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INTRODUCTIONCongratulations!You are finally a trainee of AIESEC! Now

you are going to have an unforgettable and incredible time in our mysterious country!

What are the first things that come to your mind when you think about Russia?

Let us guess... cold weather, bears and vodka?

That's what you can see inthe movies. But don't you want to know a bit more about us? Do you prefer to listen to an eye-witness or to be the one yourself?

Are you dreaming about adventures or experiencing them? Are you one step behind or one step ahead? It's up to you!

We admit that Russia is sometimes weird, but that's what makes it different! Aren't you excited? Yes? Then this booklet is for YOU! And we are all looking forward to having you here with us soon!

AIESEC Moscow

Russia or the Russian Federation is a transcontinental country extending over much of northern Eurasia. It is a semi-presidential republic comprising 83 federal subjects. At 17,075,400 square kilometres (6,592,800 sq mi), Russia is the largest country in the world, covering more than an eighth of the Earth's land area; with 145 million people, the ninth largest by population.

You have to know Russia is very big and very different!!!

Some facts about Russia

Country name: Russian FederationGovernment type: federationCapital: Moscow (55°45′N 37°37′E)President: Dmitry MedvedevPrime Minister: Vladimir PutinGDP (purchasing power parity):$2.225 trillion (2008 est.)Currency: Rouble (RUB)Drives on the: rightInternet TLD: .ru, .su, .рфCalling code: +7

Table of ContentsIntroduction 2

Some facts about Russia

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Moscow 4-5Useful facts 6-7Arriving 8Getting around 9Prices 10General recommendations

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Russian Alphabet 12Street & Metro Signs 12English-Russian Phrase-Book

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What to see 14-19Moscow History 14-16Moscow Center Map 20-21Moscow Metro Map 22Map of Aeroexpress Terminals Location

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MoscowMoscow is the capital of Russian

Federation. The city area is about 30 km. in diameter and the population reaches to almost 10 million people. Nowadays Moscow is the most important political and financial center of Russia and is home to the government and the parlament.

Being the capital of the largest country on the planet, Moscow is supposed to be something impressive and it really is. It's a totally insane city full of raw and chaotic energy, concentrating 80% of the country's money and 10% of its population. Moscow is uncomfortable and charming, filthy rich and desperately poor, fast-paced and lazy, trendy and kitschy – all at the same time.

Unlikely contrasts are everywhere: fancy shops on Tverskaya street neighbor concrete shacks left from the Soviet times; crowds of star-gazing happy hipsters mix with rugged tired people with solemn and unhappy faces; Bentleys and BMWs share the busy chaotic traffic with half-destroyed old Ladas; and so on...

As everywhere in Russia it's like a mix of two worlds: Europe and Asia,

Top: Spasskaya Clocktower, St. Basil's CathedralCenter: Cathedral of Christ the Saviour,

Ostankino Tower, Monument to Yuri Dolgoruki,Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building,House on Embankment by Boris Iofan

Bottom: Moscow International Business Center

democracy and communism, joy and grief, prosperity and poverty. Moscow could be just another capital, but it isn't. Rather, the city is an exaggerated version of everything you can get in Russia, as if conforming to the local stereotype: take everything to extremes.

The main historical center of Moscow is Kremlin (on photo), which is located in the core of the city. Tverskaya

street, which is the main avenue of the city, starts from the Kremlin and heads north to become Leningradskoye Shosse, which leads directly to St. Petersburg (750 km).

Moscow has a radial structure, and the Garden Ring road defines the center of the city. A smaller Boulevard Ring defines the city's downtown.

To be able to find the right building on any street, it's useful to know that in Moscow house numbering starts from the center. Also, the odd-number houses are located to the left, and the even-number houses – to the right. So, if you're looking for Tverskaya st.,№2, for example, it will be located very close to the Kremlin, on your right-hand side (if you turn your back to the Kremlin).

Climate in MoscowMoscow is located in the middle

of the continent, so the temperature is continental, which means hot weather in Summer and cold weather in Winter.

Average weather in Moscow: January -7.5oC | February -6.7oC March -1.4oC | April +6.3oC | May +12.8oC | June +17.1oC | July +18.4oC August +16.4oC | September +10.8oC | October +5oC | November -1.6oC December -5.6oC

More useful information you can find at: http://moscow.inyourpocket.com/http://www.waytorussia.net/

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Useful factsMoneyThe local currency is Russian Rouble.

