mayo clinic art tours

Mayo Clinic Tours

200 1st St SW (Street Level) Rochester, MN 55902 507-538-0440

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For Mayo Clinic patients and guests. Not open to the general public. Go behind the scenes of the Mayo Clinic, one of the world's premier health care facilities. Learn about Mayo's historical origins, art and architecture. Tour and movie at 10am Monday through Friday. Art tour at 1:30pm Monday through Friday, both beginning in Judd Auditorium, Subway Level of the Mayo Building. Self-guided tour brochures are also available at the information desks of Mayo Clinic's Gonda Building, Saint Mary's Hospital and Rochester Methodist Hospital.

Nearby See & Do

• SEMVA Gallery 20 2nd Ave SW (96 feet SE)
• Peace Plaza Downtown 1st Ave SW & 1st St SW (204 feet SE)
• James Krom Natural Images Art Museum Gallery 101 First Ave SW (298 feet SE)
• Historic Chateau Theatre 15 1st St SW (497 feet E)

Nearby Eat & Drink

• Lord Essex Tavern and Grill 20 2nd Ave SW (78 feet NE)
• Tea Time 20 2nd Ave SW (107 feet N)
• Carroll's Corn 20 2nd Ave SW (112 feet N)
• QDOBA Mexican Eats 180 Center St W (128 feet NE)

Nearby Shop

• Couture by Hanny's 20 2nd Ave SW (50 feet SE)
• Eye-Q Intelligent Eyewear 20 2nd Ave SW (58 feet NE)
• STYLE by Hanny's 20 2nd Ave SW (76 feet SE)
• 99 Giggles 20 2nd Ave SW (82 feet NE)

Photos: A walk through Mayo Clinic's healing art

Auguste Rodin, Andy Warhol and Alexander Calder never trained a doctor, performed surgery or cured a disease. But their timeless art, on display around Mayo Clinic, still offers a kind of medicine.

"The arts do have a healing aspect. They improve the quality of experience for patients," Dr. Paul Scanlon, a specialist in pulmonary and critical care medicine, said as he walked a reporter and photographer recently around some of Mayo's most notable pieces.

The clinic's 30-year-old humanities program is rooted in the belief that art and healing are closely tied. It's a conviction traceable to clinic founders William and Charles Mayo.

Scanlon, who heads the humanities program, began the tour at the Gonda Building, a 20-story glass edifice that houses many of the hospital's outpatient services.

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• 200 1st Street SW
• Rochester, MN 55905
• Phone: (507) 284-2511

All tours at Mayo Clinic are restricted to patients and their guests the day they are on campus for medical appointments. Tours begin in Judd Auditorium, subway level of the Mayo Building. Self-guided tour brochures are also available at the information desks of the Gonda Building, Saint Marys Hospital, and Rochester Methodist Hospital.

TripAdvisor

Rochester City & Mayo Historical Trolley Tour

Experience the city’s top sites & attractions , join us on our vintage red trolleys for a narrated city tour featuring rochester’s top sites and attractions, including our mayo historical sites explore the early years of the world-famous mayo clinic, while experience the homes and lives of pioneering doctors on this relaxing, entertaining tour, available seven days per week, year-round, for private groups 33 passenger vintage trolley or by coach .

Relax and enjoy this entertaining and informative tour featuring stories and anecdotes associated with Rochester’s major historic, cultural, and architectural sites and attractions. Rochester and the “Blufflands” region boast a rich and fascinating Indian, pioneer, stagecoach, steamboat, and Civil War history. This tour offers an overview of Rochester’s fascinating medical history along with the Mayo family’s ties to Minnesota history. By the end of this tour, you will know the inside story of Rochester’s amazing growth and transformation from a humble Midwestern farm town to world-famous mecca for the medical arts. We guarantee you will be surprised and delighted by the charm of Rochester’s many hidden scenic and cultural gems, as we focus on Rochester’s extraordinary past, exciting present, and much-anticipated future Destination Medical Center (DMC) growth.

HIGHLIGHTS! 

• Mayo Clinic Campus ~ Largest Clinic of its Kind in the World

Downtown Rochester & Peace Plaza ~ Cosmopolitan Shops, Restaurants, & Plazas

Plummer Building ~ Original Mayo Clinic Building Designed by Dr. Henry S. Plummer

Mayo Civic Center & Rochester Art Center ~ Largest Event Space in Southern MN with Beautiful Glass Atrium & Contemporary Architecture 

Silver Lake Park ~ Charming Lake District Featuring Limestone Arch Bridges

Assisi Heights ~ Home of the Rochester Franciscan Community, Founders of St. Marys Hospital 

St. Marys Hospital Campus & Chapel ~ Among the Largest Private Hospitals in the Country, Rich in History 

History Center of Olmsted County & Historic Stoppel Pioneer Farm  ~ Fascinating Sites that Depict the Area’s Pioneer & Settlement Eras  

Mayowood Historic Corridor ~ Dr. Charlie’s Limestone Carriage Barn & Stables, Greenhouses, Cottages, River Bridge, Dam & Lake 

Historic Mayowood Mansion  ~ Former Home of Mayo Clinic Co-Founder Dr. Charlie Mayo, Completed in 1911

Plummer House ~ Former Home of Dr. Henry S. Plummer, Designer of Original Mayo Clinic Buildings 

“Pill Hill” National Historic Residential District ~ Historic Homes Built by Pioneering Doctors & Prominent Citizens 

Mayo Foundation House ~ Former Home of Mayo Clinic Co-Founder Dr. Will Mayo, Completed in 1918

• Soldier’s Field Veterans Memorial ~ One of the Finest Memorials in the Country
• Calvary Episcopal Church ~ Mayo Family Church & Oldest Church in Rochester

Feith Family Statuary ~ Park Honoring Founders of Mayo Clinic & Saint Marys Hospital

LOGISTICS! 

Your group selects the tour date, start time, and pickup location! 

Recommended duration for this tour is 1 hour, 1.5 hours, or 2 hours! 

