I'm thinking of going to Russia for about 10 days around early September. I suspect this means I'd have time for only Moscow and St. Petersburg.

I can read Russian (well, sort of), but I've forgotten most of what I learned in my university courses. However, I'd brush up by September.

I know American-style hotels are very expensive for the most part, so probably I would stay at a hostel like this:
http://www.hostelz.com/hostel/37851-...dzillas-Hostel
I'd give my Starwood points a try too (but I don't really expect that to work).

From what I can tell, the visa costs $185.

I'm sure many people would think it's crazy to go to Russia right now, but among other places, I've been to New York, London, Madrid, Istanbul, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv, and all of these have had terrorist attacks too. I am a bit worried about safety, but I'll likely curtail my usual habits of hanging out after midnight.

I want to make sure I'm not missing any hidden expenses or pitfalls in planning such a trip. Any tips?

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...petersburg.cfm

> any hidden expenses or pitfalls in planning such a trip

It's been many years since I was there, but apparently at that time, reputable women did not eat out in restaurants alone. (At least that's what my Russian colleagues later told me.) That meant that restaurants were extremely reluctant to seat me. Sometimes, even when there were many empty tables, I was seated at a table with other people - to everyone's obvious discomfort. Sometimes I was turned away by the claim that all tables were reserved, even when the place was basically empty and it was the middle of dinner hour. I found that the easiest way to get seated was to say that I would happily wait in the bar for how ever long it took. Each time I did that, by the time the shocked bartender had poured me a glass of wine, a table miraculously became available. I remember one restaurant where, once seated at a small table that was partially obscured by a column, they actually positioned large potted ferns around me, through which the poor waiter had to struggle. I remember that place very well, because I ended up returning two other times when I couldn't find a place to eat! LOL!

KJA, I would hope that archaic idea has passed, but those are very interesting experiences. Thanks for the report.

Marija, I'll take a look at those hotel suggestions. I'm thinking they are mostly more than I want to spend. Thanks, though.

<<I'm sure many people would think it's crazy to go to Russia right now>>

I'd say you'd be crazy not to go and there is no reason not to go alone, I've done it countless times and so have many others. When you get back you will reread comments such as those by KJA who hasn't been anywhere near Russia for the past 30 years and realise the comments have no relevance to the modern Russia. Moscow particularly is a dynamic city forever changing. And why would you not hang out after midnight? Everyone else does.

Another misconception is about accommodation, there are choices if you shop around, there is a recent thread about it already.

I am no expert on Russia, but I can't see any reason why you can't or shouldn't go. It's way at the top of my list- I just hate the visa expense and hassle. My wife is a native Russian speaker, though, and knows the basic culture, so I don't have that worry. I should think the apartment route would be the way to go, if you can find listings for "locals"

www.hospitalityclub.org good site for you for local contacts

Have done DIY by training around www.seat61.com Russia

nice hotels along the way it was nice as long as

you do not mind the visa/safety hassles.

Going with a nice group easier safer for a first timer

www.affordabletours.com

kja, I was just in Russia in September and believe me those days are long gone. I ate alone several times and was treated extremely well.

WillTravel, I booked my trip last year just before the Moscow subway bombing. People spent the next 6 months trying to tell me I was crazy, I was nuts, etc. But like you, I have both been to places that had been subject to terrorism (NYC, Spain, Northern Ireland) and I didn't give it a second thought.

I went alone but took advantage of guides for certain museums, summer palace tours and a Kremlin tour. If you click on my name here, you'll find an extensive trip report. If you have any other questions you want to take offline, my email is amyb721 AT live.com I could talk for hours, but suffice to say, I strongly encourage that you go! Don't let traveling alone or what just happened there intimidate you -- I didn't.

Oh dear! I obviously failed to place my previous post in context:

First, I am sure that things have changed and I did not mean to suggest otherwise.

Perhaps more importantly, I neglected to note that I thoroughly enjoyed my time in St. Petersburg and Moscow and would not have given up a moment of my amazing time there. In finding a way to manage the difficulty I encountered with restaurants, I was aware that I was not behaving in accordance with their norms, and yet restaurant staff were going to great lengths to accomodate me. I was very grateful for that kindness, and for the kindness of so many other people I came across while in Russia.

I don't see any reason why anyone who wants to go to Russia should not do so. It is, IMHO, well worth seeing!

Thanks again, amyb and kja.

Due to various factors, I've decided I won't do this trip in September, so perhaps 2012. But I am really encouraged by your posts.