Russia

Moscow
Moscow originated as a wooden fort built on a hill at the confluence of the Neglinnaya and Moscva rivers in about 1147. During the Soviet era it was of course the showpiece of Russia which has resulted in a complex city with 15th century churches sitting next to modern office blocks, narrow crooked lanes and long broad avenues, rich museums and modern department stores and a population of 12 million people. It has an indefinable buzz which permeates through the city 24 hours a day making it both fascinating and exciting.

St Petersburg
Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, Saint Petersburg remains one of the most romantic cities in Russia. Among the many poetical names applied to St. Petersburg the most common are "Northern Venice" and "Northern Palmyra". The fascinating palaces and cathedrals, beautiful bridges over Venice like canals, spacious squares and wide streets decorated with edifices of flourished baroque and impressive classical styles, monumental sculpture and lacy iron grilles and, of course, the special spirituality of this city infects everyone who vis

Trans Siberian Railway
While regular flights on a variety of different airlines are available to Irkutsk, perhaps one of the most romantic notions remains a journey on the Trans Siberian express. The three day journey from Moscow to Irkutsk can, if required, be broken at several different cities en-route before arrival (Ekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk). After a few days exploring the area, there is an option either to continue east or alternatively taking the more interesting route south through Mongolia and on to Beijing. Again any amount of stops can be made during the journey.

Activities and Tours

Hermitage
The State Hermitage Museum occupies five magnificent buildings along the Neva River Embankment in the very center of Saint Petersburg. They are the Winter Palace, the Small Hermitage, the Large Hermitage, the New Hermitage, and the Hermitage Theatre.

Kremlin
A visit to the Kremlin is, no doubt, the highlight of Moscow tour. You might be surprised how many ancient and magnificent structures one can see within its walls: 15th century cathedrals (the coronation, wedding and bury place of Russian rulers), bell tower, Patriach's Palace, Grand Kremlin Palace and of course the richest museums Armoury and Diamond Fund.

Kizhi
Kizhi Island is an Open Air Museum of Russian Wooden Architecture: Wooden architecture can be found throughout Russia, but Kizhi Island boasts some of the nation's most famous, and most intricate, examples.

Lapland Biosphere Reserve
The Unesco protected Lapland Biosphere Reserve consists of 2784 sq km (1074 sq mi) of almost pristine wilderness and is the most accessible nature reserve in Arctic Russia. Visitors can trek through the wilderness the best times are from March to September or traverse it on skis, snowshoes or skidoos.

Mamaev Kurgan
Mamayev Kurgan is a dominant height overlooking the city of Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) in southern Russia. The name in Russian means "tumulus of Mamai”. Today Mamayev Kurgan features a memorial complex commemorating the Battle of Stalingrad (August 1942 to February 1943). The battle saw a decisive Soviet victory over Axis forces on the Eastern front of World War II.

Travel Tip and useful information

Climate
The immense geographic area of the Russian Federation has a variety of seasonal weather conditions. April through to October is considered by many to be the best overall time to visit, and June and September are the busiest tourist months. However, the winter months also have appeal. St Petersburg is always a few degrees cooler than Moscow and often has a breeze blowing in from the Gulf of Finland.

Time Zone
Time is GMT +3 for both Moscow & St. Petersburg.

Transport
Taxi To hail a taxi, stand on the side of the road with your arm held out. The official cabs have a yellow light illuminated with the word "Taksi" if they are free. It is essential to negotiate a price before starting. Metro The metro is not only clean, efficient and punctual but the architecture and decoration are quite outstanding. Train Travel Russia recommends the trains for the journey between Moscow and St Petersburg or on the Trans Siberian Route.

Currency and credit cards
All prices are generally quoted in rubles. Currency can be freely converted at banks, hotels or kiosks. Traveler's checks are hard to cash. Credit cards are accepted in most places that work with foreign tourists. Some may turn down American Express. Visa and MasterCard are known, hence - more widely honored. ATM machines are widely available in major cities, but note: they do not have letters on the key pad, so if your PIN includes letters, do remember them as digits!

Dress Code
A travel wardrobe must be planned according to the places you will visiting and the time of travel. For daytime sightseeing and leisure activities in Russia, informal dress is appropriate. To maximise the versatility of a travel wardrobe, it is recommended to pack lightweight clothes that can be worn in layers. Clothing made of "breathable" natural fabrics is generally

Safety and security
Crime situation has considerably improved in Russia over the past couple of years. Moscow and St. Petersburg are a lot safer than many American cities. Precautions include not flaunting valuables, or walking alone at night through city outskirts or parks.