RUSSIA

Maintaining its own identity as it straddles the cultures of Europe and the Far East, Russia has always been a conglomeration of times zones, climates and cultures.

Even the two major tourist centers, Moscow and St. Petersburg, are a contrast in city dynamics - with the capital more Asiatic in feel and temperament, and St. Petersburg a more carefully laid-out European metropolis.

It is no longer a Soviet republic, Russia has all but abandoned most travel restrictions - leaving ample opportunity for exploring the country in its entirety including resorts along the Black Sea coast and the Altai and Caucasus mountains.

CLIMATE

Russia has a largely continental climate because of its sheer size and compact configuration. Most of its land is more than 400 kilometers from the sea, and the center is 3,840 kilometers from the sea. In addition, Russia's mountain ranges, predominantly to the south and the east, block moderating temperatures from the Indian and Pacific oceans, but European Russia and northern Siberia lack such topographic protection from the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans.

Because only small parts of Russia are south of 50° north latitude and more than half of the country is north of 60° north latitude, extensive regions experience six months of snow cover over subsoil that is permanently frozen to depths as far as several hundred meters. The average yearly temperature of nearly all of European Russia is below freezing, and the average for most of Siberia is freezing or below. Most of Russia has only two seasons, summer and winter, with very short intervals of moderation between them. Transportation routes, including entire railroad lines, are redirected in winter to traverse rock-solid waterways and lakes. Some areas constitute important exceptions to this description, however: the moderate maritime climate of Kaliningrad Oblast on the Baltic Sea is similar to that of the American Northwest; the Russian Far East, under the influence of the Pacific Ocean, has a monsoonal climate that reverses the direction of wind in summer and winter, sharply differentiating temperatures; and a narrow, subtropical band of territory provides Russia's most popular summer resort area on the Black Sea.

In winter an intense high-pressure system causes winds to blow from the south and the southwest in all but the Pacific region of the Russian landmass; in summer a low-pressure system brings winds from the north and the northwest to most of the landmass. That meteorological combination reduces the wintertime temperature difference between north and south. Thus, average January temperatures are -8°C in St. Petersburg, -27°C in the West Siberian Plain, and -43°C at Yakutsk (in east-central Siberia, at approximately the same latitude as St. Petersburg), while the winter average on the Mongolian border, whose latitude is some 10° farther south, is barely warmer. Summer temperatures are more affected by latitude, however; the Arctic islands average 4°C, and the southernmost regions average 20°C. Russia's potential for temperature extremes is typified by the national record low of -94°C, recorded at Verkhoyansk in north-central Siberia and the record high of 38°C, recorded at several southern stations.

The long, cold winter has a profound impact on almost every aspect of life in the Russian Federation. It affects where and how long people live and work, what kinds of crops are grown, and where they are grown (no part of the country has a year-round growing season). The length and severity of the winter, together with the sharp fluctuations in the mean summer and winter temperatures, impose special requirements on many branches of the economy. In regions of permafrost, buildings must be constructed on pilings, machinery must be made of specially tempered steel, and transportation systems must be engineered to perform reliably in extremely low and extremely high temperatures. In addition, during extended periods of darkness and cold, there are increased demands for energy, health care, and textiles.

Because Russia has little exposure to ocean influences, most of the country receives low to moderate amounts of precipitation. Highest precipitation falls in the northwest, with amounts decreasing from northwest to southeast across European Russia. The wettest areas are the small, lush subtropical region adjacent to the Caucasus and along the Pacific coast. Along the Baltic coast, average annual precipitation is 600 millimeters, and in Moscow it is 525 millimeters. An average of only twenty millimeters falls along the Russian-Kazak border, and as little as fifteen millimeters may fall along Siberia's Arctic coastline. Average annual days of snow cover, a critical factor for agriculture, depends on both latitude and altitude. Cover varies from forty to 200 days in European Russia, and from 120 to 250 days in Siberia.

VISA INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS

Visitors must carry ID at all times whilst in Russia; a photocopy of your passport and visa will suffice. An Immigrant Card will be issued on board the aircraft or on arrival. All visitors staying for longer than three days must register their Immigrant Cards with their hotel or sponsor. If visiting relatives, visitors must register with the local police upon arrival; if staying in a hotel, this will be arranged by the hotel. Anyone traveling on a tourist visa must hold vouchers from the hotel or travel agency. Exit permits are required on departure. These are usually issued with the visa, or can be obtained at hotels not less than two days before departure. Passports must be valid for period of intended stay.

Americans: United States passport holders must have passport valid for the length of their stay. A visa is required.
UK nationals: British citizens must have a passport valid for the length of their stay. A visa is required.
Canadians: Canadian citizens must have a passport valid for the length of their stay. A visa is required.
Australians: Australian citizens must have a passport valid for the length of their stay, and a visa.
South Africans: South Africans must have a passport valid for the length of their stay, and a visa.
Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport valid for the length of their stay and a visa.
New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a valid passport valid for the length of their stay and a visa.

TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO IN MOSCOW

There are downsides to visiting Moscow due to extreme temperatures being both one of the best and worst things about it with deep snow on the ground pretty solidly from November to March and July and August tending to be warm but rainy.

However, what makes up for this is the unparalleled number of things to do and see in this truly magnificent city. Things to see simply abound at every turn: even the subway stations have a history and an elegance that tourists will appreciate.

The most iconic symbol of Russia, and absolutely a place to head for, is Red Square. This astonishing place will make your eyes boggle whether you visit during snow-covered winter or gold-glistening summer. Of its many interests, the two most famous are St Basil's Cathedral and Lenin's Mausoleum.

St Basil's is Moscow on a postcard. Built between 1555 and 1551, it was originally set up to celebrate Ivan the Terrible's capture of the Tartar stronghold, Kazan. Its multi-coloured onion dome is famous throughout the world, having been narrowly saved from destruction at the hands of Napoleon's troops in 1812.

Lenin's mausoleum may not be a trip for the faint-hearted. The body of the founder of the Soviet state is actually embalmed and on display for visitors in a crystal casket, although some have alleged that it is actually a wax copy. The building has a facing of red granite for communism and black labradorite for mourning and the queue that for many years formed for admission has now dropped off considerably.

The next place on the list of most visitors to Moscow is the Kremlin. This self-contained city is shrouded in myth and legend. A medieval fortress that began as the hunting lodge of Prince Yuri Dolgorukiy and then developed into a fortified town as the prince's regional stronghold, there is plenty to see and in which to indulge your imagination.

It has seen the tyranny of the Tsars and the height of communist power and now holds on to its history with grace, elegance and intrigue. Among other things to see are the Ivan the Great Belltower, the State Kremlin Palace and the Senate, which was commissioned by Catherine the Great and later served as Lenin's office. Today, it is the official presidential residence.

If you become overwhelmed with history and culture, however, a very Russian thing to do would be to find a Banya, or bathhouse, and spend the afternoon whipping and cooking yourself back into shape again.

Banyas are a popular way to relax in Russia and Moscow's most famous is the Sandunovskiye Baths in the north of the city. Built in the nineteenth century, here you can enjoy a fairly typical experience, which consists of a hot sauna, then a hotter and wetter steam room session in which you are invited to beat yourself with twigs, followed by an ice-cold plunge into the pool.

Night Life in Moscow

The nightlife scene in Moscow is wild and exciting. When venturing out of an evening, it is impossible to know where the night will take you, as the city has a varied range of bars and clubs to keep you going, some expensive and snazzy, many a little on the seedy side. It is your like or dislike of being in the latter that will make or break your Moscow nightlife experience, as you will undoubtedly find yourself in such an establishment at some point.

Hungry Duck in central Moscow is the city at its best/worst. This club has a free drinks policy for women up until 23:30, which might explain why it has the reputation for being one of the most outrageous establishments in Europe. The general ethos of the club appears to be to divest yourself of as many items as clothing as possible before heading home for the night so Geordies should feel amongst friends by the end of the evening.

A slightly classier club that won't break the bank can be found in the Khamovniki district. Keks is funky and is based in a converted textile factory. The place heaves with pretty young things on the weekend, with many taking to the large dance floor to the sound of cool tunes.
If you want to know where all the trendies are, head to Bar 30/7 on the Boulevard Ring. It's pricey and full of people admiring themselves but good despite all that. Arrive early on the weekend if you want to have a chance of grabbing a seat.

