среда, 21 января 2009 г.

Recommendations for international travelers in Russia.

Maxima Hotels - chain of hotels in Moscow, has published a list of useful recommendations for international travelers in Russia.
One of the good things about Russia is that it is never difficult to find a place to get food or drink, even in the middle of the night, whether it is a simple shop or an expensive night club. If you see the 24-sign it means this place is open around the clock! Even experienced global travelers are astonished at the number of supermarkets and kiosks open all night long.

Alcohol
Vodka is rather cheap and there are oodles of different brands with cool labels to choose from. Russki Standard, Diplomat and Lviz are pretty good, and if you want something more exotic, try Nemiroff: Ukrainian pepper vodka with honey.
Russian pivo (beer) is good stuff, which is why Russians consume more beer than any other alcoholic drink. Locally brewed Nevskoe, Baltika N7 and Bochkarev are usually on tap and are the mainstay for most russians. Local designer-beer Tinkoff is also very good.
No Russian celebration is complete without Sovietskoe Shampanskoe (Soviet Champagne), the national party drink. A bottle of this bubbly, which some like more than the real French stuff, will set you back only 3-5 euros. Sovietskoe Shampanskoe comes in five varieties ranging from very sweet (sladkoe) to dry (sukhoe) and very dry (brut).

Electricity
Electricity in Russia is 220 V 50 Hz AC. Sockets are standard European-size for double round-pin plugs, the same as in France or Germany. Appliances from the US, Canada, Britain will need adaptors (it's better to buy them in your own country, as it's very hard to find them in Russia). Trains usually provide sockets for electric razors.

Buses, trolley-buses, and trams
These three types of vehicles operate throughout the city, and run from 5.30 a.m. to 12.30 a.m. To ride a bus, trolley-bus, or tram you first need to purchase a coupon, which the driver punches upon entering the vehicle.

Credit cards
Most hotels, shops, and restaurants, especially those near the city center, accept all major credit cards. Sometimes you may be asked to show your passport or identifying documents. Traveler's checks haven't yet become popular in Moscow, but you may always exchange them for cash in exchange offices, hotels, and banks.

Crime
Moscow's reputation as a crime capital peopled by shady Mafia types is unfair. Undoubtedly they are present, but you won't come into contact with them unless you're very unlucky
Like you would in any other city, it is best to follow these simple rules:
Avoid walking through unknown and deserted streets after dark.
When walking through crowded streets, big stores, or marketplaces, check your pockets regularly.
If pickpockets see that you are on your guard, they'll be less likely to single you out.
Never carry a lot of money with you. Most stores and restaurants downtown accept credit cards.
The crowded public places (like railway stations and the Arbat, e.g.) are full of Gypsies, who may offer to tell your fortune. Most are legitimate, but some can be thieves. Be on your guard.

Visit Moscow and find out yourself.