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Journey of Doing

Our Travel Christmas Tree: The Best Souvenirs

I started writing this in November and yes, my travel Christmas tree has been up for awhile.  No, I don’t feel bad about it.  In what feels like the ultimate homage to 2020, the trees in our living room are a tribute to our previous holiday travels.  In some ways, it feels especially bittersweet to know that we will be home for all the holidays.  In other ways, it’s been the most pleasant memory to put to these trees up and sit and relive our adventures together.  

While the jury is still out on how I will feel about the holidays overall, there is a sort of coziness that comes from remembering these great adventures that we’ve had over the last few years.  In that way, having a travel themed Christmas tree (or two) is pushing me to focus on the positive of this strange time.  

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links for tours and products I love at no additional cost to you.  You can read my  full disclosure policy here.

My Christmas Tree Tradition 

My birthday is December 6, which coincidentally is the day of St. Nicholas.  I was on a Christmas tour of Budapest for my birthday when I learned more about this tradition!  When I was a child, we would put up the Christmas tree on my birthday.  This tradition continued until I was in college.  Once I graduated and lived on my own, I realized that I could put the tree up whenever I wanted to – and put the tree up I did!  

This year, we have two travel Christmas trees in the living room, an ivory-gold-rose gold tree in our bedroom, and a hodge podge tree of other ornaments in the dining room.  (I put the last one up today.)  While 2020 means my trees were up even earlier than usual, I did wait to put my stockings up until today and I’ve been slowly decorating the rest of the house.  

I’m publishing this post on my birthday in honor of our Christmas tree tradition.  (Happy birthday to me!)      

Where to Find Travel Christmas Ornaments

While finding high quality Christmas ornaments can be easier when you travel during the holidays (especially on those European Christmas market trips ), it can be difficult to find them during off-season travels, especially when traveling internationally.  I’ve always been a fan of glass ornaments, but in recent years, I’ve fallen in love with delicate mouth-blown ornaments, as well as hand-painted Christmas ornaments.

Austrian Christmas Markets 

So far, the Salzburg Christmas Markets and the Vienna Christmas markets have been my favorite places to shop for ornaments.  I have so much regret for not purchasing more Christmas ornaments on both of our trips there.  The Vienna Christmas markets have the most diversity in ornaments, but I’ve purchased more in Salzburg.  

Austrian Christmas Ornaments Online

Since we can’t travel, I’ve ordered from the Christmas and Easter Store in Salzburg this year.  These vintage style glass ornaments are some of my favorites because they remind me of my childhood.  This hand-painted bell is even more gorgeous in person.   Christmas in Salzburg , a store I visited as early as 2004, is starting to put their inventory online, so definitely check them out!   The Vienna Christmas Salon has some beautiful hand-painted Vienna ornaments, too.  

Tuscany Christmas Markets

The Christmas markets of Tuscany are such underrated gems.  I bought two Christmas ornaments at the Arezzo Christmas market last year and and one at the Montepulciano Christmas Market .  All of them are handpainted and absolutely beautiful.  The Arezzo market has more Christmas ornaments than any of the other Italian Christmas markets I’ve visited.    

Kathe Wohlfahrt 

Kathe Wohlfahrt can be a controversial pick but it makes my list because we’ve found some unique travel ornaments there, particularly when traveling out of season.  When we went to Alsace , we stumbled upon Feerie de Noel and picked up some specific ornaments to remind us of that trip.  (We found some beautiful ornaments at the Strasbourg Christmas markets , but they weren’t Alsace-specific.) When were were in Barcelona, we found Barcelona specific ornaments for our tree.  The original store (and Christmas museum) are in Rothenburg ob der Tauber , but I’ll always stop in wherever I see one just to see what local ornaments they might have!  They usually have a pop-up shop at the Texas Christkindl Market , but the selection isn’t nearly as robust as on their German website.  (The same is true about the US version of their website.)

I’ve ordered from the German site and I’ve been very pleased with my experiences.     

Shopping for Travel Christmas Ornaments Online 

V-t ornaments.

One of my favorite finds has been Vintage Treasures Ornaments.  With both an eBay store and an Amazon store , you can browse any number of ornaments to commemorate your trips.  The photos don’t do these ornaments justice.  I was blown away by how beautiful some of these ornaments are.  We purchased similar ornaments at the Piazza Navona Christmas market in Rome last year and they weren’t as nice as these.  I love these because they are perfect replicas of the major monuments from around the world.

Tom bought me a Doges Palace ornament for my birthday this year since Venice is his favorite destination! The photos don’t even begin to do these ornaments justice! Just check out the Moulin Rouge below!

