A Traveler's Guide to Moscow

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|"There are only two reasons to |"Don't be shocked by the prices.|

|come here, "says one Western |In many places, the whole point |

|businessman, "to have a fun and |is to spend as much money as |

|get rich." |possible to show what a big shot|

| |you are." |

|t may come as a|know what. |Night Life |Casino Royale |

|surprise to |Having never |Moscow's night|The city's most |

|many to learn |previously |life is of |elegant casino |

|that Moscow is |visited a |epic |and a favorite |

|one of the |post-communist |proportions, |among serious |

|world's great |city, |and people |players |

|cities. It |particularly |don't really | |

|certainly did |one that had |start rocking | |

|to me. I think |the reputation |until midnight| |

|that, like many|for rampant |and seldom | |

|people, I |crime and |stop before | |

|envisioned a |shoddy |sunup. | |

|city that was a|Stalinist |One thing to | |

|cross between |architecture |bear in mind: | |

|Beirut and ... |enjoyed by |Many | |

|well, I don't |Moscow. |nightclubs, | |

| | |casinos and | |

| | |bars cater | |

| | |mainly to the | |

| | |Russian mafia.| |

| | |So don't go | |

| | |unless you're | |

| | |with someone | |

| | |who's known | |

| | |there; then | |

| | |everything | |

| | |will be fine. | |

|Hotels |Hotel Baltschug|Making The |-Getting |

|The following |Kempinski |Most Of Moscow|Oriented: Moscow|

|hotels are mix |Few urban | |is one of the |

|of Moscow's |hotels anywhere|-Arriving: If |most confusion |

|best, from |can top the |possible, |cities in the |

|inexpensive to |view. Five-star|arrange to |world to |

|luxury. All |European |have someone |navigate. |

|provide |comfort and |meet you with |-Taxis: Moscow's|

|Western-style |service. Rooms:|a car when you|taxi system is a|

|accommodations |$384-420. |land at |free-for-all, |

|and amenities. | |Sheremetivo |and |

| | |Airport. Upon |out-of-towners |

| | |arrival you |will be taken |

| | |will be handed|shocking |

| | |a customs |advantage of if |

| | |form. Do not |they don't know |

| | |lose this: |the score. Fares|

| | |you'll be |are agreed upon |

| | |expected to |before you get |

| | |turn it in |in. The best bet|

| | |along with a |is to hire a car|

| | |new one when |and driver for |

| | |you depart. |your stay. |

| | |-Visas: The |-Money: Many |

| | |Russians |places take |

| | |remain very |rubles instead |

| | |strict about |of hard |

| | |visas. Be sure|currency, but |

| | |that all your |the $ is quickly|

| | |dates coincide|becoming |

| | |with those on |Russia's |

| | |your visa. |unofficial |

| | | |currency. So |

| | | |it's good to |

| | | |carry some |

| | | |greenbacks. |

|Restaurants |Golden Ostap | | |

|Since the |A traditional | | |

|Soviet Union |Georgian | | |

|crumbled, |restaurant that| | |

|Moscow has seen|also offers a | | |

|an explosion of|little | | |

|restaurants |blackjack and | | |

|purveying |roulette. | | |

|international |McDonald's | | |

|cuisine. Most |All location of| | |

|that cater to |this American | | |

|Western |icon are | | |

|visitors, |unbelievably | | |

|generally the |popular. | | |

|more expensive | | | |

|ones, are | | | |

|relatively safe| | | |

|and clean, | | | |

|though quality | | | |

|varies. | | | |