mountain buggy travel bag swift

Year of the Dragon special edition nano™ stroller shop now

keep calm and carry-on ™ with M ountain B uggy ®

The world has certainly changed, with travel looking a little different now. For many, it still remains relevant, even if the car, plane or train ride is only a couple of hours instead of 12. Let’s remind each other to simply keep calm and carry on everyday. Exploring and appreciating your own backyard and experiencing local sights has never come at a better time, and although you may not be able to travel as far, that doesn’t mean that you need to stop altogether. With our unique, compact products; they are just as incredibly useful for everyday or overnight adventures; and when the time is right, these same products can enable you to keep calm and carry on ™ abroad. Keep calm and carry on ™

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I need a really compact and easy buggy for everyday use, instead of my larger, fully featured one - what do you recommend?

With a super compact fold and weighing in at less than 13lbs, our award winning nano™ is super nifty and easy to use for everyday adventures. it’s great to just have in the car boot for those quick trips around town, and the full sized seat that reclines flat means you are sorted from newborn to toddler years..

The great thing about nano™ is that it also meets many airline carry-on luggage requirements, meaning you can wheel it right up to the gate and use it as soon as you land, when the timing is right for travel.

Is there an option to transport my toddler around when travelling locally, that’s not a buggy?

skyrider™ is a nifty and fun way to cut through the terminal. The innovative design seamlessly transforms from a stylish 4-wheel carry-on suitcase, to a ride-on suitcase for toddlers up to 15kg / 33lbs. Made with strong, yet ultra lightweight materials, skyrider™ is an incredibly intuitive and manoeuverable carry-on, that is the perfect size to fit in most airline carry-on regulations. Its cushioned seat liner features a fully adjustable 3-point safety harness to keep your toddlers centre of gravity inside the wheelbase, which makes skyrider’s stability comparable to a compact, 4 wheel buggy. WIth plenty of storage pockets, skyrider is not just great for travelling locally aboard a plane or train, it is also perfect for those overnight trips made in the car.

I have two kids so I’m looking for an extremely easy buggy for everyday use with them. Do you have anything that’s not too complicated, but not too simple it’ll break!

Nano duo™ is built on top of nano’s robust award winning platform, and is our lightweight solution for going easy with two. featuring an extremely compact stand fold and a shoulder strap for ease of transportation, it's the perfect option for quick errands around town and manoeuvring on public transit..

It can also go travelling easily with you, as it neatly fits inside the Mountain Buggy® travel bag XL to protect it from any bumps along your journey.

It’s so hard planning meal times on the go, and I hate using those unhygienic highchairs supplied at restaurants. Is there a parenting hack that can help?

Our pod™ clip on high chair is the lightest and most compact in the market. With an easy to remove, wipeable fabric seat, pod™ is a hygienic solution for use at home, or to take with you on those picnic or cafe trips.

The strong aluminium clamps can attach to a variety of tables and benchtops while the non-slip rubber grip pads eliminate any chance of pod™ shifting once fitted. You can rest-assured that pod™ is the safest little seat at the table. So convenient, pod™ can easily flat pack down into its own carry bag, and slip into your luggage for those happy, stress free, local holidays.

I’m taking the buggy into the car a lot more with our local family trips, but I want to ensure when I take in and out of the car, I don’t keep scratching the frame or damage the fabrics. What can I use, so it’s tidy and contained?

Our travel bag XL is perfect for those overnight or weekend trips away that can go easily into the car boot with your buggy packed snug inside. It fits all our Mountain Buggy ® collection, plus other buggy brands, and the great thing with this bag is that you can slide in other essentials needed for a stress free weekend away. When you can venture more on a plane, the travel bag XL makes life easier for you as at check in, you can request to gate check your buggy, allowing you to use it right up to the gate before the airline stows it away upon boarding, and they can then retrieve it for you at disembarkment. A TSA padlock is also included for additional security and complete peace of mind.

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Mountain Buggy Swift review

If you love the great outdoors – or even if you don't but you need a pushchair that does – an all-terrain travel system will be the gift that keeps on giving

By Mumsnet HQ | Last updated Dec 4, 2023

With its lightweight frame, spacious, comfortable seat, and 25cm air filled tyres, the Mountain Buggy Swift turns rough fields and beaches into a smooth and gentle ride. We also found the Swift great in the city, with its short footprint and an easy fold that our tester loved. And for the journey between the two, this pushchair folds down small and has the option of detaching all three wheels, so you can rest assured that it will fit into any car boot.