Landmark Creations

Landmark Creations also offers a number of lovely hand-blown and hand-painted Christmas ornaments.  They do custom collections, which I’ve seen through the Michael Storrings collection for Bloomingdale’s.  The Michael Storrings collection ins beautiful!  I’m sorry that I missed one of his ornaments that depicted The Plaza and Central Market.  It was iconic New York.  I’m thinking about using my next Bloomingdales Loyalist reward on the Broadway ornament because it reminds me of our 1st anniversary trip.  One of my favorite Landmark ornaments I’ve purchased is the rose window of Notre Dame , an ornament that I haven’t seen replicated anywhere.  It was the perfect souvenir for our honeymoon in Paris .

Best Pysanky

Best Pysanky  is based in Chicago and sells hand-painted ornaments from Ukraine.  (They also sell painted Easter eggs, which is what pysanky means!)  In addition to their online store, they also have an Amazon store .  These hand-painted ornaments are so beautiful, too.  In addition to the scene painted on the front, they also have the country’s national flag painted on the back, which I think is really cool!  (Learn your flags!)  My favorite find from them is the Cancun ornament .  It even shows the same stretch of beach where we stayed when we went to Cancun in 2018!  All of their Paris ornaments are beautiful, but this Eiffel Tower ornament with fireworks is another one of my favorites and a great souvenir from our trip during Bastille Day in Paris.

Etsy Christmas Ornaments

One of the things that I browsing on Etsy is the handmade ornaments.  Whether you’re looking for hand-painted ornaments, blown glass ornaments, or wooden ornaments, there are some truly talented sellers on Etsy .  Below a few of my favorite Etsy sellers for Christmas ornaments, particularly if you’re looking for a hard-to-find destination.  

• Ferrari Soni Art – Hand-painted in Italy, these ornaments are absolutely gorgeous.  I’ve never been able to find a Cinque Terre Christmas ornament , but I have one now.  They also take custom commissions and offer 15% off sales from time to time.  
• Your Murano – If you’re looking for unique Murano glass ornaments , this shop offers some of the more traditional designs, as well as some more unique glass options.  What I love about these ornaments are the beautiful colors and the sturdy yet delicate glass designs.  These glass Christmas ornaments are expensive, but they are worth every single penny!  They are the perfect souvenir from Venice.  
• Nordic Art by Ani – I love Ani’s hand-painted ornaments.  She offers glass ornaments, as well as wooden medallion Christmas ornaments.    

Department Store Christmas Ornaments

I always check Neiman Marcus, Horchow , and Bergdorf Goodman for ornaments.  This year I found a soup dumpling ornament that was the perfect souvenir for my mom and I’s trip to China in 2016.  They tend to have some really beautiful European Christmas ornaments.  What I really love about them is that they put a small charm with the year on each ornament.

They have great pre-Christmas and after Christmas sales, too.  Last year, in addition to the tree skirts I bought at Frontgate , I bought two of my tree skirts from Horchow and one from Neiman Marcus .  They are so gorgeous and the quality is unbelievable.    

Click to save $50 off your Frontgate order of $200 or more!

Sur la Table has great Christmas ornaments for travelers and for foodies. I’ve seen delicate croissants, beautiful macarons, and other things that might inspire memories about your culinary travels.

Tuesday Morning can be a great place to look for ornaments, too. Sometimes they get some really lovely, authentic imports. You’ll want to check them closely, but I’m a firm believer in the idea if it inspires you, it’s meaningful to you. Obviously, since we’re in the middle of a pandemic, you probably won’t want to get out and poke around, but I think they are always worth checking out at the start of the Christmas season. (I’ve found German incense that reminds me of my childhood there. It’s far more expensive on Amazon.)

Frontgate tends to carry some beautiful stuff, too. Our blue velvet tree skirts are from Frontgate! (I’m obsessed with them. The quality is unreal.)

About Our Christmas Trees

One of our quarantine purchases this year was two new pre-lit Christmas trees from Decorators Warehouse in Arlington.  Tom had done a lot of research and decided on two pre-lit Greenland Fir  NuemanTrees  because they look the most real.  We love the Nueman trees because you can create smaller trees if you aren’t wanting to put up a full 9-foot tree every year.  You can put up 5-foot or 7-foot versions instead.  We loved the versatility and life-like look of these trees.    

We chose Decorator’s Warehouse because of their extensive knowledge and customer service.  They truly empower their staff members to be experts in their area.  Our saleswoman had no problem fielding all of Tom’s questions and explaining the differences between all their trees, as well as the difference between the ones found at big box stores.  

When we had an issue with the pre-lit lights out on an older Regency tree (equally beautiful, same benefits), we were able to take that section into the store for repair.  They plugged it in, found the issue, replaced the light, and we were done within in less than 5 minutes.  No charge.  That’s service that will extend the life of your holiday decorations and its service you won’t get from an online retailer.

Slowing Down for the Holidays

Ultimately, 2020 has forced us to slow down.  As I unpacked every Christmas ornament (including those that I ordered this year), I remembered every single details of the moments when we purchased these ornaments and the places we’ve been.  From the wonder I felt when I stared at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona  to the snowy twilight of that first winter we were in Prague, to Tom’s awe of the Louvre and the Colosseum, to the sadness we felt watching Notre Dame burn from a hotel room in Montepulciano, to toasting 2019 on New Year’s Day at Hofbrauhaus in Munich.  

