Elizabeth

Just returned from 3 weeks in Moscow and <BR>St. Petersburg. Did not take a tour and <BR>hoofed it on our own. Rented a fabulous <BR>apartment in St. Pete, had maps and notes <BR>for all the sites..........walked both <BR>cities extensively, covering some 50 KM <BR>in each city. Would be happy to answer <BR>any questions.

kk

Elizabeth, that sounds like a great (and gutsy) trip. What areas were your apartments located in in the two cities? What shape were the historical buildings in St. Petersburg, especially St. Isaac's Cathedral? I was in Moscow ten years ago and see it all the time on TV, but it's been (I hate to say this) 35 years since I was in Leningrad, now renamed St. P. I would love to return there. Any chance you are going to be posting photos? Cheers, kk

Mary

Hi Elizabeth--was hoping someone would post about Moscow! Where did you stay? Did you use a guide for the major sites like the Kremlin (or are there tours in English?)? Any restaurants that were memorable? Did you use ATMs (I see conflicting advice on that)? <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance for all your tips! <BR> <BR>Mary

karen

For Moscow, especially, I suggest you look at www.expat.ru It's mostly a site for expats living here, but has good sections on questions like ATMs and the like. Also, it has the complete schedule of tours run by Patriarchy Dom - a wide range of tours in English all over Moscow (and I think they can arrange St. Pete as well) - mostly half day, but also some all day tours and even out of town weekends to small villages. They're a good supplement to "do it yourself."

Paige

Hello! Do you know Russian or the alphabet? I'm wondering how difficult it is to get around if you don't know a lick of Russian. How did you travel between the cities? Had you been there before or do you have friends there? Thanks!

Elizabeth

I have been trying for two days to post an answer to this forum......I get the message "your browser does not support this server".......wonder if this will get through this time?????

Elizabeth

I finally got through!!!! This is for kk........I stayed in a hotel in Moscow for 6 days in order to get the Russian Visa stamped with my exit date. Booking an apartment requires a letter of invitation from the apartment renter. Anyway, your St. Isaac`s Cathedral is covered in scaffolding and restoration is just beginning. All over Moscow and St. Petersburg, large mesh nets covered historical buildings and construction cranes are visible everywhere on the skyline of Moscow. I am particularly interested in architectural detail so perhaps will have noticed more than others.........and walking everywhere brought me up close, so I was able to see the deterioration. The 10 giant Atlantes colums on the south facade of the Hermitage are also covered in mesh, but I was able to see underneath. Large cracks and crumbling are a real problem........they have a monumental task ahead of them!!! I walked all the major bridges of the city, plus all the canals and was delighted in the decorative bridges. The time spent on the street was worth every effort and presented a real chance to try and communicate. I spent two weeks in the apartment in St. Petersburg which was located at Pushkinskaya Street, about a 25 minute walk from the Hermitage, and just off Nevsky Prospect. The two bedroom apartment cost $65.00 U.S. per night and was most clean and comfortable. If you wish, contact me directly and I will give you the web site where you can see photos of all the apartments, descriptions and rental details. With the cost of hotels being so high, this is exactly what some folks might enjoy. I am not a young traveller.......turned 60 the end of August and this was my birthday present to me. If you want more detailed info, just let me know. I have a limited amount of time on-line and it takes me so long to compose. Cheers.......

Elizabeth

This is for Mary.......my server cuts me off every 10 minutes so will have to answer each, individually. The hotel I stayed in Moscow was the Arbat Hotel, situated in the Old Arbat area, about a 30 Minute walk from the Kremlin. I did not use a guide at any time while in Russia and prepared myself well before I left. I had maps of the Kremlin, times of opening, where the entrance was and all marked on my trustworthy map. I was approached outside and inside the Kremlin by tour guides......I have been interested in Russian history for years, so all the buildings for me where known. I suppose a guide would be the answer for some.....I heard prices of $15 U.S.(cash) an hour......some had a package for $60.00 U.S. Once you pay the intial entry fee into the Kremlin, it includes 5 or 6 buildings.......you must pay extra to get into the Armoury and extra to get into the State Diamond Fund. If it is busy in the State Diamond Fund, they will limit your time. Going at opening hours is the only way.......no line-ups and you can stay longer. ATM`s are all over Moscow and St. Petersburg........there is a web site for ATM locators worldwide.......I knew before I went where the ATM`s where located and simply marked them on my map. It was my only source of cash and I withdrew in roubles only. I had a back-up of Visa Cash Advance just in case. As far as restaurants are concerned, I am not a good one to ask.......the hotel in Moscow had a buffet breakfast included and meals were prepared in the apartment. If you want more info, let me know directly......I have records of all prices for Museums and entrance fees. Cheers.

Elizabeth

This is for Paige.....this server I`m on is so mean!!!......I had never been to Russia before, but prepared myself well. I familiarized myself with the Cyrillic alphabet and after a day could read street signs and building names. I really surprised myself......had about 20 or 30 words of common courtesy, and basic food items. I speak <BR>only English with a little Spanish......and was able to use the Spanish surprisingly. A lot of Russians do have English.........the huge bookstore in St. Petersburg has a vast language section and anytime I was there, it was packed with people buying books. I did not know anyone there before, but now I do. Taking the DAY train (not the night train) was just great......was able to meet two great folks with no English. Many laughs and came away with a book full of our drawings trying to understand one another. One thing which I was floored by........there is a fence running from Moscow to St. Petersburg alongside the railtrack.........and it is on BOTH sides. My Russian friend got across to me it was put up for political reasons, by City Officials and their work projects. He said it was to keep out RABBITS!!!! Some 6,000,000 sections of fence were laid.........boy, our government here in Canada could really create the jobs if they were to fence in the track from Halifax to Vancouver!!! <BR> <BR>All I can say, is .....if this 60 year old broad can wing it, all you younger travellers out there can too!!! Cheeers.

