I can’t believe I’ve seen the Red Square and Saint Basil’s Cathedral personally. If you see them in pictures, you already know it’s breathtaking but if you see it for yourself up close and personal- Wow. Remembering my Euro trip with my family just makes me smile because it was just good vibes the three entire weeks. Russia is totally underrated. Food is surprisingly delicious, the kremlins are all incredibly beautiful and there are so many places to go to!
We stayed at Hotel National, which is just 5 minutes away (walking) from The Red Square. My brother Vince is the best when it comes to planning our trips.
Red Square is actually a city square and it separates the Kremlin (the house of President of Russia) from a historic merchant quarter aka Kitai-gorod.
We arrived in the afternoon, checked in and went to Gum department store to eat. Is it just me or this mall really looks too good to be a mall.
After eating, we went around the vicinity and got to see Saint Basil’s Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat. It was originally known as the Trinity Church, then Trinity Cathedral, and now it’s a museum. The building is shaped as a flame of a bonfire rising into the sky.
The following day, Zhanna, our tour guide from Moscow Private Tours, brought us to so many places in Moscow and she was very good!! She told us so much history and background about their country. You should book her if you’re planning to visit Russia. Our first stop? The train station. It might seem like a normal train station to you guys but there are so many information about each and every statue inside this area.
People usually touch some parts of the statues for good luck. You’ll notice the chicken is more gold than the woman- that’s because they say when you touch the chicken, you’ll get good luck. There are certain statues inside the train station you can touch for good luck for an exam, for wealth- or even if you want to get married. And you’ll really notice a lot of people touch these statues because they believe in these sayings.
My first time trying authentic Russian gelato. Pretty good!!! But I still like ours better.
There was a gallery inside Gum Mall about fashion and we all couldn’t help but go around and check the pictures. Here you can see ladies falling in line buying hats inside Gum Mall back in the early years.
We also got to try local pies and it was pretty awesome. They have all kinds of pie: chicken, tuna, chocolate, vegetable, etc. Name it, they’ve got it.
Can you believe this is a grocery store? It’s probably the most beautiful grocery store I’ve been to my whole life. It looks so chic!
We even saw Jared Leto! Hello Jared!!!!!!! I really ran so I can take a good photo of him. Very paparazzi level lang lol.
With our tour guide Zhanna.
Around Red Square was Alexander Garden and it’s one of the first urban public parks in Moscow. The park comprises three separate gardens!
After the tour, we went to The Receptor for some snacks and they made us try homemade flavored vodkas. YUM.
My friend Miguel Aguila once told me, “Brain off. Don’t think about your work or problems when you’re there. Just stay in the moment and appreciate.” I did it and I think that’s why this trip is probably one of my memorable trips ever.