Every single one of these ornaments represents a beautiful moment where we ventured out into the world and put our vulnerabilities aside to learn more about the world around us.  I knew when we started collecting these ornaments from our travels that they would come a day when we would want them to remember the good times.

Turns out, 2020 is a great time to do exactly that.

Sara loves to help people use their vacation time more effectively by planning beautiful, memorable, and delicious trips. She spends several weeks every year exploring Italy and central Europe. In addition to her full-time job, she is constantly searching for beautiful places and spaces. She loves the direct flights between Dallas and Italy, France, and Germany but is always up for wherever a great deal on an airline ticket will take her. (Sara also really loves European Christmas markets and tries to visit at least one new one every holiday season.)

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Definitely a cozy time of year, but I’m not sure how I feel about it yet either as we are deep into 2020. Love your travel tree! We’ve been trying to pick up destination ornaments throughout our travels, but we definitely don’t have enough for a whole tree. I want to say yet, because I can’t wait to travel again <3

Green Fashionista

You’ve got exquisite Christmas ornaments from your travels:) I didn’t know about that German store, I’ll check it out. I have only a few Christmas ornaments that I’ve bought on my travels but I cherish them:)

Oh wow, what a gorgeous tree and I love the travel theme!!

This is sooooo cute! I have one mini tree with all the ornaments friends and family have given to us over the years, this way they’re a bit closer to us.

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Unveiling My Travel-Themed Christmas Tree… and How You Can Make Your Own!

Last Updated: November 16, 2020

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

If there’s anything I love more than travel, it’s Christmas.

Honestly, I must have been an elf in my former life, or at least one of those moody reindeer from Rudolph’s song… because once the holidays hit, my body is 90% candy cane.

So it probably won’t surprise you that I enjoy going all-out when it comes to dressing up my tree. Over the years, I’ve done Star Wars ( see a pic here ), superheroes ( tutorial here ), Game of Thrones ( photos here ) and this year, in honour of 2020 being the year of staying put, my tree is ironically all about travel!

In this post, I’m going to show you how I made my dream travel-themed tree for next-to-nothing, how I repurposed a lot of my travel mementos into ornaments, and of course lots of other ideas if you’re looking to create something similar.

Can you hear the excitement in my voice? I am JITTERY SO EXCITED! (and hyped up on hot chocolate). Let’s go!

Save this post for later on Pinterest:

A Look at My Travel Themed Christmas Tree

As nice as it is to have an aesthetically pleasing tree, I think the best Christmas trees are the ones that are an eclectic modge podge of personal memories, favouring sentimentality over aesthetics.

So, with that chaotic vision in mind, I decided to turn all my favourite memories into ornaments with the help of 3 coffees, a pinch of craftiness and Michael Bublé on repeat.

I haven’t travelled much this year, so looking at my tree now low-key makes me want to sob, BUT (tears aside), it also fills me with so much joy because it’s plastered in wonderful memories.

From my favourite Instagram photos and postcards from places I love, to unique mementos collected on some of my most amazing trips, this tree is nostalgia at its finest. Colour coordinated, wanderlusty nostalgia.

Overall, I went for an old school vintage travel vibe, with polaroid photos and old timey maps that literally have “Unknowne Lands” marked down as a location. To fit this aesthetic, I picked turquoise and gold baubles, some of which I hand painted to look like globes.

… Don’t look too closely though because let’s just say my geography is poor and none of them are accurate. in the least.

I also found a way to turn some of my most cherished mementos into ornaments, like my glühwein mug collection assembled through years of hoarding, the handmade mask my boyfriend bought in Burano on our first trip together, and of course the adorable Lucky Cat my mom bought me as a good luck present when I came to Munich.

Honestly, I’m still undecided on whether the Venetian mask is classy and cultured or just no holds barred terrifying, but I’ll wait until it scares me in the middle of the night to decide.

The point is: if your travel themed tree doesn’t turn you into a weepy, sentimental mess, you probably have some more work to do.

Below, you’ll find some ideas to help you out with your mission!

Ideas for your Own Travel Christmas Tree

Alright, you’ve seen mine, now let me walk you through how you can recreate a similar look for your own tree this year, with DIY ideas and also some places online you can buy gorgeous travel ornaments.

1. Travel-themed baubles – the perfect travel ornaments

It’s not a travel Christmas tree without pretty baubles, and there are tons of great ideas that you can run with!

As I mentioned above, I personally bought a small tin of metallic gold paint ( like this ) and painted a map pattern on some turquoise baubles myself.

If you want to buy something longer lasting (or want to spare yourself the work), HolidayEveryDayArt has some gorgeous globe-inspired ones made with gold leaf here.

You can also buy these beautiful hand lettered globe baubles from The Lonely Heart Co that you can get personalized!

