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CARDIFF CASTLE TOURS

There’s much more to see at cardiff castle.

Upgrade your Castle ticket and delve a little deeper in to the Castle’s fascinating history. Follow in the Bute family’s footsteps and see more spectacular Victorian interiors, not included with the admission ticket. Ask at the ticket office about the regular guided tours and, for a small additional fee, join one of our expert guides in exploring a story 2000 years in the making.

Tours can only be joined by Castle Ticket or Castle Key holders and bookings are not currently available online. If you’d like to join a tour then please ask for more information at the Castle’s ticket office.

CASTLE HOUSE TOURS

Follow one of our expert guides on a 50 minute tour of the Castle Apartments.

Join this essential tour if you’d like to see more of the Castle’s spectacular Victorian interiors, learn more about the lavish decorations and the visionary people who created them.

As well as the large and impressive rooms included with your entry ticket, your guide will also show you more incredible spaces that are not open to the public, including the Winter Smoking Room, Nursery, Lord Bute’s Bedroom and the Roof Garden.

*Available Sat – Sun only / **Available Sat – Sun, from Mar to Oct only

BLACK TOWER TALES

Listen to the Black Tower Tales here at Cardiff Castle, an exciting new experience re-telling the story of Llywelyn Bren, a forgotten hero of medieval Welsh history.

In the 14th century, Llewelyn and his followers led a brave rebellion against the oppressive Sheriff of Glamorgan. They fought hard but the rebellion ultimately failed and Llewelyn would pay with his life. He was wrongfully imprisoned and murdered in the very same Black Tower where you will hear this chilling tale.

CLOCK TOWER TOURS

Join a Castle guide on this 35 minute tour of the truly remarkable Clock Tower.

Easily one of the most recognisable landmarks in Cardiff and contained within are some of the most stunning rooms in the entire Castle.

Follow your guide up the spiral staircase from the Winter Smoking Room to the Bachelor Bedroom and, finally, to the breath-taking Summer Smoking Room with its magnificent views over the Castle grounds and city centre.

Clock Tower Tours are available Sat – Sun, plus bank holidays throughout the summer season (during April to September) only.

Please note there are many steep and uneven steps on this tour which may not be suitable for visitors with reduced mobility.

CONNOISSEUR TOURS

A 90 minute private tour by arrangement only, please telephone 029 2087 8100.

For a truly exclusive visit, take a private tour of the Castle Apartments with your own personal guide who will give you a further insight into the Castle’s exquisite decoration and the powerful personalities that transformed the Castle in the nineteenth century. The tour also includes a visit to the spectacular rooms in the Clock Tower.

This tour is suitable for groups of between 2 – 8 people (minimum of 2 required) ; the price also includes a souvenir guidebook.

Please note there are many steep and uneven steps on parts of this tour that may not be suitable for guests with reduced mobility.

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© Hawlfraint y Goron / Crown Copyright

Cardiff Castle, South Wales

Things to do in Cardiff Castle

From the gargoyles on the castle walls to secret tunnels, Cardiff Castle is brought vividly to life. Learn about the castle's Roman origins, dig up underground secrets from World War II and climb the Great Clock Tower to discover some history for yourself.

There's a huge amount of Welsh history packed into  Cardiff Castle , spanning around 2000 years in all.

Welcome to the past

The castle has its origins in Roman times, but had an astonishing Gothic transformation that took place during the 19th century. Hire a portable audio guide when you first get to the castle if you're not going on a guided tour. They are available in 10 languages, with a children’s version too, and they help you get the most out of your visit. Alternatively, you can download the Cardiff Castle App on your smartphone (hop on the free wi-fi service).

The Cardiff Castle Interpretation Centre, Cardiff, South Wales

Underground secrets

One of the many fascinating secrets of Cardiff that you unlock when you visit Cardiff Castle is the network of underground tunnels. These pathways, which were used as air-raid shelters during World War II, lie between the ground floor level and the battlement level, with room for around 2,000 people from the city centre.

Above ground, Cardiff Castle as you now see it is the result of an extraordinary transformation carried out in the late 19th century by the eccentric architect William Burges. He created some of the most lavish interiors in Britain, inspired by Gothic, Mediterranean and Arabian styles. They have to be seen to be believed.

There’s so much history and detail that it’s worth taking a Castle House tour. The expert guides have intimate knowledge of every nook and cranny, and you'll get to visit 10 spectacular rooms.

