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Is The Palladium Travel Club Worth It? | A Comprehensive Review

Is The Palladium Travel Club Worth It?

The Palladium Travel Club is a membership program that offers a variety of benefits to its members, including discounts on hotel stays, airfare, and other travel expenses. But is it worth the cost?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Palladium Travel Club to see what it has to offer and whether or not it’s worth the investment. We’ll also provide some tips on how to get the most out of your membership.

So, if you’re thinking about joining the Palladium Travel Club, read on to find out if it’s right for you.

The Palladium Travel Club is a loyalty program for guests of Palladium hotels and resorts. Members of the club receive a variety of benefits, including access to exclusive discounts, preferred rates, and opportunities to earn points and redeem rewards.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the Palladium Travel Club to see if it is worth it for frequent travelers. We will discuss the benefits of membership, the drawbacks, and whether or not the club is a good value for your money.

Benefits of the Palladium Travel Club

There are a number of benefits to joining the Palladium Travel Club, including:

• Access to exclusive benefits and discounts. Members of the Palladium Travel Club receive access to a variety of exclusive benefits and discounts, including:
• Early booking discounts
• Complimentary room upgrades
• Access to exclusive events
• Complimentary breakfast
• Late checkout
• Preferred rates at Palladium hotels and resorts. Members of the Palladium Travel Club receive preferred rates at all Palladium hotels and resorts. These rates can be significantly lower than the standard rates, making it a great way to save money on your next vacation.
• Opportunities to earn points and redeem rewards. Members of the Palladium Travel Club can earn points for every dollar they spend on their stays at Palladium hotels and resorts. These points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including:
• Free nights at Palladium hotels and resorts
• Complimentary upgrades
• Spa treatments
• VIP treatment and amenities. Members of the Palladium Travel Club receive VIP treatment at all Palladium hotels and resorts. This includes:
• Priority check-in and check-out
• Access to VIP lounges
• Complimentary amenities

Drawbacks of the Palladium Travel Club

There are a few drawbacks to joining the Palladium Travel Club, including:

• Annual membership fee. The Palladium Travel Club has an annual membership fee of $100. This fee can be waived if you spend a certain amount of money on your stays at Palladium hotels and resorts each year.
• Blackout dates and other restrictions. Some benefits of the Palladium Travel Club are only available during certain times of the year, or on certain types of rooms. For example, early booking discounts are only available for stays during the off-season.
• Limited availability of some benefits. Some benefits of the Palladium Travel Club, such as complimentary room upgrades, are only available on a limited basis. This means that you may not always be able to get the benefit you want, even if you have enough points.
• Difficulty redeeming points for some rewards. Some rewards in the Palladium Travel Club can be difficult to redeem. For example, you may have to wait a long time for the reward you want to become available.

The Palladium Travel Club can be a great value for frequent travelers who stay at Palladium hotels and resorts often. The club offers a variety of benefits and discounts that can save you money on your next vacation. However, there are also some drawbacks to consider, such as the annual membership fee and blackout dates. Ultimately, whether or not the Palladium Travel Club is worth it for you depends on your individual travel needs and preferences.

Additional information

In addition to the benefits listed above, the Palladium Travel Club also offers a number of other perks, including:

• Access to a dedicated concierge team. The Palladium Travel Club’s concierge team is available to help you with everything from booking your flights and hotels to arranging activities and excursions.
• A personalized travel planner. The Palladium Travel Club offers a personalized travel planner who can help you create a custom itinerary for your next vacation.
• Exclusive access to events and experiences. Members of the Palladium Travel Club receive exclusive access to events and experiences at Palladium hotels and resorts.

If you are a frequent traveler who is looking for a way to save money on your next vacation, the Palladium Travel Club may be a good option for you. The club offers a variety of benefits and discounts that can help you save money on your stays at Palladium hotels and resorts. However, there are also some drawbacks to consider, such as the annual membership fee and blackout dates. Ultimately, whether or not the Palladium Travel Club is worth it for you depends on your individual travel needs and preferences.

The Palladium Travel Club is a loyalty program for guests who stay at Palladium hotels and resorts. Members receive a variety of benefits, including discounts on room rates, complimentary upgrades, early check-in and late check-out, and access to exclusive amenities.

So, is the Palladium Travel Club worth it? That depends on your travel habits and preferences. If you’re a frequent traveler who stays at Palladium hotels and resorts, the club can offer you significant savings and benefits. However, if you don’t stay at Palladium hotels and resorts very often, the club may not be worth the investment.

Here are some of the benefits of joining the Palladium Travel Club:

• Discounts on room rates: Members receive a 10% discount on room rates at all Palladium hotels and resorts. This discount can add up to significant savings, especially if you’re a frequent traveler.
• Complimentary upgrades: Members are eligible for complimentary upgrades to a higher room category, subject to availability. This is a great way to enjoy a more luxurious stay at a Palladium hotel or resort.
• Early check-in and late check-out: Members can enjoy early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability. This is a great way to make the most of your stay at a Palladium hotel or resort.
• Access to exclusive amenities: Members have access to exclusive amenities, such as a private lounge, a concierge service, and a VIP beach area. These amenities can make your stay at a Palladium hotel or resort even more enjoyable.

Of course, there are also some drawbacks to joining the Palladium Travel Club. The most significant drawback is the cost of membership. The annual fee for the club is $250, and there is also a one-time joining fee of $100. If you don’t stay at Palladium hotels and resorts very often, the cost of membership may not be worth it.

