Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Sam29 · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 1:48 am Post subject: Things to buy in Russia

Greetings,

I am a student of Tourism and I have assigned a power point presentation of Russia. I have been gathering lots of valuable info from different sites, including this one. However, one of the few things that I still have to find out is what things (souveniers) to buy in Russia, mainly Moscow and St. Petersburg because those are the main tourist cities. Anything particular from Russia that would be interesting to buy there? (If this sort of info is on this site then my apologies, it must have escaped me). Thanks for your help.

Sam

cyndy22 · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 4:28 am Post subject:

Typical souveniers found in Russia include nesting Matroska dolls (not spelled correctly); porcelain dolls with Russian costume/dress; embroidered shirts of traditional Russian style; ; beautiful shawls made of wool and decorated in Russian styles; Russian hats; laquer boxes hand painted; amber jewelry; miniture representations of Basil's Cathedral in Red Square and other beautiful Russian churches; military memorabilia; vodka; caviar; chocolates;. There are mank kiosks that sell these souveniers and a whole lot of other souveniers.

Sam29 · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:11 am Post subject:

Ah, the dolls, yes! Thanks for the help! Very Happy

MrSpice · Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3436

It looks like you live in the US. You don't need to buy any of this in russia. All this stuff can be bought for the same price if not cheaper in New York (you'll probably go through New York anyway).

Cyndy's recommandation to buy vodka makes least sense of all - obviously, russian vodka is widely available anywhere. Just buy it at a duty-free shop at any airport, or if you live in Puerto Rico (it looks like you do), vodka is already very cheap there.

All those Matreshkas are very tacky and you can buy them here in New York too.

Don't buy anything in Russia except maybe picture travel books. Spend your money in the land of the free.

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1011

How about something the whole family can enjoy like
AK-47, your mug shot in a Russian jail or weapons grade depleted Plutonium?

Go to Arbat and you can get small paintings done locally for a huge price.
Cyndy suggestions are okay also. But Russian Platnium Vodka or highly decorated bottles. But nothing beats a local books in Russian. Hermitage will not allow many pictures to be taken in certain areas. Same with Catherdrals also.
Moscow and SPB are thieves on prices, smaller cities are better for prices.

mister_wizzz · VIP Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 570

You could bring some religious souvenirs, orthodox icons for instance ?
As for me, I really like Christian church, every time I visit one I buy a souvenir, you will not find it anywhere else and it will help local people to keep their church in good state.

cyndy22 · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 10:05 pm Post subject:

Sam is looking for souveneir info. for a class project, not what he will personally buy. Matreoshka dolls are not tacky in my opinion. mOST PEOPLE WHO i HAVE BOUGHT THEM FOR LOVE THEM.

cyndy22 · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 1:53 am Post subject:

btw Sam,
What about your friend in Moscow? Surely he is an excellent source here.

I am picky about souveniers but I love the few souveniers that I have acquired through travels especially the ones I got in Russia. My photograghs however are even more special. But perhaps women enjoy shopping and souveniers more so than men. On the other hand I saw some cool stuff for men.

Sam29 · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 3:46 am Post subject:

tdk2fe · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 8:25 pm Post subject:

I'll tell you one think, you're not going to find a cosmonaught helmet, tankist uniform, or mig-fighter pilot helmet in New York. There's some cool things you can buy in russia, and for the right price just about anything is for sale.

I know of a tourist agency in St. Pete that specializes in letting you do crazy stuff, like driving tanks or flying a jet. Costs a pretty penny, but that'd be damn cool.

snoof777 · Frequent Guest Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 55

its real deal, not the international thing you are thinking of. different taste and its authentic ! try putinka or flagman gold.

Anna · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:59 pm Post subject:

I would not recommend You buying things in numerous gift shops and souvenir galleries. If You are to stay in Russia for longer then 3-5 days' period - You can visit the actual places where such things are produced. In St.Petersburg a very peculiar thing to buy will be porcelain from St.Petersburg Lomonossov Porcelain Works - You can buy it directly from the factory. Also I know a person who went to Gzhel to buy things there.
Also before buying Russian vodka it's a good thing to try whether You like the taste of it. In St.Petersburg there's a Museum of Russian Vodka where You can do that Very Happy

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1011

Anna is complete correct. But the best things are the glorious books and pictures like the Hermitage or Petergof. I still want a book on the last savior. Hey Mediashark, maybe we can make a trade for some goodies from the west?
BTW they have peanut butter flavoured Oreos!!!!
Maybe we should get Dmitri out to Albion!!!

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

Чебурашка · Talk Show Host Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 218

Didn't Dmitri use to be a goody-two-shoes boy? That'd make him perfect for the job Wink