Walking Tour Through Moscow's History
A Walk through Moscow's History:
Begin at Smolenskaya square, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs towering at your back, and the western section of the Garden Ring (an urban motorway 18 lanes wide in places) stretching out in front of you, most probably groaning with traffic.
When you turn into the street itself, you will move instantly from the roar and thunder of a 21st century metropolis to a narrow, pedestrian side-street lined with cafes, antique shops and market stalls selling everything from nesting Russian dolls to KGB branded zippo lighters.
On either side, smaller and quieter side-streets radiate out, leading to still more peaceful corners of old Moscow.
Making your way along the Arbat, you may soon find yourself lulled into an easy reverie, which will last just until you are thrust out at the far end onto Arbat Square and the modern city returns.
To your left you will see the New Arbat, a six-lane highway lined with grey skyscrapers.