Going to Russia for the first time.

[falconpilot]

Headed to Russia next month. St. Petersburg and Moscow. What are the do's and don'ts?

 

[MMO 0.705]

Head to the club underneath the metropol hotel.

 

[justthewife]

Just like any other big city, really. Keep close tabs on your money, passport, etc. Watch yourself on the metro (subway), or busses (if you take them), as they are crowded and it's really easy to find yourself pickpocketed. You can get just about anywhere with the public transit system, and it's cheap, so you'll probably be using it. Just know ahead of time that they are crowded and you need to be aware of yourself and your belongings, just like anywhere. That's the main thing. Other than that, have fun. Two great cities with a TON of culture. You could spend weeks in each one just exploring the historical and cultural sites. Anyway, they've both undergone tremendous changes in the past 15 years and are now such large tourist destinations, that they are almost like any other big city anywhere else in the world, except with better bread and absolutely beautiful women (and I'm a girl!). Hope you have a great time!

 

[AerroMatt]

Great places to have a lot of fun, and do a lot of sightseeing! Recommend you get in the habit of putting your wallet in your FRONT pocket. This way it will be tougher to lose it.

Must see places include the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow, as well as the Hermitage (the Winter Palace) and the Summer Palace in St Petersburg. If you go to the Kremlin, check out the Armory. It has all of the crown jewels of the Romanoff Dynasty on display (sorry, no photos allowed). Photos aren't allowed of paintings in the Hermitage either (flashes ruin them), but the Throne room is impressive to see. If you like art, I highly recommend the Tretiakovsky Art Museum in Moscow. I also recommend the tour boats that take day tours of the canals in St Petersburg as it is a great way to view the architecture of the old city.

It might help to search around for a local guide who speaks English, as it can be difficult to impossible to communicate otherwise. The female guides are downright HOT too! If you don't, try to learn some russian, including the Cyrillic alphabet, as there are no translations of signs into Arabic lettering.

Security is tight in Moscow. Do not be surprised if a Soldier or Policeman walks up to you, salutes, and says "Papers". He is just asking to see your passport and visa, and should send you on your way with no questions asked.

Avoid inviting locals to your room. They will slip a Micky Finn in your drink and you will wake up the next morning missing your wallet, money, papers, and anything they consider valuable. If any Gypsy boys try begging money from you, I've found that yelling "Scram!" at them will send em on their way. They don't understand the word, but it scares em nonetheless.

Enjoy your trip! I wish I was going there before next year!

 

[mzaharis]

I havent' been in 22 years (So I don't have anything personally useful), but this might be of use:

http://www.economist.com/cities/citiesmain.cfm?city_id=MCW

 

[AerroMatt]

Here's a useful website, www.gotorussia.com. I've only used them for Visas in the past, but I believe they are a respectable outfit. Useful links, and they offer guide services and travellers tips.