tourist class to go

2Go Tourist Class

Welcome to 2GO Travel’s Tourist Class!

Embark on your journey in comfort and style with tourist-class accommodations. Designed for your relaxation and convenience, the 2Go Travel Tourist Class offers a perfect balance of affordability and comfort. Vessels are MV 2GO Maligaya , MV St. Francis Xavier , MV St. Michael The Archangel , or St. Ignatius of Loyola . Offers quad rooms along with facilities like Quik Mart, Cafe, Salon, Sea Breeze, and Sundeck ensuring a memorable travel experience.

🛌 Comfortable Accommodations :

Step into our well-appointed tourist-class cabins with more privacy for a smaller shared room, where comfort meets affordability. Each cabin has air conditioning, comfortable beds, fresh linens, ample space, complimentary toiletries, and a common toilet and bath for a peaceful sanctuary throughout your voyage.

🍽️ Dining Options :

Indulge in a culinary journey with onboard dining options. From hearty Filipino dishes to international favorites, restaurants serve a diverse menu to tantalize your taste buds. Enjoy delicious meals or packaged dry food and drinks prepared by talented chefs while savoring the panoramic views of the open sea.

📺 Entertainment and Relaxation :

Please sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey with our onboard entertainment options. Catch up on your favorite movies, engage in friendly competitions at our game area, or unwind with a good book in one of our cozy lounges. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.

🛍️ Convenient Amenities :

Tourist-class cabins are with essential amenities to ensure your comfort throughout the voyage. Freshen up in our clean restrooms and showers, stay connected with loved ones using our onboard Wi-Fi, or unwind and enjoy the sea breeze on spacious deck areas.

🌊 Scenic Views :

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Philippine archipelago as you sail from one stunning destination to another. Whether it’s the pristine beaches of Boracay, the lush landscapes of Palawan, or the vibrant cityscape of Manila, our Tourist Class cabins offer panoramic views that will leave you in awe.

Experience the beauty of travel with 2GO Travel’s Tourist Class. Book your tickets now and embark on unforgettable voyages filled with comfort, convenience, and adventure!

Discover the wonders of the Philippines with 2GO Travel. Welcome aboard!

• Popular Routes
• Schedule and Timetable

Company Information

Formerly known as Negros Navigation, 2Go Travel is one of the core subsidiaries of Philippine-based 2GO Group Inc. which was established way back in 1949. The operator specializes in passenger ships and fast ferries operations. It was formed by a merge of the biggest shipping lines in the country: SuperFerry, Cebu Ferries, and SuperCat which became known as SuperFerry and subsequently acquired by Negros Navigation. The company has one of the most modern and expansive fleets of inter-island vessels in the Philippines including roll on/roll off passenger vessels that can accommodate up to 1800 passengers as well as fastcrafts. 2Go Travel currently has 106 outlets all over the country located in malls, travel agencies, and various ports.

Routes served by 2GO

Manila is the most popular point of origin for 2Go ferries that head to various destinations across the country. In Manila, 2Go ferries depart from North Harbor Pier 4, which can be accessed by a jeep.

Manila–Cebu

2Go sails for Cebu 4 times weekly on FRIDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY, and WEDNESDAY . It is a 23-hour journey.

Manila–Cagayan de Oro

2Go’s 44-48-hour, 1400 km sea journey to Cagayan de Oro is similarly popular with three weekly departures on THURSDAY, SUNDAY, and WEDNESDAY .

Manila–Zamboanga

There is one departure a week to Zamboanga every SUNDAY . Travel duration could be as much as 42 hours.

Manila–Bacolod

2Go ferry leaves for Bacolod every THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, TUESDAY taking about 27 hours.

Manila–Puerto Princesa

Twice weekly, on TUESDAY and FRIDAY , there is ferry service to Puerto Princesa . This voyage can last about 30 hours.

From Batangas

Aside from Manila, EVERY DAY EXCEPT MONDAY 2Go Travel also operates vessels from the Batangas Port to Caticlan for those who are bound for

• Boracay , 10h30m
• Romblon , 7 hours
• Odiongan , 7 hours
• Roxas City , 15 hours.

Note that Batangas to Caticlan is an extremely popular route, so advanced online booking is highly advisable – especially if you are travelling during the summer months.

2Go Travel Ships

Currently 2Go’s fleet that operates routes from Manila, consists of the following vessels:

• 2go St Francis Xavier – to Butuan City, Cebu, Iligan City, and Ozamis City
• St Pope John Paul II – to Cebu and Cagayan de Oro
• St Leo the Great – to Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo City, Puerto Princesa and Coron
• St Therese of Child Jesus – to Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo City
• St Michael the Archangel – to Bacolod, Dumaguete, Dipolog City, Iloilo City, Zamboanga

Batangas-Caticlan route is serviced by three vessels:

• St Anthony de Padua
• St Ignatius of Loyola
• St Augustine of Hippo

2Go Travel Schedule

If you need to check the departure dates of a specific vessel, then a complete 2Go ferry schedule can be found on the company’s official website. Otherwise, please refer to the timetable provided in the ‘Routes Served by 2Go’ section above.

2Go Travel Fare and Tickets

2Go cruise ships feature different cabins and accommodation options, from super-cheap Mega Value Class to luxurious Staterooms or Suitrooms for 2, hence regardless of your budget you are sure to find the type of ticket that suits your pocket and meets your requirements. Note that in summer it is better to opt for an air-conditioned type of accommodation as it can get oppressively hot even in the open sea. The most popular 2Go Travel ticket options are Tourist Class and Cabin for 4 which offer the best value for your money. Sample 2Go Travel ticket prices are as follows:

• Mega Value – USD32
• Super Value – USD36
• Cabin for 4 – USD47
• Tourist Class – USD41
• Cabin for 4 – USD62

Batangas–Boracay

• Super Value – USD26
• Tourist Class – USD35
• Cabin for 4 – USD41

2Go ticket booking can be made in person in any of the company’s outlets or online via the official website or via OTA like us. Booking process is easy with instant confirmation.

When booking online, an e-ticket is issued, which should be then shown at boarding together with your valid ID. IMPORTANT! If you do not print out your e-tickets you will be asked to pay for your real ticket at the port.

2Go Promo Tickets

To grab the best deals with 2Go, shop during seasonal sales periods. 2Go Travel promo tickets are a great way to save big on your sea journey. The best strategy to take advantage of this is to subscribe to the company’s pages in social media. There are both promos for immediate travel and advanced booking.

• 2Go has really placed a premium on the safety and comfort of their passengers. Security checks of luggage are always conducted. There is a sufficient number of life jackets on board, lifeboats, an in-house medical unit, a rescue boat and even a few police representatives.
• The amenities and facilities are not to be frowned upon, either. There is always a good front office, a 24/7 cafe, a full bar, live entertainment, salons, and spas.
• There are charging stations on board for passengers of all classes.
• 2Go ships including common areas and toilets are generally cleaner compared to other ferries around the archipelago.
• Overnight trips are a great way to save some bucks on accommodation and entertainment.
• 2Go can arrange onward transportation for passengers through their partner companies to make your travel even more convenient.
• Trips can be delayed or cancelled due to weather conditions, especially during the typhoon season. Be ready and be flexible. This is not the fault of the company, though. Yet in case of a delay no complimentary food and drinks are offered.
• The refund process if you require one can take as long as 2 months if you cancel your tickets paid for by a bank card for any reason.
• Air-conditioning is often freezing cold but overall the price and experience are hard to beat.

2GO Popular Routes

2go schedule & timetable, 2go stations, 2go company reviews.

Book your ferry tickets with us, hassle-free!

accommodation

Bunk basis accommodation

Double-deck bunk style

Pet Travel details

All breeds of dogs and cats are allowed on the vessel

Minimum of 2 Adults with a Maximum of 4 Occupancy.

Super Value

Double-deck bunk style, non-airconditioned section

Tourist Class

Double-deck bunk style with semi private partition

2go News & Updates

Don't miss out..

2Go Travel: Schedules & Accommodation Types

You can now book your 2GO Travel Tickets at BIYAHEROES.COM and choose your accommodation!

Super Value

Accommodation description:

• Non-air conditioned area
• Double-deck beds with mats
• Common Toilet and Bath
• With 3-Channel Television

• Air-conditioned area
• Ideal for Group Passengers

Tourist Class

• 6 to 12 passengers in a room for vessels like SMA, STC, SFX
• Common area bunks for vessels like SAH, SIL, SAP
• Fully air-conditioned

SchedulesNote: Available dates/ time/ day per destination may change without prior notice. You may check directly from biyaheroes.com for more real-time schedules.

You may also contact our Customer Service for Schedule availability: Customer Hotline: 0917 535 1501 or email us at [email protected] !

Subscribe to Biyaheroes News

Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox

Stay up to date! Get all the latest & greatest posts delivered straight to your inbox

15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Moscow

Written by Diana Bocco Updated Dec 23, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Moscow is one of Europe's most enigmatic destinations, home to a fascinating history and colorful, awe-inspiring architecture you won't find anywhere else in the world. Moscow might be one of the most populous cities in the world with over 11 million inhabitants, but this hasn't changed its strong cultural and social traditions.

Walk the cobblestone streets of the Red Square or the banks of the Moskva River early in the morning, and it's hard to tell what century you're in.

Tsarist architecture, must-see churches, and glamorous shopping opportunities blend together for a visual experience you won't forget. For ideas on what to see and do while visiting Russia, here's our list of top tourist attractions in Moscow.

1. Marvel at the Size of the Kremlin

2. catch a performance at the bolshoi theatre, 3. shop at the luxurious gum, 4. make your way into lenin's mausoleum, 5. spend an hour (or three) at red square, 6. discover history at the museum of cosmonautics, 7. ride the stunning moscow metro, 8. explore the moscow state integrated museum-reserve, 9. spend a rainy day at the tretyakov gallery, 10. walk up and down arbat street, 11. stop by the vdnkh all-russian exhibition centre, 12. wander around gorky park, where to stay in moscow for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions & things to do in moscow.

