Expatriates Forums in Russia

Lovely Volga cruise from Samara, Russia

Lollyrock — Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:02 am

Author: Lollyrock

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:02 am

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share my impressions till they are fresh

I’ve just returned from the Volga river cruise. That was gorgeous! I mean it. OK, I guess that gonna be better if I go from the very beginning.

So, it all started when I found myself sitting in Samara, Russia miserable, tired from work and dreadfully bored. I was overcome by self-pity when my friend suggested we should try some cruise or smth of the kind (why, why didn’t she do that earlier?). Well, at first I found the idea far from being brilliant: I’ve never done that before, at any hand for several days. Plus Waugh’s “Bridshead revisited” I was reading didn’t add optimism (if you remember most of the characters suffered from rolling during the trip and I can’t say I’m a good sailor). But sitting at work or home all thro' the day was a creepy alternative, so I gave it green light (after certain hesitation) to avoid turning into some peevish bluestocking)

Well, I like going the whole hog, so I (my friend never helped! lazy) googled, found a good tour-operator, chose the variant I liked most, packed my case, checked my face and… started my tiny adventure.

It’s worth saying I chose four-decker “Tikhij Don” as it was proclaimed one of the safest and most convenient boats. Oh, and the biggest one in Samara, Russia. And I do love comfort, I hate when for e.g. broken air-conditioner spoils my trip).

I chose the biggest boat and one of the longest trips (imagine, 10 days!), so to say decided to have a blast. I don’t regret.

In an hour, after unpacking a trunk I felt like farewell business suit and bikini you’re welcome. Oh, btw, there was a huge wardrobe in my Luxe, which’s great as I always take an inevitable number of clothing. The room was really cozy and nice – 2 big beds, air conditioner (!), WC and a shower unit and other things to make me happy, and a safe (it’s a pity I had nothing to put in it ).

All in all, I would strongly advise everyone give Volga cruise a go, that’s unforgettable.

It looks like my first Volga river cruise experience was a success. Did I miss something? Hey guys, drop me a line if you’ve been on any other Volga cruise just to compare impressions.

Hi Everyone I am new here.

MarkWahlbergTwo — Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:22 pm

Author: MarkWahlbergTwo

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:22 pm

Hello

I would like to drop by and say how are you?. I was trolling this place for a while now, but never made a contribution.

I am from Algiers and like to play video games like half life and coffee. I hope to get a lot out of this community .

Thank you for having me

Marcus

Brand New BlackBerry Bold 9000 -- $200 For Sale

zarimamirul — Tue Jun 16, 2009 3:12 am

Author: zarimamirul

Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 3:12 am

We are Distributor of Mobile phones and Video Games, We specialize in competitively-priced original and high-quality products. We are Giving all our products at a discounted prices.(BUY 2 GET 1 FREE)

Products Price:

Apple iPhone 4GB-------$150
Apple iPhone 8GB-------$180
Apple iphone 3G 16GB---$180

Sidekick LX -- $120
Sidekick 3 --- $115
Juicy Couture Sidekick 2 -- $100
Mister Cartoon Sidekick -- $110
Juicy couture Sidekick III--$110
Sidekick D - Wade --- $110
Sidekick ID----- $100

HTC Touch Pro 2 Rhodium --$300
HTC Shift X9500--$300
HTC Snap (Unlocked)--$180
HTC P6500 Sirius Pocket PC--$250
T-Mobile G1 Android HTC--$220
HTC Touch HD--$200
HTC Touch Diamond P3700 --$220
HTC T4242 Touch Cruise 2--$200
HTC Touch PRO EU----$220
HTC Advantage X7500---$220
HTC P4550 TYTN II Pocket PC--$150
At&t Tilt 8925 Pocket PC--$140
HTC Touch Dual P5500--$140
HTC Touch Dual NA P5520--$140
HTC Touch Cruise P3650 Polaris 3G--$160
HTC TYTN Pocket PC----$130
HTC Touch Smartphone--$130
HTC P3470 Smartphone--$130

Eten glofiish M750 -- $250
Eten glofiish M810 -- $225
Eten glofiish X650 -- $200
Eten glofiish M800 -- $215
Eten glofiish X600 -- $190
Eten glofiish X500+ -- $170
Eten glofiish X800 -- $215
Eten glofiish M700 -- $180
Eten glofiish X500 -- $160
Eten M550 -- $110
Eten G500 -- $115
Eten M600 -- $120