The new Jazztown club on Taganskaya has quickly cemented itself as the top place to go for blues and jazz fans in the city. This enormous club hosts both local and international acts most nights of the week and includes a restaurant, casino and dance floor, allowing you the rare opportunity to dance the night away to jazz sounds, rather than enjoying the music simply from a sedentary position.

For heavier live acts, head to Sixteen Tons on Presnensky. Both Russian and foreign bands play regularly at this joint, which is usually packed. The establishment also has an English-style pub downstairs that serves some unique brews.

For a more refined evening's entertainment there are a number of options for the discerning traveller. A night at the six-tier Bolshio Theatre is usually a wonderfully romantic experience, with both opera and ballet companies regularly putting on both Russian and foreign works. However, major renovations to the main theatre mean that it is currently closed until 2008, although the New Stage is putting on performances. Tickets should be purchased well in advance, or failing that, from one of the many touts on the day. Other options for evening amusements include a visit to the Kremlin when it is putting on one of its many concerts or a visit to the city's famous circus

TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO IN SAINT PETERSBURG

As a Russian native, people often ask me what they simply must see when they visit Russia. Given that Russia is vastly larger than the United States, that's quite a question! It's also an unfair one. The answer depends on how much time you have to spend, when you are going to visit and your interests. As it would be almost impossible to compile a decent top ten list for a nation the size of Russia, I have compiled a list for those wishing to make the most of a visit to Saint Petersburg.

Russian Museum
Housing one of the world's greatest collections of art, the Russian Museum was opened in 1898. It is housed in the Mikhailovsky Palace. It was the great wish of Tsar Alexander III to create a public museum, a dream that became reality under his son, Tsar Nicholas II. During the Soviet period, art from palaces, churches and private collections was taken by the government and moved to the museum. The building itself is a work of art and is one of Carlo Rossi's finest Neo-Classical creations. The Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich commissioned it in 1819. Work on the palace was completed in 1825.

The collections include art from the 11th century to the modern day. Much of the older art was commissioned by the church and has a very somber tone to it. The modern art is characterized by a more lively interpretation of life in general. Special collections are routinely on loan to the museum from around the world.

Mariinskiy Theatre
Built in 1860 and named for the beloved wife of Alexander II, Maria Alexandrovna, Many foreigners know this theatre by its Soviet era named “The Kirov”. The same architect that built the Bolshoy in Moscow, Albert Kavos, erected the building in 1860. Between 1883 and 1896, Viktor Schroter remodeled the Neo-Renaissance faade. It was during this remodeling that most of the exterior ornamentation was added. The interior auditorium is a pale blue and gold, with the imperial eagles marking a recent return to the royal box.

While this theatre is known worldwide for it ballet company, the Mariinskiy is also one of Russia's leading opera houses. Most of the great 19th century operas made their debut here. A visit to Saint Petersburg is simply not complete without an evening at the Mariinskiy, where formal attire is still considered appropriate.

Nevskiy Prospekt
This is without a doubt, the most famous street in Russia! Along this street you will find the best shops, boutiques and kiosks in Saint Petersburg. You will also find Museums, restaurants, churches, a concert hall, a Palace and the Russian National Library!

This street is teeming with people from early in the morning to late at night, as there is always something going on and someplace to go when here. We will highly recommend to visit Stroganovsky Dvor and The Literary Caf. The Literary caf is a favourite with tourists for its reasonable prices and its history. This is the site of the former Wolff and Beranger Caf, from where Alexander Pushkin set off for his fatal duel. The Stroganovsky Dvor serves over 20 kinds of salad and a vast ever-changing menu. The prices here range from reasonable to cheap. You can get a quick bite here and continue on your romp of Nevskiy Prospect.

This is the street for shopping and souvenir gathering when in Saint Petersburg. The prices here will be far more reasonable than in the hotel or airport gift shops. When you see a price on an item, that is the cost and you pay it or look elsewhere. If you have to ask for a price that means there is room to bargain! This is serious business in Russia so please don't haggle if you aren't really going to buy.
The Passazh Arcade, a glass enclosed shopping mall, is an absolute must see experience. You can find virtually anything and everything in this arcade and you should plan to spend a few hours here.
A final recommendation for eating on this street is located not far from the Passazh Arcade and that is Yeliseev's Deli. The food is very good and inexpensive. Grab a snack and keep walking.

