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The Modern Travel Agency

• Weekend Getaways ,
• Sustainable Travel ,
• Solo Female Travel ,
• Far-flung Destinations

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Fora's in-house team based in NYC. Among us: a Brooklyn dog mom, a luxury hotel junkie and a sustainability warrior.

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Travel style.

Our team of travel entrepreneurs and globetrotters agree on plenty, but our travel styles are entirely unique. Some of our shared passions include impact-driven travel, old-fashioned road trips and searching for the best local food specialties wherever we go.

Fora 's travel guides & trip reports

New Orleans: Way More Than Bourbon Street

A Guide to the Best Museums in New Orleans

New Orleans In A Day

3 Days in Sacramento, CA

Things To Do in the Pacific Northwest

Travel the Swedish Way; Experiencing Lagom On The Road

Santorini is More than Blue Domes and Instagrammable Spots

A Weekend in Downtown Des Moines, Iowa

3 Idyllic Days on the Azores' São Miguel Island

Return to Rome: What to Do on Your Second Trip

A Girls Trip Guide to Oahu

4-Day Atacama Desert Itinerary: An Unforgettable Journey

Discover Buenos Aires in 5 Days

Exploring Bolivia's Best: A Comprehensive 6-Day Itinerary from La Paz to Uyuni

Two Fulfilling Days in Paris' Le Marais

Journey Embrace: An Itinerary to Discovering Washington, DC

Seattle's Food Guide Beyond Pike Place Market

Whistler Winter Retreat: A 3-Day Ski, Resort and Spa Getaway

Tropical Adventure in The Azores: São Miguel, Portugal

3 days in São Miguel, a Sightseeing Itinerary

A Long Weekend in Chelsea, NYC

Family Travel: The Best Itinerary for Traveling with Children

The Best Hotels in Chelsea

A Complete Guide to Arizona

A Travel Lover's Guide to the Nation's Capital

Fora Favorites: An Essential Guide to the Monterey Peninsula

Things to Do in Colorado: Summer Edition

Utah: From Natural Wonders to Dining Gems

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica Ultimate Travel Guide

7-Day Sustainable Cultural and Hiking Trip to Bhutan

A Local's Guide to Portland, Oregon — Rain or Shine!

Off The Beaten Path: Ocala, Florida

10-Day Amalfi Coast Honeymoon Itinerary

Explore Zion National Park in Comfort

Adventure in Bryce Canyon National Park

Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park

Visit Mars in a Utah Luxury Resort

3 Must-Visit Beach Bars in Costa da Caparica, Portugal: Piscina, Irmão and Pôsto da Onda

A Relaxing Getaway to 30A

A Family Vacation to St. Augustine, Florida

Late Summer Getaways

3 Days in Bozeman: Montana for Families

Things to do in San Diego with Kids

One Week Itinerary in Puerto Rico

Party Like a VIP: Unveiling the Best Pool Parties in Las Vegas and Top-Notch Accommodations

Guilty Pleasure: Madeira

Welsh Moorland on Horseback

The First-Timer’s Guide to Mumbai & Goa, India

An Architectural Journey in Rajasthan, India

Sustainable Guide to Kerala, India

Exploring the Best of Kenya: A Family Safari of a Lifetime

7 Things to Do in Lucca, Italy

5 Days in Iceland: A Magical Journey Through the Land of Fire and Ice

2-Week Itinerary in Thailand: From City to Beach

5 Days of Nature, Wellness & Relaxation on the Oaxaca Coast

Weekend Getaway in Utah for Every Type of Traveler

Romantic Japan: A Dream Honeymoon Destination

10 Things to Do in Montauk, NY

Budget-Friendly Luxury Getaway in Cape Town, South Africa

Key West: Hemingway, Palm Trees and Strawberry Fields

Birthday Getaway Celebration in Montego Bay, Jamaica

4-Day Guide to Hiking in Zion National Park

5-Day Itinerary in Portland: Where Food, Arts, and Nature Meet

7 Day Girls Trip: A Blissful Getaway from the Himalayas to Sri Lankan Shores

Local Insights into Kathmandu's Hidden Gems

Annapurna Adventure: A 10-Day Itinerary Through Majestic Peaks and Enchanting Heritage in Kathmandu

Guide to a Busy Week and a Half in Portugal

Your Mini Guide to Walt Disney World

A Relaxing Weekend Near Helen, Georgia

Soccer and Baseball Delight: 5 Days of Sports and Coastal Charm in South Florida

Family Trip to NYC

The Perfect Girls Weekend in New Orleans

Seoul Lite: A 3-Day Intro to Seoul, South Korea

Discover Abu Dhabi: A Desert Oasis

Hotels, Food & Shopping: Your Guide to Our Favorite Spots in London

Guide to Fort Worth, TX

A Weekend Trip to Sunny San Diego

Belmond Cap Juluca: Luxury Bliss in Anguilla

A 3-Day Girls-Trip Itinerary in St. Louis During the Holiday Season

The Bahamas: The Vibe, The People and The Resorts

Cherry Blossoms 2024: Top 10 Places to See Sakura in Tokyo

5 Days to Explore Boston

Journey Through Imperial Splendors: Exploring Morocco's Historic Cities

60th Birthday Celebration in Dubai

Weekend Staycation in Detroit

A Beginners Guide to the British Virgin Islands

4-Day Adventure in the Azores

Phoenix in the Fall

Small Town Meets Capitol City: Juneau, Alaska

Trip Guide to Jerome, AZ

Your Smokey Mountain Getaway: Gatlinburg, Tennessee

A Local's Guide to Lovely Cultural London

A Local's Guide to Palm Springs Exploring Palm Springs (and Coachella Valley)

A Local's Guide to the Great New York City

A Local's Guide to Los Angeles

Winter Activity Guide to Banff and Lake Louise

Discovering Paradise: A Comprehensive Guide to the Maldives and Its Premier Resorts

A Journey to Italy and Greece: Discovering the Heart of the Mediterranean

Long Weekend in the Twin Cities

The Iconic Chelsea Hotel

The Fifth Avenue Hotel, NYC

Newest Royal Caribbean Ships

Top 7 Don'ts You Need to Know When Traveling to Costa Rica

Top Reasons Why Visiting Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica is a Must-Do Adventure!

Manuel Antonio National Park: Ultimate Guide to a Day in Paradise - Tips for Unforgettable Adventures!

Costa Rica: The Ultimate Destination for Medical Tourism

Seattle in Winter: An Unconventional Getaway

Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya Mexico - Playa del Carmen

Baha Mar: The Perfect Place for Play & Relaxation

Tranquil Serenity at South Seas Resort, Captiva Island, Florida

Four Seasons Dubai: An Unforgettable Oasis

Chable Maroma and Chable Yucatan Hotel Inspection

The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri

Five Days in Iceland

The Resort at Pelican Hill Offers Luxury & Seclusion

Venturing Solo: Unveiling the Palms Casino Resort - Las Vegas Hotel Casino Property Spotlight

Highlighting the Movenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives: Transforming Solo Travel Dreams into Reality in the Maldives

Fora Favorites: Best Paris Restaurants

A Comprehensive Guide To Courchevel

Property Spotlight: Sofitel Munich Bayerpost

Favorite hotels, the silo hotel.

An u nmistakeable architectural gem on the V&A Waterfront, with a prized modern art collection and, in many rooms, Table Mountain views.

$100 hotel / resort credit.

Breakfast daily.

Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

A masterclass in next-gen hospitality, expect to fall hard for the discreet service, note-perfect interior design, unshowy public spaces and seasonal restaurant.

$50-$100 resort / hotel credit.

Hotel Villa des Orangers Relais & Châteaux

In the heart of Marrakech, a charming riad with just 27 rooms done up in a rich, colorful style, with rooftop and courtyard pools and a traditional hammam.

The Green O

A new destination escape from the team at Paw’s Up, with just 12 adults-only modern woodland cabins and access to the resort’s 37,000 acres of the Montana wilderness.

$300 activity credit.

Complimentary bottle of wine.

Extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Hotel Esencia

Easy flight, flawless beach, gorgeous design — this is a slam dunk of a sunshine escape between Cancun and Tulum.

$100 food / beverage credit.

A true bucket-list destination, famed for the best-in-class spa, sensational architecture and rare seclusion on 600 acres of Utah desert.

$100 resort/hotel credit.

Fora 's reviews

Great communication. Friendly service. Highly organized and aesthetic itinerary booklet. All excursions went flawlessly (driver pickup/drop-off included). Will use again!

Booked travel to Indonesia

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Inside Fora, the startup igniting a possible renaissance for travel agents

Somewhere in between travel lockdowns during the first year of the pandemic and the current chaos plaguing airports around the world, a bevy of new travel startups launched with promises of a better experience.

The latest entry is Fora , self-described as a tech-forward travel agency that essentially serves as a hub for experienced travelers looking for a launchpad to run a side gig (or more) as a travel agent.

Since launching in August just one year ago, Fora now boasts nearly 500 travel advisers worldwide (97% of whom have never worked in the sector before), operating within its network, with more than 30,000 people on the wait list.

And this week, the New York–based company announced $13.5 million in Series A funding, which will help advance the development of the travel agency’s technology for advisers.

Fortune recently spoke with cofounders Henley Vazquez, Evan Frank, and Jake Peters, who shared more about what it‘s like to run a travel business right now.

The following interview has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

Could you share a bit about your professional backgrounds before launching Fora?

Vazquez: Each of us are repeat founders who have worked in the travel industry for decades. I originally caught the travel bug in college when I took a gap year, and have been a travel adviser for more than 15 years. I was on the founding team at Indagare, which is where I learned all about being a travel adviser and working with hotels. Then, I founded Passported, a Virtuoso travel agency. 

My cofounder, Evan Frank, started in corporate finance, then venture capital, and has spent the last 10-plus years building new disrupters in the travel and hospitality space. He’s a three-time founder or CEO of travel and hospitality marketplace startups, including Onefinestay, which was bought by Accor Hotels. 

Jake Peters, Fora’s cofounder and chief product and technology officer, is our tech genius. He’s a self-taught programmer and tech entrepreneur with more than two decades in the industry. With his passions rooted in tech, data, and travel, Jake wanted to make dramatic shifts within the travel agency industry alongside Evan and I. 

The three of us make up a dynamic team, each with very different specialties and interests, which is what makes it work so well. We cofounded Fora in order to create a new type of travel agency that welcomes everyone with the interest or passion—the go-to person for travel tips in their networks—to sell travel in a way that was previously reserved for pro travel agents. Our mission is to build the next-generation brand in travel, empowering a network of travel entrepreneurs along the way.

What inspired the launch of Fora?

Frank: When we first started Fora, we actually looked at the real estate industry and drew some inspiration. Compass had just IPOed, and we read that there were 3 million real estate license holders in the U.S., the majority of whom were not full-timers. Yet, there were only 100,000 travel agents. We asked ourselves why there was such a disconnect, especially considering how fun a full-time career in travel could be, as I observed in my cofounder Henley. Having our kids in the same school, Henley and I were constantly surrounded by other moms and parents who were planning trips for their families all around the world, but they had no idea that they could be monetizing those bookings by being a travel adviser.

That said, traditional travel advisers had to hit a certain amount of sales in order to be successful and work in the industry, so there was never room to sell travel as a side gig. We wanted to change that and began brainstorming over the pandemic, when travel had come to a screeching halt. Henley and I both had the same idea: Travel is coming back and remote work isn’t disappearing, so why can’t more people do this job, and how can we build a more viable organization? Even though travel was on hold, we knew the current travel industry was dominated by big online booking sites and big agencies, but people craved human connection and experiences they’d receive with a traditional travel agency for when we’d start to travel again. 

There were also 1.5 million women who left the workforce due to the pandemic, and we knew these people would have the time and interest in a side hustle or new career. Plus, much of education and training was forced to move online due to the pandemic, and this created the first opportunity to train up a remote labor force at no real disadvantage to being based in an office. The creator economy and cohort-based courses also really exploded due to being stuck at home with a computer. 

From there, we decided we wanted to enable entrepreneurs to transform their passion for travel into revenue, and to do it by curating the most incredible experiences for travelers. By empowering the long tail of who could sell travel for a living and building tools to make the work easier and efficient, we created Fora that has the technology of an online booking site, but human touch like a traditional travel agency.

Being a travel agent as a career significantly changed as consumers were able to book travel themselves via the internet, causing a decline for the profession since the 1990s. Why do you think there might be a comeback now?

Vazquez: The market for travel agents is at an all-time high with all things COVID as it relates to cancellations, last-minute changes, and stress-free travel in the midst of a pandemic. It’s our job to stay on top of the current travel advisories, trends, and restrictions so you don’t have to worry about it. 

The internet is also uncurated and uncontrolled, with endless possibilities but no one to sort through the noise for you. That’s where our agents step in. Plus, they’re there to support when things go wrong. 

On top of that, travel advisers are able to set you up with perks and added benefits that you can’t get when booking with an online booking site. Because of their direct relationships with the property, people using travel advisers are more likely to get an upgrade, dining and spa credits, and added amenities. Plus, we’ll make sure the special occasions that you’re traveling for are celebrated because we’re in constant contact with the properties and their team. Think: wine in-room upon arrival, a romantic turndown, or a surprise treat for the kids. 