Joan

We are goint to Russian for 3 weeks in July 2001. Any suggestions for things to bring back to our grandkids as gifts? Any good buys for keepsakes for us? Does US Dollars "spend" there? Seems everywhere we go they like US Dollars. Any tips on our first and only trip would be appreciated. thanks, Jo (on river cruise from St.Pete to Moscow with many stops)

stephanie

Dear Joan: <BR> <BR>Be careful trying to use dollars - there are strict rules about foriegn currency there. Major problem with Capital Flight, so techically they're not supposed to accept US dollars. The only place you can really get away with it, as far as I know, is at Izmalyeva Park - a huge open air market, which is a terriffic place to get gifts for people. just make sure to go to the back of the park, where rental space for the kiosks is cheaper. Anything you buy in the front can likely be found in the back for much cheaper. Also, keep in mind that many places don't take credit cards (still reeling from the financial crash). But be wary of ATMs - although it sounds like Elizabeth made out okay using ATMs, there is ALOT of ATM ripoff and fraud, so when I go (I go often for work) I go into a Western hotel (there are a number of Marriotts and a sheraton) and use my credit card at the cashiet to get roubles. That way you can only take out what you need. It may seem like a hassle, but I've seen too many people get ripped off to take a chance. Sorry to sounds pessimistic - Moscow can be great! - but it's reality. <BR> <BR>Enjoy and try to get to St. Petersburg if you can. Way more beautiful than moscow. <BR> <BR>Do Svedanya- <BR> <BR>stephanie

Elizabeth

Joan.........Technically Stephanie is right about it being illegal to use currency other than Russian roubles and technically the Russians are not supposed to accept U.S. Dollars,,,,,BUT, all the major outdoor market sellers quoted their prices in U.S. Dollars and showed preference for it. I preferred to pay in roubles only. You certaily won`t have any trouble with souvenir shopping.......everywhere you look are the famous Matryoshka Dolls, wonderful hand carved Bogorodskiye toys for the young at heart and loads of lacquered artifacts. If you are leaning to the buying of antiques, there is a restriction on their export, so be sure to check in advance of purchase. <BR> <BR>My passion was wonderful Art books which I purchased at the well known Dom Knigi Bookstore on Nevsky Prospeckt in St. Petersburg. They have quite a good English language section of the better known Russian Writers. Hope you have a great trip.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth and Stephanie......thanks so much for the info. US dollars are very popular in Egypt and other places we have been....Thanks for the gift ideas. Can't wait to see Russia. Sincerely, Jo

mike

Just bringing St. Petes back to the top.

Kristinelaine

I was just reading this rather old thread and wondering if anyone has anything up-to-date to add? I'm planning a trip to Russia in May, but probably not on our own the way this woman did it. Any thoughts? Are things better in Russia today than in 2000? the same? or worse?

Sama

Did you use a particular company to rent your apartment? If so - which one did you use and were you happy with the process?

katya_NY

If you have Russian-related questions, fire away! I have been many times and have lived in Russia on and off for school, etc.

I was there most recently in Sept.-Oct. with a group of my students.

Let me know what you would like to know!

Kristinelaine

I think I would like to know how difficult it is to be in Russia (the two main cities, actually) to at least some extent on one's own. If we were to take a tour and then want to spend an additional couple of days on our own in Moscow, for example, would this be wise? I read about tours having security guards with them, etc., and I wonder what are all the things that are going to happen if you don't have a guard.

I have lived in Slovakia (about three years ago) for a year and was never afraid and never had anything bad happen to me. But I am told by some that Russia is an entirely different story.

Of course, the language is a bigger problem due to the Cyrillic alphabet. But I have learned that before and will re-learn it so that I can at least pronounce things and recognize them.

I hope that you can get what my concerns are. Any help would be appreciated.

katya_NY

I would not be more concerned about being in Russia than being in France, Italy or Spain by yourselves. Independent travel does leave more room for mistakes (or &quot;adventures&quot but there is nothing to be overly concerned about.

I spent quite a bit of time in Moscow and Saint Petersburg completely alone taking public transportation, etc. and never felt nervous or threatened anymore than I would at home. Much as most other cities in Europe, petty crimes occur- pickpocketing, etc.

I have never been the target, but a student I brought to Russia had her wallet stolen- right in front of our eyes, actually! She was not being careful and had purchased something in a shop on Nevsky Prospekt and had the wallet in her hand when she left the store- as soon as she stuck it into her side pocket, it was stolen. Of course, we were a group of 20 + people, mainly teens, mainly speaking English, mainly wearing ridiculous black fur shapki (hats)- easy to spot in September!

I think the whole mention of security guards is for the nervous (I'm sorry but) older generation who see Russia as the distant, wild adventure destination. I would imagine most cruise ships have some form of security onboard- anywhere!


Go as you would anywhere else in Europe- and enjoy yourselves!

Let me know if I can answer any more specific questions- and have a great trip!

gracejoan3

Elizabeth,
Interesting reading. I am planning a trip to Russia...single..older than you!!

My main interest is St. Petersburgh and surrpunding areas. I have looked at all the cruises, tours and checked hotels and apartments. I think I even saw where you rented.

I don't think I want an apt. I really don't cook when I travel..to be honest, at home either!!

I will probably do a Viking cruise, but not get involved in their &quot;group&quot; land sight-seeing. I will take private tour guides, see more and some not usual type things. I have been in touch with some guides.

Thanks for your report.
Joan