Why Moscow?
Moscow is the epicentre of Russian power. It’s home to the commanding presence of the Kremlin, the apex of Russian politics, and the country's most staggering buildings. Look out for Stalin's Seven Sisters, a striking collection of seven high-rises that epitomise Soviet style. This is not a city that does anything by halves. Even its unpronounceable metro stations are adorned in frescoes, enormous paintings and bronze statues that curlicue around the rumbling walls.
Starting any trip through Moscow, or Russia even, in the grand surroundings of Red Square is an excellent idea. It’s the perfect introduction to 'onion spotting', from the brightly optimistic domes of St Basil's Cathedral to the nearby burnished globes topping the extravagant Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Embrace the excess and visit the State Armoury and the Russian Crown Jewels at the Kremlin, the pre-revolutionary art at the Tretyakov Gallery and the fairytale-esque ballet at the Bolshoi.