It is the only currency used in Russia for all cash transactions. There are coins in 1, 5, 10, 50 kopeika & 1, 2, 5, 10 rouble. Banknotes come in the amount of 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000.

You can change your money in practically any bank, but be prepared to show your passport in order to make the change.

1 USD ($) = 27,8 roubles1 EUR (€) = 39,7 roubles

P.S.: You'd better keep in mind that these numbers change everyday

ElectricityThe electrical current in Russia

is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Most sockets are standard European size with double round–pin plugs. If you have British appliances, you’ll need an adapter anyway so bringing an European or multifunctional one yourself makes sense.

Entry requirementsYou need a visa to enter Russian

Federation (in case you are not from the country with special visa conditions), AIESEC provides its interns with culture visa, with this visa you can stay up to 3 months in the country. After you entered the country you have to register your visa within 5 working days. AIESEC also takes care about the registration process.

LanguageThe official language in Russia

is Russian. English is commonly spoken.

TelephoneThe international area code

of Moscow is +7 495 or +7 499. Incoming calls are free in Russia since 2006, which means that all the calls are paid by the calling person with the only exception of those made from roaming mobiles.

24 HoursOne of the good things about

Russia is that it is never difficult to find a place to get food or drink, even in the middle of the night, whether it is a simple shop or an expensive nightclub. If you see the 24-sign (or 25-sign), it means this place is open around the clock. Even experienced global-travelers are astonished at the number of supermarkets and kiosks open all night long.

AlcoholStereotypes about Russian drinking

habits are sometimes true, so if you somehow find yourself enmeshed in a vodka session with locals, don't try to keep up. They've had way more practice :) Vodka is cheap and there are lots of different brands with cool labels to choose from. Russky Standart, Diplomat and Flagman are pretty good ones. Russian beer (pivo) is good stuff, that is why Russians consume more beer than any other alcoholic drink. Locally brewed cheap staples for Moscovites are Baltika, Sibirskaya Korona and Zolotaya Bochka. Or try Sovietskoe Shampanskoe («Soviet Champagne»), the national party drink.

FloorsThe Russian floor-numbering

system is American style, which means there is no ground floor. When you're on the ground floor, you're actually on the first floor. Go up one and you're on the second and so on.

HabitsNo shoes in the house! When

entering a Russian household, remember to take your shoes off as soon as you get inside. Usually your host will offer you slippers – every Russian owns at least one pair. Now you can experience true Russian hospitality, you can't beat it :) In terms of greetings and introductions, of you're a woman and you hold your hand out to a man, expect to be kissed and not shaken. We think it's good to encourage shaking hands (it comes with equality), so keep on shaking! Chivalry isn't dead... it's true! Here in Russia, men still kiss women's hands, open doors, take coats, pull back chairs, pour drinks, pay bills, put on coats, carry bags, help women over puddles... For many women this is heaven, although for feminists it may be hell. The courtesy might explain why some Russian women are so hard to please!

Health & SafetyMoscow is no more dangerous

than any average European city. Russian drivers are your biggest danger, so cross the road carefully and don't assume cars will stop just because you're on a zebra crossing. Other dangers include dodgy electrical fittings, temperamental gas stoves, uncovered manholes and absinthe. The city's water is treated with chlorine to clean it from bacteria,

parasites and heavy metals, so you can use it to brush your teeth or wash fruit. For drinking or to make tea, it is better to to stick bottled water, or clean the tap water with a filter and give it a good boil first.

Market valuesFamously Moscow is still the most

expensive city in the world for expats. Рublic transport is cheap, for 900 Rbl you can travel 700 km to St. Petersburg by train. You can also buy some red or black caviar for 5-15 euro per tin, not to mention vodka for 3-5 euro a bottle.

Dining out is relatively cheap and if you do have to pay Western prices the quality of food is often better than at home.

Tipping...isn't expected in bars, but it is the norm

in top-notch restaurants. Ten percent is average, but it's up to your discretion. Some restaurants automatically add on a 10% service-charge, so check your bill first.

Foreigner pricesThe «foreigner price» is a hangover

from the good old days of Intourist-organised Soviet travel. At some theatres and museums, foreigners are required to pay up to 6 times more than Russians. These institutions say that Russian tickets are subsidized whereas foreigners paying the «real price». If you have a document (propusk), which says you work or study in Russia, you are theoretically entitled to the local price.

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By planeMoscow‘s three main airports

are Sheremetyevo in the north, Domodedovo to the south west and Vnukovo in the south east. Remember that when taking a taxi do not pay more than 2000 Rbl. Around 1500 Rbl is reasonable.

Domodedovo AirportDomodedovo Airport www.

domodedovo.ru is the flagship of Moscow’s new modern airports. It is located in the south east and is accessible by buses and the Aeroexpress train (320 Rbl one way) runs between 06:00 and midnight terminating at Paveletsky Train Station. Taxis head to the center and usually (depending on traffic) run into traffic jams and cost around 1600 Rbl. On a good day, the ride will take around one hour. The bright blue Scania buses (60Rbl) depart more frequently than the Aeroexpress train and leave every 15 minutes.

Sheremetevo AirportSheremetevo www.svo.aero

is the biggest of Moscow’s airports. The Aeroexpress train runs between Sheremetyevo «D», «E», «F» terminals and Belorussky Train Station on the green metro line in the north. Tickets (320Rbl) can be purchased at the airport’s train terminal, just follow the signs. Trains run almost every hour, but times are irregular so check the web site. The first train leaves Sheremetyevo at 05:00 and the last at 00:30

(on weekdays). There are 5 terminals, the small terminals Sheremetevo «B», «C» are mostly for domestic flights and the other terminals «D», «E», «F» deals with international flights. A bus transfer shuttles between the two terminals. The airport is also serviced by marshrutka mini buses (No.48) to the metro station Rechnoy Vokzal.

Vnukovo AirportVnukovo www.vnukovo.ru is another

Moscow’s new airport and has a great website in English. From here you can take a bus (No. 611) or «marshrutka» (No. 45) to the metro Yugo-Zapadnaya or the Aeroexpress train (320Rbl) to Kievsky Train Station. The last train leaves at 24:00 and the first train leaves at 06:00.

Map of Aeroexpress Terminals Location you can see on the page 23

By trainAll of Moscow’s eight train

stations are conveniently located next to the metro stations. For a full description of train stations and their nearest metro stations see moscow.inyourpocket.com.

By busCentral Bus Station Ul. Uralskaya

2, Shchyolkovskaya metro station, tel. 468 04 00. After arriving there, the metro statio Shcholkovskaya is a few steps away from the bus station. Taxis are known to charge around 1000 Rbl and more for a ride into the centre.

As long as it's not rush hour, it's easy to get around Moscow. Rush hours are between 8:00-10:00 and 17:00-19:30.

Public transport The most efficient and fastest are the metro and «marshrutka» (mini bus). On above-ground transportation you can buy tickets on board from the driver (30 Rbl for bus, tram & trolley) or in special kiosks. It all works from around 05:00 to just after midnight. The cost of the monthly normal bus ticket is 900 Rbl.

Marshrutka (minibus) – middle-class transport. The mini bus follows a fixed route and along this route you can hail it and get out wherever you want. Prices vary depending on the route (20-30 Rbl).

Tram. Moscow has an extensive tram system, which first opened in 1899. Trams still remain important in some districts as feeders to Metro stations. The trams also provide important cross links between metro lines.

Trolley bus – Some trolley buses are from the Stone Age, but are slowly being replaced by modern ones.

Metro opened in 1935 with one 11-kilometre (6.8 mi) line and 13 stations, it was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union. Currently, Moscow Metro has 182 stations. Its route length is 301.2 kilometers (187.2 mi). The Moscow Metro is the world's second most heavily used rapid transit system after Tokyo's twin subway. The Moscow Metro has 301.2 km (187.2 mi) of route length, 12 lines, and 182 stations. The average daily passenger traffic during the year is 6.6 million passengers per day. The highest passenger traffic is the highest on weekdays, when the Metro carries over 7 million passengers per day. The traffic is lower on weekends. You’ll need to buy a metro card for 28 Rbl from the window labeled «КАССА». You can also buy cards for more rides which you can use for a fixed period. The metro works from 05:30 to 01:00.

Taxi – the most expensive transport. The cost usually depends on the situation (can be from 200 Rbl up to 2000 Rbl).

