2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide - (Page 33)

May to October FUN FACT: "White Nights" in St. Petersburg is a special event during June and July, the peak of summer, when the nights are long and big cities host festivals and many cultural events GETTING THERE: Delta flies to Moscow from New York (JFK); and to St. Petersburg connecting through Amsterdam, Paris, and Rome ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport; travelers from most countries must apply for a Russian visa, and visas can't be obtained at the airport CURRENCY: Russian Rubles LOCAL FOODS: solyanka-a salty, sour and sometimes spicy soup combined with meat or fish and topped with smetana, Russian sour cream BEST BUYS: Hand-painted wood souvenirs, original art, Amber jewelry, vodka, and porcelain products INFORMATION PLEASE: russia-travel.com BEST TIME TO GO: Moscow As the largest city in Russia, as well as one of the world's largest urban economies, Moscow is filled to the brim with museums, theaters and cultural must-dos, not to mention stunning green spaces that invite visitors to enjoy the great outdoors. SEE: Red Square is the soul of the city, filled with historical sites every few steps. Here, visitors can see the 16th century St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum, and many more awe-inspiring sights. SAVOR: You can shop till you drop near the Garden Ring and at Red Square, home to the widely popular GUM department store. Souvenirs and antiques can be found along Arbat Street. SIGNATURE EVENT: The Golden Mask Festival, which takes place in the spring, is a 2-month-long showcase of performances by Russia's premier drama, opera, dance and musical performers. STAY: Guests staying at The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow are greeted with bread and salt-a symbol of friendship-and vodka, Russia's treasure. The 334-room and -suite property, located near Red Square, is surrounded by the city's best-known sites and features the rooftop 02 Lounge, the Novikov Restaurant & Bar, the Ritz-Carlton Club Level, and the Spa by ESPA with an indoor pool, a jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms, and a fitness center. CRUISE: Moscow welcomes various river cruise lines to its port on the Moscow Canal, including Uniworld and Viking, which offer lengthy stays in the city before departing for other ports in Russia. The State Historical Museum on Red Square in Moscow. St. Petersburg Ranked as the second largest city in Russia, St. Petersburg, located on the Neva River, is often described as the most Westernized city in Russia, as well as its cultural capital. The historic architecture of the city-center consists mostly of Baroque and neoclassical buildings, and so it's no surprise that the Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. SEE: A must is a visit to the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in the city-it opened in 1733. It's a Baroquestyle building that contrasts widely in design from the city's other Orthodox churches. Interesting fact: St. Peter wanted to turn the church into a tomb for Russian rulers, so burials in the unfinished church began in the summer of 1708, and now all the Russian tsars of the Romanov dynasty, except Peter II and Ivan VI, are buried there. SAVOR: The Saint-Petersburg HandMade Theatre, which opened in 2007, gives guests the chance to take in a puppetry show...but keep in mind, this isn't your average puppet show, as the "puppet figures" are created by the actors' arms and feet. SIGNATURE EVENT: 2016 marks the 10th anniversary of the Christmas Fair, which will be held in the tradition of the old Russian fairs. The 3-week-long festival will showcase the country's Christmas traditions, as well as those from Germany, Italy, India, China, and Switzerland, among others. The fair runs Dec. 18, 2016 to Jan. 10, 2017. STAY: The State Hermitage Museum Official Hotel is a relatively new addition to The State Hermitage Museum. Staying true to the museum's philosophy and values via its design and service, this property features a spa, a gym, a pool, and an onsite restaurant. CRUISE: Known as the "Venice of the North," St. Petersburg is a popular port of call for major cruise lines-both river and ocean cruises-including Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Scenic Cruises. 33 RUSSIA FACTS http://www.russia-travel.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide

Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Holland
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Ghana
Kenya
Morocco
Nigeria
South Africa
Senegal
Tanzania
Egypt
India
Israel
Turkey
United Arab Emirates

2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide