Russian Federation

Click on any of the following below for information about The Russian Federation

Here is a quick overview on The Russian Federation
Although this page is currently under some extensive reconstruction, there is still a lot of good information you can use for your visit to Russia.

TopRussia - Many changes have happened in Russia in the last few years and it is now considered a spot for travelers to come and see the changes and the old-style Russia—all in the same trip. Russia is a very large country that extends throughout much of Eurasia. A great portion of northern Asia and part of Western Europe are part of this vast country. Its capital city is Moscow with another large city being St. Petersburg. The people of Russia feel they have a great deal to offer tourists wanting to visit there. For a lot of good information about Russia, visit http://www.toprussia.com

Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious!

Russian resources on the Web - A collection of interesting Russian websites. Universities, museums, periodicals, music, software, and more.

Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

Passports, Visa Information, and Entry Requirements
In order to enter Russia a valid passport and entry visa are required. All visas except transit type are issued by Russian embassies/consulates abroad based on a support letter (the so-called "izveshenie" or invitation) from a Russian individual or organization, e.g. 'sponsor.' It is vital to know your sponsor and how he/she can be contacted, as Russian law requires the sponsor to apply for extension, replacement or any other changes to visa. The US Consulate in St. Petersburg (and Embassy in Moscow) cannot act as sponsor.

All travelers staying in Russia more than 3 days must register their visa through a hotel or their sponsor. Visitors who overstay their visa's validity (even for one day), or neglect to register, may be prevented from leaving and/or pay late registration fine at the customs when leaving from Russia. Thus, travelers who have not registered their visa during their visit run potential risk of missing their flight back home, as filling out forms and paying the fine takes some time.

Travelers planning to stay more than 3 months in Russia must present a negative HIV certificate. The certificate must contain applicant's passport data, proposed length of stay, blood test results for HIV infection, including date of test, signature of doctor conducting test, medical examination results, diagnostic series and seal of hospital/medical organization. Certificate must be in Russian and English, and valid for 3 months from the date of medical examination.

Money Matters: cash, travelers' checks, ATM machines
The Ruble is the only legal tender on the entire territory of the Russian Federation. According to Russian laws, it is illegal to pay for goods and services in foreign currency, with the exception of authorized retail establishments. Old and tarnished $, £... bills and coins will not be accepted at banks and exchange offices - money changers want to deal with pristine banknotes only.

Travelers' checks and credit cards are not widely accepted. Although in major cities there appear more restaurants and shops welcoming credit cards. However, in most cases you will have to pay in cash. If you do bring travelers' checks, you can cash them either at American Express offices or at a local bank. You will be charged a commission varying from 1% (at the official Amex office) to 4% for this transaction. Major hotels or Amex suggest locations for obtaining cash advances on credit cards.

ATM or Credit Card Advance machines accept PLUS or Cirrus ATM networks, Visa, MasterCard and Amex. Depending on a Russian bank that maintains a cash machine, you may be charged 1 - 4% fee in overcharges. You can also cash credit cards at most exchange offices without using an ATM machine: all you need is your card and a valid passport. A fee of 3-4% for this service is standard.

You need to present your passport for any currency operation at exchange offices! Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious!

Customs Regulations
Russian customs regulations are complicated and highly discretionary. 30% duty is required to export personal item(s) worth over $10,000. Moreover, additional export duties apply to any items determined by customs officials to be of commercial use.

Certain items, such as caviar, medications, jewelry, precious or semi-precious stones, or metals and fuel may be exported duty-free in limited amounts.

As computers' hard-drives may be scanned by customs officials, it is recommended to present your laptops to customs several hours prior to you departure. For more information on bringing a laptop to and out of Russia you can check http://www.epinions.com/./trvl-review-4654-AC20686-3A369E71-prod1.

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Getting To The Russian Federation
Coming Soon. In the mean time, check Travelocity for good prices on flights.

At Travelocity, not only can you find the lowest fare or best schedule on over 400 airlines, but you can also find Great Car Rental Deals, Low hotel rates when you click on Hotel Deals, hundreds of Cruise Deals, some of the Top Vacation Deals on the Internet and much more. You can click on the Weather Center to see what the weather will be like at your destination, and even use their Currency Converter So you will be ready to go as soon as your arrive. At Travelocity, you can find it all.

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Getting Around In The Russian Federation
The Train rain is still the most inexpensive way to travel in Russia: one can expect to pay 12~15$ for a 20-24 hour 3rd class ride of approximately 1000-1500 kms in length. 3rd class is about 30% of the 2nd class price. Both of these types of train are reasonably clean and provide each passenger with a berth or bunk to sleep. Overall, they are much better than trains in the other parts of the world. Travelling from Moscow to Vladivostok takes one week and covers more than 9000 kilometers. >>More

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Some Things To See And Do In The Russian Federation

Worldwide Riding Vacations : A Global Guide - Not just a guide to dude ranches, this handsome updated edition lists more strenuous and interesting equestrian trips by continent and then by country. Printed on heavy coated stock and illustrated with many color photographs, it includes over 100 entries. Each lists the company, address, phone number, E-mail, FAX, closest airports, price, and when available. There are descriptions of accommodations, meals, activities, and the horses and riding equipment, as well as a list of equestrian travel agencies and associations. British equestrian writer Ruler writes frequently on riding vacations and is an amateur horseman. Sacks, a former college professor, now owns a horse farm. Includes ideas for riding vacations in Russia.

For accommodations in The Russian Federation, click on Hotels in Russia

Moscow - My preferred hotel chain is Marriott. I have stayed Residence Inns, which are prefect for longer stays with all the comforts of home; Spring Hill Suites, which I have found nice for longer stays as the have up to 25% more room than comparably priced rooms; Towne Place Suites, again when I want more room or am on a longer stay; Courtyard by Marriott, which has everything the business traveler needs, as well as families; Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, which I find spacious, comfortable and affordable. Another great idea is to stay at one of the JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts where you can enjoy a new dimension for your vacation or holiday. and Marriott Hotels and Resorts and have found them all to be of consistent quality and service. I have also stayed at some of their Vacation Club properties and have enjoyed each visit. AAA members can get discount rates at Marriott, as can Seniors. Click on Great Getaways for less at Marriott for special officers and great deals at Marriott hotels worldwide!

HotelsCentral.com - Offers discount hotel reservations in Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Spain, The Netherlands, Ukraine, United Kingdom. We offer locally negotiated prices and local customer support.

Click on Russia for suggestions for accommodations in Russia prepared for Getting Away by the Hotel Club Hotel Club Discount Hotel Reservation System.

Moscow Hotels - Make your reservations in a great hotel in Moscow today and, even better, get great discounts by reserving through Getting Away!
Click here for hotels in selected other worldwide locations.

Book Hostels in Russia Online You can also find a hostel almost anywhere in the world through Experience Paradise, a partner of Getting Away.

Click on St. Petersburg for great rates from hotelguide.com.
Hotel Guide features hotels in over 200 countries. Their site steers the user to the best deals by scanning multiple websites within seconds. hoteguide.com then pulls out, leaving the booking service provider offering the best deal to close the transaction with the user. The idea is to guide users through the bazaar of online hotel booking websites allowing users to see the best deals at once and to make a wise choice. hotelguide.com - check it out before you check in!

At Travelocity, not only can you find the lowest fare or best schedule on over 400 airlines, but you can also find Great Car Rental Deals, Low hotel rates when you click on Hotel Deals, hundreds of Cruise Deals, some of the Top Vacation Deals deals on the Internet and much more. You can click on the Weather Center to see what the weather will be like at your destination, and even use their Currency Converter So you will be ready to go as soon as your arrive. At Travelocity, you can find it all.

St. Petersburg Hotels Make your reservations in a great hotel in St. Petersburg today and, even better, get great discounts by reserving through Getting Away! Click here for hotels in selected other worldwide locations.

Click on Moscow for great rates from hotelguide.com.
Hotel Guide features hotels in over 200 countries. Their site steers the user to the best deals by scanning multiple websites within seconds. hoteguide.com then pulls out, leaving the booking service provider offering the best deal to close the transaction with the user. The idea is to guide users through the bazaar of online hotel booking websites allowing users to see the best deals at once and to make a wise choice. hotelguide.com - check it out before you check in!

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Some Suggestions For Dining In The Russian Federation
Coming Soon

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Some Favorites In The Russian Federation
Coming Soon

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Some Interesting Links For The Russian Federation
Moscow Hotels - Make your reservations in a great hotel in Moscow today and, even better, get great discounts by reserving through Getting Away! Click here for hotels in selected other worldwide locations.

Book Hostels in Russia Online You can also find a hostel almost anywhere in the world through Experience Paradise, a partner of Getting Away.

St. Petersburg Hotels - Make your reservations in a great hotel in St. Petersburg today and, even better, get great discounts by reserving through Getting Away! Click here for hotels in selected other worldwide locations.

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Russia Business Etiquette and Culture
An excellent guide to business culture and etiquette in Russia.
Executive Planet™ provides valuable tips on business etiquette, customs and protocol for doing business worldwide. Our guides are co-authored by experts in international business etiquette, who are available to answer your questions on the discussion board.

This guide to Russia business etiquette and culture covers many aspects of doing business in Russia. It is our goal to provide practical, accurate, and up-to-date tips on Russia business culture and etiquette, written by experts in business consulting in Russia. We encourage visitors to leave questions or comments on our discussion boards, moderated by experts in intercultural training and business. Click On: Executive Planet - Russia

This guide contains the following articles:
Let's Make a Deal - negotiating tactics, the value of connections, recommended business card style and content, business card protocol, sitting and presenting yourself in meetings, language for brochures and promotional material, pace of business, preferred presentation styles, final agreements, thinking styles, adherence to company policy, and more on Russia business culture . . . Prosperous Entertaining - typical mealtimes throughout the day, best venues for business entertaining, punctuality for social events, dinner table seating etiquette, mealtime etiquette, importance of alcohol, toasting, guidelines for hosting a banquet/social event, what foods should be served/avoided, accepting and declining invitations, and more on Russia business etiquette. . . Appointment Alert! - typical vacation times, recommended appointment times, length of the lunch hour, signals that indicate beginning or end of an appointment, best arrival time (early, late, right on time), and more on Russia business culture. . . Gift Giving - recommended gifts, gifts to avoid, good and bad colors for wrapping paper, how to present a gift to individuals and groups, guidelines for receiving gifts, and more on Russia business culture. . . First Name or Title? - using titles such as 'Doctor', naming conventions to avoid, when to use first names, and more. . . Public Behavior - how to greet strangers and introduce yourself, the rules for men shaking hands with women, acceptable demeanor, rules for eye contact, gestures/sayings to avoid, and more on Russia business culture. . . Business Dress - is dress modest, conservative, etc., specific dress requirements for men and women, what visitors should wear to social functions, and more on Russia business culture. . Conversation - welcome and unwelcome topics of conversation, the role of compliments, the tone of voice to be used, whether your hosts are physical or more reserved, and more on Russia business etiquette. For additional information, click on http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=Russia

If you have information you believe should be added to this page of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting Away. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com