Expatriates Forums in Russia

Hi there everyone

kotik — Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:57 pm

Author: kotik

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:57 pm

nice to meet you here too

New Year in Russia – celebration in snow

kotik — Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:56 pm

Author: kotik

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:56 pm

Any plans to spend New Year on the Red Square? Just found a great package from Go Russia in the UK and they are offering all inclusive tour for 1,299 per person. You will be staying in a hotel opposite the Kremlin. They are even offering Matreshka painting master class. Sounds really amazing.

Discover Russia On Line (Video + Stills)

IntrepidBerkeleyExplorer — Thu May 28, 2009 8:31 pm

Author: IntrepidBerkeleyExplorer

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 8:31 pm

My film "Tsar Trek” features the grand palaces, fountains and churches of St. Petersburg; a fantastic dance troupe; Moscow (with the Kremlin & McDonald’s); plus the medieval capitals of the Baltic States: Vilnius, Lithuania; Riga, Latvia; and Tallinn, Estonia.

“Tsar Trek” can be seen on the web, if you have a high speed internet connection.

This is a free, non-commercial streaming video on the Windows Media Player. No ads and no strings attached. I sell absolutely nothing.

For my video page, go to:

http://www.geocities.com/intrepidberkeleyexplorer/Video.html

With any modem you can view the new still pictures gallery of Russia and the Baltic States at:

http://www.geocities.com/intrepidberkeleyexplorer/Page11.html

There are over 30 of my other amateur travel videos on-line covering all seven continents, including trips to Italy, China, Antarctica, Bali, Hawaii, the UK, Australia, Peru, Africa, Greece, and Turkey; see lions, whales, elephants, or penguins.

The planet is yours, including my Home Page giant galaxy of still pictures at:

http://www.geocities.com/intrepidberkeleyexplorer/

The Intrepid Berkeley Explorer

if you want to have marvelous vacation in Saint-Petersburg!

stupochka — Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:28 am

Author: stupochka

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:28 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 , I will be happy to help you!

RUSSIA TOURISM GUIDE / TOURISM IN RUSSIA

Russia Info — Wed May 30, 2007 5:45 am

Author: Russia Info

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 5:45 am

RUSSIA TOURISM GUIDE

MOSCOW

The capital was founded in 1147, but there is evidence that there has been a settlement here since Neolithic times. The focal point of the city is Red Square, on one side of which is the Kremlin surrounded by a thick red fortress wall containing 20 towers altogether. The Sobakina Tower, designed to withstand sieges, contains a secret escape passage. The Tainitskaya Tower translates as the ‘Tower of Secrets’, because it also had a secret subterranean passage leading to the river. The Trinity Gate is the tallest of the towers. The Water-Hoist Tower conveyed water to the Kremlin. The Nabatnaya Tower contained an alarm bell that was rung in times of danger.

In the Kremlin grounds, the Uspensky Cathedral (1475-79), designed by the Italian architect Aristotle Fioravanti, contains three of the oldest Russian icons. The tsars were crowned here; Ivan the Terrible’s throne is situated near the entrance. Also within the Kremlin stand the 14th-century Grand Kremlin Palace and the golden-domed Belfry of Ivan the Great. St Basil’s Cathedral (built 1555-60), at another end of the square, is famous for its brightly coloured domes. As the story goes, Ivan the Terrible was so overwhelmed by its beauty that he blinded the architect so that he could never create another building as impressive as this. Opposite St Basil’s, the Spassky (Redeemer’s) Gate is the main entrance to the Kremlin, built in 1491 by Pietro Antonio Solario. The Blagoveshchensky (Annunciation) Cathedral was built for Ivan III. It is extravagantly decorated, from its copper domes to its agate- and jasper-tiled floors. It contains 16th-century frescoes and a precious collection of icons. Our Lady of Kazan Cathedral has recently been reconstructed and rededicated. The superb murals in the Faceted Chamber date from the late 15th century; sadly, the Chamber is not open to the public.

The State Historical Museum is also located in Red Square. Although there is talk of finally burying Lenin’s embalmed body, Lenin’s Mausoleum is still open to the public on certain days. However, the changing of the guards in front of the Mausoleum, a ritual which used to attract many sightseers, was discontinued in 1993.

Tverskaya Street near Red Square is one of the main shopping streets. Arbat Street is the main thoroughfare of a traditionally bohemian quarter. Today it is a pedestrian zone with crafts and artists’ stalls and street performers. The area known as Kitai-Gorod lies east of the Kremlin, and is notable for its 16th- and 17th-century churches, especially the five-domed Cathedral of the Sign, with its amazing acoustic properties. The splendid English Estate dates from the same period, a remnant of the area’s former importance as a diplomatic and commercial centre. The nearby Romanov Apartments are now a museum.

Zayauzie is a quiet, attractive district, with its handsome merchants’ mansions. The world-famous Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre at Teatralnaya Square dates from 1824 and has an interior colour scheme of red and gold. Moscow University is situated on the southwestern periphery of the city in the Vorobyevi Hills. The lookout tower in the park in front of the University complex offers excellent views over the city and the vast Luzhniki Stadium.

Novodevichy Convent near Sportivnaya metro station houses a museum of rare and ancient Russian art, and is one of the finest examples of 16th- and 17th-century architecture in the city. The neighbouring Ostozhenka and Prechistenka Streets feature urban mansions and estates associated with many classic Russian authors, including Tolstoy. The dancer Isadora Duncan shared her studio with her husband, the poet Sergei Yesenin, in the classically designed estate of the millionaire Ushkov in Prechistenka Street. Herzen Street is one of the oldest in Moscow. It contains the Moscow State University, the grand Tchaikovsky Conservatoire and the ornate Mayakovsky Academic Theatre.

The area around Kuznetzky Most and Petrovka Street is a hub of social and cultural activity, with its popular theatres, fashion shops and business community. One of the most popular new, but macabre attractions is the KGB Museum housed in the sinister Lubyanka building. The well-preserved Zamoskvorechye district was originally a mercantile and artisans’ quarter. Many of its churches, warehouses, shops and houses survive. The area is home to the Tretyakov Gallery, containing the work of Russian artists and an extensive collection of icons, among them the Trinity by Andrei Rublyov.

Other places of interest are: the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts with its cosmopolitan collection; the Moscow Circus, the original with animal acts and clowns and the newer with more technical wonders; Izmailovo Park, formerly the Tsar’s estate and the elegant Tsaritsino landscaped park; the Exhibition of Economic Achievements, where on a large site in the northwest of the city all aspects of Russian life are displayed – such as agriculture, industry, culture and science. The site also contains a zoo and a circus and there is skating and skiing.

