Tourists have been flocking to Venice since the days of the early 18th century. According to the Port Authority, Venice had over 36 million international visitors in 2017, nearly a 10% rise over the previous year. Between April to October, an estimated 32,000 cruise ship passengers disembark daily, according to the Port Authority. The National Tourism Agency adds that in August, 465,100 day-trippers add an additional 2.2 million overnight tourists.

Moscow is a cornucopia of sights, sounds, and smells. As the premier city in Russia, Moscow is the cosmopolitan heart of the country as well as its cultural backbone. A trip to Russia’s capital city will be unlike anything else that you have ever experienced. From stunning architecture to historical palaces to a dazzling array of arts and cultural experiences, Moscow represents the spirit of Russia in every detail. Here are just a few of the reasons why a trip to Moscow should be in your travel future: