Shopping in The Baltics and Russia
 

Am planning to be in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia before spending a week each in St. Petersburg and then Moscow. Where will I find the best crafts, amber, etc. at the most reasonable prices? Any suggestions on items to buy, and shops or markets?

You'll see amber in all of those places however, most of it apparently comes from Lithuania if that makes any difference to you.

In Estonia there are lots of craft shops. Ones named Eesti Käsitöö are maybe a little more expensive than for example street stalls, but their quality is guaranteed. They sell traditional handicrafts like things made of juniper and woollen and linen sweaters.

Then there are many shops that sell modern crafts. A tiny street named Katarine Käig (in Tallinn) has a glass blower, a really delightful hat maker, artsy hand made paper, and hand made leather stuff.

On Pikk street there is a handicraft museum. And then there are tons of galleries and ceramics shops. And a street for jewellers.

For souvenirs in Russia I always recommend the store on Arbat, 27, a large store on the south west corner of the Old Arbat in Moscow.

Their pricing on most items is very fair, and the selection is great. Over the last few years I have bought from them Cossack shirts, napkin rings, children's rockers (probably 20 in the last five years to give to new parents), linens, as well as some jewelry, watches and other gifts. There are many stalls on the Old Arbat but I find that most of their pricing is high whilst the quality is low (except some militaria).

In St Petersburg my favorite place is the gift shop of the State Russian Museum and the Hermitage, as well as Gostvny Dvor (sp?), a large shopping arcade on Nevsky Prospect--there are some stalls inside (first floor for general souvenirs, second floor for linens).

Izmailova is a large flea market in Moscow, but most of our clients don't find it easy or enjoyable (unless they are with a Russian speaker and looking for something beyond the ordinary); there is also a market in St. Petersburg next to Church on the Spilled Blood which is quite overpriced.

At least in Russia the most interesting items are the painted cups, lacquer boxes, linens (vastly underrated) and porcelain (Lomonosov makes some of the most beautiful pieces in the world, but beware thaht some importers in the US are very comparable in price to that offered in St. Petersburg, especially for smaller sets). Mechanical watches are also a treasure; Vostok and Slava are inexpensive and very reliable, Poljot is more expensive but very much worth the price. As I mentioned above the children's rockers are great (and every child who I have this to has loved it), but it can take up too much space.

I agree with MDM about the Russian souvenirs... just wanted to pipe in that I found the prices for amber to be better in Latvia than Russia- at least for a high quality piece of jewelry.

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Was in Vilnius a few weeks ago and bought some amber jewellery. Really nice! I usually never buy anything like that on holiday.