Moscow's most recognizable structure is without a doubt the Kremlin, a 15th-century fortified complex that covers an area of 275,000 square meters surrounded by walls built in the 1400s.

The Grand Kremlin Palace -which has over 700 rooms- was once home to the Tsar family and is now the official residence of the president of the Russian Federation, although most heads of state choose to reside elsewhere.

The massive complex also includes many other buildings, some of which are open to the public and can be visited regularly. Aside from three cathedrals (including one where the Tsars were once crowned) and a number of towers, the Kremlin is also home to the Armory building, a museum holding everything from the royal crown and imperial carriages to the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible and Fabergé eggs.

The Bolshoi Theater is home to the largest and one of the oldest ballet and opera companies in the world . While the theater has undergone several major renovations over the past century-including a recent one in 2011 to restore some of the imperial architectural details-it still retains all of its Neoclassical grandeur.

The Bolshoi Theater you see today opened in 1824, after several older versions burned down. Inside, red velvet, a three-tiered crystal chandelier, and gilt moldings give the place a Byzantine-Renassaince grandiose feel like no other.

Catching a show from the resident ballet and opera troupes is a treat, as the theater often presents a number of classic performances, such as Tchaikovsky's Mazeppa and Rachmaninoff's Francesca da Rimini, both of which originally premiered here.

Moscow's oldest and most upscale shopping center is an architectural marvel. GUM (short for Glávnyj Universálnyj Magazín or "Main Universal Store") was built in the late 1800s in neo-Russian style to showcase a beautiful mix of a steel skeleton and 20,000 panels of glass forming an arched roof.

This was a unique construction at the time, since the glass had to be strong enough to support the snow-heavy Russian winters. The building is just as impressive outside, with all three levels covered in marble and granite.

While GUM is no longer the largest shopping center in Moscow, it's still by far the most beautiful. Home to brands like Gucci and Manolo Blahnik, this might not be the ideal destination for most budget-conscious visitors, but the beauty of the building itself is worth a visit.

On the third floor, there are also great dining options, including a Soviet-style canteen that serves traditional Russian food, and a stand selling ice cream made by hand using an original 1954 recipe originally approved by the Soviet government.

Lenin's Mausoleum, the final resting place of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin, occupies a central spot in Red Square. His body has been in the mausoleum since his death in 1924-and although the original plan was for him to be buried after a short period of public display for mourning, the plan quickly changed.

After over 100,000 visited the tomb over a period of six weeks, it was decided that a new sarcophagus and a more permanent display space could actually preserve Lenin's body for much longer than expected-and Lenin's Mausoleum was built.

Over the years, the mausoleum and its marble stairs also became the main spot from where Soviet leaders would watch parades and events happening in Red Square.

Lenin's embalmed body can still be seen today, lying down in a bulletproof glass sarcophagus as if he's sleeping. While a visit to the mausoleum is certainly unusual, it has become a must-do for history buffs looking to understand how Lenin's legacy truly changed the nation. Come ready to wait, though -there are usually lines to get in.

All of Moscow's main streets start at Red Square, so it's easy to see why this is considered the heart of the city. A massive space of 330 meters by 70 meters, the square is flanked by the Kremlin, Lenin's Mausoleum, two cathedrals, and the State Historical Museum.

In 1945, a massive Victory Parade was held here to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany by the Soviet Armed Forces.

St. Basil's Cathedral , one of the most recognizable buildings on the square, was built in 1555. The unique cathedral has architectural details inspired by Byzantine and Asian design, as well as details that resemble those found in famous mosques. There are nine individual chapels inside the church, all decorated with colorful mural art.

Both the square itself and the Kremlin are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites . On weekends, there are sometimes stalls selling souvenirs and traditional items here, such as matryoshka (Russian nesting dolls), at the entrance of the square.

At one point, Russia and the US were toe-to-toe when it came to space exploration. While that might no longer be the case, the museum's amazing collection-which includes over 85,000 items-is still awe-inspiring.

Main exhibits include the space capsule used by Yuri Gagarin , the first human to travel into outer space; a USSR flag with moon fragments; a Soviet spacesuit; and a rocket propulsion unit from the 1960s. A special two-story hall showcases sections of the Mir space station interior, and there are also models of the first sputniks and a replica miniature spaceship.

English-language tours are available, and there's also a Cinema Hall showing subtitled short films about the history of space exploration programs and the first manned space flight.

The museum is located inside the base of the monument to the Conquerors of Space, which was built almost 20 years before the museum opened.

Riding the Moscow metro is an experience all in itself, but even just heading underground to walk through the stations is something no visitor should miss. With 223 stations and 12 metro lines crosscutting through Moscow, however, this can be tricky, so visiting at least a few of the most impressive ones is a good start.

Arbatskaya station was designed by a skyscraper architect, so it's no surprise that it features multicolored granite slabs and impressive bronze chandeliers.

Park Kultury station , located next to Gorky Park, is covered in marble and features reliefs of people involved in sports, while Teatralnaya station is decorated with porcelain figures dancing and wearing traditional Russian costumes.

The metro is open between 5:30am and 1:00am but it's very crowded in the early morning and after 4pm, so it's better to visit in the late morning or early afternoon to really appreciate the architecture without the crowds.

The Moscow State Integrated Art and Historical Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve is a cultural open-air museum complex comprised of four different historical sites.

The most important site, the Kolomenskoye Estate, was once the summer residence of Tsars as far back as the 14 th century. The complex, which covers almost 300 hectares, is home to fairy-tale wooden palaces; a tent-roof stone church built in the 1500s; a water tower; fort towers and structures; and the 24-room Museum of Wooden Architecture , which includes the restored dining room of Tsar Alexei I.

Beautiful manicured gardens , riverside picnic areas, and a massive collection of both artifacts and structures make this a great destination to help you see what medieval Russia looked like. English-language tours are available, but you're also free to wander the grounds on your own.

The largest collection of Russian art in the world sits here, with over 180,000 paintings, sculptures, and religious art dating back to over a millennia ago. The gallery, built using beautiful red and white colors from classical Russian architecture, is located near the Kremlin and it was built in the early 20 th century.

Significant art pieces include the Vladimir Mother of God; a Byzantine icon of the Virgin and child dating back to the 1100s; Andrei Rublev's The Trinity icon from the 15 th century; and several works by Ilya Repin, the most famous realist painter in Russia.

On the grounds of the museum, there is also an 86-meter-tall statue of Peter the Great, as well as a number of Socialist Realism sculptures.

Moscow's one-kilometer-long pedestrian street has been around since the 15 th century. Originally a trade route in the outskirts of the city, Arbat Street is now very centrally located, home to posh buildings and lots of places to eat and shop.

Beautiful street lamps and two significant statues-one of Princess Turandot (from Puccini's last opera) and one of Soviet-era poet Bulat Okudzhava-adorn the street, which fills up with both locals and tourists on evenings and weekends.

A great place to pick up souvenirs or sit down at an outdoor café, Arbat Street also offers a chance to visit the former home of poet Alexander Pushkin and the café both Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy used to visit.

Although it was originally designed as a general-purpose trade show venue, this park complex now houses amusement rides , ice rinks , and a number of galleries and other attractions for all ages.

The park's most famous landmarks are the Moskvarium, a marine biology center home to over 8000 species of marine animals, the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, and a shopping center selling traditional products from former Soviet countries.

There's even a film museum showing Soviet cartoons or even a full-length film (for an extra fee) and an education center offering masterclasses on everything from becoming a barista to video montage (call or write in advance to find out which ones are English-friendly).

Soviet-era pavilions, sculptures, and fountains abound here as well, including the famous Friendship of the Peoples Fountain, which features statues of women dressed in costumes from different former Soviet countries.

Named after the famous Russian writer Maxim Gorky (who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature five times but never won it) and sitting right across the Moskva River, Gorky Park covers 120 hectares of beautiful ponds and green spaces.

Popular with both locals and tourists, the park offers a variety of things to enjoy-from sunbeds, hammocks, and drinking fountains to free yoga classes and children's playgrounds. There's free Wi-Fi and sockets for charging your phone, as well as many food stands and plenty of wild animals, including deer, rabbits, and pheasants.

Visitors can rent paddle boats and bicycles to explore the park-and from May to October, there is also an open-air movie theater, as well as scheduled presentations by street performers, musicians, and artists. Gorky Park attracts the young and old, so don't be surprised to see a mix of people exercising, playing chess, and sunbathing.

Luxury Hotels :

• Lotte Hotel Moscow is one of the top 5-star properties in Moscow offering the largest Royal Suite in Russia. The trendy rooms and suites here all have contemporary style and great city views. On-site amenities are plentiful. There are two restaurants: one serving contemporary Italian fare, and the other Japanese. There is an impressively lit indoor swimming pool, a well-known spa, and a state-of-the-art gym.
• Another excellent luxury hotel is the Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow . The residential-style property is in the heart of Moscow just next to the Bolshoi Theatre and within walking distance of the Kremlin and Red Square. The rooms and suites have been opulently designed by Tony Chi. The on-site restaurant serves a mix of European and Armenian specialities. There is also a Japanese sushi bar and a rooftop lounge with fabulous city views.
• The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya also has a central location just a few minutes from the Kremlin and Red Square. The 5-star property has a mix of elegant rooms and suites, including interconnecting room options for families with kids. There are multiple restaurants on-site including an Italian bistro. Other amenities include the fabulous Iridium Spa, which does a full range of treatments and has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, and steam room.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• Palmira Business Club is a top mid-range choice. The contemporary lifestyle hotel offers well-appointed rooms and suites, including options for families. Suites are quite spacious and have kitchenettes. Amenities here include a complimentary breakfast at the on-site restaurant, a hot tub, sauna, and spa. There is also a fitness center.
• The trendy Mercure Moscow Baumanskaya offers a mix of rooms and suites with contemporary decor. The mid-range hotel can arrange airport transportation and offers baggage storage. Other amenities include a restaurant and room service. The front desk is open 24 hours.
• Boutique Hotel Brighton is about 10 minutes from the city center in a leafy park area. It offers excellent value for money and has charming rooms and suites with sound-proof windows and doors, as well as blackout curtains. A complimentary breakfast is served, and there is also an indoor swimming pool.

