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Broads abroad.

• Ruth Davis Konigsberg @ruthdkonigsberg

“I never travel without my diary,” says one of the heroines of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. “One should always have something sensational to read in the train.” Increasingly, that sensational read can be another woman’s travel diary–like Elisabeth Eaves’ Wanderlust: A Love Affair with Five Continents or The Lost Girls: Three Friends, Four Continents, One Unconventional Detour Around the World, by a trio of women who ditched their jobs, boyfriends and apartments to circle the globe–and then sold the entertainment rights to Jerry Bruckheimer. These daughters of Eat, Pray, Love are giving new vogue to the female travelogue, but they also raise the question, Is there such a thing as women’s travel?

Historically, men have certainly had more freedom to roam. But as author Paul Theroux points out, modern exotic travel–which began in the 1970s with the advent of the jumbo jet–has been an equal-opportunity affair, as it was for the bohemians trekking through southern Asia in Theroux’s The Great Railway Bazaar. “The hippie trail was always men and women,” he says. Among them were Tony and Maureen Wheeler, who stapled together copies of their first guidebook, Across Asia on the Cheap, and went on to found the Lonely Planet imprint. “Our assumption is and always has been that both sexes have equal interest in travel,” says Imogen Hall, Lonely Planet’s publisher.

“On most fronts, such as types of trips and who they’re traveling with, men and women are actually pretty similar,” says Carroll Rheem, director of research at PhoCusWrite, a company that collects travel data. Rheem points out one survey showing that 62% of men and 59% of women took at least one leisure trip in the past 12 months. Theroux, who has just published The Tao of Travel, about travelogues that inspired him, agrees that travel–and travel writing–is largely gender-neutral. “I had a section of the book called Great Women Travelers, but then I decided that I didn’t want to put them into a category,” he says. And Sloane Crosley, editor of Best American Travel Writing 2011, says, “What’s weird about a subgenre of women’s travel writing is that it implies we’re agoraphobic.”

Perhaps the most remarkable travel writer today is the category-defying Jan Morris, who accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay up Mount Everest; she published as James Morris until the 1970s, when she had gender-reassignment surgery. “Half her life she’s traveled as a man, and half her life as a woman,” says Theroux, “and she’s always said that she prefers the latter.”

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Two Broads Go Abroad

Travel the world with your best friend.

Book Your Travel With Us

Looking to book with a travel agent?

Or, maybe you’re considering one for the first time.

Either way, you’re in the right place!

We’re Tali and Brittany of Two Broads Go Abroad – adopted sisters who are obsessed with travel.

We’re fully certified travel agents, and we’re affiliated with an award-winning host agency that’s been in business for over 30 years.

We’re also experienced travelers ourselves! We’ve been to over 20 countries, and we’re always adding more to the list.

We believe that every traveler should have a trip tailored to them – and that you shouldn’t be limited to what big box stores offer.

You’re a unique individual with your own goals, needs, interests and dreams when it comes to travel – and we want to help you make them happen!!

Keep reading to learn how we can help you plan your next trip.

Already know you wanna book travel with us? Let’s do it! If you’d rather book travel on your own, but still support us, you can click here to use our very own travel booking and search engine. If want personalized support (and a done-for-you, customized itinerary), click here to learn more and start the process.

Table of Contents

Ways to Work With Us

We’d love to help you plan your trip! You get to choose how involved you are in the planning and booking processes. As fully certified travel agents, we can take care of everything for you from start to finish. When you book our premium Travel Planning Service , we do it all – research, planning, itinerary, booking, and beyond. Or, if you prefer to book components of a trip on your own, we can do the research for you. It’s your trip, and you get to pick!

Flight Search

Itinerary Planning

Travel Planning

Tali and Brittany at a park in Munich, Germany during the summer

Why You Should Book Travel With Us

We get that you want your trip to go as smoothly as possible.

We’re here for you!!

Since you’ve made it on to this page, chances are, you:

• Are used to booking with a travel agent, and you’re looking to give us a try. Thanks for considering us! We appreciate you and we’re grateful for every client. Hopefully, by the end of this post, we’ll convince you to give us a shot!
• Have never booked with a travel agent before, and you don’t know what to expect. Don’t worry, we’ve got you!! We have our systems and processes down pat.
• Are wondering – do people even book with travel agencies anymore?? Yes they do! Every time you book online with a site like Booking, Expedia, Hotwire, Orbitz, or even AirBnB – you’re technically booking with a travel agency, though it’s a fully online one (you’ll hear me refer to these sites as OTAs). People still work with brick-and-mortar agencies, too! But with the way we do things, all communications and work is done remotely – so you can reach us whether you’re at home, on your commute, or on your break at work.

We’ll Save You Time

Travel planning can take loads of time – especially when you’re not sure of exactly what you’re looking for.

If you’re super busy, we can take care of it all for you – or we can be your travel besties and get you hyped as you’re planning your trip.

You get to be as involved as you’d like.

But we work quickly .

We planned an entire trip to Mexico in a few hours, and we didn’t go to any all-inclusives .

We also have dozens of itineraries – so if you’re planning a trip to a place we’ve personally visited, we’ve done the research and we have recommendations already!

Tali and Brittany in beautiful Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

We Believe in Truly Personalized Trips

Every person is different, and every trip is different.

Before we dive into the logistics, we’ll get to know you – and ask you some questions to help you set an intention for your trip.

Once we know the real “why” behind your travel experience, we’ll get to work on putting everything together.

We do not sell the same packages to all clients, as many other travel agents have done for decades.

Instead, we draw from our own experiences, confer with trusted partners, and search reliable sources.

Your trip is too special to be package you’d buy at Costco!

We Have Access to Exclusive Deals and Discounts

All of that said, there’s nothing wrong with getting a deal.

Sometimes, you DO just want to lie on a beach at a resort with your friends.

We get that!

While we’re planning your trip, we’ll search for deals on our agent-only databases.

