Gogol and Peter I fishing on Patriarch's Ponds without a catch
Language: English
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Dialogues about love in Khokhlovka: the meeting of Pushkin and Donskoy

Moscow knows a thing or two about surrealism and how to make everyone forget about everyday life. This time, a mysterious tour of Mazepa's chambers drew Gogol and Peter I into its universe. And although the guide assured that these places had a lot of historical value, the events that unfolded after his words could surprise even seasoned Muscovites.

"Let's go fishing?!" Nikolai Vasilyevich suddenly suggested, until then thoughtfully examining his reflection in one of the old mirrors. The guide, taken aback, dropped his laptop, on which he was showing archival photos of Kitai-gorod, and Peter I supported the idea with a broad gesture. Like, where are our fishing rods and the meaning of life?! Moscow looked in their direction with silent reproach, but how can you stop such comrades? And so they set off. And where - to Patriarch's Ponds! Instead of crimson history - a spoon, instead of the intrigues of the past - the rustle of maples.

The noisy caravan strode along the cobblestones: Pyotr confidently carried a bucket, Gogol carried a bicycle with a fishing rod tied to it, and the guide rushed about, trying to explain to passersby that this was all an experimental tour. On the spot, the main thing became clear: none of the participants knew how to fish. Gogol secretly opened a Google query for "how to tie a hook", and in front of everyone, Pyotr confidently looked at the water surface, as if he commanded a navy.

Fish, however, did not encroach on such an intriguing company, leaving them empty-handed. "But the main thing is not the catch!" exclaimed the emperor, splashing the water with his thigh-high boot, "Moscow itself is fishing for us. And those who know - they are protected." Gogol supported without batting an eye: "Well, where are the stories? All the intrigue has been eaten up..." The guide, sighing heavily, ordered that nothing more be explained.

Thus, the legends of Moscow acquired a new chapter, and Patriarch's Ponds acquired the dubious title of the best place for philosophical dialogues. How was the fishing? No catches. How was the excursion? Great!

***

Of course, this is just a joke, and this story has no real roots - a little fantasy to lift the mood! If you are fascinated by real facts and events, welcome to the excursions of the "Radius" bureau, where history really comes to life!