Nokia 5610 XpressMusic Red--$120
Nokia 6500 Classic Black---$120
Nokia N81 8GB---$140
Nokia 8800 Arte---$350
Nokia N95-3------$170
Nokia 8600 US Luna---$250
Nokia N95-2 8GB--$200
Nokia N96 16GB--$230
Nokia E90 Communicator----$200
Nokia N78 Blue---$180
Nokia E71-3 EU--$170
Nokia E66---$140
Nokia E71-2 NA--$170
Nokia 6500--$100
Nokia 3600--$100
Nokia 6600--$120
Nokia N77--$200
Nokia E61i--$110
Nokia N800--$120

BlackBerry Storm 9530--$200
BlackBerry Storm 9500--$200
BlackBerry Bold 9000 -- $200
BlackBerry Pearl 8110 -- $150
BlackBerry Pearl 8120 -- $150
Blackberry Curve 8900 Javelin--$170
BlackBerry Curve 8320 -- $170
BlackBerry Curve 8310 -- $155
BlackBerry Curve 8300 -- $160
BlackBerry 8820 -- $135
BlackBerry 8830-- $170
BlackBerry 8800 -- $145
BlackBerry Pearl 8100 -- $120

Sony Ericsson C905--$220
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1--$200
Sony Ericsson G502--$150
Sony Ericsson T303--$120
Sony Ericsson G900--$180
Sony Ericsson W980--$150
Sony Ericsson C902--$120
Sony Ericsson Z770--$120
Sony Ericsson W760--$130
Sony Ericsson W890--$135
Sony Ericsson K660--$100
Sony Ericsson K770--$115
Sony Ericsson K850--$120
Sony Ericsson W960--$160
Sony Ericsson W910--$140
Sony Ericsson P1 -- $120

Samsung Blackjack 3 (Jack)--$160
Samsung Omnia 16GB-----$250
Samsung Omnia 8GB------$200
Samsung Memoir (SGH-T929)--$180
Samsung Instinct sprint----$200
Samsung G800 -- $160
Samsung U900 Soul -- $185
Samsung F490 -- $175
Samsung Giorgio Armani P520-- $160
Samsung F480 -- $190
Samsung F110 -- $135

Motorola ZN200---$200
Motorola Aura--$200
Motorola RAZR2 V9 -- $170
Motorola RIZR Z10 -- $180
Motorola ROKR E8 -- $110
Motorola U9 -- $100
Motorola Z9 -- $100
Motorola Z6w -- $120
Motorola Z6c -- $110
Motorola RIZR Z8 -- $170
Motorola KRZR K3 -- $110
Motorola SLVR L9 -- $100
Motorola Q 9h -- 185
Motorola Q 8 -- $140

LG Xenon GR500 --$160
LG KF750 Secret -- $175
LG CU915 Vu -- $185
LG KF700 -- $155
LG KF600 -- $150
LG KF510 -- $135
LG KT610 -- $130
LG KP320 -- $110
LG KT520 -- $120
LG KM710 -- $150
LG KF310 -- $120
LG KF300 -- $115
LG KM500 -- $165

VERTU PRICE LIST
Vertu Signature Standard Platinum-----$400
Vertu Signature Duo Stainless Steel---$350
Vertu Signature Standard White Gold---$450
Vertu Signature Standard Yellow Gold--$450
Vertu Ascent Pink-Special Editionfiltered--$400

GARMIN 396--$130
Playstation 3 40GB---$120
Playstation 3 60GB---$130
Playstation 3 80GB---$175
Playstation 3 80GB---$180
Sony PSP Value Pack--$85
GameBoy Advance------$70

Apple iPod Touch 32GB 2nd Generation---$170
Apple ipod itouch 32GB----$150
Apple ipod itouch 16GB----$120
Apple ipod itouch 8GB-----$100
Apple iPod 30GB (Video)---$100
Apple iPod 60GB (Video)---$100
Apple iPod Mini 6 GB------$100
Apple iPod Photo 30 GB----$110
Apple iPod U2 SE 20 GB----$120
Apple iPod Photo 60 GB----$120
Apple iPod 20 GB----------$100
Apple ipod 80 GB----------$120