If you’d rather check out the deals we’ve found recently, click here to check out our ‘Deals’ page.

We’re constantly updating it and adding to it whenever we come across a great deal!

Photo of Brittany near the Isle of Skye in Scotland

We’re There For You While You’re Traveling

Since we plan everything out for you, there shouldn’t be any stress when it comes to the travel logistics.

But things happen.

Anyone who had a trip booked in 2020 knows that very well!

When you book with a large travel agency, or even an online travel agency like Booking or Expedia, you have either minimal access, or no access to help while you’re abroad.

This can be very stressful – and it can turn an inconvenience into an emergency, depending on the situation.

While you’re traveling, you’ll have access to our team via a free messaging app that works over WiFi.

This means that, even if your phone doesn’t include an international calling or texting plan, you can still reach us as long as you have access to WiFi.

And most places around the world do!

We Connect You to Local Experts

This is something different that no other travel agents do –

We connect you to local experts on the ground, wherever you’re going.

This means you will:

• Already have local friends when you reach your destination
• Hear locals’ secret recommendations that you won’t find all over the internet
• Experience little “surprises” picked for you – on top of your personalized itinerary
• Get your bearings more quickly – eliminating frustration and confusion
• Save money, since you’ll learn apps and tips most American travelers don’t hear

Every time I list all of the places we’ve visited, I feel like I’m about to sing this old Johnny Cash song lol

We’re Very Experienced Travelers

If you’re looking to book with a travel agent, we’re sure you want to ensure that person is an expert.

We excel at research and itinerary planning, so we’re confident we can help you plan a trip to a place, even if we haven’t personally been there before.

But we get that you might want to work with an agent who has experience with the destination.

So in this section, we want to be super transparent about the countries we’ve visited.

As of April 2024, we have boots-on-the-ground experience in the following countries:

• Ireland (Republic of)
• Ireland (Northern)
• Switzerland
• Pennsylvania
• Washington State
• Washington D.C.

While we’ve come a long way with our photography and videography skills since our first trip abroad in 2016, we like to share some of the photos we took back then – just so you know that we were really there!

We have more photos and videos on our Instagram account, at @twobroadsgoabroadblog

We Give You Peace of Mind

There are so many things to think about when planning travel and taking a trip.

We think of everything!

We talk more about the 7 phases of planning and taking a trip in this article .

When we’re planning your trip, we do the most stressful and overwhelming parts for you – so you can focus fully on the fun parts!

What to Expect When You Book a Trip With Us

Let’s talk about the process!

If you’ve never worked with a travel agent before, it’s understandable that you might be a bit apprehensive.

We get it and we take no offense at all!

When we’re traveling, we really like to know what to expect – so even though we build in some zero days (click here to learn more about what zero days are, and why you need them while traveling!) , we get wanting to know what to expect.

To ease any fears you might still have, let’s first talk about the different ways you can book a trip with us.

Have Us Research and/or Book For You!

You have options!

Our premiere travel service package includes flight searches, itinerary planning, and the booking of your trip.

Or, you can choose specific services on an a-la-carte basis.

Book on Your Own Using Our Travel Platform

This is for travelers who prefer to do their own researching, planning, and booking.

Our travel booking platform accesses the same inventory as Booking, along with many other websites you’re probably more familiar with.

Buuuut, when you book using our platform, you get extra benefit of our support!

So here’s how that works:

• Bookmark this website now. That way, when you need to use it in the future, you don’t need to find this page again!
• Send us a message on Instagram to let us know you’ve booked using our platform. We’ll also get a notification when we log in – but the DM allows us to celebrate and communicate with you more quickly! This also gives you an easy and quick way to contact us if and when you have a question.
• DM us with questions and to ask for recommendations! Even if you prefer to plan and book on your own, you can send us a DM on Instagram over at @twobroadsgoabroadblog to plan and brainstorm with us!*

*Please note that support via DM is only available after you’ve booked with us, and it’s only available for that specific trip.

Travel A-Broads

Just a couple of broads traveling around the world!

These are some of our favorite travel tips. Of course, this list is far from comprehensive, and we always recommend you do your research before traveling to ensure you know what to expect, what to pack, where to go, how to dress, how to get around, etc.

* P.S. this post contains some affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase.

BEFORE YOU GO

Always check with the Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs for any travel advisories, cautions, vaccinations, visa/document requirements, etc. before you travel. They also have handy traveler’s checklists and tips for different types of travelers. Safety first!

Our must-haves for any trip are:

• First aid, medicine and feminine products (some countries don’t have the same ones that we are used to)
• Neck pillow – we like the trtl pillow because it folds up to be relatively flat and can slide right into a backpack without taking up much space
• Chargers for all of your devices
• Outlet adapters for specific country of travel
• Power/charger banks
• Kindle Paperwhite or books
• Reusable water bottle – most airports have fill up stations, so it’s much cheaper and better for the environment
• Cross-body purse or undergarment wallet (we like the Lewis N. Clark RFID Blocking Stash Wallet )

Not to toot our own horns, but we are totally packing queens! We usually only travel with carry-on luggage and one personal item, typically a backpack.

• We recently discovered these packing cubes by TravelWise , and they truly make all the difference!
• We recommend folding your clothes normally on the way there, then rolling them on the way back to save space for souvenirs.
• You can stuff dirty socks and underwear into extra pairs of shoes to conserve even more space on the way home.
• Pack dryer sheets in with your luggage, so your clothes stay smelling fresh throughout the trip, especially when putting dirty clothes back into your suitcase.
• And, bring plastic bags to put those dirty clothes in to separate them from your clean clothes.

We love using hotels.com . If you book through their site or app and stay 10 nights (these nights can be at any hotel and do not have to be all at once), your 11th night is discounted by the average cost of the first 10 nights.