Another drawback of the Palladium Travel Club is that the benefits are not as generous as some other loyalty programs. For example, members only receive a 10% discount on room rates, while some other loyalty programs offer discounts of up to 25%. Additionally, members are only eligible for complimentary upgrades to a higher room category, subject to availability. Some other loyalty programs offer guaranteed upgrades to a higher room category.

Overall, the Palladium Travel Club can be a great value for frequent travelers who stay at Palladium hotels and resorts. However, if you don’t stay at Palladium hotels and resorts very often, the cost of membership may not be worth it.

Who Should Join the Palladium Travel Club?

The Palladium Travel Club is best suited for frequent travelers who stay at Palladium hotels and resorts. Members receive a variety of benefits, including discounts on room rates, complimentary upgrades, early check-in and late check-out, and access to exclusive amenities.

Here are some of the benefits of joining the Palladium Travel Club for frequent travelers:

• Discounts on room rates: Members receive a 10% discount on room rates at all Palladium hotels and resorts. This can add up to significant savings, especially if you’re a frequent traveler.

If you’re a frequent traveler who stays at Palladium hotels and resorts, the Palladium Travel Club can be a great way to save money and enjoy a more luxurious experience.

How to Decide if the Palladium Travel Club Is Worth It for You

The Palladium Travel Club can be a great value for frequent travelers who stay at Palladium hotels and resorts. However, it’s important to consider your travel habits and preferences before you decide if the club is worth it for you.

Here are some things to consider:

Answer: The Palladium Travel Club can be a great value for travelers who stay at Palladium resorts frequently. The club offers a variety of benefits, including discounts on room rates, free breakfast, and priority access to amenities. However, it is important to weigh the benefits of the club against the cost of membership to determine if it is worth it for you.

What are the benefits of The Palladium Travel Club?

• Discounted room rates: Members of The Palladium Travel Club receive a 20% discount on room rates at all Palladium resorts. This can save you a significant amount of money on your next vacation.
• Free breakfast: Members of The Palladium Travel Club receive a free breakfast buffet at all Palladium resorts. This is a great way to start your day and save money on food.
• Priority access to amenities: Members of The Palladium Travel Club receive priority access to amenities such as the pool, beach, and restaurants. This means you can avoid long lines and enjoy the amenities without having to wait.
• Other benefits: Members of The Palladium Travel Club also receive other benefits, such as free Wi-Fi, late check-out, and a welcome gift. These benefits can make your vacation more enjoyable and stress-free.

What is the cost of The Palladium Travel Club?

The cost of The Palladium Travel Club varies depending on the membership level you choose. The basic level costs $99 per year and offers the following benefits:

• 20% discount on room rates
• Free breakfast buffet
• Priority access to amenities

The premium level costs $199 per year and offers all of the benefits of the basic level plus the following:

• Late check-out
• A welcome gift

The executive level costs $299 per year and offers all of the benefits of the premium level plus the following:

• Complimentary airport transfers
• A dedicated concierge
• A personalized itinerary

Is The Palladium Travel Club worth it?

The Palladium Travel Club can be a great value for travelers who stay at Palladium resorts frequently. The club offers a variety of benefits, including discounts on room rates, free breakfast, and priority access to amenities. However, it is important to weigh the benefits of the club against the cost of membership to determine if it is worth it for you.

If you are a frequent traveler who stays at Palladium resorts, the club can save you a significant amount of money on your next vacation. The discounts on room rates, free breakfast, and priority access to amenities can add up to a lot of savings. Additionally, the other benefits of the club, such as free Wi-Fi, late check-out, and a welcome gift, can make your vacation more enjoyable and stress-free.

However, if you do not stay at Palladium resorts frequently, the cost of the club may not be worth it. The benefits of the club are only valid at Palladium resorts, so if you do not plan on staying at a Palladium resort anytime soon, the club may not be a good value for you.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to join The Palladium Travel Club is a personal one. You need to weigh the benefits of the club against the cost of membership to determine if it is worth it for you.

the Palladium Travel Club is a luxury travel club that offers a variety of benefits to its members, including discounts on hotel stays, airfare, and other travel expenses. However, the club’s annual fee is relatively high, and it may not be worth it for some people. If you are a frequent traveler who is looking for a way to save money on your trips, the Palladium Travel Club may be a good option for you. However, you should carefully consider the club’s benefits and costs before making a decision.

Here are some key takeaways to consider:

• The Palladium Travel Club offers a variety of benefits to its members, including discounts on hotel stays, airfare, and other travel expenses.
• The club’s annual fee is relatively high, and it may not be worth it for some people.
• If you are a frequent traveler who is looking for a way to save money on your trips, the Palladium Travel Club may be a good option for you.
• You should carefully consider the club’s benefits and costs before making a decision.

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Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa Questions & Answers

Dear Guest,

Greetings from sunny Jamaica, thank you for choosing the luxurious and majestic Grand Palladium Hotels Jamaica/Lady Hamilton Resorts and Spa where we trust your stay will be a memorable one, nothing short of GRAND.

The Club gathers the most loyal customers of Palladium Hotels & Resorts, who enjoy their holidays in our different complexes in the Caribbean and Spain. The program is designed to meet all their needs and improve their holiday experiences. By being members, they are entitled to exclusive rates, personalized attention and for members only services.

To become a member you only need: to take a minimum of one week holiday a year, take pleasure in visiting Palladium hotels, be fond of personalized attention and a wish to access exclusive services

Upon arrival to our Palladium hotels, approach our Palladium Travel Club staff to receive more information.

Remain at your disposal for any further questions .

Maria Andreu

Community Manager Jamaica

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Pros and Cons to the Palladium Travel Club- An Opinion

¡Bienvenidos! › Forums › Palladium Travel Club › Pros and Cons to the Palladium Travel Club- An Opinion

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I want to start by saying that we joined the Palladium Travel Club in 2011 and have enjoyed using our membership to visit Palladium properties 14 times from 2012 through 2015. Additionally, we have three visits already booked for 2016. I suppose this would be the greatest pro in my opinion, having the ability to travel with greater frequency.

However, here goes. The Palladium Travel Club was designed to help provide a more enhanced vacation experience by combining special prices with additional services. Obviously, the greatest benefit that most members would recognize would be the reduced room rates offered to members. Members receive rates which are significantly lower than those offered on the website with a guarantee of receiving a 10% lower rate if the member can find a lower rate which is able to be verified (this includes if there is a special promotion offered by the hotel). In addition to the special rates, there are a variety of services which offer additional value to a member’s vacation. For every stay of at least 7 nights, members receive free private airport transfers, a gift, Palladium money to be used toward hotel provided services and merchandise from the logo shop, and a complimentary excursion (from a listing of several being offered at the particular location). In my opinion, this adds $300-$400 in value for a vacation stay.

While at the resort, members receive concierge services which include unlimited dinner reservations. And each a la carte restaurant offers a special cart of premium drinks which are only available to Travel Club members. Members receive priority room assignation as a benefit listed in the contract, so Travel Club rooms are assigned before all others are assigned, increasing the likelihood of receiving room requests. All members receive a complimentary bottle (sparkling wine) and a fruit basket upon check in. Also, Travel Club members receive beach towels in the room, so there is no need for those pesky towel cards. Travel Club members have complimentary access to the wet areas of Zentropia, and receive a 20% discount on spa services.

As the Travel Club has grown, more services continue to be added. All of the resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico have exclusive lounges for members…most of which are on the beach (although the lounge in Vallarta is perched atop a cliff with a magnificent view). Members receive private check in which takes place in a private area in Punta Cana and Riviera Maya, and bypasses lines if large groups have arrived. And there is also something to be said for the familiarity of the Travel Club staff. The Travel Club motto is: “From Guest to Family” and the Travel Club staff truly endeavor to treat members not just as guests, but as family. That familiarity is truly special.

As for the cons, as I see them. Firstly, I believe the Travel Club is not right for everyone. Some people just will not be happy if they have a commitment to vacation at the same locations for several years. Some people want more variety, and these people may not be happy with a Travel Club investment. While the offering of world wide exchange weeks seeks to address this, many may not find it satisfactory.

Another con is that a Travel Club membership is an investment, and can be expensive. While that investment will be recouped if you use your membership, not everyone is either in the position to make that purchase, or is willing to make that type of purchase. As I see it, those are the major cons to the Travel Club.

Since I like familiarity and don’t feel the need to visit new and different locations, that was actually a benefit to me. As for the cost, we had been paying our children’s college tuition, and that bill was no longer looking us in the eye, so it really didn’t detract from our budget, the timing was just right. However, as individuals’ situations vary, their perspectives will also vary.

I trust that other members will have additional feedback and viewpoints to help further inform people, this is not a comprehensive list of the Pros and Cons. I look forward to seeing additional comments and questions on the topic.

Gracias Peter. Very helpful.

This is a great list! We have friends (a work friend of Mark’s) who just bought a small contract. They first started visiting a couple years ago when we suggested it to them!

This isn’t the right time for us to make that type of investment but it’s a great program!!

I agree with everything! My husband and I are new to the travel club, having joined May 2015 on our first visit to RM. We loved everything about the resort and got a small membership to see if we would like/use it or if it would live up to what they told us. We joined on a jr suite level and planned on returning in Sept 15 for our honeymoon. My disappointment is that even though we were members (new) we were not given our recommendation (2nd fl suite, king bed, nice view). We got a 1st fl jr suite next to the road and the staff would walk in front of our balconies as a short cut. I will now tell you the TC staff (Romero) did everything possible to make us happy, we were upgraded to a mayan suite on the beach (Kantenah). We LOVED it so much we upgraded our TC membership to mayan suite level. So for GP this was a win/win. They made us happy and in return we upgraded our membership. We are returning in Feb & once again hoping we get some our requests. I will keep you posted! I think if I am booking my stay 5 months in advance, I should have a high chance of getting my building/floor and possibly room. ( I requested 6 different rooms that I would be happy with). If the rooms are unavailable because other TC members have requested them prior to us I’m good with that. Seniority wins. It’s when they are left empty or given to non members that I get upset. Does anyone have any specific email addresses I can use to request this again? Also, our TC level of mayan suites, what is that level in other GP resorts, like Jamaica and Punta Cana? BTW I Love this site!

Welcome Springer, I have this email address. [email protected]

I know with non-members rooms are not assigned until it is close to arrival dates. In the hospitality industry things change frequently so it may be that they do not assign TC rooms until it is closer to your dates.

I LOVE the Kantenah MS! Have fun.

First of all, I am glad you are enjoying your membership. In addition to trial memberships, there are three basic levels of me,bership: Junior, Governor, amd Presidential. These levels determine what room types you can book theough the Travel Club. At the junior and governor level, there are also plus levels, which entitle you to some additional options…swim up suites for example. Also, there are Ambassador and Signature memberships, which add these room types to your Governor or Presidential membership. Our Membership and Information sheet should contain all of the room types you can book under the Membership Charactersitics portion. This information is repeated inder Clause 1 of your contract.

