The main city of Russia celebrates its 870's anniverssary. Please find the figures and facts about Moscow, news on hotels and Ekaterinburg city - one of the most interersting stops on Transsib.

Sincerely,
Helen Isaeva

Moscow: Facts & Numbers

Moscow celebrated City Day on September 9, 2017. On September 9 Moscow, the Russia's capital, celebrated its 870 anniversary. Many exciting events including open air concerts, sports contests and laser shows took place on this day. A lot of street food and drinks were offered to guests during the celebration. The Metro and Central Circle urban railway line stayed open for 24 hours during the weekend. Tverskaya Street was the life and soul of the party. People were able to learn about the city's famous buildings and prominent Muscovites at several outdoor events and parks.
Interesting facts about Moscow:

• Area of Moscow is 2,511 km². It is the biggest city in Europe.
• Moscow is Europe's largest city by number of residents. Its permanent population (not counting temporary residents and visitors) is over 12 million people
• Russian capital has more than 5,000 km of streets and roads
• Moscow's metro system is the busiest in Europe and the 6th longest in the world, with more than 317 km of subway lines
• The volume of passenger traffic in the Moscow Transportation Hub is approximately 11.5 billion people
• Moscow is known as one of the greenest capitals in the world, with over 100 parks and numerous gardens, boulevards and squares. All of green areas are fitted for comfortable recreation and sports
• 38 % of historical sites of Russia are concentrated in Moscow
• 200 of Moscow historical sites are on the UNESCO's World Heritage Site list
• Moscow has an active cultural life. In the Russian capital there are more than 100 theaters and concert halls, more than 100 cinemas, over 600 museums, country estates and art galleries, around 400 leisure and specialty clubs. Russian capital holds more than 500 exhibitions annually
• There are over 450 sport facilities in Moscow including sports palaces, stadiums, swimming pools, shooting ranges and skating rinks. In 2018 the city will hold the World Football Championship
• Moscow is a multinational city. It is a home to more than 100 nationalities, the most widespread of which are Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Jews, Belarusians, Georgians, Uzbeks, and Chechens. In Moscow you can see representatives from all countries of the former USSR

TransSib Journey: Yekaterinburg

One of the most interesting stops during the TransSib journey is Yekaterinburg.
Yekaterinburg is Russia's fourth largest city in Russia after Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Novosibirsk. The city was founded in 1723 by the order of Peter the Great as a metallurgical factory and named after Russian emperor Peter the Great's wife, Yekaterina, who later became Catherine I after Peter's death. In 1924-1991 the city was named Sverdlovsk, but in 1991 gained back its historical name. The city is known for being the place where the last Russian Tsar and his family was was imprisoned after the October Revolution of 1917, and later executed. The golden-domed Church on the Blood was built in the early XXI century on the site of the Tsar's family execution in 1918. Exhibits at the nearby Sverdlovsk Regional Local Lore Museum include the Hall of the Romanovs, with personal items that belonged to the last royal family.

Another interesting fact about Yekaterinburg is that it is situated near the Ural Mountains, the border of Europe and Asia, and there are several symbolic monuments to mark the border. So, you can literally stand with your one foot in Europe and your other one in the East, have a glass of Champagne and take many exciting pictures to show your friends at home.

Ganina Yama
Today Ganina Yama and a monastery of the Holy Tsarist Passion-Bearers are holy sites of modern Russia which are interesting for visiting not only to believers, but also for all people interested in the Russian history.

Ganina Yama is the place near Yekaterinburg where remains of last emperor of Russia and his family were brought after execution in 1918. Ganina Yama was at first was used as a gold mine which was subsequently abandoned.

On the night of 17 July 1918, the bodies of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, who had been executed at the engineer Ipatiev's House in Yekaterinburg, where now the Church on the Blood is, were secretly transported to Ganina Yama and thrown into the shaft. In 2000 the members of the Romanov familty were canonicalized by the Russian Church and the remains were moved to the Peter and Pauls' fortress in St Petetrburg.

Special Offers

• The Ritz-Carlton Moscow Hotel 5*One of the most luxurious properties in Moscow The Ritz-Carlton Hotel 5* presents a special offer valid for group bookings.
November and December 2017
Superior Room Euro 180/Euro 226 (Single/Double)
Breakfast in included into the room rate
Complimentary bottle of mineral water in rooms daily, Tea set-up and Nespresso Coffee Machines
Complimentary access to swimming pool, sauna, steam & fitness center
Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access in rooms and public areas
Complimentary shoe shine night service
Mors Welcome Drink at Reception
Complimentary late check out at 14:00

Rooms at the special rates are upon availability and applicable for the new bookings only with condition that 8 rooms materialize.

• Peking Hotel Moscow 4*Peking Hotel has been preserving its history and tradition of hospitality since 1956 improving its facilities and services in accordance with all modern requirements. This 4* property is located in the center of Moscow and offers 150 guest rooms of different categories: Standard, Superior, Deluxe, Suite, Grand Suite, Grand Suite, Panoramic, Grand Suite Triumphal, Ambassador Suite and Apartments. There is a restaurant, a rooftop bar with panoramic view, a lobby bar. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms. Spa center and beauty shop is available to guests.

Time Out rooftop bar is a nice place to spend an evening and relax after a long busy day. It is located at the gazebo of Peking Hotel, on the 12th and 13th floors. The bar veranda on both sides of the roof offers stunning views of Moscow. The project authors have successfully combined the concepts of a city cafe and a reasonable European menu and bar where you can enjoy classic and signature cocktails and watch the work of real bar professionals. The idea of the cocktail menu is based on the assumption that each cocktail is good in its time. On weekends, guests are entertained by spectacular music parties with the best Moscow's DJs.