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Proudly South Australian family-run travel agency, Phil Hoffmann Travel is a 12-time winner of Australia's Best Travel Agency at the AFTA National Travel Industry Awards, most recently in 2018. Since its inception in 1990, Phil Hoffmann Travel has specialised in international and domestic holidays, cruises, group and solo travel, coach touring, business and luxury travel from its 10 branches across South Australia. 

Bayside Village Shopping Centre, Corner Jetty and Brighton Road, Glenelg, SA, 5045

1300 748 748

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Home » News » Helloworld purchases big stake in Phil Hoffmann Travel

Helloworld purchases big stake in Phil Hoffmann Travel

Helloworld Travel Limited (HLO) today announced it had agreed to acquire a 40 per cent stake in Adelaide based retail travel agency business, Phil Hoffmann Travel (PHT). 

Founded by Phil Hoffmann in 1990, PHT operates in the retail leisure and corporate travel sectors in South Australia from nine locations with over 150 personnel.

PHT has been an associate member of Helloworld Travel since 2014. Its head office is located in Glenelg with outlets in Nurioopta, Gawler, Hyde Park, Modbury, Norwood, Semaphore, Stirling and Victor Harbour.

The consideration for the acquisition will be funded from HLO’s existing cash reserves.

HLO will be acquiring 40 per cent of the business from Phil Hoffmann together with an option to acquire the remaining 10 per cent of Hoffmann’s shareholding in the next three years while CEO and director Peter Williams will retain his shareholding in the business.

The acquisition will be earnings accretive in FY24 and beyond. The consideration represents an FY23 EBITDA multiple of approximately six times forecast earnings for PHT.

Andrew Burnes AO, CEO and managing director of Helloworld Travel Limited praised the company’s move to investment in PHT.

“They have been one of the most iconic brands in retail and corporate travel for many years and throughout that time have supported Helloworld as part of our Associate network and through our Viva Holidays, Sunlover Holidays, CruiseCo and Ready Rooms wholesale operations,” Burnes said.

“Both Phil Hoffmann and Peter Williams are extraordinary travel professionals and have a vast knowledge of leisure and corporate travel customers in South Australia.

“We have been closely involved with them over many years and are looking forward to an even closer involvement  through our stake in the business.”

Phil Hoffmann said that he was delighted to see HLO taking a stake in the business and would continue with his involvement in PHT in the years ahead. 

“PHT has been my professional life for the last 33 years and I am delighted to see HLO now  partner up with myself and Peter to continue developing the business into the future,” Hoffmann said.

“I see this new formal partnership between Helloworld and Phil Hoffmann Travel as an exciting opportunity  for our respected brand, which will ensure both our clients and our fantastic team continue to enjoy the service, creativity and professionalism that they have been used to for over 30 years.”

RCI’s Adam Armstrong with Aust Silver Agency of the Year winner Phil Hoffmann from Phil Hoffmann Travel

Earlier this year, Helloworld announced it had agreed to acquire a 34 per cent stake in Oslo based B2C travel business, Australiareiser from its founders. This move, as Burnes said, was to showcase “the functionality of ResWorld to potential customers across continental Europe and the UK and providing access to the system for retailers and wholesalers across these markets.”

The company also upped its profit guidance following a strong third quarter. Helloworld attributed this to the return of cruise, increased demand for international and domestic travel, and the strong return of inbound travellers.

The transaction is expected to settle early July 2023.

Email the Travel Weekly team at [email protected]

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Business tourist flow from India to Moscow on the rise: Evgeny Kozlov

Business + Leisure Travel and MICE 2023 opened on 29 th of September with a keynote speech from the Chairman of The Moscow City Tourism Committee, Evgeny Kozlov. In his speech, the Chairman spoke about the potential for MICE and business tourism in Moscow and the growing number of Indian businessmen who are choosing Moscow as their preferred destination for business events.

Evgeny Kozlov highlighted that the number of business tourists is expected to grow in the coming years. One of the factors supporting the growth of interest from Indian businessmen was the launch of electronic visa program. From August 1, 2023, it has become easier for Indian citizens to organize a trip to Moscow – they can come simply by applying for an electronic visa. The validity period of an e-visa is 60 days from the date of its issuance. You can stay with it in Russia for 16 days. An e-visa has several advantages over a traditional visa. To obtain it, you do not need to go to consulates or embassies, and the only documents required are a digital photograph of your face and a scan of the page with your passport data.