We absolutely love the advice from “ How to Skimm Your Life ” to set your clock on your phone forward or backward to the time zone you are traveling to immediately upon getting on the plane and finding your seat. This is an invaluable piece of advice; Sara experienced zero jet-lag on her trips to India and Kenya, which was truly miraculous.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

We use the been app to keep track of the states and countries we have traveled to; it has a list feature that shows the percentage of countries traveled to by continent, as well as a world map that can be shared on social networks and by email.

We recommend downloading a currency converter app to keep track of conversion rates between countries, especially if you are traveling to more than one country on your trip! We like My Currency Converter & Rates , since it can be used without WiFi.

We would love to hear about some of your favorite travel tips. Feel free to leave some in the comments below, and don’t forget to pin it!

Happy traveling!

XOXO Travel A-Broads

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I had no idea there was a Been app. That is REALLY cool! I’m going to look into it. Thanks so much for sharing!

Yes! Love that app, and hope you find it useful too 😊.

I haven’t heard of the Been App. Checking it out now!

We love that one! I hope you’ll find it useful too. Enjoy 😊.

Excellent tips. Very practical and comprehensive. Will be using these tips for a trip in fall.

Thank you so much, Roozbeh! Really glad you found them useful. Please let us know how they work out for you.

Safe travels! Sara

Agreed!! Loved the links provided as well. Thanks broads!

You’re very welcome! Thank you for reading 😊!

• Cast & crew

Broads Abroad

The pompous Latina, Kiki Melendez (Showtime Networks Hot Tamales Live!) and Vicki Barbolak (aka Trailer Vick from America's Got Talent on NBC) put this hilarious COMEDY a show together as mo... Read all The pompous Latina, Kiki Melendez (Showtime Networks Hot Tamales Live!) and Vicki Barbolak (aka Trailer Vick from America's Got Talent on NBC) put this hilarious COMEDY a show together as most of the comedy clubs are closed in LA, due to the Pandemic. Kiki convinces Vicki to go a... Read all The pompous Latina, Kiki Melendez (Showtime Networks Hot Tamales Live!) and Vicki Barbolak (aka Trailer Vick from America's Got Talent on NBC) put this hilarious COMEDY a show together as most of the comedy clubs are closed in LA, due to the Pandemic. Kiki convinces Vicki to go abroad to find an audience. Selecting Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, a world class luxury ... Read all

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Moscow Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + More [2023]

· everything to know about visiting moscow, including the best things to do and how to get around. ·.

Moscow is Russia’s vibrant capital city, and it also happens to be the largest city in all of Europe. The city’s long and infamous history makes it one of the most unique places we have ever visited.

The architecture ranges from centuries-old palaces to uniform, gray concrete buildings. The people range from cold and private to warm and welcoming. Moscow is a city is strong juxtapositions, and we learned a lot during our time there.

This post will break down all you need to know about visiting Moscow, including the best things to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more.

The Best Things to Do in Moscow

1. explore the red square.

The Red Square is the heart of Moscow. Most of the city’s top attractions can be found here, including just about everything on this list. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are all located here, and the State Historical Museum and GUM are not far from here, either.

The Red Square is a common home for parades, protests, and seasonal celebrations. There are massive Christmas celebrations here, with food vendors and carnival rides set up in numbers.

2. Check Out the Ziferblat

The Ziferblat is a café in Moscow that is unlike any café we have ever been to. While most cafes charge you for your drinks and food, the Ziferblat charges you for your time.

Upon arrival, you are given a clock. When you leave, the barista calculates how much time you spent in the café and charges you accordingly. This concept was created to help visitors to be more intentional with their time, and the cafe itself is incredibly charming.

For a detailed look at everything you need to know before you visit, make sure you read my post about visiting the Ziferblat Cafe in Moscow .

3. Marvel at St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in the world, and it was the single thing we were most excited to see while in Moscow. Built almost 500 years ago, St. Basil’s Cathedral is recognized by its colorful domes and whimsical style. The church is of the Russian Orthodox faith, and the inside is just as wondrous as the outside.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the edge of the Red Square, making it incredibly convenient to visit. Entrance for non-worshippers costs 800 rubles, and tickets can be bought at the church

4. Explore the Kremlin

The Kremlin is the largest active fortress in Europe, and it is the site of most of Russia’s government affairs. In addition to government buildings, the Kremlin Complex is filled with courtyards, towers, and museums that are open to the public. If you have the time, you could spend a couple of days fully exploring all that there is to see in the Kremlin.

5. Walk Through Lenin’s Mausoleum

Vladimir Lenin is one of the most important figures in Russian history, and his body is located perfectly embalmed in a mausoleum in the Red Square. The Mausoleum is open to the public to visit, and as long as you are willing to go through a few security checks, it is easily one of the best things to do in Moscow. Its convenient location in the Red Square makes it a can’t miss attraction.

There is absolutely no photography allowed inside the Mausoleum. Do not test this rule.

6. Wander Along Arbat Street

The Arbat is a very popular street in Moscow that is lined with stores, cafes, and other touristy attractions. It is one of the oldest streets in the city, dating back to the 1400s. This street is both quaint and trendy, and there are many walking tours that introduce tourists to the neighborhood’s wonders and highlights.

7. Catch a Show at the Bolshoi Theatre

As a lover of the arts, it is hard to think of Moscow and not think of ballet. Russia has always been a top dog in the world of fine arts, and Bolshoi Theater is one of the best places to catch a performance. We were lucky enough to attend an Opera here, and it is a venue that you don’t want to miss out on if you enjoy opera, ballet, or orchestral performances.

8. Visit the State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum is one of the most respected museums in Moscow. Despite its name, it is not really focused on the history of Russia as a nation. Rather, it contains a collection of artifacts from all throughout Russia’s history.

The museum’s collection is very broad in nature. It houses some items from indigenous tribes that used to occupy the region, pieces collected by the Romanov family, and more.

