maritz corporate travel

• Design Studio

Why choose Maritz for your business events?

Well, because we are like no other events company. In fact, we don’t see ourselves as an events company at all. We are an experience design company that does events around the globe…really, really well.

When you’re looking for an experience design partner, you probably have a long wish list. The good news is, we’re committed to checking all the boxes… and then some.

Our signature core value at Maritz, “First, Take Good Care of Each Other,” isn’t just something we say — it’s the foundation of who we are. We take care of our people — and, our clients, suppliers and communities are our people. We will always focus on what’s best for you and your guests. It’s not about us — and you can hold us to that. We are your team .

Your Advocate

Your job is hard — and our job is to make it easier. Whether designing, planning or managing your event, we’re here for you when, where and how you need us. From handling tough hotel negotiations to bringing industry expertise to everything we touch, we’re here to make the seemingly impossible possible. We are your  advocate .

Your Designer

Every element of your event reflects on your organization, so the stakes are high. The good news? Our event design process is driven by data and behavioral science. We  know  people, so we know the kind of event they want to attend again and again. We are your  designer .

Your Innovator

The pressure is always on to “raise the bar” at your events, but it’s risky to chase the next big thing. We know how to balance risk and innovation — and, we will only recommend solutions that ensure our clients meet with success ® . We are your  innovator .

Your Expert

With roots dating back over 125 years, we’ve seen it all. Our experience will help you navigate through whatever your event throws at you. With clients of every size and within every market, we easily scale up or down depending on your needs. We are consultative, supportive, steadfast and trustworthy. We are your  expert .

We take pride in being a part of your team, because to us,  you  are like no other. We’ll always have your back and bring you the best in design and innovation based on facts and data.  Your  success is the  only  benchmark to our success.

Values & Culture

Our people-first culture isn’t just good for our team — it’s good for our clients and communities. Learn about the values that drive us and our commitment to taking care of one another.

Our Global Relationships

You need the right team to bring your vision to life. Discover the industry and supplier relationships we tap to help your event shine.

Our team is ready to help you achieve your goals. Meet the leaders guiding our work.

We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and jump into action. What are you waiting for? Connect with one of our conference planning experts today.

What would you like to learn about today?

Qatar Business & Luxury Travel Congress

Bringing handpicked buyers of meetings, incentives, luxury & business travel from across qatar and global suppliers together for ‘business’.

MALT Congress Video

QBLT Congress

Destination partner.

Maldives | Redefining MICE

Bonita thompson, mark thompson.

Meetings Arabia & Luxury Travel (MALT) Congress

March 30th - 31st 2022 | Dubai, UAE

MICE India & Luxury Travel (MILT) Congress

July, 2022 | India

Kingdom Business & Luxury Travel (KBLT) Congress

June 2022 | Riyadh, KSA

QBLT Congress | 28th March 2022 | Doha, Qatar

For speaking slots and blocking a position at the congress, please send an email to: [email protected]

The Qatar Business & Luxury Travel (QBLT) Congress is a luxury closed-door, boutique congress that will bring together 60 of the biggest, pre-qualified outbound travel buyers of Meetings, Incentives, Luxury & Business Travel from across Qatar to meet privately sought after destinations, Tourism Boards, Hotels & Resorts, DMCs and other Luxury Travel suppliers from across the world.

The platform will host an educational conference program, 1-2-1 business appointments, Qatar’s most coveted recognition – The Qatar Business & Luxury Travel Excellence Awards, unmatched networking opportunities, and engagement activities to forge lasting relations, expand your network, generate more business and a favorable ROI.

The QBLT Congress will be an intensive one day event that is guaranteed to connect you to only relevant buyers through face to face appointments and it’s the quality of the networking that will allow you to further build your relationship with 100% Qatari buyers.