This private group tour is available seven days per week! 

Transportation via a 33 passenger vintage trolley or by coach! 

Your group will receive a flat discounted private group tour rate! 

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Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

You are here, mayo clinic art tour, september 5, 3:30-4:30pm.

• Accreditation

Mayo Clinic has an extensive collection of art, which includes donated and commissioned works made possible by Mayo benefactors. 

There is limited enrollment to this event and you must be enrolled in the General Session to attend.

For disclosure information regarding Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development accreditation review committee member(s) and staff, please go here to review disclosures .

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Request for cancellations must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. When cancelling a registration for a course 14 days or more before the course start date, a full refund (minus a $75 administrative fee) will be issued in the same form of payment the registration was received. No refunds are granted less than 14 days before the course start date.

Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions of Online Registration.

Prerequisites

• Center for Humanities in Medicine

Tour "Expressions of Clinician Well Being" virtually or at Rochester Art Center

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A new art exhibit, "Expressions of Clinician Well-Being," is available for touring virtually and an expanded collection is on display at the Rochester Art Center .

Expressions of Clinician Well-Being collects insights directly from clinicians, patients, their loved ones, and organizations working to prevent burnout and promote well-being. By allowing people to creatively express their experiences with burnout, this gallery captures important moments in the journey to well-being.

Produced by National Academy of Medicine, Presented by Mayo Clinic, hosted by Rochester Art Center.

The artwork,  which was specially curated from a collection of 100 pieces of art, reflect Mayo Clinic's commitment to hope and healing as seen through the lenses of patients and providers.

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Mayo Clinic Emeriti Association

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Emeriti Art Tour

Wed, Mar 28, 2018 2:00pm to 3:00pm CT

Description

You’ve spent years walking the halls of Mayo and may have only given a passing glance at some of the amazing art that graces the walls and halls of Mayo Clinic buildings. On March 28th, 2 pm, Stephen Carmichael and Andy Good, two of your colleagues who lead art tours, will provide a special tour just for emeriti staff and their spouse/partner. Call the Emeriti Office at 507-284-2691 to R.S.V.P.  Plan to gather in Judd Auditorium at 2 pm for the tour.

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The Carillon at Mayo Clinic

The Mayo Clinic carillon cam provides real-time views of musical performances.

Music plays an important part in the healing mission of Mayo Clinic. Since 1928, our campus in Rochester, Minnesota, has featured a large instrument of cup-shaped bells known as a carillon, located in the tower of the Plummer Building. Now you can enjoy the carillon from any place in the world by watching live performances as they stream on camera, above, or by visiting our library of recorded carillon music, below.

For a behind-the-scenes look at the carillon and the story of how it became part of the Mayo Clinic experience, watch the short film, “Crowned with Music: The Carillon at Mayo Clinic,” at the bottom of this page. Open other tabs for additional information, and please send us your comments and suggestions.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 – 3:15 p.m.

America – arr. Austin Ferguson

Concerto Grosso I – Ronald Barnes

• Grave e recitando; Andante espressivo
• Allegro comodamente

Schedule of Events

The carillon will play a temporary schedule of Mondays at 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday at 3:15 p.m. (CT) through April.

The carillon can be heard Mondays at 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday at 12:00 p.m. (CT).

Recitals featuring the Mayo Clinic carillonneur are scheduled each weekday throughout the year. Typically lasting between 20-30 minutes, recitals are also presented on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and for other special events. In the summer, Mayo Clinic hosts talented guest carillonneurs from around the world. Recitals are open to the public and free of charge.

In a live performance, carillon music is best heard about 500 feet downwind from the source – ideally, in an open area away from distracting noise. The sound is clearest during crisp, cold weather, though performances can be enjoyed at any time. Enjoyable spots to listen to the carillon on the Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester, Minnesota, include Annenberg Plaza, between the Mayo, Plummer and Gonda Buildings, and the courtyard behind the Harwick Building.

Featured Recordings

Pål på haugen.

Arranged by Dean Robinson, performed by Austin Ferguson

Arranged and performed by Austin Ferguson

Auld Lang Syne

What is a carillon.

The carillon is dedicated “To the American Soldier.”

Plummer Building, Rochester, MN

The largest bell is nearly 6 feet high and weighs 7,840 lbs.

“Today we dedicate this carillon to the American soldier, in grateful memory of heroic actions on land and sea to which America owes her liberty, peace and prosperity.”

The Carillon Players of Mayo Clinic

From left: James Drummond, Dean Robinson, Jeffrey Daehn and Austin Ferguson

• James Drummond – Originally from San Antonio, he played the carillon from its installation in 1928 until he retired in 1958. He said his goal was to play music as a way to give “peace and inspiration and a lift of spirit to Rochester visitors, which was the intent of the carillon’s donors, Drs. Will and Charles Mayo.”
• Dean Robinson – A Rochester native, he served as Carillonneur from 1958 until his death in 2004. He studied music at Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio and MacPhail College of Music in Minneapolis. His career included performing and teaching carillon, organ and piano.
• Jeffrey Daehn – Originally from Chicago, he studied music at Valparaiso University in Indiana and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He came to Rochester in 1977 as organist and music minister at Zumbro Lutheran Church, studied carillon with Dean Robinson and other well-known carillonneurs and served as Carillonneur of Mayo Clinic from 2004 through 2016.
• Austin Ferguson – A native of Longview, Texas, he led the carillon program at The University of Texas at Austin from 2011 to 2015, performing daily recitals and supervising student carillon instruction. He has been a featured recitalist around the country and is an active member of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America. He was named the fourth Carillonneur of Mayo Clinic in February 2017. Outside of Mayo, he serves as Director of Music and Organist at Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Rochester and teaches a full piano studio.