  1. On July 18th, we participated in the "Soul of Moscow" group tour led by Alexander. Kitay-gorod and its surroundings revealed a new side to us, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Some of us began intensively studying related materials to broaden our horizons. We'll be back, and we highly recommend it! You won't regret it.
    Alexander July 20, 2026
  2. Good afternoon, on June 23rd we had a tour called " The Soul of Moscow ," led by Alexander. He's a very pleasant young man. We visited such lovely courtyards and alleys with him that we never even knew existed, and we learned so much. We really enjoyed everything, and we hope to continue our acquaintance. Alexander! Thank you! We had a great time with you, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. See you there!
    Tatyana, Galina, Nadezhda June 24, 2026
  3. This isn't my first time with Radius. This time, I took the Moscow metro . The goal was not only to admire the underground palaces but also to learn how to navigate the metro. As a resident of a region without a metro, I was a bit apprehensive and didn't understand how to navigate the metro. Of course, the internet helps, but live communication is much better. Tour guide Yulia handled this task perfectly. The information was accessible and interesting, the presentation was calm, and the communication style was very friendly. Thank you very much for the tour and the practical experience.
    Julia June 20, 2026
  4. Good afternoon! I gave the "Soul of Moscow" tour to some of the capital's guests. We were thrilled to hear our guide, Anton. It was so informative and engaging, and very warm. To say we were absolutely delighted is an understatement. It turned out to be a truly family-friendly excursion. We learned so many interesting facts. The material was presented professionally, all our questions were answered, and we saw so much. It was simply WOW! Thank you so much, Anton, he's the best!!!!! From now on, I'll only come to you, the Radius team. I highly recommend it. I promise we'll see each other again soon on other tours.
    Inna May 26, 2026
  5. Overall, the tour left a positive impression! Thanks to Alexander for the walk through the courtyards and atmospheric spots of Kitay-Gorod; we certainly wouldn't have done it on our own. The tour was comfortable, and the guide spoke confidently and calmly. One thing we personally missed: we would have liked more of the historical part, relating to ancient Moscow and the history of Kitay-Gorod. There were quite a few stories about the Soviet period and the bar scene, but for our group, this wasn't particularly relevant. We think the program could be a little more tailored to the age and interests of the group. It would also have been interesting to add more historical facts, monuments, and details about old Moscow and the area itself. That said, the tour was still interesting, and some places and churches were truly memorable. These aren't really "cons," but rather suggestions for an even more comprehensive program.
    Ksenia May 25, 2026
  6. Hello! We had a corporate group of 10 people. Our guide was Anton, and we had a tour of Bulgakov. I would like to point out the excellent organization; everything went smoothly. The managers were very accommodating to our changes in the number of participants. The bus was very comfortable. Anton is a super-engaged and motivated guide. He lives this history and is delighted to share his knowledge and create an unforgettable experience. Everything went well. I highly recommend it!
    Oleg February 19, 2026
  7. Thank you for a fascinating tour! It gave me so much food for thought to explore! Note: Review of the "Zamoskvorechye" tour with guide Maria.
    Eugene December 7, 2025
  8. I'd like to express my gratitude on behalf of our team! Thank you for keeping to our scheduled schedule despite our lack of organization. Our colleagues appreciated your preparation for the tour! It was informative. Note: Review of the "Modern Residential Complexes, Factory Past, and Avant-Garde" tour of the ZILART residential complex with guide Maria. Maria prepared and conducted a customized tour for employees of the Samolet Group of Companies development company.
    Team of the Samolet Group December 7, 2025
  9. Thank you! You have great talent. Good luck! ☺️ You're a wonderful guide! Thank you again! Note: This is a review of the corporate tour "The Heart of the Capital" with guide Maria.
    Dmitriy December 7, 2025
  10. Thank you for a wonderful day today!!)) Note: review of the excursion "The Soul of Moscow" with guide Maria
    Natalia December 7, 2025
  11. On behalf of the whole family, I want to thank you for a very informative and interesting tour! Note: This is a review of the "Palace Dungeons" tour with guide Maria.
    Eugene December 7, 2025
  12. Good afternoon! I'd like to express my gratitude and that of my guide for organizing the tour! We were very pleased. We'd like to do it again in October, but on a different route — ZIL. Note: This refers to the tour for Samolet Group developers, led by guide Maria.
    Elya September 27, 2025
  13. Thanks to Alexander for the bar tour of Baumanka ! It was fun, exciting, and we discovered so many new places! Awesome! May we reach new heights!
    Kira August 9, 2025
  14. Good afternoon! I was on a tour of Sukharevskaya Square — we went all the way to Tsvetnoy Boulevard. I didn't expect it to be so interesting! For those wondering whether to go — go for it! It truly became one of my most memorable summer memories!
    Kirill August 4, 2025
  15. Anastasia, good morning! Thank you and Masha for yesterday! The speakers are happy. The connection through the headphones was often lost, especially at the checkpoint, but that's just our current situation. You could hear if you were standing close, no more than 1.5 meters away. Colleagues have already asked for your contact information. I'd be happy to share it and look forward to another opportunity to work with you. Special thanks to the Director for the Bureau . Note: " Heart of the Capital " tour for participants of the 2025 Moscow Oncology Forum. Guides: Anastasia and Maria.
    Tina July 8, 2025
  16. We'd like to thank Anton and Alexander for leading the tour! It was fascinating to hear how the Krasnaya Presnya district developed and how Prokhorov's influence on our city's development. It was a pleasant immersion into a quiet, previously unexplored area!
    Dmitriy July 8, 2025
  17. Good afternoon, thank you so much, Anastasia. The " Uncle Gilyai " tour was fantastic. Even though we're Muscovites and know a lot about Moscow, the experience was amazing, so much new and interesting happened. We'll definitely be back.
    Victoria July 8, 2025
  18. Thank you for the " Heart of Moscow " and " Khamovniki " tours. Anton, a knowledgeable and passionate Moscow guide, gave me the tour. He's a great storyteller, intelligent, well-read, and captivating. You've truly opened up my Moscow to me! I'll definitely be back next summer to explore Moscow with you. I'll recommend your wonderful tour program to all my friends!
    Julia July 1, 2025
  19. Excursions with the Radius travel agency are always a positive experience if you choose them. We planned a tour of Zamoskvorechye on our next visit. We've worked with our guide, Anton, before. We'll definitely recommend him to everyone we know. The tour is informative, not overloaded with dates, and the information is comprehensive yet easy to understand, as it's presented in a light, narrative manner, not like a history textbook, dry and academic. Thank you for this approach. We'll definitely use the Radius agency again on our next visit to Moscow.
    Tatiana June 23, 2025
  20. Thank you so much for the tour of Zamoskvorechye . Despite the weather, it was very interesting and informative! Note: this refers to the tour with guide Anton.
    Tatiana May 6, 2025
  21. A huge thank you to Anastasia. We had a fantastic tour of the Patriki district. We learned so much. Anastasia is a true master of her craft. The tour was captivating, not at all boring, lively and interesting. Everyone was delighted. We were full of new impressions. I definitely recommend it. You won't be disappointed!
    Anna May 6, 2025
  22. We explored the Soul of Moscow with my family and Radius on my birthday. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the walk! Anton shared so many interesting facts about the capital and its history, taking us into spiritual depths no one else had even suspected. Most of us were either born or longtime Moscow residents who spent a lot of time walking around. It was educational, heartwarming, and unforgettable. 🙂 Overall, this wasn't my first time walking around Moscow with Anton, and each time was a real adventure!
    Olga May 4, 2025
  23. Anastasia, good afternoon! I wanted to thank you again for the wonderful tour on Saturday — we absolutely loved the walk, the information, and the conversations with you. We spent a long time afterwards discussing what stood out and what struck us. It seems like you've lived in Moscow your whole life, and we studied Moscow studies in school, but it turns out there's so much you still don't know! Overall, thank you so much; my mom said it was the best birthday present ever! Note: This is about the " Soul of Moscow " tour.
    Arina January 13, 2025
  24. Good day to all! I would like to share my impressions of the excursion "Journey to Christmas". Our guide was Anastasia. So! Everything was just magical: a slight frost of -4, snow, numerous Christmas trees, decorations, lights, garlands and all this to the interesting educational story of Anastasia. Despite the fact that we knew something about the New Year, there was a lot that was new, unexpected and interesting. And all this to the music of Tchaikovsky. In general, we are delighted. Thank you for the New Year mood you gave us. It is priceless!!!! Thank you!
    Victoria January 5, 2025
All reviews