HR Strategies and Plans that seemed futuristic are now a reality. Remote teams are the new norm. While much of the world has slowed down, digital transformation is pushing ahead. When the crisis subsides, we may find ourselves in an even more disrupted, blended, data-driven world. Undoubtedly, Organizations have to be more digital, data-driven, have agile operations and automation, and have to invest to create stronger capabilities for their people and at the same time ensure privacy and security. We don’t have all the answers, so let’s all gather for The Digital HR Innovation Week from July 20-22, 2020 and look at some possible solutions ‘Together’

What to Expect at the Qatar Business & Luxury Travel Congress

01. 60 buyers of meetings, incentives, business & luxury travel, 02. 8 guaranteed 1-2-1 business appointments, 03. limited to 30 suppliers, 04. 20+ regional speakers, 05. 10+ educational sessions, 06. qblt excellence awards ceremony – honoring excellence in the field of mice & luxury travel, who will attend, a 100% business focused congress with pre qualified 1-2-1 appointments., outbound travel agencies.

MD / CEO / VP / GM Head of MICE and Outbound/ Head of MICE & Leisure & luxury Travel

Leading Corporates

Head of Marketing / Marketing Director / CMO / Corporate Travel Manager / Travel & Events Officer / Head of Travel / Regional Travel Manager

Global & Regional Associations and Educational Institutions

Head of Operations/ Logistics and Travel Heads

Event Management Companies

MD or CEO/ Head of Conferences / Head of Events / Event Director

Luxury Travel Designers for HNI's and Royalties

Luxury Travel agents, executive assistants of royal families

Destination Wedding and Special Event Planners

MD or CEO / Founder / Director / President / Creative Heads

Sample Buyers' list from Qatar

• Al Shamel Travel
• Atkins Qatar
• Commercial Bank of Qatar
• Darwish Travel
• Dulsco Qatar
• Fanar Travel
• Gulf Drilling International
• Gulf Helicopters Company
• Kanoo Travel, Qatar
• Mannai Air Travel
• Ministry of Economy & Commerce
• Nokhba Holidays Doha
• Qatar Fertilizer Company
• Qatar Chemical & Petrochemical Marketing & Distribution Company
• Qatar Foundation
• Qatar General Insurance & Reinsurance
• Qatar Islamic Bank
• Qatar National Broadband Network
• Qatar Navigation- Milaha
• Qatar Science and Technology Park
• Qatar University
• Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment
• Regency Travel & Tours
• Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy
• Supreme Education Council, Qatar
• Zurich International Life

Delegate Job titles:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Chief Operation Officer (COO)
• Chief Strategy Officer (CSO))
• Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO)
• Chief Peoples Officer
• Chief Information Officer (CIO)
• Chief Talent Officer
• HR Director
• SVP HR/ VP HR
• Head of HR Technology
• Head of Analytics
• Head of Talent Management
• Head of Talent Acquisition
• Head of Employee Relations
• Head of Learning and Development
• Head of Employee Services
• Head of Organizational Development
• Head of Compensation & Benefits

2022 Sponsors & Partners

Supported by.

Qatar Tourism

Tourism partner.

Moscow City Tourism Committee

Destination partners.

Visit Maldives

Redefining MICE

Gold sponsors.

Czech Tourist Authority - Czech Tourism

Eastern Europe Tours

Silver Sponsors

Royal Commission of Al Ula

Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences

Anahata Wellbeing Retreats

Destination Complete

Jordan Tourism Board

Korea Tourism Organization

Rwanda Convention Bureau

Saint Petersburg Convention Bureau

Bronze sponsors.

Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden

Real Travel Service

Spain Tourism (Turespaña)

Voyage Tours Georgia

Zeldiva Luxury

Trophies partner.

Benson Trophies & Awards

Agenda highlights, panel discussion sessions.

How to TAP into Qatar Market with a fresh approach

Case Study Sessions

From Corporate Cost Optimization Strategies, What really matters to VIPs & HNWIs? From destination selection, budgets to smaller details to creating out of the box experiences

Open Discussion Sessions

Evaluating budgets for Meetings/ Events/Corporate Travel - What are the challenges and how to tackle them?

Interactive Discussion:

Deal or no deal - What does a supplier need to know to make it happen?