Benefactor Support

We recognize with gratitude the following benefactors, who have supported the carillon at Mayo Clinic throughout its history:

• 1928 – William J. Mayo, M.D., and Charles H. Mayo, M.D., donated the original 23 bells.
• 1977 – Mrs. Frances G. Sheets and Mrs. Isabella Gooding Sanders, descendants of Rochester pioneer Alphonso Gooding, donated an additional 33 bells along with a practice console and glass-enclosed performance cabin.
• 2013 – John T. and Lillian G. Mathews donated funds for a computer system to play the “Westminster Quarters,” “Sicilian Mariners” and “St. Clement”.
• 2021 – The Sisters of St. Francis, with gift funds donated by Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst, provided support for enhanced audio equipment for the recording and web-based broadcast of carillon performances.

Mayo Clinic Dolores Jean Lavins Center for Humanities in Medicine

Programming of the carillon at Mayo Clinic is administered by the Mayo Clinic Dolores Jean Lavins Center for Humanities in Medicine. The center supports Mayo Clinic’s primary value, the needs of the patient come first, by integrating the arts and other expressions of human culture into the healing environment.

The Center engages interconnected communities of patients, families, staff, learners and the public to promote the artful and compassionate delivery of health care. Music, visual art, dance, theatre, creative writing, lectures and other educational programs all contribute to the healing environment and uniquely touch each of Mayo’s three shields: Patient Care, Education and Research. Furthermore, Humanities in Medicine is a champion and ideal collaborator for Mayo Clinic initiatives such as the institution’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, emphasis on innovation, encouragement of continued professional development and, most significantly, belief in caring for the whole patient. The Center for Humanities in Medicine operates throughout the Mayo Clinic with program staff in Rochester, Minnesota; Jacksonville, Florida; and Phoenix, Arizona.

The Dolores J. and Paul N. Lavins Fund in Humanities in Medicine endowed the Rochester program in 2014. Mrs. Lavins was known for her love of the arts and was a devotee of theatre, opera and dance. As loyal patients of Mayo Clinic, Dolores and Paul valued Mayo’s unique ability to integrate the arts as part of the healing process. After Dolores’ passing in 2010, the Dolores and Paul Lavins Foundation made a gift that names the Dolores Jean Lavins Center for Humanities in Medicine in her honor. This generous gift supports our mission to offer an engaging and reflective healing environment for patients and their families through music concerts, visual art exhibitions and beautiful architecture.

For questions, please contact Mayo Clinic Carillonneur Austin Ferguson at [email protected] .

Crowned with Music: The Carillon at Mayo Clinic

The 56-bell carillon housed in the tower atop the Plummer Building in Rochester, Minnesota, is an important part of the healing mission of Mayo Clinic. – Download the Discussion Guide 

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April 11, 2024

By Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science staff

A new Applied Medical and Health Humanities Distinction track in Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine supports students who show exceptional involvement, accomplishment, and scholarship in medical and health humanities. The track will graduate its first group of medical students this spring.

Hippocrates called medicine "the practice of my art." Students at   Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine   are exploring what it means to incorporate their artistic abilities into medical education through the Applied Medical and Health Humanities Distinction track.

This educational track recognizes and supports medical school students who show exceptional involvement, accomplishment, and scholarship in medical and health humanities. The Applied Medical and Health Humanities Distinction track will graduate its inaugural group of medical students this spring.

Rediscovering their love of art

Two students in that group,   Yeonsoo Sara Lee   and   Rebekah Bihun, authored   a letter to the editor of the Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges . In it, the two self-described "doctor-artists" explain how their love of the arts has influenced their medical education in ways they didn't expect.

For Bihun, realizing her art could be useful in academic endeavors, such as through scientific illustration, renewed her enthusiasm for both drawing and her studies, she says in the letter. Lee recalls creating and sharing hand-drawn study guides, which were embraced by her class. The guides organized knowledge visually, filling a gap left by their more traditional study materials.

Both students benefited from an environment that encouraged that exploration.

Trailblazer in medical humanities education

Art and humanities classes have been taught at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine for more than a decade. Johanna Rian, Ph.D., who served as program director of the   Dolores Jean Lavins Center for Humanities in Medicine   before her retirement and spearheaded the development of the Applied Medical and Health Humanities Distinction track, says she was offering medical humanities selectives for medical students as early as 2010.

"I was always moved by the personal statements from students when they finished a course or finished a reading," Rian says. "So many students said that the work they did in humanities provided a balance for them in their perspective and allowed them to think with another part of their brain and experience ways of learning that they don't experience in the context of their traditional medical curriculum."

Rian notes that at the time, Mayo was one of less than 10 medical schools in the country that had begun to talk about formalizing such a curriculum, adding that those schools only had a formalized curriculum, not a dedicated distinction track. She broached the idea of formalizing Mayo's medical humanities education in 2014.

The Applied Medical and Health Humanities Distinction track was approved several years later and admitted its first group of students in 2020. The curriculum is designed and owned by Mayo Clinic.

Humanities education gives students new opportunities

Today, Humanities in Medicine education offerings are expanding at Mayo Clinic. Nineteen medical students are engaged in the Applied Medical and Health Humanities Distinction track. The completion requirements include a final research or creative project.

Those final projects have resulted in peer-reviewed research articles,   a children's book on anatomy, poetry collections, visual arts exhibits, and multimedia work.

Doctor-Artists in Training at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Utilize Their Creative Talents

Medical students may participate in Humanities in Medicine selectives regardless of whether they are part of the Applied Medical and Health Humanities Distinction track and have prior experience with arts and humanities.

Current offerings include selectives on visual arts, medical improv, and health inequity and social justice through an arts and humanities lens, as well as a foundational course on diverse arts and humanities approaches relevant to clinical contexts.

This programming furthers student skills in areas critical for clinical work — such as communication, teamwork, presence, empathy, and innovation — and supports well-being by providing the opportunity for reflection and creative expression.

In addition, Humanities in Medicine supports student-led initiatives, such as the annual presentation of The Tempest  exhibit, the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Humanities Interest Group, and the student-led selective Clinic Notes, in which student musicians can help address patient struggles and staff stress through music.

The Humanities in Medicine team continues to enhance education programming for Mayo Clinic students at all levels through the addition of new selectives and workshops, and the team is exploring opportunities to develop a formal track that would also be available for residents and fellows.