A tower with a difference

The great Clock Tower Tour , which runs throughout summer, lets visitors climb up a long spiral staircase to the Clock Tower and Summer Smoking Room. Both are remarkable representations of Burges’ fertile imagination for elaborate, colourful interior design. From the top of the tower, pause to take in fantastic views across the city.

If you're overwhelmed by the opulence (or the 101 steps), stop for a cuppa at The Keep Terrace kitchen and bar . It has views of the Norman Keep and the Castle across an outdoor terrace, so you can watch others explore the wonders of the castle.

The Firing Line

The Firing Line is the Cardiff Castle Museum of the Welsh Soldier. It tells stories and displays memorabilia from over 300 years of service by two Welsh regiments, 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards and The Royal Welsh. Entry to the Firing Line Museum is included with your ticket to visit the castle.

Afterwards, pop into the gift shop for a souvenir, then stroll around Bute Park . Recognised as a Grade 1 historic designed landscape, it has nearly 150 acres of green space that surrounds the castle and trees from all around the world.

Banquets and galloping knights

Cardiff Castle is a hive of activity throughout the year, with all kinds of events taking place. They have many Welsh banquets every year, where visitors can enjoy a night of traditional Welsh food and entertainment. Look out for special open days featuring medieval battle reenactments, storytelling, minstrels and jousting competitions. There are also outdoor cinema nights and live concerts from big names in music.

Tafwyl , held during the spring or summer each year, is a week-long celebration of the Welsh language, accessible to Welsh speakers and non-Welsh speakers. Its main event – a weekend showcase of Welsh arts, culture, sport and street food – takes place in the castle grounds.

Tafwyl at Cardiff Castle, South Wales

© Kristina Banholzer, Tafwyl 2018 

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The National expand their 2024 tour with a special performance at Cardiff Castle

• By Dan Harrison
• Sat 27th April, 2024

The National have expanded their upcoming summer tour of the UK and Ireland to include a new show at Cardiff Castle on 3rd July, 2024.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra will join the band as support for the new date, which is on sale now.

In addition to their own shows, The National are scheduled to appear on several major festival bills this year, including the Other Stage at Glastonbury, Primavera Sound, Øya Festival, All Together Now Festival, and Montreux Jazz Festival. Following their summer tour, the band will join forces with The War On Drugs for a joint tour across the US in the autumn.

In other news, The National are set to participate in the forthcoming Talking Heads tribute album ‘Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense’, curated by A24 Music. This tribute already features covers from artists like Paramore, Teezo Touchdown, Lorde, and Girl In Red.

The National’s detailed tour dates for summer 2024 read:

JUNE 2 Carroponte, Milan, Italy 3 Caves of the Auditorium Park Della Musica, Rome, Italy 5 Zenith de Paris, Paris, France* 21 Hurricane Festival, Scheeßel, Germany 22 Southside Festival, Neuhausen Ob Eck, Germany 24 Inmusic Festival, Zagreb, Croatia 25 Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria+ 27 Kunst!rasen, Bonn, Germany+ 28 Live is Live Middenvijver, Antwerp, Belgium

JULY 2 Eden Project, Cornwall, UK* 3 Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, UK^ 4 Castlefield Bowl, Manchester, UK* 5 Crystal Palace Park, London, UK*^> 11 Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, UK+

AUGUST 6 Royal Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark

(* With support from This Is The Kit, + With support from Bess Atwell, ^ With support from Unknown Mortal Orchestra, > With support from Kevin Morby)

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The National add huge Cardiff Castle show to summer 2024 UK and Ireland tour plans

The band will play the Wales venue on July 3

The National have added a massive Cardiff Castle show to their summer 2024 UK and Ireland tour plans.

• READ MORE: The National’s Matt Berninger – “It was sobering to realise how fragile I was”

The American quintet – comprised of Matt Berninger , Aaron Dessner , Bryce Dessner, Bryan Devendorf and Scott Devendorf – are set to perform at the iconic Wales establishment on July 3.

They will be joined by special guests, New Zealand psychedelic rock band Unknown Mortal Orchestra , who will serve as the opening act for the night. Tickets for the Cardiff Castle gig are available to purchase here .

The National are also set to perform at a variety of festivals this summer including taking over the Other Stage at this year’s edition of Glastonbury . They will also play Primavera Sound , Øya Festival , All Together Now Festival , Montreux Jazz Festival and are set to embark on a joint US tour with The War On Drugs this autumn .  Check out a full list of tour dates below.

