Friday

4 p.m.
1) CHOCOLATE FACTORY

One of the city’s cooler new scenes was once its sweetest. On an island across from the Kremlin, the Krasny Oktyabr, a red-brick chocolate factory from the 19th century, was recently converted into a modish cultural complex with galleries, lecture halls and cafes. Top galleries include the Lumiere Brothers Center of Photography (3 Bolotnaya Naberezhnaya, building 1; 7-495-228-9878; lumiere.ru), one of the few places dedicated to the preservation and study of Soviet and Russian photography. Between shows, grab coffee or a beer and a snack at Blogistan (6 Bersenevskaya Naberezhnaya, building 3; 7-910-429-4644; blogistan.ru), a new subterranean cafe adorned with Buddhist prayer flags and local artwork and stocked with various board games.

6 p.m.
2) OLD MOSCOW

If it’s not too cold, walk across the Patriarchs Bridge, a new footbridge where newlyweds affix padlocks in a Russian marriage tradition. Offering spectacular views of the Kremlin, the bridge links the chocolate factory to the gold-domed Cathedral of Christ the Savior, which was built in the 1990s as a replica of the original demolished under Stalin. For a glimpse of pre-revolutionary Moscow, continue to Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street and stop into Kvartira 44 (22/2 Bolshaya Nikitskaya; 7-495-691-7503; kv44.ru/bolshaya-nikitskaya.html). Popular with the artistic intelligentsia, the family-owned bar and restaurant offers inexpensive drinks (and food), with beers starting at 130 rubles, about $4.30 at 30 rubles to the dollar, and shots of Stolichnaya for 80 rubles. The piano bar on the top floor turns raucous around midnight. If there’s no room, head across the street to Mayak (19/13 Bolshaya Nikitskaya; 7-495-691-7449), which is owned by the same family.

9 p.m.
3) BEETS AND CHOCOLATE

Back at the chocolate factory, Art Strelka (14 Bersenevskaya Naberezhnaya, building 5; 7-495-771-7417; strelkainstitute.com) is a new hangout where the city’s glitterati deign to mingle with the grungy bohemian crowd that pours into the bar after film viewings and art lectures given on the premises. The food is eclectic: gazpacho and cold beet-root soup, steaks and paella, and (of course) chocolate in the form of a warm, gooey brownie. Prices for food and drinks are reasonable with a dinner for two, plus wine and great cocktails costing about 4,000 rubles.

Midnight
4) GRUNGE AND GLAM

Moscow night life doesn’t really get going until well after midnight, and becomes interesting only much later. For a low-key evening, stay at Art Strelka. If it’s warm enough, bask in the lingering northern sun on the spacious roof deck. Or head downstairs where D.J.’s spin till morning. If you’re feeling flush and need more glam, stop into Rai (9 Bolotnaya Naberezhnaya; 7-495-364-0101; raiclub.ru), a glitzy club on the other side of the island. Best to wear those hot pants if you plan to get in. Pulling up in a Bentley wouldn’t hurt, either.

Saturday

10 a.m.
5) OLIGARCH ART

Luckily for artsy Muscovites, it has become fashionable for Russia’s billionaires to set up their daughters, wives, girlfriends or mistresses with galleries to keep them occupied. Garage (19A Obraztsova Street; 7-495-645-0520; garageccc.com) is one of the few devoted to modern art, and arguably the coolest. Housed in a former bus depot, it is run by Dasha Zhukova, girlfriend of the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, and the editor of Pop magazine, the British fashion glossy. While most galleries charge admission, ticket prices here are surprisingly proletarian at 300 rubles. Grab coffee and a snack at the gallery’s funky cafe where salads and soups are 150 to 300 rubles.