Bright futures for doctor-artists

Applied Medical and Health Humanities Distinction students are already making their mark at Mayo Clinic and beyond. Opportunities have abounded for Lee and Bihun as they have developed the practice of their art.

Both students joined the Association of Medical Illustrators, which has inspired them to grow their skills as medical illustrators. Lee has published several illustrations and was asked to design the cover for the   December 2023 edition of the Journal of Urology . She will continue her training in the Urology Residency at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida .

"The Distinction Track supported me by consistently introducing me to role models, mentors, and ideas for how to continue my exploration, as well as providing external motivation to continue engaging in these activities through even the busiest times in my studies," Bihun says.

Related links

• Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic Center for Humanities in Medicine

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• Female sexual dysfunction

To diagnose female sexual dysfunction, your doctor may:

• Discuss your sexual and medical history. You might be uneasy talking with your doctor about such personal matters, but your sexuality is a key part of your well-being. The more upfront you can be about your sexual history and current problems, the better your chances of finding an effective way to treat them.
• Perform a pelvic exam. During the exam, your doctor checks for physical changes that affect your sexual enjoyment, such as thinning of your genital tissues, decreased skin elasticity, scarring or pain.
• Order blood tests. Your doctor may recommend blood tests to check for underlying health conditions that might contribute to sexual dysfunction.

Your doctor may also refer you to a counselor or therapist specializing in sexual and relationship problems.

• AskMayoExpert. Sexual dysfunction in women. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2018.
• Wein AJ, et al., eds. Sexual function and dysfunction in the female. In: Campbell-Walsh Urology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2016. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 6, 2018.
• Shifren JL. Overview of sexual dysfunction in women: Epidemiology, risk factors, and evaluation. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 6, 2018.
• Frequently asked questions. Women's health FAQ072. Your sexual health. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Your-Sexual-Health. Accessed Aug. 6, 2018.
• Fact sheet: Female sexual dysfunction. Hormone Health Network. https://www.hormone.org/diseases-and-conditions/womens-health/female-sexual-dysfunction. Accessed Aug. 9, 2018.
• Overview of female sexual function and dysfunction. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/sexual-dysfunction-in-women/overview-of-female-sexual-function-and-dysfunction. Accessed Aug. 9. 2018.
• Shifren JL. Overview of sexual dysfunction in women: Management. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 9, 2020.
• Santoro N, et al. Role of estrogens and estrogen-like compounds in female sexual function and dysfunction. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2016;13:305.
• Cappelletti M, et al. Increasing women's sexual desire: The comparative effectiveness of estrogens and androgens. Hormones and Behavior. 2016;78:178.
• Khamba B, et al. The efficacy of treatment of sexual dysfunction secondary to antidepressants. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2013;19:862.
• Effective treatments for sexual problems. The North American Menopause Society. https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/effective-treatments-for-sexual-problems. Aug. 6, 2018.
• FDA approves new treatment for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-treatment-hypoactive-sexual-desire-disorder-premenopausal-women. Accessed Dec. 9, 2020.
• Vyleesi (prescribing information). Waltham, Mass.: AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2019. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/210557s000lbl.pdf. Accessed Dec. 9, 2020.
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THIS TRIP IS NOT CURRENTLY SCHEDULED Over the years, Amy has developed and operated trips to a variety of destinations including this one, but not all trips are offered every year. If you are interested in joining a scheduled departure of this trip in the future, please send us an email and let us know. Click to send us an email or use the form at the bottom of this page.

We can organize and operate this trip as a private group departure with a minimum group size of 8 persons. Start organizing your private Russia art adventure here .

Best time to travel: June for the “White Nights” Best gateway city: Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia Moscow and St. Petersburg Slide Show

Experience the art treasures of Moscow and St. Petersburg with guide, Amy Osaki. Begin in Moscow, continental Europe’s largest city, the seat of the government of Russia, and now home to over twenty billionaires! View iconic sites such as the Kremlin (which began as a fortress in the eleventh century), Red Square, and the sixteenth century St. Basil’s Cathedral. Then explore the art masterpieces at the Tretyakov Gallery, the National Museum of Russian Fine Art encompassing works from the eleventh to the twentieth century. Visit the Armory at the Kremlin filled with Imperial treasures including Faberge eggs once exchanged by the tsar and tsarina at Easter. Conclude your Moscow experience at the quiet seventeenth century Novodevichy Convent, one of many World Heritage sites included in the trip.

After a short flight, continue the trip with five days in St. Petersburg where you’ll be immersed in the opulence of Imperial Russia. Established by Tsar Peter I in 1703, St. Petersburg (known as Petrograd and Leningrad for most of the twentieth century) was the capital of the Russian empire for over two hundred years until the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Hermitage—said to be the largest art museum in the world with a collection of over three million objects housed in four main buildings—rivals the Louvre in Paris for both the quantity and quality of its treasures. Founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great, and open to the pubic for over two hundred years the museum is so vast that we’ll spread our visit out over several days and organize it by different themes. Also on the schedule is a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress—the original citadel above the river founded in 1703—as well as some of the Imperial palaces in and around St. Petersburg such as Peterhof, a World Heritage Site. Peter I hired French architects to work on his many palaces, including Jean Baptiste Le Blond who worked with Andre Le Notre at Versailles. Consider enhancing your Russian experience by purchasing tickets to a performance—perhaps a ballet at St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre (also known as the Kirov).

Day 1 Overnight in Moscow Arrive in Moscow and transfer to your centrally-located hotel, your base for the next two nights. Enjoy an afternoon and early evening walk through Red Square (Krasnaya Ploshchad) past St. Basil’s Cathedral, and GUM department store all of which are back-dropped by the walls of the Kremlin fortress. Remember that we are here during the fabled “White Nights” when the summer days linger with light-filled evenings.

