Travel to Russia

JaZZ in Russia

Jazz at the Old Fortress Produced by: Helicon Jazz Club (Anatole Berestov) Annual (since 1981; April) Contact: Helicon Jazz Club, 2 Pokryshkina St., Novokuznetsk 654025 Russia; tel. (7)(3843) 468-309, fax: (7)(3843) 459-280; e-mail - helicon@nvkz.kuzbass.net This festival in an industrial Siberian city is one of the oldest and most exotic in Russia. In the very middle of core Asia, between mighty Taiga forests and ancient Altai mountains that gave birth to medieval Tartar empires, best Russian jazzmen and brave Western guests (like Eddy Gomez, Lenny White, Valery Ponomarev, Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson etc.) play excellent jazz in a luxurious 500-seat jazz club which looks better than almost any American club! Venue: Helicon Jazz Club

Wrangel Island

It is an island in the Arctic Ocean, between the Chukchi and East Siberian Seas. It is part of Russia and lies across the 180° meridian. It is about 78 miles wide and 2,800 square miles in area. The highest point on the island is Sovetskaya Mountain with 3,596 feet.
This rocky island has a weather station, a single permanent human settlement, and is a breeding ground for polar bears, having the highest density of dens in the world, seals and lemmings. During the summer it is visited by many types of birds.
During the last ice age, the mammoths lived on Wrangel Island and it has been shown that mammoths survived on this island until 1700 BC, which is the most recent survival of all known mammoth populations.
Its flora includes 417 species of plants, double of any other arctic tundra territory of comparable size, and more than any other Arctic island. For these reasons the island was proclaimed the northernmost World Heritage Site in 2004.

Sakhalin and Kuril Islands

The Sakhalin and the Kurile Islands are located on the east of Russia; to the north and quite near Japan. The Major Kurile Archipelago stretches for 1,200 kilometers north west to the Kamchatka Peninsula. It includes 56 islands, of which Iturup, Kunashir and Paramushir are the largest. The Sakhalin Island lies between the continent and the Kuriles. It is equal in size to the European countries of Austria, Switzerland or Ireland. The Sakhalin resembles a giant fish in its shape. The broadest part of the island is about 160 km. The narrowest place - Poyasok Isthmus - is only 47 kilometers long. Nature reserves, protected by the state comprise 11,8 % of the region's area: 2 reserves (Poronaysky and Kurilsky), 1 special nature reserve of federal value (Maliye Kurily), 11 game preserves (protect and reproduce species),2 complex special nature reserves, 47 natural monuments, 1 National Park "Moneron Island", situated on a rocky island close to the Sakhalin southwestern coast. It is the first marine national park in Russia. It is located in the Tatar Strait, by the farthest southwestern point of the Sakhalin. The area of the island is about 30 square kilometers. The rare combination of various forms of underwater relief and influence of the warm Tsusimskoye Current explain why there are so many specimen of subtropical shellfish, sea urchin (Strongilacentrotus) and many fingered starfish in the underwater world of the Moneron Island.

Kaliningrad

Kaliningrad is the new name for the old city Kenigsberg, founded in 1255 by the knights of the Teutonic order. This unique city, part of which is full by parks and public gardens, was renamed Kaliningrad in 1946. Here the architecture is the typical for old European capitals, it's harmonically combined with modern buildings.
It is an economical and cultural center of the region. The tourists' interest to the city has been constantly growing.
Kaliningrad is located near the Baltic Sea and known as the city of amber. The pride of the city is the zoo, where the visitors can see various animals and birds, including some rare ones. It's also one of the scientific centers of Russia, as there are several famous Universities and Naval schools in the city. Moreover the city is famous as the place where Immanuel Kant, a world-famous philosopher, is buried.

Tipping

Tipping is increasingly expected at restaurants. Tip 10-15% depending on service. It is typical to round up the amount due to the next round figure.

Taxis

In Russia, taxi fees are usually negotiated with the driver ahead of time. Do not use gypsy cabs or accept rides in cabs that already have a rider.

Crime

Crime situation has considerably improved in Russia over the past couple of years. Moscow and St. Petersburg are a lot safer than many American cities. Precautions include not flaunting valuables, or walking alone at night through city outskirts or parks.

Water

Water quality varies widely in Russia. Your best bet is to drink and brush your teeth only with bottled water which is widely available in supermarkets. Be careful to avoid ice and raw foods and vegetables.

Medical Care

Remember to bring any medications you may need. Check with your health insurer before you depart to ascertain your coverage in the event of emergency. Many insurance providers offer specialized riders which can cover emergency evacuation. We do recommend buying a travel insurance.

Currency

All prices are generally quoted in rubles. Currency can be freely converted at banks, hotels or kiosks. Traveler's checks are hard to cash. Credit cards are accepted in most places that work with foreign tourists. Some may turn down American Express. Visa and MasterCard are known, hence - more widely honored. ATM machines are widely available in major cities, but note: they do not have letters on the key pad, so if your PIN includes letters, do remember them as digits!