Those who love art, culture, fascinating history and exquisite architecture will find themselves immersed in the unique cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. Kuwait Times took part in a trip to Russia sponsored by Jazeera Airways and the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism, bringing readers a firsthand guide to the two cities.
St Basil’s Cathedral
After a walk around Red Square, Moscow, with its nearly 900-year-old history, feels both modern and historic. Iconic sites include the colorful St Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow’s most recognizable building, constructed 450 years ago. A popular myth claims that the cathedral’s builder was blinded after completion to ensure its beauty could never be replicated.
Hermitage Museum
Leaving the energy of Moscow, an easy four-hour direct train ride to St Petersburg reveals a grand city originally built as the capital for Russian tsars and now a hub for art and culture lovers. The Hermitage Museum is an absolute must-see, showcasing the spectacular Winter Palace of the Russian tsars and one of the largest art collections in the world with 3 million works. If you spent one minute on each item, it would take 11 years to see everything!
Moscow’s metro stations
In Moscow, even the metro stations are beautiful works of art. Kuwait Times visited Komsomolskaya station, where large chandeliers and vibrant mosaics line the ceilings, depicting scenes from Russian history. Another stop at Novoslobodskaya station highlighted the unique design of each station with its 32 stained-glass panels illuminated from within.
Fabergé Museum
Kuwait Times enjoyed a visit to the Fabergé Museum, home to the largest collection of famous Fabergé Imperial eggs. Designed by jeweler Carl Fabergé between 1885 and 1916 and gifted annually to the Russian royal family, each egg is decorated with lavish jewels and holds a unique surprise. The first egg, known as "The Hen”, contained a golden yolk, inside of which was a golden hen. Within the hen was a replica of the imperial crown, and inside the crown was a ruby egg pendant!
Tchaikovsky Night at Grand Hotel Europe
A key highlight was an invitation to a Tchaikovsky Night dinner at St Petersburg’s historic 150-year-old Grand Hotel Europe. This evening included a 5-star meal complemented by a beautiful live ballet and opera performance. The hotel’s state-of-the-art rooms and historic interiors have hosted iconic guests, including Tchaikovsky himself.
Peterhof Palace
Kuwait Times also visited Peterhof, the impressive Summer Palace built in the 18th century. Its most striking feature is the large array of fountains leading up to the main entrance, decorated with over 200 bronze statues and 64 fountains. Remarkably, the entire fountain system runs on gravity and hydraulic engineering without modern pumps.
Recommended hotels
Kuwait Times stayed at the impressive Hotel Baltschug Kempinski in Moscow, a 5-star hotel with a view of St Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin, housed in a historic building from 1898. For KD 70 a night, the hotel offers halal breakfast options. In St Petersburg, Cosmos Selection Nevsky Hotel was an ideal spot on the main street, providing 5-star accommodations for KD 20 per night.
Flight and visa
The visa process for Kuwaitis is completed entirely online, costing KD 16 and takes four days. Kuwait Times then took a direct, five-hour, flight to Moscow through Jazeera Airways, currently the only airline offering direct flights to Moscow, with daily departures priced at roughly KD 50.
Travel Tips
• It is advised to carry cash, as credit cards are not in use due to sanctions. Arrive with euros and use local banks in Moscow to exchange for Russian rubles.
• You can use your local SIM card with a data roaming add-on.
• Use Google Lens to translate signs, as most are in Russian, making navigation easier.
• Pack layers, as Moscow in early October was warmer, requiring only a shirt and light jacket, while St Petersburg was cooler, calling for two layers and a thick jacket.