Day 2 Overnight in Moscow Within the walls of the Kremlin fortress, visit the Armoury Museum, one of Moscow’s oldest museums established at the start of the nineteenth century. The Kremlin Armoury was the royal arsenal; it produced and stored the weapons, jewelry and other regalia of the tsars. The museum’s collection encompasses four thousand items of applied art from Russia and elsewhere dating from the early fourth century to the twentieth century. Later in the day, visit the collection of masterpieces of the renowned Tretyakov Gallery. The Tretyakov collections were begun by the philanthropist Tretyakov brothers in the early nineteenth century. The gallery is recognized by many as a key repository of Russian art spanning the nation’s artistic tradition from early Orthodox icons to art nouveau, impressionist, and avant-garde works.

Day 3 Overnight in St Petersburg Enjoy a morning visit to the sixteenth century Novodevichy Convent named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004. The convent’s name is sometimes translated as “New Maidens’ Monastery” to differentiate is from the convent within the walls of the Moscow Kremlin. Surrounded by white crenellated walls, this complex of churches has remained essentially intact since the seventeenth century. Here you’ll find the five-domed Cathedral of Our Lady of Smolensk with its spectacular iconostasis and the tall, red and white Gate Church of the Transfiguration which is often cited as a fine example of “Moscow Baroque” architecture. The neighboring Novodevichy Cemetery is the final resting place of the likes of Anton Chekhov, Sergei Prokofiev, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Boris Yeltsin. This afternoon fly to St. Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city situated on the banks of the Neva River where it empties into the Gulf of Finland.

Day 4 Overnight in St Petersburg Start of your exploration of St. Petersburg with a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress, the original citadel of St. Petersburg. The fortress was built to the designs of the Swiss Italian architect Domenico Trezzini in the early eighteenth century. Trezzini’s Peter and Paul Cathedral dominates the fortress grounds and its iconic golden spire punctuates into the Baltic sky. Later visit the Yusupov Palace on the Moika, acclaimed as an “encyclopedia of St. Petersburg aristocratic interior design.” The palace was the home of the Yusupov family from 1830 and 1917 and was the place where Grigori Rasputin, a spiritual mentor to Tsar Nicholas II and the Royal Family in the early 20th century, was assassinated. A visit to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood built between 1883 and 1907 rounds out the day. The church was built in “Russian Revivalist” architectural style by Tsar Alexander III in commemoration of his father, Alexander II. The church occupies a conspicuous location on St. Petersburg’s Griboedov Canal and contains 7,500 square meters of mosaics; the interior walls and ceilings are completely covered by mosaics.

Day 5 Overnight in St Petersburg Seeing St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum in a day would be like trying to see the Smithsonian in a day! Rather than a forced march through the galleries at a rapid pace, we will slow down and savor the masterpieces. Remember, there are nearly seven miles worth of exhibitions! Today we focus on “Imperial Russia,” touring the rooms decorated for members of the Russian Imperial Family and viewing the art they commissioned and collected. This is the art that influenced the style of the grand palaces of the era. View the Grand Suite of rooms, Peter I’s collection of gold, and the jewelers art owned by the Russian Imperial Family (including Fabergé eggs, gold and diamonds). Here, too, are the rooms of Catherine II and her son Paul I with their fifteenth to eighteenth century French paintings and sculpture (Poussin, Watteau, Fragonard, Chardin, and Houdon).

Day 6 Overnight in St Petersburg Return for a second dose of the Hermitage! Today is dedicated to the famous European masterpieces exhibited at the Hermitage. Feast your eyes on memorable works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Tintoretto, Tiepolo, Velazquez, and El Greco. At the Hermitage, you can revel in Rembrandt; there are twenty of his works in the museum’s collection. After lunch, enjoy the eighteenth to twentieth century masterpieces of Monet, van Gogh, Gauguin, Rodin, Picasso, Matisse and Kandinsky. Digest the art and reflect on this unique collection of human creations. Consider an evening performance, possibly at the Mariinsky Theatre.

Day 7 Overnight in St Petersburg Journey by hydrofoil across the Gulf of Finland to experience Peter I’s palace at Peterhof, a series of palaces and gardens that evoke comparisons with Versailles which Peter visited in 1715. Begun in 1714 with the construction of the Monplaisir palace and expanded by later Imperial generations who added Rococo and Neo-classical elements, Peterhof is now a World Heritage Site. The creative mastery of architects, engineers, artists and craftsmen from throughout Europe is on display here and all is choreographed to celebrate water in homage to Peter, the maritime emperor.

Day 8 Overnight in St Petersburg Go behind the scenes with an excursion to the Hermitage Museum’s Staraya Derevnya Restoration and Storage Center on the right back of the Neva River north of Kamenny Island. This vast treasure house is only accessible by private tour. Later, travel to Vasilvesky Island across the river from the Hermitage to visit Menishkov Palace completed in 1721 and now the oldest stone building in St. Petersburg. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.

About your guide : Amy Osaki holds a master’s degree from the Winterthur Museum. She studied art at the Louvre Museum in Paris and worked as a museum curator for over a decade including six years at the Portland Art Museum. She is an award-winning art educator who has led art trips around the world for the last fifteen years with Walking Softly Adventures. Many of these trips were offered for graduate credit from Portland State University where she is an Adjunct Professor.

Resources for Further Learning

• Preview part of the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery at its website.
• Learn more about the Moscow Kremlin .
• Prepare yourself to experience the Hermitage . You can even shop on-line at the museum’s on-line museum store!

We're looking forward to hearing from you! You may contact us by telephone at 503-788-9017, by e-mail ([email protected]) or by completing and submitting the form below. Please enter any questions or comments in the "Message" box. PLEASE BE SURE TO MENTION THE TRIP IN WHICH YOU'RE INTERESTED. You must enter a valid email address in order to submit this form successfully. When you're finished entering information, enter the CAPTCHA code where indicated and click the "Submit" button at the bottom of this page. Art Tours by Amy does not release any of the information you provide us to any third party without your express permission.