1 p.m.
6) SONG AND SKATES

When it’s warm, follow the sound of singers rehearsing at the New Opera to the Hermitage Gardens (entrance at 3 Karetny Ryad; mosgorsad.ru), a charming park with cast-iron gazebos and cafes, where locals like to lounge when not at their country houses. There are also frequent outdoor concerts. As the weather gets colder, the terraces come down and ice skating rinks go up. Try the rink on Red Square for a unique view of Russia’s most famous landmark. A session costs 150 to 300 rubles depending on time (gum.ru/katok). Warm up with a drink at the O2 Lounge (3 Tverskaya Street; 7-495-225-8888; ritzcarlton.com/moscow), a chic rooftop bar atop the Ritz-Carlton, with stunning Kremlin views.

7 p.m.
7) GEORGIAN FOOD

Despite Russia’s hostilities with Georgia two years ago, Muscovites still love Georgian food. With its assortment of cheese-filled pastries, grilled meats and spicy soups, Georgian cuisine is for Russians what Mexican food is for Americans. Try the perfectly grilled shashlik or shish kebabs at Dzhondzholi (20/1 Tverskaya Street; 7-495-650-5567), a cavernous restaurant with a large trellised veranda in summer. Or, for the cheesy pies known as khachapuri, head to aptly named Khachapuri (10 Bolshoi Gnezdnikovsky Side Street; 7-495-629-6656; hacha.ru), a relaxed cafe with a mostly Georgian staff and a white-haired piano player with a penchant for jazz standards. A full Georgian feast with wine (a must) costs about 1,500 to 3,000 rubles a person at each restaurant.

Midnight
FACTORY CLUBBING

A former natural gas factory, close to Kursky train station, has been transformed into the epicenter of the city’s underground club scene. In addition to housing fashion studios, music stores and galleries, the Arma factory complex (entrance at 5 Nizhny Susalny Side Street; armazavod.ru), has several cutting-edge clubs including Gazgolder (Building 1; 7-985-226-3340; gazgolder.com), Discoteque, (Building 5; 7-495-410-5452; discoteque.ru) and Arma 17 (Building 3A; 7- 495-410-0414; arma17.ru). All are big, loud and funky, with all-night thump-athons featuring European guest D.J.’s, concerts and frequent parties that cater to the city’s growing gay scene. Admission varies. Cocktails are 300 to 500 rubles.

Sunday

8 a.m.
9) HANGOVER BRUNCH

If you’re clubbing till 6 or 7 in the morning, breakfast can be something of a problem. Luckily several spots around town have been experimenting with what in this city is quite an innovation: brunch. Noor Bar (23 Tverskaya Street; 7-499-130-6030; noorbar.com) is a stylish new cafe on one of Moscow’s main drags where a tasty brunch with fresh-squeezed orange juice and coffee costs less than 1,000 rubles. Another option is Café des Artistes (5/6 Kamergersky Side Street; 7-495-692-4042; artistico.ru), which has a spacious outdoor veranda that’s great for people watching. A set brunch costs a mere 500 rubles.

2 p.m.
10) BACK IN THE U.S.S.R.

Though slowing down a bit, Moscow’s hypercapitalism can still be overwhelming. So if you’re feeling a bit nostalgic for the old centralized economy, take a trip to the All-Russia Exhibition Center (110 Prospect Mira; 7 495-544-3400; vvcentre.ru). Once called the All-Union Exhibition of the Achievements of the People’s Economy, it was built as a monument to the greatness of socialism, though now looks more like a crumbling totalitarian Disney World. Shops selling cheap electronics and beauty supplies fill many of the pavilions where the different Soviet republics once showed off their native industries. Still, with its monumental halls, the park offers a fleeting glimpse of the pomp and outsized grandeur of the U.S.S.R.

IF YOU GO

Flights to Moscow from the United States have increased in recent years, including new nonstops from New York and Atlanta. A recent Web search found a nonstop flight on Aeroflot, the greatly improved Russian carrier, from Kennedy Airport to Moscow, starting at $604 for travel in October. From the airport, take the convenient Aeroexpress trains (aeroexpress.ru) to the city center. One-way tickets cost 300 rubles, about $10.

Moscow has some of the most expensive hotels in the world, and only a few options for frugal travelers, who might try the Godzillas Hostel (6 Bolshaya Karetnaya Street; 7-495-699-4223; godzillashostel.com). Rates start at 868 rubles for a bed in a 10-room dorm; private rooms are 2,170 rubles.