2. Map print ornaments

Another very simple DIY idea for your travel themed tree is to get some pretty map prints and then go wild with paper crafts.

If you have a good printer with loads of colour ink, you can very cheaply print out some vintage maps from free stock photo sites and then use them for crafting. This is what I did!

I used this map and the “Europa” map from here which you can download for free. They were so versatile and I ended up using them in a few different super easy ways, like rolling them into scrolls and tying them with twine, and simply doing an accordion fold and perching them in the branches to fill out empty gaps.

I also picked up some really pretty turquoise/gold wrapping paper that I folded into some colourful fans to fill out the tree. This pack has some similar ones to what I used, but there are lots of options out there like this pretty vintage map wrapping paper pack .

3. Personal, unique trinkets

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a drawer full of random travel trinkets, or bigger items that are on display around the house. Well, no time like the present to give these bad boys a new lease at life.

Using a bit of ribbon and hot glue (or some Sticky tack for a less permanent solution), you can turn pretty much any trinket into an ornament. Now I finally have a use for those 10 Eiffel Tower keychains I got pressured into buying 😉

For my travel themed Christmas tree, I basically ransacked my apartment to find anything remotely travel related and then turned them into ornaments with the help of some twine like this , some cheap ornament hooks like this , and sticky tac like this .

Personally, I think the twine looks more ~ Christmassy ~, but for more any trinkets that can’t easily be tied up, some sticky tac and a hook works just as well.

With the help of those simple tools, I managed to make ornaments out of mugs, tiny beer glasses, stuffed animals, a poker chip from Vegas and more. In my opinion, the more eclectic the better – this is your tree representing your travel memories after all!

Here are some ideas of travel-themed things that make excellent ornaments:

• Travel keychains
• Travel magnets
• Old boarding passes, tickets, etc.
• Mugs (e.g. European Xmas market mugs)
• Small stuffed animals

For a longer lasting solution that you can get use out of for years to come, there are also a lot of beautiful travel-themed ornaments you can buy online.

Here are some ideas:

• This personalizable suitcase ornament
• This custom map airplane ornament
• This super cute family airplane ornament

4. Photos and postcards

These add the ultimate personal touch to your travel Christmas tree, so make sure to include plenty!

I did it the ultimate cheapo way and just printed out some of my favourite photos from Instagram, cut them out like polaroids (with the white borders) and then just stuck a metal ornament hook through them to make them into hangable ornaments.

Another idea is to go the extra magical mile and get some mini-clothespins to clip them onto twinkling lights.

If your tree already has lights, then all you need are some small clothespins like these .

If not, they make fairy lights with photo clips like these that you can easily buy. Imagine how magical!

5. Luggage Tags and Other Travelly Motifs

I’d highly recommend (in addition to ornaments), getting some simple paper decorations that you can use to fill the gaps of your tree.

I used luggage tags for this, and it turned out just how I imagined!

While you can of course use luggage tags of your own, or even old baggage claim tags if you save those, I simply bought a stock graphic of vintage luggage tags ( this one from DepositPhotos ), printed a bunch and just cut them out and strung them up on twine.

The end result was so cute!

You can also look through free stock photo sites like PixaBay to see what cute travel-themed graphics you can print out and turn into ornaments.

I for instance really wanted hot air balloons, but completely forgot to print them until it was too late. Here are some fun ones you can print for free.

6. A travel-themed tree topper

Last but not least, your travel Christmas tree needs a suitable crown.

My tree topper was an easy no brainer. I actually had an old passport lying around (the first one I had when I really started travelling), so I decided to slyly convert it into the final touch for my tree.

Luckily, the Canadian passport office stamps holes in old passports when you get a new one, so I had an easy thing to tie string onto! I simply opened it up to the center fold, strung some string through the holes and tied it to the top of the tree.

To give it a little extra oomph, I cut out a vintage map from this free stock photo and stuck it on top. I’m so happy with how it turned out!

You can also buy a cool globe tree topper like this one.

So, are you ready to make your own travel-themed tree?

I assume that none of you are still here (since you’ve all probably gone full-lumberjack and are hunting down the perfect tree as we speak), but hey, if you’re still around, let me know which of these ideas is your favourite, or if you happen to make your own travel themed tree this year, please share some photos of your creation below. Happy Holidays!

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🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

12 thoughts on “Unveiling My Travel-Themed Christmas Tree… and How You Can Make Your Own!”

Those handmade globe ornaments at the very top, omg SUPER CUTE! I’ll dress my entire tree in them, haha! Love this craft post in connection with our first love: travels!

Thanks Kristine!! And yesss if I had unlimited amounts of money I would buy dozens in each colour haha.

That’s soo cool. Great work Christina. I want one! 🙂

I absolutely ADORE your style of writing! “Because once the holidays hit, my body becomes 90% candy cane!” Ahahaha that line killed me.