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The State Tretyakov Gallery

The State Tretyakov Gallery (usually being called Tretyakovka) is an art gallery in Moscow, specialized in Russian visual arts and it’s one of the world’s biggest collections. The Gallery is named after Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov, Moscow merchant and patron of arts, and it’s been bearing his name with proud and gratitude for over a hundred years. In 1856 Tretyakov started his collection by acquiring two works by Russian artists, "Skirmish with Finnish Smugglers" by V.G. Khudyakov and "The Temptation" by N. G. Schilder.

Gallery of European and American Art of the 19th-20th Centuries

Moscow City Center - Tour Duration: 1 hour

The Art Gallery is a section of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. It's rooms  contain the artworks by masters  of the 19th and 20th centuries:  Art of Romanticism, Realism, Academic and Salon Art, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, Avant-garde and artistic trends of the 19th century as well as the paintings of Ingres, Delacroix, Corot, Daumier, Courbet, Millet, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Chagall, Rodin, Maillol, Bourdelle and other masters of the 19th and 20th centuries.

About Me in Short

My name's Arthur Lookyanov, I'm a private tour guide, personal driver and photographer in Moscow, Russia. I work in my business and run my website Moscow-Driver.com from 2002. Read more about me and my services , check out testimonials of my former business and travel clients from all over the World, hit me up on Twitter or other social websites. I hope that you will like my photos as well.

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Is Apple Cider Vinegar Really a Cure-All?

It has been said to help with weight loss, blood sugar control, acne and more. But experts say the science is more nuanced.

By Alice Callahan

On TikTok , a man swirls a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into a cup of water, drinks it and eats two slices of pizza. Then, he tests his blood sugar. “These are the best results of all,” he says, showing a much lower spike on a blood sugar graph than when he ate the pizza without the vinegar.

In other posts, TikTok users rave about apple cider vinegar’s remarkable ability to help them lose weight , settle their stomachs and — when applied to their skin — clear their acne and eczema .

Apple cider vinegar has been used as a home remedy for healing wounds, quelling coughs and soothing stomachaches for thousands of years, said Carol Johnston, a professor of nutrition at Arizona State University.

But while some of apple cider vinegar’s health claims have a little science behind them, Dr. Johnston said, many claims haven’t been studied at all. Here’s what we know about apple cider vinegar — and some important cautions to keep in mind if you try it.

How might apple cider vinegar benefit health?

Apple cider vinegar is made via fermentation, in which yeast and bacteria convert carbohydrates first into alcohol and then into acetic acid, which gives vinegar its pungent taste and odor and potentially, research suggests, its health benefits, Dr. Johnston said.

Social media proponents often recommend using unpasteurized and unfiltered versions, which contain a haze of bacteria and undigested carbohydrates called “the mother,” said Dr. Chris Damman, an associate professor of gastroenterology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. But there’s no evidence that these “raw” apple cider vinegars are healthier than regular ones, he said.

Vinegars made from apples and other fruits also contain compounds called polyphenols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and might contribute to their potential health benefits, he said.

What does the research suggest?

Blood sugar control.

In the early 2000s, Dr. Johnston, who had been studying how certain diets could help manage Type 2 diabetes, came across a study from 1988 showing that acetic acid could lower blood sugar spikes in rats after they were given a starch solution.

She was intrigued and decided to test the idea in people with Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance .

Since then, Dr. Johnston and other researchers have found in small limited studies that drinking one to two tablespoons of apple cider or other types of vinegar mixed with water just before high-carbohydrate meals resulted in less drastic blood sugar spikes than meals without vinegar did.

Some studies suggest that vinegar may slow the movement of food through the digestive tract and interfere with certain enzymes that break carbohydrates down into simple sugars, resulting in lower blood sugar spikes.

But more research is needed to show that apple cider vinegar is safe and beneficial for long-term use, said Paul Gill, a researcher at Monash University in Australia.

Weight loss

Several small, short-term studies in adults who were classified as overweight or obese have found associations between apple cider vinegar and weight loss.

In a 2009 study of 155 adults in Japan, for instance, researchers found that those who drank two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in water every day for three months lost about four pounds. And in one 2024 trial of 120 people aged 12 to 25 in Lebanon, researchers reported that those who took one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with water each morning for three months lost an average of 15 pounds.

But the one study that tracked participants after they stopped taking apple cider vinegar found that, on average, they regained most of the weight within a month. And just as many studies on similar groups of people have found no links to weight loss.

Given the lack of robust data and the short time frames of the studies, Beth Czerwony, a dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, said that she did not recommend that her patients use apple cider vinegar for weight loss.

If vinegar does indeed help people lose weight, it may do so by slowing digestion, which can make you feel fuller for longer, she said.

Animal research has also shown that acetic acid can reduce the accumulation of fat in certain tissues and may help increase the secretion of hormones that signal fullness. So while the evidence in humans is mixed, it’s plausible that vinegar could help with weight loss, Dr. Damman said.

Tamara Duker Freuman, a dietitian in New York City who specializes in digestive conditions, said that many of her patients remark that drinking apple cider vinegar before or after meals reduces their symptoms of acid reflux .

“I believe them,” she said. But, she noted, “hundreds of other patients with horrible reflux” have said that vinegar worsened their symptoms.

Unfortunately, there’s no good research on vinegar and digestive health, said Dr. Nitin K. Ahuja, a gastroenterologist at Penn Medicine.

People who use vinegar to treat reflux, which is commonly caused by stomach acid escaping into the esophagus, say that the acid from the vinegar prompts the stomach to produce less acid, Dr. Ahuja said. But, he added, there’s no supportive data, and “mechanistically, it doesn’t make sense” that adding acid to the stomach will somehow help to control it.

Studies performed in petri dishes suggest that apple cider vinegar can kill certain microbes , which could potentially create gut microbiome changes that might reduce bloating, Dr. Ahuja said. But again, he added, this has not been studied in humans.

If you have frequent or severe reflux symptoms, get treatment from a doctor, he said.

Skin conditions

Applying dilute apple cider vinegar to the skin has long been used as a home remedy for eczema, Dr. Lydia Luu, a dermatologist at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, said. And after several patients asked about such a treatment, she and her colleagues decided to test it.

In their 2019 study , the researchers asked 22 participants, half of whom had eczema, to soak one arm in tap water and one arm in dilute apple cider vinegar for 10 minutes per day for two weeks. Afterward, there were no differences between the participants’ skin in terms of its pH, microbes or its ability to retain moisture — all of which are typically altered in eczema. Sixteen of the study participants reported symptoms like mild burning or itching, mostly on the arm treated with vinegar; one developed severe itching, moderate burning and a small sore; and another developed a raised rash.

Apple cider vinegar “is not very helpful for eczema, unfortunately,” Dr. Luu said — and could make your symptoms worse.

Some of Dr. Luu’s patients “swear by” apple cider vinegar for wart removal, and TikTok is teeming with videos suggesting such a treatment for acne or dark spots or to remove skin tags . But there aren’t good studies about these uses, Dr. Luu said, and apple cider vinegar can cause chemical burns and skin scarring .

Is it safe to try?

Consuming apple cider vinegar, even when diluted, can interact with certain medications, including some drugs for diabetes and the heart, as well as diuretics. Apple cider vinegar may also lower blood potassium, which can be a problem for those who already have low levels, Ms. Czerwony said. So check with your doctor before trying it, she said.

The same advice goes for using apple cider vinegar on your skin, Dr. Luu said. A primary care doctor or dermatologist can likely recommend safer, more effective treatments.

If you want to use vinegar to control your blood sugar, Dr. Johnston suggested diluting one or two tablespoons of any type of vinegar into water and drinking, but don’t exceed two to four tablespoons in a day. Even when diluted, vinegar can erode tooth enamel , so she recommended drinking the vinegar with a straw.

If you drink it undiluted, you run the risk of corroding your esophagus lining too, Dr. Ahuja said.

“Don’t just shoot it,” Dr. Johnston added.

A safer and tastier approach, Dr. Damman suggested, is to use apple cider vinegar in your cooking. Mix it into a vinaigrette or sushi rice , pair with olive oil as a dip for bread, or incorporate it into a refreshing fizzy drink . If there are any health benefits to be reaped, he said, you’ll likely get them this way, too.

Alice Callahan is a Times reporter covering nutrition and health. She has a Ph.D. in nutrition from the University of California, Davis. More about Alice Callahan

A Guide to Better Nutrition

A viral TikTok trend touts “Oatzempic,” a half cup of rolled oats with a cup of water and the juice of half a lime, as a weight-loss hack. We asked the experts if there’s anything to it .

How much salt is too much? Should I cut back? We asked experts these and other questions about sodium .

Patients were told for years that cutting calories would ease the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. But research suggests dieting may not help at all .

We asked a nutrition expert how she keeps up healthy habits without stressing about food. Here are seven tips  she shared for maintaining that balance.

There are many people who want to lose a few pounds for whom weight loss drugs are not the right choice. Is old-fashioned dieting a good option ?

Read these books to shift into a healthier way of thinking about food .

4-Day Tour in Moscow

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This 7 Realms Ultimate tour of Moscow can be 3-Day tour, with 7 hours each day, or 4-Day tour, with 5 hours each day. 

This bespoke history-culture-art itinerary is the ultimate guide of Moscow with authentic Russian, Ukranian and Georgian cuisines along the way. 

Ready for adventure?

Highlights of  7 Realms tour of Moscow

• Explore Kremlin , the oldest and the largest fortress in Russia, a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage;
• Learn the stories of two Russian paradoxes –  Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon , both the largest in the world;
• Walk the oldest streets in Moscow  and observe the ancient architecture of Moskovy;
• Discover Kitay Gorod , which used to be home to the first skyscraper and the first typography in Moscow, as well as the biggest pharmacy in Europe;
• Dive into off the beaten path of Moscow – Zamoskvorechye  and get impressed with a dazzling mix of hidden architectural gems and art masterpieces of Russia;
• Visit Tretyakov gallery  that reflects 1000 year-old history, art and culture of Russia;
• Explore the iconic sights of legendary Kolomenskoe  including the Palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, which is considered the eighth wonder of the world;
• Get scenic panoramic views of Tsaritsino park , the most romantic park of Moscow;
• Admire “Russian Gothic” of the Grand Palace in Tsaritsino , and enjoy the picturesque landscape with fairy-tale bridges;
• Have fun in Gorky Park , which is even the #1 park of Russia;
• Meet locals and catch up with local art trends in Winzavod Art Center , the oldest and most respectable art gallery in Moscow;
• And, of course,  try Russian pelemeni, Soviet vareniki or bliny, Ukranian borsch, Georgian Khachapuri , as well traditional hospitality, coziest and amazingly beautiful interior of the best local restaurants.

12-14 th  centuries

Red Square, the Kremlin, Kitay Gorod + Russian traditional lunch

We are going to see the cradle of Russian history and track the development of Moscow.

The residence of Dukes, Tsars, Emperors, Supreme rulers, Presidents will surprise you with its cathedrals, largest in the world Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell, as long as the Armory with personal belongings of Great Tsars.

Highlights:

Red square tour.

• Walk-through  the Resurrection Gate  and don’t forget to flip a coin so you’ll be sure to come back one day!
• Visit the world’s famous  Kazan Cathedral ;
• See the  State Department Store  (GUM), once the Upper Trading Stalls, which were built over a century ago and still operating!
• Admire the lovely  St. Basil’s Cathedral , built to commemorate the capture of the cities Kazan and Astrakhan. After construction of the cathedral, the poor architect, Postnik Yakovlev, was blinded by Ivan the Terrible, forbidding him from replicating such a beauty ever again;
• Walk by  Lobnoye Mesto  (literally meaning the “forehead place”, or “Place of the Skulls”), once Ivan the Terrible’s stage for religious ceremonies, speeches, and important events;
• As well as  Lenin’s Mausoleum, GUM,  Manege Square, the Monument after Marshal Zhukov, Alexander Garden, Grotto monument, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Obelisk to Romanov royal dynasty.

Kremlin Tour

• The Cathedral of Twelve Apostles  forms the grand entrance to the luxurious Grand Kremlin Palace.
• The Tsar Bell , the largest bell in the world, and  Cannon , the largest bombard by caliber in the world.
• The Ivan the Great Bell Tower  marks the exact centre of Moscow and resembles a burning candle.
• The Cathedral of the Assumption , place of coronation of the grand princes and tsars as well as the burial place of metropolitans and patriarchs.
• The Cathedral of the Annunciation , the private church of Russian grand princes and tsars for domestic and family ceremonies.
• The Cathedral of the Archangel , the necropolis of the Moscow dynasty of Ruriks and first Romanov tsars. The history of the necropolis started in 1340 with Ivan I, the great grandfather of Ivan the Terrible.
• The Armory  originated as the royal arsenal in 1508 and boasting the richest collection of the works of Russian and foreign decorative and applied art of 4th-20th centuries.
• +  The procession of the equestrian and pedestrian guards of the President’s regiment  (April to October).

Kitay Gorod Tour

Kitay Gorod is the oldest part of Moscow after the Kremlin, emerged in the 14th century due to the expansion of the boundaries of the Kremlin.:

Experience Kitay Gorod with its it’s charming one-of-a-kind places, many with great historical significance.

There are 4 monasteries, 24 churches, cathedrals, and 8 chapels in the area of Kitay gorod. We’ll see some of them.

You will also see:

• First typography in Russia , founded in 1553;
• First “skyscraper” of Moscow , 5-storeyed building built in 1876;
• English Old Court on Varvarka street , the former home of the first foreign representation in Moscow (1553);

The Trinity monastery on Ilyinka  – Apartment house-monastery of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra (“Trinity Compound”) which is nowadays an object of cultural heritage of regional significance (1630s).

+ Traditional Russian food with a great buffet bar. 

Eat as much as you like! :) Hearty lunch in Russian traditional restaurant, with old Russian traditions, bright decor and amazing authentic food in historical Tverskaya street, the main street of Moscow.

14 th -17 th  centuries

Zamoskvorechye & Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve

Highlights :, zamoskvorechye tour.

• Explore vibrant Zamoskvorechye neighborhood full of life and character, which locals consider an epicenter of architectural masterpieces and ancient cathedrals, modern street art and best coffee in the town – Ultimate Russian Culture Experience!
• Soak in the beauty of the  greatest Russian masterpieces;
• Explore the  treasures of Russian art and architecture , ancient and modern;
• Get immersed into  Russian history ;
• Track the  origins of Moscow ;
• Experience Moscow’s premier art gallery –  Tretyakov Gallery;
• Admire the impressive architectural styles of  Russian cathedrals and temples.

Kolomenskoe Tour

Discover the oldest settlement of Moscow belonging to the Stone Age!

Kolomenskoye is a Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve in the open air: Ethnographic art, historical and architectural complex with the existing facilities of the medieval farm, stables, a forge, an apiary, a watermill.

You will see:

• Palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich , initially built in 17th century and consisted of 270 rooms Nowadays considered the 8th wonder of the world by Russians;
• The Church of the Ascension  – a UNESCO monument and a masterpiece of Russian and world architecture.
• Palace Pavillion  that served as a tea house or home theater, the main façade is decorated with Doric portico and two lioness sculptures;
• Front Gate Complex  that was the main entrance to the summer residence of the Tsar for distinguished guests;
• Church of Beheading of St. John the Forerunner  that Ivan the Terrible for holiday worships and his birthday feasts;
• As well as royal  Food Yard, Peter I’s House, Household structure (Mead Brewery), The Streltsy Guard-houses, Moss Tower and the Memorial Pole.

+  Lunch in Korchma, Ukranian traditional restaurant.  

Dynamic interior with authentic decorations and festive ethnic Russian & Ukranian traditions in one place! Your lunch will include:

• Lean sorrel borsch
• Podolsky Salad,  incredibly juicy and crispy salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, cauliflower, carrots and greens;
• Zrazy with mushrooms and spinach
• Chicken soup with noodles
• Spring salad with cucumbers, radish, eggs, green onions, lettuce and mayonnaise
• Chicken schnitzel with stewed cabbage

18 th -21 st  centuries

Tsaritsino, Gorky Park, Winzavod Art Center

Tsaritsino tour.

Tsaritsyno is the monument of the so-called “Russian Gothic”, unique in its style.

Enjoy the picturesque nature of the architectural ensemble, fairy bridges and castle, vintage terraces, statues, ponds and historical atmosphere! You will see:

• Palace of Catherine II , full of mysteries, gossips, intrigues and scandals;
• Famous Bazhenov’s  Bridges  that are distinguished by unique artistic features that fully represented the architect’s “theater architecture”;
• The cascade of  Tsaritsynsky ponds  formed during 16th-18th centuries;
• Magic  Slopes  with beautiful landscapes that became a natural backdrop for open-air theater during Catherine II reign;
• The Ruined Tower of Tsaritsyno  offers amazing panoramic views from its observation deck;
• Temple of Ceres  where the Empress rested and watched holiday hay celebrations;
• Tsaritsyno Fountain  with 3000 lights dancing polonaises and minuets in the evenings.

Gorky Park Tour

Gorky Park is Russia’s most popular park. It also features Europe’s largest skating rink with artificial ice in winter.

Discover Gorky Park from its early Soviet Communist history and hear the stories behind how it evolved to become the trendiest and hottest spot of Moscow.

Founded in 1923, the park has a lot to impress with:

• Rich Soviet past;
• Authentic local vibe;
• Garage Art Center,  founded by Dasha Zhukova, the wife of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich;
• Gorgeous nature landscape; 
• Yoga and dance classes;
• A myriad of local cozy cafes , street food kiosks, posh restaurants and coffee places with hot pastry.

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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