The nearby Ostankino TV Tower is the tallest in Europe, with a revolving restaurant at the top. The Space Conquerors’ Monument, representing the trajectory of a rocket launch, also dominates the area. The local Museum of Serf Art is a reminder of the past. The Metro system is a tourist attraction in itself, as well as a cheap and convenient means of travelling around the city. Many stations are sumptuously decorated with marble, glittering chandeliers and works of art.

A boat tour on the Moskva River is a pleasant way of discovering the city. Excursions start at the Kutuzovskaya Pier, accessible from Kutuzovskaya Metro. The river is a superb vantage point to view the White House (the Parliament Building), scene of the dramatic siege of 1991, as well as many of the sights listed above.

THE GOLDEN RING

Several ancient towns of great historical, architectural and spiritual significance make up the ‘Golden Ring’, extending northeast from Moscow. They are a rich collection of kremlins (citadels), monasteries, cathedrals and fortresses. All are within easy reach of the capital. Since many were founded on river banks, a cruise is a pleasant way of discovering the region. Modern boats plying the Volga offer comfortable accommodation. As some major sites such as Vladimir and Suzdal are not located near the Volga, a minibus tour with hotel accommodation is a better option for visitors whose primary interest is the region’s architectural heritage.

Sergiyev Posad

This small town, formerly known as Zagorsk, is situated on two rivers and is the centre of the handmade toy industry; the Toy Museum has a collection beginning in the Bronze Age. The Trinity Monastery of St Sergius dates from the Middle Ages and is a major pilgrimage centre. Its Cathedral of the Dormition has wonderful blue domes decorated with gold stars. The museum contains examples of Russian ecclesiastical art and crafts.

Sofrin

In nearby Sofrin, the Icon Workshops produce ecclesiastical ware. Also near Sergiyev Posad, the literary and artistic museum of Abramtsevo houses paintings by Repin, Serov and Vrubel. The museum is surrounded by parkland and birch woods. Ornate traditional Russian huts are dotted around the estate.

Rostov Veliky

Founded in the ninth century, this town has a beautiful Kremlin and Cathedral of the Dormition. The town overlooks the shores of the Nero Lake, and is surrounded by ancient monasteries.

Yaroslavl

Neighbouring Yaroslavl lies on the banks of the Volga, and contains a host of ancient churches, most notably the Transfiguration of the Saviour Cathedral, built in the early 16th century.

Kostroma

This town stands at the confluence of the Volga and the River Kostroma. It is a renowned cheese-making centre. Its most outstanding building is the Ipatievski Monastery-Fortress. Built during the first half of the 14th century, it became the Romanovs’ residence three centuries later. The open-air museum features a collection of traditional Russian buildings, including wooden churches, log cabins and windmills brought from all over the Russian Federation.

Suzdal

East of Moscow is Suzdal, perhaps the most important town in the Golden Ring. It boasts 50 well-preserved examples of ancient architecture contained within a relatively small area, providing a wonderfully coherent vision of its past. Historically it was a political and religious centre, and is now a major tourist attraction. The wives of tsars and boyars were exiled to the Blessed Virgin Convent.

Vladimir

Less than 32km (20 miles) away is Vladimir, which played a prominent part in the rise of the Russian state. The city’s two magnificent cathedrals date from the 12th century. Another notable monument is the Golden Gate, a unique example of old Russian engineering skills. The nearby village of Bogolyubovo features a 12th-century fortress and Church of the Protecting Veil.

Uglich

Another beautiful town on the banks of the Volga, this is notable for its Kremlin and the Chambers of Prince Dmitry. Prince Dmitry, son and heir of Ivan the Terrible drowned here, after accidentally being dropped in a river by his nurse.

ST PETERSBURG

The Federation’s second-largest city, 715km (444 miles) northwest of Moscow, is known both as a cultural centre and for its elegant buildings. The city is spread over 42 islands in the delta of the River Neva. In comparison to Moscow, which tended to be more Eastern in character, St Petersburg has always retained a European flavour and was intended as a ‘Window to the West’. It was built by Peter the Great in 1703 and remained the capital for 200 years of Tsarist Russia. Known as Petrograd after the civil war, and Leningrad during the Soviet period, the city reverted to its original name in 1991 by popular demand. Wide boulevards, tranquil canals, bridges and some of the best examples of tsarist architecture gave rise to the epithet the ‘Venice of the North’. Although badly damaged in World War II, much of it is now reconstructed.

In June and July the city has the famous ‘White Nights’, when darkness recedes to a brief twilight and the city is imbued with an unusual aura. Many of the most interesting sites, especially those on the left bank of the River Neva, can be explored on foot. The Palace Square and the Winter Palace are among the most popular attractions for followers of Russian history. Troops fired on demonstrators there in 1905 and the Palace witnessed the capitulation of the provisional government, allowing the Bolsheviks to take the country into eight decades of Communist rule. The Hermitage houses the vast private collection of the tsars. The Museum of the History of the City gives a comprehensive picture of St Petersburg’s history.

While exploring the city the visitor will inevitably see the Alexandrovskaya Column. St Isaac’s Cathedral is one of the biggest dome buildings of the world and, like the Kazansky Cathedral, houses a museum. Also worth a visit is the St Peter and Paul Fortress, a former prison that is now a popular museum. Members of the Romanov Dynasty are buried in the Cathedral of the same name. The gorgeously decorated Yusupov Mansion was built for the Romanovs. Its rooms are sumptuousy decorated in mid-19th-century style. The mansion’s concert hall is now a venue for recitals, theatrical productions, opera and ballet. A waxwork exhibition commemorates Rasputin, who died in the building.

The grand Nevsky Prospekt, dominated by the spire of the Admiralty Building, is one of the city’s main thoroughfares and is lined by opulent buildings. These include the Kazan Cathedral and the Church of the Resurrection. The collection at the Russian Museum covers nearly 1000 years of Russian art history. Nevsky Prospect crosses the Fontanka River at Anichkov Bridge, and continues to Palace Square.