Budget Hotels :

• Hotel Ibis Budget Moscow Panfilovskaya is about a 15-minute drive from Moscow's downtown, and it's within walking distance from a metro station that will take you there. The soundproof rooms at this budget property are clean, comfortable, and can sleep up to three people. The hotel is pet friendly, has paid parking available on-site, and also has a salon.
• If you just need a budget hotel near the airport then check out Aviator Hotel Sheremetyevo . Located right at the airport, it has soundproof rooms, including options for families. Amenities include an indoor play area for kids, a sauna and swimming pool, and a free breakfast.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Exploring Russia: Whether you are interested in history, nature, or architecture, there's much to see in Russia. For a good introduction to some of the most fascinating spots in the country, take a look at our article on the Best Places to Visit in Russia . For more on Russia's second-largest city and all it has to offer, check out our piece on the Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in St. Petersburg .

An ex-Wall Street banker who's visited every country shares 6 places where you can spend less and still travel in luxury

• Lee Abbamonte, 45, is an ex-Wall Street banker who has visited every country in the world. 
• When it comes to destinations where dollars go the furthest, Southeast Asia is his go-to.
• In Bangkok, Abbamonte paid less than $50 a night for a Shangri-La hotel and loved the street food.

This summer is shaping up to be one of the hottest on record for the US economy .

Household wealth is at a record high, the job market is strong, and wages are rising faster than inflation. Meanwhile, the dollar has steadily gained against rival currencies. Simply put, Americans have dollars to spend. One question they might have: Where, oh where, to spend it?

Lee Abbamonte has some suggestions. Abbamonte, who quit his Wall Street finance job to become a travel blogger in 2002, has visited every country in the world, every US state , plus the South and North Poles.

Abbamonte's go-to for getting the most bang for your travel buck is Southeast Asia .

In countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, luxury hotels can cost under $100 a night and street food can be as delicious as fine dining, Abbamonte said.

One downside is that traveling to Southeast Asia from the US can take anywhere from 15 hours to more than a day.

"The hardest part is getting there," added Abbamonte, who last visited the region between 2017 and 2019. "But once you're there, you're in heaven."

Here, Abbamonte shares six countries — in Southeast Asia and beyond — where your vacation budget can buy some indulgent splurges.

During a past trip to Thailand, Abbamonte stayed in a five-star hotel for less than $50 a night.

Thailand is one of Abbamonte's favorite destinations in Southeast Asia, for good reason.

In Bangkok, he said, street food is world-class and high-quality yet inexpensive compared to comparable meals in the US. Abbamonte stayed at several stunning hotels along the Chao Phraya River, which flows through the heart of the city.

"I remember I paid like $39 for the Shangri-La," he said.

A one-night stay at the Shangri-La in Bangkok is a bit more expensive now, according to its website : $162 as of June 2024.

Outside Bangkok, Abbamonte can't get enough of Phuket, an island off the west coast of mainland Thailand brimming with rainforest and white sandy beaches that look straight out of a postcard.

"Some of the best hotels I've ever stayed at in my life are in Phuket," he said. His favorite is Kata Rocks, an oceanfront five-star hotel that is "one of the most beautiful places" Abbamonte has ever been.

"I don't remember exactly what it cost, but it wasn't that much," Abbamonte said, estimating that he spent "around $100" a night.

In July 2024, a one-night stay at Kata Rocks in Phuket costs more than $490 according to its website . That may not seem cheap, but villas in more expensive locations like the Caribbean can cost a lot more.

Vietnam is exceedingly affordable for its stunning vistas and delicious delicacies, he said.

Vietnam is one of Abbamonte's top countries in South Asia, where "the food is cheap and easy, and it's fantastic."

The country is home to some awe-inspiring natural wonders, including Ha Long Bay, which you can explore via luxury overnight cruises with amenities like pools, jacuzzis, and wine cellars from about $190 a night.

"Ha Long Bay, near Hanoi, is one of the most beautiful places in the world," Abbamonte said.

Tourists can also get great deals, he added, in the artsy and history-rich city of Hanoi, the coastal city of Da Nang, and Vietnam's southern capital, Ho Chi Minh City.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Abbamonte recommends stopping by the War Remnants Museum. Known locally as the American War Museum , an adult ticket costs 40 Vietnamese dong, or around $1.50.

Home to exhibits on the Vietnam War and the First Indochina War, Abbamonte said it's his "favorite" museum outside the US.

Money goes a long way in Cambodia, home to a world-class beach scene that relatively few know about.

Another one of Abbamonte's favorite places to splurge without spending too much is Cambodia.

Sandwiched between Thailand and Vietnam, the country is affordable in all the ways that its neighbors are but is more off the beaten path.

"There aren't the tourists you get in Thailand and Vietnam," Abbamonte said.

Most tourists visit Cambodia to see Angkor Wat, an ancient Hindu-Buddhist temple complex near the city of Siem Reap. Abbamonte said the temple, which costs $37 to visit for a day, is worth seeing, but added that the country has so much more to offer.

"There's a lot more going on outside Angkor Wat," he said. "They have nice beaches, and they've really improved their infrastructure."

Some of the most idyllic seaside spots are situated on the tiny islands off of the coastal city of Sihanoukville, like Saracen Bay, a beach on Koh Rong Samloem.

Argentina has some amazing steakhouses that are generally more affordable than their US counterparts.

Abbamonte said many Americans sleep on Argentina, but that it's one of the most affordable, exciting, and pleasant places to visit in South America.

He's particularly fond of Patagonia, a region of mountains, glacial lakes, grasslands, and rainforests that runs through both Argentina and Chile across the southernmost tip of South America.

It's as close to paradise as it gets for Abbamonte, who loves being outdoors — and it doesn't hurt that food and accommodation are inexpensive.

"You can go down there and live it up real cheaply," he added.

The capital of Buenos Aires is also a must-see, Abbamonte added, because it's home to an array of luxury hotels and high-quality steakhouses where American dollars go a long way.

One of his favorite eateries is La Cabrera, a steakhouse in the trendy Palermo Soho neighborhood of Buenos Aires that offers a daily 40% happy hour discount on food and drinks between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. (One blogger who reviewed their La Cabrera meal during a 2023 trip said, at the time, a 21-ounce ribeye cost the equivalent of $45.)

"I'm a meat eater," Abbamonte admitted. "So if you like steak, there's really nowhere better."

Ethiopia offers affordable safari options in awe-inspiring wildlife reserves.

"Ethiopia is one place that I love," Abbamonte said. "It's definitely in my top five African countries."

In the past, he's flown into the capital city of Addis Ababa and stayed in five-star hotels for $100 a night. "They're really, really nice, and you can eat world-class meals for virtually nothing," he added.

While booking safari-type vacations can be "pretty expensive," Abbamonte said more adventurous travelers can always consider camping, which he did during his first trips 20 years ago.

At the time, he said, buying supplies, organizing transport within the park, and getting camping permits cost him between $100 and $200.

For example, foreign tourists visiting the Simien Mountains National Park pay 90 birrs, or around $1.50, for a 24-hour pass and an additional 40 birrs, less than $1, to camp in a tent with up to four people.

Compared to some luxury lodges, it's incredibly affordable, and "you get all the same animals," Abbamonte said, adding that he felt completely safe, given all the park rangers roaming around.

Abbamonte said there's never been a better time to visit Japan, one of his favorite countries in the world.

Japan isn't typically the first country that comes to mind for affordable travel, but Abbamonte said it's never been a better time to book a trip because, as of June 25, $1 buys 159.72 yen.

It's one of the best conversion rates in recent history.

"It's as cheap as it's ever been for the American dollar right now," Abbamonte said. "In Tokyo, the hotels are slashed to a third less than they normally are."

For example, at the Hilton Tokyo, a five-star hotel in the bustling Shinjuku district, one-night stays start at under $300 a night, according to its website .

Abbamonte said Japan is worth the trek — and the steeper prices compared to Southeast Asia — for the unique experiences it offers.

From the Kobe beef in Kobe and the bustling streets of Tokyo to the omakase scene in Osaka and the tranquility and history of Kyoto, there's "nowhere" in Japan Abbamonte doesn't like.

"It's probably the best country in the world," he said.

• Main content

What to do in Moscow

Ballet at the bolshoy, cathedral of christ the saviour, drinking & nightlife, entertainment, house-museums, the museum of modern history, the new tretyakov gallery, novodevichiy convent, patriarch’s ponds, the pushkin museum of fine arts, sandunovsky baths, the tretyakov gallery.

Travel in Moscow is easier than you might think: the city’s general layout is a series of concentric circles and radial lines emanating from Red Square and the Kremlin, and the centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Moscow’s sights can also be mapped as strata of its history: the old Muscovy that Russians are eager to show; the now retro-chic Soviet-era sites such as VDNK and Lenin’s Mausoleum; and the exclusive restaurants and shopping malls that mark out the new Russia. A CityPass is a good bet if you plan on seeing several of the city's heavyweight attractions.

Despite its size, Moscow's concentric layout is easier to grasp than you'd imagine, and the city's famous metro ensures that almost everywhere of interest is within fifteen minutes' walk of a station. Red Square and the Kremlin are the historic nucleus of the city, a magnificent stage for political drama, signifying a great sweep of history that includes Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, Stalin and Gorbachev. Here you'll find Lenin's Mausoleum and St Basil's Cathedral, the famous GUM department store, and the Kremlin itself, whose splendid cathedrals and Armoury Museum head the list of attractions. Immediately east of Red Square lies the Kitay-gorod, traditionally the commercial district, and originally fortified like the Kremlin. Stretches of the ramparts remain behind the Metropol and Rossiya hotels, and the medieval churches of Zaryade and the shops along Nikolskaya ulitsa may tempt you further into the quarter, where you'll find the former headquarters of the Communist Party. Take a private Kremlin tour to skip the lines for the Kremlin grounds and cathedrals.

