Moscow, Russia
The Friday-night flight from London to Moscow has the atmosphere of a 50,000ft-high party and, naturally, the inflight tipple of choice is vodka. On arrival, there are two things to remember if you want to party with the children of the revolution. To get into the clubs, you’ll need to be on the guest list and dressed to fit in. Moscow is designer-label territory, so spend Saturday morning shopping at Stoleshnikov pereulok, Kuznetsky Most and Tretyakovsky proyezd, Moscow’s equivalents of Bond Street and Regent Street. Prices of western goods are high, though caviar is decidedly good value at about £150 for three kilos. (Admittedly, you can’t wear it, though it’s fabulous for the complexion.) Once you’re dressed to impress, tour operator Black Tomato has one of the best little black books in the business and it’ll get you on the right guest lists with a driver to take you around (essential if you’re a non-Russian speaker). Top spots include the owner’s table, with a stellar view of the Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer, at Arkadi Novikoff’s (Russia’s equivalent of Sir Terence Conran) bar/restaurant Galleria (Petrovka ulitsa 27, +495 937 4544). The best place for pre-club drinks (between 11pm and 1am) is Dyagilev Project (Building 7, 3 Karetniy Ryad, Hermitage Gardens, +495 790 7400), then on to nightclubs of the moment, the relaunched Cabaret (8a Strastnoi Bulvar, +495 789 8315), and new kid on the (eastern) bloc Billionaire (61st Golutvinskii, +495 737 8916). Check in to the Hotel Ukraine for a slice of history on the west bank of the Moscow River, which is built inside a 1950s Gothic skyscraper. Or try Moscow’s first boutique hotel, the Golden Apple. Spend Sunday on a bit of light sightseeing. Must-sees for a first-timer include a stroll across Red Square, a tour of St Basil’s Cathedral, and the shopping arcades of GUM. The Kremlin is a huge complex of monuments and exhibits. Sunday night is popular for a world-class ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre, and then it’s the 5.50am flight to ensure you’ll be at your desk on Monday, new hat at a rakish angle.
Hours from London: Four and a half
Travel modes: Flight and taxi
Number of nights away: Three
Three nights, including flights and transfers, costs from £799 with Black Tomato. Call +44(0)20 7610 9008, or visit blacktomato.co.uk. BA flies to Moscow from London Heathrow. British Airways Holidays offers city breaks to Moscow. For reservations, visit ba.com/holidays or call British Airways Holidays on 0870 243 3406.