Nintendo DS---$50
Nintendo Wii--$150

Xbox 360 Core System-----$160
Xbox 360 Prenium pack--$170
Xbox 360 Platinum Bundle Console-- $155
Xbox 360 Elite--------$$180
=======================================
APPLE LAPTOP:
Apple MacBook (MA700LL/A) Mac Notebook--$450
Apple MacBook Pro (MA611LL/A) Notebook--$550
Apple MacBook (MA254LL/A) Mac Notebook--$400
Apple iBook G3 (M7698LL/A) Mac Notebook-$550
Apple MacBook Pro (MA609LL/A) Notebook--$500
Apple MacBook Pro (MA600LLA) Notebook---$450
Apple MacBook Pro (MA610LL/A) Notebook--$550
Apple Macbook Pro(885909119400)Notebook-$550
=======================================
SONY VAIO P4 LAPTOP:
Sony VAIO(R) PCG-GRT100 (PCG-GRT10012) PC Notebook----$400
Sony VAIO(R) PCG-GRT100P (PCG-GRT100P3 PC Notebook----$450
Sony VAIO(R) PCG-GRT100P (PCG-GRT100P56) PC Notebook--$500
Sony VAIO(R) PCG-GRT100P (PCG-GRT100P44) PC Notebook--$440
Sony VAIO(R) PCG-GRT100P (PCG-GRT100P17) PC Notebook--$300
Sony VAIO(R) PCG-V505BCP (PCG-V505BCP11) PC Notebook--$450
Sony VAIO(R) PCG-GRT100K (PCG-GRT100K23) PC Notebook--$440
=======================================
DELL LAPTOP:
Dell XPS M1710 PC Notebook--$300
Dell XPS M2010 PC Notebook--$500

All products are 100% tested and all brands new and all in perfect
working conditions. We send out products via reputable courier
companies and delivery is at your doorstep 2 days after shipment
(maximum)

Return Policy

All products must be returned within 15 days. In order to process your
return or exchange, please explain in detail why you need to return or
exchange your order. We will respond to you with RMA # (return
merchandise authorization) within 24-48hrs. DO NOT SHIP YOUR ORDER
WITHOUT RMA#. We will be responsible for the return shipping cost. We
strive to offer high-quality products at competitive prices.
We are committed to doing all it takes to satisfied all our customers!
Many thanks and God bless you as you place your order with us today.
For purchasing process. Kindly send your inquiries to:

EMAIL: Zarim_amirul@yahoo com
Best Regard,
Zarim.

I'll show you Saint-Petersburg!

stupochka — Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:36 am

Author: stupochka

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:36 am

Hey!
If you are going to visit a marvelous and unforgetable city of Saint-Petersburg, i can be your guide. I can show you the most interesting andunusual places and make your stay here unforgetable. I also can help with hotel and tickets booking and transfer from/to Airport or Railway station. Please, contact me on PN, I will be happy to help you!

FOOD & DINING IN RUSSIA / RUSSIA DINING GUIDE

Russia Info — Wed May 30, 2007 8:49 am

Author: Russia Info

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 8:49 am

FOOD & DINING IN RUSSIA

GENERAL

The kind of food visitors will eat from day to day depends on which city they are visiting and the time of year. Breakfast is often similar to the Scandinavian, with cold meats, boiled eggs and bread served with Russian tea. For the midday and evening meal the food is often more traditional, again depending on the region.

Moscow’s contemporary wining and dining scene is utterly unlike anything that existed here during the age of the Iron Curtain. The transformation of the city from Communist citadel tо Capitalist frontierland is reflected in the entirely new range of restaurants that have sprung up since the beginning of the 1990s – Irish bars, snazzy American diners, expensive Japanese restaurants, Australian pubs...the list goes on. From the thriving fast-food scene tо the numerous prestigious restaurants serving the new elites, eating and drinking in Moscow need never be boring. Moscow also harbours a surprisingly rich stock of ethnic cuisine from around the former Soviet Union, the most widespread being that of Georgia (a former Soviet republic tо the south) but also including Central Asian and other Caucasian varieties.

If you’ve got the money, Moscow’s selection of top class restaurants is unbeatable. Restaurants tend tо adopt a theme and wring it dry, so a visit tо the folk-based Sloboda really is a trip into Russian traditional culture (although you can bet the food wasn’t this good in a Russian village of yesteryear).