“Before the pandemic, the tourist flow from India grew by 12-15 percent annually. Now we are on the road to recovery – all the conditions have been created for this. Every year hundreds of international exhibitions, forums, congresses and conferences are held in Moscow. Over the past year, about 3.5 million people visited the capital for business purposes and a significant share of them are from India” – he said.

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Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport Plans Major Expansion

“The Moscow and Pullman area is very resilient,” Kevin Mulcaster, consultant with Mead and Hunt for the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport said.

At an open house exhibit on Thursday night at the Best Western University Plus Inn in Moscow, the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport (PMRA) showcased plans to open a new airport terminal by the winter of 2023.

The new terminal will feature a multi-level building, more parking, a welcome center representative of the Palouse, allow for more expansion in the future, improve employment, encourage education and tourism and allow for the possible addition of more airlines to service the area. It will also mitigate the undersized security in the existing terminal and will have enough space to accommodate a larger passenger demand.

The whole project is estimated to total 49.2 million dollars. The PMRA has received 42 million dollars in federal funding from the CARES Act funding and the FAA AIP Program for the completion of the new terminal.

With the recent completion of the runway realignment program in 2019, the airport has decided that Pullman, Moscow and the surrounding areas on the Palouse have outgrown the existing PMRA terminal, which was built in 1990, due to exponential passenger growth. In 2009, they enplaned 30,128 passengers and in 2019 they enplaned 70,061 passengers.

With plans for construction to start on the new terminal this year and be completed by the end of 2023, the project will extend over two years.

Damon Smith, also a consultant with Mead and Hunt, explained that this project has been long in the making.

“We started talking about the need 10 years ago,” Smith said.

Smith said that the new terminal will serve not only Moscow, Pullman and the surrounding areas, but will be supported by local and out-of-town business people and majorly facilitate the travel of Washington State University and the University of Idaho athletic teams.

Due to COVID-19, the PMRA went from its normal four to five round trips to Seattle per day to three. Although their travel rates dipped, they expect their regular travel to be back to normal by 2023 when the new terminal opens. 

Mulcaster explained that when they started to plan the new terminal in the midst of COVID-19, they looked at the attacks on Sept. 9, 2001 and the great recession in 2008 in relation to the Palouse and surrounding communities. He said that Moscow and Pullman recovered much faster than the rest of the nation after those events. Because of the community’s history of bouncing back after these two historical events, Mulcaster said they are confident that the community will do the same again after COVID-19, leading to future growth for the airport.

In addition, a statement on the PMRA website explained that all indicators point to growth for the airport.

“This growth is attributed to the continued economic growth of the region, the improved all-weather reliability of the Airport resulting from the runway realignment program, the anticipated addition of twice daily non-stop jet service to Denver, and potential for additional destinations being added to other Northwest cities,” the statement said.

To find more details, visit http://www.flypuw.com/

Find the PMRA statement here: http://www.flypuw.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Draft-terminal-open-houseFinal.pdf

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Anna Hadfield

Anna Hadfield is a sophomore at the University of Idaho majoring in journalism and minoring in communications. She arrived in Moscow from Alaska in 2019 and is excited to serve the Moscow community and Palouse!

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Taiwan earthquake: search for survivors continues into night after nine people killed in quake – as it happened

This live blog is now closed. You can read our latest full report below:

• Nine dead and hundreds injured amid landslides and collapsed buildings
• 1d ago Closing summary
• 1d ago Rescue operations continue into the night, with more than 100 people still trapped
• 1d ago Summary
• 1d ago Nine die and nearly 900 injured in quake, say fire agency
• 2d ago Death toll rises to nine
• 2d ago Death toll rises to seven
• 2d ago Summary of events so far
• 2d ago At least four killed in earthquake
• 2d ago 26 buildings reported "to tilt or collapse"
• 2d ago Philippines cancels tsunami warning
• 2d ago Key points
• 2d ago Japan lifts all tsunami advisories
• 2d ago Reports of 1 dead, 50 injured - Taiwan fire department
• 2d ago Pacific tsunami warning centre says threat passed
• 2d ago Japan tsunami alert downgraded to advisory
• 2d ago 87,000 in Taiwan without power
• 2d ago Aftershocks reported in Taipei
• 2d ago Worst quake since 1999 - Taiwan central weather bureau
• 2d ago Philippines tsunami warning relates to coastal areas
• 2d ago Magnitude revised up - JMA
• 2d ago 10,000 households without power - reports
• 2d ago Epicentre reported as 25km southeast of Hualien
• 2d ago Reports computer chip factory partially evacuated
• 2d ago Reports of damage to houses and water towers - Taiwan
• 2d ago Internet outages reported in Taiwan
• 2d ago Taiwan reports people trapped in buildings - local media
• 2d ago Philippines warns of high tsunami waves
• 2d ago Japan's national broadcaster issues evacuation warning
• 2d ago First images out of Taiwan emerge
• 2d ago Earthquake felt in China - reports
• 2d ago Taiwan reports collapsed buildings
• 2d ago Philippines issues tsunami warning
• 2d ago Japan issues tsunami advisory
• 2d ago Welcome and opening summary