The National’s 2024 tour dates are:

JUNE 2 – Milan, Italy – Carroponte 3 – Rome, Italy – Caves of the Auditorium Park Della Musica 5 – Paris, France – Zenith de Paris* 21 – Scheeßel, Germany – Hurricane Festival 22 – Neuhausen Ob Eck, Germany – Southside Festival  24 – Zagreb, Croatia – Inmusic Festival 25 – Vienna, Austria – Stadthalle+ 27 – Bonn, Germany – Kunst!rasen+ 28 – Antwerp, Belgium – Live is Live Middenvijver

JULY 2 – Cornwall, UK – Eden Sessions’ Eden Project* 3 – Cardiff, UK – Cardiff Castle^ 4 – Manchester, UK – Castlefield Bowl* 5 – London, UK – Crystal Palace Park*^> 11 – Edinburgh, UK – Edinburgh Castle+

Recommended

AUGUST 6 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena 

* With support from This Is The Kit + With support from Bess Atwell ^ With support from Unknown Mortal Orchestra > With support from Kevin Morby

They will also be featured on the upcoming Talking Heads tribute album ‘Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense’. The project was first announced in December by A24 Music . So far Paramore ‘s cover of ‘Burning Down The House’, Teezo Touchdown ‘s cover of ‘Making Flippy Floppy’, Lorde ‘s cover of ‘Take Me To The River’ and Girl In Red ‘s cover of ‘Girlfriend Is Better’ have been released.

In other news, Aaron Dessner has admitted to being “forever grateful” to have worked on Taylor Swift‘s new album ‘The Tortured Poets Department’.

• Related Topics
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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Iconic 80s pop group reuniting for UK festivals 38 years after massive hit

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Almost four decades after their breakthrough hit, Crowded House are reuniting for a string of festival sets this summer.

The rock band originally formed in 1985 and instantly gained mainstream success with incredible debut album and biggest single Don’t Dream It’s Over.

Now, bandmates Neil Finn and Nick Seymour are joining forces as they release new music and head on tour as well to the Isle of Wight festival.

Crowded House are set to take to the stage on Friday, listed with headliners like The Prodigy , Green Day , and The Pet Shop Boys .

Nostalgia has truly taken over this year with everyone from Faithless  to The Feeling riding that lucrative reunion wave.

Crowded House is no different as the Australian band — plus New Zealander Neil — release their eight studio album Gravity Stairs next month.

Adding to the group’s long list of tour dates is On The Mount At Wasing festival in Reading this summer.

Their tour will start in June at venues like Eden Project, the historic O2 Empire in Shepherd’s Bush, and Cardiff Castle as they weave festivals across the UK in.

Along with live gigs, a new single has been released — Teenage Summer — with an unexpected album on the way, which will be the first since the band parted ways in 2018.

Speaking of their huge debut hit, Neil told Variety : ‘It’s the song in a Crowded House set that people can sing from beginning to end very easily, in a group context, community singing and all that. That’s always been a pretty important thing for us.’

While Don’t Dream It’s Over was Crowded House’s biggest hit, songs like Something So Strong, Better Be Home Soon and Distant Sun were all popular.

During this hiatus, Neil went on to join the legendary Fleetwood Mac after the exit of Lindsey Buckingham.

The band originally formed in the mid 80s, finding success globally through into the 90s when they released compilation album Recurring Dream.

Founding brothers Neil and Tim Finn were each awarded an OBE in 1993 for their services to New Zealand’s music but split three years later.

Tragedy struck in 2005 when drummer Paul Hester took his own life, with the group reuniting a year later in his memory.

In 2012, Pete Jones who had replaced Hester as drummer died aged 45 from brain cancer with the band calling him a ‘warm-hearted, funny and talented man’.

Ever since, Crowded House has had multiple splits and reunions but this is their biggest yet, with huge festivals and an appetite for nostalgia backing them.

Crowded House’s new single is out now and tickets for their tour are available on their website .

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If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

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From Challengers to Pet Shop Boys: the complete guide to this week’s entertainment

Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist find themselves in a love triangle on centre court in Luca Guadagnino’s tennis romance, while the synthpop veterans return with album number 15

• 1 Going out: Cinema
• 2 Going out: Gigs
• 3 Going out: Art
• 4 Going out: Stage
• 5 Staying in: Streaming
• 6 Staying in: Games
• 7 Staying in: Albums
• 8 Staying in: Brain food

Going out: Cinema

Challengers Out now Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist star in this sporting romance that sees off-court tensions played out through the medium of tennis, as a grand slam champion competes against his wife’s former lover. From Luca Guadagnino, director of Call Me By Your Name.