A stand-out feature of the Swift is its longevity. The pushchair can be used from birth with the carrycot, but the seat is also big enough to easily accommodate an older child (and it lasts until 25kg – to at least age four). Beyond this, there's a buggy board which attaches to the back and – excitingly – turns into a scooter, making this a standout option for those with children of different ages (though it's an extra £99). These factors give the Swift an impressive longevity, especially given its small size and the ease of manoeuvrability.

The Swift's three wheels work brilliantly; all are air-filled with suspension, making it a smooth ride wherever you are. We also appreciated the adjustable handlebar; it's easy to change the height and position to suit your needs with a flick of a switch. Our tester initially had to look at the brake and rearrange a few wires, which isn't ideal, but after that the brake was easy to use and very reliable.

As always, it's the details which push the Swift above its competitors. One small feature that stood out was the viewing panel in the hood, which is held open with a magnet – so there's no faffing with toggles or velcro. The hood is spot clean only, but this worked well.

"I tried so many options in the hunt for the perfect buggy, and this one is a favourite. It's light, it's narrow, it's very comfy for the child; and you can go pretty much anywhere with it."

We loved all the accessories, especially the storm cover (£26 at time of review); it's a perfect fit and sturdy enough to stand up to strong weather. It also fits easily in a pocket at the back of the pushchair, meaning you don't waste space in the basket underneath or risk soaking the shopping after a downpour. Also available are a variety of inside liners (starting at £39), a food tray (£10), a parasol (£25), and even (somewhat optimistically) a ski wheel attachment for snowy days (£19). The downside is they all cost extra; even the carry cot will set you back £139. For this reason, it's worth tallying up how much you'll need to spend before you commit to buying any of it; initial prices can be deceptive.

Overall, the Mountain Buggy’s Swift pushchair is capable of keeping up with even the most active of lifestyles. With the basics like the wheels perfected, it's the extra features which push the Swift out into the lead.

Suitable from : Birth – 25kg

Weight : 9.1 kg

Folded dimensions (HxWxL) : 72 × 58 × 31 cm

RRP : £349 at time of review. Carry cot (£139) and car seat (£129) sold separately.

Average resale value : £175

Compatible with ( baby car seats ) : Mountain Buggy protect, phil&teds alpha, Maxi-Cosi Pebble, Maxi-Cosi Mico, Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix, Maxi-Cosi Mico AP, Cybex Aton

Available in Black, Gold, Berry, Silver, and Marine

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Year of the Dragon special edition nano™ buggy shop now

Availability:

Available now, order today

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Elegant and small in size, yet big on adventure; swift™ can navigate urban terrain and tackle off roading with ease.

Built upon the Red Dot award winning platform of urban jungle™ luxury, swift™ can take from newborn right up to toddler years, and staying true to what a mountain bike offers with true air filled tyres, this little buggy is ideal if you want all the comfort that a full featured, full sized all terrain buggy offers, without taking up too much room in your house, or in your car boot.

mountain buggy

Product Code: SWI_V3.2

what makes swift ™ unique

Designed and engineered upon the world’s first, all terrain, 3-wheeler; the Red Dot award winning platform of urban jungle ™ luxury.

swift ™ passes the same rigorous stability standards as 4-wheel buggies.

swift ™ is made of super high quality 6060 T52 aircraft grade lightweight aluminium, making all Mountain Buggies superior in strength.

Revered for exceptional engineering and design, swift ™ delivers sublime steering with one hand, and turns on a dime thanks to its perfect weight distribution and front wheel 360º swivel - so easy to pop up over kerbs and obstacles too.

click here to purchase our swift™ and protect™ promotion.

check out the range of essentials here

Setting up your swift™ is easy! Find all the details you need here for how to set up and use!