The Kremlin and Kitay-gorod are surrounded by two quarters defined by rings of boulevards built over the original ramparts of medieval times, when Moscow's residential areas were divided into the "White Town" or Beliy Gorod, and the humbler "Earth Town" or Zemlyanoy Gorod. Situated within the leafy Boulevard Ring that encloses the Beliy Gorod are such landmarks as the Bolshoy Theatre and the Lubyanka headquarters of the secret police – with its "KGB Museum" – while the Zemlyanoy Gorod that extends to the eight-lane Garden Ring is enlivened by the trendy old and new Arbat streets, with three Stalin skyscrapers dominating the Ring itself.

Beyond this historic core Moscow is too sprawling to explore on foot. Krasnaya Presnya, Fili and the southwest describes a swathe which includes the former Russian Parliament building (known as the White House); Tolstoy's house and the Novodeviche Convent and Cemetery; Victory Park, with its war memorials and Jewish museum; and Moscow State University in the Sparrow Hills – the largest of the Stalin skyscrapers.

Across the river from the Kremlin, Zamoskvorechye and the south are the site of the old and new Tretyakov Gallery's superlative collection of Russian art. Private guided tours are recommended for art enthusiasts. Here too you'll find Gorky Park, the Donskoy and Danilov monasteries that once stood guard against the Tartars, and the romantic ex-royal estates of Tsaritsyno and Kolomenskoe – the latter known for staging folklore festivals and historical pageants.

Taganka and Zayauze, east of the centre, likewise harbour fortified monasteries – the Andronikov, Novospasskiy and Simonov – and the erstwhile noble estates of Kuskovo and Kuzminki, but the main lure for tourists is the Izmaylovo art market. Inside the Izmaylovo Kremlin, a cultural centre, there are also a range of attractions, from the Bread Museum and the Vodka History Museum to the fascinating Museum of Russian Toys.

Moscow's Northern Suburbs cover a vast area with a sprinkling of sights. Foremost is the Memorial and Museum of Cosmonautics and VDNK. For anyone interested in the glory days of the space race, and its monumental landmarks and propaganda, a visit is a must, like on this guided tour . In the vicinity are the Ostankino Palace, Moscow's Botanical Gardens and TV Tower. West from here, the Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines will appeal to visitors with an interest in Soviet social history, too.

Outside Moscow there's scope for day-excursions to the Trinity Monastery of St Sergei, the Abramtsevo artists' colony, Tchaikovsky's house in Kiln, Lenin's estate at Gorki Leninskie, and the battlefield of Borodino, where the battle is re-enacted every September. You can also head out to the village of Aksakovo for a beautiful two-hour troika ride. Further afield, the historic towns of Vladimir and Suzdal are graced by splendid cathedrals and monasteries attesting that they were the seat of a principality when Moscow was merely an encampment. Suzdal is one of the loveliest towns in Russia, and definitely merits an overnight stay. It's also possible to visit the Aviation Museum at Monino air base, en route to Vladimir, if you take the trouble to get permission ahead of time.

This article includes affiliate links; all recommendations are editorially independent.

Top image: Komsomolskaya metro station © Gubin Yury/Shutterstock

While Moscow's Bolshoy Ballet (also spelt "Bolshoi") is going through uncertain times, plagued by infighting and rivalries (not least the recent acid attack on Artistic Director Sergei Filin), few would deny themselves the chance to see this legendary company. During the season, evening performances start at 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at noon; there are no shows on Monday.

You can see what’s on currently and for a few months ahead on the Bolshoy’s website – although the English version sometimes lags behind the Russian one. The ballet company is usually abroad over summer and sometimes also in the autumn, leaving the junior corps de ballet to entertain visitors – although star dancers are certain to be in Moscow for the opening of the new season in September. For more on Russian ballet visit www.for-ballet-lovers-only.com . For those not interested in ballet but more in the historical aspect of the Bolshoy theatre, take a guided historic tour of the grounds.

If you're more interest in Folk Dances, visit the Kostroma Folk Dance show , the most authentic one in Moscow.

Built as a symbol of gratitude to divinity for having aided the Russians’ defeat of Napoleon in 1812, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (daily 10am–6pm), opposite the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts at Volkhonka ul. 15, was demolished in 1931 in favour of a monument to socialism. The project was soon abandoned and years later, under Krushev’s rule, the site was turned into the world’s largest public swimming pool. In 1994 the Cathedral was rebuilt and is now a symbol of Moscow’s (and Russia’s) post-Communist religious revival.

Moscow isn’t a city that goes to bed early. Many venues act as a café by day, restaurant in the early evening, and both bar and club at night. This can cover anything from an arthouse café with a spot of live music to a dance warehouse, or a fancy nightclub with a restaurant and casino. Most cater to a certain crowd, whether it’s creative professionals, students, shell-suited "flatheads" or designer-draped models. While formal dress codes are rare, face control (feys kontrol) is widespread. Russians distinguish between “democratic” face control (aimed at keeping out hooligans and bandits), and the kind that favours the rich (never mind how they behave). It’s unwise to rile club security staff, however rude they might be.

There are scores of trendy bars and clubs on Krasny Oktyabr, a former chocolate factory building located across the river from Kropotkinskaya and now home to some of Moscow’s hippest nightlife.

Learn how to walk, talk, drink and party like a Russian on a small group with Russian spirits.

Moscow's gastronomic scene has improved enormously over the last five years, with hundreds of new cafés and restaurants offering all kinds of cuisine and surroundings, aimed at anyone with a disposable income – from mega-rich New Russians and expense-account expatriates to fashion-conscious wealthy teenagers.

For cheap eats head to a canteen, where you can compile a tray of dishes smorgasbord-style. Take advantage of the great-value business lunches offered by cafés and restaurants during the week between noon and 4pm.

For well over a century, Moscow has been one of the world’s great centres of classical music, opera and ballet, most famously represented by the Bolshoy Theatre but also by its orchestras and choirs. Theatre can be tricky for non-Russian speakers though circus and puppetry surpass the language barrier. Moscow’s film industry and annual international film festival dwarf St Petersburg’s, but at other times most cinemas screen Hollywood blockbusters.

All this can be surprisingly good value, provided you ask for the cheapest ticket available ( samiy deshoviy bilyet ).

Gorky Park on ul. Krymskiy Val 9 (R100; Park Kultury) is a large park occupying an area of over 700 acres along the river. In the winter the frozen-over paths become one of the city’s largest ice rinks, while in the summer Muscovites stroll the area savouring an ice cream.

Admirers of Bulgakov, Chekhov, Gorky and Tolstoy will find their former homes preserved as museums. Anton Chekhov lived at Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya ul. 6, in what is now the Chekhov House-Museum (Tues, Thurs & Sat 11am–6pm, Wed & Fri 2–8pm; R100, student R60; Barrikadnaya), containing humble personal effects, while the Gorky House-Museum (Wed–Sun 11am–6pm, closed last Thurs of the month; free; Arbatskaya) on the corner of Povarskaya ulitsa and ulitsa Spiridonovka is worth seeing purely for its raspberry-pink Art Nouveau decor. Leo Tolstoy admirers should head to the wonderfully preserved Tolstoy Memorial Estate on ul. Lva Tolstogo 21 (Tues, Wed & Fri 10am–6pm, Thurs 1–9pm, Sat & Sun 11am–6pm; R200, student R60; Park Kultury) where the Tolstoy family lived after moving to Moscow from their country estate in 1881, and where the novelist wrote War and Peace . The Bulgakov Museum at Bolshaya Sadovaya ul. 10 (Sun–Thurs 1–11pm, Fri & Sat until 1am; free; t 495/970-0619; Mayakovskaya), is the house where the novelist lived from 1921 to 1924. There are nightly tours (1–6am; R550; phone a week in advance for tour in English).

The Museum of Modern History at Tverskaya ul. 21 (Tues, Wed, Fri 10am–6pm, Thurs & Sat 11am–7pm, Sun 10am–5pm, closed last Fri of the month; R100; Tverskaya) brings the Communist past alive with striking displays of Soviet propaganda posters, photographs and state gifts, although there’s a frustrating lack of English translation.

Opposite the entrance to Gorky Park at Krymskiy Val 10, the New Tretyakov Gallery (Tues–Sun 10am–7.30pm; R360, student R220; Park Kultury) takes a breakneck gallop through twentieth-century Russian art, from the avant-garde of the 1910–1920s to contemporary artists. Full and illuminating commentary in English is a bonus.

A cluster of shining domes above a fortified rampart belongs to the lovely Novodevichiy Convent (daily 10am–5pm; closed Tues & last Mon of month; R150; Sportivnaya), founded by Ivan the Terrible in 1524. At its heart stands the white Cathedral of the Virgin of Smolensk. In its cemetery lie numerous famous writers, musicians and artists, including Gogol, Chekhov, Stanislavsky, Bulgakov and Shostakovich.

One of Moscow’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, Patriarch’s Ponds is a pleasant spot (there’s actually just one pond) for a summer stroll or an ice-skate on its frozen waters in the depths of winter. The area is also known for being the location of the opening scene of Mikhail Bulgakov’s magical realist novel The Master and Margarita .

Founded in 1898 in honour of the famous Russian poet, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts at Volkhonka ul. 12 (Tues–Sun 10am–7pm; R150–300, separate fee for Impressionist wing; Kropotkinskaya) holds a hefty collection of European paintings , from Italian High Renaissance works to Rembrandt, and an outstanding display of Impressionist works.

