Huw's Bit

Pushkin state art gallery OK! Red Square and St Basil's everything I wanted and more!

Saw the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour where the p**** Riot girls punk band made their protest last year - all got 2 years jail - the security was absolutely full on! Military styled police uniforms, squad cars, paddy wagons, fenced off areas! You couldn't move 10m without bumping into 3 cops!

Every station, gallery, museum etc has metal/explosive detectors at the entrance - never actually get stopped though despite beeping every time.

Relaxing swim and spa to finish the day!

Christian's bit

Breakfast a bit disappointing but figure the limited hot foods is due to the European influence of the continental style breakfast. Very different in atmosphere in the breakfast room to - very quiet, everyone with their best manners - all the staff were watching the Koreans fascinated, who had brought in their own breakfast and proceeded to unwrap and eat it (no idea what it was!)

Went to the Pushkin Museum of Fine arts where there was a range of exhibits from Egyptian through to 18th C Italian Art. There was a special exhibition of Titian, and the Pre-Raphaelites which was excellent. Got there just in time. - the queue to get in when we left went on for ages. Off to Red Square walking along the Moscow River; the first view of St Basil's is amazing even though you have seen pictures of it for years - it really is incredible and then onto previous KGB building. This area where the hotel is, is filled with the most beautiful buildings, some classical style influenced by Venetian architects, and typical Russian highly decorated buildings and churches. Women dress very fashionably with high quality clothes and massively high stilettos.

Went down into the dungeons! of the hotel to the pool and fitness area. Done very well, heated pool lovely.