TMC Insights

Country’s outbound meetings, events, business & luxury travel sector trends

Brain Storming Sessions

Factors influencing destination selection: Top 5 elements that define the process of selecting Wedding

2022 Speakers

Julie Lewis

Keynote Speaker, Adventurer, Author, Resilience Consultant

Rehan Ali Syed

CEO Tawfeeq Travel Group

Greg Loayon

General Manager Zurich International Life Limited

Events & Weddings Designer Dalia Taha Events & Wedding Planner

Mauro Tostes

Events Director Qatar Star Services

Manoj Kumar Tiwari

General Manager Regency Travel & Tours

Nisha Shivram

Public Speaking Coach, Talk Show Host, Transformational Speaker

Anastasia Popova

Head of the Division for the Exhibition, Congress and Travel Trade Projects, Moscow City Tourism Committee

20+ Regional Speakers

Limited to 30 suppliers, 10+ educational sessions.

• Day 01 March 28th, 2022

Day 01 - Monday, 28th March 2022

Registration, networking and welcome refreshments, opening remarks & welcome from the organisers.

Inspirational Keynote:

Accelerating recovery: the new nature of luxury travel.

• The three R’s that will rule 2022: restore, regenerate and rewild
• Luxury ME: Deep dive into health and overall wellbeing
• It’s all about deeper connections to revive travel
• Unique experiences that awakens the senses

Luxury Viewpoint Discussion:

Dive into qatar’s lux pool.

• Behavioral shifts in the Luxury Traveler’s mindset post covid: Adapting to the changing preferences of the luxury clientele
• Catering to the Royalties from exotic getaways to cutting-edge travel experiences: What tops the chart?
• Sharing the top game changers on high-end offerings
• Destination preferences: All time favorites or emerging out of the box experiences

Business Panel Discussion:

Identifying top trends shaping the meetings, incentives, events & business travel industry.

• Innovations that are the paving the way for the Qatar MICE market – Sharing some of the biggest or most successful incentive/event/travel initiatives
• Top challenges faced by corporates in their quest to create value & cut costs - Short-haul Destinations, Flexible itineraries, ROI and more
• Rebooting the corporate traveler’s confidence: How should companies be planning?

Networking Coffee Break & Visit to the Boutique Exhibition Area

Explore the world’s best destinations through pre-arranged meetings & introductions, source the best deal for your next meetings, events, business & luxury travel activity (10 appointments).

• Why resilience is a critical behavior for leaders
• The Big Difference: Leaders who simply inform others and those who know how to communicate powerfully
• The Crystal Ball is smashed: How leaders rapidly geared up their organizations to respond to the crisis

Peter Lemperis

Exclusive interview:, fifa 2022: kicking off this year in style.

• FIFA 2022 rolling out the carpet for massive development: State of the art infrastructure and hospitality
• What to expect: Qatar’s current position as a major travel gateway for foreign travelers in the world
• Sustaining tourism post FIFA 2022: what can MICE and luxury travel industry hope for

Belgin Ertam

Qatar business and luxury travel awards recognition and closing remarks, networking corporate luncheon and close of event.

Monday, 28th March 2022 | Doha, Qatar

Photo Gallery

• Conference/keynote
• Panel Discussions

"The MALT congress bridges the gap between B2B and B2C and enabled us to meet different industry suppliers from all over the world to establish contacts within an intimate yet professional setting. In order to meet specific business needs, companies have to create differentiated experience while looking at the cost, value creation and return on investment. MALT congress provides a platform to discuss about the strategies that can be adopted into our business"

Emirates NBD

"It was a great experience to be part of MALT Congress. We meet so many people and understand whats going on in the current market. Quality of the congress was quite high. It is an event where you can create good network. Compared to other events, this event is very well organized. It is one of the best events that we have attended in the past years. Format is very well structured. It was a magic experience"

Zahid Travel Group

"It was a great experience. We were able to meet lot of travel agencies from GCC lot of corporates. We had some great meetings and they were very fruitful. We had good amount of corporates, travel management companies, wedding planners, DMC’s etc. Quality of the attendees was very good. Content was very good in terms of the key note sessions, panel discussions, round table discussions and engagement activities."

Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau

"MALT congress was amazing as we were able to meet lot of people, great contacts. I am very happy with the overall experience. I had some potential meeting with people whom I am looking forward doing business with very soon. Quality of the attendees was great as every single person I met had the business interest. It is definitely bring new businesses to our organization. I have been couple of trade shows and conferences, but this top notch as this is a luxury event."