The travel industry is certainly rebounding, even as airports suffer from record delays, cancellations , losses of luggage , and meltdowns ( in some cases, literally ). But inflation and a looming recession have some people nervous about spending on travel. What do you think will be some of the top travel trends this fall and holiday season?

Vazquez: The looming recession hasn’t stopped travel from happening, but we do continue to see last-minute travel planning as the trend that won’t quit, and we suspect that has to do with confidence in spending. We recently saw one-third of a record week of bookings all with departure dates for the following week. If there’s uncertainty in the markets, what we’re seeing is a hesitation to plan much further into the future (rather than a hesitation to not travel at all).

That said, what’s unique is that everything is so much more expensive in travel right now, but people are still booking their dream trips regardless of the cost. After being stuck at home for two years, they are eager to see the world again. 

In terms of trends, there’s also less of a focus on action-packed itineraries. Fewer people are asking for tickets to the Louvre or museums; most don’t want to plan a back-to-back itinerary. Instead, they’re wanting to wander and explore the cities they’re in, eat great meals, and feel immersed in places they’ve missed. We’ve also seen a major rise in adventure and outdoors-focused travel. I lived in Costa Rica for part of the pandemic, driven in large part by the need to do things again and not be stuck indoors. From national parks to tropical rain forests, we’re seeing the same trend in trip planning—let’s get active!

In terms of airfare, now there are more travelers than there are seats available. For people who haven’t thought about your flights this holiday season, you have to get on it now, although we do know from our data that last-minute remains the name of the game. The big thing is that people are adjusting their behavior to the unpredictability of flights, building in buffer days or flying in earlier versus later to safeguard against delays and cancellations. We’ve all gotten pretty good at the “go with the flow” approach, even if we don’t like it. Working with a travel agent means that you have a friend in the industry who can help you navigate the ever-changing nature of travel right now.

How is the company funded? Is it self-funded or have you reached out to investors? What has the financing process been like?

Frank: In order to innovate in the travel agent industry—historically very fragmented with lots of small owner-operators, and as a result generally too low margin to build technology and many of the capabilities typically seen only at OTAs [online travel agencies]—we needed to raise capital early. Agents have been left behind in the online booking revolution in travel; we want to put the power back in their hands and build something that feels halfway between a traditional agency and an OTA. An OTA that’s powered by humans.

As a result, we’ve been VC-backed since early days. We closed a $5 million seed round in fall 2021 and just announced our Series A funding for $13.5 million that was co-led by Heartcore Capital and Forerunner. This Series A funding will be used to accelerate the next evolution of our platform: an innovative client and booking management system—the first of its kind in the industry—exclusively for our community of travel advisers.

We’re an experienced team with exits under our belts and diverse backgrounds—agency, travel supplier, building technology products—which has helped attract this equity capital.

Looking forward five years, how do you want to Fora to grow? What kind of services do you want to add in the future?

Peters: Travel advising can really be the best job in the world. However, in order for this to be true, and in order to welcome thousands of travel-passionate people into this industry, a lot needs to be rethought: from payments to marketing to enabling different ways of working to community—and to simplify the planning and booking process. 

We have grand visions and many ideas for things we can build; piecing our platform together thoughtfully is the work we are undertaking now. At the moment, our focus is laying foundations both from a product and underlying tech perspective, but also more importantly from a process perspective—how we build, how we listen to and support our advisers, and how we interact with the travel tech and supplier community at large.

And we’re doing this all with a laser focus on enabling our advisers to be productive and enjoy the work of selling travel and serving their clients. I enjoy looking ahead a few years and thinking about how we will have a product that weaves together all of the necessary components; this includes booking tools, client management tools, payments, supplier information, training, and community, and more into a single offering that is powerful and a joy to use.  

I know I speak for everyone on the team when I say that we’re very committed to growing Fora and getting it to a much larger scale than today. We want to bring new people into the industry and empower them to transform their passion for travel into a meaningful career, side hustle or full-time. We want to support travel advisers as best we can with technology and community. The travel agent industry has roughly 100,000 agents. Our mission at Fora is to bring in the next 100,000 agents, or more, with a more progressive approach to training, labor, and technology. We want to make being a Fora adviser the best job in the world.

This is an installment of   Startup Year One , a special series of interviews with founders about the major lessons they have learned in the immediate aftermath of their businesses’ first year of operation.

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Becoming a Fora Travel Advisor as a Side Hustle During a Summer of Airline Chaos

Dennis Schaal , Skift

August 31st, 2022 at 2:30 AM EDT

Fora Travel has the potential to give impetus to the evolving role of travel agents in an Instagram and TikTok era. It all sounds good in theory, but much depends on whether the agency can deliver on providing adequate training to its burgeoning ranks.

Dennis Schaal

Morgan Pesce, a full-time social media specialist and travel and lifestyle blogger in Rhode Island, reached out to Fora Travel in March about becoming a part-time travel advisor. After a video onboarding call, and learning about the startup travel agency’s support resources, Pesce booked four trips in April for friends, other people in her network, and herself.

Her commission checks arrived a couple of weeks after the trips.

“It was their mission that spoke to me,” said Pesce, 37, referring to Fora Travel, adding she’s contacted travel agencies before but didn’t like their “big box, cookie-cutter approach,” replete with Marriott stays and cruises.

Fora Travel’s mission is to reinvent the travel agency and the role of travel agents, offering passionate travelers side hustles as travel advisors and perks for their travels, and commission checks paid lickety-split with very modest training before they begin booking trips. Fora Travel has $18.5 million in venture funding — something you don’t see very often with travel agencies — and doesn’t see any reason why it can’t add 100,000 travel advisors to its ranks in a relatively short period of time.

Skift has written a bit already about Fora Travel, which was founded last year, but we wanted to find out more about its business model, especially because there have in the past been several multilevel marketing schemes where companies offer people who know nothing about the travel business perks for their own travels, and fees when they get their friends to sign up — and so on.

Hotel Commissions and Membership Fees

Evan Frank, former CEO and co-founder of Onefinestay and co-founder of Fora Travel, told Skift Fora Travel’s business model will revolve around hotel commissions and trips, but will eventually charge a membership fee for travel advisors, and currently offers a $200 referral when advisors sign up travel agents, and they make bookings. Frank co-founded Fora Travel with Henley Vasquez, former CEO and co-founder of Passported, and Jake Peters, former CEO of PayPerks .