Mayan Suites are Governor level rooms, so I would think that you would have access to Governor Suites (one bedroom suites woth separate living room) in Riviera Maya and Jamaica, Romance Suites and Honeymoon Suites in Jamaica and Punta Cana, Grandmaster Oceanview suites in Vallarta, as well as a few other room types in Royal Suites Turquesa. Check to see if your membership includes swim up suites or not.

Regarding room assignation, room assignments are made very shortly before arrival, they are not reserved months in advance. What happens os the hotel assigns Travel Club rooms and then assigns non Travel Club rooms. So theoretically, Travel Club members have the best chance of getting their room requests met. They are not guaranteed, however. When making requests, the more specific the request, the less likely to have it fulfilled…and therefore the more likely you would be to be disappointed. Therefore, I would advise you pick what is most important first. Floor level and general location. Third floor, close to pool. Also, request closed concept bathrom if that is important. If you aske for one specific room, you will likely be disappointed…trust me…I know.

Hopefully this helps.

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Holidays in Punta Cana: The best hotels in the area

This beautiful island is famous for some of the best tropical beaches in the world and for the friendliness and never-ending good humour of its inhabitants, who live life to the rhythm of music. Endless coconut palms laden with fruit and coral reefs colour this paradise, which stretches along more than 50 kilometres of coastline. Nature reserves, golf courses and water parks (where visitors can observe incredible marine life) are just waiting to be discovered. Without a doubt, it is a dream destination. 

Punta Cana is the Dominican Republic's most popular destination, located in the province of La Altagracia. Its beaches have been rated by many visitors as the best in the world. Enjoy a dream destination at Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa, Grand Palladium Bávaro Suites Resort & Spa, Grand Palladium Palace Resort, Spa & Casino or TRS Turquesa Hotel. 

All-inclusive Resort in Punta Cana 

White sandy beaches lapped by turquoise waters and caressed by a warm breeze are the backdrop to our hotels, which enjoy perfect year-round temperatures. The hotels offer first-class cuisine, stunning swimming pools, duck and fish ponds and exciting leisure options for the whole family.

The sophisticated and comfortable rooms are fully equipped with whirlpool baths, televisions, large beds, a balcony or terrace with beautiful views and a wide variety of facilities and services: 6 swimming pools, including a special pool for children, 22 bars and 14 restaurants, including 8 à la carte restaurants (Mexican, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Asian, Indian, Argentinian and a steakhouse), as well as 6 international restaurants with show-cooking and themed self-service islands, including the Mediterranean seafront restaurant, Poseidon. With the Dine Around programme, guests can visit any of the restaurants or bars at Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts in Punta Cana without limits. In addition, for an additional cost guests can enjoy Chic Cabaret & Restaurant, a stunning adults-only gastro-show located within TRS Turquesa Hotel. 

The resort has an impressive design, with the Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino's main entrance, state-of-the-art lobby bar and elegant interior courtyard being particularly noteworthy. Rooms and suites feature a collection of elegant furnishings, state-of-the-art bathrooms, whirlpool tubs with ocean views, spacious terraces and suites transformed into lofts. Restaurants and bars throughout the resort also feature state-of-the-art design, as does the lobby of the Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa.

In order to provide the highest level of comfort to our guests, a total of 258 rooms in blocks 2,000 to 4,000 of Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa have been renovated. 

Adults only hotels in Punta Cana

On the other hand, if you are looking for adults-only hotels in Punta Cana, TRS Turquesa Hotel offers you an all-inclusive package that you can customise to your liking so that you don't have to give up any of your holiday's treats.  You will have a personal assistant at your disposal at all times, as well as free transportation throughout the resort and 24-hour room service. In addition, you will have unlimited access to all the facilities and services offered at the adjoining Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa . TRS Turquesa Hotel also includes a range of international culinary experiences in four à la carte restaurants and a beach club with infinity pool for enjoying a premium cocktail without leaving the water. 

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Welcome to Consumer Rescue

Fiascos and Fixes

Post-vacation regret: Here’s why you should never impulsively join a travel club

Michelle Couch-Friedman

Consumer reporter and ombudsman

April 26, 2023

By all accounts, Sabrina Cousins’ trip to Puerto Vallarta was amazing. She had such a wonderful time that she ended her stay by purchasing an expensive Palladium Travel Club membership. But back home, Cousins quickly came down with a terrible case of post-vacation regret. And she wants us to help pull her out of the travel club mess into which she and her husband find themselves.

But is that possible?

Cousins is just one of a long string of consumers who contact our advocacy team in a panic after returning from vacation with an unplanned timeshare or travel club contract in hand. She discovered, just like the others before her, that these agreements are easy to sign, but breaking them isn’t.

Buying a travel club by surprise

Cousins’ fiasco began when a representative from Palladium Vallarta asked her to attend a travel club presentation. She did. And to her own surprise, she was suddenly agreeing to buy a membership to said travel club.

Sabrina and her husband paid a $2,200 deposit and agreed to continue monthly payments for ten years as part of their new Palladium Travel Club membership.

“At the time, the offer sounded amazing,” Cousins told me. “But now, we have realized this offer is not something that we can afford. What can we do?”

When I first read Cousins’ plea for help, I wasn’t sure that we could do anything for her. Most of these travel club and timeshare cases are not possible to resolve. After all, having post-vacation regret is not a legal defense that will allow for the breaking of a contract.

But I had a little bit of good news for Cousins.

What kind of travel club members does Palladium want?