Electrichka (local train) – The cheapest option if you want to visit one of the suburbs or villages outside Moscow. This is real Russian life and during your trip sellers badger you with whatever they are selling: ice-cream, maps, shoestrings and so on. No toilets!

Arriving Getting around

«Arbatskaya» metro station

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PricesName of goods Price (in roubles)

1) standard meal for one person 2502) bread 20-303) butter (200 g) 50-804) rice (1 kg) 40-455) flour (1 kg) 25-356) sugar (900 kg) 35-407) eggs (10) 30-608) cornflakes 30-1209) cheese (1 kg) 250-30010) sausage (1 kg) 200-25011) yoghurt (300 g) 20-4012) milk (1 liter) 30-5013) pasta (400 g) 25-5014) beef (1 kg) 250-35015) Mars bar 2516) potatoes (1 kg) 40-6017) tomatoes (1 kg) 8018) apples (1 kg) 6019) McDonald’s Big Mac 7720) vodka (0,5 liter) 150-20021) bottle of local beer (0,5 liter) 3522) coffee (100 g) (dispersive) 10023) tea (50 g) 40-5024) juice (1 liter) 40-80

25) chocolate (100 g) 30-4526) washing powder (400 g) 40-6027) shampoo (400 ml) 100-15028) soap 10-2029) metro/bus ticket 28/3030) pel’meni (1 kg) 100-300

Don't put your legs onto the table• You can do everything, but no one must know about it• Everything is usually more expensive for the foreigners • than for RussiansIt's OK to be late less than 15 minutes• It's impossible to be late for business meetings• If you invite women somewhere you are supposed to pay for her • (if they’re just friends it’s to be decided at the place)Men always feel humble if women offer to pay for them• Sex before marriage is normal• It isn't necessary to drink if you don't want• If you are going to some friend's place, you can bring a little present with • yourself (a cake, for example)There is an allocation of housework and responsibilities in man and woman • in the classical family, but they’re not that strict in contemporary familiesIt's better not to have problems with the police• It's better to know laws and prices so as to be cheated• You should always carry your passport and the copy of registration • paper with youDon't carry much money with you, it's better not to show your «fat» • purse to anybodyTraffic rules are not always followed by drivers, so be careful• Men usually let women have their seats, and young people do it for old • people, while adults free a place for kidsFirst you should choose what to buy, then go to cash desk and pay • for it in some storesFriends usually kiss each other to the cheeks 1• time, most men just shake their handsIf they are friends they can pay for themselves• Not all the policemen speak foreign languages• Book offices for the foreigners are apart• Don't discuss national problems with drunk strangers• There is a heavy negative opinion about military service in Russia•

General recommendations

1 USD ($) = 27,8 roubles 1 EUR (€) = 39,7 roubles

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Russian Letter

Sounds Like in English Word

Sound and how

it is marked

Аа father a

Бб bomb b

Вв vault v

Гг go g

Дд do d

Ее yet e

Ёё yo! yo

Жж vision zh

Зз zebra z

Ии yield i

Йй short «yi» i

Кк kinky k

Лл loony l

Мм monk m

Нн no n

Оо long o

Пп pot p

Russian Letter

Sounds Like in English Word

Sound and how

it is marked

Рр corrida r

Сс sucks s

Тт take t

Уу look u or oo

Фф fake f

Хх host kh

Цц mats ts

Чч cheeky ch

Шш shock sh

Щщ shch shch

Ъъ silent

Ыы busy or above y

Ьь onion

Ээ land e

Юю mute yu

Яя yankee ya

Russian AlphabetRussian GreetingsДоброе утро Dobraye ootro Good morning

Добрый день Dobriy den' Good afternoon

Добрый вечер Dobriy vyecher Good evening

Здравствуйте Zdrastvooyte Hello

Привет! Preeeevyet Hi!

Рад тебя видеть Rat teebya veedet' Nice to see you!

Как поживаешь? Kak pazhivayesh? How are you?

Спасибо, прекрасно! Spaseeba preekrasna! Fine, thanks!

Неплохо! Neeploha! Not so bad

Как Вас зовут? Kak vas zavoot? What's your name?

Меня зовут... Meenya zavoot... My name is...

Saying Thanks in RussianСпасибо Spaseeba Thank you

Большое спасибо Bal'shoye spaseeba Thank you very much.

Не за что Nyezashta That's all right

Пожалуйста Pazhalooysta You're welcome

ApologiesИзвините Eezveeneete Sorry!