“By the way, our best advisors come by a referral,” said Frank, who was speaking from the Virtuoso conference in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago. “We don’t want to clip that channel and turn that off. But by and large, we’re not looking to become some form of a multilevel marketing-driven company. We are really focused on our revenue model being driven by demand, by trips.”

Veteran travel advisors would be aghast at newbies just diving into the job. These long-time professionals are well-versed in umpteen numbers of fare classes , global distribution desktop scripts , services fees and taxes, gnarly debit memos from the airlines , and rescuing waylaid and irate clients in faraway airports, and many have taken a nine-lesson course over three months and pledge to abide by a 12-point code of ethics on the way to getting an American Society of Travel Advisors verified travel advisor certification , for example.

Business in a Box?

Fora Travel is looking to disrupt all that with streamlined training and by providing travel advisor recruits with a “business in a box.”

Frank of Fora Travel said the agency is “unique” in currently not charging advisors a fee to join, but that will change. “The reason is we really wanted to iron out our training, our operational onboarding, and the overall business in a box, the product experience that we’re giving our advisors, before we started charging them money to be part of it,” Frank said. “But the infrastructure, as you know, is expensive to run. We are going to need to charge some sort of a fee for advisors.”

Don’t Book Flights

 But how would advisors just booking their first trips handle all the flight cancellations, lost luggage, and all of the inconveniences that have tarnished the travel experience for travelers around the world in recent months?

That’s seemingly easy: Don’t book flights.

“I think the more flights you do, the more you’re being woken up at 2 a.m., which is one of the reasons why we try not to focus that much on flights,” Frank said. “I think if you focus on ground- and hotel-driven travel, it’s much more compatible to be able to do this while also supporting other jobs, freelance gigs, or whatever.”

Pesce, the Fora Travel advisor who started her side hustle in April, booked three trips that month to Central America — including her own trip to Guatemala — and one to the Florida Keys.

Pesce said she doesn’t typically book flights — although Flora Travel agents can do so through the agency’s partners — and she can give clients recommendations.

The new Fora Travel advisor said she learned about the agency through its Instagram posts, and wouldn’t be interested “if you have to pay to work for them.”

Fora Travel doesn’t have its own booking system yet so its agents mostly book directly on hotel websites, although Frank said the agency is building a booking system powered by a global distribution system.

Pesce said she’s consulted with clients on video calls, through direct messages and email to find out their preferences. She’s primarily booked their lodging, and as a Fora Travel advisor she’s got them and herself for her own trips perks such as early check-in and late-checkout, bottles of wine upon arrival, and a $200 resort credit, for example.

Fora Travel, which is a host agency enabling home-based independent contractors to sign up as agents, says it’s “not uncommon for hard-working travel agents to earn six-figure incomes.” It also states it can offer travel agents and their clients “upgrades & perks at nearly 4,000 hotels,” including Four Seasons, and Design Hotels.

As a member of the Virtuoso agency group, Fora Travel agents can also get the perks that Virtuoso can wrangle from partners. Fora Travel has around 500 travel advisors registered since its recruiting started earlier this year, has around 200 who are active, and has a waiting list to enroll, the company said.

Pesce said Fora Travel has a database she can access when she has questions, the training has been ongoing, and she can interact online with a “great” community of more experienced advisors.

“I have been fortunate so far that there haven’t been any issues,” Pesce said.

Where Will This Side Hustle Go?

She’s keeping her full-time job as a social media consultant for now while working perhaps a dozen hours per week, depending on how many trips she has going, as a travel advisor. Pesce said she would consider becoming a travel advisor full-time if she can build up her client roster.

“Traveling is my favorite thing in the world and to help other people to do it is amazing,” Pesce said.

A spokesperson for the American Society of Travel Advisors said the group has seen renewed interest in the travel advisor profession.

“However, determining the success, or the viability, of any one business model or industry innovation is not in ASTA’s purview,” the spokesperson said. “The knowledge and expertise of a vast and complex travel ecosystem are the primary elements of a successful travel advisor and their agency business.”

While not commenting on Fora Travel and its advisors specifically, the American Society of Travel Advisors spokesperson seemed to be expressing caution about the venture: “Claiming expertise that is not possessed or promising service that is not delivered only hurts the industry’s reputation and endangers the trust that travel advisors have earned through decades of professional service to their clients.”

Frank of Fora Travel said the agency would be issuing certificates to its advisors.

It will be up to Pesce and the growing number of Fora Travel advisors to determine just how much that certification is worth.

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Tags: asta , bloggers , business models , dream hotels , fora travel , four seasons , onefinestay , social media , training , travel advisors , travel agents , Virtuoso

Photo credit: Part-time Fora travel advisor Morgan Pesce on a recent trip in Antigua, Guatemala.

For those who want to turn travel into dollars, Fora can help start your next career

Travel is back, at least according to experts who say travel bookings for over the Thanksgiving holiday are showing to be even higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Anyone who loves travel or is that friend who always plans the best vacations, Fora has a tool for you. The company was co-founded by onefinestay’s Evan Frank, Virtuoso agency owner Henley Vazquez and entrepreneur Jake Peters, to redefine what we think of the travel agency and enable people who want to sell travel as a career, or in their spare time, a way to do it.

Frank and Vazquez had known each other for five years when the idea for Fora came up.

“We always talked about doing something together, but this past March, we connected again,” Vazquez said. “I was in Costa Rica and talking about opportunities for women sitting on sidelines due to the pandemic and looking for interesting work. Content creators are circulating around the travel world, and we saw a big opportunity for technology to modernize the industry.”

Travel agencies are a $100 billion market in the U.S. , but it is still largely one that works with fax machines and phone calls. Fora is one of the latest startups seeing venture capital attraction to push more of the travel industry into the digital age and tapping into the creator economy . Another is Thatch, which took in $3 million in August to enable travel creators to monetize their recommendations.

However, Fora has a unique approach compared to some of its competitors: It is actually teaching people to sell travel through training sessions, content authoring tools and negotiated rates at the world’s top hotels.

“A lot of companies sell content or expertise, but we saw a bigger opportunity to empower more people to sell travel,” Frank said. “The booking of travel without a system or knowledge is janky and hard. We are focused on tooling to help our advisors be successful themselves.”

Since its soft launch in August, Fora has already booked $2 million in travel, and today, the company announced $5 million in a seed round. It was led by Forerunner Ventures with participation from Heartcore Capital, Uncommon Capital and individual investors, including Katrina Lake, Gokul Rajaram, Ran Makavy and Ben Rubin.

The company decided to go after venture capital to help build out its technology more quickly. Fora plans to use the new investment to onboard new advisors, product development and go-to-market. Its advisor waitlist has grown to more than 2,000 people, and the company will also spend the time onboarding and training them over the next few months.