9. Wander Around GUM

GUM is an absolutely massive mall within walking distance of the Red Square. It isn’t just the size that draws visitors here; it’s the sense of luxury. The mall is so beautiful inside, much like the metro stations.

While visiting a mall might not sound like it belongs on a bucket list, this mall does. You will not want to miss out on visiting GUM while in Moscow.

10. Admire the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

While St. Basil’s Cathedral is the most iconic church in Moscow, it isn’t the only one. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is absolutely stunning, with massive golden domes. It is the tallest Orthodox church in the world, and it is the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow.

It is located just about a mile from the Red Square, just south of the Kremlin Complex. You can walk to it from the Red Square in about 20 minutes.

How to Get to Moscow

Flying to moscow.

Moscow has three major international airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO) , Domodedovo (DMO) , and Vnukovo (VKO) . All three of them are directly connected to downtown Moscow by the Aeroexpress trains, which leave every 30 minutes throughout the day. By Aeroexpress train, you can expect to get to the city center in 25-45 minutes depending on the airport that you fly into.

Sheremetyevo is the biggest and busiest of the three airports, and it is the one you are most likely to fly into – especially if you are coming from outside of Europe or the Caucus region. We flew into Sheremetyevo on a direct flight from New York City.

I usually provide backup airport options, because flying right into the city isn’t always the cheapest way to get where you’re going. Unfortunately, when it comes to Moscow, don’t really have a choice other than to fly right into Moscow. It is a very remote city, and it is usually the cheapest place to fly into in Russia as a whole.

Since Sheremetyevo is so busy, you will probably find a great flight option anyway. I wrote in  my post about finding cheap flights  that using hub airports will lead to more affordable airfare, and the same logic applies here. Even though Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot, is no longer a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Moscow is still a major hub connecting passengers from all over the world.

READ OUR CHEAT SHEET

Train or Bus to Moscow

Trains and buses are one of the most popular ways to get around Europe. However, they’re of very little use when you’re trying to get to Moscow.

Moscow is hundreds of miles from the nearest major cities. The only major European city that can even be reached within 8 hours on the ground is St. Petersburg, and even the Baltic capitals of Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn are over 12 hours away.

If you want to get to Moscow, the best option is almost always to fly. While the train routes to Moscow are scenic, they simply take forever.

How to Get Around Moscow

METRO | TROLLEYS | TRAMS | BUSES

Moscow has one of the most memorable metro systems in the world. Its metro lines are very deep underground, and the stations are absolutely stunning. Each station has its own unique style, but all of them contain escalators that seem to go on forever.

The system was built in an effort to showcase the power of the Soviet Union and its bright future. The plans were a form of propaganda, but they resulted in what is still one of the most visually appealing subway systems on earth.

Moscow’s metro system isn’t just pretty. It is also very useful and accessible. The system has 17 lines that connect the city and its surrounding area.

But wait; there’s more!

The Moscow metro system is also incredibly affordable, with each ride costing less than a dollar. The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow, as it is almost impossible to beat the connection times and the low cost to ride.

Tickets can be bought at electronic, English-speaking kiosks in stations, or directly from ticket counters at certain larger stations. There are also day passes available, which are a very solid option if you plan on riding the metro several times per day.

The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow.

In addition to the metro system, Moscow also has a network of buses, trams, and trolleys. This system is nowhere near as convenient or well-connected as the metro, though, and is likely of little use to you during your trip. There is no Uber in Moscow, but a similar app named Yandex is available if you need a ride in a pinch.

How Many Days Do You Need in Moscow?

Moscow is the biggest city in all of Europe, and it is absolutely loaded with things to do. You could spend weeks in Moscow and still find new things to do. Of course, most travelers don’t have that kind of time to spend in one place!

I recommend spending no less than three full days in Moscow, and ideally closer to five or seven.

Moscow is very spread out, and it can take some time to get from one major point to another. There are also so many places that are nice to just sit back and relax, which is hard to do when you’re in a hurry trying to cram activities into just a few days.

If you only have a week to visit Russia, I’d advise spending all of the time in one city. If you decide to split your time between Moscow and St. Petersburg, I recommend not trying to squeeze in any day trips beyond those two cities.

When Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Moscow?

There are two different ways to approach this question. Personally, I think the best time to visit Moscow is around Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the weather will be absolutely freezing, Moscow is a surreal winter wonderland in December and January.

We were in Moscow right before Christmas. While it was very cold, you can always bundle up. Exploring the Christmas markets and pop-up ice skating rinks throughout Moscow is one of my favorite memories from anywhere I’ve traveled, and I dream of going back to do it again.

If you aren’t fond of the cold, Moscow is beautiful in the summer. It tends to get pretty cold in the shoulder seasons, so if you want warm weather, you should plan to visit in the summer. Moscow actually gets pretty warm in July and August, and there are a bunch of fantastic places to soak up the sun within the city.

The best time to visit Moscow is either around Christmas or from late May to August.

Is Moscow Safe to Visit?

While Moscow is a truly wonderful city, there’s no denying that visiting Russia comes with risks. As the country is run by an infamous communist dictator, concerns about visiting are valid. While we didn’t experience any sort of threat or negative treatment during our time in Moscow, we visited in a peaceful time.

In our experience, Russia doesn’t seem to detain normal Americans or Westerners to use as pawns. As a regular person, as long as you don’t commit any crimes, there is a slim chance you will run into any issues. However, Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

To make matters worse, Russia has a bad reputation for gang violence. While the Russian mafia has very little interest in normal Western tourists, they won’t hesitate to pick a fight with anyone who ventures into their sphere of influence. If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

Finally, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, things are all very different. Russia is currently at war, and there are battles raging within 8 hours of Moscow. While it is still relatively safe to visit, that could change at any time as the war with Ukraine continues.

Is Moscow Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt, Moscow is worth visiting. It is one of the most unique major cities we have ever visited, and we hope to make it back one day. The Russian Orthodox churches are stunning, the city’s history is unlike any other, and the food is to die for.

