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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
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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... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...
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
Family Vacation
Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO), Beach Front Home & Cabin Rentals, Caribbean Villa Rentals Search: -- Home | Find a Rental | List a Rental | Availability Search | -- Forum | SPECIAL OFFERS | Owner Login Vacation Rentals Take your next trip knowing you aren't paying a penny more than you have to. By renting direct from the owner, our site helps you do exactly that. Find the vacation rental you've been searching for! Recent Forum Postings Vacationers: Find your vacation rental //-- You may choose how to view this map: As a Flash Animation | As an image | Automatically Detect //-- Property Owners: List your vacation rental Its free*, easy, and cost-effective. * Free listing for 90 days only. Limit one free listing per customer. -- Rental Quick Search Advanced Search Featured Rentals Massachusetts: Your dream vacation home on Cape Cod! Florida: Gulf Access Waterfront Home Nevada: The Royal Vacation Home Bahamas: "Atlantic Blues" - Secluded beachfront rental Florida: South Beach Miami Oceanfront Condo on the BEACH New Jersey: Very Cute Lakeside Cottage !!! Texas: Not a bed & breakfast room Enjoy a vacation home. Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO) At Vacation Home Rentals, it's easy to find beach house rentals, home rentals and cabin rentals all over the United States and beyond. Through our user-friendly and comprehensive service, we make it easy for you to find home rentals in the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and Asia. Beach Front Home & Cabin Rentals In the Unites States, you can find beach and cabin rentals in all of the fifty states, from California vacation rentals on the West Coast to Cape Cod vacation rentals on the East Coast, and many places in between. We also make it easy for you to find the beach house rentals youve been looking for, whether it's Florida villas down south or Maine vacation rentals far up north. Something More Exotic If you're looking for something more exotic and want to venture out into the Pacific Ocean, we have a large selection of Hawaii vacation rentals. We have all sorts of beach rentals in the majestic Hawaiian islands, from Maui vacation rentals at one of the most beautiful places on Earth, to Kauai vacation rentals on the luscious garden island of the Hawaiian island chain. Beach House Rentals & Holiday Villas Across The Globe We're not just limited to the United States, however. We have beach house rentals and holiday villas all over the globe. We also have Caribbean villa rentals across the region. If youre looking for a European getaway, we have France vacation rentals, or maybe you would like a Tuscany villa . Wherever you plan to take your next vacation, we can help you find the cabin or beach rental you need to have the vacation of your dreams! Contact Us | Become An Affiliate | FAQ | Links | Resources | Disclaimer | Sitemap 2005 ABC Vacation Rentals. All rights reserved. --
France Travel
France,france - Travel Photo Gallery U sername: P assword: R emember Me Car Hire Travel Insurance Airport Parking UK Cheap Accommodation Hotel Bookings Travellerspoint Travel Community Forums Blogs Destinations Accommodation Travel Help Reunions Tools Links France,france - Travel Photo Gallery Travel Photography > France,france - Travel Photo Gallery This Gallery Show as stream Size: XS S M Tags: france Countries: France Count: 54 Photos Related Categories: landscapes france me streets mountains people snow buildings art skylines Page 1 2 3 Next Monte Carlo Port, Monaco Date: 1 December 2005 Photographer: Rishi and Ben Fox : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Napolean looks over the courtyard at Les Invalides This statue looks out over the courtyard at Les Invalides, where Napolean is buried Date: 16 October 2005 Photographer: Greg Wesson : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: art Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M monmartre Date: 2 October 2005 Photographer: Adelina Ong : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Exiting the Pantheon , Paris, France A fantastic view greets people leaving the Pantheon. In the distance is Luxembourg gardens, and in the far distance, the Eiffel tower. Date: 23 September 2005 Photographer: Greg Wesson : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: cityscapes Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Skull and bones in the catacombs of Paris, France Pretty creepy, no? Date: 12 September 2005 Photographer: Greg Wesson : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Angel in Reims Notre Dame of Reims - laughing angel. Date: 15 August 2005 Photographer: Brigitte Leuridan : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: art Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Moissac abbey The abbey of Moissac is a highlight of the French medieval art. We had a wonderfull guided tour. Date: 18 July 2005 Photographer: Brigitte Leuridan : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: art Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Strasburo nereali katedra Date: July 2005 Photographer: Martynas Staskevicius : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Kids, Paris Date: June 2005 Photographer: kel seow : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: children france Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Marais, Paris Date: June 2005 Photographer: kel seow : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: streets france Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Street Artistes, Montmartre Date: June 2005 Photographer: kel seow : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: streets france Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Signs Signs on the slopes of Val d'Isere. The glacier indicated had great skiing! Date: 1 May 2005 Photographer: Samuel Klingen Daams : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: snow signs skiing Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L The Eiffel Tower Date: 9 April 2005 Photographer: Greg Wesson : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Climbing the Arc de Triomphe Looking down the staircase at the Arc Date: 9 April 2005 Photographer: Greg Wesson : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Vive la France The French flag flies above Paris Date: 9 April 2005 Photographer: Greg Wesson : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Jardin du Palais Royal, Paris A great place to just sit and relax on a beautiful spring morning! Date: April 2005 Photographer: Katie F : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Notre-Dame, Paris There are flowers everywhere in Paris in the springtime. Date: April 2005 Photographer: Katie F : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Musée d'Orsay, Paris View from inside the Musée, looking out to Sacré Coeur Church. Date: April 2005 Photographer: Katie F : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Ile de la Cité, Paris View from the Pont des Arts Date: April 2005 Photographer: Katie F : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Montmartre Vineyard, Paris The only vineyard within the city limits of Paris. Date: April 2005 Photographer: Katie F : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Paris by night View from the Georges Pompidou Centre Date: 14 March 2005 Photographer: Eoghan Healy : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Notre Dame Catherdal, Paris Interior Date: 13 March 2005 Photographer: Eoghan Healy : gallery Country: France : gallery Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M Sacre Coeur, Montmartre, Paris Date: March 2005 Photographer: Evan Stringer : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: churches buildings Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Louvre Doesn't this one look pro? haha its a big deal for me Date: March 2005 Photographer: Evan Stringer : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: buildings Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Meribel French Alps Date: 2005 Photographer: Cristy Phelan : gallery Country: France : gallery Tags: landscapes mountains skylines snow Send as postcard Featured in the France Photo Gallery Sizes: XS | S | M | L Page 1 2 3 Next © 2002 - 2005 Travellerspoint Travel Community | Contact | FAQ | About | Terms | Site Map