Russia Travel

* GoToRussia.Ru * When you wish to visit Russia :: Information, tips, guides, routes, cities, excursions, etc. Visa To Russia Online Tourist invitations; Business Visa Visit: www.VisaToRussiaOnline.com Call: +7 095 7413870 ABOUT RUSSIA: HISTORY TRAVEL TIPS RUSSIAN EMBASSIES ENTRY Requirements VISA CURRENT PRICES PHRASE BOOK FAQ ABOUT MOSCOW: HISTORY ARRIVING BY PLANE MEETING AT SVO CUSTOMS ARRIVING BY TRAIN METRO FOREIGN EMBASSIES WHAT TO SEE MAPS AND PLANS Travel Tips What to pack. The days of having to bring your own bottled water and toilet paper have gone long time ago, although you may still find them useful in regional cities. Now it is possible to easily find basic food, bottled water and toiletry items in many places around Moscow. However, the following are items some tourists prefer to bring for themselves. 1. Bring your own toiletries and pharmaceuticals. Although there are many stores carrying western medicines, you may not be able to read the Russian or European labels. 2. Comfortable, waterproof and warm, (if winter) boots or shoes. It is frequently wet in Moscow from snow or rain, and you will probably walk a lot. 3. Umbrella. 4. Adapter for small appliances like hair dryers. Russia has the same 220 watt currency as Europe and electrical sockets take round two prong plugs. 5. Travel alarm clock. 6. All phone numbers and addresses you will need. 7. Enough cash for your entire stay. Bring clean, crisp, new bills. 8. Travel money holder/conceiler. Pickpocketing is not uncommon, especially in the center of town and incrowded markets. 9. Photocopy of passport and visa. 10. Warm hat, coat, clothes and gloves in winter. 11. Camera and film, of course. 12. Leave your expensive jewelry at home. You don't need to be conspicuous. 13. Locks for your luggage. Make sure to secure all your baggage with heavy locks. Money Currency: Rouble (Rub) = 100 kopeks. Notes are in denominations of Rub 500, 100, 50, 10. Coins are in denominations of Rub 5, 2 and 1. Currency exchange: The ruble is the only legal tender. It is illegal to pay for goods and services in U.S. dollars. According to the Rusian law foreign currency should only be exchanged at official bureaux. Bureaux de change are numerous and easy to locate. Large shops offer their own exchange facilities. You may see many individuals there who would offer you better exchange rate. Please, be careful and under no circumstances exchange money from them. It is advisable not to change large amount of money at a time unless you really need a lot of Roubles. Exchange rate is unpredictable and may change very fast even during one day. All dollar bills must be recent and clean. The Russians are all concerned about getting stuck with an outdated bill that will no longer be honoured, even though this is also a violation of currency laws. Contact us to get more info on today's best exchange rate quotes. more about money... Credit cards Major European and international credit cards, including American Express, Visa and Diners Club, are accepted in the larger hotels and at foreign currency shops and restaurants. Some ATM'S in Moscow are now accepting EC cards together with your PIN number - if you want to get roubles. Compared to most other possibilities of getting roubles, this is a cheap (compared to credit cards) and time saving (compared to travellers cheques) method. Depending on the Russian bank that maintains the cash machine, you may be charged a 1% - 4% commission fee, on top of what your credit card charges. Travellers Cheques Are a big hassle in Russia. Very few places take them and you pay a premium to cash them. If you're not willing to go all cash, credit cards are much better. AMEX traveler's checks may be cashed at the American Express office at Sadovaya Kudrinskaya 21a in the center of town. Expect to pay a 3% commission for cashing the checks. Selected Russian banks will also cash them for a fee. Banking hours 0900 am - 0500 pm Monday to Friday. Some of bureaux de exchange are open 24 hours. Public Holidays Jan 1 - New Year, Jan 7 - Russian Christmas (Orthodox), Mar 8 - International women’s Day, Apr 15 - Russian Orthodox Easter, May 1-2 - Spring and Labour Day, May 9 - Victory in Europe Day, Jun 12 - Russian Independence Day, Aug 22 - National Flag Day, Nov 7 Constitution Day. Calling home? Calling abroad from ALL Russian hotels is a rip-off. For example, to call USA would cost you about US$ 5 per minute, Australia - US$ 8 per minute. To make sure you pay your phone bill most of the hotels require a deposit of a quite a large amount of money or your credit card information. Without it you won't be able to dial an outside line. There is a solution, however. In our office you can obtain pre-paid phone cards of a few Russian telephone companies (US$ 5, US$ 10, US$ 20, US$ 25 and US$ 50) and call from your hotel or home for as low as 25 cents a minute to the USA and Europe. All you need is a touch-tone phone. Some of the hotels in Moscow and in St.