Moscow to Brussels Flights

  About Moscow

Situated on the banks of the sparkling Moskva River, the city of Moscow is the capital of Russia. With a rich history and contribution towards the performing arts industry, the city is a haven for tourists during summers.

Best time to visit Moscow

June to August is practically perfect for a visit to Moscow. However, the finances will take a supreme toll during these months. As a cold country that witnesses a decent summer, the three months automatically become a favourite not just for tourists but also citizens of Russia. Hotel prices and flights are staggering and affording the same is next to impossible. Of course, the city does have some lovely festivals during this time, such as the Moscow International Film Festival and Usadbha Jazz Festival that takes place. Another reason that makes tourists from within Russia head to the capital. Nobody would want to miss the carnivalesque celebrations of Moscow. While June to August might be rough on the pockets, April to May might give you the satisfaction shelling out fewer rubles. The temperatures during this stretch are quite alluring as the sun starts to pop out of the clouds to entertain the city. Not to mention the festivals and events such as Russian Fashion Week, Labour Day/Spring Festival and Victory Day, that take over the city streets. You should know though that the cheap hotel prices in Moscow are only in the initial few days of spring. As the temperatures start to rise, the costs of the room will also see a tremendous growth.

No matter when you plan your trip, do avoid the winters in Moscow. Unless you're willing to risk the possibility of frostbites and low heart rates, the winter is certainly not meant for you. The temperatures drop to negative between November to March. It literally does have freezing cold winters that are not ideal for tourism or travelling.

Places to visit in Moscow

The one thing Moscow does not fall short off is the intriguing slew of museums, art galleries and preservation of monuments. You will notice how these places have been preserved by the government officials as they reflect the historical significance as well as the cultural relevance of Russia. From age-old cathedrals to Russian iconography, the city witnesses some of the finest architecture from the old times that continue to stand firm. As part of your sightseeing expedition in Moscow, you should start with Red Square. It is located at the heart of Moscow and is known to have symbolic significance to also be at the centre of the whole of Russia. Take some good time from your travel duration and spend as much time in Red Square as possible. The views are scintillating and definitely worth being captured. St. Basil's Cathedral is the next important place in the city. Originally called the Cathedral of Intercession of Theotokos on the Moat, the cathedral is located within the red Square. You will be able to recognise this structure for its bonfire-styled architecture.

Further continuing with your pilgrimage, do check out the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, nestled beautifully on the banks of river Moscow. The architecture is as Russian as it can get while the history is rather strange. Close to the cathedral is the Moscow Kremlin, a fortress located in the city centre, a little away from the Red Square. Kremlins are basically Russian citadels that serve as the official abode to the President of Russia. There are four palaces, a few towers and four cathedrals located in the Kremlin. Pushkin Fine Arts Museum is the perfect place to visit if you're invested in the artistic past of the country and its literary contributions. As home to one of the largest collections to be found in European art in Moscow, the museum honours some of the prominent names in the Russian art history. You should also check out Moscow Zoo if you're travelling with family. The zoo houses over 6,000 animals that range from 1,000 diverse species. It is an extremely old zoo and is definitely compelling. You should also check out Lenin's Mausoleum, which is actually quite a strange site. The place attracts tourists majorly because of the fact that it contains the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin, which is always on display. It is odd and even disturbing, which seems to attract tourists from around the world.

Things to do in Moscow

Moscow caters majorly to the shopaholics in a traveller. They have the humongous department store called GUM, which houses a slew of high-end boutiques and brands. The interiors of the store are exquisite and marvellous. Luxury brands such as Dior to high-street fashion brands like Zara, also have stores in the complex. To give your taste buds a culinary excursion, head to Arbat Street. The place is legendary and is known to attract the highest number of tourists in Moscow. Thanks to the street, which is no short of a puny carnival, there are many restaurants, cafes, performers, live music, caricaturists, etc., who entertain the travellers. If you are tired with all the touristy indulgences and simply want to kick off your shoes and sit back, head to Gorky Park. The city's luscious green space is well-maintained and is perfect for finding tranquillity in the city. You simply cannot miss the Bolshoi Theatre as it is one of the biggest entertainment institutions in the country. The stage hosts a bunch of opera performances as well as beautiful ballet.

Food and Restaurants in Moscow

Russian cuisine is unique as it comprises dishes based on the geographical and environmental factors. From cold soups to excess meat, their meals are one of a kind and definitely worth trying. Using a single base, they make a plethora of dishes. Not only is this impressive, but it also expands their cuisine with variations to dishes. Traditional Russian meals should be something to indulge in when you're visiting Moscow. One of the most basic and common meals found in the city is Kasha, a healthy and unique version of porridge. You will find this everywhere, and its homely flavours will make you feel happy and satiated. Pelmeni is another interesting dish made by the Russians which consists of fish dumplings that are kept frozen, only to be cooked in boiling water for a flavourful explosion. The Russian version of pancakes or crepes, if you will, has meat and is served sour cream. Russians roll blini with cottage cheese, cabbage, mushrooms as fillings and complete the dish with smoked salmon and sour cream. You can change the sides to jam or honey as well. Of course, one of their most famous meals is borscht. It is typically cooked with beetroot and tomatoes, which is why it has the reddish-purple hue. The soup has beef, tossed with other vegetables.

To find some of the best Russian meals, you should head to Boemi, Megobari, LavkaLavka Farm Restaurant, Russian Pub and Paktika By Darvin. Of course, the city doesn't rid you of any other international cuisine. In fact, they do have some upscale dining experiences which can be found at places such as Italoniya, Tkemali, Beer Harbor, Lure Oyster Bar, Dzhumbus, Sabor de la Vida and 5+2, to name a few. Moscow has many cheap restaurants and pubs where you can chill to enjoy the city's vibe and interact with the locals. Shopping centres in the city have many food joints that would give you company, in case you were bored and hungry.

How to reach Moscow (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to Moscow from India is actually much better than you would assume. The city of Mumbai has dedicated direct flights to Moscow, making travel duration considerably less. There are nearly 280 flights that operate from India to Russia thanks to the demand it has. This provision of several flights is on a daily basis. Hence, in terms of getting flights to Moscow from India, you don't have to worry. Even the flight tickets to Moscow are inexpensive from India. Various international routes to Moscow are from the Middle East and European belt. Delhi also has the provision to charter direct flights to Moscow. The capital has two airlines that provide direct flights to Moscow. Travelling duration from Delhi to Moscow is close to seven hours while flights from Mumbai to Delhi have eleven hours travel duration. Airlines such as Air India, Air Arabia, Etihad, Emirates and Aeroflot are some of the primary ones to source flights to Moscow from India. The travelling is actually quite convenient with Middle being the popular route to reach Moscow from India.

As the flight tickets to Moscow from India aren't very exorbitant, you will be able to avail some travel discounts. In fact, there might be cheap flight tickets to Moscow available online. The more you peruse through the internet, the more you will find flight deals to Moscow. Accommodation options are also available, and some are even located close to the airport. Depending on the kind of trip, you can accordingly make your hotel reservations in Moscow.

  About Brussels

As the de facto capital to the European Union, Brussels is a city that celebrates Flemish culture with exquisite architecture. The city is blessed with rich Gothic and Baroque-styled architecture that adds to the beauty of Brussels. The city is the capital of Belgium and has influences of the Dutch and French as it was once a colony. Brussels is one of the populated cities in Belgian and enjoys the status of being the wealthiest city in the country. Brussels has also turned into an important political and financial centre on international levels. The city is bilingual with citizens speaking both Dutch and French. However, the population leans more towards the French language.

Brussels is blessed with some exquisite UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Grand Palace. While the city has some of the finest architectural bliss to witness, it's the food and beer culture that caters to a wide population of tourists. The Belgian witbier is a famous crafted beer that has been recognised worldwide. Even the waffles made by the Belgians have received honour and stature in the culinary industry to be the best. Booking a flight ticket to Brussels is quite convenient, as is living in the city. There are many options for a backpacker or even a luxury traveller to be entertained as Brussels does accommodate all kinds of travellers.

The hotel rooms are also cheap, provided you make some prior bookings and ensure to get your travel expenses sorted beforehand. It's all about planning perfectly.

Best time to visit Brussels

Spring and fall are the best seasons in which you can visit Brussels. The months March to May and September to October, see Brussels in new lights. With the onset of summer, the city rings in various music festivals as the climate is drier in comparison to other times. With the temperatures falling between 10 degree Celsius to 15 degree Celsius, the chill breeze roaming the city paints quite a romantic picture. This is also a favourable time to visit for many tourists, making flight tickets to Brussels slightly expenses. Even accommodations take a hike with tourists from the UK, Netherlands, Germany and other parts of the neighbouring cities visiting the city. Mainly, people flock over to Brussels to revel in the carnival hosted in the city. In the month of May, the city hosts Iris Day Festival and Brussels Jazz Weekend. These festivities often pique the interests of tourists who wish to engage in the carnivalesque celebrations. During this time, flight tickets to Brussels see a spike, as does the accommodation. The best thing that would make sense for you is to book your flight tickets and hotels in Brussels, months ahead. You might also receive some cheap flight deals online.