While many visitors prefer St. Petersburg to Moscow, I think Moscow deserves a lot of hype of its own. Moscow is the beating heart of Russian culture and history, and it’s a place I highly recommend checking out if you have the chance.

That’s all we have for you about Moscow! I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Russia’s capital.

Have you been to Moscow? Or is this your first time visiting? Comment below if you have anything to add to our travel guide!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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The R&K Guide To Moscow

The World Cup is upon us, but you could argue that it’s already a relic from another era, a time when Putin was looking for peaceable engagement with the West, before he annexed Crimea and unleashed his trolls on the world. But if ordinary Russians are supposed to play the part of pariah, they haven’t been told. It has been a long time since Moscow was this pleasant to visit. The city center is safe, sanitized, ready for your visit. Yes, the calm is a sign of an increasingly efficient autocracy. But we’ve known Moscow through many iterations, and for the casual visitor, this is one of the best yet. (Visit our St. Petersburg guide here.)

How To Do Moscow

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"I Had 10 Minutes Until My Flight, Only To Discover..." 19 Unfortunate And Avoidable Travel Mishaps That Actually Happened To People

"It was one of the first purchases I made on Priceline back when you’d buy the airfare online, and they’d send paper tickets in the mail..."

BuzzFeed Staff

Travel is many things — eye-opening, magical, exhilarating, and, at times, stressful. For example, there's nothing quite like the anxiety-inducing feeling of racing through security just as your flight gate is about to close. Well, Redditor u/yankeevandal asked , "Everyone has a travel blunder; what's yours?" Here are the stories people shared.

1. "put my keys back through the airbnb letterbox, as requested. a few minutes later i realized i needed the keys to access the garage where my rental car was parked. it took an hour and a half for someone to come and let me in. i got to the airport just in time to see my plane take off.".

— u/RedundantSwine

2. "My dad once made reservations for a very nice hotel in Spain in a central location. He couldn't believe how cheap the rooms were and what a good deal it was. He and my mother went to check in, and the hotel said they didn't have any record of the booking. My dad pulled up the confirmation email to show them and realized he had somehow booked a hotel with the exact same name...but in Chile."

— u/gentlybeepingheart

3. "When I was in my early 20s, I went to a nightclub in Istanbul with my girlfriend. Throughout the night, I stupidly ordered several of these half-bottles of champagne that were on the menu with no price listed. Of course, when the bill came, it turned out they had brought me the most expensive bottles, and I could not afford to pay for them. After a long standoff, the club eventually believed I couldn't afford my tab or just gave up and settled the bill for some reasonable amount that I had on me. Obviously, they were trying to take advantage of me, but it was also very stupid that I didn't ask for the price upfront."

— u/Orange_Kid

4. "The plane I was on hit turbulence, and I dislocated both hip replacements. I had to lay in the center aisle for 45 minutes while passing out in pain until we could make an emergency landing."

— u/JonnyP3283

5. "I needed to take a train to the airport in Rome to catch my flight home. So I got on the track where the train to Roma Fiumicino was announced. The train was fast, but it took way longer than I thought it should, and I started to worry a bit about being late for my flight. Then we arrived at the next train station....which was Florence! Somehow I had taken the wrong train (for which I did not have a ticket), and I also missed my flight. I explained the situation to the conductor, who kindly let me stay on until the next stop, Milan, without paying for a new ticket. By the time we reached Milan I had already booked a hotel room and a new flight home the next day. I had never been to Milan, and I had a good time there, so in the end, it worked out."

— u/sumpuran

6. "I made hotel reservations for the wrong weekend. I had to find a new hotel 30 minutes away. The original reservation was for a hotel where I could walk out of my room and directly onto the beach."

— u/mook1178

7. "Booked a train ticket from Rome to Venice and drank way too much the night before. I rolled into the train station with about 10 minutes to spare — only to find out that it was daylight savings time, and I was actually 50 minutes late."

— u/Snazzypants11

8. "I missed my flight home from Ghana to California on a layover in Rome. I told everyone I fell asleep and missed the flight, but in reality, I was sitting at the wrong gate reading a book and didn’t hear my name being called (apparently, the airline was calling my name forever and then left me behind). In my defense, it was a really good book, and I was exhausted from a long travel day."

— u/zeebette

9. "I booked a holiday to Ibiza from the UK while out at a rave. The next day, I discovered that instead of flying from Southampton to Ibiza, I was actually flying Southampton to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Madrid, and Madrid to Ibiza. What should have been a two-hour flight took most of the day. Whoops."

— u/Ok-Topic-6971

10. "I once read the flight arrival time as the departure time. My girlfriend had to be home for a class by the next morning, so the only option was to make the six-hour drive. She wasn’t stoked with me."

— u/twankyfive

11. "I booked a flight to Manchester, NH, when I was supposed to go to Manchester, UK. I was proud of myself at first for finding a great deal. In my defense, this was years ago, in the early days of the internet. It was one of the first purchases I made on Priceline when you’d buy the airfare online, and they’d send paper tickets in the mail."

— u/HeatherAnne1975

12. "In Portuguese, gasolina means gas, and gasoleo means diesel. Despite the confusingly similar names, these two things are still not interchangeable. I learned this the hard way."

— u/c322617

13. "I missed a flight because I was eating a Big Mac. And my buddy just got on the plane without me."

— u/Gigahurt77

14. "I mixed up AM and PM for my flight time and showed up at the airport 12 hours late. Had to book a new one."

— u/dude341387

15. "I booked a flight to Santiago, Spain. Months later, when checking into my flight, I realized I had booked for Santiago, Chile. I repacked my bag and went to Chile six hours later with zero itinerary or reservations. I ended up in Patagonia and had an awesome trip."

— u/AccidentalTourista

16. "My husband passed a kidney stone on the first night of our honeymoon."

— u/TinyBunny88

17. "Turns out SJC is NOT the airport code for San Jose, Costa Rica. Rather, it's San Jose, California. I figured this one out too late."