-Petersburg and almost all hotels in all other cities in Russia do not have touch-tone phones. But you still be able to use those cards if before you leave home you buy a bipper (cost about US$ 5 in the USA). With the bipper all you have to do is to dial a number shown on the card and then use the bipper to enter your access code and destination phone number. Please, contact us for more information. To call USA from Moscow for as low as 13.5 cents a minute you can use Net Phone Card. Follow this link to check it out. Or just click on the Net Phone Card banner on our first (entrance) page to go there. You can also use it to call from anywhere to anywhere. Computer equipment The State Customs Committee has stated that there are no restrictions on bringing laptop computers into the Russian Federation for personal use. The software, however, can be inspected upon departure; and some equipment and software have been confiscated because of the data contained in them, or due to software encryption, which is standard in many programs. HIV Testing Requirement Any person applying for a visa for a stay of more than three months must present a certificate showing that the individual is HIV negative. The certificate must contain the applicant's passport data, proposed length of stay in Russia, blood test results for HIV infection, including date of the test, signature of the doctor conducting the test, medical examination results, diagnostic series, and seal of the hospital/medical organization. The certificate must be in both Russian and English and valid for three months from the date of medical examination and blood test. For information concerning entry, exit, and HIV requirements, travelers can contact the Russian Embassy, Consular Division, 1825 Phelps Place, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20008; telephone (202) 939-8918, or the Russian consulates in New York, San Francisco or Seattle. Medical facilites Medical care is usually far below Western standards, with severe shortages of basic medical supplies. Access to the few quality facilities that exist in major cities usually requires cash payment at Western rates upon admission. The U.S. Embassy and consulates maintain lists of such facilities and English-speaking doctors. Many resident Americans travel to the West for virtually all of their medical needs; such travel can be very expensive, if undertaken under emergency conditions. Therefore, travelers may wish to check their insurance coverage and consider supplemental coverage for medical evacuation. Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at particular risk. The cost of a medical evacuation from the Russian Far East can be as high as $50,000. It is helpful to carry a letter, in Russian, from your health care provider, describing the nature of any personal medication that you carry into Russia. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline (404) 332-4559, or via the CDC home page on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/. Bring with you all prescription drugs. Tap water is not to be drunk without first boiling. A good mosquito repellant is recommended for summer. Areas of instability Travel to Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, and the areas surrounding Chechnya is extremely dangerous due to political instability and frequent kidnappings. Two U.S. citizens have disappeared in Chechnya and remain unaccounted for. In addition, public gatherings and demonstrations occur frequently in Russia, particularly in Moscow. Although such demonstrations are usually peaceful, travelers are urged to exercise caution when in areas where large groups are gathered. Passports and visas Carry them with you at all times. When you are out walking and you see some motley looking guys with black leather caps and jackets with dark gray uniforms, these are the police. They listen for English language being spoken and they will love it if they stop you and you are without your passport and visa. If you don't have your visa and passport, they will escort you to the nearest jail and try their best at expropriating whatever funds they think they can get out of you. Usually, the fine (bribe) is $50 and there won't be anything we can do for you to get you out of it. If the cops haul you in and you do have your visa and passport, call us immediately and we will rescue you. Your visas, if registered through us, will be in perfect order. Don't pay them anything if, once again, you have your visa and passport in your possession. Air travel Air travel within Russia is often unreliable, with unpredictable schedules and difficult conditions, including deterioration of the quality of service. Russian based airlines certified to operate internationally meet higher standards than domestic-only air carriers and fly to most domestic destinations. Traffic safety and road condition Inclement weather and lack of routine maintenance of roads and vehicles make road conditions throughout Russia highly variable. Drivers and pedestrians should exercise extreme caution to avoid accidents, which are commonplace. Many accidents involve drunk drivers. Traffic police sometimes stop motorists to extract cash "fines," and bandits occasionally prey on travelers. Crime information Crime against foreigners is a problem, especially in major cities. Pickpocketings, assaults, and robberies can occur frequently and at any time or place. The most vulnerable areas include underground walkways and the subway, overnight trains, train stations, airports, markets, tourist attractions, restaurants, hotel rooms, and residences, even when locked or occupied. Groups of children are known to assault and rob foreigners on city streets or underground walkways. Foreigners who have been drinking alcohol are especially vulnerable to assault and robbery in or around nightclubs or bars, or on their way home. Robberies may occur in taxis shared with strangers. Travelers have found it safer to travel in groups organized by reputable tour agencies. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you receive a replacement for your lost or stolen U.S. passport in Russia, your exit visa must also be replaced, with assistance from your sponsor, so that the passport number written on the visa matches your new passport. This requires a Russian police report. The Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" provides useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad. Additional information on the region can be found in the brochure "Tips for Travelers to Russia and the Newly Independent States." Both publications are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402. Crime Against Foreign Businesses: Extortion and corruption are common in the business environment. Organized criminal groups target foreign businesses in many cities and have been known to demand protection money under threat of serious violence. Many Western firms hire security services which have improved their overall security, although this is no guarantee. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable. Over the past several years, several American business people have been attacked, kidnapped, and even killed. U.S. citizens are encouraged to report all extortion attempts to the Russian authorities and to inform consular officials at the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. consulate.In general, when staying in Moscow avoid walking through dark, unknown, deserted streets in the evening; check your pockets and purses, while walking along the crowded streets, do the same in big stores and market places. The crowded public places (i.e. close to railway terminals, Arbat, etc.) are full of Gypsies (people, mainly women, wearing pictures skirts and shawls), who may tell you your fortune by hand, playing cards, etc. Of course, not all of them are thieves or pickpockets, try to get rid of them as soon as possible. When visiting somebody don't get into lift cabin with persons you don't know. It is also advisable to have a telephone number of your tourist agency or a close friend, whom you may always call in case of need or emergency. Embassy location & registration All American citizens who reside in Russia for three months or longer are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy or at one of the U.S. consulates. Americans who will remain for shorter periods may also register and inquire about updated travel and security information. Registration allows for quicker replacement of a lost or stolen passport, as well as contact in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located in Moscow at Novinskiy Bulvar 19/23; phone (7)(095) 252-2451; fax (7) (095) 956-4261. After hours emergencies: phone (7-095) 956-4422. U.S. consulates are located in: St. Petersburg: Ulitsa Furshtadskaya 15; phone (7-812) 275-1701; fax (7-812) 110-7022. After hours emergencies: phone (7-812) 274-8692. Vladivostok: Ulitsa Pushkinskaya 32, phone (7-4232) 268-458 or 300-070; fax (7-4232) 300-091. After hours emergencies: (7) (4232) 471-644 and (7) (4232) 287-290. Yekaterinburg: Ulitsa Gogolya 15a, 4th floor; phone (7-3432) 564-619; fax (7-3432) 564-515. | TOP | HOME | Ask your questions on our discussion board GoToRussia.Ru © 2002-2005 Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy --

Hotel Travel

hotel-travel Hotel and Travel Info The first new major hotel to grace Miami Beach in the last 30 years, the Loews Miami Beach Hotel offers an elegant setting by the sea. 800 rooms designed in classic Art Deco style, most with spectacular views. A uniquely designed ocean front swimming pool and direct access to 800 feet of sandy beach. Supervised Childrens Program. All this in the heart of SOUTH BEACH & Lincoln Road ! The Loews Miami Beach Hotel tends to sell-out quickly for this event. We cannot stress enough the importance of making your reservations EARLY! PHONE In US or Canada: 1-877-563-9762 International 1-305-604-1601 Request the Group Rate for the 23rd Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference! After January 26, 2006, reservations will be accepted based on availability only. Special daily HOTEL rates for this meeting are: $258.00 , single occupancy $278.00 , double occupancy These rates apply 3 days prior and 3 days after the meeting, subject to availability. One nights deposit is required. Travel Arrangements Special discounts on major airlines are available to all registrants by calling TRAVELEADERS Toll-Free: 800-448-7058, ext. 298 OR 472 Or, fax your travel requirements & contact information to: 305-648-8205 One call does it all: Airline ticketing, car rental, additional tourist or travel information! [ Home ] [ Program '06 ] [ Faculty '06 ] [ Register ] [Hotel-Travel] [ CD/DVD '05 ] CONTACT US: Phone/Fax: 954-888-9472 E-Mail: info@cancerconf.com Address: P.O. Box 266948 Weston, FL 33326 © 1997-2005; Miami Cancer Conference; All Rights Reserved

Italy Travel

Italy Vacations & Tourism, Italy Hotels, Italy Attractions - Yahoo! Travel Primary Navigation Overview | Hotels | Things to do | Restaurants | Map | Flights | Cars | Deals | FareChase Italy: Search Travel Travel > Guides > Europe > Italy Email this page Print Italy Vacations, Tourism, Hotels View larger map of Italy Top Cities in Italy Rome Florence Venice Milan Naples Siena Sorrento Genoa Palermo Verona Capri Turin Bari Positano Bologna Pisa See all cities in Italy View larger image As we hiked in the mountains, we were drawn by the tinkling sound of cowbells to a meadow where we came upon a breathtaking vista: a cluster of velvet-brown cows grazing among wildflowers, with the rugged limestone peaks of the Dolomites in the background. And just as entrancing as the view was the smell of freshly cooked pasta wafting our way from a rifugio , a … Read More Popular Italy Hotels Rome Hilton Cavalieri Rome The Westin Excelsior Rome Grand Hotel de La Minerve San Francesco Hotel Rome Franklin Hotel Florence Grand Hotel Villa Medici Westin Excelsior Florence Montebello Splendid Hotel Hotel J and J Grand Hotel Baglioni Venice Hotel Cipriani & Palazzo Vendramin San Clemente Palace Ca? Pozzo Inn The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice Hotel Danieli Milan The Westin Palace Principe di Savoia Hotel Doria Grand Hotel Hotel The Gray Starhotels Ritz Naples Grand Hotel Vesuvio Rex Hotel Excelsior Hotel Best Western San Germano Hotel Hotel Royal Continental Siena Hotel Certosa di Maggiano Frances' Lodge Bed & Breakfast Palazzo Ravizza Hotel Hotel Santa Caterina Best Western Palazzo dei Priori Sorrento President Hotel Hotel Michelangelo Belair Hotel Bristol Hotel Imperial Hotel Tramontano Genoa Starhotels President AC Hotel Genova Jolly Hotel Plaza Golden Tulip Moderno Verdi Miramare Related Information Popular Attractions in Italy Fontana di Trevi Colosseum ("Coliseum") Duomo Pantheon San Pietro Ponte Vecchio Piazza San Marco Musei Vaticani (Vatican Museums) Santa Croce Piazza di Spagna Popular Hotels in Italy Grand Hotel Villa Medici Hilton Cavalieri Rome The Westin Excelsior Rome Westin Excelsior Florence Montebello Splendid Hotel Villa Igiea Grand Hotel Grand Hotel de La Minerve Hotel J and J Grand Hotel Baglioni Carolus Hotel Popular Cities in Italy Rome Florence Venice Milan Naples Siena Sorrento Genoa Palermo Verona Yahoo! Travel: Your best choice for cheap airline tickets and other great deals! Help get your favorite places listed on Yahoo! Travel: suggest a hotel or suggest an attraction .

Spain Travel Essentials Tarragona

Tarragona Spain Visitors Guide - Travel Planner for Tarragona You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Europe for Visitors Tarragona: Location Map of Terragona, Spain. James Martin Stay up to date! Tarragona: Location Map of Terragona, Spain. James Martin Email to a friend Print this page Tarragona and Catalonia Links Tarragona Catalonia (Cataluna) Links Spain Map and Travel Essentials Near Tarragona Barcelona Travel Guide Barcelona Pictures Barcelona Links Recent Discussions Need Help Planning a Trip Accomodation in london Mediteranean Feries Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors Tarragona Spain Travel Essentials Tarragona Spain Profile From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Tarragona - Location: Tarragona is located on the Mediterranean coast, 60 miles southwest of Barcelona, Spain, in the region of Catalonia. While ealier settlements may have inhabited the area, the first occupation of Tarragona is attributed to Gneus Scipio, who founded a Roman military camp here in 218 B.C. It grew quickly and was named a colony of Rome in 45 B.C. by Julius Ceasar. Tarragona is considered the most important Roman town in Spain. Tarragona - Population: Tarragona has about 110,000 people. Tarragona - Getting There by Train: The Tarragona train station is in the Plaza Pedrera. There are 8 trains a day to and from Madrid, and many to Barcelona, just up the coast, about an hour and a half away. The station at Tarragona is close to the port and to the main street, the Rambla Nova. Turn right out of the station and go up the hill; there are several hotels on this end of the Rambla. Staying in Tarragona: Look for a hotel near the sea, where the Rambla dead-ends. We stayed at the Hotel Lauria at Rambla Nova 20, and found it comfortable, centrally located, and air conditioned for 64 Euros a double in high season 2003. Tarragona Cuisine: Think seafood, nuts, onions, tomatoes, oil and garlic. Romesco sauce is a product of this area. Tapas are plentiful in the Rambla Nova area, as well as the interesting Placa de la Font, which you'll find loaded with cafes and restaurants, the place to head on your early evening stroll. Tarragona is know for its fine wine as well. Tarragona Beaches and Naturism: Tarragona is the main city on the Costa Dorada. There are many beaches and coves nearby. Todotown has a review of beaches in or near Tarragona. Playa El Torn is where you can get naked and sunburned in public. Tarragona Closing Days: Unless quiet is your ultimate goal, don't go for a day trip to Tarragona on Monday--everything is closed. Tarragona Attractions: Amfiteatre Romà - The Roman Amphitheater is located seaside, just off the Rambla Nova. Cathedral - At Tarragona's apex sits the 12th century cathedral. Inside is the Museu Diocesà, with a collection of Catalán art you can visit for 2.40 Euros. The Archaeological Museum - At Plaça del Rei 5, overlooking the sea. Free on Tuesdays. Museu Necròpolis - The Necropolis Museum outside town that's one of the most important Christian burial sites in Spain, used in the 3-5th centuries. Tarragona Notes: You'll find some interesting bars and seafood restaurants in the Port area near the marina. I also heartily recommend the Placa de la Font area for its lively cafe and tapas scene. Remember that Spaniards eat dinner very late in the evening. Often 9pm is a bit early for eating. Tarragona, besides being a fine city peppered with Roman ruins and good restaurants, is a relatively innexpensive place to stay while visiting Catalonia. You can get to Barcelona in about an hour and a half, although it's quite a walk from the Barcelona station to the Gothic Quarter--you can take a bus or cab. Building human pyramids is a Catalonian sport. Castellers have been building human pyramids here, some as high as 5 story buildings, for hundreds of hears. You can see them in action in Tarragona during the Sant Magi festival in mid-August. Jill Yesko has written an excellent article about this phenomenon called Castells in Spain in Away.com. You'll see pictures commemorating the Castellers in our photo gallery. For a virtual visit of Tarragona, see our Tarragona Picture Gallery . 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 Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There