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Russia travel advice anyone?

modern maenad

11:45 / 12.11.05

Am off to Moscow on friday for a few days, then on to Nizhny Novgorod. Anyone have any travel advice? places to go, places not to go...? And if anyone has a burning desire to receive a postcard from the former USSR, this can be arranged.

Axolotl

15:11 / 12.11.05

Lucky you! I went about 9 years ago to Moscow & St Petersburg and would like to go back & therefore am currently learning Russian. Unfortunately my all my knowledge is hopelessly out of date, but I can recommend the Kremlin (big suprise, huh?).

Mourne Kransky

16:04 / 12.11.05

Even longer since I was there. Was still the Soviet Union then, although Ganesh has been more recently. See the obvious stuff but get up and out early a.m. to beat the crowds, particularly in the Kremlin. You've got lots nearby the Kremlin too off Red Square to keep you busy, if time in Moscow is short, like St Basil's and G.U.M. and waxy old Lenin.

If you can read cyrillic script, going round the Moscow Underground's a good plan. It's a good cheap way to get about the city of course but, more importantly, from the globetrotting point of view, you will not see such beautiful stations anywhere else. Unless all of that's gone to Hell since Perestroika.

Nizhny Novgorod I know nought off, can barely pronounce in fact. Was it not a Monty Python punchline? Bon voyage!

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

17:44 / 12.11.05

I went in 89, and I don't have much advice, other than enjoy it- it's a beautiful country.

modern maenad

09:23 / 13.11.05

Thanks, or should say, spaseeba, everyone. Am trying to learn a few basic phrases so as not to appear like too much of an imperialistic tosser. Check out where we'll be staying for first couple of nights - Rossiya hotel - its the largest hotel in Europe, built in the 1960's, and is on the corner of Red Square - for less than £40 a night each you get a view of the Kremlin!! Its due to be demolished next year, so we're gonna get us a slice of History while we can.....

Alex's Grandma

18:22 / 13.11.05

IMVHO;

It's a mistake, Russia.

It is a dreadful mistake.

modern maenad

20:32 / 13.11.05

How can a country that produces these be a mistake?

Axolotl

07:01 / 14.11.05

iirc I stayed in the Rossiya. Watch out for the static electricity build-up that gives you a shock when you touch any fixtures.
I second Xoc's metro recommendation - the stations really are spectacular.

Cat Chant

07:16 / 14.11.05

Have a good time. That is my travel tip. And I will talk to you when you get back, so make sure you get back in one piece.

pear

09:05 / 14.11.05

I lived there for a few months in 99 whilst studying at MGIMO and living with a family in the 1980 Olympic village in Krilatskoe on the outskirts of the city. There was a gorge and natural spring where everyone traipsed off to get their water in the norning after a swim in the rowing lake, it was a great little place.

Nightclubs changed owners and styles from week-to-week back then, So I'd have absolutely no idea what's good there these days. The Hungry Duck was the place back then, but I've heard that something amounting to Health and Safety got it shut down.

Concerts at the Kremlin are frequent and generally very good. Food-wise, if you're feeling a bit minted, go and try the borscht at the Europensy retaurant in the Metropol hotel, and have a look round the corner at the main restaurant where Rasputin used to hold his tea parties.

Loomis

09:09 / 14.11.05

I'm quite jealous as I'd love to go to Russia, and am hoping to do so in the next year or two. I don't have any tips for you but when you get back I'd be keen for any tips you can share on veggie eating in Russia.

modern maenad

09:59 / 14.11.05

Pear - thanks for that. Shall definitely check out Kremlin concerts, and Rasputin's tea party venue at Metropol hotel. Not sure if we'll make it as far as night life, as clocks are few hours ahead, so expecting to be annihilated by 10pm each night.....

Loomis: Have found most wonderful resource on being veggie in Russia, provided by the sardonic Uncle Pasha. I was hoping to go on one of his misery tours, but sadly he's not in Moscow when I am. Shall gladly report back upon my return. Don't know what your budget's gonna be like Loomis, but have found flights v. reasonable - booked direct with Aeroflot online couple of days ago (i.e. quite late in the day) and return direct flights at sociable hours only £210 including tax Heathrow to Moscow.

Loomis

10:48 / 14.11.05

That sounds like a good deal. I'm hoping to do the trans-Siberian railway from Moscow to Beijing but time and money will have to be organised a bit better first. And obviously the veggie issue looms large in that sort of trip.

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