The well-situated Golden Apple Boutique Hotel (11 Malaya Dmitrovka; 7-495-980-7000; epoquehotels.com/moscow.html) is one of the few boutique hotels in Moscow. Rooms start at 10,000 rubles.

At the upper extreme is the Ritz-Carlton (3 Tverskaya Street; 7-495-225-8888; ritzcarlton.com/moscow). Just steps from the Kremlin, the former Intourist hotel has 334 luxurious rooms starting at 23,000 rubles.

Goodger and his colleagues at Oxford Economics have been tracking the European debt crisis closely. As part of Goodger’s presentation, he will be sharing the current analysis of the impact of this crisis on major economies and implications for the hotel sector. Goodger has been instrumental in developing the global model of tourism flows and spending which covers 185 origins and destinations.

Since joining Oxford Economics in 2000, Goodger has been involved in the full range of forecasting and modelling activities. He has worked both the macroeconomic and industrial forecasting teams, contributing to regular reports as well as client specific studies and ongoing model development.

Oxford Economics is one of the world’s foremost global forecasting and research consultancies. Founded in 1981 as a joint venture with Templeton College, the business college of Oxford University, Oxford Economics has since grown into a major independent provider of global economic, industry and business analysis. A leader in quantitative analysis, Oxford Economics relies on detailed economic research and cutting-edge analytical tools to help assess the opportunities, challenges, and strategic choices to be faced now and in the future.

Hot.E will be held immediately following the launch of the first Hotel Data Conference (HDC) Europe, with honorary hosts STR Global and HotelNewsNow.com . Hot.E and HDC Europe will feature a joint gala reception on the evening of Tuesday, 6^th September 2011, to enable the delegates from both events to meet and network.

The figures from this year have brought smiles to the faces of many individuals in the European tourism market. Tourism is growing throughout the EU, mostly in its established giants and also in the developing markets of the ascension states.

Indeed, as the clouds of economic recession continue to recede, Europe is relying even more on the old breadwinner of tourism to blow them away even quicker.

Tourism adds EUR 500 billion to the EU’s GDP on an annual basis, in fact double that amount once transportation, culture and construction have been taken into account. 10 million EU citizens work directly in tourism, whereas another 10 million work in tourism-related sectors.

In other words, tourism is big business within the EU. The giants and classic destinations are France, indeed the most visited country on the planet, Spain, the UK and Germany, the latter being the business tourism capital of Europe. Spain is particularly keen on increasing its revenue from tourism due to massive unemployment. One in five Spaniards are now unemployed.

The figures above and the Lisbon treaty have emphasized the importance of tourism to the EU. The most crisis-hit countries of recent times, notably Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland have all experienced increases in tourism since 2010. It doesn’t take a genius to conclude why Greece is desperate to reinstate itself as a tourism hotspot in Europe.

“Later this year we will announce strategic partnerships on pricing, ticketing and products,” he said.
Mercer said that he expected that these would operate much like airline alliances.

He added that Eurostar had enabled rail to become a viable competitor with air on the London to Brussels and Paris city pairs and he expected the new partnerships, scheduled to become effective in 2012, to promote travel by rail to other destinations on the Continent.

Mercer said that research showed that on journeys of two hours or less, the likelihood was that the traveller would choose rail but that both modes were realistic options on routes up to four hours. He therefore expected other European cities such as Amsterdam and Cologne to become regular rail destinations from London in the future.

All in all, you wouldn’t know that Europe has suffered through an economic crisis as brutal as ours, because strong social programs in the social democracies we love to visit — England, Italy and France — keep people at work, which is part of the problem. Governments that don’t have the resources to pay for such programs — Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain — have needed bailouts from neighbors, generating ill will and doomsday scenarios about the impending collapse of the European Union. If you think that’s of marginal interest to tourists, you’ve forgotten what it was like to travel on the Continent before the advent of open borders and a single currency.

