An authentic winter experience

"The best destination for travelers seeking an authentic winter experience"

Moscow, the capital of Russia and Europe’s largest city, is THE ideal destination for an authentic winter experience. Temperatures hover around –10 °C. Ice floes drift down the Moskva River. Snowplows crisscross the streets to clear away the meters of snow that have accumulated.  This is also the perfect opportunity for Muscovites to break out their cross-country skis and ice skates.

Moscow is laid out in concentric circles around the Kremlin. The best way to explore the city is to find a place to stay on the north bank of the Moskva River within the second circle—the Garden Ring—or, even better, within the first circle—the Boulevard Ring. That’s where my cozy little nest, the Comrade Hostel, is located in the Kitai-Gorod neighborhood. Just 50 meters away is the Jaganath, my go-to vegetarian spot, which serves up Indian flavors as well as Russian classics like potato pancakes and cranberry juice. There’s nothing better to give you the energy to brave the cold and marvel at the countless Orthodox cathedrals with their golden domes.  But where should you start to get a taste of Russian culture?