Russia's oldest botanic garden was founded by Peter the Great in 1706 to grow medicinal plants. "Aptekarsky" means "apothecary" in Russian. There are a lot of cafes and restaurants near the botanical garden.

Best coffee · Delicious pastries · Cosy atmosphere · Good for working

Choice Restaurant, located in the heart of Moscow, proves that healthy food that's good for you doesn't have to be bland or boring

Red October is a former industrial area in central Moscow that's included a chocolate factory Red October, hence the name. Today it's one of the most flamboyant altough inconveniently located cultural quarters, full of art galleries, bars, fashion stores, a design school, night clubs and edtiorial offices of magazines. The photo (depicting a rather typical business redevelopment on the other shore of the Moskva River) was taken from a terrace that's part of the editorial office of Bolshoi Gorod magazine for which I have the privilege to photograph from time to time.

"GUM is not just a store where you can buy almost everything. It is a shopping block where there is a pharmacy, bank branch, and flower shop ... It is a monument of architecture. It is a comfortable lounge area with restaurants and cafes. It is an art gallery and venue for cultural events. It is an integral part of Russian history. It is a symbol of Moscow and it is the closest place to the Kremlin, where you can feel yourself in Europe." Text: Grigory Revzin.