winds and rain. It also lowers the inside temperature marginally.
Some legendary visitors to the airport include the first man to fly around the Earth, Yuri Gagarin, who was taken straight from the landing point to the airport in 1961.

Over the past decade, the airport services and image have improved, with the airport becoming cleaner and more client friendly.

There are not as many visitors here as it is common to see at other international airports. The waiting zone is equipped with a limited number of seats, and there are a handful of sockets scattered within the halls (alert for iPhone addicts).

Rest zones are not too spacious, but there are plenty of hotels of different levels in the area. (Please note that a Russian visa is required to leave the airport.)
The complex features the usual food corners, including cafes with sandwiches and blintzes (some of them only open during the day). There also vending machines in some visible spots. The snacks from these machines are obviously cheaper, but be warned, they only accept small change.

Wi-Fi is free but a bit unstable, so you may get disconnected from time to time. There is also an internet cafe in Terminal A. Common services like ATMs and parenting rooms are also available. Some passengers confirm that luggage services in Arrivals can take a bit longer than usual.

There is one lounge for international departures in terminal A, which has a separate security and passport control. The issue with business lounges remained controversial for some time, but the official details can now be obtained at this link: http://www.vnukovo.ru/en/at-the-airport/vip-and-business-class/
In harmony with state law, smoking is only permitted in designated smoking rooms.