We were prompted to make plans to visit Moscow this year when our daughter Elizabeth was invited to attend a medical conference in June 2013. Our friends Richard and Stacey Host had visited Moscow in February 2013 and recommended Arthur.
It was the best decision. In three days we saw so much and learnt so much about Russian history and its impact and connections with our own history.
We firstly visited St Petersburg for three days on our own and then travelled to Moscow by the fast train Sapsan. Arthur was there to greet us and immediately took us to Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral and GUM Department Store. After a quick lunch we visited the vast Moscow Kremlin with all its fascinating buildings. Arthur explained a lot of things to us and took lots of photos. He then drove us to our hotel and helped us check in.
The next day Arthur took us Novodevichy Convent and Cemetery. Many famous people are buried in the cemetery. Later we went to Sparrow Hills and Victory Park (WWII memorial). The peace and beauty of the convent on a sunny day was special in contrast to sadness of the Victory Park with its Hall of Memory and Sorrows. The Museum and collection of military vehicles (including the famous T34 tank) and aircraft was very interesting.
On Friday we did a Countryside tour to Sergiyev Posad (Russian Jerusalem). It was lovely to be out of the city and to enjoy the country area. We finished off the day by walking round the All-Russia Exhibition centre (VDNKh). Once more Arthur drove us back to hotel.
What a great experience! Thank you Arthur for your Tour Guiding competence, friendly accepting character and great photographs. We highly recommend him.