Get the city grit out of your skin at the exquisitely elaborate Sandunovsky baths (Neglinnaya ul. 14 bldg 3–7 w www.sanduny.ru ; Teatralnaya), patronized by Muscovites since 1896. Join Russian businessmen and socialites in the banya , a wooden hut heated with a furnace, where you are invited to sweat out impurities, get beaten energetically with birch twigs, and finally plunge into ice-cold water. Men’s and women’s baths are separate, with the women’s section more like a modern spa. A three-hour session costs R1000. Daily 8am–10pm.

Founded in 1892 by the financier Pavel Tretyakov, the Tretyakov Gallery at Lavrushinskiy per. 10 (Tues–Sun 10am–7.30pm; R360, student R220; Tretyakovskaya) displays an outstanding collection of pre-Revolutionary Russian art. Russian icons are magnificently displayed, and the exhibition continues through to the late nineteenth century, with the politically charged canvases of the iconic realist Ilya Repin and the Impressionist portraits of Valentin Serov, including The Girl with Peaches , one of the gallery’s masterpieces.

To see Soviet triumphalism at its most prolific, visit the Exhibition of Economic Achievements, or VDNKh (Prospekt Mira; VDNK/Prospekt Mira), with its statue upon statue of ordinary workers in heroic poses. Adding to the scene is the permanent trade-fair-cum-shopping-centre housed in the grandiose Stalinist architecture of the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition of 1939, and the People’s Friendship Fountain, flanked by Soviet maidens, each symbolizing a Soviet republic. One of the most hubristic Soviet monuments ever built is the Space Obelisk , which bears witness to Soviet designs on the stratosphere. Unveiled in 1964 – three years after Gagarin orbited the earth – it’s a sculpture of a rocket blasting nearly 100m into the sky on a plume of energy clad in shining titanium. Moscow’s giant Ferris wheel, small amusement park and numerous food vendors help to create a fairground-like atmosphere. For a fantastic view over the VDNK, take the lift to the 25th floor of Hotel Cosmos across Prospekt Mira.

Discover more places in Russia

• The Kremlin

The Rough Guides to Russia and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Find even more inspiration here

Planning your own trip? Prepare for your trip

Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 26.04.2021

Ready to travel and discover Russia?

Get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.

• Where to stay
• Travel advice

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

R&K Insider

Join our newsletter to get exclusives on where our correspondents travel, what they eat, where they stay. Free to sign up.

A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Destinations in the World: The Gold List 2022

By CNT Editors

There are three great lists annually in  Condé Nast Traveler,  all of which have changed due to the events of the last two years: the Readers’ Choice Awards , which you, our beloved audience, select; the Hot List , which compiles the new and notable of the previous year; and this one, which is ultimately about the places and experiences our editors carry in their hearts. This year, when we say  our editors,  we mean  CNT ’s entire global crew, working in locations from California to Beijing ; we’ve also expanded the parameters of the list to include not just the hotels and cruises you’ve seen in years past, but also the destinations we treasure. The Gold List is, more than ever, made by humans for other humans—something we need more than ever in this day and age. Here, our favorite destinations in the world.

Read the complete set of Gold List winners   here .

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Puebla, Mexico

I love when I can feel familiar with a new place in 48 hours. In Puebla , Mexico’s historic, fourth-largest city, all the spots you want to hit are walking distance within its center, itself a tidy sprawl of bright pink and yellow villas and small plazas. That includes food markets for a crispy cemita (a schnitzel-­style sandwich with all the fixings); the gilded Capilla del Rosario and the city’s famed talavera, or ceramic houses; I stayed for close to an hour watching the row of artisans hand-paint and hand-fire their mugs, plates, and vases at Uriarte Talavera. Before the pandemic, tourism was just starting to happen here, and the city was in that sweet spot of supporting a new breed of traveler, like with the artisanal-inspired Cartesiano hotel, but without muting any of its essence for international business. I liked that I had to use my shoddy Spanish with barkeeps and store owners. And that sitting in those plazas meant a front-row seat to daily Poblano life: vendors selling sliced cucumber spices with cayenne, old-timers playing dominos. Puebla felt like a special somewhere on the verge of discovery in a country with pockets already turned over to the masses. My guess with all that’s happened this past year is that it still does. —Erin Florio

Rio de Janeiro

If you were to hook the city of Rio de Janeiro up to a cardiogram, the needle would swing off the page. The city thrums with live samba and bossa nova at all hours of the day; the bustling streets, bookended by the dramatic rise of granite monoliths on one end and the pounding waves of the Atlantic on the other, have a pulse all their own. It's easy to feel this when you're amid throngs of colorfully clad cariocas —I feel it most swaying to the live music at Pedra do Sal on Monday nights, or when, perched in the leafy hilltop neighborhood of Santa Teresa, I hear people in neighborhoods below lean out their windows to cheer when Flamengo scores a goal. It's a complicated city, with plenty of issues—insecurity, corruption, inequity, to name just a few—but there's a premium on joy and celebration that isn't reserved for Carnaval . There are few places in the world where you know you couldn't possibly be anywhere else, and whenever I hear the whole of Arpoador beach break into applause as the sun sets in summer, I'm reminded that Rio is one of them. —Megan Spurrell

Alentejo, Portugal

I call the road to the sea through Portugal’s Alentejo region the place where the beatniks read Pessoa; you can imagine Kerouac breezing through its small hotels, surf camps, and villages scattered with craft shops, markets, and bohemian bars. For me it’s a place of happiness. There are boutique hotels like São Lourenço do Barrocal and Dá Licença and olive groves, cork oaks, and infinite horizons. The road ends at Vicentine Coast National Park, a wild, protected coastline in southern Europe. A paradise for surfers , it has electrifying sunsets, but the icy waters stop it from ever getting too crowded. —David Moralejo

Svalbard, Norway

Arctic Svalbard —whose capital, Longyearbyen, is the world’s northernmost town—is like nowhere else I’ve been. On the one hand, it’s a deep-nature Scandi fantasy of snowmobiles, Northern Lights, ski-touring along glacial valleys, and surprisingly smart boutiques with stacked wine cellars. But there’s also a compelling strangeness to this international settlement, where no one is born and no one dies. There are the Soviet mining towns with their Lenin busts, whether abandoned or (even weirder) still working; the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which preempts a coming apocalypse; it’s advisable to leave Longyearbyen with a shotgun, in case of polar-bear attack. As much as a destination, it’s a journey into the heart of the climate crisis, with academics from across the world doing game-changing research here. I’m itching to go again—to escape but also to think and connect, which is what happens in all the best places. —Toby Skinner

My first trip to Goa as a college student was wrapped in dreams of homemade chorizo and reliving moments from the cult Bollywood coming-of-age film Dil Chahta Hai . Many trips and feni cocktails later, Goa remained a respite for my city-weary bones. The state straddles its multicultural past and present, trading up ’60s hippie markets for hipster boutiques while keeping its old-world Indian and Portuguese traditions intact. Simple fish-curry plates, aunties doing an impromptu jig to fado, old-timers squabbling over their favorite Goan soccer club, and the right freshness of bread coexist with edgy global menus, alt-music gigs, and all that is artisanal and arty. The ocean changes color from one season to the next, the multi-color sunsets never repeat, and like many travelers, I continue to return and find my salve in sunshine, sea, and susegad —the quintessential Goan idea of the slow, easy, and good life. —Diya Kohl

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Plettenberg Bay is South Africa's summer playground, and I, a Capetonian, would drive the 186-mile coastal path along the scenic Garden Route each year to join the fun. The bohemian seaside town sits atop a sheltered bay, where a jumble of hipster coffee shops, seafood restaurants, and kitsch boutiques tumble down onto fynbos-covered cliffs—where a slew of new hotels like The Robberg Beach Lodge sit beside grandes dames like The Plettenberg Hotel . Pretty young things like to celebrate the end of matric student exams, where hedonism sweeps across the bay, while dolphin and whale watches come during the languid, warm winter months. Venture just outside Plett to find the luxury Tsala Treetop Lodge , a manicured Gary Player golf course, indigenous Keurbooms River Nature Reserve, the Plett Polo Club on the Kurland Estate, and a host of animal sanctuaries to meet cheetahs, elephants, and monkeys. But above all, come for the glorious golden beaches. Central Beach—dotted with bars—surfy Lookout Beach, and the eerie, mist-covered sands of Robberg Nature Reserve. Search hard enough and you might stumble on a sand dollar—the symbol of Plettenberg Bay, thought to bring eternal luck. —Isabella Sullivan

When I can’t take another minute of winter, I head to Scottsdale. As, historically, do the day-drinking spring breakers and the far less rowdy snowbirds. Recently, though, the Valley of the Sun has come into its own, claiming its stunning desert setting and Southwest culture in new ways. If I’m bringing the kids, the 1929 Frank Lloyd Wright–designed grande dame The Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (on the border of Scottsdale and Phoenix), is my place. It has sprawling grounds and seven pools, one with a legitimate waterslide, and just underwent a much-needed facelift. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort , terraced into the side of its namesake adobe-hued mountain, has my favorite spa in town. Its adults-only pool on weekends and easy access to sunrise hiking give me plenty of excuses to leave the kids at home. Solo or with family, I can always bank on sunshine, a great exhibit at Phoenix’s nearby Desert Botanical Garden, and excellent Sonoran-style Mexican food. —Rebecca Misner

Val Graziosa, Italy

I am a frequent traveler to Val Graziosa, a valley near the Pisan mountains and a part of Tuscany relatively unknown and terribly beautiful. Here there is Monte Pisano—“ che i Pisan veder Lucca non ponno, ” the poet Dante said, a small group of mountains that hides Lucca from Pisa and makes it impossible for the Pisan locals to see the city of Lucca. There are olive trees everywhere, producing the best olive oil on Earth in a splendid countryside. I love to walk around the surroundings of Montemagno—please read the book Maledetti Toscani, by Curzio Malaparte, and you will understand a lot about Italians from this region. I love to go to the grocery store in Patrizia for a glass of wine (the one and only épicerie of the village) and then to Certosa di Calci, a 14th-century monastery, and one of the many secret beauties in my crazy country of Italy. —Maddalena Fosati

Chiang Mai, Thailand

When I first went to Chiang Mai, I intended to stay a couple of nights and ended up staying more than a week; for me, that trip is a reminder of travel at its most impulsive and impetuous: the freedom to move on when you feel like it. There’s no beach pressure here, and inland Thailand always feels more interesting than the obvious hits of the beachfront. And, away from the beaches, there's the sense of a modern Thai city where young creatives are carving out a contemporary aesthetic, with the energy that a large student population gives a city. —Rick Jordan

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

Check Out Our 32 Fave Amazon Picks! 📦

20 Activities for the Travel-Curious Classroom

A list of culture-boosting activities for a classroom or travel club.

You’ve assigned the translation worksheets and the what-did-you-do-over-holiday-break essays. And it’s great because you’ve got them thinking about life in other parts of the world. But what’s next? If you’re like us at EF Tours , you’re constantly on the hunt for ways to bring students closer to the world at large. That’s why we thought a list of culture-boosting activities could be really helpful in a classroom, or for a travel club.

Grab a copy of the EF Journal

We hear great stories, tips, and insights from within our community of travelers, educators, and wanderers nearly every day. So, we’re sharing them with the world: cue the EF Journal . Within its pages, you can find fresh perspectives, fun activities, discussion topics, and more .

Do a Google Earth scavenger hunt

Exploring the world can start in the classroom. Find the coordinates for the world’s greatest wonders and hidden gems, then task your students with finding them on Google Earth , a free resource by Google that allows users to explore the world via satellite imagery. You can spice it up by including initial coordinates and some directions (move two blocks and then take a right), then asking them to describe the exciting new place they’ve discovered.

Host a music video watch party

Music aficionados, rejoice! Bring your favorite foreign language music videos, crowdsource some from your group, and have a music video marathon. Bonus points if your video includes elaborate dance routines  to practice.

Lead a lesson on body language from around the world

We all know that different parts of the world speak different languages . But what we might forget is that the body language and gestures we use each day may have different meanings when we’re abroad, and vice versa. With a quick Google search , you can find out how body language is used around the world—and practice nonverbal communication with your students.

Play geography trivia

Play into your students’ competitive spirit with a little travel trivia—find some questions online, or make some of your own. Either way, a little competition never hurt anyone, right?

Hold an international flavor taste-test

Seaweed potato chips. Green Tea Kit Kats. Melon Fanta. The world is wide and the combinations of national treasures with unique international flavors are endless. Lucky for your students, many of these oddball flavors can be ordered online . Just get a unique assortment of flavored snacks and test them out—Oreos are a good place to start since they come in a variety of flavors, they’re low-cost and easy to order online, and frankly, universally loved.

Try a suitcase challenge

Put your packing  skills to the test. Tightly pack a suitcase with funny items, then time your students on how quickly they can unpack and then re-pack it themselves. To keep it interesting, keep a scoreboard or play for small prizes.

Have a Carnival celebration

Carnival: It’s feathers, not Ferris wheels; costumes, not corn dogs; brass bands, not bumpy rides. It’s an annual festival of dancing, masks, and parades that is celebrated in over 20 countries around the world, including Brazil , Italy, and Jamaica—and now in your classroom. Explore the importance of Carnival in various regions and maybe have celebration of your own.

Need more ideas? Here are a few to get you started.

• Do a local photography challenge
• Have a souvenir show and tell
• Lead an origami lesson
• Take a group cooking class
• Watch a foreign language TV show
• Try a local foreign restaurant
• Pair up with pen pals
• Explore the Guggenheim, virtually  
• Create travel bucket lists
• Have a Chinese New Year celebration
• Watch a themed documentary as a group
• Hold a Día de los Muertos celebration

You Might Also Like

20 Travel Classroom Theme Ideas

Show them the world from your classroom. Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

• Travel Planning Center
• Ticket Changes & Refunds
• Airline Partners
• Check-in & Security
• Delta Sky Club®
• Airport Maps & Locations
• Flight Deals
• Flight Schedules
• Destinations
• Onboard Experience
• Delta Cruises
• Delta Vacations
• Delta Car Rentals
• Delta Stays
• Onboard Wi-Fi
• Delta Trip Protection
• How to Earn Miles
• Ways to Redeem Miles
• Buy or Transfer Miles
• Travel with Miles
• SkyMiles Partners & Offers
• SkyMiles Award Deals
• SkyMiles Credit Cards
• SkyMiles Airline Partners
• SkyMiles Program Overview​
• How to Get Medallion Status​
• Benefits at Each Tier
• News & Updates
• Help Center
• Travel Planning FAQs
• Certificates & eCredits
• Accessible Travel Services
• Child & Infant Travel
• Special Circumstances
• SkyMiles Help

Introducing the new Delta One Lounge, a destination like no other – offering world-class dining, indulgent wellness experiences and a new standard of elevated service.

Delta One passengers with a same-day Delta One ticket (departing or arriving from their flight in the Delta One cabin) are welcome to access the Delta One Lounge.   

In-page Links

• Elevated Amenities , Go to footer note
• Hours & Locations , Go to footer note
• House Rules , Go to footer note
• Frequently Asked Questions , Go to footer note

Elevated Amenities

Exceptional dining, attentive, personalized service, wellness and relaxation.

JFK Operating Hours: 4:30 A.M. - 11:00 P.M. Daily

BOS and LAX locations coming soon!

House Rules

• Same-day departing or arriving Delta One ticketed passengers (i.e., seated in the Delta One class of service);
• Delta 360 o ™ Members departing or arriving on a same-day ticket in Delta First Class;
• Air France La Premiere and Business Class (Long-Haul);
• LATAM Premium Business Class;
• KLM Business Class;
• Korean Air First Class and Prestige Class; and
• Virgin Atlantic Upper Class.
• Other credentials, such as Delta Sky Club membership or qualifying credit cards, cannot be used to access the Delta One Lounge.
• Individuals must be at least 18 years of age to access the Delta One Lounge without a responsible, supervising adult.
• Delta reserves the right to refuse admittance to anyone who interferes with the business-like atmosphere of the Delta One Lounge or appears to be intoxicated.
• Attire while in the Delta One Lounge must be in keeping with good taste and a dignified atmosphere.
• Delta reserves the right to remove any visitor for inappropriate conduct, including but not limited to conduct that’s undignified, disruptive, abusive or violent, or for failing to comply with the Delta One Lounge House Rules.
• Usage of a Delta One ticket to access the Delta One Lounge without good faith intent to fly on the ticketed itinerary is a violation of these House Rules and may result in permanent disqualification from accessing the Delta One Lounge and the Delta Sky Club.
• Gate passes will not be issued for entry. Eligible passenger/member must have a qualifying flight boarding pass to access the secure area for lounge admittance.
• Eligible Delta 360 o Members traveling in Delta One or First Class may bring their immediate family (spouse/domestic partner and children under the age of 21), or up to 2 companion guests, for an entry fee of $100 per person. Companion guest must be flying on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
• Children under 2 years of age may accompany the eligible Delta One Lounge customer at no charge.
• Alcoholic beverages will not be served to anyone under 21 years of age.
• Alcoholic beverages may not be brought into any Delta One Lounge.
• Food and beverages may not be removed from any Delta One Lounge.
• Usage of the Wellness and Relaxation area and any wellness amenities offered within the Lounge is at your own risk and available only to customers and companion guest who are at least 18 years of age. By entering the Wellness and Relaxation area or accepting any wellness amenities or services, you hereby assume the risks incident to receipt of wellness services.  Customers agree to sign the Delta One Lounge Liability Release form prior to participating in or receiving any wellness services.
• By accepting services offered in the Delta One Lounge (including without limitation massage, aromatherapy or skincare services – collectively, the “wellness services”), customers and companion guest agrees to release, indemnify and hold harmless Delta and its successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims and demands of whatever kind of nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from the wellness services and any participation therein, including from any liability or claim against Delta or its partners or vendors with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death or property damage that may result from the wellness services.
• Delta’s Carry-On Pet Policy will apply for pets accompanying customers into the Delta One Lounge. Pets permitted in the Delta One Lounge include dogs, cats and household birds. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old and must remain inside the kennel with the door secured at all times. We reserve the right to ask owners to remove pets from the lounge at our discretion. Pet must be placed on the floor while at the food bar and cannot be within the restaurant area.