Простите Prasteete Excuse me

Ничего, ничего, пожалуйста Neechevo, neechevo, pazhaloosta That's all right

Ничего страшного Neechevo srashnava No harm

Saying Goodbye in RussianК сожалению, мне (нам) пора идти

K sazhalyeneeyoo mnye (nam) para eettee

I'm sorry I (we) should be going

До свидания! Da sveedaneeya Good-bye!

Пока! Paka Bye-bye!

Увидимся Ooveedeemsya See you

Счастливого пути! Schasleevava pootee Have a nice trip!

Speaking, ComprehensionВы говорите по-английски? Vi gavareetye pa angleeskee? Do you speak English?

Я плохо говорю по-русски Ya plokha gavaryoo pa rooskee My Russian is bad

Говорите, пожалуйста, медлен-нее

Gavareetye pazhalooysta myedleeney

Could you speak more slowly?

Я не понимаю Ya nee paneemayoo I don't understand

Я понимаю Ya paneemayoo I understand

English-Russian Phrase-Book

Обмен валюты Currency Exchange

Метро Metro

Вход Entrance

Выход Exit

Переход Passage

Остановка Station

Стоп Stop

Осторожно Careful

Внимание Attention

Магазин Shop

Открыто Opened

Закрыто Closed

Часы работы Opening Hours

Полиция Police

Улица Street

Переулок Lane

Проезд Passage

Набережная Embankment

Площадь Square

Мост Bridge

Бульвар Boulevard

Вокзал Railway Station

Церковь Church

Музей Museum

Парк Park

Проспект Avenue

Станция метро Metro Station

Street & Metro Signs:

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What to see1147 Prince Yuri Dolgoruky founds Moscow and builds the first wooden Kremlin.1237 Genghis Khan’s grandson and his Mongolian army burn Moscow down. For the next 230 years Russian principalities pay tribute to the Tatars ‘Golden Horde’.1325 Moscow becomes the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453 the church sees Moscow as the Third Rome.1475-79 Ivan III (the Great) throws off Tatar rule, and Moscow becomes the capital of a unified Russian state.1533 Three year old Ivan IV (the Terrible) becomes Grand Duke and proclaims himself tsar (emperor) in 1547.1613 After 10 years of invasions the Poles are ousted from Moscow; first Romanov elected as tsar.1712 Moscow loses the capital title to St. Petersburg; all tsars continue to be crowned in Moscow.1755 Empress Elizabeth founds Moscow University.1812 French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, storms through Borodino, entering Moscow to find it abandoned; erupting fires reduce 2/3 of the city to ashes during the 39 day occupation.

1813 Architects start to rebuild the ruined city. Moscow changes from a feudal town into a bourgeois city with new buildings such as Theatre Square.19th century Births of numerous artists, writers, painters, scientists and politicans (eg. Pushkin, Glinka, Shishkin) cause this century to be called The Golden Age.1900 Population reaches 1 million making Moscow the 10th most populous city in the world and thanks to railway developments (Trans Sib) the fastest growing.1918 Following the Revolution the Bolsheviks move the seat of government back to Moscow.1922 As the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), is founded Moscow becomes the Soviet capital.1935 The first Metro line, the underground Palaces for the people, is opened.1941 Battle of Moscow; Germans invade Russia and advance to within a few hundred miles of Moscow but the city stands firm.1950s Decade of Stalin’s Gothic architecture and Russian baroque. Most famous are the Seven Sisters Skyscrapers (Vysotki).

The Red Square is a large square next to the Kremlin, there's Lenin's mausoleum. In Middle Ages this square used to be the main place in Russia, which has witnessed many events: from coronations of Russia's Tsars, to enemies' attacks. Also it was the main trading place in Moscow, and the place where the Tsars' were addressing the people. In the Soviet times, it was the place where the Soviet government would address the people, and where Soviet military was showing its strength and power at the Victory Day's parades. Now it is on of the main attractions in Moscow.

