By Howard Gethin, Posted Nov 08, 2006
Sections: Guide to Russia Russia Basics The People Travel in Russia Romance and Dating Money and Work Health and Safety Dazed and Confused Accommodation Moscow More Destinations Photo Guide Russia Onlines
Accommodation is limited, particularly in the cities, and cheap hostels are very few. There has never been a tradition of backpacker traveling in Russia, at least not in the big cities.
Staying with friends or contacts is a good option, and is something all Russians are used to doing for precisely that reason. You will often see people holding signs outside main rail stations, offering homestays.
There are a lot of hotels in Moscow and St Petersburg but they are mostly way too expensive and have the highest occupancy rates in Europe. Some new three-star stuff is starting to be built now, but it will be a few years before they are up and running. One way to cut hotel bills is to take an overnight train to your next destination, rather than a daytime one, timetable permitting.
Black Earth City is one of the most delightful traveler tales you’re likely to come across. By turns funny, poignant and tragic, Charlotte Hobson records her year spent in
There was a feel-good article in the Guardian the other day about laughter classes in Tehran.
God knows there’s lots to laugh about. Here’s a comic speech given by the ...
