Moscow, Russia

Please note that the Russia Travel Advisory from the U.S. Department of State is at Level 4: Do Not Travel.

Situated on the grounds of the 14th-century Andronikov Monastery, the Andrei Rublev Museum of Ancient Russian Art is home to some of the country's best and most important pieces of Russian Orthodox artwork. More than 5,000 pieces of art are displayed in the museum, including the famous Our Savior of Gavshinka, a Yaroslavl icon whose exact age is still not known. The museum is open from 11:00am until 6:00pm every day of the week except for Wednesdays and the last Friday of each month, and guided tours in either English or Russian can be arranged for a fee.

Andronyevskaya Sq., 10, Moscow 105120, Russia, Phone: +7 495 678-14-89

Please note that the Russia Travel Advisory from the U.S. Department of State is at Level 4: Do Not Travel.

Running right through the heart of beautiful Kolomenskoye Park, the Golosov Ravine sits between Kolomenskoye Hill and Dyakovo Hill. The ravine has been considered a place of mystery since the early 15th century; people have reported seeing hairy human-shaped creatures here, and more than one local legend tells the story of a thick mist descending on the ravine to warp time. The ravine is also home to two large sandstone rocks known as Diviy and Gus, which are believed to be an ancient Slavic shrine. However, the ravine is also a pleasant place for a simple stroll, and it offers several good pathways.

For hundreds of years, Izmailovsky Park has been a prime relaxation destination for the people of Moscow, and this is perhaps truer today than ever before. The park offers peaceful birch forests, plenty of walking and cycling trails, and a beautiful lake that has plenty of paddleboats for rent. The natural beauty of the park is a good enough reason to visit, but another highlight is the Pokhorovoskiy Cathedral on Silver Island, which dates back to the 17th century. Most visitors combine a trip to the park with a stop at the nearby Izmailovo Market, which sells a variety of trinkets and souvenirs.

Alley Bolshogo Kruga, 7, shosse Entuziastov & Glavnaya alleya, Moscow 105187, Russia, Phone: +7 499 166-61-19