Guidelines for service animals

• Service animals must be trained to behave properly in public settings and follow the direction of its owner.
• Lounge customers are limited to two trained service animals, which must be dogs.
• Service animals must be clean and under the customer’s control at all times.
• No service animals are allowed to occupy seats that are designed for Lounge customers.
• Service animals must not eat or drink from Delta One Lounge serviceware.
• Service animals may not engage in disruptive behavior such as roaming freely, barking, growling or biting.
• Smoking, chewing tobacco, smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarette use is not permitted in any Delta One Lounge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customers will be able to access if they are:

• Traveling with a same-day departing or arriving Delta One ticket (i.e., a ticket containing one or more flights operated by Delta including a seat assignment in the Delta One class of service in the direction of travel);
• Delta 360 o ™ Members traveling to any destination with a same-day departing or arriving Delta First Class ticket; or
• No, customers will not be able to access the Lounges with American Express cardholder credentials or Delta Sky Club membership. 
• No; customers departing from, connecting through, and arriving at JFK will have access as long as they hold a Delta One ticket or are a Delta 360 o Member traveling on a same-day ticket in Delta First Class. The Delta One Lounge access policy is distinct from the Delta Sky Club access policy.
• Yes, you are eligible to access the Delta One Lounge if you have a confirmed Delta One seat at time of Delta One Lounge check-in.
• Delta One customers, select eligible partner airline customers in a qualifying premium cabin and Delta 360 o  Members flying First Class, will have access to the Lounge.
• Delta 360 o  Members traveling in Delta One or Delta First Class may pay to bring in eligible companion guests who may be traveling in a different class of service on a same-day Delta flight.
• Eligible Delta 360 o  Members traveling in Delta One or Delta First Class may bring their immediate family (spouse/domestic partner and children under the age of 21), or up to 2 companion guests, for an entry fee of $100 (or 10,000 miles) per person. Children under the age of 2 may accompany the eligible Delta One Lounge customer at no charge.
• Memberships to access the Delta One Lounge are not available for purchase. Access is reserved for customers traveling in the Delta One cabin.
• Yes, entry fees for eligible companion guests (up to 2 companion guests or immediate family) can be paid using the Delta 360 o Member’s miles, at a rate of 10,000 miles per companion guest. For example, the entry fee for 2 guests (10,000 miles each) would equate to 20,000 miles. 
• No, day passes will not be available for purchase to access the Lounge.
• Service animals and certain pets (in alignment with Delta’s Carry-On Pet Policy ) are permitted in the Delta One Lounge. Please visit the Delta One Lounge House Rules for Delta’s service animal and pet policy guidelines.
• Please reach out to our  Service Center  for assistance. 
• Investor Relations
• Business Travel
• Travel Agents
• Comment/Complaint
• Browser Compatibility
• Accessibility
• Booking Information
• Customer Commitment
• Tarmac Delay Plan
• Sustainability
• Contract of Carriage
• Cookies, Privacy & Security
• Human Trafficking Statement (PDF)

Follow A Sea Of Blue online:

• Follow A Sea Of Blue on Twitter
• Follow A Sea Of Blue on Facebook

Site search

• Kentucky Wildcats Football
• Kentucky Wildcats Basketball
• Other Sports
• College Football Recruiting
• College Basketball Recruiting
• Full Archive
• Community Guidelines
• A Sea of Blue News Wire
• Media Resources
• Yahoo Wildcats News
• Yahoo Wildcats Team Page
• Yahoo Wildcats Transactions
• Odds & Fantasy

Filed under:

• Kentucky wildcats men's basketball recruiting

Braylon Mullins and Tounde Yessoufou set to visit Kentucky Basketball

Kentucky is starting to heat up the recruiting in the class of 2025.

Share this story

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Twitter
• Share this on Reddit
• Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: Braylon Mullins and Tounde Yessoufou set to visit Kentucky Basketball

The Kentucky Wildcats are set to get official visits from class of 2025 recruits Tounde Yessoufou and Braylon Mullins .

According to Joe Tipton of On3 , Yessoufou, the No. 21 player in the class of 2025 at 247 Sports Composite, is set to visit Kentucky in August. The visit will be either August 1st or August 2nd as both parties work on the final plan for the visit.

Yessoufou is a 6-foot-5, 211-pound small forward from Santa Maria (CA). His highest ranking is No. 13 overall by On3.

At this moment, Kentucky has not offered Yessoufou, but that could change once he comes to Lexington for his official visit.

Yessoufou, who is a native of the West African nation of Benin, has always looked at Kentucky as a school he could play for, telling KSR back in May.

“That was my dream school when I came to the United States. I definitely wanted an offer from Coach Cal, but he’s obviously gone,” Yessoufou told Jack Pilgrim of KSR. “I’ve heard about Coach Pope, and he’s definitely got great energy. Just from FaceTiming him, you can tell he has amazing energy. I love being around coaches like that. Kentucky is a great program — for me, it’s top-10 in the country, definitely. With his history — you know, he used to play over there — so he brings a lot.”

When John Calipari was at Kentucky, they did not show interest in Yessoufou. However, since Pope and his staff have taken over, they’ve been making up ground.

“Arizona is a school that has been carrying momentum with Yessoufou as they built a relationship early, and he officially visited Tommy Lloyd and Co. earlier this month,” Tipton of On3 says. “The new staff at USC has also made him a priority since arriving in LA. In speaking with sources, Kentucky is making up ground quickly.”

As for Mullins, he’s a 6-foot-5, 180-pound shooting guard from Greenfield (IN). According to 247 Sports Composite, which measures all the major recruiting rankings, he is ranked No. 75 nationally. His highest ranking is No. 24 overall by 247 Sports.

Braylon Mullins’ father, Josh Mullins, told A Sea of Blue that he will be taking an official visit to Kentucky on October 25th-27th. Mullins recently received an offer from Kentucky after a recent visit to Lexington earlier this week.

Josh also added that the hope is to cut Braylon’s list down to five to eight schools in August and, after they finish visits, to cut it down to three or four schools.

Here is a complete list of his schools that he will be taking an official visit as of now:

• UConn (August 1st-2nd)
• Michigan (September 7th)
• UNC (September 14th-15th)
• Indiana (September 21st)
• Tennessee (October 19th)
• Kentucky (October 25th-27th)

Kentucky seems very interested in Mullins, with him already visiting earlier and getting an offer. With another visit set to happen in October, it feels like Mullins is a top priority for Mark Pope and Co.

Want more A Sea Of Blue coverage? Then follow our Twitter page and like us on Facebook to get all the latest Kentucky Wildcats news and views. Go CATS!

More From A Sea Of Blue

• Sunday Headlines: Barion Brown listed as top-10 receiver in college football
• Javeon Campbell sets decision date: Kentucky gets a key prediction
• Saturday Headlines: Travis Perry and Trent Noah recruiting Malachi Moreno
• Immanuel Quickley gets $175 million deal with the Raptors
• Tre Mitchell agrees to an NBA Summer League Deal with OKC Thunder
• Darius Acuff no longer considering Kentucky

Loading comments...

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• World's Best

The Top 15 Tour Operators in 2021

Scott Bay is a magazine editor specializing in travel, architecture, and gear. He was previously an assistant editor at Travel + Leisure . His work has also appeared in Wired , Architectural Digest , Wallpaper , Robb Report , Saveur , Daily Beast , and more.

Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite tour operators .

This year's World's Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year's honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world.

Linking up with the right tour operator can take an amazing trip and turn it into a trip of a lifetime . This might seem like magic, but their in-the-know expertise and long-standing relationships open the doors for the seemingly impossible — a private Jeep safari with a professional tracking team in the depths of Torres del Paine or one-on-one cooking classes from a chef that runs a Michelin-starred restaurant in the south of France. And if any group has traversed the world enough to discern the best tour operators out there, it's the readers of Travel + Leisure .

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.

The companies that made the list have the skills and connections to create itineraries that reflect their clients' personal interests. No. 3 VBT Bicycling Vacations curates two-wheeled trips all over the globe . One reader said, "Their staff make all the difference." No. 2 Mountain Lodges of Peru puts together highly personalized trekking adventures to Machu Picchu. As another reader exclaimed, "This is the way to visit Machu Picchu!"

But at the top of the list is Quasar Expeditions. Though primarily known for its cruises (the company won the small-ship ocean cruises category this year), it also operates a roster of dynamic safari-style excursions in South America. Read on to find out what sets it apart and which other companies join it on this year's list of the best tour operators in the world.

1. Quasar Expeditions

Quasar Expeditions is for adventurers. The highly specialized itineraries are designed to make guests feel like they're James Cook or Charles Darwin. "Quasar Expeditions' guides are the ultimate, passionate gatekeepers to the Galápagos Islands," one reader said. "Their enthusiasm and love of the islands and the wildlife encourages you to share in their passion and desire to conserve the natural beauty and habitat of the area while still allowing low-impact tourism." Another raved, "Excellent isn't a high enough rating to describe our experience with Quasar Expeditions. Extraordinary in every way!" And while Quasar is best known for its Galápagos trips, it gets high marks for its Patagonia itineraries, which takes guests into the best parts of Chile's Torres del Paine and Argentina's Los Glaciares — two of South America's most spectacular national parks.

Score: 99.58 More information: quasarex.com

2. Mountain Lodges of Peru

Score: 98.93 More information: mountainlodgesofperu.com

3. VBT Bicycling Vacations

Score: 98.70 More information: vbt.com

4. Classic Journeys

Score: 98.60 More information: classicjourneys.com

5. TCS World Travel

Score: 97.55 More information: tcsworldtravel.com

6. Black Tomato

Score: 97.25 More information: blacktomato.com/us

7. Inside Japan Tours

Score: 96.84 More information: insidejapantours.com

Score: 96.72 More information: tauck.com

9. Wilderness Travel

Score: 95.71 More information: wildernesstravel.com

10. Trek Travel

Score: 95.71 More information: trektravel.com

11. Geographic Expeditions

Score: 95.70 More information: geoex.com

12. Thomson Family Adventures

Score: 94.89 More information: familyadventures.com

13. Greaves

Score: 94.74 More information: greavesindia.com

14. DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.

Score: 94.64 More information: duvine.com

15. Odysseys Unlimited

Score: 94.39 More information: odysseys-unlimited.com

See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2021 .

Related Articles

'A Gentleman in Moscow' Review — Ewan McGregor Effortlessly Charms From a Gilded Cage

• Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead's chemistry shines in A Gentleman in Moscow as Alexander navigates relationships in his gilded cage.
• The storytelling cleverly deploys nonlinear narrative and amusing dialogue to engage the viewer.
• A slow start evolves into a compelling historical epic within the Metropol's walls.

Based on Amor Towles ’ critically acclaimed novel by the same name, A Gentleman in Moscow is Showtime’s next great historical drama. While the mention of “Moscow” in the title might make the mind’s eye wander down snowy streets in the shadow of Saint Basil's Cathedral, A Gentleman in Moscow is far removed from the sprawl of a struggling society and is instead a far more quaint tale , set within the confines of a grandiose hotel-turned-prison cell.