Also how cute are those tree bulbs?! I have that same problem with all the random travel trinkets… these are such great ways to give them new life!! ✈️

Thanks for the lovely read on this cold Saturday night! xx

I love the travel themed baubles! I never imagined an atlas map printed on would look so chic! – Charmaine https://charmainenyw.com

Loving those themed baubles!!!

Yeah the gold leaf ones are soo pretty. Especially in all the different colours woooh.

pretty baubles:)

Right?! I want them all!!

My wife loves to change the theme of our tree every year, and we have yet to do a travel themed tree. Not sure why, as I’m traveling 200 days a year.

Your ideas and resources are just the inspiration needed. I’m pretty sure once my wife sees what you have done, it will be on the theme list in our home too.

Thanks for sharing this unique, and timely article about travel.

These are so cute! You should definitely post a picture of your tree once you have it done up! 😉

I also adore the fairy lights and photos, that can be done all year round too! <3

I’ll see what I can do 😉 And yessss I know hey? That idea is my favourite. I wanna get it set up in my room, but I need some pretty polaroids first.

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How to Create a Beautiful Travel Themed Christmas Tree

By Author Meg Frost

Posted on Last updated: November 19, 2023

Categories Travel Tips

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Need some festive ideas for decorating your Christmas tree this year?

Celebrate your love of travel with a travel themed Christmas tree!

Keep reading for my favorite Christmas tree themes for travel lovers.

Add travel destination ornaments

Start off with ornaments from travel destinations.

Ornaments from a specific place will be the most unique and special to you, as you can customize based on your favorite destination or use as a travel journal of sorts to show off all the places you’ve been to.

If you travel to a specific place regularly, consider designing your Christmas tree theme after that destination.

For example, a Paris tree might have lots of silver and pink, Eiffel Tower ornaments, a fleur-de-lis topper, and romantic ribbon or beads.

A New England themed Christmas tree might have faux blueberry or cranberry beads and ornaments with lobsters, lighthouses, bears, moose, fishermen, and Boston sports on them.

Or if you like to travel to new places each year, start a collection of ornaments from places you travel to.

This is what I do! I’ve gotten all kinds of baubles from my travels, like a gorgeous New Orleans themed Santa Clause and a beaded ornament from Mexico.

If you don’t find any while you search for souvenirs during your travels, browse the airport gift shops.

You’re bound to find something, like the fun Seattle ornament I picked up at the airport in 2022.

Here are a few options to get you started.

If you have so many travel photos that you don’t know what to do with, why not decorate your tree with them?

Picture frame ornaments can be found at low cost, so the tricky part will likely only be finding a site or store that can print your photos small enough to fit in each frame.

Check out my post about  photo gifts  for tips on my favorite places to get my travel photos printed.

When I got my first Christmas tree, I also picked up a few picture frame ornaments at Michael’s Craft Store.

I also got a frame ornament with the current year and added a picture from one of my trips.

Another option is to print your photos using an Instax mini photo printer and placing the photos on the tree branches.

Alternatively, you could thread some embroidery floss through the top or find clamps that you can add an ornament hook to and then clamp the photo.

Add general travel ornaments

If your tree isn’t filled up after adding photos and destination-specific ornaments, fill in the empty spaces with some general travel themed Christmas ornaments.

Think airplanes, trains, maps, globes, suitcases, etc.

It’s rather easy to find these types of ornaments. I got a bunch from Target when I first starting putting up my ownChristmas tree, as well as a few from a Christmas market in Paris, France.

If you don’t have travels planned between now and Christmas, there are plenty of local stores and online shops where you can get fun travel themed ornaments.

Amazon, Target, and Macy’s all have a treasure trove of travel themed Christmas ornaments. You can find them in store or on their websites.

Another spot to check for ornaments are local flea, craft markets, and Etsy.

Lastly, you can always create your own ornaments, whether they be hand painted or assembled from a kit.

Use unique tree trimmings

It seems everyone has a preference when it comes to trimmings for their Christmas tree.

I don’t use garland, tinsel, beads, or ribbon on my tree. Since my tree is not too big, I think trimmings would overpower all the beautiful travel themed ornaments hanging on the tree.

For those of you who think trimmings are a must, a travel themed ribbon could be a lot of fun!

Check your local craft or fabric store, such as  Joann  or  M&J Trimming , for fun ribbon, like a map print, palm trees, vintage Paris, etc.

If your ornaments have a cohesive color palette, you could use garland, ribbon, or beads in a color within that palette, as well.

Add a unique tree topper

Sure, you could just get a plain star or angel to put on the top of your tree.

Or you could be super extra and get a Christmas tree topper that matches your Christmas tree theme more closely!

Perhaps a Disney character as an angel for a Disney parks themed tree, or a plane for a general travel themed tree. The opportunities are nearly endless!

Tree skirts and collars

Whether your tree is real or fake, a Christmas tree skirt or collar is great for hiding ugly Christmas tree stands. It’s also a fun way to tie together a Christmas tree theme.

Travel themed Christmas tree skirts or collars aren’t super easy to come by.

