Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Businesses and government agencies slow down considerably because of vacations
the first 2 weeks of January, the first 2 weeks of May, and much of August. These are
calmer times to visit Russia but can prove a nightmare if you have visa problems or
other administrative needs.
Average temperatures
in Moscow and St. Petersburg range from around 12°F
(-11°C ) in January to 66°F (19°C) in July.
HOLIDAYS
January 1 (New Year's Day), January 2, January 7 (Russian Orthodox Christmas), Feb-
ruary 23 (Armed Forces Day), March 8 (International Women's Day), Monday fol-
lowing Orthodox Easter (which is usually 1 or 2 weeks after Catholic/Protestant
Easter), May 1 and 2 (Labor Day/Spring Festival), May 9 (Victory Day), June 12
(Russian Independence Day), November 7 (Day of Reconciliation and Accord), and
December 12 (Constitution Day). December 25 is not a holiday in Russia. Com-
merce slows down during holidays but doesn't shut down. Many museums and restau-
rants remain open but with limited hours.
HEALTH CONCERNS
No vaccinations are necessary to visit Russia, though there have been cases of diphthe-
ria and cholera in provincial areas in recent years. Most visitors' biggest health chal-
lenges are digestive, either from St. Petersburg's bacteria-ridden water or dubiously
prepared street food. Bottled water is cheap and widely available. HIV is a growing
problem.
GETTING THERE
BY PLANE
Russia's chief international carrier remains Aeroflot. Delta is the only major U.S. air-
line that flies into Russia, though all major European carriers serve Moscow and St.
Petersburg. You can often find good deals through British Airways, BMI, Air France,
Major Festivals in Russia
The biggest party of the year is undoubtedly
New Year's Eve.
After the Com-
munists wiped Christmas off the official calendar, this date became the focus
for gift-giving and family celebrations. Since the fall of Communism,
Orthodox
Christmas (January 7)
and
Easter
have reemerged as major religious holidays,
marked by feasts and church services.
Maslenitsa
or Butter week in
February/March
is traditionally a time to eat lots of buttery
bliny
and other rich
foods before Orthodox Lent begins, and many towns stage raucous Maslenitsa
festivals. Many still celebrate
Labor Day (May 1)
with parades under red Com-
munist banners.
Victory Day
on
May 9
is still a major Russian holiday commem-
orating Hitler's defeat in World War II.
Cultural festivals include Moscow's
Easter Arts Festival
in
April/May,
featur-
ing choral ensembles and bell-ringing. St. Petersburg's
White Nights
in
late
June/early July
is 2 weeks of all-night concerts, film festivals, and boat tours to
celebrate the northern lights, when the sun never sets. The city's
White Days
festival in
late December
includes winter carnivals and a dense program of
dance, opera, and orchestral performances.