In the middle of the Red square there's St. Basil’s Cathedral, which is the world renowned Russian architecture masterpiece. When it was built in 1561 to celebrate Russian victory over Kazan kingdom it was called Pokrovsky cathedral. Later it was renamed after a saint who was close to Ivan the Terrible tsar – Basil (hence – St Basil’s). There is a legend that Ivan had its architects eyes removed so that they could never create something of comparable beauty. Its also said Ivan was especially fond of the cathedral because the domes reminded him of Tartar heads on sticks. St. Basil’s was and still is an unusual cathedral: the architects built 8 small churches around the main dome and made the paths from one church to another. Every church is devoted to a separate saint. The cathedral was being rebuilt over and over, so what you see now is in fact about 200 years old. It's really strange how such a chaotic mix of architecture and colors can look so beautiful, but it does.

Where: Metro Teatral’naya, Ploshchad’ Revolyutsii, Okhotny Ryad, Borovitskaya

The Kremlin is the stronghold of Moscow and its historical center. Most of the city had been inside the Kremlin walls until the 16th century. Afterwards, the Kremlin became the official Tsars residence with just several most powerful nobles and a head of the Orthodox Church, who lived inside. Italian architects built the present Kremlin fortifications at the end of the 15th century. Moscow Kremlin fortress was one of the most fortified in Europe, even more than the ones in Milan and Krakow. The red brick walls with 20 towers were never captured by the enemies.

«Kremlin» doesn't only mean «fortifications»; this term is used to describe the whole area of the city inside the Kremlin walls. There are three main ancient Moscow cathedrals inside: Arhangelskiy (Archangel Cathedral), Uspenskiy (Assumption cathedral), Blagoveshenskiy (Annunciation Cathedral) – open for the visitors.

Also, there is Palace of the President inside the Kremlin – a 19th century white and yellow classical palace, it's closed for visitors.

There's an old, Russian style Tsars palace, Russian style Palace of the Patriarch (the head of Russian church), Armory museum. There are also Tsar-cannon (huge cannon), and Tsar-bell (huge bell), which are standing outside.

Nowadays Kremlin palace is an official residence of the President of Russian Federation. So, you can visit just part of the Kremlin territory. To visit it you should buy ticket in the ticket office which is in the Alexander's Garden, western side of the Kremlin.

Where: Metro Teatral’naya, Ploshchad’ Revolyutsii, Okhotny Ryad, Borovitskaya

More info: www.kremlin.museum.ru

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1960 The boundaries of the city are expanded to the Outer Ring Road, more than doubling the city’s area.1980 Moscow hosts the Summer Olympics, boycotted by western countries due to the war in Afghanistan.1990 Thanks to Glasnost and Perestroika, the first McDonalds opens at Pushkin Square with queues of 5km. Moscow party chief Boris Yeltsin becomes Russia’s first democratic elected president in 1991.1994 Moscow’s mayor Yury Luzhkov decides to rebuild Church of Christ the Saviour, which opens in 2000.1997 Moscow’s 850th birthday celebrations.1990s From a city with almost no restaurants, hidden clubs and KGB prostitutes Moscow rises as Night Life and Party Capital where everything is available – from naked hairdressers to dancing in the Gulag Club.2000 – 2009 Moscow develops as an international business centre, and becomes the most expensive city in the world. At the same time, the city becomes the playing field for Chechen terrorists who plant bombs in the Metro and in October 2002, the audience of the Dubrovka theatre is held hostage. 130 die in the bungled rescue attempt. Under Putin Moscow becomes a political force; when the Kremlin speaks the world listens (at least). He annoints Medvedev as his successor, who takes office in May 2008.

Cathedral of Christ the SaviourThis is what a new Russian orthodox church ought

to look like. It is so immense you’ll be wondering how many blocks of dynamite the Soviet’s needed to get rid of the thing the first time around. That was in 1931. This newly restored example came into being from 1994 until 2000 and is a shiny beacon for the Russian Orthodox Church at home. Buy your candles to the left of the entrance way, photos and souvenirs to the right. The walls are decorated with lists of awards, battles, list of those perished and awarded in the war with Napoleon in 1812 are inscribed once more upon the walls. Women should cover their head. No mobiles or cameras inside. Open 10:00 – 17:00. Admission free.

Where: Metro Kropotkinskaya More info: www.xxc.ru

Novodevichy MonasteryMonastery or convent, this place occupies a very

specific place in Russian history. On the grounds surrounded by the Kremlinesque walls are four cathedrals including the majestic four-onion globes of Smolensky Cathedral. Founded by Ivan the Terrible in 1524, it was here that Peter the Great imprisoned his sister Sophia and executed her supporters from the Strelsty rebellion. Today it is a magnificient and peaceful cloister with an impressive icon collection.Open 10.00 – 17.30. Closed Tue, last Mon of the month. Admission 100-150Rbl.