Like the gilt Fabergé egg that adorns the poster for the series, Count Alexander Rostov’s ( Ewan McGregor ) existence is a reminder of the opulence of bygone days—an ostentatious relic. He serves no real purpose in the grand scheme of things, except to be watched within his gilded cage, and kept account of by authorities, much like the dwindling few eggs that sit in collections around the world. And much like the Fabergé egg, Alexander’s life is inextricably linked to the tragic downfall of the Romanov family and the Bolshevik revolution of 1917 that followed.

The series starts swiftly, with the Bolshevik tribunal sentencing the Count to a lifetime of confinement within the walls of the Metropol Hotel. He is spared a far worse sentencing ( death ) due to the poem that he allegedly penned, which critiqued the upper class and questioned the purpose of the royal family. These are, of course, ideals that the Bolsheviks agree with, even if they are being echoed by a Count who benefited from the institutions he criticized. As with Towles’ novel, much of the Count’s life before the revolution is shown through fragmented flashbacks dotted throughout the series, as well as through illuminating conversations with his compatriots — or, rather, comrades, Mishka ( Fehinti Balogun ) and Prince Nikolai Petrov ( Paul Ready ).

A Gentleman in Moscow

A Russian aristocrat is spared from death and placed on house arrest while the Bolshevik Revolution plays out before him.

Release Date March 29, 2024

Cast Leah Harvey, Anastasia Hille, Beau Gadsdon, Bjrn Hlynur Haraldsson, Paul Ready, Johnny Harris, Ewan McGregor, Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Main Genre Drama

Genres Drama

‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ Breathes New Life Into Its Characters

With Ben Vanstone as the guiding hand for the series, A Gentleman in Moscow was smartly adapted from page to screen. Rather than embracing the novel's insular storytelling, with the Count as the sole protagonist, Vanstone has widened the narrative to bring more life to the surrounding characters — particularly the women who come in and out of his life, and the gilded doors of the Metropol. It would have been very easy to frame Anna Urbanova ( Mary Elizabeth Winstead ) as little more than the Count’s on-again-off-again girlfriend. Her life outside of Alexander doesn’t matter on the page; she only exists when she is with him or on his mind. Perhaps with a different creative team, that would have been exactly how she was portrayed, but Vanstone veered far away from playing straight into that trope. Instead, Anna’s life outside of Alexander is given depth . Her career as an actress is a vital subplot that weaves through each episode, headed towards a larger plot point. While she and the Count do fall into bed on numerous occasions, it’s always handled tastefully and shown as a relationship that she holds the reins to. Courting a criminal comes at great personal risk to her budding career, which makes the shifted narrative all the more vital.

A Gentleman in Moscow marks the third time that McGregor and Winstead have shared the screen following their performances in Fargo and Birds of Prey , and their real-life chemistry beautifully carries through into the relationship between Alexander and Anna. They play off each other naturally, and their performances are just as electric, regardless of whether Anna is keeping his delusions of grandeur in check or he’s sprawled out naked on the ground with nothing more than a towel to hide the… Fabergé eggs. McGregor and Winstead's dynamic is half the fun of A Gentleman in Moscow . It’s refreshing to have even more historical romances to talk about around the watercooler — and audiences will be raving about this series given its weekly release schedule.

While Alexander’s relationship with Anna is at the heart of A Gentleman in Moscow , the soul of the series is his unlikely friendships with two little girls who call the Metropol home during different periods of his imprisonment. First is Nina Kulikova ( Alexa Goodall ), a curly-haired spitfire who has everyone in the hotel wrapped around her finger. It’s through Nina that Alexander starts to make genuine connections with the host of characters around him, which changes him for the better. Years after Nina has been set free from Alexander’s gilded cage, a second young girl comes into Alexander’s life: Sofia ( Billie Gadsdon ). Through both girls, Alexander gets to experience what fatherhood might have looked like for him had he not been ensnared by the Bolsheviks.

Another notable and equally unlikely friendship that Alexander makes at the Metropol is the one that he forges with Osip Glebnikov ( Johnny Harris ), the man tasked with ensuring he never leaves the hotel. Glebnikov enlists Alexander in training him to be more of a gentleman. Given his upbringing, he was never afforded the same access to scholarly works or classic literature as Alexander, and this academic pursuit becomes their evening conversations over supper.

One such conversation centers on Victor Hugo ’s seminal work, Les Misérables , which is a cause of confusion for Glebnikov, who withers at the notion of Javert (spoilers for a 162-year-old book) committing suicide. While the conversation about Les Misérables may be brief, the comparison between the two works is undeniable. Alexander, much like Jean Valjean, is a prisoner of circumstances, though on wildly different sides of the scale. While Valjean escapes from his jailor, Javert, for large swaths of time, Alexander is always right where Glebnikov left him within the halls of the Metropol. The true comparison, however, arises when Alexander is tasked with the care of young Sofia by her mother, much in the same way Fantine entrusts Cosette’s future with Valjean. Further comparisons could be made with the setting of both tales, as they are both set against uprisings, revolutions, class disparity, and the sort of socialist discourse that would make Karl Marx sit up in his grave. And, much like the stage musical, A Gentleman in Moscow is all about the turning of the years.

‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ Starts Slow, But Builds to a Pulse-Pounding Conclusion

Spread out across eight episodes, A Gentleman in Moscow spans approximately forty years of Alexander’s life in captivity. With each new episode, a running total of how many days he has spent in his lavish prison is tallied up. Occasionally, the episodes will work backward from each shocking total, which cleverly hooks the audience right from the onset of the episode. Except for his visible aging and waning agility, the Count remains largely stagnant as the world changes around him. He has very little control over his circumstances, which means a lot happens to him, not with him. People come and go around him, relationships are formed, babies are born, those babies grow up and go to war, people die, and Russia evolves—for better and for worse.

The first handful of episodes start slowly, particularly where Alexander’s passivity is concerned, but as he begins to come to terms with his situation and connect with the vibrant world around him, however small it may be, the pace finally picks up. Without revealing too many details about the final episodes of the series, one might be able to imagine what sort of turmoil might visit his gilded cage once Stalin’s regime falls and America starts poking around the ruins of the government. The passage of time is cleverly shown through more than just a running total and graying hair. While Alexander’s wardrobe rarely receives an upgrade, the people around him represent the ever-evolving world beyond the Metropol. Anna is the best bellwether for societal changes as her appearance transforms from a picture-perfect blonde bombshell with rising hemlines to her natural brunette curls and sophisticated elegance. As time continues to pass, she even dons cozy sweaters that mirror Alexander’s own comfortable existence.

While it is unlikely that A Gentleman in Moscow intended for Ewan McGregor to look like a dark academia fever dream, every bit of the Count’s character design screams the aesthetic. From the unkempt coif of permed curls to his longjohns-clad calisthenics in a dusty attic, Alexander looks more like an eccentric history professor than a count whose wings have been clipped. McGregor brings a charming congenitally to the role that makes the Count ever so beguiling , particularly when he gets to act opposite the younger members of the cast. When he’s not going toe-to-toe with Winstead, he’s at his best keeping up with the spry wit of Goodall and Gadsdon's characters.

A Gentleman in Moscow lives up to the expectations set by Towles’ novel and delivers a sprawling historical epic contained within the walls of a single location. The Count’s world might be as small as the Metropol, but he lives vicariously through the relationships he makes — and, by extension, so do we. With mystery, danger, and intrigue threaded throughout, A Gentleman in Moscow has the potential to dominate cultural conversation in the same way that Shōgun and The Gilded Age have nourished audiences who are starved for well-told, compelling tales.

A Gentleman in Moscow lives up to the original novel it adapts, delivering a sprawling historical epic confined to a single location.

• Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead electrify the screen with their chemistry and natural ease together.
• The writing is clever, both with its amusing dialogue and the way it deploys nonlinear storytelling to keep audiences engaged.
• The set and costume design are sumptuous and visually appealing.
• The first handful of episodes are quite slow, but the series does eventually pick up as the story unfolds.

A Gentleman in Moscow premieres March 29 on streaming and on-demand on Paramount+ with Showtime before its on-air debut on March 31.

Watch on Paramount+

• SI SWIMSUIT
• SI SPORTSBOOK
• ALL THINGS BAMA

5-Star Cornerback Joins 2025 Alabama Recruiting Class

Blake byler | jun 28, 2024.

Alabama continued its recruiting tear this summer by adding elite cornerback Dijon Lee to its 2025 recruiting class on Friday.

Lee is one of the highest-ranked commits in the cycle for Alabama, possibly the highest depending on the recruiting service you look at. According to 247Sports' composite rankings, he's the first 5-star to commit to Alabama in this cycle.

Hailing from Southern California, Lee has impeccable size for a cornerback at 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, making him one of the longest corners in the country. He chose Alabama over Georgia, Texas, Washington and Texas A&M.

Lee is the 20th commitment overall for the Crimson Tide in the 2025 cycle, including the 10th that's come in the month of June alone, as head coach Kalen DeBoer, general manager Courtney Morgan and the rest of the Alabama staff have firmly established themselves in the recruiting game despite being the new kids on the block.

Momentum for Alabama recruiting is surging at a level many didn't expect after Nick Saban's retirement, but DeBoer and his staff haven't skipped a beat when it comes to recruiting some of the best talent in the nation.

Alabama's 2025 class ranks as high as No. 2 in the country depending on the recruiting service, and the Crimson Tide is well in the mix for many other elite talents such as 5-star offensive lineman Ty Haywood, 5-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham, 5-star wide receiver Kaliq Lockett, and 4-star running back Akylin Dear.

With the momentum the program currently has, there's a reasonable chance DeBoer could finish with the No. 1 class in his first full recruiting cycle.

BLAKE BYLER

Blake Byler is a staff writer for BamaCentral and primarily covers Alabama basketball and football. He has covered a wide variety of Crimson Tide sports since 2021, and began writing full-time for BamaCentral in 2023. You can find him on Twitter/X @blakebyler45.

Follow blakebyler45