Terres Indiennes

For more information on attending the QBLT Congress or MALT Congress you can send us an email to

• Varsha khairajani, Client Relations Manager | E-mail [email protected]
• Shamal Shetty, Conference Manager | E-mail [email protected]

© 2022-23 All Rights Reserved. Powered by QnA International

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

In lieu of the current travel updates, the QBLT Congress will be taking place in Dubai on September 8th 2021 and will be bringing together Qatari attendees to Dubai for an immersive experience. We look forward to welcoming you at Intercontinental Dubai Festival City

More From Forbes

The rising dark side of business travel ceos need to pay attention to.

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It's time for companies to rethink their approach to business travel.

The business landscape has rapidly changed since the pandemic, with remote work and hybrid models becoming more prominent. Despite these workforce shifts, one aspect remains constant: business travel.

Business travel is back in full force following an expected dip during the pandemic. Corporate travel budgets are returning to pre-pandemic levels, and more companies are planning budget expansions. A Morgan Stanley survey revealed that over two-thirds of companies with under $1 billion in annual revenue anticipated increased travel budgets in the coming year.

The Impact of Frequently Flying

Frequent travel can significantly impact an individual's physical, emotional, and mental well-being . While companies prioritize conventional risk management areas, they often overlook the personal well-being of their travelers. From maintaining a healthy diet to proper sleep and various emotional components such as loneliness and separation, business travelers encounter numerous potential long-term health disruptions that non-traveling employees don't face.

Business travelers had higher claims than non-travelers for all health conditions across the board, along with a higher likelihood of stress-related disorders, as reported in the Harvard Business Review . Lastly, as shared in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine , frequent business travel adversely affects overall body composition, leading to risks of obesity and various other ailments if left unmanaged, such as heart disease and diabetes.

More and more companies are prioritizing workplace wellness due to factors such as obesity's $400 billion impact on companies . Corporate travel wellness programs are a necessary part of the equation as well. As you look to implement a modern and more robust travel wellness program, start with these two areas:

WhatsApp Brand New iPhone Feature Just Launched That’s Much Easier To Use

New apple id password reset issue hitting iphone ipad and macbook users, messi blocks fc barcelona star from joining inter miami reports el nacional, embrace bleisure travel.

When attracting and retaining the best people, more and more employees choose lifestyle over salary . It's not out of laziness. It's out of a desire for work-life integration. With this in mind, organizations can embrace employees' desires through bleisure . Organizations can promote work-life integration and rejuvenation by allowing employees to combine business trips with leisure activities.

Implementing flexible travel policies that enable team members to extend their trips on the back end is a way to improve employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention rates. Research shows that 89% of business travelers wanted to add a private holiday to their business trips. Traveling for work is energetically demanding, physically and mentally. A few extra days for leisure allow team members to process their trip, recharge, and return at total capacity.

Treat Your Employees Like Athletes

Just as professional athletes require careful management of their physical, emotional, and mental well-being , so do business travelers. Business travel is a stressor with a high burnout rate and decreased performance across the board. As you revamp your corporate wellness travel program, consider your approach to business travel as a sports team thinks of traveling to play an away game.

As you prepare the company playbook for healthier and more productive business traveling, consider the following:

• Providing support for handling jet lag
• Offering advice on maintaining healthy sleep and nutritional habits away from home
• Investing in business class and non-stop flights
• Providing hotels that have conducive amenities for optimal well-being
• Ensuring team members reside in centrally located hotels or apartment hotels

Business travel isn't going anywhere anytime soon, as the average business traveler takes roughly 6.8 trips per year, with business travel in the U.S. from domestic and international travelers also accounting for $387 billion in annual revenue, according to research shared over at Zippia . Incorporating travel wellness initiatives isn't merely an expense; it's an investment in employees' health and performance.