— u/Frodosear

18. "A hotel I was staying at gave me the key to someone else's room. When I opened the door, there was some random guy lying on the bed without a shirt on. We both sort of jumped. I slammed the door shut and walked away. I got a free (and vacant) room after that incident."

— u/DJAlaskaAndrew

19. "I traveled for over ten hours for a sold-out festival in Vegas. All major hotels were sold out because of it, and I realized I booked the hotel for 2024 instead of 2023."

— u/smolperson

So, what's a travel mishap you'll never forget and never live down? Tell us your story in the comments or drop it into the Google form.

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My Secret to Weeks of Free Lodging in Europe

I wanted to stay in apartments or houses—but i was a brand-new college grad on a budget.

This is One Thing , a column with tips on how to live.

After I graduated from college, I knew I wanted to travel for a few months, so I secured a part-time job that could be done remotely. I didn’t want to do my work shifts from a hostel bunk bed or random cafés that stayed open late. (I’d be in Europe, thanks to an EU passport, and my gig was based in the states.) Paying for Airbnbs the entire trip would eat up way too much of my paychecks. It was kismet that just as I was starting to plan my travels, my friend sent me a video about a couple traveling the world and dog-sitting along the way, using an app called Trusted Housesitters .

As an avid dog lover, I thought it was perfect. I paid a little over $100 to make an account, then started browsing housesits around the world. I adorned my profile with pictures of me and the various dogs in my life, and applied for opportunities across the ocean. Before I had even left the United States, I had three gigs set up: I’d spend about 10 days in Scotland and Wales, then three weeks in Amsterdam.

Just like when setting up drinks through a dating app, you do have to be vigilant and pay attention for red flags when talking to potential hosts. My stay in Scotland was less than ideal for many reasons—the situation could have been easily avoided if I had listened to my gut and declined that gig. (The app does do background checks, and there’s an opportunity for both sides to leave reviews, meaning you don’t go in completely unaware.) But the other dog-sits were fantastic. One experience went so well that last fall, I returned to Amsterdam to once again to dog-sit Pretzel, a lovely Maltipoo, while her parents got married and went on their honeymoon.

Although I opted for longer sits abroad, there is also the option to just watch a furry friend stateside for a weekend. (If you do go internationally, be mindful that you might potentially need a work or tourist visa.) I just checked the app, and as I’m writing this, there are opportunities available in cities that include Austin, Atlanta, and Boulder.

Of course, you have the responsibility of taking care of someone else’s dog—you need to do some planning and can’t just leave the pet alone all day, and the owners don’t pay you. But the free accommodations feel like a fair exchange to me. I also love that many of the dog-sit locations are in more residential areas, so you’re able to experience local life in whatever city you’re in. Plus, you get to hang with a cute dog. What could be better?

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Study Russian at the NRCSA Center in Moscow. Founded in 1992, the institute is a private organization that specializes in teaching Russian to foreigners. It got the recognition as a private language training institute by the local St Petersburg government in 1995. The NRCSA Ce...

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Semester in Moscow Spring

Opening all of Higher School of Economics' English-taught programmes to visiting undergraduate and graduate students, Semester in Moscow offers a wide variety of courses across disciplines. Russian language training is available at all levels, and students can also enroll in t...

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Tailor-made internship & ECTS credits in Russia

The “Internship & ECTS Credits in Russia" is a joint program of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and ProfIntern. This is a combination of:- Professional internship in Russia- Academic course on cross-cultural communication in the Russian business environme...

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CIEE Russian Area Studies in St. Petersburg, Russia

Students with 0-4 semesters of Russian are invited to immerse themselves in Russian history, culture, politics, language study, and university life at CIEE St. Petersburg. Select coursework across a range of academic areas, in English, along with Russian language classes match...

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A Guide to Study Abroad Programs in Moscow, Russia

The capital of the world’s largest nation and the heart of the former Soviet empire, Moscow is a historical powerhouse kicking with new life. From colorful Orthodox cathedrals and ballets at the Bolshoi Theatre to understated art galleries and backwater pubs, this communist center is heaving with culture. While studying abroad in Moscow, students can expect pop-up ping-pong tournaments in the park, classical concerts, and retro clubs, where Russian and international students mix and mingle.

Popular Ways to Study Abroad in Moscow

Studying in Moscow offers a smorgasbord of options for international students. Whether you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-track art institute or a major scientific research university, you’ll find it in Russia’s capital city. 

Popular subjects to study. Most students who opt to spend their time abroad in Moscow pursue Russian studies , which is the obvious choice for a reason. Founded in 1147, Moscow is one of the oldest cities in Russia, making it an ideal location to study history . For aspiring performance artists and cinema enthusiasts, theater programs in Moscow are also especially strong. The city has a lively history of performance art, recognized on the world stage. Studying theatre in Moscow offers students insight into Russian theatrical traditions and the region’s best playwrights, including the likes of Gogol and Chekhov. 

Short term and summer vs. long term programs. Moscow’s academic calendar looks similar to that of many Western education systems. Classes start in September and end in May, with breaks in November, late December, and March. Summer is usually off, but many universities and private education centers in Moscow continue offering courses during the summer term. 

Attending universities vs. studying w/ other program types. You can opt to register directly and be admitted to a university in Moscow, or you can choose to go through your own university, through a consortium, or through a third-party provider. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to study abroad in Moscow, so we recommend that you pick the program that fits your needs, goals, and budget.

Student Life in Moscow

From iconic communist monuments to Brooklyn-esque bistros, Moscow is pulsing with dark chills and hopeful vibrance; a mix that is forever captivating students’ imaginations. If you don’t know where to start, the Kremlin and Red Square are like Moscow’s North Star, guiding you back toward the city’s center.