Further sights are the Cathedral of St Nicholas (Russian Baroque), still a working church; the Alexander Nevsky Monastery, the main religious center in St Petersburg; and the Museums of Ethnography and Russian Art. The homes of Dostoyevsky, Pushkin, Anna Akhmatova and Rimsky-Korsakov serve as museums dedicated to their former occupants. The cruiser Aurora is berthed on the Neva. A blank shot was fired from her bow to give a signal to start the assault on the Winter Palace in 1917. Lenin also announced the victory of the Revolution from here.

NORTHWEST RUSSIA

Novgorod

South of St Petersburg, Novgorod was founded over 1100 years ago and was one of the most important towns of ancient Russia. Novgorod was the founding city of Rus, the nucleus of modern Russia, although Kiev later became the capital. Picturesquely located on the banks of the River Volkhov, the city is a treasure trove of ancient architecture, with 39 cathedrals and churches. Within the walls of the Kremlin, St Sophia’s Cathedral (mid-11th century) is the oldest stone structure in the Russian Federation.

Karelia

Bounded by Finland and the White Sea, Karelia’s landscape is a patchwork of lakes, marshes and forests, whose canopies shade abundant mushrooms and berries. The region’s capital, Petrozavodsk, is a staging post for a variety of holiday activities in the region. The small island of Kizhi within Lake Onega is easily accessible by hydrofoil from here. The island was an early pagan centre. Its surviving heritage features the 22-domed 18th-century Church of the Transfiguration, whose wooden structure was built without a single nail. The open-air museum is a collection of Russian and Karel wooden buildings from the 14th to 19th centuries. The region is ideal for adventure holidays on the Shuya, Suna and Vama-Vodla rivers. Tranquil waters offering spectacular views of the countryside are suddenly interrupted by rapids cascading over glacial boulders. The white waters may be negotiated by kayak or cataraft. The Suna River is excellent for fishing. The Kivach Waterfall along its path is especially beautiful. Karel pies called kalitkas may be sampled in the local hamlets, often no more than a cluster of sturdy wooden cottages. A real sauna followed by a plunge into a river or lake is an ideal way to unwind at the end of an adventure-packed day.

Murmansk

Almost due north of St Petersburg, this is the largest city within the Arctic Circle. This important port on the shores of Kola Bay is warmed by the waters of the Gulf Stream and is free of ice throughout the year. It was built with British assistance during World War I. The Northern Lights are seen here in November and December and the Sports Festival of the Peoples of the North is held in March.

Arkhangelsk

The largest city in the White Sea area, Arkhangelsk was only opened to tourists in 1990. Before the founding of St Petersburg it was the first and only seaport in Russia. From here, visitors may travel to the nearby village of Mali Kareli to view Russian white stone and wooden architecture.

Kaliningrad

The tract of land sandwiched between Lithuania and Poland on the Baltic shoreline is an annexe of the Russian Federation. Its principal town is now called Kaliningrad, although it was known as Königsberg when it was the centre of German East Prussia. The area was ceded to the erstwhile Soviet Union following World War II. The territory’s future prosperity depends on the Government’s plans to give it special economic status. Architectural remnants which survived the war mark the city’s German heritage, such as the Cathedral. The philosopher Immanuel Kant, the town’s most famous son, is buried near here, and his memory is honoured by the Kant Museum. The Amber Museum, housed in a restored German fortress tower, celebrates this local precious stone. The town has many attractive parks and gardens, as well as a zoo. Nearby, Svetlogorsk is a verdant coastal spa resort which has lost none of its charm. The Kursche Spit is a beautiful sand peninsula extending nearly 100km (63 miles) along the coast, and is a rich habitat for plants and animals.

BLACK SEA

Rostov-on-Don

Once an Armenian town, its low buildings still show Armenian influences. Especially interesting is the Cathedral of the Resurrection. There are several parks, four theatres, an orchestra, a race-course and a beach. Rostov is the gateway to the Caucasus.

Sochi

A popular resort with a subtropical climate and a famous health spa, it is situated on the Black Sea’s eastern coast beneath the dramatic Caucasus Mountains. An observation tower on Mt Bolshoi Akhun, 23km (14 miles) from the town, provides a spectacular view of the town, almost all of the Caucasian Riviera and the surrounding mountains. There is a large Riviera Park with many tourist facilities and a Botanical Garden, founded during the last century, with beautiful, interesting trees and shrubs from all over the world. Boat and hovercraft trips on the Black Sea are available from the town’s port.

Dagomys

For those who want a resort-based holiday, this new holiday centre lying to the north of Sochi is ideal. Overlooking the Black Sea, it is beautifully located amongst thickly wooded hills and subtropical greenery. Nearby is the Dagomys State Tea Farm where visitors can sample the fragrant Krasnodar tea accompanied by the delicious local pastries, jams, fruits and nuts whilst enjoying the spectacular mountain scenery.

Kazan

The cultural centre of the Tartars, this city boasts a Kremlin dating from the 16th century which, with its towers and churches, is fascinating to visit. The Tartar State Museum and the 18th-century mosque are also of interest.

Ulyanovsk

Lenin’s birthplace; his parents’ house situated here used to be a popular museum.

Samara

A major space centre, the city was founded in the 16th century around a fortress surveying the Volga and Samara rivers. The Old Town is notable for its fine turn-of-the-century buildings. The Volga shoreline and the nature reserves of the Zhiguli Hills are accessible from Samara.

Volgograd

Formerly Stalingrad, the Victory Museum celebrates the victory over the Nazis, and the whole city is a monument to the year-long battle that took place there. Tours to the battlefields are available. The town stands at the confluence of the Volga and Don rivers. Boat trips and fishing tours taking in both rivers are possible. Visits to outlying Cossack and Volga-German villages provide a glimpse of the region’s history.

THE URALS, SIBERIA & FAR EAST

Yekaterinburg

The birthplace of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin. The city is also historically important as the last resting place of the Romanov royal family, murdered during the Bolshevik revolution.

Siberia

Covering an area of over 12,800,000 sq km (4,000,000 sq miles), Siberia contains unimaginably vast stretches of marshy forest (taiga). This ‘sleeping land’, the literal translation of its name, possesses a million lakes, 53,000 rivers and an enormous wealth of natural resources. Although the temperature in winter falls well below freezing point, the weather in summer can be very warm. Tourism is less developed than elsewhere in the Russian Federation and some parts are still not accessible. However, much of the region has been opened up, including Sakhalin Island and the Chukchi Peninsula just across the Bering Strait from Alaska. The taiga is within easy reach of many of the region’s cities. Air-hopping is one way of discovering the wilderness. A famous alternative is the Trans-Siberian Railway, the longest continuous railway in the world, a journey which is one of the greatest travel adventures. The line cuts through an area bigger than Western Europe, crossing a landscape which includes arctic wastes, tundra and steppe. The most scenic part of the journey is between Irkutsk and Khabarovsk.

