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Russia
City Guide
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Russia Travel Guide
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Official name: Russian Federation
- Capital: Moscow (9 million people)
- Language: Russian, many others in component republics
- Religion: Russian Orthodox, Muslim, Animist
- Currency : Russian Rouble
Russia Sights and Museums
WHAT TO SEE
Highlights
As the largest country in the world then of course there is a pile of excellent things to do, so we decided to bring a few of our favourites together. Of course, the 'big two' on most people's itineries for Russia are Moscow and St Petersburg, so we need to mention them. Moscow, with its buzzing nightlife, grand Soviet-era architecture, cultural events, Red Square, the Kremlin and so much more is one of the worlds truly great, fascinating capital cities. As if not to be outdone, St Petersburg is a classic example of what we mean by great European cities, with grandeur and style, elegance aplenty with the stunning treasures of the Hermitage and other world class museums.
Then, of course, there is the greatest railway journey on the planet, the Trans-Siberian, a mammoth continental trip through some of the most fascinating scenery anywhere in the world, alongside some of the most fascinating characters you could ever wish to share a train compartment with. Hop off the train to explore the Ural Mountains, the dividing line between Europe and Asia, or Lake Baikal, the deepest lake on the planet enclosed by wonderful mountains to explore.
Further east you will reach Khabarovsk and Vladivostok, closer to Tokyo, Beijing and Seoul than they are to Moscow, cosmopolitan centres of population in the midst of a bleak, desolate landscape. And for the really adventurous, keep going to the Kamchatka peninsula, known as the land of fire and ice, with over 200 volcanoes, an unbelievable atmosphere, and the satisfaction that you are so far off the beaten track you can't even see it anymore.
Russia Entertainment
EVENTS :
Events
JANUARY
January 1-2: New Years Day
January 7: Orthodox Christmas
MARCH
March 8: Women's Day
MAY
May 1-2: May Day
May 9: Victory Day
JUNE
June 12: Independence Day
NOVEMBER
November 7: Peace and Harmony Day (former October Revolution Day)
DECEMBER
December 12: Constitution Day
A note on public holidays:
During Russian public holidays, expect all government offices (including embassies) to be closed and most shops also. Many people have the day off from work
Russia Transports
TRANSPORTS Aeroflot has been broken up into many small airlines, leading to virtually unregulated skies and the worst regional safety record in the world. Flying within Russia is an unreliable, unpredictable and difficult business. Try to get a seat on a domestic flight that ultimately has an international destination, because these carriers are certified to meet higher standards than domestic-only services.
European Russia is crisscrossed by an extensive rail network that makes trains a viable means of getting to practically anywhere. They're cheap and comfortable and usually take a long, long time. The rail network runs on Moscow time; the only general exception is suburban train services, which stick to local time.
Russian buses are now completely open to foreigners and when going between small towns are a great way to travel. Driving in Russia isn't everybody's cup of tea but, if you've got a sense of humour, don't mind some fairly rugged road conditions, getting stopped and fined by traffic policemen on the make, a few hassles finding petrol, and getting lost now and then, it's a great way to see the country.
River transport remains important and in summer it's possible to travel long distances across Russia on passenger boats. The main passenger services ply between Moscow and St Petersburg, and between Moscow and various points on the Volga and Don, including Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novgorod, Volgograd, Astrakhan and Rostov-on-Don.
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