Just before I had received Cousins’ request for help, I had a conversation with an executive at the Palladium Travel Club. He assured me that they are not in the business of trapping travelers into memberships. In fact, the company doesn’t want any members who feel that they’ve been tricked into a Palladium Travel Club membership.

And my previous cases involving Palladium Travel Club supported this executive’s statements.

Charles Berger asked for our help to mediate his complaint about his membership. As a result, Palladium refunded his down payment of $12,000 and canceled his membership. And when Philip Paul came down with his own case of post-vacation regret, the company agreed to break his travel club contract . Similarly, after arriving home in Canada, Rowena Cruz developed a severe case of buyer’s remorse after signing a Palladium Travel Club contract, and her request for help landed on my desk. I encouraged her to politely ask Palladium to release her from the deal, and the company subsequently agreed.

I can’t say that we have had the same experience with any other timeshare or travel club company. Once you sign on that dotted line, you’re typically out of luck.

Is post-vacation regret a valid reason to break a legally binding contract?

When Cousins reached out to our advocacy team, several weeks had already elapsed since she had signed the travel club contract. Time was of the essence. The longer a consumer waits to attempt to correct the problem, the less chance there is for a positive outcome.

The first step for a traveler in this situation is to make a written cancellation request to the company.

To begin, I gave Cousins a helpful customer service executive contact at Palladium Travel Club and some tips about how to compose her letter to the company.

It’s important to remember that company executives receive many requests for help every day. The letters that get the most favorable attention are short and sweet. These pleas should never include insults or insinuations of employee trickery — those complaints often end in the virtual garbage can.

Our advocacy team sees all manner of insulting and accusatory letters come across our computers. And it’s hard to grasp what the consumer hoped would be the outcome of such a communication. But the results are always predictable.

• Never claim to be nearly killed by in-flight injury if you weren’t. Here’s why

Asking Palladium Travel Club to cancel this contract

Armed with all of the information that I gave her, Cousins made an official request that Palladium release her from the contract. I reminded Cousins that since she had a lovely time at the resort, she should even throw in a compliment.

Initially, Palladium began a bargaining phase with Cousins. If she would keep her new travel club membership, the company offered her lower monthly rates but with less vacation time over the next ten years. Cousins started to waver. She sent me the new offer and asked for an opinion.

My opinion? Since Palladium had not outright rejected her request to cancel, things looked hopeful. I suggested that if what she really wanted was to cancel her travel club membership, then she should stay firm and make that clear to the company.

Post-vacation regret relieved

Cousins went back to Palladium and made it clear that she wished for a cancellation and not a modification of her travel club contract, if possible. Very soon, she received confirmation of the termination of her membership.

Palladium has now refunded her deposit. Cousins is relieved that she’s no longer facing a financial burden that she feared would last for the next ten years, but she hopes her experience serves as a warning to other vacationers.

That’s a hope Consumer Rescue holds as well.

How to avoid getting caught in a travel club in the first place

Not all companies are as flexible as Palladium. For every consumer like Cousins who is released from a timeshare or travel club contract, many others are just stuck.

On its website, the  Federal Trade Commission offers advice about timeshare and vacation club memberships.

The most important tip that can’t be restated enough is:  Don’t act on impulse.  All the consumers who have contacted our team who have come home from vacation with unwanted expensive purchases (like jewelry , timeshares, travel clubs, and art, among other things) have one thing in common: They acted impulsively while their brains were on vacation mode.

Timeshares and travel club memberships are long-term financial commitments that should only be purchased after careful consideration. Making such a sudden decision while on vacation often leads to a giant, likely irreversible financial headache once you arrive home. (Michelle Couch-Friedman, Consumer Rescue)

*Before you go: Check out Consumer Rescue’s guide to timeshares and travel clubs.

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• Gorky Central Park of Culture and Recreation, Moscow
• Guide to Russia

What is the history of Gorky Park?

• In the pre-revolutionary period, Gorky Park was a city dump and wasteland, which was cleared in 1923 to host the All-Russian Agricultural and Artisan Industrial Exhibition
• In 1928, a huge park was planned on the former site of the exhibition. It would not just be a place of leisure, but a place to proudly display Soviet culture and daily life
• Gorky Park has remained a cultural hub ever since, and has been renovated and added to over the years to make it one of Moscow’s top attractions today

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Recreation

Gorky Park is the most famous park of Moscow, created during the Soviet period as a hub for relaxation and cultural activities. The park is beloved by Muscovites and tourists alike, who visit in all seasons to stroll, enjoy sports, admire the park’s attractions, and attend cultural events. Gorky Park is the central part of an ensemble of four green spaces – Muzeon Park of Arts, Neskuchny Garden, and Sparrow Hills Nature Reserve – which curve around the southern bank of the Moskva River to the south-west of Moscow city centre. Here you may spend some time and enjoy nature and contemprary art during your vacation in Moscow .

History of Gorky Park

Imperial russia.

In the 17th century, the eastern bank of the Moskva River beyond Moscow’s city limits was home to floodplain meadows, where palace horses grazed. From the mid-1850s, events such as cockfights, fistfights, and races were held here, and by the 20th century this area had become a city dump where the unemployed and homeless people of Moscow lived, which remained this way until the Soviet period. This wasteland lay in stark contrast to the adjoining Neskuchny Sad – ‘merry garden’ – which lay to its south, an area of aristocratic country estates and elaborate gardens.