The new restaurants and cafés of the burgeoning St. Petersburg scene stand in sharp contrast to the traditional, sometimes uninspired, Russian-style eateries of the former Soviet Union. Of course, the old-style restaurants can still be found in abundance -- the places that insist on bottles of vodka on every table, the synthesizer-accompanied singer droning Russian chansons, and long, often pricey meals in settings designed to evoke the luxury of the Imperial past. Although it's certainly worth experiencing Russian-style dining during your stay -- and discovering the French underpinnings of Russian cuisine that become apparent at some of the finer establishments -- know that you have plenty of options, and you don't have to pay an exorbitant price to eat well.

Reserve plenty of time for your meal. In Russia dining out is an occasion, and Russians often make an evening (or an afternoon) out of going out to eat, especially at those Moscow showplaces replete with gilded cornices, hard-carved oak, and tinkling crystal. An unhurried splendor is definitely the order of the day.

National specialties

• Kasha (porridge) is a staple breakfast dish, made with milk and oats, buckwheat or semolina.

• Blini (small pancakes filled with caviar, fish, melted butter or sour cream).

• Ponchiki (hot sugared doughnuts).

• Pirozhky (fried rolls with different fillings, usually meat).

• Borshch, a beetroot soup served hot with sour cream.

• Pelmeni (meat dumplings).

National drinks

• Chai (sweet tea served without milk).

• Vodka (often flavoured and coloured with herbs and spices such as zubrovka (a kind of grass), ryabinovka (steeped with rowan-tree berries), starka (dark, smooth, aged vodka) and pertsovka (with hot pepper). Posolskaya, Stolichnaya and Rossiskaya are popular brands.

• Krushon (cold ‘punch’; champagne, brandy and summer fruit are poured into a hollowed watermelon and chilled for several hours).

• Nalivka (sweet liqueur made with fruit or berries).

• Nastoika is a fortified wine made of herbs, leaves, flowers, fruit and roots of plants with medicinal properties.

Note: Drinks are ordered by grams or by the bottle. City-centre bars close around midnight.

Tipping: Hotels in Moscow and other large cities include a 10 to 15 per cent service charge. Otherwise 10 per cent is customary.

PLACES TO DINE IN MOSCOW

Bungalo Bar
Zemlyanoy val 6,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 916-2432

Dinastiia
Zubovskii Bulvar 29,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 246-5017/ 7071
Fax: (+7 495) 246-5502

Le Diuk (Le Duc)
Ulitsa 1905 Goda 2,
Krasnopresnenkaia Naberezhnaia,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 255-0390
Fax: (+7 495) 252-1825
Website: www.le-duc.ru

Le Gastronome
Kudrinskaia Ploshchad', 1
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 255-4433
Fax: (+7 495) 967-6888

Noev Kovcheg
Maly Ivanovsky Pereulok 7-9/1,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 917-0717/ 4699
Email: kovcheg@noevkovcheg.ru , kovcheg@arknoahs.com
Website: www.noevkovcheg.ru

Pushkin
Tverskoi Bulvar 26A,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 229-5590

Schwein
Lefortovskii Pereulok 12,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 267-4504
Website: www.schwein.ru

Serebrianyi Vek
Teatral'nyi Proezd, 3,
Building 3,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 926-1352
Fax: (+7 495) 928-7929

Settebello
Sadovaya-Samotechnaya Ulitsa 3,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 299-1656/ 3039

Tavern Amarcord
Pokrovka Ulitsa 6,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 923-0932
Email: taverna@amarkord.ru
Website: www.amarkord.ru

Tsarskaya Okhota
Rublevo-Uspenskoe Shosse 186A,
Poselok Zhukovka,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 418-7982
Email: info@tsarshunt.ru
Website: www.tsarshunt.com.ru

Yar
Leningradsky Prospekt 32/21,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 960-2000

NIGHTLIFE IN RUSSIA / RUSSIA NIGHTLIFE GUIDE

Russia Info — Tue May 29, 2007 9:47 am

Author: Russia Info

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 9:47 am

NIGHTLIFE IN RUSSIA

MOSCOW

General

Discos are popular in Moscow, although there are also an increasing number of pub-type bars, many of which serve food. These generally offer a happy hour, with two-for-one drink specials. There is no shortage of exotic entertainment and Western men do tend to attract young Russian women. Some bars can be quite violent – it is best for visitors to ask for local advice on which ones to avoid.