Kidnapped Out now Marco Bellocchio directs the true story of a six-year-old Jewish boy, kidnapped from his family in Bologna in 1858 by order of the pope, in order to be brought up Catholic. Naturally, his heartbroken family campaign for his return.

ISS Out now An International Space Station crew made up of Russian and American astronauts find themselves in a pickle when nuclear war breaks out between their respective countries while they’re in orbit. Much paranoia and double-crossing ensues for the crewmates, played by Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina and Masha Mashkova.

Cardiff animation festival Various venues, 27 & 28 April ; online to 12 May Wales’s biggest animation festival returns to Chapter Arts, with a rich selection of workshops, activities and films, including Robot Dreams, the moving story of a lonely dog who buys a robot companion, only to become separated accidentally. Catherine Bray

Going out: Gigs

Olivia Dean Manchester, 27 April ; touring to 5 May It has been a pretty hectic year for north London’s Olivia Dean. Last summer, Messy , her critically acclaimed debut album of richly layered neo-soul, hit the Top 5, and she’s also received three Brit nominations. This UK tour is essentially a lap of honour. Michael Cragg

Lil Yachty London, 29 April; Birmingham, 1 May ; Glasgow, 2 May ; touring to 4 May Having started out as a so-called SoundCloud rapper, last year mumbling lines over loose trap beats, Lil Yachty pivoted unexpectedly to psych rock with fifth album Let’s Start Here . It’s unclear on which lane he’ll focus here; expect the unexpected. MC

Cheltenham jazz festival Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, 1 to 6 May Embracing contemporary jazz, blues, soul, R&B and global music, this festival runs for six days and includes luminaries from pianist Brad Mehldau to Snarky Puppy and singer Gregory Porter. Acid jazz stars Brand New Heavies join the powerful London Concert Orchestra on the 3 May bill. John Fordham

Atlas Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 1 May Just over a month after its premiere, Anna Clyne’s first piano concerto reaches the UK, with Jeremy Denk, for whom it was composed, as the soloist and the CBSO conducted by Kazuki Yamada. Atlas is inspired by sketches and photos and photographs of the same name by Gerhard Richter, which, as Clyne says, “cut to the heart of the artist’s thinking”. Andrew Clements

Going out: Art

Expressionists Tate Modern, London, to 20 October Gabriele Münter and her boyfriend Wassily Kandinsky are at the heart of this trip to early 20th-century Bavaria. Inspired by the desperation of Munch and Van Gogh, they and fellow artists formed the Blue Rider group in Munich in 1911. Franz Marc, Marianne Werefkin and Robert Delaunay share the shuddering mood.

Michelangelo: The Last Decades British Museum, London,  2 May to 28 July The drawings of Michelangelo uniquely combine soft immediacy and precision in an art of phenomenal expressiveness. His later sketches in this show are some of his most moving of all, from the mythological scenes he drew for his beloved Tommaso de’ Cavalieri to tormented depictions of the dying and dead Christ.

Tony Cragg Castle Howard, near York, 3 May to 22 September Brideshead isn’t what it used to be. What would the Jeremy Irons character in the celebrated TV series think if he saw modern art all over its lawns? Nowadays every stately home shows contemporary art, even Castle Howard, famous location of Brideshead Revisited, which now swarms with Cragg ’s cosmic abstractions.

Henry Moore in Miniature Holburne Museum, Bath, 3 May to 8 September The most ambitious sculptor of the human body produced by 20th-century Britain still dominates many horizons in sculpture parks and public spaces around the world. Here, however, his roly poly, reclining or enthroned, perforated and faceless figures are revealed on a more intimate scale. Get close to their surrealism. Jonathan Jones

Going out: Stage

Silence Home , Manchester, 30 April to 4 May A collision of the personal and political, this new piece of documentary theatre was commissioned to mark 75 years since the partition of India. Adapted from Kavita Puri’s book , it weaves together individual tales to show how this brutal point in history shaped Britain. Kate Wyver

English Kings Killing Foreigners Camden People’s Theatre, London, to 11 May The stage becomes a battlefield in this silly and serious show, as Shakespeare’s Globe performers Nina Bowers and Philip Arditti consider what it means to cast a global majority actor in a Shakespeare play. Diving into their own experience of performing Henry V, they ask essential questions of what nationalism looks like now. KW

Punt & Dennis Slough, 27 April ; Milton Keynes, 29 April ; touring to 26 June After a quarter century as hosts of The Now Show – and, in Hugh Dennis’s case, 17 years as a Mock the Week panellist – it’s no stretch to say this duo are world experts in sending up the news. See what they’ve learned on their first tour in a decade. Rachel Aroesti

Gateshead international festival of theatre Various venues, 4 & 5 May At this boundary-blurring performance festival you can see Bertrand Lesca and Nasi Voutsas and a cast of over-60s; see work by Rwanda-born practitioner Patrick Ziza; or do a Beatmotion workshop with Akeim Toussaint Buck to make your own choreography (no experience necessary). Lyndsey Winship

Staying in: Streaming

The Tattooist of Auschwitz Now & Sky Atlantic, 2 May, 9pm Jonah Hauer-King stars in this drama based on Heather Morris’s Holocaust novel , itself inspired by the testimony of survivor Lale Sokolov. Told through the lens of the latter’s interviews, it pits an intense love story against the abject horror of the camps.

A Man in Full Netflix, 2 May David E Kelley is known for fizzy, foreboding and starry dramas such as Big Little Lies. His latest, an adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s 1998 novel about an Atlantan real estate mogul facing bankruptcy, maintains the big names – Jeff Daniels, Diane Lane, Lucy Liu – for some knotty state-of-the-nation satire.

Miriam: Death of a Reality Star Channel 4, 29 April, 9pm Even in the wild west of early reality TV, There’s Something Abo ut Miriam – a dating format predicated on the “twist” that its titular model was transgender – felt uniquely queasy. This series looks at the legacy of its star, Miriam Rivera, from her pioneering celebrity to the exploitation she experienced before her passing in 2019.

Shardlake Disney+, 1 May In 2022, Arthur Hughes became the first disabled actor to star in an RSC production of Richard III. Now he jumps forward a few decades to depict Matthew Shardlake – a barrister and detective with spinal curvature in the employ of Thomas Cromwell (Sean Bean) – in this new series based on CJ Sansom’s historical novels. RA

Staying in: Games

Sea of Thieves PS5, out 30 April A jewel in the crown of Xbox’s game lineup makes its way to the PS5 this week: a humorous, grog-soaked multiplayer pirate adventure, best enjoyed with a crew.

Stellar Blade PS5, out now Aliens have taken over Earth, and as the incongruously scantily clad supersoldier Eve, we must slice them into bite-sized pieces. This frame-perfect sci-fi action is a treat for the eyes. Keza MacDonald

Staying in: Albums

Pet Shop Boys – Nonetheless Out now The Pets return with their 15th album and first with producer James Ford (Jessie Ware, Blur). Recent single Dancing Star recalls their Please era, complete with Neil Tennant’s spoken-word verses, while Loneliness makes good on their aim to tap into the “unique and diverse emotions that make us human”.

Sega Bodega – Dennis Out now Having worked with Björk and FKA twigs, Irish-Chilean producer and artist Salvador Navarrete knows all about spectacular soundscapes. On this third album he augments his multi-layered electronic suites with guest spots from author and film-maker Miranda July and Sophie collaborator Cecile Believe.

Justice – Hyperdrama Out now Now Daft Punk are no more, Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay, AKA Justice, can claim their crown as France’s best dance duo. This fourth album, their first for eight years, continues their love for pummelling beats, blown-out synth riffs, and more than a dash of cinematic drama.

St Vincent – All Born Screaming Out now Shaking off her last album’s lounge-pop affectations, Annie Clark here can be found digging in the dirt. Featuring furious drumming from Dave Grohl, singles Broken Man and Flea strip everything down to the bone, the latter equating obsessive love with a parasite holding on for dear life. MC

Staying in: Brain food

Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd Sky Arts, 27 April, 9pm Having co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965, Syd Barrett left three years later and lived as a semi-recluse, his later life becoming one of British music’s greatest mysteries. This engaging film uncovers his complex legacy.

Lost Patients Podcast Reporter Will James’s series on mental healthcare in the US is a vital and often uncomfortable listen. Focusing largely on the testimony of those who have experienced the system in Seattle, he traces a shocking decline in care.

Fictional Brands Archive Online Much more than just a collection of brand names that appear in TV and film, this database by designer Lorenzo Bernini contains a fascinating research section exploring how branding shapes the way we see the world. Ammar Kalia

• Going out, staying in

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Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Tour Details

Moscow metro tour: architectural styles of the subway.