Rescue operations continue into the night, with more than 100 people still trapped

Rescue operations continue into the night as more than 100 people remain trapped in tunnels and in collapsed buildings around Hualien county, near the epicentre of the 7.2-magnitude quake.

About 70 people trapped in tunnels near Hualien city have been evacuated, Taiwan’s national fire agency said.

But authorities lost contact with 50 workers aboard our minibuses heading to a hotel in the Taroko Gorge national park, it said.

At least 64 people were trapped in one rock quarry, and six in another, the fire agency said.

Closing summary

It’s 1am in Taipei. Here’s a recap of the latest developments:

At least nine people have been killed and more than 900 injured in Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in 25 years, which caused buildings to collapse, power outages and landslides on the island.

The quake, which started at 7.58am on Wednesday, struck about 18km south-southwest of Hualien , a city popular with tourists on Taiwan’s eastern coast, and was given a magnitude of 7.2 by Taiwan’s earthquake monitoring agency and 7.4 by the US.

More than 100 people remain trapped in tunnels and in collapsed buildings. The fire agency said 64 people were trapped in one coalmine, and six in another, while rescue workers had lost contact with 50 people who were travelling in minibuses through a national park as the earthquake wiped out phone networks.

Nearly 1,000 tourists and staff were stranded in mountains of Taroko national park in Hualien. Local media reported that three hikers and one driver died after rockslides in the park.

In Hualien city, all residents and businesses in buildings that were in a dangerous state had been evacuated, the mayor Hsu Chen-wei said. Rescuers worked across Hualien county, looking for people who may be trapped and using excavators to stabilize damaged buildings.

In the capital, Taipei, several people were rescued from a partly collapsed warehouse . Strong tremors forced the city’s subway system to close briefly, and damage was visible on some buildings in central Taipei. Aftershocks could still be felt in the capital, with more than 50 recorded, weather officials said.

The quake triggered initial tsunami warnings in southern Japan and the Philippines, but forecasts were later downgraded and lifted. Japan’s meteorological agency warned that aftershocks, with a similar intensity to those felt in Taiwan, may be likely over the next week.

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan on Wednesday was captured by the cameras in a newsroom during a live broadcast.

As the quake hit, anchors on air carried on delivering the news while the studio was visibly shaken and lights swayed violently overhead.

Taiwan’s president-elect and vice-president, Lai Ching-te, has thanked the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, for his support and condolences.

Posting to social media, Lai wrote:

Taiwan draws strength from your solidarity & friendship during this difficult time and deeply appreciates the support from the EU.

Thank you, @CharlesMichel , for your generous support and condolences. Taiwan draws strength from your solidarity & friendship during this difficult time and deeply appreciates the support from the EU. https://t.co/udxdZ6cHE1 — 賴清德Lai Ching-te (@ChingteLai) April 3, 2024

The US is monitoring the earthquake in Taiwan and is “ready to provide any necessary assistance”, a US national security council spokesperson has said.

A statement from NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson reads:

We are monitoring reports of the earthquake impacting Taiwan and continue to monitor its potential impact on Japan. The United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance. All those affected are in our prayers.

One reporter in Taiwan who was heading north towards Hualien after dark on Wednesday evening local time, came across huge holes in the road caused by the earthquake from that morning.

Nathaniel Taplin posted footage moments ago.

