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Russia Travel Guide - Dining and Drinking You are here: About > Travel > Eastern Europe for Visitors > Russia-Belarus-Ukraine > Russia Travel Resources > Travel Essentials - Russia > Russia Travel Guide - Dining and Drinking Travel Go Eastern Europe Essentials Best of Eastern Europe Map of Central/Eastern Europe Photo Gallery Country Profiles Discount Travel Websites Articles & Resources Planning Your Trip Ways to Travel What to Do in East Europe Maps for Eastern Europe Czech-SlovakTravel Hungary Travel Poland Travel Russia-Belarus-Ukraine Romania-Moldova Travel Baltic Travel Balkan Travel Culture and Holidays Photo Galleries East Europe Travel and Language Books Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Eastern Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Eastern Europe for Visitors Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Suggested Reading All Travel Guides Russia Travel Guide Profile of Russia Most Popular First Christmas Tree Europe map Best of Eastern Europe Croatia Naturism and Nudism Discount Travel Websites What's Hot Krakow Photo Gallery Profiles of Eastern Europe Moscow City Profile Czech Republic Photo Gallery - Charles Bridge and castle Sofia's Religous Buildings Related Topics Hotels / Resorts / Inns European History Architecture Air Travel Europe for Visitors Dining and Drinking - Russia From Apply Now , Your Guide to Eastern Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Russia Travel Guide One of the pleasures of travel is reveling in the food and drink of the local cuisine. Russia has plenty to offer in this respect, whether you opt for traditional Russian fare or meals representative of other CIS countries.
What Not to Eat
You can eat well in Russia at any budget. However, because some people get sick when they travel and eat unaccustomed food, this situation can happen in Russia also. So, because you don't want to spend time being miserable in your hotel room from a stomach problem, it's wise to be careful, just to be on the safe side. Some suggestions:
Don't drink tap water. Drink only bottled water. It comes with or without gas. When you order bottled water at restaurants, make sure the waiter brings you an unsealed bottle (not an open bottle that could have been filled with tap water). Of course, if you order water with gas, you won't have this possibility.
Brush your teeth with bottled water, not tap water.
Avoid salad bars (vegetables washed with tap water).
If you buy fruit, wash it with bottled water, not tap water. You get the picture with tap water.
If you order a coffee or tea, be aware you might be drinking tap water, but it's boiled.
Avoid food from sidewalk stands.
Enjoy all thoroughly cooked food.
I should note that I have broken all the suggestions above throughout Eastern Europe and not suffered consequences. I love going to cafes for coffee and eating ice cream from sidewalk vendors. But again, you may opt for the safest route than take a chance spending your precious visit too sick to enjoy it.
Restaurants
Moscow and St. Petersburg have a proliferation of well-known chains, including McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Burger King and TGI Fridays. But try to sample other food, as both Moscow and St. Petersburg can offer so much more. Check the English language newspapers such as the Moscow Times for listings of restaurants.
For restaurants in Moscow and St. Petersburg, also see these lists:
List of all types of restaurants in Moscow, from the Moscow City website
St. Petersburg restaurants Almost 500 restaurants listed.
Fodor's picks for Moscow restaurants
Fodor's picks for St. Peterburg's restaurants
Cuisine
Russian cuisine does wonderful things with meat, cabbage, potatoes, and dough (both bread and pastry). Well-known dishes include :
borsch (beet soup)
pelmeni (boiled dough pockets filled with meat)
beef roll (finely chopped meat and spices rolled in fine pastry)
chicken kiev
draniki (potato pancakes)
golubtsy (cabbage rolls filled with meat and rice, covered in a tomato broth)
There are many other dishes, with beef, pork, poultry and fish, as well as potato salad, pickled vegetables, mushrooms, caviar, and wonderful dark bread.
Don't forget dessert: bliny, ponchiki (doughnuts), kulich (rum cake) and ice cream.
Payment
In top restaurants you will likely be able to pay with credit cards. At smaller cafes and restaurants, you will probably have to pay with rubles.
Drinking in Russia
We'll get to the vodka later but first, know that Russians love to drink tea (chai). With samovars boiling away in offices and train compartments and lots of other places too, Russians drink tea all day long.
Vodka is a popular drink, and comes plain but also flavored: lemon, cranberry, herbs. It's hard to keep up with a Russian drinker so you may not want to try.
Beer (pivo) is also popular. Russian brands include Tinkov pilsner , Baltika, Stepan Rizan, Nevskoye, Klinskoye, and Tolstiyak. A low-alcohol beer is called kvas.
Russia also produces wine, with three million acres of vineyards. Russian wines aren't for everyone, as they can tend to have concentrated fruity flavors and some are rather sweet. While you're in Russia, you may want to try the wine of former Soviet republics, such as Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine. Popular white wines are the Anapa Riesling, Tsinandali, and Gourdzhuani. Reds are Saperavi and Mukuzani.
