In an age of mass-globalization and online social networking, it’s easy to think of many people as "citizens of the world." But, Paris-based Natasha Sayn Wittgenstein and Italian-born, Moscow-based Eugenio Litta Modignani are the real deal. Not only are the two entrepreneurs world travelers tens of times over (not to mention pros at making a long-distance, occasionally-cross-Atlantic relationship work), they are privy to some of Russian capital's best kept secrets.

While in town launching their respective projects - for Wittgenstein, a bikini line called, Tooshie, and, for Modignani, the vodka brand Tovaritch – the couple sat down with us at the West Village’s Café Cluny to discuss the following: Moscow’s best late-night attractions, the secret to the Russian bath tradition, and how to make an overseas relationship succeed. In their own words:

Eugenio, how long have you lived in Moscow?
E: I’ve been living in Russia since 1993. I was excited to move to a country that was in the midst of the transformation and revolution. What I like in Moscow is what I find here in New York - major energy, a lot of movement, action, people and creativity. Over the last ten years there has been major construction, a lot of new places. Moscow has a magic atmosphere and great vibe. Russians are nice people; I like them. They’re really intense, intellectually interesting, and the [country’s] arts are very developed.
N: The first time I went there Eugenio said, ‘Look at this building’ -- it wasn’t there three months ago. The city is so big that you can’t really feel it, but they are really changing. It’s at the pace of Dubai. They work 24 hours a day, and within three months they can build a skyscraper.

Do the two of you ever meet in between Moscow and Paris?
E: We meet in random places.

How romantic…
E: Yes, it makes every day a new day, every place a new place.
N: We've met on a boat, but, recently, we have been meeting in Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Miami...
E: What you’d call the Euro-trash movement.

What are some of you favorite places while at home in Moscow?
N: I love to go to Coffee Mania. It’s the best food I’ve ever had in my life. The owners lived in New York for many years. They mix traditional Russian food with nouvelle cuisine - a lot of fresh vegetables and fresh herbs.
E: During the daytime in Moscow we are working a lot. But there is something going on every night. A new restaurant or a new gallery, an exposition... in Italy we have one biennial, in Moscow we have five. There's the ballet, the theatre. If we have the time -- during the week we come out of the office at 9 or 10 at night. Just like in New York you have the energy behind the work, you have the same in Moscow. There are a lot of similarities to New York and Moscow. Moscow has so much money now that every thing is behind that. When we have the weekend we disappear to the Dacha, which is the countryside.

Do you like the fashion coming out of Russia?
N: I would always see Russian girls in Saint Tropez and they have great bodies, but here, a little tackier. But more and more they have a sense of style. They went from Dolce to Prada more or less. There is a great store called Podium Concept Store where I love to go shopping.

Does the Russian bath tradition still exist?
E: I go every Sunday to the banias. It’s an old tradition in Russian, especially when it’s cold in the winter. You do that to clean up yourself from pollution, from the drink of the night before. Before the Soviet time, they say the Russians went there because it was the only place you could talk about business – they couldn’t microphone you because you’re completely naked. The atmosphere is quite magical inside. One is called Sandunoff Bath House that is historic -- 100 years old. They have three different styles of rooms. We meet with business people there. It’s a tradition you have to do. A tradition that isn’t lost. Putting coffee on the skin, then honey, which gives skin that feels like a baby's.
N: They have great ways of taking care of themselves in Moscow. We have a 24-hour gym.
E: It is a city of 24 hours. Shops and restaurants are open 24 hours… even a sports shop. If you want to buy a ping-pong racket at 4 in the morning you can. When I arrived 15 years ago it wasn’t like that. When you have 15 million people you need to give them services all the time.
N: And the nightlife is amazing.

How so?
E: Russians like to drink. The nightlife is moving very quickly - they’ve created amazing clubs in the past few years. Russians like to go out and show off. On Friday if you want a table you have to spend $7,000 at some places. Before, it was how many bodyguards you can have. Then, it was boats, then cars. Now it’s the nightlife. Not just in the clubs but in the restaurants too. They have the best DJs from Ibiza, London and New York. When you have good music and good alcohol, everybody's happy.

~Sara Costello

Go There:
For where to stay, Wittgenstein and Modignani recommend the Ritz-Carlton Moscow, Tverskaya Street 3, Moscow, 4 (4) 95 225 8888, and the Golden Apple Boutique Hotel, 11 Malaya Dmitrovka, Moscow
Looking for one of the most fashionable spots to dine? Check out Vogue Café, Ulitsa Kuznetsky Most, Lubyanka, Moscow, 7 (0) 95 923 1701
Or, for late night pandemonium, don't miss Rai, 9 Bolotnaya Nab, Polyanka, Borovitskaya, 767-1474
Podium Concept Store, Utlisa Kuznetskiy Most 14, Moscow, 7 (0) 95 540 1535
Sandunoff Bath House, 8am-10pm, Building 3-7, 14 Neglinnaya Ulitsa, 7 (8)