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Russia Travel - Need to Know You are here: About > Travel > Eastern Europe for Visitors > Russia-Belarus-Ukraine > Russia Travel Resources > Travel Essentials - Russia > Russia Travel - Need to Know 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 Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Petersburg, Russia M. Schumacher Stay up to date! Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Petersburg, Russia M. Schumacher Email to a friend Print this page Elsewhere on the Web Map of Russia's Time Zones Converting to Metric Converting Shoe Sizes in Russia Elsewhere on the Web Converting Clothing Sizes Weather in 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 Need to Know From Apply Now , Your Guide to Eastern Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Russia Travel Guide Below is some need-to-know information about Russia before you travel there.
Time Zones
Counting Kaliningrad, Russia spans 11 time zones. Moscow and St. Petersburg are in the same time zone, which is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in the winter, and four hours ahead during Daylight Savings Time. See a map of Russia's time zones in the linkbox on the right side.
Electricity
Voltage: 220v. Frequency: 50Hz.
Outlets: Still in use is the two-pin GOST 7369 plug and socket that was widespread throughout Russia and Eastern Europe. This 4.0mm pin plug is being phased out in favor of the European CEE 7/4 Shuko and CEE 7/16 Europlug with 4.8mm pins. It's best to bring converters for both types of outlets.
TV Standard
SECAM
Measurements
Russia uses the metric system. Russia also has its own measurements for shoes and clothing. See the linkbox for a handy metric conversion website and for clothing conversion sites.
Weather
Russia's great expanse means the weather depends on where you are, but much of the country experiences winters with six months of snow cover. Most of Russia has two primary seasons of winter and summer, with brief periods of spring and autumn. In the very north, you will find arctic conditions. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, expect long, cold winters and mild summers. In the very south-eastern areas influenced by the Pacific Ocean, there is little snow in winter and summers are hot and rainy. Russia's popular Black Sea resort region enjoys almost tropical weather in the summer.
See average monthly temperatures for Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other areas from the website in the linkbox.
Public Holidays
During Russian public holidays, expect all government offices (including embassies) to be closed and most shops also. Many people have the day off from work.
January 1-2: New Years Day
January 7: Orthodox Christmas
March 8: Womens' Day
May 1-2: May Day
May 9: Victory Day
June 12: Independence Day
November 7: Peace and Harmony Day (former October Revolution Day)
December 12: Constitution Day
Back to the Russia Travel Guide index
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
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London vacations, custom-made for
European Travel, London Vacation Packages, Dublin Vacations, Britain and Ireland Tour Packages Book Online or call (800) 682-3333 Europe Asia Americas Caribbean Mediterranean Pacific Cruises Home Hotels Find a Vacation Specials Contact Us Italy & Sicily Spain & Portugal Britain & Ireland France Belgium & Holland Central Europe Scandinavia Greece River Cruises China & Japan Southeast Asia Thailand India South America Brazil Peru Costa Rica Bahamas Caribbean & Mexico Bahamas Cancun Riviera Maya Punta Cana Jamaica Greece & Turkey Israel Egypt Morocco Australia & New Zealand Tahiti China & Japan Southeast Asia Sea Cruises River Cruises Britain & Ireland Vacations : Explore London and Dublin with Gate 1 Travel. We offer Ireland and London vacations, custom-made for your time, family and vacation budget. Experience Europe with luxury vacation packages. Trust your European vacation with Gate1Travel, your Western Europe specialist. Call Gate 1 Travel today or click on one of the tour packages or vacations below for more information. Prices below include airline fuel surcharges but do not include airport taxes, fees and September 11th Security Fee which vary between $50 and $130 per person. Multicity Programs Ireland Escorted Tours European Cruises London and Dublin Vacation Packages Vacation in London and Dublin with these independent vacation packages including flight. London Vacations 5 Days from $479 Thursday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 6 Days First Class London from $529 Wednesday-Thursday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 6 Days from $529 President's Day departures: Feb 15 6 Days from $539 Valentine's Day departures: Feb 11 6 Days from $559 Tuesday-Thursday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 5 Days from $629 Thursday departures: Apr - Oct '06 Dublin Vacations 6 Days from $749 Wednesday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 6 Days from $749 Wednesday departures: Apr '06 - Oct '06 Multi-city London and European Vacations Tour Europe with these independent vacations featuring budget flight, hotel and train. 