Soviet Russia

Photo from  https://parkseason.ru/

Following the October Revolution, Vladimir Lenin travelled around Moscow to find a suitable site for the first All-Russian Agricultural and Artisan Industrial Exhibition, which would reveal opportunities for socialist development of agriculture and industry. Lenin decided on the wasteland alongside the Moskva River, which was cleared with a programme of community work. In 1923, the exhibition began. It encompassed 250 pavilions dedicated to different themes of agriculture and industry, and was divided into thematic zones, such as villages, livestock, crops, engineering, railways, republics of the USSR, and foreign countries. The organisation of the exhibition demarcated the future layout and size of Gorky Park, and the paths, ‘zones’, and main square of the exhibition have been preserved until the present day. In March 1928, Moscow City Council decided to establish a park of culture and recreation on the site of the former exhibition, which would also encompass the Neskuchny Garden. Moscow’s residents were instrumental in the construction of the park – they voiced their desires for events spaces, physical education and leisure facilities, and gave up their weekends to build the park. The park’s main architect was Konstantin Melnikov.

Did you know? Konstantin Melnikov also helped to construct Lenin’s Mausoleum and the Rusakov Worker’s Club, one of Moscow’s Constructivist masterpieces .

Over 100,000 Muscovites flocked to the opening of the park on 12th August 1928. The brand-new park was equipped with two theatres, a cinema, nursery, reading room, restaurant and café, music stages, sports arenas, rowing boats, and even a giant helter-skelter slide. Unfortunately, because of the vast size of the crowd and the general excitement, the park was damaged and closed until September.

Did you know? The park was not named after Maxim Gorky, writer and founder of Socialist Realism, until 1933.

In 1929, Betty Glan – at the mere age of 26 – became director of the park. She decided to reconceptualise it, uniting leisure, design, and ideology with the help of Moscow’s most eminent architects, designers and artists. Over the next decade, more cultural venues were established in the park, the Pushkinskaya Embankment along the Moskva River was developed, and the landscaping of the park was carefully cultivated. Architect Alexander Vlasov was particularly influential, and won the Grand Prix at the 1937 World Exhibition in Paris for his design of Gorky Park. This period under Glan’s directorship until 1937 was known as the ‘golden age’ of Gorky Park, which became not just a place for recreation, but a public space where Soviet culture and everyday life could be proudly displayed.

Did you know? During the Second World War topical events were held in Gorky Park, such as the championship in bayonet combat, grenade-throwing competitions, and air defence training. What’s more, an exhibition of captured enemy weapons – tanks, artillery, aeroplanes, and more – was organised in Gorky Park and continually updated throughout the war.

In the post-war decades new attractions were continually added to Gorky Park. These included the majestic 24-metre triumphal arch at the entrance to the park, an astronomical observatory (which remains open today), the famous Ferris wheel (unfortunately dismantled in 2008), and a fountain with lights and music.

Russia today

Photo from  https://countryscanner.ru/

The Gorky Park ensemble continued to flourish as a centre of culture and recreation in post-Soviet Russia. The adjoining Muzeon Park of Arts was founded in 1992, and Garage Museum of Contemporary Art was established in Gorky Park in 2008. The ensemble underwent serious reconstruction in 2011. Many new sports facilities were added, including centres for beach sports and extreme sports, bicycle paths and sports equipment rental hubs, and much effort was devoted to reviving original buildings, sculptures, and landscape compositions. Two years later, the embankment of the Moskva River from the southern tip of Zamoskvorechye Island all the way to Sparrow Hills was redeveloped and pedestrianised, making it possible to peacefully walk or cycle along the Moskva for many kilometres.

What can you do at Gorky Park today?

• Explore the park and see architectural attractions, fountains, and beautiful gardens
• Visit Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and the Gorky Park Museum
• Go boating on the lakes and stroll down the Pushkinskaya Embankment
• Rent bicycles or scooters, skateboard, and visit the sports centres

What can you do at Gorky Park?

Park attractions.

While exploring the treelined paths of Gorky Park, you’ll come across a number of attractions. To the west of the main entrance, near the river, is a beautiful geometric bandstand used for music and literary evenings in the Soviet period. As you head down the central alley of Gorky Park from the main entrance, you’ll see a statue of Maxim Gorky on your right, and discover the light and music fountain with its dancing jets of water – find the schedule of its performances here .

Did you know? Don’t be afraid to feed the red squirrels and birds you encounter on your walk around Gorky Park – there are even vending machines which sell special food for the animals!

The southern section of Gorky Park is occupied by the Golitsynsky Garden. In 1802, the Golitsyn Hospital was founded here as a hospital for the poor; it still adjoins Gorky Park today. Gardens were created as a relaxation place for patients, extending from the hospital building to the riverbank, and included landscaped gardens, a Chinese Bridge, and two ponds. On the riverbank is the Rotunda of the Golitsyn Hospital, which has been preserved since the 19th century. There is also a rose garden and fountain by the Bolshoi Golitsynsky Pond.

Did you know? In the Golitsynsky Garden is also located an unusual architectural monument – a public toilet designed by Alexander Vlasov in the 1930s, which is recognised as an ‘object of cultural heritage’!

Outdoor activities

Gorky Park’s extensive and varied grounds aren’t only good for walks! You can relax on the water by renting boats to sail on the Pionersky and Bolshoi Golitsynsky Ponds, or visiting the Olivkovy Beach on the Pushkinskaya Embankment to sunbathe. As well as this, you can hire bicycles, electric scooters, longboards or even roller skates to explore the park and embankments, play table tennis, visit the sports complex to play football, basketball, handball, badminton or volleyball, or visit the Vans skatepark or Nike sports centre for workouts and classes such as rooftop yoga.