Customer Reviews

We've been using the Mountain Buggy Swift for over four years. Both our daughters used it from birth. It is excellent and we highly recommend it. We've seen a lot of similar prams from competitors and we honestly wouldn't swap the Swift for any of them. It's very well made and extremely robust. We live in London and it copes brilliantly with the poor road surfaces but is equally well suited for off road walks in the country. I haven't seen any other buggies which are this versatile. It's very compact and folds up neatly for storage. We bought the flight bag and have found it easy when we fly. It's light but strong. The storage under the pram isn't as big as some others but it's perfect for doing a decent shop and it's sturdy enough to hang a full bag of shopping off the handles. The fabrics are high quality and look stylish. We recommend buying the coffee cup holder. Overall we are really delighted with the Swift. When we had our second child we bought the Mountain Buggy Duet so they could both sit in a pram. We're very happy with the Duet but it's a bit bulky and heavy. The Swift is definitely our number 1 choice!

I love how light weight it is to put in the boot of the car and it's so easy to fold down. It's so easy to push over different terrain. It's suitable for my lifestyle.

pros and cons +ve real tyres so for off-road terrain the metal frame is very robust easy open-close mechanism small size you can do some fast walking exercise good for rough trainers comfortable riding as tyres can absorb some of the road bumps reasonable price -ve poor stability - this is 3 wheeler -you should always pay attention and have both hands holding and steering and riding road elevations cloths and materials for the seat and carrycot are cheap and have poor quality no assembly instructions. The instruction book and youtube videos are probably from previous models if you change your mind and you like to return or cancel an order and you will not get money back 100% as the UK warehouse is in Europe mainland (... we tried ) long delivery time for the UK (>2 months) Would you bye it again? No

Hi Evangelos and Chrsitina - thanks very much for your feedback :) We're always continuously working to improve our brand experience with our amazing customers and absolutely appreciate the constructive feedback of where we can improve - we take your review and experience on board. To note, we pride ourselves on the world-class materials and fabrics used on all our products, and the rigorous testing we do across all our products - all globally safety certified :) In fact, our 3-wheel buggies follow the same testing done on a 4-wheel buggy :) Of course on rougher terrain surfaces and going on elevation points, two hands may provide more peace of mind for an individual - much like riding a bike or even driving a car :) ). But we do recommend popping your safety wrist strap located on the handlebar when out and about. We note you mention no assembly instructions were provided - this should have come in all packaging you received, so we do apologise if none were included. Our instructions and video are all current - but maybe we need to review if they look outdated! Our policy on returns is robust and very fair - complying to local laws. You are right in that there have been some delivery difficulties in some markets including the UK with which we are still actively working on to ensure products do arrive on time - we do however have to work with current conditions that do effect this progress. Thank you again MBx

After a lot of research we bought the Mountain Buggy Swift, thinking that a three wheeler would be easier to manoeuvre than a four wheeler. What an excellent decision this has proved to be. This buggy is so easy to push, both in town and also on longer country walks. Also it's so simple to fold up to put in the boot of a car, or store indoors. I was initially a bit concerned by the fact that the only suspension was via pneumatic tyres, with of course the distinct possibility of a puncture. The possible suspension issue proved to be no problem whatsoever, with the tyres supplying all the necessary comfort. We did have one puncture, curtesy of a piece of blackthorn bristling with thorns. However, this also didn't result in the problem that I'd anticipated. Although the tyre did deflate by a fair degree, it remained perfectly serviceable for the half mile or so walk home. The wheels are easily detachable, so a brief visit to the local Halfords solved the problem, and a very helpful member of staff quickly replaced the inner tube at a very reasonable cost. After nearly three years of use we are extremely happy with our purchase and would sincerely recommend this buggy

Hi David, thanks for your review about your experience with swift™. It's great to hear that the swift™ has been useful for all types of adventures over the last 3 years. MBx

We've been using the swift now for three years and sadly we think it's reached the end due our son just being too big (even though he's 3 and 8 months). Even though this says up to 90cm, my son is 108cm and only now is just too tall for it, it's been fine for the height until now. We never used it as a travel system, only ever as a buggy with the seat in, but I cab fault it. I've had to change a tyre and two inner tubes, but this has been to five countries, and done many miles in an urban setting. Been on trains, planes and cars. Fairly lightweight for how sturdy it feels really. I wish I'd known you could out a car seat or carry cot on this earlier, as previously we had an icandy, complete waste of money, could just have bought this from birth, but oh well. Highly recommended