Moscow has a number of 24-hour bars and ‘night restaurants’ that are often open until 0500 or 0600. These combine dining, drinking and entertainment under one roof. Otherwise, bars tend to stay open until 2400 or 0100. The minimum drinking age in Russia is 18 years, although the minimum purchasing age is 21 years. Cover charges vary – some places actually offer free drinks for a limited time, while others charge a cover of Rb613-919/US$20-30 (or more). Live music is played all over the city but quality acts are not always easy to come by. Many of the bars and clubs are located in the larger hotels or the immediate vicinity. Because of the rocky economy, bars and clubs tend to close down and open up fairly frequently. The American expat newspaper, eXile (website: www.exile.ru), offers an up-to-date, if somewhat rude, guide.

Bars

The John Bull Pub, Kutuzovsky proezd 4, has decent music and stays open until 0300 at the weekend. The Irish pub Rosie O’Grady’s, Znamenka ulitsa 9/12, is a popular spot. Homesick Canadians head for the Moosehead Canadian Bar, Bolshaya Polyanka ulitsa 54, where buffalo wings and other bar food keeps the punters happy and beers cost Rb122-184/US$4-6 (daily 1200-0500). Chesterfield’s, Zemlyanoy val 26, has the longest bar in Russia (apparently) and draws a mixed expat and Russian crowd. For those who enjoy a cigar and cognac, The Embassy Club, Bryusov pereulok 8/10, provides an appropriately swanky environment. The News Bar, Petrovka ulitsa, has recently made a stylish entrance into the nightlife of Muscovites, while OGI Project, Potapovsky pereulok, has become hugely popular.

Casinos

There are dozens of casinos in Moscow. Some of the more elegant are attached to the five-star hotels. The 24-hour Casino Metropol, located in the hotel of the same name at Teatralny proezd 1/4, is a classic casino with blackjack, roulette and poker. The minimum stake is Rb166/US$25. For lower stakes, the Olympic Casino Club, aboard the Valery Brusov, Krymskaya naberezhnaya, is open 1900-0600 and offers roulette, blackjack and poker. Another alternative is the Casino Moskva, located in the Leningradskaya Hotel, Kalanchevskaya ulitsa 21/40. There is an age restriction of 18 years for gambling; a passport is not always required and the dress code is smart-casual.

Clubs

Propaganda, Bolshoi Zlatoustinksy pereulok 7, is one of the city’s best dance clubs and plays non-techno tunes (occasionally acid jazz). Techno ravers head for Khaos, Timirgazevskaya ulitsa 17. Brand, Smolensky ploshchad, has a more upmarket feel with a disco and bars. The big-name international DJs who appear from time to time at Club XIII, Myanitskaya ulitsa, attract foreigners and young Russians with pockets full of cash. Titanik, inside the Young Pioneers Stadium, Leningradsky prospekt 31, is a well-known techno club with a decent but expensive chill-out area (the cover charge is Rb919/US$30). Clubs catering to a gay crowd are becoming increasingly popular in Moscow. The most frequented of these is Central Station, Bolshaya Tatarskaya ulitsa, which could almost compete with any Western gay club. Homophobia is still very much in evidence in Moscow, so it is advisable for visitors to avoid going to any of the gay clubs alone.

Live music

Many of the bars and clubs have live music – usually rock but occasionally country, reggae or folk – for a couple of hours in the evening (generally 2200-2400/0100). For jazz and blues, the Arbat Blues Club, Aksakov pereulok 11, is considered one of the best spots in Moscow. The Jazz Art Club, Begovaya ulitsa 5, offers what the name suggests for a Rb214/US$7 entry fee. Bunker, Tverskaya ulitsa 12, and Tabula Rasa, Berezhkovskaya naberezhnaya 28, both feature live bands – the cover charge depends on the night and who is playing. The Voodoo Lounge, Sredny Tishinsky pereulok 5/7, is a fairly recent arrival, hosting rock and Latin music.