Gorky Park Museum

Photo from  http://themedium.ru/

Visit the Gorky Park Museum, located in the left pier of the entrance arch. The current exhibition is dedicated to Gorky Park in the ‘golden age’ of the 1930s, and shows the development of Moscow’s central park through the eyes of Betty Glan. There is an observation deck on top of the arch, which offers a lovely view over the park and Moscow’s skyline.

Did you know? In the entrance arch there is also a gift shop where you can purchase balls, frisbees, blankets, and other items to enjoy your visit to Gorky Park.

Garage Museum of Contemporary Art

Photo from  https://muzeolog.com/

In Gorky Park you will find Garage Museum, Russia’s first philanthropic institution dedicated to contemporary art, founded in 2008 by Roman Abramovich and Dasha Zhukova. 10 major exhibitions are hosted each year to showcase the work of established and up-and-coming artists. Also organised are a rich programme of events including curator-led excursions, workshops, masterclasses, lectures, concerts, performances, festivals, and film screenings at Garage’s outdoor cinema. Read our article about Garage Museum of Contemporary Art to learn more.

Food and drink

There are plenty of excellent cafes and restaurants dotted around Gorky Park, where you can stop for a quick coffee or enjoy a long meal with a view. They include the stylish lakeside café Ostrovok (Little Island) and upmarket restaurant Vremena Goda (Seasons) which serve European and Russian food, colourful lakeside Thai restaurant Lebedinoe Ozero (Swan Lake), trattoria Merkato with its huge summer terrace, restaurant Syrovarnya (Cheese Factory) with a menu focused on its homemade cheese, food-truck court Restoparking which is stylised as a drive-in café, and ice-cream and tea shop Chaynaya Vysota.

What’s nearby?

Gorky Park is bordered by Muzeon Park of Arts, Neskuchny Garden, and Sparrow Hills Nature Reserve. This huge ensemble curves for eight kilometres along the bank of the Moskva River, providing a beautiful oasis of green in Europe’s biggest city.

Muzeon Park of Arts

Photo from  https://new-magazine.ru/

Muzeon Park of Arts is the largest open-air sculpture museum in Russia, home to 1,000 sculptures by Soviet and Russian sculptors, including those by famous artists. A large part of Muzeon is occupied by the New Tretyakov Gallery , which houses Russia’s most complete exhibition of national art from the 20th century to the present day. The pedestrianised Krymskaya Embankment which extends alongside Muzeon has recently undergone redevelopment, and is one of Moscow’s most popular spots to relax.

Neskuchny Garden

Neskuchny Garden is the oldest park in Moscow, founded in 1728 by Prince Nikita Trubetskoy, who threw fantastic festivities in his manor house and gardens – neskuchny means ‘merry’ in Russian. Many other noble families also built their country estates in this area, which became a public park and garden after being acquired by the royal family. Today, the Neskuchny Garden is home to historical buildings, fountains, and gardens from the 18th and 19th centuries, sports facilities, an open-air theatre, and a huge greenhouse which supplies flowers to Gorky Park.

Sparrow Hills

Sparrow Hills Nature Reserve is a huge forest park lining the steep bank of the Moskva River and the only specially protected nature area near the city centre. It is home to ecological trails, ponds, natural springs, rare species of plants and animals, many spots for picnicking, cafes, and a mini zoo. At the bottom of the park lie the Vorobyovskaya and Andreevskaya Embankments, with promenades along the Moskva River, a beach, and piers offering boat trips. As with Gorky Park, Sparrow Hills is hugely popular for sports and outdoor activities in all seasons. A new winter sports complex with snowboarding, ice skating, and ski tracks and jumps is currently under construction. When the weather is pleasant, you can rent a bicycle to ride the 8 kilometres along the river from Muzeon to Sparrow Hills.

Essential information for visitors Address and contact details Gorky Park, Krymsky Val, 9, Moscow, 119049 Website:  https://park-gorkogo.com/ Email:  [email protected] Telephone: +7 (495) 995-00-20 Nearest metro: Oktyabrskaya (570m), Park Kultury (860m) Opening hours and tickets

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Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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In the aftermath of the Moscow concert hall attack, is a harsher era under Putin in the works?

Associated Press

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

FILE - Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda, a suspect in the Crocus City Hall shootings, is escorted by police and FSB officers in Basmanny District Court in Moscow, Russia, on March 24, 2024. The attack on the Moscow concert hall, the bloodiest assault on Russian soil in two decades, appears to be setting the stage for an increasingly harsh response by President Vladimir Putin. Four suspects in the attack appeared in court showing signs of brutal treatment while in custody. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

Video and photos of suspects in a mass shooting show them apparently being brutalized by Russian security forces — without any rebuke from authorities. A top Kremlin official urges that hit squads be sent to assassinate Ukrainian officials. Senior lawmakers call for restoring capital punishment, abolished decades ago.

The aftermath of the Moscow concert hall attack that killed 145 people in the bloodiest assault in Russia in two decades seems to be setting the stage for even harsher rule by President Vladimir Putin following his highly orchestrated electoral landslide last month.

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Putin vowed to hunt down the masterminds of the March 22 attack that he linked to Ukraine despite Kyiv's vehement denials and a claim of responsibility by an offshoot of the Islamic State group. He warned ominously that terrorism is a “double-edged weapon.”

Putin lieutenant Dmitry Medvedev declared that if Ukrainian involvement is proven, Moscow should respond by deploying hit men to kill the country's leaders “in Kyiv or any other convenient place.”

