Seeing the popularity of trip reports to countries "on the other side" like DanielW's Trip to Iran, I have put together my following trips to Grozny. Some readers may be surprised.

(Sorry about picture qualities and many selfies ...
At the time I didn't know I was going to post this on Flyertalk )


Check-in with Grozny Avia at the brandnew terminal of VKO Moscow-Vnukovo Airport


Search for this counter (Vainakh Avia (left), Grozny Avia (right))


Boarding the old Yak-42 from behind (a rare aircraft nowadays in Russia)


Food in Business Class (this will be the only time ever I show a food picture!)


Approaching Grozny: crossing the Terek River ...


... with oil wells visible on arrival


Welcome to Grozny!


Fotos of Medevedev (now Putin) and Kadyrov at GRV Grozny Airport


This electronic board explains the two daily connections (with flight times) from/to Moscow on Grozny Avia (Yak-42) and Rusline (CRJ Canadair Jet)


Mosque right outside the terminal (there are also churches and one synagogue in town)


5* Grozny City Hotel ...


... a skyscraper with 32 floors ...


... a posh lobby ...


... luxurious (standard) rooms ...


... and a great view from the sky dome restaurant


The hyper-modern Globus restaurant ...


... from inside ...


... next to the Presidential Palace ...


Picture with President Kadyrov


Picture with Security - but less guns in Chechnya nowadays than at US or UK airports. Grozny was statistically the safest city in Russia last year. And probably the most modern.


The Elders are highly respected


Chechen dancers


Beautiful songs


War memorial


Grozny - center of the world - center of peace - Memorial


The Grand Mosque from outside ...


... and inside ...


... with a 1500 years old relic of the beard of Prophet Mohamed


At the brandnew Grand Park shopping center ...


... there is an American steakhouse with pictures of US-Presidents (center: Reagan, Bush, Clinton)


... and US-Foreign Secretaries (without any negative connotations).


Grozny City skyline at night

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Awesome! What was the context of the trip, if you don't mind me asking?

Dare we ask what you were doing there?

But awesome TR anyway.

Initially I went there out of curiosity, and "to collect the country point".

Now I also do some business (luxury goods).

Nice trip report! Just wish the pictures were a little bigger!

Nice. Great report. Was that you with the president outside the grand mosque also? Nice. Love the shot of the biz food....

That's me, but not with the president.

Fascinating.

I would be too scared to go there.

Thanks.

Understandable, given the violent past. Five years ago it was different, and I was also quite nervous before departure. But now it's very safe, rebuilt and modern.

The only "dangerous" place in Russia is Dagestan.

Well, I assume this all looks too civilized in Chechnya, so before this trip report drops to page 2, I'll spice it up with a picture from neighbouring Dagestan:



This is Dagestan's capital Makhackala, with the Caspian Sea in the background. My two bodyguards refused to be on the foto

Am I the only person here who thinks LuxuryRogue looks way more presidential than the president?

Very interesting tr. Thanks for posting.

What are costs like?

Hah, that made my day. Although I understand what you really mean

Hmm, I don't know that well, since I was often invited by the really hospitable locals.

The flight from Moscow starts at about US$ 300.
The Grozny City Hotel at about US$ 200 a night.
The cheaper option, Hotel Arena City is probably at least US$ 120.

Food prices in restaurants were very moderate for Russian standards too. In the poshest place, Globus, I paid maybe US$ 50 only for 2 soups, 1 steak, 1 fish, plus several soft drinks. In Moscow, you'd need to add a zero.

Alcohol is available in the top hotel and in few other places only, and rather expensive.

Very interesting TR, and thank you.

Can I ask what type of goods you are selling there?

Awesome report for an unusual location. Did you have a fixer to set up the logistics, or did you just wing it? How good is your Russian? i'm always curious as to how people set these types of super adventures up.