Advantages of individual excursions over group ones

  • Less strain on your ears and attention: the guide speaks only for you.
  • Take a break when needed - to rest or take photos.
  • The opportunity to discuss personal impressions and emotions with the guide during the process.
  • An atmosphere of tranquility and privacy.
  • You hear everything the tour guide says.
  • The guide doesn't make stops at points of sale (at least we certainly don't).
  • All attention is on you. Answers to all your questions.
  • We pay special attention to the places that interest you.
  • Your photos will not be crowded with other participants.
  • No one is in a hurry. Take a good look at the sights - they won't leave without you.
  • Possibility of adapting the route to your preferences and interests.
  • Absence of outside pressure.
  • A personal guide remembers you, and you remember him. Such moments remain in memory.
  • At individual excursion You dive deeper into the history and culture of Moscow.
  • Opportunity to gain insight or exclusive information.
  • You don't have to get up early or come at an inconvenient time. You choose when.
  • The excursion can be either educational or easy, depending on your wishes.
  • Without loud laughter and inappropriate jokes from other tour participants.
  • Possibility to visit places closed to large groups.

How much more expensive are personal tours than mass tours?

If you are alone or in pairs, then a sum of several thousand for a walking tour of the city or twenty thousand for a car excursion is significant.

But if you're going for a walk with family or friends, the cost for an individual participant approaches one or two thousand - the amount that each person would pay for a group excursion with strangers.

For your group of 8 or more people, the price becomes even lower when calculated per person, making a private tour truly attractive.

***
A mass excursion is tourism, an individual one is a journey through the city's secrets with a personal guide. Immerse yourself in the era of Gogol or Peter the Great, revealing the secrets of the capital.

The Radius excursion bureau offers cultural, historical and sightseeing tours of Moscow, conducted in Russian and foreign languages. We organize individual routes for everyone, including corporate tours for companies such as Yandex and Faberlik. Our guides, trying to avoid clichés, provide lively speech, whether it is walking tours, car trips or cruises on the Moscow River.

We also experiment with neural networks, creating funny stories for our site, such as a tale about Peter the Great. Gift certificates for our excursions will be an original gift, allowing your loved ones to enjoy an educational walk around Moscow. We have stylish and intelligent guides ready to conduct excursions in English, German, Spanish and Hebrew, revealing the rich history and culture of the capital.