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The Moscow Times Moscow Guide – Winter 2008

Since the middle of autumn one of the most important topics of discussion, could only be … no, not the financial crisis… New Year! The winter issue of The Moscow Times Moscow Guide is entirely devoted to New Years celebrations. Seven great ideas for celebrating the “Night of Nights” will help readers finalise their plans and choose how and where to party, give fresh ideas and lots of practical advice.

And don’t forget – problems will come by themselves, but happiness and luck need an invitation. That why the more cheerful and light-hearted your celebration of the coming holiday is, the happier and more successful 2009 will be for you.

The Crisis: Signs of a Kremlin Fearful Of Unrest
Sociologist Yevgeny Gontmakher has painted a disturbing picture of what might emerge from the financial crisis, forecasting continued unemployment, huge protests and spreading violence.

Market Matters: Huge Grain Harvest No Boon for Farmers
This year Russia is enjoying the biggest grain harvest it has ever seen -- and farmers couldn't be more worried.



Thursday, January 08, 2009 Updated at 31 December 2008 22:36 Moscow Time.

The Moscow Times » Issue 3851 » Travel

Observatoire

Ask the Frequent Flyer

28 February 2008Oleg Bardeyev, managing partner Observatoire restaurant

Your favorite destination

I love to travel, but my most memorable trips from the past 10 years have been to Northern Spain, on the border with France. I have been there many times and seen all of the small towns. Some of them have existed from the 15th and 16th centuries and try to preserve the old traditions in everything. I recommend Garos, Escunhau, Salardu and Tavascan. It is best to rent a car and go north from Madrid and not plan anything; surprises await you just 100 kilometers away.

Favorite hotel
Microscopic rural hotels in the same part of the world, located in 17th century buildings and containing only two or three guest rooms. Some of them need to be reserved a year in advance. They offer fantastic food and the opportunity to feel like a medieval peasant. I recommend Mas Falgarona, Mas Pau, Torre del Remei, El Moli, Cal Sastre and Placa Garos.

Favorite restaurant
I can't point to just one, since I always have different experiences. Most of my favorite restaurants are in Spain, and some of them don't even have names. They only serve two or three dishes, but all of them are extraordinary.

Favorite airport
I don't like airports, and try to plan my trips with no layovers and so I am able to get through this part of my journey in the quickest possible way.

Which airline has the best food?
Airlines that use FlyFusion company services (our new airline meal service project). That only applies to business class so far. I very much liked the food on board an interior Thai flight from Phuket, in first class. Besides fantastic food, I was given a massage and refreshing aromatic napkins that smelled of ginger and lemongrass.