Thanks for your great review on the swift Richard, We are so glad to hear you enjoy traveling with it! MBx

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Year of the Dragon special edition nano™ pram shop now

Availability:

Available now, order today

• American Express
• accessories
• instructions

Elegant and small in size, yet big on adventure; swift™ can navigate urban terrain and tackle off roading with ease

Built upon the Red Dot award winning platform of urban jungle™ luxury, swift™ can take from newborn right up to toddler years, and staying true to what a mountain bike offers with true air filled tyres, this little buggy is ideal if you want all the comforts that a full featured, full sized all terrain buggy offers, without taking up too much room in your house, or in your car boot.

mountain buggy

Product Code: SWI_V3.2

what makes swift ™ unique

Designed and engineered upon the world’s first, all terrain, 3-wheeler; the Red Dot award winning platform of urban jungle ™ luxury.

swift ™ passes the same rigorous stability standards as 4-wheel buggies.

swift ™ is made of super high quality 6060 T52 aircraft grade lightweight aluminium, making all Mountain Buggies superior in strength.

Revered for exceptional engineering and design, swift ™ delivers sublime steering with one hand, and turns on a dime thanks to its perfect weight distribution and front wheel 360º swivel - so easy to pop up over kerbs and obstacles too.

swift ™ includes 10" air filled tyres as they provide a much better ride as the rubber outer tube meets the most generous air filled pocket, providing the greatest degree of cushioning and smoothest handling on any surface; well suited for any terrain from shopping malls to the mountain trails.

The front wheel allows the option to lock back for better control on rocky terrain, or unlock for full 360° swivel for ease of manoeuvrability when on the city streets.

While most other 3-wheel competitors may not have this popular functionality, you can definitely parent face on swift ™ . For newborns, there’s the options of adding an infant car seat, a soft shelled cocoon, OR the innovative carrycot plus ™ . carrycot plus ™ offers you ingenious innovation plus value for money with 3 modes - a traditional lie flat bed, an incline position for babies who suffer from reflux, AND you can transform the carrycot into a parent facing modular seat – all in one package.

An award winning design where swift ™ folds down easily flat and stand folds with one hand, conveniently keeping the fabric clean and off the ground.

A patented tail free harness has been cleverly designed to keep long, fussy, loose straps out of little hands and mouths for superior safety and hygiene.

The seat allows your child to sit snug inside the buggy frame at the right height. This perfect center of gravity instantly delivers superior manoeuvrability, lighter kerb pop (you don’t need a lot of weight to pop the nose of the buggy up to get over a kerb), and also provides better balance / stability.

There is always a built-in, full lie flat, newborn bed – so convenient, as NO additional newborn purchase is required (although they are available). This is great if you need to save to spend on other extras for your baby.

They provide the most room to grow for your child, and allows for heavier weight capacities.

Our fabric seat makes swift ™ much lighter than most, especially against the option of a modular seat unit which has the added weight of the seat unit frame.

You don’t have to fuss about taking the seat off the frame before folding (unlike most modular seat buggies); just fold with the fabric sling seat still attached, and pop away easily.

check out the range of essentials here

Setting up your swift™ is easy! Find all the details you need here for how to set up and use!

Customer Reviews

We've been using the Mountain Buggy Swift for over four years. Both our daughters used it from birth. It is excellent and we highly recommend it. We've seen a lot of similar prams from competitors and we honestly wouldn't swap the Swift for any of them. It's very well made and extremely robust. We live in London and it copes brilliantly with the poor road surfaces but is equally well suited for off road walks in the country. I haven't seen any other buggies which are this versatile. It's very compact and folds up neatly for storage. We bought the flight bag and have found it easy when we fly. It's light but strong. The storage under the pram isn't as big as some others but it's perfect for doing a decent shop and it's sturdy enough to hang a full bag of shopping off the handles. The fabrics are high quality and look stylish. We recommend buying the coffee cup holder. Overall we are really delighted with the Swift. When we had our second child we bought the Mountain Buggy Duet so they could both sit in a pram. We're very happy with the Duet but it's a bit bulky and heavy. The Swift is definitely our number 1 choice!