8 Day London & Amsterdam Wednesday departures: Apr - Oct '06 8 Day London & Amsterdam Daily departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 8 Day London & Dublin Monday departures: Apr - Oct '06 8 Day London & Dublin Saturday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 8 Day London & Paris Monday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 8 Day London & Paris Monday departures: Apr - Oct '06 8 Day London & Rome Wednesday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 8 Day London & Rome Wednesday departures: Apr - Oct '06 9 Day London, Paris & Amsterdam Monday & Wednesday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 9 Day London, Paris & Amsterdam Saturday departures: Apr - Oct '06 9 Day London, Paris & Rome Friday departures: Nov '05 - Mar '06 9 Day London, Paris & Rome Friday Departures: Apr - Oct '06 Ireland Escorted Tours Tour Ireland with these escorted tour packages including a flight. 7 Day Ireland Dublin, Waterford, Killarney, Limerick European Cruises 16 Day Taste of Europe Departing: July 30, 2006 - Ship: ms Prinsendam HOT DEALS: discount prices for Britain and Ireland Tours 5 Day Weekend in London from $479 Holiday Specials President's Day Spring Specials Mother's Day Specials Memorial Day Specials Summer Specials Labor Day Specials Thanksgiving Specials Christmas Markets New Year Specials -- Valentine's Day President's Day February Winter Break Rio Carnival March Spring Break Easter Vacation Specials Travel Extras Sightseeing & Transfers Browse & Book Hotel Nights Protect your investment: Buy travel insurance Travel Tips & Tools Britain & Ireland Travel Tips Terms & Conditions Central London Transfers Passports & Visas The Comforts You Expect Map of Western Europe FAQ Email This Page to a Friend © 2005 Gate 1 Travel Home | About Us | Travel Agent | Free Brochure | Help | Site Map | (800) 682-3333 Read our privacy policy . Contact Us . This site can be best viewed using Internet Explorer 4.0, or higher. The browser software can be downloaded, free of charge, from the Microsoft website at http://www.microsoft.com . All external sites will open in a new browser. Gate1travel.com does not endorse external sites.
European Vacation Ideas for
Benelux and Beyond - Northern European Vacation Ideas for the Benelux Countries You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Benelux Countries > Benelux and Beyond - Northern European Vacation Ideas for the Benelux Countries 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 Benelux and Beyond - Northern European Vacation Ideas for the Benelux Countries 5 Countries in 14 days? Why Not? If you have a short vacation and want to travel through the most varied cultural landscapes in a short time, why not consider Benilux--Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg--along with adjacent pieces of the bookend countries of France and Germany? Short distances and the availability of high speed rail connections mean that you won't spend all your time looking out a window on a moving landscape. Plus, Benelux rail 'n drive packages give you the flexibility to see it all by train and car. The Benelux countryside is flat and watery--you can bike or walk on tow paths along the many canals to observe calming rural vistas for hours. Benelux Countries - Benelux Rail Map Benelux Map © 2005 by James Martin, licensed to About Why Benelux? Benelux is compact. It's 123 miles between Brussels and Amsterdam, 184 miles between Paris and Brussels--and both of these destinations are served by high speed rail that'll speed you between Paris and Brussels in one hour and 25 minutes. Folks in Benelux countries are quite likely to speak English , since the local languages are confined to a relatively small goegraphic area. Benelux hospitality is legendary --you might want to consider a farm stay while you're there--especially if you have kids--to test the friendliness of the natives and get a feeling for what it's like (more below). Variety - and France and Germany are just across the border. Not only do you have three countries to visit, all within an hour or so travel time between each other, center to center, but France and Germany are easily visited as well. Lille, just across the border in France, was a European capital of Culture for 2004, and it's a major rail hub for high speed trains. Koln (Cologne) and its famous cathedral are also close, and the landscape around Trier--a colonial capital under Roman Emperor Augustus in 16 BC and Germany’s oldest city--is beautiful, and the city isa good starting point for trips into theMosel Valley and cruises on the scenic Mosel River, Germany’s mainwine-producing region--just in case you get tired of the almost infinite varietyof Beer styles you find in Belgium that is. Getting to the Benelux Countries You'll probably start your vacation from a large city. Major airports usually offer the best fares from the US, so you'll probably be starting from Paris, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam. If you find a good fare to London (or wish to add that city to your visit), you can take the Eurostar from London to either Paris or Lille, and continue your Benelux vacation from there. Getting Around the Benelux Countries While rail is highly recommended, and trains can get to most cities in the Benelux countries, you might want to also view a little of the countryside. Rail 'n Drive passes make this easy. Plan Your Benelux Adventure Transportation Rail Passes (Including Rail 'n Drive Passes) for Benelux, France and Germany. Thalys - High Speed Train Information - The thick blue line on the map is the Thalys route. Eurostar - All About the Eurostar - London to Lille, Paris, and Brussels. If your end point is Brussels, you'll get a free pass to any other stop in Belgium, just in case you wish to avoid Brussels altogether. Destinations in or Accessable from Benelux Lille, France Reims and the Champagne Region of France Belgium: Belgium Guide | Belgium Map | Belgium Pictures Netherlands: NetherlandsGuide | NetherlandsMap | Amsterdam Guide Luxembourg: Luxembourg Guide Cologne, Germany Dusseldorf Germany Frankfurt, Germany Trier, Germany Farm Stays in Belgium Many "farm" stays don't set you down in a real, working farm. I've found the Spreeuwenburg farm in a perfect location in the Belgian countryside not so far from the Netherlands border and nearby to the justly famous old smuggler house turned into a restaurant bar, Roste Muis. Read more: A Pleasant and Inexpensive Farm stay in Belgium . Benelux - The Final Word I hope you'll check out the Benelux countries. The major cities are interesting and chock full of art from old masters. Belgium cuisine is considered one of the best in Europe, and the beer is outstanding as well. Amsterdam is an amazing city, and if you want to visit a city that's mostly ignored by tourists, look into Antwerp, Belgium. Peter Paul Ruben's house makes an outstanding visit--and even Antwerp's main train station is worthy of the label "Railway Cathedral." From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Advertisement 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 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 Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... 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Asia Travel Office Hours
Myanmar Hotels - Asia Travel Hotels - Yangon Myanmar Information Yangon Bagan Mandalay Inle Pindara Kalaw Pyin Oo Lwin Pyay (Prome) Ngapali Chaungtha Sgwe Saun Beach Thahtay Kyun Island Package Tours Airport Pick up Myanmar Hotels & Resorts Reservation Service - Asia Travel Office Hours (GMT + 07:00) Monday - Friday 09:00 - 18:00 Saturday 09:00 - 13:00 CLOSE ON SUNDAYS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Hotel & Air Ticket Package from Bangkok (Hotel Nikko Royal Lake Yangon) Hotel & Air Ticket Package from Bangkok (Kandawgyi Palace Hotel) Accommodation & Tour Packages || Free & Easy Packages || Check out the other Mekong regions Click here to reserve hotels with up to 70% Discount ( Prepayment Basis ) Preview below for hotels Prepaid basis (prepayment before check-in) Room rate at US$ 20 and above Asia Plaza Hotel Summer Palace Hotel Thamada Hotel Room rate at US$ 30 and above Yuzana Garden Hotel Central Hotel Room rate at US$ 50 and above Hotel Nikko Royal Lake Yangon Grand Plaza Park Royal Hotel Room rate at US$ 60 and above The Kandawgyi Palace Hotel on the Royal Lake Sedona Hotel Yangon Dusit Inya Lake Hotel Room rate at US$ 100 and above Pansea Hotel Savoy Hotel Prepayment Requirement : Above hotel rates are in US Dollars, inclusive of tax and service charge.All bookings made for the above hotels have to be paid in advance before the check-in date. Payment can be made by credit card (Only Visa, Master, JCB and AMEX) . Guest to check-in with passport. A check-in voucher showing booking details will also be faxed or emailed to guest for easy reference. No charge for children under 12 years old sharing room with parents with no extra bed. Cancellation for peak season (15 December - 15 January) is required at least 15 working days (not including Sat., Sun & Public Holidays ) prior to check-in date. Scenic Destinations and Places of Interest in Myanmar Browse or send an electronic postcard to your friends Click here to send birthday card Asia Travel Hotel & Resort Reservation Service || Asia Travel
Japan Travel Tips Japanese