September to October sees the temperatures fall to the mid-60s. The atmosphere is quite breezy and beautiful, which makes travelling within the city a good trip. In September, Brussels hosts the Brussels Comic Strip Festival as well as Belgian Beer Weekend. These festivals are attractive, they don't bring in as much crowd as one would hope. Travelling to Brussels from India during September and October would be quite fun as the temperatures are lovely. Plus, with less crowd, the accommodation also sees a drop, giving you ample options to choose instead of settling for some hotel in Brussels.

Place to visit in Brussels

Brussels is blessed with some very European tourist attractions. From the Belgian Comic Strip Museum to the Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, many places in the city would give you the tourist vibe and at the same time will pique your interest. To start with, the first on your list should be the Grand Palace, a royal Gothic and Baroque-style structure that has even been tagged by the UNESCO World Heritage Site. While you're around this area, you can also visit the attractions close to the palace such as St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral. The famous Manneken-Pis, literally a bronze statue of a small boy relieving himself, is a landmark that should definitely be witnessed. The city also has a museum dedicated to musical instruments called Musical Instruments Museum. It's quite a fancy place to visit as it houses 1,200 instruments extracted from around the world. You should also check out archaic Renaissance-inspired arcade Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubter, which is also popularly called 'umbrella of Brussels' in the city.

Things to do in Brussels

At Brussels, there are two things that you simply cannot miss, waffles and beer. The country is famed for its Belgian waffles and Belgian witbier. You can either go separately on an excursion to check out waffles and beers, or you can mix it up in one tour. Brewery hopping is certainly something you would enjoy as you will get to taste some of their finest crafted beers. A day at the theme park, Mini Europe, will do you good. You can take a day trip to the theme park and get to see miniature versions of all the famous European tourist attractions. Plus, their chocolates are another trip to the factory that deserve to be explored.

Food and Restaurants in Brussels

Brussels sees an interesting amalgam of flavours from the French and Dutch style of cooking. Needless to say, mussels also play an important role in their cuisine. Their dish for summer, mosselen-friet, is a lovely melange of mussels and fries, something that would definitely go down well with you. One of the main reasons why summer is ideal to try this dish out is because it is the harvest season of mussels, which means you will be blessed with some lip-smacking fresh mussels on a plate. Much of their cuisine gives seafood a lot of emphasis. Garnalen krokkettenm, one of their dishes, is basically varied types of teeny grey shrimp put together with rich béchamel sauce and served with bread. While seafood does take centre stage in their cuisine, the Belgians do know how to cook good meat as well. You will find some impeccable thick beef stew which is often cooked with beer. Speaking of which, beer plays a staple to their meals just like Belgian frites (fries), and stoemp is to their evening meals. They simply cannot do without the presence of potato and beer.

Talk about Belgian food, and you simply cannot miss waffles and chocolates. They definitely know how to make people go weak in the knees with their savouries. The country is literally recognised for the waffles made by them. While you will see various toppings put on the dessert, the best is the classic Belgian waffle with whipped cream and probably Nutella. Some patisseries don't even add these toppings and let the customer experience the true nature of a lovely plain and crispy waffle. For the classic Belgian food interspersed with French cuisine, head straight to Maison Antoine. As for some more interesting take on Belgian recipes visit Pistolet Original, Au Vieux Marché, Le Clan des Belges, Noordzee Mer du Nord, La Quincaillerie and Delirium Cafe, to name a few. You will return with a big smile on your face after visiting these restaurants and their exquisite culinary.

How to reach Brussels (Transportation)

By Air

As the capital of Belgian, Brussels airport witnesses a good number of tourists at the Brussels International Airport. Flight connectivity of Brussels to many important European cities is excellent. Although the city's airport is located in Flanders, which is away from the Brussels main city, thanks to airport shuttle services, buses and rentals, travelling within the city are possible and convenient. You can book direct flights to Brussels from India. Cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai. Kolkata, Kochi and Bangalore have provisions of direct flights to Brussels. While there are some airlines that would have layovers or might need connecting flights, usually that's not a problem.

The major Indian cities provide non-stop flights to Brussels, making travelling favourable and seamless. Airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air India, Lufthansa, KLM Royal Dutch, Air France, Gulf Air, have frequent flights connecting Brussels and India. Booking your flight tickets to Brussels from India should be done well in advance though, if you wish to get good flight deals. It would be even better if you peruse through online for flight as well as accommodation deals. Options from luxury stay to hostels are available. As long as you book your hotel in Brussels before leaving India, it would be favourable.

By Rail

Many travellers visiting Brussels are often travelling across Europe. The connectivity of the European countries is immaculate, making travel easier. Even for Brussels, you can take flights to Germany, Netherlands or France, have some good time exploring those countries and then take a train to Brussels. A majority of the big European cities are connected by rails. Not only would the trip be amusing as the scenic views are worth all the duration, but this way, you can save up as well. Multiple rail options are available from Munich, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin and more.