If you’re crafty, you could put something together with a vinyl iron-on or sticker. Another option is to peruse Etsy for shop that does custom orders.

At the end of the day, though, it might be best to get a neutral tree skirt to let the decorated tree shine.

For example, I use a tan faux fur tree skirt with my travel Christmas tree. It’s super luxe and the faux fur adds to the wintry and festive aesthetic.

Extend the theme with matching home decor

Once you get your Christmas tree all set, you’ll probably want to spread the Christmas cheer elsewhere in your home!

Perhaps a wreath for your front door, scented candles, and a few holiday knick-knacks?

Depending on your theme, you could also decorate with items that aren’t explicitly Christmas decorations.

For example, if you have a Parisian themed Christmas tree, you can extend the theme to the rest of your home with toile curtains, pillows with french sayings, perhaps an Arc du Triomphe replica. You get the idea!

Tips for fake Christmas trees

Given the amount of traveling I do between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I just can’t keep up with maintaining a real tree.

For this reason, I didn’t have a Christmas tree of my own until a few years ago.

I’m with ya…I  loathe  fake Christmas trees. But I bet a lot of you fellow travel lovers are in the same boat, so here are some tips on how to select and improve a fake Christmas tree.

How to improve a fake Christmas tree

First off, select a Christmas tree that is as full as your home can fit. This will help hide the ugly metal branches.

Once you get it set up, take the time to fluff the branches to help fill in empty spaces. Spread the mini branches in a star-like pattern, with branches spread to the left, right, top, and bottom.

To further fill in the empty spaces, there are a few good options for hiding the fake branches and trunk.

One option is to wrap an evergreen garland around the trunk to hide the metal or plastic.

Another idea to disguise a sparse fake tree is to twist a wide ribbon around the tree, stuffing it into the layers as you go, rather than letting the ribbon sit on the outside of the tree.

Lastly, be sure to add lots of trimmings and ornaments. If need be, add colored bulb ornaments that match your travel themed Christmas tree.

To make up for the lack of natural evergreen scent, get a tube of Scentsicles.

Scentsicles are Christmas tree scented sticks that can be hung on fake trees, like an ornament. I hide the Scentsicles toward the trunk of the tree so they can’t be seen.

The scent can be overpowering at first, so if you don’t like strong scents, you could use a evergreen-scented candle when you’re at home instead.

Either option might seem like an extra cost, but in my opinion it really helps sell the idea of a fake tree and adds a festive vibe!

Lastly, if you travel during the Christmas season and prefer to stick to a small tree, consider adding fairy lights instead of regular ones, as they are sized better for tabletop trees. It looks so much better!

How will you decorate your Christmas tree this year?

I hope you found some magical tips for your travel themed Christmas tree this year.

Once you’ve decked out your tree, it’s time to shop online for gifts to put under it!

Check out my posts with ideas on  stocking stuffers for travelers ,  Christmas gifts for travelers ,  gifts for kids who like to travel , and  travel tech gifts .

About the author

Meg Frost is a Boston-based travel blogger that helps people embrace technology to make vacation planning and traveling wicked easy, affordable, and fun.

She holds an M.A. in Journalism from Northeastern University and B.S. in Communication & American Studies from University of Miami.

Read more →

This post was originally published November 3, 2017. It was last updated October 27, 2023.

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100+ Fun Things to Do in Paris, France in 2023

Friday 17th of March 2023

[…] Travel Themed Christmas Tree Ideas […]

Travel Tree- Year Round Christmas Tradition

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The Christmas tradition that lasts all year

Do you ever feel like your family vacations just seem to end too quickly? Well, one way that I have found to make the memories last a little bit longer is to create a Travel themed Christmas Tree or a Vacation Tree. 

Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.

What is a Travel or Vacation Themed Tree?

A travel or vacation tree could be themed around a specific place. The version that this article is about, is a tree with a collection of Christmas ornaments from family vacations over the years. 

Where to find Travel Christmas Ornaments

Most places will have ornaments in local gift shops. Some hotels or other stores might also have ornaments that have something to do with the place you’re visiting.

Choosing the right ornaments

The best ornaments will immediately remind you of the place you’re visiting. 

You can always go online and choose a set of cute travel ornaments for your tree, but part of the memory is actually choosing an ornament together. 

Do all of the ornaments need to match?

It’s up to you whether you want the ornaments to match or not.  If you do want the ornaments to at least go together when on the tree,  just keep in mind the look you’re going for and choose a similar style each time.

It’s all about the memories

The best part of creating a travel tree is the fact that during each trip throughout the year, you will pause for a moment to choose a Christmas ornament together. 

As we choose each ornament, you’re also thinking about what you want to remember about the trip. Try to find just the right ornament that will capture your memories.

Be creative

The ornaments above are my friend, Holly’s. She was kind enough to share this picture with us. As you can see, she has found a similar style. 

If you can’t find the right ornament, make your own

If you can’t find an ornament you like, buy something  else “touristy” and make it into an ornament. 

