Moscow

A wonderful combination of the history of the Imperial and Soviet years and the newer influences of the western world, Moscow is at the forefront of contemporary growth in Russia. The Kremlin recounts the core of Russian history with the 15th-century annunciation cathedral at its heart. Originally built to house the weapons of the Tsars, the armoury now contains a collection of treasures and the diamond fund contains jewellery gathered by tsars and empresses. Next to the Kremlin, Red square is home to St Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s mausoleum. Also a centre of the arts, Moscow boasts the Tretyakov Gallery, gathering together over 130,000 exhibits, including works by Rublyov and Chagall, while the Pushkin Museum, opened in 1912, houses Moscow’s largest collection of foreign art with a magnificent array of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. Russia’s musical legacy is played out in the legendary Bolshoi Theatre, strikingly beautiful after its 6-year renovation.

Delving further into this city’s complex history, a visit to the deep underground Stalin’s bunker and a dinner with a former KGB spy who can give you a fantastic insider’s view on the confrontation between the Soviet Union and the west can be arranged. For something a little different, we can take you to the studio of a famous fashion designer who’s furs and jewellery have been worn by stars such as Beyoncé and Rihanna.