Classical Music: Opera, Ballet, Orchestral

Russia’s great heritage of classical music is reflected in the quality of its orchestras and orchestral venues. The Bol'shoi Theatre is a world-renowned institution and the jewel in the crown of Moscow’s cultural nightlife. The auditorium and performances are immaculate and in terms of grandeur, the Bol'shoi surpasses anything else in Russia. It is therefore a popular venue - especially among visiting tourists - and tickets may be difficult to snap up at short notice.

Other major venues include the Dvorets S"ezdov (Palace of Congresses), a Soviet-style building within the walls of the Kremlin which hosts performances of the great Russian ballets. Both the Stanislavskii and Nemirovich-Danchenko Musical Theatre and the Helikon Opera run a variety of Russian and foreign classics, with the latter being more innovative in approach. For the city’s best orchestral music, visit the Tchaikovskii Concert Hall and the Tchaikovskii Conservatory. The Rossiia Concert Hall hosts occasional classical performances.

Theatre

Modern Moscow may be an aggressively commercial and openly materialistic place, but theatre and the arts still play a special role in the city’s life. The breadth and range of drama theatres more than rivals that of any other major capital. The following is but a handful of what is on offer.

The Moscow Art Theatre has always been among the city’s most prominent theatres. There’s now two branches, of which the original (Chekhov MKhAT) is reputed to be the best. The other takes Gorkii’s name and is located on Tverskoi Bul’var.

The Tagankawas a politically controversial theatre during Soviet times, famous for its veiled satires. For classic Russian drama, head to the Malyi Theatre, founded in 1824 and still playing predominantly 19th-century material. The same goes for the Sovremennik Theatre. Contemporary works are favoured by a few theatres, most notably the Maiakovskii and Lenkom theatres.

The Mossovet Theatre performs a fairly mixed bag of works, including foreign classics and Soviet standards, as do the Iugo-Zapad Theatre and the Pushkin Drama Theatre. It’s all a little pointless if you don’t happen to know Russian of course, in which case you’d be better off trying less mentally demanding alternatives like the Obraztsov puppet theatre or the Moscow Clown Theatre.

Cinema

The smell of popcorn and Hollywood blockbusters can be found at the American House of Cinema, Moscow’s most glitzy film house. Pod Kupolom and the Kinomir cinema both offer much the same in terms of films on offer. If you’re looking for Russian movies, the Illuzion and the Cinema Centreat Krasnaia Presnia are worth checking out: these also show western arthouse films. The Pushkinskii Entertainment Centre has the biggest auditorium in town and concentrates predominantly on American blockbusters, but occasionally premieres major Russian movies.

ST PETERSBURG

General

St Petersburg has a vibrant, varied nightlife – ranging from opera and ballet to sleazy nightclubs and acid house raves – and is emerging, after some 75 years of Communist control, as the rock music capital of Russia. However, the scene is constantly changing – new venues open, old ones close. So the best advice is to check the weekly listings in the St Petersburg Times (website: www.sptimes.ru/current/events/gigs.htm).

The Russian mafia – a collective term for various groups of gangsters, criminals and racketeers – control most of the nightlife and gambling in St Petersburg. However, most visitors will have no contact with this aspect of Russian life and if you do happen to sit next to a gangster in a smart restaurant, you are more than likely to assume the man is a successful businessman. Caution should be exercised, however, especially with casinos – you should only frequent venues that come recommended.

Most of the decent nightlife is in the city centre. Bars open from 1100 and start closing around 2400, although some remain open until 0200 or 0400. Drinking regulations are strict, with the minimum drinking age set at 21 years. The average price of a drink is US$3. Nightclubs have varying hours but you will find them open as early as noon and closing as late as 0900. Casual dress is the norm, although you should smarten up if you plan a visit to the theater, ballet or to a classical concert.

Bars

Although it is a bit scruffy and smoky, Cynic, Goncharnaya ulitsa 4, is an excellent venue for those wishing to settle down with a teapot of vodka to watch occasional spontaneous dance performance by girls who have watched Coyote Ugly too many times. The Idiot, Moiki reki naberezhnaya 82, is popular with the smart-set, who flock here in droves for the friendly service, vegetarian menu and used English-language newspapers and books that are available for perusal. Mollie’s, Rubensshtyena ulitsa 36, provides the international comfort that people have come to expect from an Irish pub – this is also a good introduction to the expat community of the city. Punters seeking the downright weird should check out Sakvoyazh dlya beremennoy shpionki (A Briefcase for a Pregnant Spy), Malaya Konushnaya ulitsa 11. One room boasts tables and chairs without legs, which are attached to chains that dangle from the ceiling and floor. Propoganda, Fontanki reki naberezhnaya 40, is filled to the brim with kitschy Soviet-era decor and posters.