Road into #Hualien getting knarlier as we get closer from Taitung pic.twitter.com/8iNs3KK2jK — Nathaniel Taplin (@nate_taplin) April 3, 2024

Meanwhile TV channel TVBS posted a clip of rescue workers trying to clear debris in Hualien, where the earthquake hit hardest.

🚨🇹🇼 Rescue efforts continue following 7.2 quake in #Hualien , #Taiwan : 9 dead, 946 injured, 137 trapped in mountainous regions. #TaiwanEarthquake 💔🙏 pic.twitter.com/gahRjpN359 — TVBS World Taiwan (@tvbsworldtaiwan) April 3, 2024

One person caught up in the earthquake described watching a warehouse crumple like a house of cards on Wednesday and told the Agence France-Presse agency it “was like a mountain collapsed”.

And that was in New Taipei City, near the capital, Taipei, almost 190 miles (300km) from the hardest hit area of Hualien in east central Taiwan .

The witness, named by AFP only as Liu, watched intently as rescuers carefully picked their way through the remains of the warehouse.

Propping ladders against the debris, the rescue workers managed to pluck more than 50 survivors from the destroyed building in New Taipei City. The building was about 60 years old and had housed a printing press, said Liu, who lived next door.

Residents of nearby buildings appeared to be unaffected, though they felt the intense shaking from the morning quake.

Many of the decorations at home fell on the floor, but people were safe. We were very lucky,” said Chang, who lives near the printing press.

New Taipei City mayor Hou Yu-ih surveyed the scene with rescue workers, and told reporters that all 57 people in the building had made it out - with just one injured.

It has just passed 11pm in Taipei and Hualien.

Here is a quick summary of some of the key events so far today:

At least nine people are now reported to have been killed in Taiwan’s earthquake. At least another 900 have been injured.

The earthquake struck at 7:58 am local time , about 18km south-southwest of Hualien. It was about 35 km (21 miles) deep, according to Associated Press

Taiwan’s electricity operator – Taipower- has said more than 87,000 people across the country are now without power, according to the Reuters news agency.

People are trapped in collapsed buildings in Taiwan’s city of Hualien according to local media and the local government has suspended schools and classes in the region.

A witness has told the Reuters news agency that the earthquake was also felt in Shanghai, China. Chinese state media also reported that it was felt in Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Ningde in China’s Fujian province.

At least 64 people were trapped in one rock quarry , not a coalmine as was previously reported, and six in another, the fire agency said.

Authorities also lost contact with 50 people in minibuses after a powerful earthquake quake downed phone networks, Taiwan’s national fire agency said.

The Philippines seismology agency has issued a tsunami warning as well after that strong Taiwan quake, with Philippine coastal areas fronting the Pacific Ocean expected to experience “high tsunami waves”, according to the Reuters news agency. The tsunami warning issued by the Philippine authorities relates to people in coastal areas of the following provinces: the Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Isabela.

The Philippines’ seismology agency later cancelled its tsunami warning, saying “based on available data of our sea level monitoring stations facing the epicentral area , no significant sea level disturbances have been recorded since 07:58am up until this cancellation.”

Japan’s national broadcaster has issued an evacuation order – broadcasting warnings such as “Tsunami is coming. Please evacuate immediately,” an anchor on NHK said. “Do not stop. Do not go back”. This was later downgraded to advisory as the tsunami waves that had arrived by late morning were not as high as forecast.

A tsunami advisory has been issued in southern Japan after a powerful earthquake struck near Taiwan on Wednesday morning, according to Japan’s meteorological agency (JMA). This was later lifted.

Here are some more pictures showing the damage caused by the earthquake:

At least 64 people were trapped in one rock quarry, not a coalmine as was previously reported, and six in another, the fire agency said. The quake and aftershocks also caused 24 landslides and damage to 35 roads, bridges and tunnels, AP reports.

Here is the latest report from our video team on the earthquake in Taiwan . Footage released by the fire department there shows emergency personnel walking through dark corridors while going door to door and calling out to residents.

According to a report from Associated Press, Taiwan’s national fire agency appears to have confirmed that 70 miners are trapped in two coalmines in Hualien County after the earthquake.

Sixty-four people were trapped in one coalmine, and six people were in a different mine, AP reports the agency said.

More details soon …

Here is a clip of CCTV footage which shows a multi-storey building collapsing on a busy street in Hualien as Taiwan was hit by its strongest earthquake in 25 years.

