Soak up the Beauty of Spring
Stroll through Moscow’s blooming gardens
The April showers that prolonged Moscow’s
dreary weather will be all worth it when they
bring a blanket of May flowers to the city gardens.
White snowdrops and lilac crocuses are
already turning some of Moscow’s parks into
a mosaic of natural colour. Get out and enjoy
the many parks Moscow has to offer, and if
you’re really keen on flowers, head to Moscow
State University’s botanical garden. Its collection
of flora dates back to Peter the Great.
Fountains Galore
Water is the source of all life
Moscow is full of magnificent fountains that
once served as drinking water sources for
the Muscovites of previous centuries. The
tradition of celebrating water sources will
continue on April 29 at 6:00 p.m. as modernday
Muscovites mark the arrival of spring by
simultaneously turning on all the fountains
in the city. Watch the water cascade from any
one of Moscow’s hundreds of fountains, notably
the Petrovskiy Fountain by the Bolshoi
Theatre or the Alexander Garden fountains.
Spring Fest
Stroll through Moscow with a spring in your step
Spring is here, and that means it’s time
for Spring Fest. From April 28 to May 9th,
Chalet-style tents will appear in locations
through the city center, including Manezhnaya
ploshchad, Kuznetsky most and
Tverskaya ulitsa. Meander your way through
the market-like lanes and enjoy the shops,
workshops and even concerts. Don’t forget to
treat yourself to the candies and exotic jams
on offer. The festivities run from 10 a.m.
until 9 p.m.
Horseback Riding Thrills
Reenact the Battle of Borodino
Get out into the countryside and soak up the spring sun as you ride horseback at the Borodino Khutor. If playing Napoleon in a reenactment of the Battle of Borodino isn’t up your alley, opt for some gentler horseback riding, quad biking or simply a relaxing weekend away from the city—complete with a steam in the banya and grilled shashlyk. The equestrian center is located about 100km from Moscow.
Gastronomical Adventures
Time to take food out on a terrace
On May 1 the Food Embassy restaurant will
open its veranda and its charming vegetable
patch and garden for spring. This restaurant
provides great value for money, and you can
bask in the sun while enjoying milkshakes.
The Food Embassy is also a wonderful place
for kids, with a wide variety of arts and crafts
held on weekends from 14.00-17.00.
Victory Day
Commemorate and celebrate
May 9 is arguably the most important holiday
for Russians. While its focus remains
commemorating the country’s hard-earned
triumph in World War II, Victory Day has
been heavily politicized and now embodies
Russia’s national pride. It has also developed
into a time for concerts, performances, and
other cultural events. As a result the center
of Moscow will be cordoned off for preparations.
Most eyes will be fixed on Red Square,
where the famous Victory Parade takes
place at 10 a.m. Crowds on Victory Day can
be overwhelming, so if you want to avoid
the hordes of people but still see the parade,
watch the general practice run on May 7 at
10 a.m.
