Way to Russia Talk Lounge

avlabree · Just Starting Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 1

Hello-
I am an American woman going to Russia for the first time this summer. I have a bit of an aversion to tours (but open if its recommended here) I am hoping to follow the following agenda if I can get it figured out smoothly:

Flying in to St. Petersburg, traveling to Irkutsk, back to Moscow then to Bucharest, Romania. I am wondering if this is a feasible itinerary for a single woman traveler, and what I should be looking for in terms of hotel/hostel deals in those cities. I have been advised not to travel alone from many sources, and I'm just not going to take no for an answer! Any sound advice would be great here.

Should I be spending more or less time in any of those cities? I'm really shooting in the dark here in terms of planning and any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! Very Happy

Eugenia_Kempinsky · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:30 pm Post subject:

Probably you have some special reason to go to Irkutsk. Keep in mind – it is far away from either Moscow or St.Pete.
Summer is the high tourist season so I suggest booking a hotel in Moscow/St.Pete as early as possible. If you are looking for cheaper accommodation think of one of the mini-hotels (at least in St.Pete) – usually they are very well located, clean and cozy.
If you stay in Moscow and St.Pete everything is rather simple – these two places receive many foreign visitors so cities are visitor’s friendly. I think if you learn how to read Cyrillic and some simple words in Russian it will help.
In general I don’t see any danger in your trip.

mentat · Frequent Guest Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 18

Yep. I recommend little voice practics before travelling too. You can find more english marks and english-spoken people in Moscow and St.Peter-gh but not in Irkutsk.
I think you should have english-speaking friend or translator there.