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Marco Sfogli Interview

Marco recently released his first solo instrumental album, titled There’s Hope . This album marks a new step in his career and showcases his ability to write well-crafted songs filled with memorable melodies, as well as plenty of face-melting guitar work. There’s Hope is a breath of fresh air in the guitar community with its great production, clear sound, and songs that can stand on their own.

IC: What’s going on right now in the world of Marco Sfogli?

MS: The world of Sfogli right now is preparing the very first solo gig, which is going to be on April 25th here in my town [Caserta, Italy], and then some clinics and showcases. Also, the new James LaBrie album is in progress.

IC: Do you anticipate a tour behind your new solo album, There’s Hope ?

MS: That’s definitely a hard question, because gigging for a solo record is always hard, because there is not that following in terms of people that actually go to the shows. I’m actually looking for some promoters and managers – someone who will handle all the bureaucratic stuff and the managing of the gigs, and all that. So I definitely would love to, but I have to find the right people to set up a tour, and eventually leave for one.

IC: You’re playing on various sessions, you have just released your first solo record – are you doing any additional work or do you find that these projects are enough to sustain a career?

MS: Well, I teach extensively, actually, and that’s my main source of income right now. Teaching has been always part of my daily routine since maybe 2000 or 2001. So I didn’t stop teaching ‘cause that’s part of daily practice – exchanges of thoughts with students. I’m doing less stuff, but maybe more important than it was before. But I try to keep it busy, and that’s very, very cool for a musician. It’s good to never stop.

MS: Well, I’ve seen a couple of reviews so far, and every one is good – a couple of thumbs up. It sounds like they enjoyed the record, and I don’t know yet about how many copies are sold, but maybe in a couple of… three months maybe, I’ll have the list of the copies sold and I’ll know more about it. But I’ve definitely seen some good reactions on the web, and even people asking at shops for my record – that’s very, very good and it’s widely distributed. I’m definitely happy about the way it’s being promoted and you can find it almost everywhere, even on demand on some guitar net stores. So it’s definitely going very well for being a solo record.

IC: This is definitely one of the strongest instrumental guitar records I’ve heard in a while. I find that in your writing there is a great amount of strong melodies and that’s something that oftentimes gets lost on instrumental guitar records. What’s the writing process like for you?

MS: Well, it’s more of an inspiration thing. I’m not one of those guys who can sit down, and tell himself: ‘I’m going to write a song.’ It doesn’t happen, it doesn’t work for me. It never works for me and it probably never will, so all I do is search for inspiration – maybe just driving and doing some stuff or chilling out, and I’ll have this melody stick in my mind and as soon as I get home I try to put it down. That’s the main writing approach for me – it’s just about inspiration. Then all the rest comes up at the right moment.

IC: So the melody is the starting point for you?

MS: Yes, definitely – the melodic aspect.

IC: Talk to me a little bit about your influences. I hear John Petrucci, Steve Lukather, and Andy Timmons reflected in your playing, although on the new record you seem to be developing more of your own sound and your own playing approach. Is that something you’re consciously working on and trying to attain?

MS: Absolutely. It’s something you never stop working on, actually. You’re going to see how influences can come, listening to so many people and guitar players. The influences came by very early, and then I tried to find my own voice. This is something that goes on for years, and will be going on for years.

IC: Have you had any new influences lately – any different people that you’ve been listening to?

IC: What are you working on in terms of your playing right now? What’s your focus as a guitar player and musician?

MS: Keeping the chops up for the eventual tour, and focusing on the techniques I’m not that good at.

IC: Which would those be?

MS: I never been a great sweep picker, for instance. I’m trying to break down the technique and fix some movements. That’s the next aspect I’m working on. From there, just trying to keep what I call the ‘woken mind’ when it comes to playing, which is an important aspect of playing – being set up every night to play like on the record. That’s a hard issue, but I’m working on it and it’s more about the mental side of playing – being relaxed and finding the right spot, the right moment.

IC: What was one the hardest moments for you on the record as far as recording it?