Students taking a full course load have their hands full with classes and homework, but it’s worth making time for an evening break to pop into a neighborhood dive bar or visit an art museum. On summer afternoons, you’d be remiss not to take a stroll through Gorky Park. If your feet can’t move fast enough to cover the 10 miles path along the Moscow River, rent a bike or a pair of inline skates, or post up on the Olive Beach sundeck. Gorky Park is also famous for impromptu tournaments and tango dance classes, so don’t be shy about joining in.

For a classier night out, dabble in Moscow’s traditional arts scene or explore more experimental side scenes- especially popular among the burgeoning class of Muscovite “hipsters”. Watch a performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture at the Bolshoi Theatre, just down the street from where it premiered nearly a century ago. Thirsty? Sip cocktails on the rooftop of the funkily refurbished Red October Chocolate Factory, which has been transformed into a cultural hub.

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Standout college resources supporting Broad students every step of the way

The Broad College of Business is recognized for its renowned reputation when it comes to the exceptional quality of its students, faculty and staff. In fact, the Full-Time MBA and undergraduate programs have both been ranked among the top 20 U.S. public business schools across all major ranking services.

Perhaps what empowers Broad Spartans to succeed is our strong sense of community and belonging. One way this comes to life is through the abundant resources that both inspire and prepare students to reach unprecedented heights. Let’s uncover the resources within Broad that help our students succeed while at Michigan State University and thrive in the corporate world.

Student Engagement Center

Located in the Eppley Center in Room E105, the Student Engagement Center serves as a dynamic hub where undergraduate students can foster learning, personal growth and a sense of belonging within the Broad community. It serves as an epicenter within the Broad College, hosting many events such as weekly Living Room Chats with Beth Hammond , managing director of the Center for Ethical and Socially Responsible Leadership. This series allows students to connect with their peers and Hammond, covering topics such as American culture, respect and finding stillness in the modern world. The center also hosts rejuvenating mid-semester destressing events, bringing in therapy dogs, offering smoothies and wellness exercises and serving as a hub for student organizations to host their activities.

Additionally, the center and its ambassadors serve as a pivotal resource for the promotion of the Broad 360 app . Through personalized guidance and support, they empower students and faculty to leverage the app’s comprehensive features, such as student organization event calendars, enticing reward systems and a centralized platform for the college. Broad 360 is available for download through the Suitable app on  iOS  and  Android .

The ambassadors serve as a dedicated resource for students, offering consistent tabling throughout the week, engaging in passive activities and overseeing the Broad Registered Student Organization corner.

Multicultural Business Programs

The college prides itself on the rich diversity of its students, recognizing the unique perspectives and backgrounds everyone brings. Central to fostering this diverse environment is Multicultural Business Programs , which serves as a community for all Broad students with diverse cultural backgrounds. MBP guides self-identified minoritized students through advocacy, empowerment strategies and initiatives.

Nestled on the second floor of the Eppley Center is the Level Up Academic Center, a welcoming space where students can study, connect and engage with their peers. In addition, MBP offers access to the Empowerment Closet, a private fitting room where students can explore and borrow professional business attire for interviews, presentations and various professional endeavors — at no cost. The Level Up Academic Center has an open-door policy in order to support the continued success of all students with additional free tutoring and motivational extracurriculars.

Student organizations within MBP offer an exceptional avenue of involvement, welcoming all students as members, regardless of their majors. Together, these resources within MBP showcase the college’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive and empowering environment where students can thrive and succeed.

Russell Palmer Career Management Center

Within the Minskoff Pavilion lies the Russell Palmer Career Management Center , serving as a dynamic location to connect Michigan State business students with top employers. The Palmer Center team actively advises, coaches and educates students to actualize their career aspirations, closely collaborating with employers and alumni to propel Spartans across the globe.

The center focuses on both undergraduate and graduate career advising, providing progressive career search reports and targeted resources to students. With access to one-on-one career advising, the Deloitte Foundation Interview Suite and abundant on-campus networking opportunities, the center is the Broad College’s core for career placement.

At the Palmer Center, students have the opportunity to engage with educated peer career coaches. The Palmer Center Peer Career Coaches are current Broad seniors with strong backgrounds in career management and bring a wealth of first-hand experience and insight to support and guide fellow students on their career journeys. Meeting with a peer coach at the Palmer Center provides a range of support services including exploring business careers, creating resumes, refining cover letters, optimizing LinkedIn profiles, practicing mock interviewing, navigating career fairs and facilitating networking strategies.

Education Abroad Office

Completing the array of the college’s supportive resources is the Education Abroad Office , which enriches students with a global perspective to their education. Education abroad experiences provide Broad students with the opportunity to venture to a foreign country, experiencing internships, cultures, food and more, expanding their global mindset.

Typically, Broad-specific programs work well for Broad students due to major-specific programs and global experiences offered. However, beyond the college, MSU offers more than 260 programs in more than 60 countries on all continents. So, whether students want a business-related program or not, they have a wide array of options to choose from for an international experience. Across each of the programs, education abroad empowers our students to build their self-confidence, foster cultural tolerance and understanding and forge lifelong friendships. Topping it off, they gain knowledge about industries and business practices in various settings, which they can take with them in their careers ahead.

In all, the Broad College is not just a place of academic excellence but a community where students can excel and be supported every step of the way. Together, these resources further the college’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded students ready to make meaningful contributions in today’s business world.

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5 facts about presidential travel abroad

American presidents and other world leaders frequently travel internationally, most commonly for conferences and bilateral meetings. This face-to-face diplomacy can offer insights into political priorities, partnerships and tensions, as well as key international issues.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international travel in 2020 and 2021, but diplomatic travel picked up significantly in 2022. Here are five facts about presidential travel abroad:

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to examine the international travel history of recent U.S. presidents and other heads of government through Jan. 20, 2023.

Dates and destinations of U.S. presidential travel prior to 2021 are from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Historian, which has recorded international presidential travel since 1901. Travel data for 2021 and 2022 was compiled from White House press briefings. Information on visits to Ukraine by other world leaders were independently verified through official government websites.