Casinos

Premiere, situated in the Titan cinema, Nevsky prospekt 47, is a reasonably safe gambling venue with cards and roulette tables. Open 1200-0900. Venice, Korablestroiteley ulitsa 21, is another upmarket venue, which opens 1900-1600 and is frequented by wealthy Russians and foreigners. A passport is required at both casinos and the dress code is smart-casual.

Clubs

At Apraksin dvor 14, Money Honey is located downstairs, with the sweet sounds of rockabilly emanating, while the upstairs City Club caters to an older crowd who like a bit of blues in their rock. Konnyushenny dvor, Griboedova kanala nabrezhnaya 5, is spectacular for clubbers interested in thumping Russian pop music and other wonders of chart-hit wonderland. Located in a former bomb shelter, Griboyedov, Voronezhsakaya ulitsa 2a, is definitely the place to be for an array of house and techno music.

Live music

Fish Fabrique, Pushkinskaya ulitsa 10, is perfect for visitors wishing to see local rock and alternative bands. Jazz Club, Zagorodny prospekt 27, is where to head for the Russian spin on jazz, with the modern stuff played on Friday and Saturday nights. The Jazz Philharmonic Hall, Zagorodny prospekt 27, is the venue for traditional and Dixieland jazz, performed in an auditorium but with a more intimate venue upstairs, in the Ellington Hall. Jimi Hendrix Blues Club, Liteiny ploschad 33, has live bands on at midnight, every night. It is open 24 hours a day and has a reputation for great food but exceedingly lousy service.

Classical Music: Opera, Ballet, Symphony

This is a city of countless great composers - including Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Shostakovich - and possibly the most famous ballet troupe in the world: the Kirov Ballet. In the financially uncertain world of post-Soviet Russia, the city's cultural life has been hard-hit and many of it's music ensembles make money by heading out of Russia tо cash in on their excellent reputation. That said, St Petersburg remains one of the greatest cities in the world for lovers of classical music.

Foreigners may have some problems purchasing tickets for events, especially in more popular venues like the Mariinskii Theatre for which a dual-price system is in operation (visitors get tо pay more than twice the amount Russians do).

The eternal leader of the pack is indeed the Mariinskii Theatre. Formerly known as the Kirov, it is the jewel in the crown of the city’s cultural life. Luxuriously outfitted, it hosts several major premieres every year and affluent tourists flock tо catch showings of major Russian works such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker as well as performances of major works from the European canon.

For opera and ballet, your next best bet is the Mussorgsky Theatre on Arts Square, not quite as luxurious or prestigious as the Mariinskii but still worth a visit. Elsewhere, the Oktiabrskii Kontsertnii Zal ('October' Concert Hall) hosts performances in its large Soviet-era hall, but these are only tо a recorded soundtrack.

Symphony concerts can be attended at a variety of excellent venues, among them the Philharmonia on Arts Square and the Glinka Kapella just off Palace Square. Smaller venues such as the Iusupov Theatre and the Hermitage Theatre (both former private theatres for the Imperial elite) offer much more intimate performances. The recently renovated Smolnyi Cathedral also hosts classical music performances.

Theatre

St Petersburg has a grand dramatic tradition and takes the theatrical arts very seriously. There are a huge variety of theatres tо visit, offering a wide range of works. The premier venue is the Bolshoi Drama Theatre on the Fontanka canal, whose reportoire takes in a broad range of Russian material plus the occasional interpretation of Western works.

Located in a beautiful Rossi-designed auditorium, the Aleksandrinskii Theatre draws on the full canon of Russian and Soviet works. The Malyi Drama Theatre is another popular option as is the Komissarzhevskaia Drama Theatre just off Palace Square. Both show mainly Russian works, the latter with a much more classical bent. The Baltiiskii Dom hosts a number of the city’s more progressive and innovative drama groups as well as a number of rock and pop concerts.

