Moscow is the largest city in Europe and has a very rich historical value. This is why you have to get around and admire the beautiful architecture of the building; half of which are dated from the Soviet Union era. And you can do this by plotting yourself in parks.

The Izmailovsky Park, being one of the biggest urban forest parks in the world, is a favourite place for the locals in Moscow (a.k.a Muscovites) to relax. Measuring an area of 1180 hectares, you can take more than a whole day to walk through the park.

The handful of birch trees around you and the colourful birds flying around give you a sense of peace. The hidden ponds and gurgling streams are beautiful and it feels as if you are in rainforest. This is the place where you can just let everything go and take in the beautiful nature. Talk about free meditation during your vacation.

Pack your own lunch and have a picnic at the Izmailovsky Park and notice the Muscovites playing chess and just relaxing and enjoying the natural environment. This is also a perfect spot for cross-country skiing half the year and biking or hiking for the other half of the year.

Since you are in the area, hop on over to Izmailovo Market (open only on weekends) for some souvenir shopping. That’s right, you get to kill two birds with one stone! The market which has endless tourist stands offers souvenirs, crafts, paintings and so much more at a reasonable price and better yet, you can still bargain!

Besides your matryoshka dolls (a must-get for all tourists!) and your amber jewelry souvenirs, you can also find remarkable pre-war cameras and binoculars. Talk about unique memorabilia! Do not be surprised by the over-enthusiastic and over-friendly stallholders which may exhaust you at one point but hey, this is a true Russian experience. Be friendly with them and no harm trying to bargain – you have nothing to lose!

After a long day, treat yourself to freshly barbequed Georgian shashliki (a.k.a kebabs) and drink up a glass of Russian cognac; then pat yourself on the back for having a day well-spent at Izmailovsky.

How To Get To Izmailovsky Park . Since the main entrance of the park is right next to the Izmailovsky Park Metro Station, you can take a metro down. Alternatively, you can take a metro and alight at the Izamailovskaya Metro Station and enter the park by the park's most picturesque alleys.

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Moscow holiday apartments & Holiday rental accommodation. http://www.holiday-velvet.com/moscow