Out of Town

If you want to escape the big city for a while, or fancy seeing more of Russia without going too far, there are loads of fantastic places to visit within a 1-2 hour drive of Moscow that transport you into a totally different world. Explore one of the huge country estates once belonging to Russian royalty, or relax in one of the many "resorts" complete with beaches where you can swim in a cool reservoirs in the hot summer months. Here are our pick of the best:

Abramtsevo Estate

Train from Yaroslavsky Station (Komsomolskaya Metro) to Abramtsevo
Open:Wed-Sun 10-17

An idyllic country estate located 70 kilometers north east of Moscow, in one of the most beautiful and most painted landscapes in all of Russia. Features a museum of Russian Folk Art and some examples of traditional Russian architecture.

Arkhangelskoe Estate

M:Tushinksaya then bus no. 549
Open: Wednesday - Sunday 11am - 6pm

18th century Neo-classical suburban palace and formal gardens belonging to the rich and extravagant Prince Nikolai Yusupov and once the most indulgent and celebrated playground of Moscow's wealthy aristocracy.

Kuskovo Estate

Ul Yunosti 2,
M:Ryazansky Prospekt + Bus 133 or 208-6 stops to main entrance

Another 18th century country residence, built by Russian General Boris Sheremetev, who was awarded the land in 1715 by Peter the Great. Features a wedding cake-like main Palace and formal French gardens prompting the nickname the Moscow Versailles.

Kolomenskoe

Prospect Y. V. Andropova 39,
Metro: Kolomenskaya,
exit at the front of the train, turn left into the underpass, then right and walk straight ahead up the hill.
Hours: grounds- 10.- 8. Tues-Sun, museum-11-5.Tues- Sun.

Old imperial estate nestled on the steep west bank of the Moscow River. Once the childhood home of Ivan the Terrible and a summer retreat for Tsar Mikhail Romanov, a young Peter the Great, Tsar Alexander I and Empress Catherine the Great. Kolomenskoye began life in 1667 when Tsar Alexsei erected a wooden palace on the premises. The haphazard arrangement of connecting corridors and bulbous domes was pulled down by Catherine the Great, but not before she ordered an exact model to be made, which is now housed in the museum.

Rublevo

Rublevo, Myakininskaya flood-land,
Metro: Molodyozhnaya then bus 127 from "Molodezhnaya" to "Plyazh" stop.
Phone: 095-414-1424 Open 10:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m.

This paid beach is one of the cleanest in Moscow. Facilities include, cafes, showers, a playground as well as a swimming area and boat rental.

Uletai

Serebryany Bor beach No. 3. (M. Polezhayevskaya)
518-1075, 9am-sunset.

Located on the the popular Serebyany Bor site, Uletai is on "Beach No.3" and offers lots of extra facilites such as volleyball, billiards and live DJs as well as the usual sun loungers and swimming facilities.

Beach Club

39 Leningradskoye Shosse (M. Vodny Stadion)
452-3187, call for times.

A beach and a club in one! Located on a large sandy beach next to the Khimki Reservoir in northern Moscow. With a restaurant, several bars, a dancefloor and even a hotel, it's a great place for summer partying day and night!

Volen Sports Park

Just 60 kilometers outside of Moscow and a very popular place in the winter for skiing and snowboarding. 6 slopes up to 400 meters long, ski-lifts, equipment hire, restaurants and even chalets, it's perfect for a weekend away. There's usually good snow from mid December until mid March. Open 24 hours.