Meanwhile, Brian O’Malley, general partner at Forerunner Ventures, said that his firm was looking at the creator space and found that what will make Fora successful is having the advisor with a circle of friends and a passion for travel.

“In our eyes, that fits the entrepreneur next store versus the person on Instagram getting free stuff,” he added. “The cost of customer acquisition is skyrocketing, and Fora is coming in as a ‘Trojan horse’ by getting networks that already existed. It’s also a next-generation platform that is getting people back into the workforce.”

Airbnb is buying trust during the COVID-19 travel slowdown

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As a brand new travel advisor, I have SO appreciated the infrastructure, training, community, and support that Fora has provided. They have really made it a breeze to get started in this industry. They're always super open to feedback about how they can provide a better experience for their advisors, and are constantly making good improvements to their platform. High recommend for anyone looking to work with higher-end/luxury clientele, as they are a Virtuoso agency so have great relationships.

I’ve tried other host agencies and tried going at it on my own. The benefit outweighs the cost so far. I’ve received more training opportunities, better benefits to entice clients and plenty of customizable resources to help market my business. I usually want to be in complete control, but I found a host agency that I’m calling home. I plan to stay with FORA for a long time and grow my business. I recommend anyone looking to start their travel advisor business apply and start with FORA.

In the short time I've been with Fora, I'm very pleased with the training and marketing materials provided. I still have a lot to learn as I build my business and Fora HQ has been so supportive along the way. Training can be done on your own time with the recordings or live virtual opportunities. My only problem with the live sessions is the timing since I'm on the west coast and have a day job. With Fora HQ based out of NY, I find a lot of trainings are early in the morning or right in the middle of the day. I'm pleased with Fora's guidance and flexibility on how to build your brand/business while staying within the brand guidelines,. Templates and content to share across your chosen marketing method(s) have been super useful! I'm eager to get to Pro status so setting early goals and getting comfortable with the uncomfortable feeling of "selling myself" is the key to growth.

Thank you Ali! It's great having you as part of the community. Also just ensuring you are linked up with our LA Chapter - it's a big one and a great group!

Joining FORA was a breeze, and their initial training covered the basics thoroughly, which was helpful. It was refreshing to have the fundamentals spelled out, especially since not many agencies offer that level of detail. Their marketing is basic but beautiful, easy to implement, and helpful for new or part-time agents. They also provide ongoing opportunities for supplier training, which I find very valuable.

However, there's a significant gap in support when it comes to learning about the business aspect of advising. Many new agents are left to navigate on their own, resulting in mistakes that don't align with the promises made to clients or to agents during recruitment.

Initially, I appreciated the convenience of not having to manually submit for commission. But due to accounting and payment errors, I've had to resort to using Sion to track my own commissions.

It's disheartening to witness FORA's focus on recruiting rather than supporting their current agents or emphasizing the value of working with a travel agent. By portraying this profession as easy without offering sufficient support, it undermines the credibility of our industry and makes it challenging to attract luxury clients—especially when FORA is actively recruiting them to join as agents themselves.

Dear anonymous,

We appreciate your feedback. I wanted to clarify a few points within it.

I would like to emphasize that it is not accurate that we are focused on recruiting new agents instead of supporting our existing agents. All of the investments we are making in training, community support, technology, and partner relationships are focused on supporting our community. This is well over 80% of our headcount and expense base.

We run over 80 live trainings and office hours every month, and have 350 lessons pre-loaded in our advisor portal.

While our some of our marketing focuses on the luxury consumer, we are in no way actively recruiting clients as agents as we've mentioned previously.

Wishing you success as you continue your career as a travel advisor.

Fora has started taking our clients and making them agents, and don't give us any notice or profit share. This makes it incredibly hard to build a business. Once a client adds me on instagram, they start getting direct marketing from Fora (due to the algorithm). My best client texted me and said she's now joined Fora, but just to book travel for herself and family. Has no interest in making it a business. She just wants the discounts and the commission for her own travel. I'm happy for her - but just lost 30k in revenue overnight for next year and I'm worried my other clients will do the same. I know Fora wants to build its deck of advisors, however they have to find a way to do it without destroying the businesses their agents are building. It's not fair to take all of our best clients and turn them into agents with no warning, no apology and no notice even. It's very disheartening.

I'm sorry to hear that you've had a negative experience with a client joining Fora.

We have strict community guidelines in place so that no new advisor is allowed to join and claim credit for a prior booking made by a Fora Advisor. If this what has happened to you please reach out to support and we will honor the original commission.

We also have explicit guardrails that prevents new advisors from taking advantages of agent rates or typical agent benefits prior to Pro status.

The insinuation that Fora is taking clients and making them agents is not true. We are also working to try and restrict where and how ads are served, however there is certainly no intent behind Fora ads getting served to clients to the extent this is happening.

We acknowledge that the democratized and inclusive nature of our model has pros and cons.

On the pro side, our model allows us to invest heavily in training, community support, industry relationships, and technology to create an advisor experience with a very high success rate.

As a result, despite the cons, our community reaches key milestones significantly ahead of industry benchmarks. We have nearly 500 Pro-level and X-level advisors. 345 advisors (as of April 2024) have achieved these benchmarks within one year of joining.

Wishing you success in continuing to build your business - we are here to support you and appreciate your feedback.

An incredible host agency to join when you are starting from scratch scratch scratch. So many trainings and helpful colleagues to help navigate the infinite layers of the travel industry. Fora offers tons of educational resources and cutting-edge technology. I've fast forwarded my education in this new industry 1000x by joining Fora out the gate.

Thank you Tasha - so happy to hear this!

I began at Fora in order to book my own travel, but it has grown into a business that I am in total control of. As I began taking Fora training I kept thinking, "oh, that is interesting, let me learn more." In particular, I focus on cruising. The community is full of helpful people who share willingly, the company is part of Virtuoso so all of the perks are available to myself, and now all the other people I book cruises and hotels for. Once you hit PRO status (which only took me a couple months) you can take advantage of benefits, and that has been incredible. I cannot say enough about the Fora HQ team, the mentorships, the training, and the support.

Thank you Julie! And congrats on hitting Pro so quickly! It's great to have you as part of the community.

I joined Fora 3 months ago and have been amazed by the breadth of the training, the support of the community, and the sheer scale of the marketing assets that are made available to all advisors to help grow their business. I still have a way to go but I am so happy I joined Fora to launch my travel business.

Thank you Marisa! I am so glad you are finding all of the training, community, and resources helpful to you as you launch your travel entrepreneurial journey!

Fora had given me more support than I can handle! They have endless opportunities for trainings and support to grow your business! The Fora community has also given me the support when needed. They are quick to pay commissions and answer questions. The booking platform is so easy to use and continues to get even better! I am fortunate to have joined their fabulous community of advisors.

Thank you Jenn! And congrats on hitting Pro! I hope we get to meet sometime soon.

I’m only in my third month with Fora but I have been blown away by how cutting edge this agency is, and by the training and support system. I originally planned to get my travel agent license as sort of a side thing, to make money for what I already do on a regular basis (i.e. plan trips). But seeing what Fora has put together, my vision has expanded significantly. I want to, and am working towards, making this a full-fledged business. I love Fora and am proud to be a part of the community. I tried another host agency first and actually left (even though I had already paid the annual fee) because I didn’t feel supported or confident in the way the agency presented themselves in terms of training and marketing. Fora was a complete 180 from that experience.

I’m excited to grow with Fora!

Thank you Briana! And thank you for being such a great contributor on Forum as well.

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

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I'm wondering if anybody can give advice on this

I looking to fly LON-Tokyo the first 2 weeks in April 25, and at the moment I am seeing PE upgrades at an unacceptable (to me) £800.

I'm wondering if anyone has any prior experience as to when I might see a lower premium for my dates

2 replies to this topic

I think that you are looking at going to Japan in “ Sakura time “ which is incredibly popular for both tourists and Japanese.

Seems the correct answer to me.

April, Tokyo & Cheap do not fit in 1 sentence.

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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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Moscow Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + More [2023]

· everything to know about visiting moscow, including the best things to do and how to get around. ·.

Moscow is Russia’s vibrant capital city, and it also happens to be the largest city in all of Europe. The city’s long and infamous history makes it one of the most unique places we have ever visited.

The architecture ranges from centuries-old palaces to uniform, gray concrete buildings. The people range from cold and private to warm and welcoming. Moscow is a city is strong juxtapositions, and we learned a lot during our time there.

This post will break down all you need to know about visiting Moscow, including the best things to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more.

The Best Things to Do in Moscow

1. explore the red square.

The Red Square is the heart of Moscow. Most of the city’s top attractions can be found here, including just about everything on this list. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are all located here, and the State Historical Museum and GUM are not far from here, either.

The Red Square is a common home for parades, protests, and seasonal celebrations. There are massive Christmas celebrations here, with food vendors and carnival rides set up in numbers.

2. Check Out the Ziferblat

The Ziferblat is a café in Moscow that is unlike any café we have ever been to. While most cafes charge you for your drinks and food, the Ziferblat charges you for your time.

Upon arrival, you are given a clock. When you leave, the barista calculates how much time you spent in the café and charges you accordingly. This concept was created to help visitors to be more intentional with their time, and the cafe itself is incredibly charming.

For a detailed look at everything you need to know before you visit, make sure you read my post about visiting the Ziferblat Cafe in Moscow .

3. Marvel at St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in the world, and it was the single thing we were most excited to see while in Moscow. Built almost 500 years ago, St. Basil’s Cathedral is recognized by its colorful domes and whimsical style. The church is of the Russian Orthodox faith, and the inside is just as wondrous as the outside.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the edge of the Red Square, making it incredibly convenient to visit. Entrance for non-worshippers costs 800 rubles, and tickets can be bought at the church

4. Explore the Kremlin

The Kremlin is the largest active fortress in Europe, and it is the site of most of Russia’s government affairs. In addition to government buildings, the Kremlin Complex is filled with courtyards, towers, and museums that are open to the public. If you have the time, you could spend a couple of days fully exploring all that there is to see in the Kremlin.

5. Walk Through Lenin’s Mausoleum

Vladimir Lenin is one of the most important figures in Russian history, and his body is located perfectly embalmed in a mausoleum in the Red Square. The Mausoleum is open to the public to visit, and as long as you are willing to go through a few security checks, it is easily one of the best things to do in Moscow. Its convenient location in the Red Square makes it a can’t miss attraction.

There is absolutely no photography allowed inside the Mausoleum. Do not test this rule.

6. Wander Along Arbat Street

The Arbat is a very popular street in Moscow that is lined with stores, cafes, and other touristy attractions. It is one of the oldest streets in the city, dating back to the 1400s. This street is both quaint and trendy, and there are many walking tours that introduce tourists to the neighborhood’s wonders and highlights.

7. Catch a Show at the Bolshoi Theatre

As a lover of the arts, it is hard to think of Moscow and not think of ballet. Russia has always been a top dog in the world of fine arts, and Bolshoi Theater is one of the best places to catch a performance. We were lucky enough to attend an Opera here, and it is a venue that you don’t want to miss out on if you enjoy opera, ballet, or orchestral performances.

8. Visit the State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum is one of the most respected museums in Moscow. Despite its name, it is not really focused on the history of Russia as a nation. Rather, it contains a collection of artifacts from all throughout Russia’s history.

The museum’s collection is very broad in nature. It houses some items from indigenous tribes that used to occupy the region, pieces collected by the Romanov family, and more.

9. Wander Around GUM

GUM is an absolutely massive mall within walking distance of the Red Square. It isn’t just the size that draws visitors here; it’s the sense of luxury. The mall is so beautiful inside, much like the metro stations.

While visiting a mall might not sound like it belongs on a bucket list, this mall does. You will not want to miss out on visiting GUM while in Moscow.

10. Admire the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

While St. Basil’s Cathedral is the most iconic church in Moscow, it isn’t the only one. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is absolutely stunning, with massive golden domes. It is the tallest Orthodox church in the world, and it is the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow.

It is located just about a mile from the Red Square, just south of the Kremlin Complex. You can walk to it from the Red Square in about 20 minutes.

How to Get to Moscow

Flying to moscow.

Moscow has three major international airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO) , Domodedovo (DMO) , and Vnukovo (VKO) . All three of them are directly connected to downtown Moscow by the Aeroexpress trains, which leave every 30 minutes throughout the day. By Aeroexpress train, you can expect to get to the city center in 25-45 minutes depending on the airport that you fly into.

Sheremetyevo is the biggest and busiest of the three airports, and it is the one you are most likely to fly into – especially if you are coming from outside of Europe or the Caucus region. We flew into Sheremetyevo on a direct flight from New York City.

I usually provide backup airport options, because flying right into the city isn’t always the cheapest way to get where you’re going. Unfortunately, when it comes to Moscow, don’t really have a choice other than to fly right into Moscow. It is a very remote city, and it is usually the cheapest place to fly into in Russia as a whole.

Since Sheremetyevo is so busy, you will probably find a great flight option anyway. I wrote in  my post about finding cheap flights  that using hub airports will lead to more affordable airfare, and the same logic applies here. Even though Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot, is no longer a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Moscow is still a major hub connecting passengers from all over the world.

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Train or Bus to Moscow

Trains and buses are one of the most popular ways to get around Europe. However, they’re of very little use when you’re trying to get to Moscow.

Moscow is hundreds of miles from the nearest major cities. The only major European city that can even be reached within 8 hours on the ground is St. Petersburg, and even the Baltic capitals of Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn are over 12 hours away.

If you want to get to Moscow, the best option is almost always to fly. While the train routes to Moscow are scenic, they simply take forever.

How to Get Around Moscow

METRO | TROLLEYS | TRAMS | BUSES

Moscow has one of the most memorable metro systems in the world. Its metro lines are very deep underground, and the stations are absolutely stunning. Each station has its own unique style, but all of them contain escalators that seem to go on forever.

The system was built in an effort to showcase the power of the Soviet Union and its bright future. The plans were a form of propaganda, but they resulted in what is still one of the most visually appealing subway systems on earth.

Moscow’s metro system isn’t just pretty. It is also very useful and accessible. The system has 17 lines that connect the city and its surrounding area.

But wait; there’s more!

The Moscow metro system is also incredibly affordable, with each ride costing less than a dollar. The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow, as it is almost impossible to beat the connection times and the low cost to ride.

Tickets can be bought at electronic, English-speaking kiosks in stations, or directly from ticket counters at certain larger stations. There are also day passes available, which are a very solid option if you plan on riding the metro several times per day.

The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow.

In addition to the metro system, Moscow also has a network of buses, trams, and trolleys. This system is nowhere near as convenient or well-connected as the metro, though, and is likely of little use to you during your trip. There is no Uber in Moscow, but a similar app named Yandex is available if you need a ride in a pinch.

How Many Days Do You Need in Moscow?

Moscow is the biggest city in all of Europe, and it is absolutely loaded with things to do. You could spend weeks in Moscow and still find new things to do. Of course, most travelers don’t have that kind of time to spend in one place!

I recommend spending no less than three full days in Moscow, and ideally closer to five or seven.

Moscow is very spread out, and it can take some time to get from one major point to another. There are also so many places that are nice to just sit back and relax, which is hard to do when you’re in a hurry trying to cram activities into just a few days.

If you only have a week to visit Russia, I’d advise spending all of the time in one city. If you decide to split your time between Moscow and St. Petersburg, I recommend not trying to squeeze in any day trips beyond those two cities.

When Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Moscow?

There are two different ways to approach this question. Personally, I think the best time to visit Moscow is around Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the weather will be absolutely freezing, Moscow is a surreal winter wonderland in December and January.

We were in Moscow right before Christmas. While it was very cold, you can always bundle up. Exploring the Christmas markets and pop-up ice skating rinks throughout Moscow is one of my favorite memories from anywhere I’ve traveled, and I dream of going back to do it again.

If you aren’t fond of the cold, Moscow is beautiful in the summer. It tends to get pretty cold in the shoulder seasons, so if you want warm weather, you should plan to visit in the summer. Moscow actually gets pretty warm in July and August, and there are a bunch of fantastic places to soak up the sun within the city.

The best time to visit Moscow is either around Christmas or from late May to August.

Is Moscow Safe to Visit?

While Moscow is a truly wonderful city, there’s no denying that visiting Russia comes with risks. As the country is run by an infamous communist dictator, concerns about visiting are valid. While we didn’t experience any sort of threat or negative treatment during our time in Moscow, we visited in a peaceful time.

In our experience, Russia doesn’t seem to detain normal Americans or Westerners to use as pawns. As a regular person, as long as you don’t commit any crimes, there is a slim chance you will run into any issues. However, Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

To make matters worse, Russia has a bad reputation for gang violence. While the Russian mafia has very little interest in normal Western tourists, they won’t hesitate to pick a fight with anyone who ventures into their sphere of influence. If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

Finally, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, things are all very different. Russia is currently at war, and there are battles raging within 8 hours of Moscow. While it is still relatively safe to visit, that could change at any time as the war with Ukraine continues.

Is Moscow Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt, Moscow is worth visiting. It is one of the most unique major cities we have ever visited, and we hope to make it back one day. The Russian Orthodox churches are stunning, the city’s history is unlike any other, and the food is to die for.

While many visitors prefer St. Petersburg to Moscow, I think Moscow deserves a lot of hype of its own. Moscow is the beating heart of Russian culture and history, and it’s a place I highly recommend checking out if you have the chance.

That’s all we have for you about Moscow! I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Russia’s capital.

Have you been to Moscow? Or is this your first time visiting? Comment below if you have anything to add to our travel guide!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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Is Moscow Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded its neighbor country Ukraine, starting a war between these two countries.

This act of invasion caused many Ukrainians to flee their country and seek shelter in places like Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, etc…

At this time, we recommend no travel to Russia or Ukraine, or any neighboring countries for your own safety.

Russia : Safety by City

• Nizhny Novgorod
• Novosibirsk
• Saint Petersburg
• Yekaterinburg

Moscow, the capital of Russia, is a political, scientific, historical, architectural and business center of this huge country.

It’s one of the most visited places in Russia, and for good reason.

The best-known parts of Russia are concentrated precisely in the urban areas and cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Moscow’s history attracts the most tourists, as they are fascinated by it is a surreal and sometimes brutal but nevertheless thrilling and jaw-dropping national story.

In this city, visited by 17 million tourists annually, the history, told in its numerous museums, some of which are the world’s greatest, interacts with modernity.

For example, in the Garden of Fallen Monuments (Fallen Monument Park), you can see entire clusters of modern art contrasting with the very non-conceptual Communist monuments.

• Warnings & Dangers in Moscow

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Generally speaking, Moscow today is safe as much as other cities in Europe, despite its problematic history with criminal activity in the 90s. However, if you’re planning on traveling to Moscow, keep in mind that you should always keep your guard up and remain aware of your surroundings, just in case.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Generally speaking, transportation in Moscow is safe, but you should bear in mind that kidnappings have been known to happen, mostly in unlicensed taxis, so be careful when hailing one on the streets. Keep in mind that the most dangerous areas where small crime tends to occur are the underground walkways, called “perekhods”. Only use official services like Yandex Taxi, Uber or Gett taxi.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Pickpocketing is very common in Moscow, and surprisingly it is mostly performed by groups of children. Pay attention to your belongings, don’t leave them in plain sight and be especially careful in crowded places like stations or near tourist attractions.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Moscow isn’t particularly susceptible to natural disasters. Some blizzards and snowstorms are possible during winter which can affect the traffic and delay your flights. During winter, be prepared to face the below-freezing temperatures.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

The situation improved drastically when it comes to kidnappings and muggings. Generally, never accept free drinks or food when you’re in a club or a bar. Drink spiking and then attacking and robbing the victim have been reported on numerous occasions.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

After the recent terrorist attack in the subway in St. Petersburg the probability of this situation happening again in Moscow is very high.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

There are many scams in Moscow, usually performed by children trying to distract you and then steal some money from you. Never talk to strange kids on the street. Also, you should avoid playing street gambling games.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women are generally safe in Moscow, though you should avoid finding yourself alone in clubs or bars, and of course, apply all normal precaution measures like avoiding remote and poorly lit streets and areas.

