Regional Information
Moscow & St Petersburg
At a Glance
Currency: Ruble
Language: Russian
Local Time: Irish/UK time +3 hours
Voltage: 220V - international adaptors purchased in Ireland / UK can be used.
Flight Duration: Approx. 4.5 hours
Climate: The European part of Russia has a continental climate, typified by exceedingly cold, long winters and hot summers. The main holiday season is during the warmest months of July and August, but it also rains a lot at this time. The best times to visit are May and June or September and October, avoiding most of the crowds and the rain.
Overview & Highlights
Moscow
Moscow is the capital of the world's biggest country, situated in the centre of the European part of Russia. The city of Moscow is a fusion of both splendour and ugliness that is evident in the massive concrete slabs and high-rise apartments of the Stalinist era, and in the ornate churches, beautiful neo-classical houses, and the impressive architecture of the old city. Wide grey thoroughfares give way to narrow winding inner city streets, and golden church domes gleam between the looming skyscrapers. It is also a city of entertainment, with theatres and the renowned Moscow Circus, museums and art galleries. It is the soul of the new Russia and an intriguing mix of history and politics, business and culture.
At the very heart of the city, and indeed the country, is the Kremlin, the Russian place of command for almost eight centuries, and the religious centre.
Red Square and the exquisite, colourful domes of Saint Basil's Cathedral, and the jewelled, Faberge Easter eggs of the Tsars are images that have long been associated with the Soviet Union in the minds of Westerners. Also on the Red Square you will find Lenin’s mausoleum.
The Bolshoy theatre (big theatre) is one of the best opera theaters in the world. It is hard to buy tickets, but if you manage to do this, you will like the show.
St Petersburg
Situated in Russia's west, on the Baltic Sea, St Petersburg is a powerful combination of both East and West, springing from the will and passion of its founder, Tsar Peter the Great to guide a resistant Russia into the greater fold of Europe, and consequently into the mainstream of history. Home to cultural figures like Gogol, Tchaikovsky and Dostoevsky, St. Petersburg has seen historic events like the end of the monarchy, the Bolshevik uprising and 1917's Revolution. With hundreds of museums and theaters, St. Petersburg is Russia's cultural heart.
Katherine's Winter Palace (designed by Rastrelli in the 18th century), is the former residence of Russian tsars, and is situated on the Palace Square, one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles in the world.
The Hermitage, with its collection of over 2.5 million exhibits, is one of the very finest art museums in the world.
The Russian Museum contains 3000 paintings (10th-20th centuries) by Russian artists.
Peterhof or Petrodvorets, once a formal garden built for Peter the Great, is a popular park has more than 80 of the original marble statues and sculptures and houses Peter's Summer Palace, a simply designed two-story building that now displays many of the ruler's own artifacts.
Getting Around
In Moscow the subway is certainly the best way to get around, and is fairly easy to navigate even if you don't have much in the way of Russian language skills. It's fairly clean, trains are very frequent and they can take you anywhere you'd want to go in this large city.
In St Petersburg the metro, buses and trolleybuses are clean, safe and cheap, but can get overcrowded during the day. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive. However, walking is the best way to explore the city's magnificent architectural facades and monuments.
Health/Security
The water from the tap passes international standard tests for health but it is not recommended to drink it for people not used to it.
Russia is relatively safe now despite the stories you hear but tourists should take the precautions they would in any major city. Avoid carrying large sums of cash, having cameras or video cameras loose, or leaving belongings unattended.
Passport/Visa
In order to get a Russian tourist visa, an invitation is needed. The invitation can be obtained through a hotel, a Russian travel agency or your local travel agent. The tourist visa is usually valid for up to 30 days.
Useful Contacts
Irish Embassy:
Grokholski Pereulok 5, 129010 Moscow
Tel: +7 095 937 5911, Fax: +7 095 975 2066
British Embassy:
10 Smolenskaya Naberzhnaya, 121099 Moscow
Tel: +7 495 956 7200, Fax: +7 495 956 7201
Email: Moscow@britishembassy.ru
Local Emergency Services: 112
Calling Russia from Ireland/UK: 00+ 7 + the number
Calling Ireland from Russia: 00 + 353 + area code + the number
Calling the UK from Russia: 00 + 44 + area code + the number
Useful Websites
www.russia-travel.com
www.moscow.info
www.saint-petersburg.com