Russia In Depth: Traveling to Russia
2. St. Petersburg, formerly Leningrad, is Russia’s second largest city. The city’s namesake, Peter the Great – established the city in 1703, which he envisioned as being a “window on the West” and the new capital of the Russian Empire. Tensions with Germany, however, led to a name change around the time of the First World War. The authorities changed the name to Petrograd because St. Petersburg sounded too German. The city acquired its present name in 1991, when a city referendum called for reinstitution of its historical name. St. Petersburg is home to The Hermitage, also known as the Winter Palace, and is considered to be one of the world’s greatest and finest museums of art.
3. Westerners who first make the trip to Russia report a sharp contrast between their living conditions and those of their Russian counterparts. In turn, Russians first coming to the West, and especially to the United States, report experiencing culture shock, sometimes severely.
4. The US Department of State and the US Embassy and consulates in Russia are sometimes a traveler’s best friend, offering various types of services to US citizens traveling there. American consular officials actively promote the safety of US citizens visiting Russia, working regularly with local officials.
5. US authorities advise
those going to Russia to register with the nearest available US embassy or
consulate office. This can be done online or in person, and in cases of
emergency can be vital in ensuring your safety.
6. Whether you will be traveling to or through Russia, if you are a US citizen, you must have a valid US passport with you. It doesn’t matter how you will be making your trip, whether its by train, car, horseback, ship, rowboat or airplane, Russian authorities will need to see your valid US passport.
7. Going to Russia without a passport is foolhardy. Not only will you be denied entry, but you will be subject to immediate departure, at your expense. Bear in mind that it is impossible to get a Russian entry visa upon arrival.
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