Highlights

The Trans-Siberian Railway is the world’s longest continuous railway, crossing an area larger than Western Europe, past arctic waste, tundra, and steppe

Moscow

The capital’s focus is Red Square and the Kremlin. The area still emits a strong Cold War atmosphere. Nostalgic communists should visit Lenin’s Mausoleum. Take in a show at the Bolshoi theatre, the location for the premiere of Tchaikovsky’s unsuccessful Swan Lake, or break into your savings to stay at the spectacular, art nouveau Metropole Hotel.

St Petersburg

The exquisite architecture that makes the city one of the most beautiful anywhere on the planet masks the fact that the city was founded on a mosquito-infested swamp. Europe’s fourth largest city is one of the most culturally significant too, as the birthplace of Dostoyevsky, Shostakovich, and the Russian Revolution. Head first to Palace Square to wonder at the Winter Palace and browse the Hermitage’s fabulous art collection.

The Golden Ring

The area north-east of Moscow is famed for its ancient towns, including Suzdal, with great historical, architectural and spiritual significance. Several are on rivers, and river cruises are a great way to see this area.

Siberia

Covering 12,800,000 sq km, it is a vast stretch of marshy forest and plain. ‘Sleeping land’, as it translates, contains a million lakes and over 50,000 rivers. Though below freezing in winter, a visit in summer is fascinating.

Being there

Etiquette

Dress conservatively, but consider the weather. Avoid displays of wealth and keep expensive items hidden. Gifts are welcomed. Normal social courtesies apply.

Food and Drink

Varies from region to region, but national favourites include borsch (beetroot soup with sour cream), blinis (small buckwheat pancakes) with sour cream and caviar or smoked salmon, and beef stroganoff. Pirozhky (filled rolls like ravioli) and pelmeni, (dumplings) are popular. Although vodka is the drink to drink, local champagne is cheap and surprisingly good, although a little sweet.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Watches, cameras, furs, ceramics, glass, jewellery, toys, Matryoshka dolls (dolls within dolls), khokhloma wooden cups, pottery figurines, Fabergé-style eggs, ex-Soviet paraphernalia.

Additional Info

People and Places

Capital: Moscow.
Language: Russian.
Population: 144,800,000.
Population Density: 8.5. (pop per km²)
Size: 17,075,400. (area km²)

Transport

Moscow (SVO) 35 km from the city, St Petersburg (LED) 17 km from the city.
Some domestic flights. River transport is popular. The rail network is vital as the road system is poor. Self-drive and chauffeured car hire is available.

Red Tape

International or national driving licence with authorised translation acceptable for car-hire.
UK: 13 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QX, tel (020) 7229 2666, fax (020) 7229 3215, email info@rusemblon.org. USA: 2650 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007, tel (202) 298 5700, fax (202) 298 5735, email russianembassy@mindspring.com.
UK: Smolenskaya Naberezhnaya 10, Moscow 121099, tel (095) 956 7200, fax (095) 956 7201, email moscow@britishembassy.ru. USA: Novinskiy Bulvar 19/23, 121099 Moscow, tel (095) 728 5000, fax (095) 728 5112, email consulmo@state.gov.

State of the Nation

Life expectancy: M 60.55, F 74.04.

Finance: Credit cards accepted in cities, cash is preferred to traveller’s cheques.
Business hours: 0900-1800 Mon-Friday.
GMT: from + 3 to + 12.
Voltage guide: 220 AC, 50 Hz.
Country dialling code: 7 (Do not omit 0 in area code).

Source: Expedia