Church on Spilled Blood
On March 1st, 1881 Tsar Alexander II was assassinated. In October of 1883, the cornerstone was laid on the site for what became the Church on Spilled Blood. The design, Russian-Revival, was the favourite of Tsar Alexander III. The Tsar had held a competition for a memorial to his father and settled on the design by Alfred Parland and Ignatiy Malyshev. The Church was reopened to the public in 1998 after a more than 20 year long restoration project.

The interior contains more than 20 minerals and is a riot of colour. The exterior has jewelers enamel covering the 10, 760 square feet of surface that makes up the five domes. There are twenty plaques of granite engraved with gilt letters describing the outstanding events of Alexander II's reign.

Stieglitz Museum
This museum originally founded as a school of industrial design in 1876 by Baron Aleksandr Stieglitz, The collection soon outgrew the school and a museum had to be opened next to it. The exhibition features incredible displays of glassware, ceramics, and majolica from all over the world. There are also fabric displays including one set in a room reminiscent of the Terem Palace in Moscow that feature colourfully embroidered dresses and headgear made by peasant women. There is also an astounding collection of dolls wearing Russian folk costumes from the 17th-19th centuries. Some pieces of decorative metalwork date back to the Middle Ages and the workmanship on the wooden furniture is incredible.

St. Isaacs Cathedral
It has been built in 1818 by Auguste de Montferrand, St. Isaac's Cathedral is one of the worlds largest. The cathedral opened in 1858 but was designated a museum of atheism during the Soviet era. One of the most incredible aspects of this cathedral is the sculptures that adorn the 4 corners. They are carved angels supporting gas torches. Created by Ivan Vitali, they are absolutely breathtaking at night.

The interior of the church consists of an area of more than 43,000 square feet and is filled with hundreds of 19th century works of art. Officially, this is still considered a museum, but religious festivals are now a frequent sight.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan
This is one of St. Petersburg's most impressive churches, and in a city like St. Petersburg that is quite a title! It was commissioned by Tsar Paul I and took over a decade to build. It was completed in 1811.
The Name of the church comes from the icon of Our Lady of Kazan that is believed to work miracles, literally. Unlike many churches and cathedrals in Russia, the interior of this one is much more subdued. The most impressive feature of this church is a 262-foot high dome and the massive pink columns.

During the communist era, the Soviets designated this as yet another museum of atheism. It was returned to strictly religious use in 1999.

Alexander Nevsky Monastery
It's not the monastery but the cemetery that can't be miss attraction here. But as long as you are here, go in and look around in the Church of the Annunciation, the oldest building in the complex and only recently reopened to the public. Yes, this was yet another religious site that was designated a museum during the Soviet era. Then wander around to the cemetery and see the intriguing sight of many noted communist leaders buried here and it’s interesting that they opted to be buried at a museum. More importantly are the historic tombs of noted writers and composers. Both Dostoevsky and Mussorgsky are buried here. There are also many non-ruling members of the royal family with tombs located within the walls of this cemetery.

Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral
Located in the heart of the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Cathedral was built in 1712 and commissioned by Peter the Great. Until the 1960's, when the television tower was built, its spire was the tallest structure in St. Petersburg. The Cathedral is unlike most Russian churches owing to the desire of Peter the Great to become more western. As a result, the cathedral is an outstanding example of Baroque architecture.

The most interesting feature is that this cathedral is the final resting place of all but two tsars, Peter II and Ivan VI. In a somewhat controversial decision, Tsar Nicholas II was buried here along with his family and the servants who died with them. This was controversial because until that point, the family members of the Tsars were buried elsewhere. Since the end of the 19th century, family members of the Tsars have been buried in the Grand Ducal Mausoleum that was added to the northeast of the cathedral.

The Hermitage
Visitors should plan a great deal of time for this stop. A week would be good. The Hermitage is a massive conglomeration of buildings and parks. The museum itself contains hundreds of thousands of works of art. There is a theatre that hosts exhibitions and concerts and the hanging gardens are known around the world for their exquisite beauty. Also located on the grounds is the magnificent Winter Palace, home of the imperial family before the revolution.

One sight you don't want to miss is the Raphael Loggias, canvas copies of the Raphael engravings that Catharine the Great had commissioned after being impressed by the originals in the Vatican. There is also the numismatic collection. This collection, only part of which is on display, boasts over 1 million coins and medals.