Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
81
building, and they offer more services than
most bed-and-breakfasts but are less
expensive and more intimate than the
massive Soviet-era hotels most tour groups
prefer.
Renting a
private apartment
for your
stay is also popular, opening up more
options in price and location than the
hotel industry can. This is especially con-
venient during high seasons, such as the
White Nights in St. Petersburg, when
hotels fill up fast. The safest bet is to use a
real estate agency that services the apart-
ment and is available for assistance at all
hours in case of emergency. Many indi-
vidual apartment owners also advertise
rentals online or hover around interna-
tional airports and train stations, but most
of these are risky propositions.
If you're seeking a closer look at day-to-
day Russian existence, or want to learn or
practice Russian, a
homestay
can be a
good option. The ideal homestay is an
apartment with a family history and a
family member eager to tell you about it,
as opposed to someone merely renting out
a room for extra cash. Your room will
probably be packed with the family's stuff,
a library's worth of books, and a few gen-
erations' worth of knickknacks. Your host
will clear out a shelf in the overstuffed
closet for your belongings, but little more.
The best way to determine what you're
getting into is to call your hosts before you
reserve, or at least before you pay. (This is
also a good way to check how well they
speak English.)
Note:
With any of the above options, be
sure to find out
before you reserve
whether
they can arrange your
visa
invitation.
If
not, you'll need to find a reputable travel
agency to take care of that for you, which
could cost up to 5,000 rubles more and
takes at least 2 weeks. See the visa advice at
the beginning of this chapter for details.
In addition to the reviews in the
“Where to Stay” chapters, the following
companies can help you with less tradi-
tional accommodations.
• Russian Travel Service
(www.123russia.
com): This service arranges homestays
in St. Petersburg with English-speaking
or Russian-only hosts. Rates start at 500
rubles per night. They'll ask you about
your animal and food allergies and
arrange your visas.
• Host Families Association
(www.hofa.
ru): This service arranges homestays in
both Moscow and St. Petersburg, with
either Russian or English-speaking
hosts. Rates start at 625 rubles per
night.
• City Realty
(www.cityrealtyrussia.
com): This company provides serviced
apartments of all categories in Moscow
and St. Petersburg, from 1,250 rubles
per night.
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