Russian rendezvous

Jul 4 2008 By Kim Pilling

Be enchanted by Moscow's beautiful sights

The friendly welcome to 50,000 British soccer fans when Moscow staged the recent Champions League final - and a temporary suspension of visa controls to ease their passage - suggested even this, often daunting, city has realised the value of tourism.

It hasn't always been that way. The death by poisoning of dissident Alexander Litvinenko on British soil drove a huge wedge between the two countries.

Despite these occasional fall-outs, however, most Britons remain enchanted with Moscow and the picture-postcard sights of the illuminating Red Square.

Anywhere which has the mausoleum of one of the leading revolutionaries of the 20th century positioned cheek by jowl with the nerve centre of the country's power base, a lavish department store and a colourful ancient cathedral straight out of Disneyland begs to be on anyone's mustsee list.

Admittedly, getting there is not as easy as jumping on a cheap flight to former Soviet Union members like Estonia or Latvia.

Flights are more expensive to Moscow and you need a tourist visa which doesn't leave much change out of £90.

But as you stand in Red Square gazing at the wonders around you it certainly becomes a worthwhile investment.

I flew into Sheremetevo airport, 28km from the city centre, from Manchester via Milan, although there are direct flights from London.

My base was the MaMaison Pokrovka Suite Hotel in the heart of the city, which caters for the luxury market.

Unsurprisingly, ostentatious living is highly visible in Moscow, thanks to a booming economy driven by the country's vast reserve of natural resources.

If you're looking for a bargain when hitting the shops you've come to the wrong place.

The price of almost everything is at London levels and Moscow is definitely up there as one of the most expensive cities in the world. Getting around the city on foot is fairly simple as it is laid out in a concentric layout of rings which are easy to follow.

The metro system is extremely efficient and user-friendly but avoiding rush hours is advisable with nine million passengers each day.

You will want to head to Red Square first and you won't be disappointed. It's pure box office tourism.

The multi-coloured St Basil's Cathedral, built in the mid-16th century on the orders of Ivan the Terrible, is smaller than it appears on television but provides a bizarre contrast to the daunting Kremlin walls and ramparts that surround the square.

About two-thirds of the Kremlin is closed to visitors and the symbol of government power certainly conveys an awesome sense of strength.

The numerous cathedrals and palaces within the Kremlin complex are well worth viewing, as is Lenin's Mausoleum - although the latter is a rapid process as you are back outside before you know it. A visit to the Bolshoi Ballet is an essential.

The theatre which houses the most renowned dance company in the world was under renovation while we were there but its temporary replacement nearby in a smaller building was not too shabby.

A feast of quality food is also on offer in Moscow's restaurants.

We tried several top class venues, my favourite being the Sky Lounge with stunning views of the capital from the 22nd floor of the Academy of Sciences building in Gagarin Square.

The nightlife is thriving although you have to dress the part with the notorious 'face control' policy at the doors.

I am not sure these door policies uncover real troublemakers - but in Moscow it certainly has its advantages, with a disproportionate number of gorgeous women.

The city is also a regular stopover for the biggest names in pop and rock - even Manchester's finest, the Happy Mondays, mesmerised the locals recently.

I left Moscow feeling it had met all my expectations - it's up there with New York, London, Paris, Sydney and Blackpool, as a a truly unique destination everyone should see at least once in their life.

Travel facts...

Kim Pilling was a guest of MaMaison Pokrovka Suite Hotel. Three-night, room-only stays at the hotel, including return flights ex-Gatwick, start at £706.

One-night breaks from ex-Glasgow start at £499 while from Manchester, prices start at £773 for three-night breaks

See lastminute.com reservations: 0870 443 9902 and www.lastminute.com

Hotel reservations available on: 007 495 229 57 97, or visit the website for more information www.pokrovkamoscow.com