Only trips where the head of government met face-to-face with another head of government are included. For example, Biden’s trip to the UK for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral is excluded as Biden did not hold any diplomatic meetings with the British prime minister or other world leaders. Visiting leaders were only counted if they were the head of government at the time of their visit. Depending on the country’s political system, “head of government” could mean president or prime minister, but not both. Heads of state, monarchs and interim leaders are excluded from the visiting leaders count.

U.S. President Joe Biden has traveled internationally less frequently than his last two predecessors did. Biden traveled to 17 places outside the United States in his first two years in office, visiting some more than once. He made six international trips in 2021, all of them to Europe. In 2022, he made 12 trips, including to Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East. And in early 2023, Biden traveled to Mexico for the North American Leaders’ Summit.

All told, Biden’s international visit count trails those of former Presidents Donald Trump, who made 23 international trips to 20 places during his first two years in office, and Barack Obama, who made 32 trips to 24 places in the first two years of his presidency.

Biden’s first presidential trip abroad was to the United Kingdom, while Trump’s was to Saudi Arabia and Obama’s was to Canada. A president’s first trip is often used to signal the importance of a strategic alliance. On his trip to the UK in June 2021, Biden reaffirmed the U.S.-UK partnership and committed to close cooperation throughout his presidency. Typically, U.S. presidents visit a close ally on their inaugural trip: Canada was the first international destination for both Obama and Bill Clinton, while Mexico was the first destination for George W. Bush.

U.S. presidents have visited the UK the most in the past decade – a total of eight times. American presidents have worked closely with their British counterparts over the past decade, cooperating on issues from defense and counterterrorism to climate policy . Travel to the UK has largely centered around conferences and summits, but in 2019, Trump made a ceremonial state visit to the UK .  

In the past decade of presidential travel, Belgium (home to NATO headquarters ), France, Germany and Japan are the second-most visited destinations, at six times each.

So far, Biden has made the most trips to the UK and Belgium – two each. (Biden’s additional visit to the UK to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II is not included in this count, since he did not hold any diplomatic appointments.) Just as these two European allies stand out in Biden’s presidential travel thus far, France stands out in Trump’s administration and Germany stands out in Obama’s – they visited those respective countries four times while in office.

Biden is among 38 heads of government who have visited Ukraine since the beginning of the war there. Biden traveled to Kyiv as part of a surprise trip in February, days before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion .

While many heads of government visiting Ukraine have come from neighboring countries or countries in Europe (such as Poland’s prime minister, who has visited five times since the beginning of the war) that is not always the case. For example, Guatemala’s President Alejandro Giammattei and Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló traveled to Ukraine in July 2022 and October 2022, respectively.

Biden hosted 28 heads of government at the White House as of the end of 2022. Foreign leaders come to the U.S. for events including conferences, summits and bilateral meetings. Among those to visit the White House in 2021 and 2022 were then-Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson of Sweden, who met with Biden to submit her country’s application for NATO membership ; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who traveled to the White House on his first known wartime trip abroad ; and French President Emmanuel Macron, whose trip marked the first state visit of Biden’s presidency . In fact, the president of France has been the first leader to make a state visit to the U.S. for the past three presidential terms, with Macron visiting Trump in April 2018 and his predecessor, François Hollande, visiting Obama in February 2014. In April 2023, Biden hosted the second state visit of his administration , meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

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Sarah Austin is a research assistant focusing on global attitudes research at Pew Research Center

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Golden Week crowds greeted with high temperatures as holiday period kicks off

Temperatures soared Sunday across a broad swath of the country, as Japan marked the second day of the Golden Week holiday period, with millions of travelers venturing to both international and domestic destinations.

Meanwhile, Osaka and central Tokyo reached 28 C, well above averages for this time of year, while Nagoya hit 28.3 C. The mercury in the cities of Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, and Fukushima also hit 30 C.

As Japan began its Golden Week holidays, which last until May 6, crowds of travelers headed to airports and train stations for trips to visit their hometowns or resorts, with families carrying hefty suitcases forming lengthy lines at airline counters.

Around 835,200 people were projected to travel through Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture for international flights and 263,300 people for domestic flights during the busy holiday period.

An estimated 23.3 million people in Japan, about 90% of pre-pandemic levels, were expected to travel during the 11-day period, according to a report from travel agency JTB.

The Golden Week holidays this year are the first since the government downgraded the classification of COVID-19 to match that of the seasonal flu last May, lifting all remaining travel guidelines due to the virus.

Destinations consistently favored by Japanese tourists such as Hawaii and Guam were popular, while nearby South Korea and Taiwan were choices for those mindful of the weak yen, as reported by NHK.

A total of 2.96 million seats were booked for bullet trains and other reserved trains from Friday up until the end of the holiday period, a 16% increase from last year, according to the nation’s six Japan Railway operators.

But rain could put a damper on plans in some areas on Monday, when a low-pressure system is expected to approach western Japan, with rain likely drenching the Kyushu region from the morning and spreading to the Chugoku and Shikoku areas around noon. Some areas are expected to experience heavy rain and thunderstorms.

In the Kinki region, rain is expected starting in the evening, but the Tokai, Kanto and Hokuriku regions may see some sun with a chance of rain at night. In Okinawa, rain and thunderstorms are likely until around noon, mainly in the southern islands.

Tokyo, Nagoya and Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, were forecast to see temperatures of 27 C, 25 C and 29 C, respectively.

On Tuesday, rain is anticipated from the Kyushu to Kanto areas, mainly in the morning. In the Tohoku region and Hokkaido, showers are likely to continue into the afternoon, possibly turning into heavy rainfall.

Wednesday will see scattered rain in Okinawa, Kyushu, extending to Kanto, but the skies are forecast to clear on Thursday from Kyushu to Hokkaido, potentially creating ideal conditions for Golden Week outings next weekend.

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