Cinema

The Russian film industry is in a state of some disorder. Though it has produced the odd blockbuster in recent times such as The Barber of Siberia or the Brat movies, mainstream cinemas are Hollywood-dominated. The most obviously blockbuster cinema is the shiny Crystal Palace on Nevskii Prospekt (just follow the smell of popcorn). Barrikada shows pretty much the same range of films, but in a decidedly more elegant and spacious environment.

At the opposite end of the scale, Spartak is the best of the art-house bunch, showing both contemporary and older Russian movies along with art-house foreign imports. Dom Kino is housed in an impressive Style Moderne building and shows both major Russian and Western films, as do the Khudozhestvennyi - which increasingly fails tо live up tо its name (which means ‘art’) - and the Parisiana.

SHOPPING IN RUSSIA / RUSSIA SHOPPING GUIDE

Russia Info — Tue May 29, 2007 9:09 am

Author: Russia Info

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 9:09 am

SHOPPING IN RUSSIA

General

A wide range of goods such as watches, cameras, wines and spirits, furs, ceramics and glass, jewellery and toys may be bought in Moscow and St Petersburg. Shops take payment in rubles and, occasionally, by credit card. It is necessary to allow extra time for souvenir hunting: shopping can be a time-consuming activity, owing to the relatively chaotic state of the retail trade in the Russian Federation. It is also advisable to shop around, as prices vary significantly. A good strategy is to choose your souvenirs in a department store such as GUM (on Red Square), and then buy them in a smaller, less centrally located shop.

Historically, the main shopping districts of Moscow have been concentrated in the city centre, along Tverskaya ulitsa and Novy Arbat. Luxury designer stores like Cerutti, Versace, Hermès, Gucci, Armani, and Prada have settled along pedestrianised Stoleshnikov pereulok, Kuznetsky Most, and Tretyakovsky proyezd. On Kutuzovsky prospekt, off Novy Arbat, you'll find Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, and Fendi boutiques. Along with Stary Arbat, which has been particularly spruced up for the tourist trade, these streets are your best bets.

In St. Petersburg, the central shopping district is Nevsky prospekt and the streets running off it. Don't expect too many bargains beyond the pirated CDs and videos (which could be confiscated at customs in your home country!), however, because prices for items such as clothes and electronic goods are just as high as in the West, and in the chic stores in hotels they are even higher.

Outside the large department stores of Nevsky prospekt, you'll find some boutiques and lots of "variety shops" -- part souvenir-oriented, part practical -- which can be a bit bewildering. Check them out if you have time; you never know what you may find.

Kholui and Palekh lacquered boxes make attractive souvenirs. Traditional and satirical Matryoshka dolls (wooden dolls within dolls) are widely available. Khokhloma wooden cups, saucers and spoons are painted gold, red and black. Dymkovskaya Igrushka are pottery figurines based on popular folklore characters.

Engraved amber, Gzhel porcelain, Vologda lace and Fabergé eggs and jewellery are highly sought after. A samovar makes a good souvenir. Antiquities, valuables, works of art and manuscripts other than those offered for sale in souvenir shops may not be taken out of the Russian Federation without an export licence.

Shopping hours

Mon-Sat 0900-1900. Most food shops are also open on Sunday. Department stores and supermarkets are open throughout lunch time. Stores which are open 24 hours a day are becoming more common.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0930-1730.

Currency

Ruble (RUB) = 100 kopeks. Notes are in denominations of RUB1000, 500, 100, 50 and 10. Coins are in denominations of RUB10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 10, 5 and 1 kopeks.

Currency exchange

Foreign currency should only be exchanged at official bureaux and authorised banks, and all transactions must be recorded on the currency declaration form which is issued on arrival. It is wise to retain all exchange receipts. Bureaux de change are numerous and easy to locate. Large shops and hotels offer their own exchange facilities. US Dollars in pristine condition are the easiest currency to exchange. It is illegal to settle accounts in hard currency and to change money unofficially.

Credit & debit cards

Major European and international credit and debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, are accepted in the larger hotels and at foreign currency shops and restaurants, but cash (in Rubles) is preferred. American Express cards may be turned down. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that might be available. ATM machines are widely available.

Traveller's cheques

Cash is preferred. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is US$10,000 but sums greater than US$3,000 (or equivalent) must be declared. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival.