Mexico Travel Savings Holiday

Mexico Travel Guide - The News Mexico mexico travel guide Situated in the southwestern part of mainland North America and roughlytriangular in shape, Mexico stretches more than 3000 km (1,850 miles) fromnorthwest to southeast. Its width is varied, from more than 2000 km (1,200miles) in the north and less than 220 km (135 miles) at the Isthmus ofTehuantepec in the south. Mexico borders two major bodies of water, thePacific Ocean (with the Gulf of California between the mainland and theBaja California peninsula) to the west and on the east the Gulf of Mexicoand the Caribbean Sea that lead to the Atlantic Ocean. Here are foundcoastal plains, whereas central Mexico consists of high plateaus andrugged mountains, including volcanoes, the highest of which is thePico de Orizaba at 5 610 m. The terrain and climate vary from rocky deserts in the north totropical rain forest in the south. Mexico's major rivers include theRo Bravo del Norte (Rio Grande) and the Ro Usumacinta on its northernand southern borders, respectively, together with the Ro Grijalva, theRo Balsas, the Ro Pnuco, and the Ro Yaqui in the interior. $page topical links link 1 link 2 link 3 Favorite Mexico Vacations Acapulco Cancun CaboSan Lucas Cozumel Guadalajara Ixtapa Mazatlan MexicoCity Monterrey Playa del Carmen PuertoVallarta San Miguel de Allende Mexico Newsletter subscribe to the newsletter States of Mexico Aguascalientes BajaCalifornia BajaCalifornia Sur Campeche Chiapas Chihuahua Coahuila Colima DistritoFederal Durango Guanajuato Guerrero Hidalgo Jalisco Estado deMexico Michoacan Morelos Nayarit NuevoLeon Oaxaca Puebla Queretaro QuintanaRoo SanLuis Potosi Sinaloa Sonora Tabasco Tamaulipas Tlaxcala Veracruz Yucatan Zacatecas Search Now: Mexico Travel Savings Holiday Inn Hotels in Mexico Cheap Tickets To Mexico Travel Book Reviews Mexico Forum Discussion Forum Link Partners link 1 link 2 link 3 history ofmexico | food anddrink | mexican culture | arts of mexico | handicrafts of mexico | learnspanish travel tips | maps of mexico | pictures of mexico | about the mexico travelguide | mexico travel books | forum newsletter | advertise | sitemap © 2005 TheNewsMexico.com's Mexico Travel Guide

Asia Travel Newsletter :

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Kintamani Volcano Tour - Kintamani & Besakih Tour - Singaraja Tour - Bedugul Tanah Lot Tour - Ubud & Rice Terrace Tour - Uluwatu City Tour - Tanah Lot Tour - Fire Dance - Natural Beauty Tour - Nusa Dua Water Sports Tour - Besakih Tour AIRPORT TRANSFER : Bali NEWS & iNFORMATION By Air - From Singapore - From The United States - By Land - By Sea - Shopping - Immigration - Out of Bali - Police and the Law - Narcotics - Driver Licences - Enterainment - Time - Dining Out - Transportation - Office Hours - Public Holidays OTHERS : Exchange Rate - Guest Book Asia Travel Newsletter : HOTEL NAME LOCATION CATEGORY RATE FROM BOOK HERE Discovery Kartika Plaza Bali Special Feature Kuta US$ 85 Reservation Le Meridien Resort Bali Special Feature Tanah Lot US$ 115 Reservation Inter Continental Resort Bali Special Feature Jimbaran US$ 143 Reservation Grand Hyatt Bali Special Feature Nusa Dua US$ 137.5 Reservation Alila Manggis Special Feature Karangasem Boutique US$ 130 ++ Reservation Alila Ubud Special Feature Ubud Boutique US$ 160 ++ Reservation Gawana Novus Bali Special Feature Menjangan Boutique US$ 130 Reservation Novus Bali Villa Special Feature Kuta Boutique US$ 90 Reservation Cahaya Dewata Resort Hotel Special Feature Ubud US$ 60 Reservation The Ubud Village Resort Special Feature Ubud Villa US$ 169 Reservation The Vira Bali Recommended Kuta US$ 45 Reservation Bali Prani Hotel Recommended Kuta US$ 23 Reservation Febri's Hotel Recommended Kuta US$ 40 Reservation Nikko Bali Resort & Spa Recommended Nusa Dua US$ 95++ Reservation The Ubud Village Hotel Recommended Ubud US$ 169 Reservation Prani Legian Hotel Recommended Kuta US$ 17 Reservation Bali Spirit Hotel & Spa Recommended Ubud US$ 75 Reservation Saphir Mabisa Inn Recommended Kuta US$ 26 Reservation Club Bali Family Suites Recommended Kuta Apartment US$ 83 Reservation Santi Mandala Resort & Spa Recommended Ubud Resort US$ 72 Reservation Kuta Lagoon Resort Recommended Kuta US$ 35 Reservation Legian Express Hotel Recommended Kuta US$ 21 Reservation Villa Kendil Recommended Kuta Villa US$ 55 Reservation Grand Mirage Resort Recommended Nusa Dua US$ 92 Reservation The Villas Recommended Kuta Villa US$ 220 ++ Reservation Patmase Residence Special Deal ! 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By Pass I Gusti Ngurah Rai Kuta 80361, Badung, Bali - Indonesia TEL : (62-361) 763 701 / 763 702 , FAX : (62-21) 763 703 Asia Travel Worldwide Hot Line Numbers: Hong Kong +852-27360922 Indonesia +62-21-5328682 China +86-21-63223855 Dubai +971-4-2941405 +971-4-2941407 Thailand +66-2-6797187 Philippines +(632) 635-5099; +(632) 635-7499; +(632) 914-4970 up to 72 Call from the USA, Dial : 1-877-367-6577 (Toll-Free) Call from UK, Dial : (44) 208-792-6789 Singapore / Malaysia +65-6732 4183 Call from the USA, Dial : 1-877-367-6577 (Toll-Free) Call from UK, Dial : (44) 208-792-6789 Scenic Destinations and Places of Interest in Indonesia Browse and send electronic postcards to your friends Click here to send electronic birthday cards... Asia Travel Hotel & Resort Reservation Service || Indonesia Hotels and Resorts || Asia Travel

Argentina Travel Guide Overview

Argentina Travel Tips and Advice | iExplore.com FORBES' #1 ADVENTURE TRAVEL SITE 5 YEARS IN A ROW — TIME MAGAZINE TOP 50 Keyword Search: -- Home Trip Finder Travel Guides Community Special Offers Store My iExplore advertisement -- Home Travel Guides Central and South America Argentina Do's and Don'ts Argentina Travel Guide Overview Tours Where to Go Activities General Info History Weather Travel Tips Dining Shopping Visa & Health View Trips to Argentina Central and South America Overview Browse Argentina Photos Argentina Questions and Answers Read Argentina Journals Find a Argentina Travel Buddy Argentina Travel Tips & Advice Social Conventions The most common form of greeting between friends is kissing cheeks. When invited to somebody’s house it is quite common to take a homemade dish or dessert. Dinner is usually served between 2100-2200. Avoid casual discussion of the Falklands/Malvinas war. Dress is not usually formal, though clothes should be conservative away from the beach. Formal wear is worn for official functions and dinners, particularly in exclusive restaurants. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and theaters. Tipping Tips are theoretically outlawed but some hotels or restaurants will add 25 per cent service charge, plus a 21 per cent tax charge. In these cases, a minimal tip is still expected. Otherwise, 10 per cent on top of the bill will suffice. The same applies in bars. Taxi drivers tend to expect tips from visitors. International Travel: Air Argentina’s national airline, Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR) (website: www.aerolineas.com.ar ) serves Auckland (New Zealand), London (UK), Madrid (Spain), Mexico City (Mexico), Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), Sienna, Curitiba, Florianópolis, Porto Allegre, Río de Janeiro and São Paulo (Brazil), Ciudad del Este and Asuncion (Paraguay), Limá (Peru), Caracas (Venezuela), Punta del Este and Montevideo (Uruguay), Miami and Rome, (Italy), New York (USA), Paris (France), Sydney (Australia) and Zurich (Switzerland) in addition to regional services. Other airlines serving Argentina include Aeroflot , Air Canada , Air France , Alitalia , American Airlines , British Airways , Iberia , KLM , Lan Chile , Lufthansa , Malaysian Airlines , Qantas , South African Airways , Swiss , VARIG and United Airlines . Approximate flight times From Buenos Aires to London is 13 hours, to Los Angeles is 16 hours, to New York is 14 hours 15 minutes, to Singapore is 29 hours 30 minutes and to Sydney is 16 hours. International airports Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) (tel: (11) 5480 6111), is 37km (23 miles) from Buenos Aires. There are bus services to the city operating between 0500-2000 (travel time – 40 minutes). Taxis are also available. Airport facilities include a 24-hour bank, restaurants, tourist information kiosk, bureau de change, duty free shops and car hire ( Avis and Hertz ). There is also a coach connection to Jorge Newbery airport (locally called Aeroparque ) for domestic flight connections. To reach the city by car, drive in the Teniente General Ricchieri freeway. Air passes The Mercosur Airpass: Valid within Argentina, Brazil, Chile (except Easter Island), Paraguay and Uruguay. Participating airlines include Aerolineas Argentinas (AR) (however, flights on this airline cannot be combined with any others, as it has no agreements and its tickets are not accepted by other airlines), Austral (AU) , LAN-Chile (LA) , LAPA (MJ) , Pluna (PU) , Transbrasil Airlines (TR) and VARIG (RG) with the subsidiary airlines of Nordeste (JH) and Rio Sul (SL) . The pass can only be purchased by passengers who live outside South America, who have a return ticket. Only eight flight coupons are allowed with a maximum of four coupons for each country and is valid for seven to a maximum of 30 days. At least two countries must be visited (to a maximum of five) and the flight route cannot be changed. A maximum of two stopovers is allowed per country. The Visit South America Pass: Must be bought outside South America in country of residence and allows unlimited travel to 36 cities in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines include Aer Lingus (EI) , American Airlines (AA) , British Airways (BA) , Cathay Pacific (CX) , Finnair (AY) , IBERIA (IB) , LAN-Chile (LA) and Qantas (QF) . A minimum of three flights must be booked, with no maximum; the maximum stay is 60 days, with no minimum, and prices depend on the amount of flight zones covered. For both air passes children under 12 years of age are entitled to a 33 per cent discount and infants (under two years old) only pay 10 per cent of the adult fare. For further details, contact one of the participating airlines. Departure tax Approximately US$18. For flights to Montevideo (Uruguay) and regional flights, the departure tax is US$8. Passengers in transit and children under two years of age are exempt. Visitors are advised to check with their airline or travel agent as the departure tax is subject to frequent changes. There is also an immigration tax of US$10 on all international flights. Sea/River The main ports are Buenos Aires, Quequén and Bahía Blanca. Ferries and hydrofoils link Buenos Aires with Montevideo in Uruguay, and there are ferry connections down the Paraná River from Paraguay. Rail The major direct international route is from Buenos Aires to Asunción in Paraguay. There are also direct rail links with Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay. Services are often disrupted and delays can be expected. Road Argentina has a network of approximately 217,762km (136,101 miles) of roads, of which around 156,789km (97,993 miles) are paved. There are well-maintained road routes from Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile. Coach: Direct daily services between Buenos Aires, Puerto Alegre, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The following goods may be imported into Argentina without incurring customs duty: (a) Travelers over 18 years of age coming from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay or Uruguay, or residents returning to Argentina after less than one year’s stay in these countries, may import the following goods to a value of