Where: Metro Sportivnaya, Novodevichy proezd 1

More info: www.shm.ru

Sprawling Kolomenskoye is a favourite with kids, mums and dads, old grandmothers and young hipsters alike. The gentle sloping hills are covered with remnants of the areas glorious past life as a Royal Estate.

Where: Metro Kolomenskoye More info: www.mgomz.ru

Vorobyevy Gory (Sparrow Hills)As long as the Ostankino Tower remains

closed to visitors the best view of Moscow you will find is from Universitetskaya Ploshchad at Vorobyevi Gory. In a city as flat as Moscow it’s a real treat to find some hills, so it is well worth walking to the top from Vorobyevy Gory at the foot of the hill. The Moscow skyline isn’t all that impressive and any photos you take will have the ugly Luzhniki stadium in them, but it’s always worthwhile to see a city from above. Try to spot all the seven sisters, look for the distant spires of the Kremlin or just go for a walk through the peaceful hills below. The lookout is quite a lively place, especially in summer when many students from nearby Moscow State University choose to drink here at night. During the day there is a good chance you’ll see a bride or two and there are souvenir stalls here on weekends.

Where: Metro Vorobyevy Gory

The Arbat is Moscow's most charming and lively pedestrian street. Once a bohemian quarter of the city, littered with cafes crammed full of the capital's intellectual elite, the Arbat still retains a vibrant and artistic air today, with souvenir stalls selling traditional Russian gifts, artists offering original canvases and street performers entertaining the shoppers.

The street boasts an impressive selection of cafes, restaurants and bars, where you can sample everything from a decent cup of coffee and a French pastry, to a genuine Lebanese shaurma (kebab) or a tasty thick milkshake in a genuine 1950s American Diner. The Arbat is a symbol of old Moscow and its name is mentioned in the city chronicles as far back as 1493. In that year the whole city was engulfed in a terrible fire, thought to have been sparked by a candle in the Church of St. Nicholas in Peski, which is situated on the Arbat.

Where: Metro Arbatskaya

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Cosmonautics MuseumThis is a place for space fanatics. Tucked

under the huge monument to the Soviet Union’s race to the stars is this museum (sadly only in Russian) of all things cosmos. There are models of satellites, original space suits from both side of the Atlantic, the interior of part of the Mir space station and photos of famous cosmonauts such as Yuri Gagarin. You’ll also find here the stuffed bodies of the first dogs in space Belka and Strelka, proudly sitting next to the tiny pods that they flew around the earth in. There’s a café serving space food and some 3-D shows (for which you have to pay extra) too. Open 10:00 – 18:00. Closed Mon, Tue and last Fri of the month. Admission 50 Rbl-100 Rbl.

Where: Metro VDNKH, Prospekt Mira. 111

Great Patriotic War Museum 1941-1945Dedicated to the Great Patriotic War,

this museum opened in 1995 on the 50th anniversary of the Great Victory. The museum houses a set of evocative battle dioramas on the ground floor, with excellent explanations of the scenes in English. Immediately as you enter, you see the Commanders Hall and Grand Staircase leading up to the Hall of Glory, a solemn memorial space. Further along there is the exhibition hall with exhibits about the different battles and parties involved. Open 10:00 – 19:30. Closed Mon, last Thurs of the month. Admission foreigners 120 Rbl

Where: Metro Park Pobedy, Ul. Bratyev Fonchenko 10

More info: www.poklonnayagora.ru

Moscow Museum of Modern ArtThe great sculpture garden by Tsereteli

(Moscow’s contemporary art guardian and self-promoter) offers the introduction to the contemporary Moscow art scene. Travel through the different phases of Russian art from the avant garde of the past with Malevich, Kandinsky, the Georgian Niko Pirosmani, Natalia Goncharova and some early offerings from the wundergroup AES group. The downstairs is devoted to temporary contemporary art. The museum is located in an old merchant’s mansion, renovated to become an great exhibition space. No booklet or map, but at least signage in English and some helpful staff. Open 12:00 – 20:00. Closed last Mon of the month. Admission foreigners 100-150 Rbl. Entrance may be more for special exhibitions.