japan travel - international travel - japanese culture - tokyo japan You are here: About > Travel > Japan for Visitors 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 Map of Japan Various maps of Japan. Includes regional Japan maps that show locations of Japanese cities and geographical features. Japan Hotels Accommodations in Japan - Japan hotels and Japanese inns. Japan Photos/Clip Art/Video Beautiful and interesting pictures of Japan and Japanese clip art - includes video streaming of Japan: Japanese culture, cities, nature, and traditional photos. Japan Live Cams - Japanese live cameras Live views of Japan - from cameras in Tokyo, Kyoto, Mt. Fuji, Japanese castles, Japanese volcanos, and more. Japanese Pen Pals/Community in Japan Places to chat or exchange information about Japan with other travelers to Japan - Penpals in Japan. Japanese Translators and Dictionaries Links to sites which help you find Japanese translators and Japanese interpreters and online Japanese dictionaries. Transportation in Japan - Train, airline A selection of various means of transportation in Japan. How to travel with Japanese trains, air lines, buses, subways, and more. Japanese Etiquette - Etiquette in Japan Tells you how to be polite in Japan - essential for being a good traveler. Includes table manners and lots of other etiquette manners. Weather in Japan - Climate/Earthquakes The typical Japanese weather and forcasts in Japan. A good thing to know before you go to Japan! Includes earthquakes in Japan. Living in Japan - Housing and Tips A list of informative sites to make living in Japan as easy as home - features tips on driving, financial and housing matters, and more. Festivals/Events/Holidays in Japan Japanese festivals, and Japanese holidays, and events in Japan. Japanese Culture/Art Japanese culture, Japanese gardens, Japanese arts, kimono, geisha, Japanese tattoo, futon, ninja and more - traditional Japan. Japanese Food and Drinks - Japan Recipe Japanese Food and Drinks - includes Japanese recipes and table manners in Japan. Japan History Japan history and Japanese historical eras - includes feudal Japan and the world war. Kyoto Travel Guide Kyoto Travel Guide - accommodations in Kyoto, Kyoto sightseeing, dining in Kyoto, and more. Tokyo Travel Guide Tokyo Travel information - hotels in Tokyo, Tokyo sightseeing spots, art and entertainment, transportations in Tokyo Japan. Osaka Travel Guide What to do and where to go in Osaka. Osaka attractions and other travel information. Regions: Hokkaido Where to go, what to do, and what to eat in Hokkaido - the northernmost island of Japan. Includes Sapporo travel information. Regions: Honshu Japan Honshu island travel information - includes Hiroshima, Sendai, Kanazawa, Yokohama, Kamakura, Nikko, and more. Regions: Shikoku Sightseeing spots and places to eat in Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The premiere island for those interested in Japan's spiritual traditions. Regions: Kyushu What to do in Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Okinawa, and other cities in Kyushu - the island most influenced by European culture. Japan Travel Tips /Japan Visa Lots of Japan travel practical information. Helps you in planning the routes and means of your travel to Japan - includes Japan visa information and Japanese translator information. Japanese Travel Agencies Links to Japanese travel agencies. They will help your travel planning - including tickets, accommodations and guided tours in Japan. Japan Guided Tours - Tokyo and Kyoto Find guided tours in Japan/to Japan - low airfare and tours in Japan. Shopping in Japan/ Japan Books Where to buy and what to buy in Japan. Lists both online shops and real-world shops in Japan. Also lists Japan books. Japanese Sports/Outdoor Sports in Japan, including Japanese martial arts, karate, sumo, pro wrestling, baseball, and Japanese outdoor information - camping in Japan. Japanese Movies and Japan News and Media Japan news, Japanese movies, news video streaming, Japanese television, Japanese newpaper, and radio links. Jobs in Japan/Teaching Lists employment classifieds which help you find jobs in Japan. Includes internship programs and teaching English in Japan. Japan Travel Planner Great resources for planning your trip to Japan. Japan Article Archives Japan travel and Japanese culture features - traveling and living tips in Japan. Internet in Japan How to view Japanese in your computer, Japanese search engines, and internet service providers in Japan. Japanese Government A list of homepages of Japanese government offices. Travelogue Learn from people who visited Japan. Interesting stories and photos. Japanese School and Business in Japan Helpful links related in Japan business and schooling in Japan - Japanese organizations, Japanese company, and Japanese schools. 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 Headlines Best Japan Photos in 2005 Which Japan photo gallery was viewed the most by visitors... Japanese New Year's Cards Sending New Year's cards to relatives, friends, teachers, classmates, and... Photo Gallery: Christmas Decorations in Japan Christmas in Tokyo Disneyland, Odaiba, Ebisu Garden Place, and more.... Christmas in Tokyo There are many fun events and beautiful Christmas illuminations to...