US$100: 200 cigarettes and 25 cigars ; 1l of alcohol ; 2kg of foodstuffs . (b) Travelers over 18 years of age coming from countries other than those listed above, or residents returning to Argentina after less than one year’s stay in countries other than those above, may import the following goods to a value of US$300: 400 cigarettes and 50 cigars ; 2l of alcohol ; 5kg of foodstuffs . Prohibited items Animals and birds from Africa or Asia (except Japan) without prior authorization, parrots and fresh foodstuffs, particularly meat, dairy products and fruit. Explosives, inflammable items, narcotics and pornographic material are also forbidden. Note: All gold must be declared. It is wise to arrange customs clearance for expensive consumer items (cameras, computers, etc) to forestall any problems. Internal Travel: Air Domestic flights from Jorge Newbery (Aeroparque) and Córdoba (COR) (Pajas Blancas) to destinations throughout Argentina are run by Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR) , Austral (AU) (website: www.austral.com.ar ) and LAPA (MJ) . Air travel is the most efficient way to get around, but the services are very busy and can be subject to delay. There is a 30-day ’Visit Argentina Pass’ available, with four to eight coupons for flights within the country, with many accompanying airlines. It is also possible to buy a 60-day air pass. Domestic airports: Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbury (AEP) is located on the bank of the Rio de la Plata, a few minutes away from the main financial and commercial district. There are frequent bus and taxi services to all areas of the city as well as a coach connection to Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini international airport. Airport facilities include a bank/bureau de change, left luggage, car rental and a tourist information kiosk. Departure tax: Between US$7.05 to US$8, and subject to frequent changes. Rail Owing to severe underfunding of State railways and recent privatization, many long haul services have been disrupted, although some suburban lines have been greatly improved. The domestic rail network extends over 43,000km (27,000 miles), which makes it one of the largest in the world. Children under three travel free and children aged three to 11 pay half fare. There are three classes: air conditioned, first class and second class. There are restaurant and sleeping facilities for first-class passengers. Second-class rail travel is good value. There are six main rail routes from Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires–Rosario (where one branch goes to Tucumán and Jujuy via Córdoba and the second branch goes to Tucumán and Jujuy via La Banda), Buenos Aires–Rojas, Buenos Aires–Santa Rosa, Buenos Aires–Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires–Las Flores–Quequén Necochea and Buenos Aires–Bahía Blanca (where a branch goes to San Carlos de Bariloche). Rail travelers are warned that once out of Buenos Aires, information is very hard to come by. Special fares: The Argempass entitles visitors to unlimited first-class train travel, but is only sold in Argentina at railway booking offices. Passes are available for 30 days, 60 days and 90 days. A supplement is charged for sleeping car accommodation. The passes must be used within 30 days of purchase and are valid from the first day of use to the last day at 2400. Other discount tickets include: Group Pass: 10 to 25 per cent discount for a group of 10 to 25 people; Family Pass: 25 per cent discount for a parent and up to two children; Youth Pass: 25 per cent discount for people under 30 years of age; Senior Pass: 25 per cent discount for women aged 55 and over and men aged 60 and over; and Student Pass: 25 per cent discount for students. Road Major privatization programs have resulted in many trunk roads being upgraded, and roads are generally in good condition. Expect tolls on motorways. Rural roads, composed of packed dirt, become impassable after rain. Nonetheless, buses are considered to be a more reliable form of long-distance transport than trains. Traffic drives on the right. Car hire : There are a number of agencies in Buenos Aires (including Avis , Dollar and Hertz ). Drivers must be at least 21 years of age (sometimes up to 25 years of age). Documentation: International Driving Permit is required and this must be stamped at the offices of the Automóvil Club Argentino (website: www.aca.org.ar ). These documents must be carried at all times whilst driving: proof of ownership, proof of insurance and receipt for last tax payment. Urban Buenos Aires is generally well served by public transport. The city’s underground, the Subte , was the first to be constructed in Latin America. Recently privatized, its old glitzy stations (adorned with ceramic tiles portraying scenes of Argentine life) are now being renovated. There are five lines, labelled A to E. Services operate from early morning to late at night on a fixed-fare basis; tokens can be purchased at booking offices. Bus: Services are provided by colectivo buses operating 24 hours a day on an inexpensive flat fare; however, these are often crowded, particularly at rush hour, but are usually prompt. There are extensive bus services in other towns, including trolleybuses in Rosario. The main bus station is in Buenos Aires, at Av. Ramos Mejia 1680, close to Retiro Station. Taxi: Available in most cities and large towns and can either be hailed on the street or found at taxi ranks. They are usually recognizable by their yellow roofs. It is best to use hotel-recommended taxis. Travel times The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Buenos Aires to other major cities/towns in Argentina. Air Road Rail Córdoba 1.10 9.00 12.00 Bariloche 2.10 22.00 36.00 Cataratas 1.30 17.00 24.00 Iguazú 1.40 20.00 - Mendoza 1.50 17.00 30.00 Mar del Plata 0.40 4.00 4.00 Rio Gallegos 4.15 36.00 - Rosario 0.50 4.00 4.00 Salta 2.00 15.00 20.00 Ushuaia 3.00 30.00 - Sponsored Listings ( Add your listing ) advertisement Advertisement -- advertisement Why iExplore? About Us Advertise Site Map Privacy Policy Travel Agents Contact Us © 2005 Adventure Travel with iExplore --

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 --

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