Duration: 2 hours

Categories: Culture & History, Sightseeing

This metro tour of Russia’s capital and most populous city, Moscow, is your chance to get a unique insight into the beautiful and impressive architecture of the city's underground stations. Admire their marble walls and high ceilings representing Stalin's desire for glory after World War 2, and see first-hand how the interiors change with the rise of new political eras. Your guide will lead you through the complex network, which is one of the most heavily used rapid transit systems worldwide, with over two billion travelers in 2011.

Opened in 1935, Moscow’s underground system, now 190 miles (305 km) long with 185 stations, is today one the largest and most heavily used rapid transit systems in the world. On this Moscow metro tour, discover the impressive architecture of Moscow’s underground stations and learn how they reflect the Soviet era.

Getting around by metro, your local guide will take you through parts of Moscow’s infamous history. Stop at stations built during the time of the USSR (Soviet Union) that are praised as one of the most extravagant architectural projects from Stalin’s time. After World War 2, he was keen on establishing Stalinist architecture to represent his rising regime and a recognized empire. Learn how when his successor started the de-Stalinization of the former Soviet Union in 1953, the extravagancy of the architecture was toned down.

Discover how the unique character of each station reflected several different eras. While stations like Kievskaya and Slavyansky Bulvar have pompous halls and high stucco ceilings brimming with extravagant decorations, those built later, like Volzhskaya, are lightly adorned with sparse furnishings. Architect Alexey Dushkin and painter Alexander Deyneka were just two of the many artists who made these magnificent landmarks possible.

Revel in Moscow's glory days, as well as the years of scarcity, on this fascinating Moscow metro experience. Conclude your tour at one of the central stations in Moscow. If you're lucky, you may even find the secret entrance to the unconfirmed Metro-2, a parallel underground system used by the government -- a mystery which has neither been denied nor confirmed today.

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Culture Shock Rating

We have a wide range of tours designed to give you an insight into the destination you're travelling in and there is something for everybody. The culture shock ratings considers the destination visited, transport used, activities undertaken and that "Wow, I'm really not at home now!" factor. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

This is the least confronting of our tour range. Transport used on the trip is either private or a very comfortable public option, the activities included are usually iconic sites and locations that are not all too confronting.

The tour can include a mix of private and public transport providing a level of comfort that is slightly below what you would experience at home. Sites visited are usually iconic sites, tours can also include market visits, visits to communities etc that provide the traveller with a fantastic insight into destination.

Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether it's a packed public bus where you are forced to stand, a visit to a local market, a local community, you are sure to have an experience that is very different from what you're used to at home.

The comforts of your home town and the environment you are used to are more of a rarity. Expect some challenging transport options, visits to local sites and areas that don't resemble anything at home.

You're out there in the global community! You are likely to be exposed to the elements, travel in whatever means of transport is available and basically take it as it comes, whatever comes! It can be tough.

Physical Rating

Our physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

These tours have very limited physical activity. Usually climbing in and out of the transport provided, walking through sites, markets etc included in the itinerary.

These tours have a bit of physical activity but nothing that should challenge you too much. This could be climbing on and off public transport through to a walk through the destination you're travelling in, they can include walking only tours or a combination of walking and transport.

These tours involve a bit of physical activity from walking up and down hills in the destination you're travelling in or the surrounding areas. Climbing on and off local transport or riding a bike up to 30 kms along predominantly flat terrain or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.

These Tours will provide you with some solid physical activity. Whether its bike riding, walking, trekking, kayaking or riding on public transport you will need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this tour.

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. These tours are our most challenging and involve some serious walking, hiking or bike riding. Can involve step climbs by foot or pedal and some challenging public transport options in the destination you are travelling.

Luxury Rating

Some trips are like a stroll on the beach, while others have you trekking alpine passes. Some of you thrive on camping out on the savannah, while others may prefer a hot shower and a comfortable bed in a lodge. Follow the grading systems below to find the right trip for you.

To help you choose the trip that's right for you, we've broken all of our trips down into four service levels. Measuring the comfort level of the accommodation and transport. So whether you're travelling on a budget and want to save money by using public transport, or prefer upgraded accommodation and are happy to pay a little more, then we have a level for you.

This is grassroots travel at its most interesting

Authentic experiences with some of the comforts of home

For those who like to travel in comfort

All the unique experiences wrapped up with a gold ribbon