Tipping
Tipping has not yet become an expected norm in restaurants around Russia, although at better restaurants and cafes, you will find that patrons will do so. However, a normal rate has not been really established yet, so many people leave between five and ten percent, or more depending on the service. At not so fancy restaurants or cafes, you can round up the bill. Some restaurants will add service to your bill, so check first before you tip, and feel free not to tip at all if you believe the service doesn't deserve it. If there is a cloakroom where you need to leave your coat, there may be a sign telling you the amount to release your belongings. Otherwise, leave a few rubles or a dollar. Russia Travel Guide Index
Profile of Russia
City Profile: Moscow
City Profile: St. Petersburg
Before You Go
Need to Know
Money Matters
Intercity Travel
City Transit
Driving
Health and Safety
Lodging
Dining and Drinking
Communications
Shopping
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Japan Travel - Japan
Japan Travel - Japan Travel Planner - Plan Your Trip to Japan You are here: About > Travel > Japan for Visitors > Plan Your Trip to Japan > Japan Travel - Japan Travel Planner - Plan Your Trip to Japan Travel Go Japan Essentials Clickable Map of Japan Japan Pictures Japan Travel Tips Japanese Geisha Japan 101 - Fact about Japan Articles & Resources Japan Maps Picture of Japan / Web cams Best of Japan / Attractions Hotels/Accommodations Tokyo / Cities / Regions Japanese Translators Japanese Culture Etiquette / Living in Japan Japan Weather / Geography Japan History / Samurai Japanese Penpal / Chat Plan Your Trip to Japan Air Travel / Train Travel Restaurants / Japanese Food Japanese Gift / Japan Books Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Japanese Gifts Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Japan for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Japan for Visitors Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Suggested Reading Clickable Map of Japan Japan Photos Japan Hotels and Inns Recent Discussions Japanese Cooking School in Tokyo Need help with gift new U.S. business Most Popular New Year Cards Japanese Geisha Christmas in Japan Japanese Tattoos Free Japanese postcards - Japanese new year cards - japan fr... What's Hot Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo Related Topics Japanese Cuisine Japanese Language Asia for Visitors Anime PlayStation Games Japan Travel Planner From Shizuko Mishima , Your Guide to Japan for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Japan is a country that lies to the east of the Asian Continent. It's only the size of the state of California in the US (145,869 square miles), but there are about 125 million people living there. Japan consists of four major islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu) and many small islands. There are four beautiful seasons in Japan, visitors enjoy different scenes and events from each season. The modern Japan is rather westernized, but there are many places you can visit to see the old Japan. Here is all the information you need to plan an unforgettable trip to Japan. Before Going to Japan This is where you find all the necessary information: Visas, customs, maps, travel deals, money, weather, travelogues, travel agencies, and more. Getting Around Japan Everything from which airline (or train or ferry) to take to get to your destination, to how to get around once you've arrived. Find Flights to Japan by Kayak Where to Stay in Japan All the best places to stay in Japan: Japanese inns (ryokan), hotels, hostels, and guest houses. Find Japan Hotels by Kayak Dining in Japan All the best places to dine in Japan. Includes information about Japanese table manners . Best of Japan / Japan Attractions The top attractions, sightseeing, entertainment, shopping, sports, and other cultural experiences in Japan. Japan 101 / Living in Japan This is a real grab-bag of information: How to use the phone, banking, history, tradition, media, business, currency, time zone, and information on living, working, and studying in Japan for those of you who just can't get enough. Japan Images Take a look at interesting images of Japan! Japanese postcards, Japan photo galleries, and live cams. Japan Hot Topics Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo
South America Travel
CANOE Travel - South America -- December 28, 2005 Canada USA Mexico Central America Caribbean Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe South America Tips Trends Cybertrips Q&A Books -- Active Vacations Adventure Art Cruises Cultural Cybertrips -- Fall Getaways Families Golf Holidays Romantic Ski More -- Bed & Breakfast VIA Rail Canada All-Inclusive Vacations starting from C$747 Discount Travel Deals Tips on managing your debt -- Contest E-cards Newsletter Forum Feedback Weather Currency Calculator Passport Canada Info Canada Customs Info Travel Health Tips World Airports Guide Atevo Travel Guide Great Canadian Lakes Great Canadian Parks Great Canadian Places Great Canadian Rivers Natural Tourist Park Wardens Ski Canada -- South America Feature Destination: RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil Brazil exhibit honours lady in tutti-frutti hat Long before supermodel Gisele Bundchen exploded onto the fashion world, the original Brazilian bombshell had already detonated : Carmen Miranda. Now, on the 50th anniversary of her death, the Modern Art Museum is hosting "Carmen Miranda Forever," an exhibition honouring the Hollywood star that introduced Brazil and outrageous, fruit-laden turbans to moviegoers everywhere. FULL STORY More to Ecuador than Galapagos The Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador are among the world's most famous destinations, a once-in-a-lifetime trip