MS: Outside of mixing? (laughs) Outside of mixing, which I’m not a pro at… I had to mix it by myself, because the rates are very, very heavy. Since the budgets for solo records are very low and mixing rates are up to the stars, I decided to do it by myself. But aside from that, I think one of the most challenging songs off the record was maybe the title track “There’s Hope” – there’s a couple of crazy tapping licks which are really hard to do, because I’ve never been a huge tapper. So I learned that part and I put it into the song, and I had to relearn it – and that’s very, very hard. That’s maybe the hardest part of the record. It’s not the whole song, usually – it’s maybe some spots in the songs that are very hard to play.

MS: In my home studio, which actually is my bedroom. I don’t have a studio, it’s just – I have a couple of monitors, a Pro Tools system… definitely a small, small home studio. I did all the guitars here in my bedroom: basically micing the cab, keeping at bedroom levels, and trying to make it sound as convincing as possible. Then when it came to recording the drums I went to a studio, because I couldn’t set up a drum place here, so I had to book a studio and we did the drums there. Then I came back home and did the definitive guitar tracks and then mixed it with the help of a friend, together, and that’s the whole production process.

IC: That’s very interesting. I wouldn’t have guessed that most of this was recorded at home.

MS: Yes – 90% of the record, actually.

IC: It’s refreshing to hear really good production on a guitar instrumental record, so I figured you went the whole nine yards and went out and did this in a full studio. So that’s very inspiring to hear .

MS: Thanks!

IC: What gear did you use for your solo album, as compared to Elements Of Persuasion ?

For some leads I used the brand new Mesa/Boogie Lone Star Head. Some bluesier songs like “Spread The Disease” or maybe “Seven” were recorded with the Lone Star – definitely all Mesa/Boogie stuff by the way, besides the virtual stuff that some friends lent me. I actually wanted to rerecord the virtual parts, but there was so much fire in some songs, so much passion, that I didn’t want to lose that by rerecording with maybe better sounds. So I kept the guitars from demos and that worked for me, and from the reviews I’m reading it worked for journalists, too.

IC: I’m really curious about that particular single coil sound you get on “Never Forgive Me.” What did you use to get that sound?

MS: Well, that’s one of my Rash signature guitars, which has single-coils. It’s basically a Superstrat guitar – it has a [DiMarzio] D Sonic in the bridge and a couple of [DiMarzio] Cruisers in the neck and the middle and it has a mahogany body. You actually can see it in one of the YouTube videos of me playing to a sort of Larry Carlton backing track. That’s the guitar I used for a lot of the leads, actually, because I love the mahogany sound. The other guitar I’m using is also a signature one, but it has an alder body – it’s lighter, but it has less low frequencies than the mahogany one. I still love that single-coil sound more than the humbucking sound for some of the leads. The combination between the single-coils and the Lone Star was a winning one, because I’ve always been a fan of Andy Timmons and I was basically using the same kind of setup – different hands, of course, but the same setup.

IC: Did you use any pedals to boost your tone?

IC: Were all the delays and reverbs done in Pro Tools?

MS: That’s all from the board, yeah.

IC: Tracking back, can you talk a little bit about your background in music and guitar?

MS: Well, I got started when I was like 9. I got my very first electric guitar and I started playing and learning Van Halen, Satriani, and stuff like that. But I was just a kid – I couldn’t take it too seriously. Then I switched to the drums when I was 12, 13 maybe, and I played drums for a couple of years. Then I couldn’t play the drums because of the neighbors… I didn’t have an isolated acoustic room to play the drums in. I had to look for another instrument, because I couldn’t stay without playing, and I went back to the guitar and I never looked back since, actually. I still play the guitar.

IC: What were you doing at the time when you got the gig for Elements of Persuasion ?

MS: I was 24 – it was 2004. I was at a turning point, actually. I didn’t know what to do, because I wasn’t doing enough sessions to pay the bills and live off of music. I was at a turning point, and probably someone from the sky watched me and gave me the opportunity to get in touch with Matt Guillory and basically start a new career with James. I was doing nothing more than teaching, which actually bored me a lot at the time because I felt I had something to prove, but I didn’t have enough knowledge and work exposure to let the world know what I was doing. So the LaBrie gig came just at the right time.

Marco with James LaBrie

IC: How did you connect with Matt Guillory and eventually get to audition for James LaBrie?

MS: Well, that came from a mutual friend. I was in touch with Alex Argento, who is a keyboard player from Italy, and he basically called me up to take part on his record. So Alex had Matt Guillory’s chat account and one night he said ‘Hey, I’m going to introduce you to Matt.’ And I said ‘Oh, cool.’ I knew Matt from the previous LaBrie record and from his band Dali’s Dillema’s record. So we started talking and sharing files and we basically liked each other’s styles, so when it came up to find a substitution to Andy Timmons, (who was unable to record anymore, due to scheduling compatibility) he basically got my name to James, I was auditioned, and eventually I got the gig.

IC: Now, let me get this straight – was Andy Timmons supposed to be playing guitar on that record before you?

MS: Andy and Matt Guillory met up around May 2004 – so four months before I got called – and everything was basically ready to be recorded: the studio was set up, Andy had the songs, and he recorded demos for the songs. Then it happened, as I recall, that he had to leave for his solo tour during the time the label had booked the studio for the recording of Elements Of Persuasion , so he couldn’t do the gig anymore. Matt had to find a quick solution to that, and he knew me and proposed me as soon as he got the Timmons news.

IC: I had no idea about that. Who was responsible for the heavy riffs then?

MS: That’s me and Guillory. He wrote the demos and played the guitars on them. We played what he played and I just added my own stuff as far as solos go. But basically the rhythm, outside a couple of spots, is just Guillory or Brian Wherry, and I replayed their parts.

IC: It would have been surprising to hear Andy Timmons playing the drop-tuned metal kind of riffs.

MS: Actually, I have some demos with Timmons on it, and it was totally different – it was sonically different and the playing was different, because he was more on the bluesy side and the tone he was using to track demos was very, very bluesy. It was like the Resolution tone – very bluesy and very dark, but not aggressive at all. When I met Andy last March in Italy he was like ‘Well, I would have had sounded crusty on that record, so it’s good that you did that.’

IC: What was the audition like?

MS: It was on a couple of songs off the record, which were in demo form, and Matt sent me the songs without the guitars. All I had to do was record some guitars, and show James what I could do, and he was pretty happy about the results. He called me a couple of weeks after I sent the demo, and I was in.

IC: There’s a video of you on YouTube recording the ‘Alone’ solo. Was that one of the actual takes on the album?

MS: That was in Canada, back in 2004. We were just recording the parts and Matt Guillory was filming, and those were the actual parts that you can hear on the record. I was very, very lock-and-load at the time, so even if I was being filmed, I didn’t care about it. Someone else could have been pretty scared about having a video camera at the very first important recording of his life, but I tried to not think about it. Matt was nice enough to give me the tapes of the recording videos.

IC: James seemed pretty happy about that take.

MS: He was like ‘Oh, totally – this is tasteful!’ (laughs) and something like ‘That’s totally Andy Timmons there.’ He was really happy to have Andy on board – he was so stuck with Timmons in mind, that maybe he was searching for that kind of playing, which was the kind of playing that I was enjoying at the time. I still do, but at the time I was really into the Timmons playing. So he was searching for that melodic approach with not too many notes, and just the right amount of fire. But he was very, very happy about the results.

IC: What’s your favorite cut off of Elements of Persuasion ?

MS: Definitely ‘Slightly Out Of Reach.’ It was then – it is right now. That’s my favorite song and my favorite solo. That was my audition song, actually – it was the song where I got to show James what I could come up with on the guitar. That’s one of the few songs where I actually wrote all of the guitar parts – it’s totally me from the cleans to the crunchy rhythms. It’s one of the few songs, together with ‘Understand’ and maybe ‘Smashed,’ where I play the acoustic, where I play just my stuff without having to replay Guillory’s or Brian Wherry’s parts.

IC: And how about your solo record – what’s your favorite moment off of that?

MS: Well, I don’t have a favorite favorite song, but if I had to choose, I would say ‘Sunset Lights.’ It’s one of the first songs I wrote for the record, and it’s more on the melodic side. ‘Andromeda’ is also one of my favorites, but I think ‘Sunset Lights’ reflects my approach more to the playing and to the writing as it is now. I always had the progressive roots and the hard rock roots, but I think for me I’ve found the perfect mix between the heaviness and the melodic effect in ‘Sunset Lights.’ So if I had to choose one song off the record it’s definitely that.

MS: Well, aside from the nü-metal stuff… I have in my car the latest Richie Kotzen record, Return Of The Mother Head’s Family Reunion , which I absolutely love. It’s one of the best records I’ve ever heard from him – his singing abilities are just awesome and he’s an amazing guitar player. I love him and I spent so much time trying to get down his technique and stuff, so that’s one of the records I’m really listening to a lot.

IC: What are your general plans for the coming years?

MS: Well, I wish to play live a lot. That’s one of the things I would love to do more of – to play live and to tour as much as I can. Aside from my gig here, I have another show with one of the sessions I did when I came from the Elements Of Persuasion Tour. It is a big opera called Magni Animi Viri , which is going to be touring and the first show will be in München, Germany in June. Yeah, touring as much as possible and doing some cool collaborations and sessions – that’s my plan.

IC: Final question – any advice to aspiring musicians?

MS: Well, there’s so much advice that I have to get also, but if I have to give advice I would say to keep an open mind and listen to as much music as one can, without having regrets about a band or something because you hear some people say, ‘that band is a Top 40. That’s not worth listening to.’ I’m not that guy, because if something is very good and cool and works, there’s something behind it that makes it work. So my advice is to have an open mind for what concerns the music in general without having preclusions at all, practice as much as one can, and try to learn as many styles as possible.

Special thanks to Chris Dingman for the transcription of this interview.

About Ivan Chopik

Ivan Chopik founded Guitar Messenger in the Fall of 2007 and is currently running the online magazine as Editor-in-Chief, webmaster, and writer. He is also a guitarist, composer, and audio engineer who graduated from Berklee College of Music in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Guitar Performance, Music Business & Management, and Music Production/Engineering.

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Marco Sfogli

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Born in 1980, Marco Sfogli is credited as one of the most influential and followed progressive rock and metal guitar players of the last years, having worked both studio and live with James LaBrie and Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater, drum legends Virgil Donati, Simon Phillips and Mike Mangini, Alex Argento, Bryan Beller, Matt Guillory and many more. As a solo artist he published three solo albums, 'There’s Hope' in 2008, 'reMarcoble' in 2012 and 'Homeland' in 2019. He’s also founding member of the band ICEFISH with Virgil Donati on drums, Alex Argento on keyboards and Andrea Casali on bass and vocals.

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Marco Sfogli Naples, Italy

Marco Sfogli is an Italian session guitarist and solo artists. He is known for his work with James LaBrie, Icefish, PFM and has a number of solo albums, as well as releases at JTC Guitar.

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MARCO SFOGLI - Elements Of Persuasion Tour Pictures Online

May 30, 2005, 18 years ago

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Guitarist Marco Sfogli, who made his metal debut on DREAM THEATER vocalist James LaBrie's latest solo album Elements Of Persuasion, has posted tour photos online at his official website, some of which were taken by BW&BK; scribe Carl Begai. Go to this location to check them out.

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Charvel launches an EMG-loaded, progressive player’s dream of a signature model for James LaBrie guitarist Marco Sfogli

The Italian virtuoso for PFM and Icefish has spec’d his guitar with a Purple Burst quilted maple top, Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo and much more besides

First trailed back in June , Charvel has now officially launched Marco Sfogli’s signature guitar , the – word salad alert – Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM.

Former Ibanez signature artist Sfogli is the Italian virtuoso behind prog-metal outfits PFM and Icefish, not to mention guitarist for Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie, and he’s spec’d his instrument accordingly, with performance the number-one priority.

To that end, the guitar’s alder body features a scalloped lower back bout and sculpted shredder’s cut heel, allowing uncompromised access to the graphite-reinforced maple neck and fingerboard, which comes with a 12”-16” compound radius.

Of course, the body also comes capped with quilted maple finished in a succulent Transparent Purple Burst, topped off by a black pickguard and Strat-style knobs.

All of which makes the addition of the classic EMG SA/89 HSS configuration all the more stealthy. It’s more evidence of the company’s renewed interest in active pickups, which – along with Jim Root and Phil Sgrosso ’s models – have featured on three Charvel signatures this year.

Additional tonal options come via a push/pull tone control for the bridge pickup, while a master volume and five-way pickup selector come as standard.

Floyd Rose’s 1000 Series double-locking tremolo also crops up for whammy thrills, while other neat touches include rolled fingerboard edges, Luminlay side dots and a heel-mount truss rod adjustment wheel.

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All in all, Sfogli’s take on the So-Cal looks to be a well-tooled, versatile design for metal through to mellower progressive moments – lest we forget that EMG SAs are David Gilmour’s active pickups of choice.

The – all together now – Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM is available now for $1,599. See Charvel Guitars for more info.

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Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar , Total Guitar and Guitarist , as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe .

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Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022

Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

Accommodation

PRIVATE TOUR

A Week in Moscow

This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.

Weekend in Moscow

This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

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

Kolomenskoye Tour with transport

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...

Tours by car

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...

Walking tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour

Old Arbat walking tour

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...

Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...

Tour to Kuskovo with transport

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...

Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...

Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...

Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour

The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...

Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...

City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...

City Tour of Moscow

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...

Moscow Metro walking tour

Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour

KGB Tour with transport

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...

Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

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Soviet Tour in Moscow

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Description

Highlights:.

• Explore a massive Soviet Park VDNKh (or VVC);
• Experience this special feeling of the good old Soviet times & dark and gloomy Cold War era;
• Get to the highest spot in Moscow city and one of the deepest metro in the world;
• Find out the rough truth about the insane 900-day siege of Leningrad (present St Petersburg);
• Take in the Triumphal Arch;
• Capture an extraordinary sculpture-memorial to the Holocaust;
• Join a guided Bunker-42, Cold War Museum tour (optional, not included in the price).
• See a harmony trio: an orthodox church, a synagogue and a mosque all in one park.

Tour Itinerary

With the 1000-year history, Russia has had a rich portfolio of conflicts, battles, wars. On this Soviet tour, we'll talk about various wars that happened in Russia, focusing on WWII.

Mother Russia has undergone a lot in its long life. Since ancient times, Russian rulers have taken nearly all political power into their own hands. By the beginning of the 20th century, the Russian oppositional movement was deadly set for the total destruction of the ever-lasting tsarist regime. All of Russia got involved in the bloody revolution of 1917 in an effort to abolish the current state of the government and gain freedom for the ordinary people.

You will learn about the every-day life of the Soviet people during the bloody Second World War with the Nazis, including the legendary Battle for Moscow, the 900-day siege of Leningrad, the hardships that local citizens went through, the consequences of the war and the scars it left on the Soviet people, as well as why the Cold War happened and what was the fundamental reason.

Our mission on the Soviet Russia tour is to find out

• - How much this 1917 revolution cost the people;
• - Whether they actually got the freedom they wanted and was it worth it;
• - What happened over the next 74 years;
• - Who were the main political communist leaders of the Soviet Union;
• - Were Russians happy and satisfied with the Soviet Union?

Our tour itinerary will lie in most Soviet areas of Moscow, which are quite spread throughout the city, as very few of them are left. You can choose how much you are ready to live this Soviet life on a 5, 7 or 10-hour tour. Depending on the duration of the tour, you will see part or all of the places below:

If you want to extend the tour, you are welcome to do so by paying $20/extra hour in cash on the tour.

Time stands still in Red Square. The Red Square is the heart of Moscow (and whole Russia). Saint Basil's Cathedral will make your mouth drop. If it is from May-October, have a cocktail on the outside terrace and simply people watch! The massive square offers so much to enjoy.

Lenin's Mausoleum

The burial place of one of the most influential communist leaders in the world.

Revolution Square Metro Station

Rub the Soviet dog's nose for good luck and admire the 76 bronze sculptures, devoted to the passionate, strong-willed and patriotic Soviet people.

Poklonnaya Hill

The highest point in Moscow, where Napoleon waited for keys of the city.

All-Russian Exhibition Center (VVC)

With its giant arch, amazing fountain, and huge pavilions of different Soviet Republics.

Victory Park Metro Station

The deepest undeground station in Moscow and one of the deepest in the world.

Victory Park

For an open-air museum as big as 135 ha (1 350 000 square meters), Victory park sure doens't lack diversity. The park is dedicated to the Russian victory in WWII, and was laid out in 1995 in commemoration of 50-year anniversary of victory.

Stalin had planned for its construction already in 1941, being sure of victory from the very start of the war.

Greeting Hill

The highest points in Moscow (172 meters), where Napoleon waited for keys of Moscow in vain.

Triumphal Arch

Stunning monument consisting of 12 cast-iron columns, each 12 meters high, and weighing 16 tons. Built to mark Russia's victory over Napoleon in 1812.

Museum of the Great Patriotic War

In the city that is as much about wars as it is about victories, there is one essential stopover - the Museum of the Great Patriotic War (that's what WWII is called in Russia). Must-do for those wishing to understand Russia's past and look at the whole war from the different perspective - Russian.

The museum is not for the faint-hearted. Here you can see films about the partisan experience, the scenes that will haunt you forever (no subtitles, but they are not necessary).

Museum of Contemporary History (from outside only)

We'll have a glance at Russian life of the XX century in the  Museum of Contemporary History , which houses bits of everything from Russian history of XXth century: from English club to a storage of Stalin's presents.

Memorial to the Holocaust,

devastating and breath-taking!

Unleash your inner spy. Highly recommended  Bunker-42 ,  Cold War Museum , explore the place where Khrushchev lived during the Cuban Crisis. Go down 18 floors to a gigantic bunker under Moscow that was designed to withstand a nuclear attack. Watch a short film about the severity of the Cold War. If you lived through the Cold War, you will hardly believe it is possible that you are in Bunker 42!

Wander through  Sparrow Hills  and climb up to the highest observation deck of Moscow with stunning views of all seven Stalin’s skyscrapers, including  Moscow State University . After that, experience the excitement of taking a  river cruise  on the Moscow river and catch the views of the Kremlin and Soviet times.​

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting tour, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

*This WW2 and Cold War tour can be modified to meet your preferences.

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City Tour of Moscow

• PRICE & INFO

The heart of Moscow is the Kremlin and Red Square. Red Square used to be a lively marketplace. Krasnaya (Red) is the Old Russian word for beautiful. Pause in Red Square to review its dark and glorious moments in Russian history.

View famous landmarks including the Savior Tower, the Kremlin walls, GUM department store, the State Historical museum, Lenin’s mausoleum, and St. Basil’s Cathedral.

Ivan the Terrible ordered the construction of St. Basil’s Cathedral on Red Square. He chose two architects, Barma and Postnik, to create this now famous Russian Orthodox church. According to legend, Ivan blinded both of them so they couldn’t create a similar masterpiece anywhere else. During Joseph Stalin’s rule, Saint Basil’s was in danger of being destroyed to make room for larger demonstrations and marches on Red Square.

Then view the Christ the Savior cathedral, a church with a controversial history. It was torn down by the Bolsheviks in favor of a massive monument to socialism known as the Palace of the Soviets. A giant statue of Lenin was slated to be mounted on the roof. In a twist of fate, the construction of the Palace was halted due to the lack of funds. Later, it was transformed into the world’s largest open-air swimming pool.

After you learn about the history of the rebuilt Christ the Savior cathedral, reach the Novodevichy (New Maiden) Convent. The convent, founded in 1524, is one of Moscow’s most beautiful monasteries. It’s also known as the “Convent of the Broken Hearts.” It was the residence that out-of-favor wives of aristocrats were banished to when their spouse decided to marry another woman.

Next on your tour, visit Poklonnaya Hill (Bow Hill). Your introduction to Russian History will be expanded here where you will learn about the events of World War II from a Russian perspective.

Then take a short drive to visit Vorobyovy Gory (Sparrow Hills) where a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and Moscow University awaits you.

Additional information

Price for the private tour:

• 1 person – $300  
• group of 2 – $150 per person
• group of 3 – $105 per person
• group of 4 – $90 per person
• group of 5 and more – $70 per person

Operating days:

Tour includes:

• 4 hours of guide service including pick up and drop off at the hotel (within the 3rd Ring Road of Moscow)
• 4 hours of transportation on modern air-conditioned car or van

Additional info:

• Please indicate preferred pick up time and place
• This tour is a private tour with the use of car or van
• Please dress in accordance with the weather conditions

Booking and cancellation policy:

• We recommend to make the booking 7-45 days in advance during the peak season from May to September
• Booking of the tour can be made not less than 3 days prior to the date of the tour
• After the tour is booked the cancellation charge of 10% of the total amount will be applied
• There will be no refund for the cancellation of the tour made less than 48 hours prior to the booked tour
• Change of the date of the tour can be done within 48 hours prior to the tour date without any charge
• All cancellations or change of dates can be done by phone or email

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