For example, the Eiffel Tower in the picture is actually a key chain turned into an ornament. The turtle from Hawaii was a magnet. The mug is a stein from Leavenworth with a string connected to transform it into an ornament.

Find Local Souvenir Ornaments

If you don’t travel much, find a few ornaments at your favorite local destinations where you have amazing memories and purchase ornaments there. Plus, if you ever move you will be even more grateful to have them.

Globe Christmas Tree Topper

A fun topper that might go with your tree would be a Globe Christmas tree topper. Check them out here: 

Label your ornaments 

To ensure that you’ll remember where each ornament is from, label your ornaments with the date and/or location (if that’s not included on the ornament). You can even label some with a sharpie on the bottom.

Written memories to go with your ornaments

Another option would be to write a short description of your trip on your boxes that hold your ornaments or on a separate paper. You can then number the ornament and the paper or box to match up. 

Decorating the tree

Of course, the very best part is sitting around the tree each Christmas talking about your memories of the trip. It’s SO fun to laugh, smile, or happy cry while reminiscing.

Check out other related Christmas posts

Christmas gifts for Teen Girls

Inexpensive gifts for Her

Giving During the Holidays

What will you add to your Travel Tree?

The fun thing about a travel or vacation tree, is thinking about Christmas while on vacation and choosing your ornaments and then also going back to your vacation memories during Christmas.

What will you add to your travel tree?

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The Kremlin and Red Square were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990.

Russian secrets? Here’s the ultimate Moscow itinerary

Tour architectural wonders, discover Soviet history, and savor local flavors in this gold-domed city.

Moscow is a city where the past and the future live side by side. Here you will find everything from medieval fortresses and Soviet monoliths to glass skyscrapers and innovation centers. Moscow’s spirit mirrors its uncontainable size. Muscovites, the city’s approximately 12 million residents, are always on the run, so be prepared to keep pace with their energy. Here’s how to make the most of three days in Moscow .

Day 1: Mosaics and metro stations

9 a.m. Navigate the labyrinth of the Moscow metro , a living, breathing work of art crisscrossing the metropolis. Expect marble arches and pillars, gilded mosaics, and sparkling chandeliers. Each station is unique. Some of the most beautiful stations are Kievskaya and Prospekt Mira (brown line); Mayakovskaya (dark green line); and Ploschad Revolutsii , Arbatskaya and Elektrozavodskaya (dark blue line). Getting lost on the metro is a rite of passage. However, ahead of the 2018 World Cup, most trains introduced route maps and announcements in English to make navigation easier for outsiders.

Three stations take you to Red Square, but Ploschad Revolutsii is ideal. Its platforms have numerous bronze statues of soldiers with their dogs. Locals often stop by to rub the dogs’ noses as they make a wish. ( See pictures of Moscow’s surprisingly elegant subway stations. )

Related: 25 of Russia’s Natural and Cultural Treasures

9:45 a.m. Head to the iconic Red Square to see the red-bricked towers and the eastern wall of the Moscow Kremlin, Vladimir Lenin’s mausoleum, the State Historical Museum , and the psychedelically colorful domes of the St. Basil’s Cathedral . Queue early outside Lenin’s mausoleum for a spooky date with the man behind the Russian Revolution, who has rested in this tomb, preserved in chemicals, for almost 100 years .

The postcard-perfect St. Basil’s Cathedral was built in the 16th century to commemorate Tsar Ivan the Terrible’s victory over the Khanate of Kazan and the transformation of Moscow into a major center of power. Drop in for a quick visit or keep walking south towards the Moskva River and the Bolshoi Moskvaretskii Bridge for spectacular views of the Kremlin and the Red Square.

Another structure that will catch your eye is the golden-domed Cathedral of Christ the Savior , just southwest of the Kremlin. Unlike St. Basil’s, this Cathedral did not survive the communist persecution of religion. The original was destroyed in 1931 and the area was converted to an open-air swimming pool, the largest in the world. The fall of communism brought with it religious freedom and the Cathedral was rebuilt in the 1990s. If you turn around, you will see one of the “Seven Sisters,” the Stalinist monoliths that command Moscow’s skyline .

11:45 a.m. Head back towards the Red Square for a shopping trip at GUM (pronounced goom ), the largest department store in Russia. Much like Russia, the store has undergone many changes. Built in imperial times as a massive trading center, GUM’s Soviet-era badge of honor was being relatively better stocked than other stores. Today, it’s a glittering mall that houses Hermès and Louis Vuitton. Even if you don’t shop, the long, arched galleries and concave glass roof make it an architectural delight. Next, make your way to the third floor for Stolovaya No. 57 (Canteen No. 57), a Soviet-style restaurant with local dishes and a laid-back vibe. Try the syrniki (roughly translated as cheesecakes), buckwheat with mushroom sauce, or meat cutlets.