near the top of many travellers' wish-lists. FULL STORY SouthAmerica -- Forever tango Seventy-eight-year-old Carlos Lazzari is the Gordie Howe of tango music in Buenos Aires. His talent shows. When Lazzari picks up his bandoneon, the lightning quick tango steps of the dancers on stage step up to an ever more frantic pace. FULL STORY SouthAmerica -- Ski season's not over yet Hold on, don't put those skis away just yet. The season is just approaching south of the Equator, and a little research on the Web can take you to spots such as the Andes Mountains resort of Portillo, Chile. FULL STORY SouthAmerica -- PHOTO GALLERY: South America Click here to enlarge photo and view full Travel Gallery. Friendly smiles outshine scenic beauty Though it's widely accepted that those who live on Canada's East Coast are some of the friendliest on earth, it took a firsthand experience to get this cynical Southern Ontarian to truly understand. FULL STORY More In My Travels Share Your Travel Stories Attention Canoe Travel readers! We want to hear about your vacation. What made it good? What would you recommend others to avoid? Give us a short story (500 to 1,000 words) about your travels, and we might publish it here. Add your photos too! Submit stories now -- ADVERTORIAL -- 'Paris of the South' Wonders of Patagonia Brazil's other Carnival A symphony on the sea Where legends live More South America Headlines -- The Prairies: Sculpted by glaciers Like the adjoining Boreal Plains to the north, glaciers have largely flattened the land here, leaving behind a thick layer of dark, humus-rich topsoil that has made the Prairies very fertile, and created Canada's most extensive agricultural region. But it is mainly because of farming that the once ubiquitous grasslands, the northern limit of the Great Plains of North America, are now mostly gone. FULL STORY More in Park Wardens Dec 28: Evolution of banjo from hollow gourd featured in Washington art exhibit Dec 28: Christmas tree catches fire at Disneyland hotel; more than 2,000 evacuated Dec 27: Union representing striking Mont-Tremblant resort workers wants better offer Dec 27: Shroud of Turin, the original ice-cream bar among Olympic city's attractions Dec 26: Azerbaijan Airlines suspends flights by Ukrainian-built plane after crash Dec 25: Iran holding German, French tourists whose boat strayed into its waters Dec 24: Christmas spirit returns to Bethlehem for 1st time in six years Dec 24: Mont Tremblant tells striking workers: offer good for a few more days Dec 23: Tsunami's destruction also brings promise of renewal to remote Indian territory More Travel News Headlines [an error occurred while processing this directive] New Year's Eve Deals Still Available Toronto to Santiago de Cuba $597 + tx $199 Toronto to Camaguey $597 + tx $199 Toronto to Puerto Plata $497 + tx $274 Vancouver to Varadero $835 Calgary to Mazatlan $579 -- Click here to sell your vehicle hotelier.ca Get great deals on hotels with hotelier.ca
Travel Insurance FAQs About
Travel Insurance - Columbus Direct (Australia) Our Travel Insurance Assistance & Claims Travel Tips Travel Insurance FAQs About Us Contact Us Travel Insurance - Are you paying too much? As pioneers in travel insurance, Columbus Direct always put the customer first. That's why our travel insurance is typically much cheaper than that offered by travel agents and some other travel insurance providers.* How can we do it? Well, we sell direct, so we cut out the high commissions typically paid to agents and pass these savings on to you, and you'll get the same low price travel insurance whether you call or purchase online. So if you're looking for cheap prices and great service, don't buy your travel insurance until you've checked us out. What our customers say about our travel insurance... I recently purchased insurance from you for the third time in 12 mths as you are great value (even though my husband works for an insurance co). The policy is comprehensive and I have recommended Columbus to friends... - Leanne Read more customer feedback Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance for frequent travellers... You could save even more with our Annual Multi-Trip policy. Year-round cover for all your international trips of up to 60 days. Prices from just $250. Read more about our annual travel insurance * When compared to the most similar travel insurance products. Cover varies between providers. Columbus Direct Travel Insurance, 62 Alexander Street, Crows Nest NSW 2065, Australia Columbus Direct does not provide advice about travel insurance based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation and needs. To decide if our travel insurance is right for you, please read the Product Disclosure Statement. If you purchase a policy, Columbus will receive a commission based on the type and duration of the travel insurance that is never more than 40% of the premium paid (excluding any GST and Stamp Duty). Columbus Direct Travel Insurance Pty Limited (ABN 99 107 050 582) is an Australian Financial Services Licence holder: No. 246636. © 2005 Columbus Direct Travel Insurance Pty Limited. All rights reserved. Annual Travel Insurance | Ski Travel Insurance | Travel Insurance Australia | Travel Insurance Quote Home | Privacy Policy | Resources | Visit our New Zealand site | Visit our UK site Get a travel Insurance quote now... Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm Australia DST Get a travel insurance quote now... Secure online purchasing Call us to pay by Amex, Diners, cheque or money order. COLUMBUS DIRECT TRAVEL INSURANCE The Columbus St Bernard: A trusted brand for more than 15 years. Columbus Direct Travel Insurance policies are underwritten by certain underwriters at Lloyd's of London Get a travel insurance quote now...
Taiwan travel links Direct
BBC NEWS | Business | 'Progress' on Taiwan travel links NEWS SPORT WEATHER WORLD SERVICE WHERE I LIVE -- A-Z INDEX SEARCH You are in: Business News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business E-Commerce Economy Market Data Entertainment Science/Nature Technology Health ------------- Talking Point ------------- Country Profiles In Depth ------------- Programmes ------------- SERVICES Daily E-mail News Ticker Mobile/PDAs ------------- Text Only Feedback Help EDITIONS Change to UK Thursday, 17 October, 2002, 07:00 GMT 08:00 UK 'Progress' on Taiwan travel links Direct transport links could help ease economic woes Taiwanese officials have given a positive reception to a proposal from China to ease the way towards re-establishing direct transport links with the mainland. In an interview with a Taiwan newspaper, China's Vice Premier Qian Qichen suggested transport links could be described as "cross-strait" rather than "domestic". Verbal distinctions have played an important role in hostilities between Beijing and Taipei, whose leaders say they are heading a sovereign state, the Republic of China. Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian had rejected the use of the word "domestic", saying it would "belittle, provincialise and marginalise" Taiwan. 'Worth encouraging' Taiwan's Cabinet decided last year that it wanted to restore direct transport to the mainland for the first time in more than 50 years. Direct transport links were severed after the Communist victory in China's civil war in 1949. Two high-ranking Taiwanese officials have welcomed Mr Qian's proposal, though the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council has declined to comment. "The change is worth encouraging," said Chiou I-jen,secretary-general of the National Security Council. He told a parliamentary sub-committee that the shift was a goodwill gesture. "But details need to be discussed by both sides," he added. Taiwan's transport minister, Lin Lin-san, also welcomed the proposal: "I think labelling them as cross-strait routes is a positive concept. It is progress." New policy Taiwan's Cabinet is in the midst of an internal discussion on how to re-open direct transport, trade and postal services and is due to complete its review of the issue by November. Taiwan has already lifted a ceiling on mainland investment by Taiwanese firms and allowed them to invest directly in China rather than via a third country. It has also eased curbs on mainland investment by the sensitive semi-conductor industry, which forms the backbone of Taiwan's economy. In the interview with popular Taiwan paper United Daily News, Mr Qian maintained Beijing's insistence on the need for Taiwan to "recognise 'one China' before we can enter into political negotiations". "But the three links does not need political negotiations, it is an economic issue," he added. "Therefore talks can proceed." WTO membership deal Deal done in Doha China enters WTO fold Final accord at hand Insurance row settled WTO 'breakthrough' Deal's history EU resolves differences US clinches deal US Congress votes EU-China agree deal US signs historic deal Analysis Consumer revolution Migrants flood cities Entry to boost growth Extra gains for US, EU Price controls cut Boon for stock market China's US trade critics Case Studies Bamboo coffin exports Olympic tourism hopes Dog food brand plan See also: 07 Nov 01 | Business Taiwan eases China trade restrictions 19 Oct 01 | Business Asia braced for China's WTO entry 13 Aug 01 | Business Taiwan to free up China investment 12 Aug 01 | Asia-Pacific New party to reshape Taiwan politics 10 Aug 01 | Asia-Pacific Taiwan denies UN bid threatens China 06 Aug 01 | Country profiles Country profile: Taiwan Top Business stories now: Hacker breaches credit card security Job losses escalate at Reuters New SEC chief pledges tough line Oil prices push higher Rwanda denies DRC plundering Overseas sales drive Wal-Mart Congo's finance minister resigns Blair keeps euro options open Links to more Business stories are at the foot of the page. E-mail this story to a friend Links to more Business stories In This Section Hacker breaches credit card security Job losses escalate at Reuters New SEC chief pledges tough line Oil prices push higher Rwanda denies DRC plundering Overseas sales drive Wal-Mart Congo's finance minister resigns Blair keeps euro options open ^^ Back to top News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health | Talking Point | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To BBC Sport>> | To BBC Weather>> | To BBC World Service>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMIII | News Sources | Privacy