Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow

The Russian capital is a true state within a state. The entire country – and more – comes together here, which is why Moscow is essentially its own continent, both culturally and gastronomically speaking. Historically, Moscow has been absorbing external influences for almost nine centuries, taking and adapting everything that suited it: the style of the Italian architects that built the Kremlin cathedrals, the trading habits of the German artisans Peter the Great brought to Russia, aristocratic French words, and, of course, a wide variety of flavors and recipes. Today’s Moscow remains cosmopolitan – here, just like in London or New York, amongst old and new architecture, business districts, parks, and museums there is the rapid pulse of a vast city that never sleeps.