• So... How Safe Is Moscow Really?

Moscow experienced a rise when it came to crime rates during the 1990s.

Violent crime, as well as petty crime and scams,  had increased, but the biggest part of the violence was within the criminal groups themselves, and it didn’t affect foreigners that much.

However, it decreased since the 90s, so right now, for tourists, Moscow isn’t more dangerous than any other European city, it’s even less so.

The crime rate in Moscow is fairly lower than one in New York, London or Paris, so you should feel safe here.

Also, you can count on the officials to be uncorrupted – don’t ever try to bribe them: you will be charged with bribery.

Bear in mind that if you are a member of the LGBT community, there is no reason to avoid Moscow altogether but you should refrain from any public displays of affection.

As of June 2013, “homosexual propaganda to minors” is prohibited, which means that any discussion of gay rights or homosexuality issues in the presence of minors is punishable by law.

While you walk around Moscow, you might encounter police officials that may demand to see your papers to check if you have been registered within 7 business days of your arrival into Moscow.

You shouldn’t have any problems with this, because if you stay in a hotel then you are automatically registered and will be handed a confirmation paper.

• How Does Moscow Compare?
• Useful Information

Most countries do need a visa to enter Russia, and if you’re a U.S. citizen you must possess both a valid U.S. passport and a bona fide visa issued by a Russian Embassy or Consulate. None of the nationals that do need a visa can acquire one upon arrival, so make sure you apply for your visa in advance. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

The Russian ruble is the official currency in Moscow. ATMs are widespread throughout the country and credit cards are accepted everywhere.

Moscow has a highly continental influenced climate characterized by warm to hot and dry summers and extremely cold, freezing winters with temperatures as low as -30°C – sometimes even lower, with heavy snowfall.

Sheremetyevo International Airport is the Russian busiest international airport. It is located in Molzhaninovsky District, Northern Administrative Okrug, in Moscow, about 29 km northwest of central Moscow.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we advise getting travel insurance when traveling to Moscow, because it would cover not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Moscow Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature

Russia - Safety by City

• Where to Next?

9 Reviews on Moscow

That's just not true.

The person who wrote the text obviously have never been in Moscow and in Russia at all. This is ridiculous. Even about pickpocketing, the risk at most is medium, mugging is zero in historical places but is pretty high in sleeping quarters

Your rating is only two stars for safety though? So I am confused. Are you rating the article to be in poor taste?

I went to Moscow in 2021. I enjoyed the trip. I felt there were “unsafe areas” so I avoided them. So long as you know where you are going and don’t insult the locals, you should be fine.

51% safe?! Is this out of date?

Moscow and Russia in general are MUCH SAFER than Paris or London, yet those latter are more than 15 points ahead?!

Hell, it’s even admitted in the above text: “Moscow isn’t more dangerous than any other European city, IT’S EVEN LESS SO.” Yeah, you bet! And then: “the crime rate in Moscow is fairly lower than one in New York, London or Paris, so you should feel safe here.” So why the low rating? I don’t get it.

Also, the latest terrorist attack in Moscow happened in 2010… so how can you honestly say that the risk is still “high”? Especially for the fact Russia is very much on the edge when it comes to fighting terrorism domestically and over the world.

Sure, it might not be ideal everywhere in Moscow, but it’s WAY SAFER than in Paris, especially at night. You just can’t go out in Paris after the evening anymore, in most areas (I got assaulted for no reason at Châtelet-les-Halles and taking the RER train at dark is becoming more and more risky)… while in Moscow, chances are that you’ll see girls in miniskirts walking home while quietly singing. Or maybe you’ll stumble upon some gorgeous lady asking you for a lighter and then giving you her number for a coffee the next day. So very dangerous!

I sense a serious bias, here. Is it because of that LGBT thing? Could you pick a more extreme case? Yeah, you can totally be gay in Russia, just be so in private. There even are transsexuals, but this is a traditional and respectable country, so you should respect their choice of not publicizing various sexual lifestyles.

Moscow and Saint Petersburg are safe

Moscow and Saint Petersburg are very safe in my opinion! I’ve been to both cities visiting family! There are so many people out on the streets and on public transportation- I felt very safe! You need to change your ratings!!

Any update on Covid-19 to visit Moscow

I visited 118 country and Moscow one of the safest city I have been, st Petersburg as well, I read this article hoping to find any update on covid-19 restrictions upon arrival, so if anyone can update I’m planning to visit Moscow again but I need to know if quarentain is required or mandatory, anyone can share, cheers.

In Russia nobody cares, masks off. I dont know if fiew thousands of infected per day are high for you though. I was never arrested for not wearing mask, but you have to have it on you. Sometimes cops ask to put mask, you just do that and everything ok, some shops can refuse to do service if you dont have mask. I assume they pressured by boss, so just put on mask, they can give you gloves and dont cause any problems.

Written by someone who never visited Russia

A veer biased review. Moscow or St. Petersburg for being such brilliant truly cosmopolitan cities are extremely safe. Pickpocketing in Russia?! By children?! Who wrote this? Clearly by someone who has never been to the great country of Russia.

Have never been there. But wish me well

Bias review, Moscow is much safer than that!

This review is so bias and just wrong! First of all apart from being a political, scientific and etc center, it is an absolutely beautiful city and a very culturally rich city. For tourists there’s a huge range of delicious food, amazing shopping, a lot of cultural activities, and all sorts of entertainment. I’ve travelled there in December 2019, and most of the time I spent walking around and exploring by myself, be it during day time or night, nothing happened to me once. I mostly used subways and sometimes taxi, both safe. Just have a common sense when it comes to safety and you’ll be fine. You need to travel there at least once in a lifetime, it’s a completely different experience and it’s a beautiful one, NOT a communistic terrorist epicenter as some describe it to be.

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Article Contents

• Moscow : Safety by City
• Overall Risk
• Transport & Taxis Risk
• Pickpockets Risk
• Natural Disasters Risk
• Mugging Risk
• Terrorism Risk
• Women Travelers Risk
• Weather Averages (Temperatures)
• User Reviews
• Share Your Experience

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