• Earthquakes
• Asia Pacific

More on this story

‘People were screaming’: Hualien residents in shock after Taiwan earthquake

Taiwan 7.2 magnitude earthquake – in pictures

Taiwan earthquake: nine dead and 900 injured as buildings collapse

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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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• 7 days / 6 nights
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Spend 7 days at Seven Spirit Bay on the Cobourg Peninsula with Outback Spirit. Explore the azure waters of the Arafura Sea, Port Essington aboard the lodge’s rigid inflatable adventure boats and more!

Moments of  Magic

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Explore the beautiful turquoise waters of Cobourg Marine Park

Seven Spirit Bay – 4WD Safari

Enjoy 4WD Wildlife Safari’s to Rainbow Beach, Vashon Head and Trepang Creek

Seven Spirit Bay – Boats

Enjoy blue-water and estuary fishing aboard the lodges advanced fleet of expedition boats

Explore Victoria Settlement, Circa 1838

Take a fascinating journey back to 1838 on an historical tour of Victoria Settlement, Port Essington. Explore the old buildings while learning about the harsh living conditions experienced during early British occupation.

Seven Spirit Bay – Accommodation

Enjoy unique, 5-star ocean view accommodation in a pristine natural setting

*Offer valid until 17 May 2024 and is subject to availability and change. Advertised price based on October 2024 departures, correct as of 4 April 2024. 

Outstanding Value Inclusions

• 5 nights of luxury ‘Habitat’ Villa accommodation at Seven Spirit Bay
• 1 night in Darwin at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton
• All meals, including all breakfasts, lunches and dinners prepared by our talented in-house chef
• All attraction, entry and cruise fees including permit fees to enter Aboriginal land
• Full range of adventures and activities at Seven Spirit Bay
• Custom built expedition boats with professional fishing guides
• Return air transfers Darwin – Seven Spirit Bay aboard modern Cessna Grand Caravan EX, with leather seating, air-conditioning and advanced avionics
• All airport transfers in Darwin

Tour Highlights

• Spend 5 nights at Seven Spirit Bay on the Cobourg Peninsula for an short break like no other!
• Explore the azure waters of the Arafura Sea and Port Essington aboard the lodge’s rigid inflatable adventure boats
• Fish the estuaries and blue water of the Cobourg Marine Park Sanctuary in search of barramundi, golden snapper, mangrove jack and more.
• Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Cobourg Peninsula and Van Diemen Gulf on an included scenic flight
• Take a 4WD sunset safari to Vashon head, with drinks and canapes on the beach
• Visit historic Victoria Settlement, established in 1838 at Port Essington

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Day 1 - Home Ports – Darwin - Seven Spirit Bay

Upon arriving in Darwin you’ll be greeted by your host and transferred to Outback Spirit’s general aviation terminal. If you’re already in Darwin, enjoy a complimentary transfer from any local hotel.

This afternoon we take to the sky for a 45-minute scenic flight across Van Diemen Gulf. Once we reach the stunning Cobourg Peninsula, we’ll land at Vashon Head – the second most northerly point on the Australian mainland and home to Seven Spirit Bay’s airstrip. Upon landing enjoy a friendly meet and greet with the crew before taking a 20-minute 4WD trip to the lodge. Here you’ll enjoy a brief familiarisation of the lodge and surrounds before checking in to your unique and luxurious ‘habitat’ villa. Set in natural bushland overlooking the waters of Coral Bay, your villa features air-conditioning, premium furnishings and a covered private deck with delightful sea breezes.

Later this afternoon we’ll meet again for sunset drinks before indulging in exceptional, innovative cuisine with a focus on local flavours and produce. Meals: (D)

Day 2 - Adventures Galore

Over the next 3 days, we invite you to do as much or as little as you desire. Each day the management team will discuss the range of activities available to you - you can participate in any activities you choose. Most activities are half or three quarters of a day in duration, which allows for a bit of relaxation time around the resort from mid-afternoon.

The activities on offer include:

• Marine wildlife spotting cruises in Coral and Trepang Bays aboard our custom-built adventure craft, MV Arafura
• Half day Barramundi fishing adventures in Trepang Creek
• Half day blue water fishing adventure in the Cobourg Marine Park Sanctuary
• 4WD wilderness adventures to Rainbow Beach, Gunners Quoin, Vashon Head and the magnificent Nipa Palms. The Nipa only grows in three locations in Australia, with Trepang Creek being one of them.
• Nature walks and bird watching.
• - Historical tour of Victoria Settlement, Port Essington (see day 5)

Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Adventures Galore

See Day 2 above.