As organizations revamp their corporate travel programs, prioritizing their travelers' well-being is paramount. By implementing strategies to support travel wellness, companies can ensure that their employees remain healthy, engaged, and effective representatives of their companies.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

• Destinations

Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

• 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
• Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
• Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

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Moscow Travel Guide

Despite the Soviet past, today’s Moscow is a dynamic, cutting-edge city – and the most populous in Europe. Well-heeled Muscovites flaunt their wealth by sipping Champagne with sushi at elite restaurants and shopping for designer labels at frighteningly expensive boutiques. Meanwhile, a growing middle-class has seen a proliferation of hip bars and trendy cultural centres.

While the Russian capital has striven to move on, recent tensions with the West have stirred up memories of the past. Moscow has previously led the way with protests against Vladimir Putin, but even with the tumbling ruble and economic sanctions, his popularity remains strong.

This doesn’t make Russia a no-go area, and Moscow – with its cosmopolitan, globe-trotting denizens – is not the formidable crucible often depicted. In summer, temperatures soar and the city’s vast parklands flourish. The historic Gorky Park received a complete makeover in 2012, installing free Wi-Fi and even a beach, while the Soviet behemoth that was the Rossiya Hotel has been demolished to make way for an ambitious central park.

Before that project comes to fruition, there is Red Square to marvel at, not least the mind-boggling St Basil’s Cathedral. Built by Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century, its multi-coloured domes and acid-trip patterns seem to defy logic. Nearby is the 14th-century Kremlin and seat of the tsars.

Indeed architecture is one of the city’s main attractions, especially for aficionados of Soviet buildings. All too many have been destroyed to make way for gleaming 21st-century skyscrapers, but Stalin’s unmistakable Seven Sisters still stand tall against the modern towers.

The city is naturally keen to celebrate its great writers, composers and artists too. This sophisticated city boasts world-class institutions like the Bolshoi Theatre, the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts.

As for nightlife, the city is becoming increasingly hedonistic – whether jazz, rock or vodka is your thing, there are plenty of options. Even the culinary circuit has come on leaps and bounds, though an evening at one of the city’s growing stable of world-class restaurants requires considerable investment. This is, after all, a capital of oligarchs.

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Featured hotels, hotel national.

With perhaps the perfect Moscow location, overlooking the Kremlin, Hotel National offers a unique blend of history and luxury. Frescoed ceilings, Damask wallpaper, oil paintings and antique furniture all add to the classic Russian baroque experience. The best rooms afford splendid views of the Kremlin, and all have all the expected mod-cons, including Wi-Fi.

Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy

This eye-catching modernist hotel looms above the Moscow River. The most expensive rooms have sweeping views towards the Kremlin and the Seven Sisters, but they can be found from the hotel's rooftop bar too. There are 233 sleek rooms, all with flatscreen TVs and Wi-Fi access. There's also a spa, pool, gym and an organic restaurant.

Hotel Baltschug Kempinski

Facing the Kremlin across the Moskva River, the opulent Baltschug Kempinski is elegance incarnate. Rooms are lavish, with flowing drapes, piles of soft linen and every imaginable convenience, but it's the views of domes and spires across the river that steal the show. There's a plush restaurant with a view of St Basil's, plus a swish spa too.

Izmailovo (Gamma-Delta)

Constructed to accommodate visitors to the 1980 Olympics, the concrete towers of the Izmailovo boast a staggering 8,000 rooms. Institutional in atmosphere, and located far out in the northern suburbs, the hotel is handy for the enormous Izmaylovo Market and has decent city centre links. There are several onsite restaurants and in-room Wi-Fi is available too.

Peking Hotel

Built in 1956 as a little sister to Stalin's Seven Sister skyscrapers, and intended as post-war headquarters for the secret police, Moscow's Peking Hotel is a heritage hotel with a small 'h', in a good location just northwest of the centre. Although slightly old-fashioned, its 130 rooms are comfortable enough, with satellite TV and en-suite bathrooms.

Warsaw Hotel

Although its location may not be one of Moscow's most picturesque, the Warsaw Hotel is convenient for Gorky Park. Considering the quality of the competition, this is one of the best cheap options in the city, with clean and comfortable rooms, albeit in a rather dated style. Wi-Fi is complimentary and the Oktyabrskaya Metro station is right next door.

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