Where: Metro Chekhovskaya, Ul. Petrovka 25

More info: www.mmoma.ruPushkin Fine Arts MuseumOpened to the public in 1912,

this museum was primarily intended as an educational facility. Coming from the fashion of that time, it houses a lot of the world’s art in the form of plaster casts. It also has works by the Old Masters and representatives of various European schools of painting. Two buildings sit side by side – the first grandiose structure houses the old plastery cast bit, the impressionists are held in a separate wing for which there is a separate admission charge. There are only booklets in Russian (50Rbl), so to enhance the experience, you may consider taking an audio guide, although they can be tempremental. Open 10:00 – 18:00, Thu 10:00 – 20:00. Closed Mon. Admission foreigners 150-300 Rbl.

Where: Metro Kropotkinskaya, Ul. Volkhonka 12

Tretyakovskaya GalleryFor visitors anxious to uncover

the mysteries of the famous «Russian soul», the Tryetakov Gallery is the place to start. Founded in 1856 by influential collector Pavel Tryetakov, it is the world’s number one museum of Russian art. Ranging from exquisite and mysterious 12th century icons to the politically charged and prescient canvases of Russia’s favourite realist master, Ilya Repin, the collection is a rich and revealing insight into the history and attitudes of the Russians. Be sure to make use of the A3-size laminated information sheets found through-out the museum; there is always at least one English version hidden amongst the Russian ones! Open 10:00 – 19:30. Closed Mon. Admission foreigners 150-250Rbl. English audio guide 300Rbl.

Where: Metro Tretyakovskaya, Lavrushensky per. 10

More info: www.tretyakovgallery.ru

WinzavodA hub of contemporary galleries and other

artistic inspirations on an industrial factory lot. There are over ten galleries with exhibitions varying from Russian photography to American and British works. There are also artists studios, an alternative clothes shop and a cafe. The location and industrial surroundings gives the feeling of being on the movie studio back lot. Open 12:00 – 20:00. Closed Mon. Admission free.

Where: Metro Chkalovskaya, 4-y Siromyatnichesky per. 1 bldg 6

More info: www.winzavod.ru

All-Russia exhibition center (VVTS or VDNKH)

Founded in the 1930s and expanded in the 1950s and 1960s, VDNKH was conceived as a showcase for all the great achievements of the Soviet Union. The numerous pavilions once housed exhibitions on the latest technology, agricultural techniques and the different cultures of the Soviet Union. These days there are very few exhibitions and most of the pavilions are filled with shops. But the real reason to go here is because it looks so impressive. The pavilions are strikingly designed in varying architectural styles and the grounds are dotted with numerous impressive fountains. The entrance gate, with Orlov’s statue «Tractor Driver and Collective Farmer» on top, is very striking as is the main pavilion which looks like a miniature version of one of the seven sisters, enhanced by a lovely Lenin statue in front of it. Other attractions include the launcher that sent Yury Gagarin’s rocket into space as well as small Tupolev and Yakovlev planes which you can board (all are outside the Cosmos pavilion). There are also a few nice restaurants towards the back of the grounds and there is a shabby little theme park at the front. You might want to combine your visit with a trip to the Cosmonautics Museum.

Where: Metro VDNKH

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Each metro line is identified by an alphanumeric index (usually consisting of just a number), a name, and a colour. The voice announcements refer to the lines by name. A male voice announces the next station when going towards the centre, and a female voice when going away from it. On the circle line, the clockwise direction has male voice announcements for the stations, while the counter-clockwise direction has female voice announcements

The signs showing the stations that can be reached in a given direction are installed on the stations.The Moscow Metro is open from about 05:30 until 01:00. The precise opening time varies at different stations

according to the arrival of the first train, but all stations close for entrance simultaneously at 01:00. The reason for closing down overnight is the need for regular maintenance.

The minimum interval between the trains of 90 seconds can be observed during the morning and evening rush hours.

To Sheremetyevo Airport from Moscow

Map of Aeroexpress Terminals Location

To Moscow from Sheremetyevo Airport

To Domodedovo Airport from Moscow To Moscow from Domodedovo Airport

To Vnukovo Airport from Moscow To Moscow from Vnukovo Airport

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Here are some contacts, those you may need during your internship

Embassy of your country

PeopleOCP:

Buddy:

Host:

VP:

LCP:

Welcome to Moscow!