The attack dealt a heavy blow to Putin less than a week after the vote that extended his rule for another six-years. It marked a major failure by his security agencies that were given an advance warning by the U.S. that extremists were planning an imminent attack.

Critics of the Kremlin argue that security forces are so focused on conducting the harshest crackdown on dissent since Soviet times that they are distracted from tackling real threats.

In an apparent attempt to divert attention from the security lapse and rally support for the war in Ukraine, Putin and his lieutenants alleged — without evidence — that the arrest of the four suspects near Ukraine indicated Kyiv’s likely involvement.

The four, all citizens of Tajikistan, were detained by security forces in a forest about 140 kilometers (86 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Video confessions of their involvement in the attack were released by Russian news outlets, but the veracity of those statements has been called into question because the men seemed to have been severely beaten and bore other signs of brutality when they appeared in court.

One had a heavily bandaged ear -– reportedly cut off during interrogation. Another had pieces of a plastic bag on his neck, a possible sign of attempts at suffocation. A third was in a wheelchair, barely conscious, accompanied by medical personnel.

Russian police and other security agencies have long been accused of torture, but many incidents also brought official condemnation, dismissals of those involved and criminal prosecutions.

In stark contrast, authorities refused to comment on the grisly video that emerged or the signs of maltreatment seen in court.

One video showed a man in combat fatigues cutting off part of one of the suspects' ear and forcing it into his mouth while threatening to do the same with his genitals. Another suspect was seen with his trousers pulled down and wires attached to his genitals.

The Associated Press was unable to verify the authenticity of the images, but Human Rights Watch said it determined the men in the photos and videos were the same as those in court for their pretrial hearings.

“The rapid and widespread sharing of these videos appears to be no accident but rather some kind of appalling boast by the Putin government of its brazen disregard for basic rights, fundamental humanity, and the rule of law,” said Tanya Lokshina, HRW's associate director for Europe and Central Asia.

Kremlin propagandists sought to cast their treatment as a proper response to the massacre.

Margarita Simonyan, head of state-funded broadcaster RT, dismissed criticism and said the law enforcement personnel involved shouldn’t face any punishment.

“Imagine yourself in place of our guys who were chasing those ghouls who just mowed down many, many of our fellow citizens,” Simonyan said. “What were they supposed to do? Serve them some warm porridge and yogurt?”

Many observers saw the tacit endorsement of such brutality as an ominous sign of more to come.

“All that serves a double function -– a show of terror as a mechanism of intimidation and rallying hatred,” political analyst Kirill Rogov said in a commentary. “It normalizes hatred as a response, including to those who have questions and disagreements.”

Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, who served as liberal-minded placeholder president in 2008-12, when term limits forced Putin to shift to the premier's seat, has turned recently into one of the harsher voices from the Kremlin.

In a commentary on his messaging app channel this week, he called for the extrajudicial killings of Ukrainian officials, arguing Russia should follow in the Soviet practice in the last century of assassinations, like those of Ukrainian nationalists Yevhen Konovalets and Stepan Bandera.

“What should we do? Simply crush the Banderite swine as the Soviet MGB did after the war," Medvedev wrote, referring to a forerunner of the KGB, "and liquidate their leaders on convenient occasions -- like Konovalets and Bandera -– in Kyiv or any other convenient places.”

The concert hall attack also brought demands from hawks and some senior lawmakers to reinstate the death penalty, which has been suspended since 1996 when Russia joined the Council of Europe, the continent’s leading human rights organization.

Calls for its restoration have circulated often, particularly after attacks blamed on insurgents from the region of Chechnya and other militant extremists. They increased after Moscow left the Council of Europe after its invasion of Ukraine.

Vladimir Vasilyev, head of the parliamentary faction of United Russia, the main Kremlin party, said the lower house would review restoring the death penalty, taking into account "society’s mood and expectations.”

Some Kremlin-connected lawmakers and others oppose the move, in an apparent sign of Putin's hesitation.

Andrei Klishas, the influential head of the constitutional affairs committee in the upper house of parliament, argued its restoration is impossible unless Russia approves a new constitution.

Andrei Medvedev, the deputy speaker of the Moscow City Council, said Russia should never bring back capital punishment because of its troubled history in the Soviet era.

“Regrettably, our judicial system isn’t ideal and isn’t immune from mistakes,” he wrote in a commentary. “The country that saw repressions, Red Terror ... and executions of those who believed in God must forget about the death penalty once and for all.”

Lidiya Mikheyeva, the secretary of the Public Chamber, a Kremlin-controlled advisory board, also spoke against reinstatement and reverting "to the times of savagery and barbarity.”

“The abolition of the death penalty is one of our country’s major historic achievements,” she added.

Dmitry Kiselyov, a Russian state TV commentator, also hinted that Putin doesn’t support its reinstatement. “It’s good that Russia is led by Putin, for whom the life of each of our citizens is priceless,” he said.

Despite those apparent doubts, many observers say the official tolerance of the harsh treatment of the suspects and calls for killing Russia's enemies herald an even more ruthless era.

Net Freedoms, a Russian group focusing on freedom of speech, noted that harsh statements from Putin and Medvedev coming amid “the backdrop of demonstrative torture effectively sanction extrajudicial executions and give law enforcement agencies a directive on how to treat the enemies.”

“We are seeing the possible beginning of the new Great Terror,” the group said, referring to the purges by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin of the 1930s. “There must be no illusions — the developments follow a very bad scenario and the slide is rapidly accelerating.”

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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