Irkutsk

Irkutsk is over 300 years old and owes much of its development to its location on the tradeways to Mongolia and China. At the end of the last century, the city began to take on the aspect of a ‘boom town’ when trade in gold, fur and diamonds suddenly created new wealth. It was to Irkutsk that many 19th-century revolutionaries, such as the Decembrists, were exiled. The University of Irkutsk was the first establishment of higher education in eastern Siberia. Today, as in former times, this important Siberian city is one of the world’s biggest suppliers of fur. The town lies on the banks of the Angara, the only outflowing river from Lake Baikal.

Lake Baikal

The lake is accessible from Irkutsk by hydrofoil during the summer. Statistics about Baikal are astounding; with a depth of 1637m (5371ft) it is the world’s deepest lake. Its surface area equals that of Belgium and The Netherlands put together. It is 25 million years old, and it would take three months to walk around its 2000km (1243 mile) shoreline. The purity of its water is maintained by millions of tiny crayfish, providing a habitat for a wide variety of fish, including sturgeon, loach, grayling and omul (a type of salmon), one of many species unique to Baikal. Its shores are a feeding ground for wildfowl and the occasional bear. Freshwater seal colonies are found around the Ushkan Islands in the centre of the lake. Olkhon Island is the site of primitive rock drawings and a unique necropolis of an ancient Siberian tribe whose members are thought to have been ancestors of indigenous North Americans. The local climate is often harsh; the surface of the entire lake often freezes over in winter (trains were moved across the ice during the Russo-Japanese war). The sarma wind can sink boats and rip the roofs off buildings. While the human race now dominates the lake, it remains to be seen whether it will be a responsible custodian of the region’s flora and fauna.

Buryat Republic

Many of the inhabitants of the Buryat Republic are Buddhists. Dozens of picturesque temples (datsans) sprang up round Lake Baikal after Empress Elizabeth, Peter the Great’s daughter, recognised the Buddhist religion in the Russian Federation. Although most datsans were destroyed during the 1930s, many of their treasures were preserved in the Russian Orthodox church in Ulaan Ude, the capital. The Sandalwood Buddha, on display in the town’s Exhibition Hall, is said to have been made with the Buddha himself sitting as a model.

Yakutsk

Founded as a garrison town, Yakutsk is capital of the vast Sakha (Yakutia) Autonomous Republic. Today it is a major scientific centre for permafrost research. The republic’s landscapes range from Alpine meadows to moss-covered tundra, with sandy deserts close to the Arctic zone. This is pioneer country, complete with gold-mining settlements.

Khabarovsk

The largest industrial centre of eastern Siberia and an important transport junction is located on the Amur. The town (founded in 1858) was named after the scientist Khabarov. The red brick houses in the centre have curious roofs shaped like pine needles, and are intermingled with the constructivist architecture of the 1930s. Worth a visit is the regional museum, which offers an insight into the different cultures of the Amur people.

Vladivostok

A military and naval port, Vladivostok was opened to foreign visitors in 1990. As a gateway to the Pacific and the East, the town has enormous commercial potential. It is within easy reach of the Ussuriysk taiga, a unique habitat for plants of the pre-glacial period, as well as tigers, leopard, bison, boar and bears.

GETTING AROUND IN RUSSIA / RUSSIA TRANSPORTATION GUIDE

Russia Info — Wed May 30, 2007 5:11 am

Author: Russia Info

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 5:11 am

GETTING AROUND IN RUSSIA

BY AIR

The internal network radiates from Moscow’s four airports. Aeroflot runs services from Moscow to most major cities. All-inclusive tours are available from specialist tour operators. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russian carriers developed a reputation for grouchy stewardesses, smoky cabins and poor safety. Thankfully, its safety record has improved in recent years and in flight services are on par with most international airlines.

Aeroflot and Transaero are Russia's most respected carriers. Both fly Western planes on many routes and are building alliances with Western airlines. Smaller baby flots are generally less reliable. Regardless of whom you fly with, Russian airlines tend to have habits (cancelling your ticket if you don't confirm, for example) that Western carriers couldn't get away with.

Flying from Moscow to Bratsk is six hours 45 minutes, to Donetsk is one hour 30 minutes, to Irkutsk is seven hours, to Khabarovsk is seven hours 30 minutes, to Kharkov is one hour 15 minutes, to St Petersburg is one hour 30 minutes, to Volgograd is one hour 50 minutes and to Yalta is two hours 15 minutes.

Domestic airports

Vnukovo Airport (VKO) (website: www.vnukovo.ru) is 29.5km (18 miles) southwest of Moscow. To/from the airport: Coaches go to the airport from the Central Air Terminal (travel time – one hour 15 minutes). Taxis are available to the city. Facilities: Outgoing duty free.

Domodedovo (DME) (website: www.domodedovo.ru) is 48km (25 miles) southeast of Moscow. To/from the airport: An Aeroexpress train goes from Moscow to the airport (travel time - 40 to 50 minutes). Express buses and a 24 hour shuttle service are also available. Two official taxi firms operate at the airport. Facilities: Duty free, shops and restaurants.

Bykovo Airport (BKA) is the smallest of Moscow’s airports, 35km from the city. To/from the airport: Coaches go to the airport from the Central Air Terminal.

BY SEA/ RIVER

With the exception of certain remote corners of Siberia, boats aren't an efficient way of getting around Russia. Still, there are a plenty of places in Russia you can get to by boat, and the sights often make the trip worthwhile.

European Russia has a network of interconnected rivers and canals that have been well travelled for centuries. Siberia's rivers are broad Goliaths that travel thousands of kilometers through the wilderness on their way from the steppe to the Arctic Circle. In the summer it's not hard to find cruises along Russian rivers. Passenger boats run up and down the Volga, between St. Petersburg and Moscow, and along many of the Siberian rivers.

The quality of the conditions varies tremendously. Many of the boats are still old Soviet operations where you'll spend a week or two in tight quarters eating bad food. Other boats are completely new or renovated and offer the kind of living quarters and food you'd find in a western hotel.

If you want to make sure you get a comfortable boat, it's best to book your trip through an agency. One western, but relatively, expensive option is Uniworld Cruises. The most popular cruises are on the river Don and the Volga. The Volga towns, the Golden Ring and Moscow–St Petersburg are popular routes.

BY RAIL

The railway is a vital part of the infrastructure of Russia because of the poor road system. The largest and busiest rail network in the world is predominantly for freight traffic. Only a few long-distance routes are open for travel by tourists, and reservations must be made on all journeys. Children under five years of age travel free. Children aged five to nine pay half fare. Rail travellers are advised to store valuables in the compartment under the bed or seat and not to leave the compartment unattended.

Most Russian trains fall into one of three groups: firmeny, skorry or elektrichki. Firmeny trains are long distance trains run by a private company. They usually have a name and on the whole they are faster, cleaner, more comfortable and more expensive than other trains. The Rossia (Russia), connecting Moscow and Vladivostok, and the Krasnaya Strella (Red Arrow), connecting Moscow and Petersburg, are two of the more famous firmeny trains.

All other long distance trains are the not-so-aptly named skorry poyezdy (fast trains). These are generally not as comfortable and make more stops. For shorter trips most sizable Russian cities are surrounded by a network of elektrichki, or suburban trains. An elektrichka has no cabins or bunks and will usually stop everywhere (there are some faster ones on Moscow's surburban network), including places where the cows won't get off the tracks.

Most long distance trains have two different classes: platzcart and coupe. Coupe, the preferred option for most foreigners, is a private cabin with four bunk beds, two on each side of a small table. Some long distance firmeny trains include a deluxe coupe class where there are two bunks in a coupe cabin that normally holds four. Platzkart is transportation for the masses, an open train car that fits six bunks into the space the coupe uses for four. A platzkart car feels like it was made to transport troops and puts the sights, sounds, and smells of Russia right in your face.

The Trans-Siberian Express, probably the most famous train in the world, is one of the best ways of seeing the interior of the country. It runs from St Petersburg to the Pacific coast of Siberia and on to Japan. There is a daily service, but the steamer from Nakhodka to Yokohama only sails approximately once a week. The through journey from Moscow to Yokohama takes 10 days. It is the world’s longest continuous train journey, crossing seven time zones and 9745km (5778 miles) from Europe to the Pacific, with 91 stops from Vladivostok to Moscow. Bed linen and towels are provided in the ‘Soft Class’ (first-class) berths, and there is a toilet and washbasin at the end of each carriage. Second-class cabins have four berths. Attendants serve tea from samovars for a small charge and there is a restaurant car on every train where meals can be purchased (however, no alcohol is available on the train, so passengers are advised to bring their own if desired).

The Trans-Manchurian Express follows the same route, before heading southeast into China and down to Beijing. Another, slightly shorter but no less epic journey can be made on the Trans-Mongolian Railway to Beijing. It runs from Moscow to Irkutsk (Siberia), skirting Lake Baikal and then entering Mongolia. The journey to the Mongolian capital, Ulaan Baatar, is remarkable for its dramatic scenery. The journey concludes in Beijing.

In theory, foreigners are required to buy train tickets at a Central Railway Agency ticket window specifically designated for foreigners. Two of the most convienent are located at the Belorussky Station and the Leningrasky Station. However, iff you find train station ticket offices daunting, it's possible to buy train tickets through agencies at a slightly higher prices.

BY ROAD

The European part of the Russian Federation depends heavily on its road network. Generally, the few roads in Siberia and further east are impassable during the winter. It is a good idea to arrange motoring holidays through a reputable agency. It is also advisable to pre-plan the itinerary and accommodation requirements. On the majority of tourist routes, signposts are also written in the Latin alphabet. Travellers can take their own car or rent a vehicle; tariffs include the cost of insurance. Chauffeured cars are available in major cities. Sample distances: Moscow to St Petersburg: 692km (432 miles); Moscow to Minsk: 690km (429 miles); Moscow to Rostov-on-Don: 1198km (744 miles); Moscow to Odessa: 1347km (837 miles).

Traffic drives on the right. Speeds are limited to 60kph (37mph) in built-up areas, 90kph (55mph) in non-built-up areas and 100kph (62mph) on highways (visiting motorists who have been driving for less than two years must not exceed 70kph (43mph)). Hooting the horn is forbidden except when to do so might prevent an accident. Motorists should avoid driving at night if possible. It is forbidden to carry unauthorized passengers or pick up hitch-hikers. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is forbidden. Every car must display registration plates and stickers denoting the country of registration and be fitted with seat belts, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher and an emergency sign (triangle) or red light. In case of an accident, contact the nearest traffic inspection officer and make sure all participants fill in written statements, to be witnessed by a militia inspector. All repairs will be at the foreign motorist’s expense.

Bus

Long-distance coach services have only recently become open to foreigners. They are a great way of seeing the country but patience is a necessity and getting lost is commonplace.

On the whole, Buses are not a comfortable way to get from city to city, but in some places they're the only public transportation available. Unless you're on a private coach hired by a tour group, the bus will probably be 20 years old and hidden in cloud of black exhaust. If you're more than a day's drive away from Moscow it could be worse.

Car rental

It's possible to rent a car in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but driving a car often proves difficult. Especially in the capital, bizarre traffic patterns (left turns are rare) and bad driving habits (nobody bothers with lanes) creates huge traffic jams and makes driving a challenge for the untested.

If you want to give it a try, check the Moscow Business Telephone Guide's list of car rental agencies. Several rental services offer pick-up or drop-off at Sheremetyevo-2. If you don't want to drive, many firms offer cars rented with a driver, sometimes even at reasonable prices. In provincial areas drivers can be hired at bus stations and train stations for a pittance.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit and a national licence with authorised translations are necessary. Visitors travelling in their own cars must also possess the following documents at all times: passport and visa; itinerary card bearing visitor’s name and citizenship, car registration number and full details of itinerary presented upon entry to the Russian Federation relating to the route to be taken and the date and place of stopovers; form provided by Customs on arrival guaranteeing that the car will be taken out of the Russian Federation on departure; petrol vouchers purchased at the border; and insurance cover documents. A road tax is payable upon entry to the country. Motor insurance for travel within the Russian Federation should be arranged prior to departure, or upon entry to the Russian Federation at the offices of Ingosstrakh, the Russian Federation foreign insurance agency. Contact the Embassy or a specialist tour operator for further details.

URBAN TRANSPORTATION

Public transport in the cities is comprehensive and cheap. Many services are electric traction (metro, tramway, trolleybus). Stations on the Moscow and St Petersburg metros are always elegant and often palatial. Entry to the underground is by tokens, which are inserted into the ticket barrier. Fares are standard for the various forms of transport; weekly and monthly passes are available. Buses operate 0500-0000. Tickets are available in strips or booklets from people outside the metro station or from the drivers directly. Tickets must be punched in the machine provided on the bus.

Taxis are also available; they can be hailed in the street, hired at a rank or booked by telephone. It is safer to use officially marked taxis, they are yellow with chequered signs on the doors. It's generally best to agree on the fare beforehand, as even the registered cabs rarely use meters (and when they do, it can sometimes be even more expensive). Use common sense when getting into a vehicle - if you don't like the look of someone, or don't want to get in a car with more than one person in it already, just say no and wait for the next one.

DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN RUSSIA / EMBASSIES IN RUSSIA

Russia Info — Wed May 30, 2007 4:37 am

Author: Russia Info

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 4:37 am

DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN RUSSIA

ALBANIA
Embassy of Albania
Mytnaya Ulitsa, 3/23,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 230-7732
Fax: (+7 495) 230-7635
Email: embassy@ent.ru

ARGENTINA
Embassy of Argentina
Sadovaya-Triumfalnaya Ulitsa, 4/10,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 502-1020
Fax: (+7 495) 502-1021
Email: efrus@co.ru

AUSTRALIA
Embassy of Argentina
Podkolokolny Pereulok 10A/2,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 956-6070
Fax: (+7 495) 956-6170
Email: postmaster@australianembassy.ru
Website: www.australianembassy.ru , www.russia.embassy.gov.au

AUSTRIA
Embassy of Austria
Starokonyushenny Pereulok 1,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 502-9512/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6
Fax: (+7 495) 937-4269
Email: moskau-ob@bmaa.gv.at , austria@ktv.ru
Website: www.aussenministerium.at/moskau

BELARUS
Embassy of Belarus
Maroseika Ulitsa 17/6,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 777-6644/ 624-7031
Fax: (+7 495) 777-6633
Website: www.embassybel.ru

BELGIUM
Embassy of Belgium
Malaya Molchanovka Ulitsa 7,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 291-6027/ 6018/ 0531/ 1604
Fax: (+7 495) 291-6005
Email: moscow@diplobel.org
Website: www.diplobel.be , www.diplomatie.be/moscow

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Embassy of Bosnia & Herzegovina
Mosfiljmovskaya Ulitsa 50/1,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 147-6488/ 143-2909
Fax: (+7 495) 147-6489/ 143-6328

BRAZIL
Embassy of Brazil
Nikitskaya Bolshoi Ulitsa 54,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 363-0366
Fax: (+7 495) 200-1285
Email: brazemb@glas.apc.org
Website: www.glasnet.ru/brazeemb/rus

BULGARIA
Embassy of Bulgaria
Mosfilmovskaya Ulitsa 66,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 143-6700
Fax: (+7 495) 232-3302
Email: bulemrus@cityline.ru
Website: www.bolgaria.ru

CANADA
Embassy of Canada
Starokonyushenny Pereulok 23,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 105-6000
Fax: (+7 495) 105-6025
Email: mosco-td@international.gc.ca
Website: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/russia/

CHINA
Embassy of China
Druzhby Ulitsa 6,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 938-2006/ 956-1168
Fax: (+7 495) 938-2005
Email: chiemb@microdin.ru
Website: www.chinaembassy.ru

CROATIA
Embassy of Croatia
Korobeynikov Pereulok 16/10,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 201-3222/ 3868/ 3977/ 4033
Fax: (+7 495) 201-4624/ 7186
Email: admin@croemba.msk.ru

CZECH REPUBLIC
Embassy of the Czech Republic
Yuliusa Fuchika Ulitsa 12/14,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 251-0540
Fax: (+7 495) 250-1523

DENMARK
Royal Embassy of Denmark
Prechistensky Pereulok 9,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 642-6800
Fax: (+7 495) 775-0191
Email: mowamb@um.dk
Website: www.danishembassy.ru

EGYPT
Embassy of Egypt
Kropotkinsky Pereulok 12,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 246-0234/ 3096
Fax: (+7 495) 246-1064

ESTONIA
Embassy of Estonia
Mal. Kislovsky Pereulok 5,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 737-3640
Fax: (+7 495) 737-3646
Website: www.estemb.ru

FINLAND
Embassy of Finland
Kropotkinsky Pereulok 15/17,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 787-4174
Fax: (+7 495) 247-3380
Website: www.finemb-moscow.fi

FRANCE
Embassy of France
Yakimanka Bolshaya Ulitsa 45,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 937-1500
Fax: (+7 495) 937-1446
Email: amba@ambafrance.ru
Website: www.ambafrance-ru.org , www.ambafrance.ru

GERMANY
Embassy of Germany
Mosfilmovskaya Ulitsa 56,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 937-9500
Fax: (+7 495) 938-2354
Website: www.deutschebotschaft-moskau.ru

GREECE
Embassy of Greece
Kursovoy Pereulok 9,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 201-3433/ 7020
Fax: (+7 495) 201-3511

HUNGARY
Embassy of Hungary
Mosfilmovskaya Ulitsa 62,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 796-9370
Fax: (+7 495) 796-9380

ICELAND
Embassy of Iceland
Khlebnyi Pereulok 28,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 956-7604/ 5/ 6
Fax: (+7 495) 956-7612
Email: icemb.moscow@utn.stjr.is
Website: www.iceland.org/ru

INDIA
Embassy of India
Vorontsovo Pole Ulitsa 6-8,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 783-7535
Fax: (+7 495) 916-3632
Email: chocmos@com2com.ru , india@online.ru
Website: www.indianembassy.ru

INDONESIA
Embassy of Indonesia
Novokuznetskaya Ulitsa 12,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 951-9549/ 9551
Fax: (+7 495) 230-6431

IRELAND
Embassy of Ireland
Grokholsky Pereulok 5,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 937-5911
Fax: (+7 495) 975-2066

ISRAEL
Embassy of Israel
Bolshaya Ordynka Ulitsa 56,
Moscow
Tel: (7 495) 230-6700
Fax: (+7 495) 230-6768
Email: info@moscow.mfa.gov.il

ITALY
Embassy of Italy
Denezhny Pereulok 5,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 796-9691
Fax: (+7 495) 253-9289
Email: embitaly@ambmosca.ru
Website: www.ambmosca.ru

JAPAN
Embassy of Japan
Kalashny Pereulok 12,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 291-8500/ 1
Fax: (+7 495) 200-1240
Email: embjapan@mail.cnt.ru
Website: www.ru.emb-japan.go.jp

LATVIA
Embassy of Latvia
Chaplygina Ulitsa 3,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 925-2703/ 924-8886
Fax: (+7 495) 728-5203
Email: embassy.russia@mfa.gov.lv

LITHUANIA
Embassy of Lithuania
Borisoglebsky Pereulok 10,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 785-8605
Fax: (+7 495) 785-8600
Email: ltemb@ltembassy.ru
Website: www.amb.urm.lt/rusija

MALAYSIA
Embassy of Malaysia
Mosfilmovskaya Ulitsa 50,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 147-1514/ 23/ 12
Fax: (+7 495) 937-9602
Email: mwmoscow@co.ru

MEXICO
Embassy of Mexico
Levshinsky Bolshoi Pereulok 4,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 201-4848/ 5631
Fax: (+7 495) 230-2042

MOROCCO
Embassy of Morocco
Prechistensky Pereulok 8,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 201-7284
Fax: (+7 495) 230-2067
Email: sifmamos@df.ru

NETHERLANDS
Royal Embassy of the Netherlands
Kalashny Pereulok 6,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 797-2900/ 10/ 22
Fax: (+7 495) 797-2904
Email: mos@minbuza.nl
Website: www.netherlands-embassy.ru

NEW ZEALAND
Embassy of New Zealand
Povarskaya Ulitsa 44,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 956-3579
Fax: (+7 495) 956-3583
Email: nzembmos@online.ru , nzembmos@umail.ru
Website: www.nzembassy.msk.ru

NORWAY
Royal Embassy of Norway
Povarskaya Ulitsa 7,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 933-1410
Fax: (+7 495) 933-1411

PHILIPPINES
Embassy of the Philippines
Karmanitsky Pereulok 6/8,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 241-0564/ 5/ 3
Fax: (+7 495) 241-2630
Email: moscowpe@co.ru

POLAND
Embassy of Poland
Klimashkina Ulitsa 4,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 231-1500
Fax: (+7 495) 231-1515

PORTUGAL
Embassy of Portugal
Gilyarovskogo Ulitsa 51,
Building 1,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 787-1192/ 688-9500
Fax: (+7 495) 787-1191

ROMANIA
Embassy of Romania
Mosfilmovskaya Ulitsa 64,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 143-0424/ 7
Fax: (+7 495) 143-0449
Email: ambasada@orc.ru

SINGAPORE
Embassy of Singapore
Kamennoy Slobody Pereulok 5,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 241-3702/ 3913/ 3914
Fax: (+7 495) 241-7507

SLOVAKIA
Embassy of Slovakia
Yuliusa Fuchika Ulitsa 17/19,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 250-1071
Fax: (+7 495) 973-2081

SLOVENIA
Embassy of Slovenia
Dmitrovka Malaya Ulitsa 14,
Building 1,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 737-3398
Fax: (+7 495) 694-1568

SOUTH AFRICA
Embassy of South Africa
Granatny Pereulok 1,
Building 9,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 540-1177
Fax: (+7 495) 255-7893
Email: southafrica@embassy-moscow.ru , administration@embassy-moscow.ru
Website: www.saembassy.ru

SOUTH KOREA
Embassy of South Korea
Plyushchikha Ulitsa 56,
Building 1,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 783-2727
Fax: (+7 495) 783-2717
Email: info@koreaemb.ru
Website: www.koreaemb.ru

SPAIN
Embassy of Spain
Nikitskaya Bolshoi Ulitsa 50/8,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 202-2610/ 2161/ 2180/ 2657
Fax: (+7 495) 291-9171
Website: www.ispania.aha.ru

SWEDEN
Royal Embassy of Sweden
Mosfilmovskaya Ulitsa 60,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 937-9200
Fax: (+7 495) 937-9202
Email: info@sweden.ru , ambassaden.moskva@foreign.ministry.se
Website: www.sweden.ru

SWITZERLAND
Embassy of Switzerland
Ogorodnoy Slobody Pereulok 2/5,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 258-3830
Fax: (+7 495) 621-2183
Email: vertretung@mos.rep.admin.ch
Website: www.eda.admin.ch/moscow_emb

THAILAND
Royal Embassy of Thailand
Spasskaya Bolshaya Ulitsa 9,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 208-0817/ 56
Fax: (+7 495) 974-1531
Email: thaiemb@nnt.ru

TURKEY
Embassy of Turkey
Rostovsky 7th Pereulok 12,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 956-5595
Fax: (+7 495) 956-5597

UKRAINE
Embassy of Ukraine
Leontevsky Pereulok 18,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 629-4640
Fax: (+7 495) 629-4681
Email: emb_ru@mfa.gov.ua , ukremb@online.ru

UK
British Embassy
Smolenskaya Naberezhnaya 10,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 956-7200
Fax: (+7 495) 956-7201
Email: moscow@britishembassy.ru
Website: www.britemb.msk.ru

USA
Embassy of the United States
Novinsky Bulvar 19/23,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 728-5000
Fax: (+7 495) 728-5090
Email: moscowwarden@state.gov
Website: www.moscow.usembassy.gov

VENEZUELA
Embassy of Venezuela
Karetny Bolshoi Pereulok 13/15,
Moscow
Tel: (+7 495) 699-9561/ 4042
Fax: (+7 495) 956-6108
Email: sekret@mail.cnt.ru , karakas@mail.cnt.ru

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN RUSSIA / RUSSIA HOTEL GUIDE

Russia Info — Tue May 29, 2007 8:52 am

Author: Russia Info

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 8:52 am

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN RUSSIA

MOSCOW

Art Hotel
3-aia Peschanaia Ulitsa, 2,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 725-0905
Fax: +7 945 725-0904
Email: reception@arthotel.ru
Website: www.arthotel.ru

Cosmos Hotel Moscow
Prospect Mira 150,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 234-1000/ 1206
Fax: +7 495 215-8880
Email: reservations@hotelcosmos.ru
Website: www.hotelcosmos.ru

Golden Ring Hotel
Smolenskaya Ulitsa 5,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 725-0100
Fax: +7 495 725-0101
Email: info@hotel-goldenring.ru
Website: www.hotel-goldenring.ru

Holiday Inn Vinogradovo
Dmitrovskoe Shosse 171,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 937-0670
Fax: +7 495 937-0671
Website: www.moscow-vinogradovo.holiday-inn.com

Hotel Baltschug Kempinski
Baltschug Ulitsa 1,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 230-5500/ 5230
Fax: +7 495 230-5502/ 5230
Email: hbkm.moscow@kempinski.com
Website: www.kempinski-moscow.ru

Hotel Irbis
Gostinichnaya Ulitsa 1,
Building 12,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 788-7272
Fax: +7 495 788-7272
Email: info@maximahotels.ru
Website: www.irbis.maximahotel.com

Iris Congress Hotel
Korovinskoe Shosse 10,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 933-0533
Fax: +7 495 937-8700
Email: sales@soft-proekt.ru
Website: www.iris-hotel.ru

Katerina-City Hotel
Shluzovaya Naberezhnaya 6/1,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 933-0400/ 795-2444
Email: reservation@umaco.org
Website: www.katerina.msk.ru

Le Meridien Moscow Country Club
Km 35 Volokolamskoe Shosse,
Nakhabino,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 926-5911
Fax: +7 495 926-5921
Email: reservations@mcc.co.ru
Website: www.lemeridien-mcc.com

Le Royal Meridien National
Mokhovaya Ulitsa 15/1,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 258-7000
Fax: +7 495 258-7100
Email: sales@national.ru
Website: www.national.ru

Marriott Moscow Grand
Tverskaya Ulitsa 26/1,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 937-0000
Fax: +7 495 937-0001
Website: www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/mowgr

Marriott Moscow Royal Aurora
Petrovka Blvd 11/20,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 937-1000
Fax: +7 495 937-1001
Website: www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/mowdt

Metropol Inter-Continental
Teatral’nyi Pro'ezd 1/4,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 501-7800
Fax: +7 495 501-7810
Email: metropol@metmos.ru
Website: www.metropol-moscow.ru

Moscow Marriott Tverskaya Hotel
1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya, 34,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 258-3000
Fax: +7 495 258-3099
Email: reservations@marriott-moscow.ru
Website: www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/mowtv

Novotel Sheremetyevo 2 Moscow Airport
Ownership 3, Khimki District,
Sheremetyevo-2, Premise 3,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 926-5900
Fax: +7 495 926-5904
Email: novotelmoscow.sales@co.ru
Website: www.novotel.com

President Hotel
Bolshaya Yakimanka Ulitsa 24,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 239-3800
Fax: +7 495 230-2318
Website: www.president-hotel.ru

Proton Hotel
Novozavodskaia Ulitsa 22,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 797-3300/ 13
Fax: +7 495 797-3366
Email: htproton@dol.ru
Website: www.protonhotel.ru

Radisson SAS Slavjanskaya
Europe Square 2,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 941-8020
Fax: +7 495 941-8000
Email: reservations.moscow@radissonsas.com
Website: www.radisson.com

Renaissance Moscow Hotel
Olimpiiskii Prospekt 18/1,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 931-9000
Fax: +7 495 931-9076
Website: www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/mowrn

Royal Zenith
10ya Liniya Khoroshevskogo Serebrianogo Bora, 10,
1-aia Liniia,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 721-9000/ 959-7551
Fax: +7 495 199-1436
Email: info@royal-zenith.ru
Website: www.royal-zenith.ru

Savoy Hotel Moscow
Rozhdestvenka Ulitsa 3,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 620-8500/ 929-8555
Fax: +7 495 625-0596
Email: infa-hotel@savoy.ru
Website: www.savoy.ru

Sheraton Palace
1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya, 19,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 931-9700
Fax: +7 495 931-9704
Website: www.sheratonpalace.ru

Sovietsky Hotel
Leningradskii Prospekt 32/2,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 960-2000/ 250-7253
Fax: +7 495 250-8003/ 960-2006
Website: www.sovetsky.bookin.ru

Swissotel Krasnye Holmy
Kosmodamianskaya Naberezhnaya, 52,
Building 6,
Moscow
hone: +7 495 787-9800
Fax: +7 495 787-9898
Email: moscow@swissotel.com
Website: www.moscow.swissotel.com

Ukraina
Kutuzovskii Prospekt 2/1,
Moscow
Phone: +7 495 933-5656/ 6801
Fax: +7 495 243-3276/ 933-6839
Email: reserv@ukraina-hotel.ru
Website: www.rus.ukraina-hotel.ru

RUSSIA TRAVEL INFORMATION / RUSSIA TRAVEL GUIDE

Russia Info — Tue May 29, 2007 6:43 am

Author: Russia Info

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 6:43 am

RUSSIA TRAVEL INFORMATION

Full Name

Russian Federation

Capital City

Moscow

Area

17,075,200 sq km
6,592,735 sq miles

Population

144,530,000

Time Zone

GMT/UTC +3
GMT/UTC +2
GMT/UTC +4
GMT/UTC +5
GMT/UTC +8
GMT/UTC +10
GMT/UTC +12

Daylight Saving Start

end of March

Daylight Saving End

end of October

Languages

Russian (official)

Russian is the fourth most widely spoken language in the world. Russian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, which is based on Greek.

Religion

Russian Orthodox, Islam, Animist, Jewish, Buddhist

Currency

Ruble (R)

Electricity

220V 50HzHz

Electric Plug Details

European plug with two circular metal pins

Country Dialing Code

7

Baikal - Travel and Volunteer

mark_in_russia — Mon May 28, 2007 4:43 am

Author: mark_in_russia

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 4:43 am

Experiencing Siberia on the ground

If you're in Russia and looking for something to do, a bit off the beaten track, I would recomment volunteering with the Great Baikal Trail in Irkutsk. The GBT, which is devoted to building a system of trails around Lake Baikal to encourage ecotourism. We're looking for more volunteers to come help with our summer projects. There are 23 such projects, located around Lake Baikal, and they run from June through September.

Each project has 15 to 20 volunteers (typically half Russian and half international), a Russian crew leader, and a Russian English / Russian translator. Volunteers have come from all over (this year we have Americans, Danes, Canadians, Germans,...).

We work for the first part of the day clearning trails, then hang out, hike etc. (don't worry, it's no gulag). If you're looking to experience Siberia, meet a lot of great people, work for a good cause, and see one of the world's natural wonders--Lake Baikal--this is a great way to do so.

Give me a shout if you're interested at gbt.volunteers[at]gmail

Mark