2 p.m. The Moscow Kremlin , the seat of the Russian Government, was built in the 15th century and houses cathedrals, museums, and unique objects from imperial Russia. Start with the Armory Chamber , a treasure trove of Fabergé eggs, imperial dresses, and gifts presented to the Tsars. Don’t miss the Diamond Fund inside the Armory where guests can marvel at the crown of Tsarina Catherine the Great.

The Bolshoi Theatre hosts ballet and opera performances, including classics like Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.

Take a stroll around Cathedral Square to admire the golden domes that mushroom from Orthodox cathedrals. Look out for the 19-foot-high bronze Tsar Bell for great photo ops. The nearby Tsar Cannon is also worth a look. Wrap up in the Kremlin Garden and see if you can spot Cosmos, the lone oak tree that was planted by Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, two days after his extraordinary flight in April 1961 . ( Trees that traveled to space now live on Earth. Here’s where to find them. )

7 p.m. Finish your day with a ballet or opera performance at Bolshoi Theatre , one of the strongholds of Russian theatrical excellence since the 19th century. If you are lucky, you might be able to catch Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece Swan Lake on the stage where it premiered in 1877. Performances sell out so book in advance, and arrive early to enjoy the neoclassical building. Russians take theater seriously so wear your best outfit.

Day 2: Fine art and food

10 a.m. The extraordinary entrance to Tretyakov Gallery welcomes guests to Moscow’s most definitive collection of fine arts spanning almost a millennium. You can explore 12th-century icons and mosaics or get lost in the brushstrokes of 19th- and 20th-century Russian heavyweights such as Ivan Shishkin and Ilya Repin. The New Tretyakov wing showcases artists from the Soviet period.

1 p.m. Soak up some summer sun in one of Moscow’s most dynamic open spaces: Park Gorky , a hipster paradise that underwent a major makeover from a Soviet relic to the center of cultural life. Grab some food on the go or sit down for a meal at Grill Bar Zharovnya or La Boule . Wander through the open-air sculpture museum, Muzeon , the home of countless statues and symbols from the Soviet times. Muzeon runs next to the Moscow River and offers a great view of the almost 322-foot-high statue of Tsar Peter the Great.

7 p.m. One place you must dine in Moscow is White Rabbit . The restaurant, which has been featured among the top 50 in the world, owes its success to chef Vladimir Mukhin, whose culinary prowess was featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table . White Rabbit serves Russian food with innovative twists; think sea urchin caviar and beetroot hummus. Quite fittingly, there is also rabbit on the menu. Did we mention the restaurant’s glass dome offers spectacular views of Moscow City?

Day 3: Markets and museums

10 a.m. If the Moscow Kremlin is stately, then the colorful Izmailovo Kremlin cultural center has a bit of a Disneyland feel to it. Built in 2007, Izmailovo is a great place for a stroll before bargain-hunting at Vernisazh , a flea market with stalls selling Cold War memorabilia. You will find stamps, banknotes, pins, propaganda posters, and even steel mugs from Soviet times. Score great deals on matryoshkas , Russian nesting dolls; khokhloma , hand-painted wooden handicrafts; and Baltic amber jewelry. Don’t miss contemporary twists on traditional Russian gifts, such as nesting dolls of modern politicians and music boxes shaped like Orthodox cathedrals. For a market of its popularity, Vernisazh prices are a steal and you can haggle without hesitation. Saturdays and Sundays are the best days to visit.

Russian nesting dolls make the perfect souvenir, and are sold throughout Moscow, including at the Vernisazh flea market.

1 p.m. By now, you have probably got the sense that there is more to see in Moscow than time to see it. So pick what you crave most. Want more of Orthodox churches? Head to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Novodevichy Convent , which was once used by the women of the Tsar’s family. Still looking for souvenirs and gifts? Make your way to Stari Arbat (Old Arbat), a historical cobblestone street of shops and restaurants. Want to delve deeper into Russian history? Visit the State Historical Museum on the Red Square. A Cold War buff? The Bunker 42 Museum located 18 floors below Taganskaya metro was a strategic command center and an anti-nuclear shelter. A fan of Russian literature? Check out the Gogol House and the Bulgakov Museum . Want another serving of art? Try the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts or the Garage Museum .

8 p.m. End your stay in Moscow with a nice meal. Café Pushkin offers antique interiors, delicious Russian dishes, and five-star service. Even if you don’t eat here, grab a cup of the Pushkin chai, a signature Earl Grey blend with citrusy overtones. For casual fare, go to Varenichnaya (multiple locations), which has an extensive menu of Russian dishes and decor straight out of a Soviet poster. Mari Vanna (multiple locations) is another choice Russian chain.

Moscow is also a great place to try the food from other Soviet states. Head to Khachapuri to try the namesake khachapuri , Georgian stuffed-cheese bread. For authentic Uzbek plov , make a reservation at Uzbekistan . Want to keep enjoying the outdoors? Bar Strelka is a trendy spot with great views, excellent food, and a dance floor to keep the night going .

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.

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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