I love how light weight it is to put in the boot of the car and it's so easy to fold down. It's so easy to push over different terrain. It's suitable for my lifestyle.

After a lot of research we bought the Mountain Buggy Swift, thinking that a three wheeler would be easier to manoeuvre than a four wheeler. What an excellent decision this has proved to be. This buggy is so easy to push, both in town and also on longer country walks. Also it's so simple to fold up to put in the boot of a car, or store indoors. I was initially a bit concerned by the fact that the only suspension was via pneumatic tyres, with of course the distinct possibility of a puncture. The possible suspension issue proved to be no problem whatsoever, with the tyres supplying all the necessary comfort. We did have one puncture, curtesy of a piece of blackthorn bristling with thorns. However, this also didn't result in the problem that I'd anticipated. Although the tyre did deflate by a fair degree, it remained perfectly serviceable for the half mile or so walk home. The wheels are easily detachable, so a brief visit to the local Halfords solved the problem, and a very helpful member of staff quickly replaced the inner tube at a very reasonable cost. After nearly three years of use we are extremely happy with our purchase and would sincerely recommend this buggy

Hi David, thanks for your review about your experience with swift™. It's great to hear that the swift™ has been useful for all types of adventures over the last 3 years. MBx

We've been using the swift now for three years and sadly we think it's reached the end due our son just being too big (even though he's 3 and 8 months). Even though this says up to 90cm, my son is 108cm and only now is just too tall for it, it's been fine for the height until now. We never used it as a travel system, only ever as a buggy with the seat in, but I cab fault it. I've had to change a tyre and two inner tubes, but this has been to five countries, and done many miles in an urban setting. Been on trains, planes and cars. Fairly lightweight for how sturdy it feels really. I wish I'd known you could out a car seat or carry cot on this earlier, as previously we had an icandy, complete waste of money, could just have bought this from birth, but oh well. Highly recommended

Thanks for your great review on the swift Richard, We are so glad to hear you enjoy traveling with it! MBx

Easy to manoeuvre and great size, easy open close action.

Recently Viewed Products

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live life without limit™ and join the Mountain Buggy® community to receive 5% off your first order.

(unsubscribe at any time). See our Privacy Policy for details.

5% off applies to full price items only. One time use. Valid for 90 days from date of issue.

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Ship Your Luggage Ahead

The smart, fast, and easy way to travel., featured in.

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Ship your luggage, golf clubs, skis, snowboards, and more, worldwide luggage shipping, we pick up from your home, office, hotel, or anywhere you're staying., the best way to ship luggage, affordable prices, luggage shipping starting at $34.99, complimentary insurance, your luggage is always in good hands, white-glove customer support, we’re eager to assist you, reduce airport touchpoints, travel safely on every trip, unrivaled convenience, shipping luggage has never been easier, how shipgo works.

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Top 10 Budget-Friendly Beach Vacations in the U.S.

Looking to take the kids to the coast this summer? With hundreds of stunning public beaches across the nation, a budget-friendly beach vacation is surely within reach. While you may think “crowded” and “overpriced” when it comes to a beach vacation, we’ve found the top spots with affordable accommodations, beautiful beaches, and tons to do...

The post Top 10 Budget-Friendly Beach Vacations in the U.S. appeared first on ShipGo Blog: The New Way To Travel .

April 11, 2024

5 Ways to Pass Time During an Airport Layover

Traveling via air is a lot of hurry up and wait. Rush to your gate only to wait for hours to board. Rush to board only wait for another hour to depart. And for those with a connecting flight, a layover or two means even more waiting! So, why not put a positive spin on...

The post 5 Ways to Pass Time During an Airport Layover appeared first on ShipGo Blog: The New Way To Travel .

April 09, 2024

5 Best Lake Vacations in the U.S.

The beauty of a lake vacation is that it can be enjoyed any time of year! Whether it’s flying down Lake Tahoe’s snow-covered slopes or enjoying a glass of wine on the shores of the Finger Lakes, the options are truly endless. Read more about the best lake vacations in the U.S.! Best Lake Vacations...

The post 5 Best Lake Vacations in the U.S. appeared first on ShipGo Blog: The New Way To Travel .

April 05, 2024

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

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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.

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

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