Day 4 - Adventures Galore

Day 5 - marine adventure to port essington.

This morning we cruise down Port Essington and retrace the course of the early mariners’ square riggers, passing landmarks such as Gunners Quoin, Turtle Rock, Observation Cliff and Record Point en route to Victoria Settlement. Established in 1838, Victoria Settlement was the third attempt by the British at a northern settlement, after Fort Dundas on Melville Island and Fort Wellington at Raffles Bay. Conceived to facilitate trade with Asia, the settlement consisted of 24 houses and a hospital, which certainly saw its fair share of patients due to rampant disease and malnutrition.

After we’ve disembarked on the beach, we’ll take a fascinating 3-hour tour of the Settlement and learn about what life was like in this remote and unforgiving outpost. There’s an optional extension to the walk which leads to lonely gravestones in the forest, almost forgotten by history. After some refreshments on the beach, we’ll hop back aboard MV Arafura and make our way back to the lodge for lunch.

This afternoon there’ll be a range of activities on offer. Alternatively, you can enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 6 One last adventure

If there’s something you’re yet to cross off your list, then now’s the time! This morning we’ll enjoy one last adventure before an early lunch at the lodge. We then bid farewell to Seven Spirit Bay and travel to Vashon Head for our 45-minute scenic flight back to Darwin.

Upon arriving in Darwin this afternoon, we head to the city to check in to the DoubleTree by Hilton on the esplanade. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure before boarding the Charles Darwin for a delicious Territory-style sunset dinner cruise and celebrate a truly amazing break! Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 7 Darwin - Home Ports

This morning is free for you to spend at your leisure. You’ll then be transferred to the airport in time for your return flights home. If you’ve chosen to stay on for a few more days, you’ll be dropped off at the hotel of your choice. Bon voyage! Meals: (B)

About Outback Spirit

Australia's leading experiential tourism group.

Outback Spirit is part of Journey Beyond, a national business focused on bringing Australia’s most unique and iconic experiences to life. Outback Spirit was founded in 1999 and has been showcasing great Australian destinations to travellers to this day.

To learn more about Journey Beyond and our unique travel experiences, please click the link below

Committed to Conservation

As an eco-certified company, Outback Spirit regularly reviews its potential impact on natural, cultural and historical environments. We strive to be ecologically sustainable and limit our impact on the environment through good practice, innovation and financial support for Australia’s pre-eminent wildlife conservation group, AWC (Australian Wildlife Conservancy).

AWC is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the protection of our most precious wildlife. With 3 million hectares under conservation locations such as the Kimberley, Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York and Lake Eyre, AWC is making a real difference in the fight against extinction. Since 2008, Outback Spirit has donated over $1 million to AWC and will continue its support well into the future.

To learn more about this fantastic organisation, head to  www.australianwildlife.org

Supporting Aboriginal Communities

Outback Spirit supports remote Indigenous communities in certain locations across the Kimberley & Arnhem land by way of employment opportunities, community sponsorships and support for Indigenous owned businesses. For example, Outback Spirit sponsors over a dozen football teams in Ramingining and Maningrida, both directly and through local schools.

The company also creates jobs for local interpretive guides, which gives Outback Spirit passengers an authentic insight into the environment and local culture. It also helps to preserve Indigenous culture. Past initiatives have included the provision of teachers and tutors in small communities where no school facilities exist.

Award Winning Tour Operator

Choosing Outback Spirit means choosing an award-winning tour operator. We’re proud to have been acknowledged for consistently delivering professional and authentic adventures to remote destinations of Australia.

Some of our achievements have been recognised with the following awards:

Operation & Mechanical Bases

The outback can be a challenging environment to operate in, and professional back-up support is vital.

Outback Spirit headquarters are in the regional NSW city of Albury, however we have a dedicated team in Broome and Darwin for mechanical and operational matters. These teams are available 24 hours a day to provide immediate support, should it be required. Other smaller bases are located around the country, guaranteeing you a seamless touring experience.

* Term and conditions apply: All pricing subject to change and availability. Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise. Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change. Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies. Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.

Destinations featured in this deal

Australia Northern Territory

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