It’s worth thinking about as you plan your trip, though nobody expects the EU to unravel this year. “Europe is an evolution, for 60 years going two steps forward and one step back,” says Europe travel expert Rick Steves. “We always hear about the stumbles. But I can’t imagine the euro zone falling apart.”

Here’s what you’ll need to know about trips to Europe this year:

Priced to go

If you’ve always wanted to visit Portugal, Ireland, Iceland, Greece, Spain, Romania or Bulgaria, 2011 is the year to go. That’s because these countries were hit hardest by the recession, forcing some travel providers to “try to create demand through value pricing,” says Jerre Fuqua, president of Travcoa, based in El Segundo.

At the same time, the governments of these nations are increasing efforts to support tourism, creating new options and incentives for travelers. Iceland, laid low in recent times by a bank collapse and a volcanic eruption, has set the standard, enticing travelers to a once extremely expensive destination by ramping up air and tour package deals, says Jan Rudomina, U.S. chairman of the European Travel Commission.

Hard times in the most economically distressed countries of Europe resulted in protests and strikes last year, which turned violent in Greece, though tourists were marginally affected. “I was just in Athens and didn’t feel it was in crisis,” Steves says. “For a visitor, I’d say the troubles are almost unnoticeable.”

Hotel prices are rock bottom in Prague, Czech Republic; Budapest, Hungary; and Madrid, with southern European capitals such as Lisbon, Rome and Athens still somewhat below normal, according to Colliers PKF Consulting, a hotel industry research firm. On the other end of the spectrum, rates are sky high in Geneva, Stockholm, London, Moscow and Oslo, Norway.

In other words, hotel bargains are to be had where you least expect them, but not always where you most want to go. As ever, France is the world’s favorite travel destination, visited by almost 99 million people in 2010, according to the U.N. World Tourism Organization; in second and third places were the U.S. and China, which bumped Spain off the list last year.

Fast trains

This year marks the 30th birthday of European high-speed trains, which debuted between Paris and Lyon, France, in September 1981. Since then, 1.5 billion people have traveled on fast TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) trains in France, and high-speed lines have proliferated across the Continent.

Besides TGV, you’ll find ICE in Germany; Eurostar connecting Britain, France and Belgium; Thalys between Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne, Germany; AVE in Spain; X 2000 in Sweden; and Eurostar Italia and NTV, a new private rail company putting luxury, state-of-the-art, French-manufactured AGV (Automotrice à Grande Vitesse) trains on Italian government tracks.

Europe’s super trains travel as fast as 200 mph and have the added money-saving convenience of embarkations and disembarkations in city-center stations, including London’s gloriously renovated St. Pancras, with a 100-foot-high train shed that was the biggest enclosed space in the world when completed in 1868.

But Europe’s railways aren’t just for train buffs and speed demons. More and more, taking a fast train is a principal part of the European tourist experience, especially for Americans who think railroad travel is almost as bad as taking the bus.

Even if you book second class, there are roomy, reserved seats, clean restrooms and appealing buffet cars. If you go business or first class, amenities include light and full meal service, Wi-Fi and laptop plug-ins, special check-in counters and waiting lounges, complimentary newspapers and the opportunity to book a taxi that will be awaiting for you on arrival.

And then there are the views of lavender fields in Provence, the cliffs of Dover and Rome’s ancient walls.

Both the AC Santo Mauro and AC Palacio de Retiro hotels in Madrid have been converted from historic houses to 50-room boutique hotels, while the Granada property, AC Palacio de Santa Paula, was a former convent. If successful, Marriott will expand the quirky heritage-turned-modern hotel brand into Italy and Portugal over the next three years.

“We are thrilled to launch the Autograph Collection in Europe with such a dynamic and distinguished group of hotels”, said managing director of Marriott International Europe, Amy McPherson. “Each of these properties offers a truly unique guest experience and fits perfectly within the positioning of the Autograph Collection.”

As the first major hotel launch in Spain since the collapse of the property market plunged its economy into a national debt crisis, the presence of the new Autograph brand will boost both the country’s economy and its public image. With major hospitality brands like Marriott showing confidence in Spain again, the recovery of the property industry can’t be too far behind.