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Russia posts
Video of the Day: Russian heights
Dec 26th, 2011 at 6:30PM:
Many travelers enjoy pushing their limits while abroad. They'll try bungy jumping, skydiving or hangliding for the first time because the thrill of traveling helps them escape their comfort zone. In Russia, however, those extreme sports are not enough of a thrill. How else can you explain these teenagers climbing a tower (or perhaps it's an uncompleted building?), walking to the edge of a beam ...
5 best fast food chains around the world
Oct 14th, 2011 at 1:00PM: While fast food often gets a bad rep, you can't expect to eat all of your meals sitting in down in slow food restaurants. And, when traveling abroad, you will sometimes find that fast food doesn't always necessarily mean greasy fries and fattening burgers. Travelers can make their quick dining experiences worthwhile by visiting these five delicious and budget-friendly fast food restaurants, ...It's a band. On a motorcycle. In Russia
Oct 2nd, 2011 at 7:30PM:
We all knew that Russia is the place for opulent indulgence and incredible feats, but this video might take the cake. Youtube user tigfinger posted this amazing video of an entire band playing in a motorcycle and sidecar speeding down the Russian highway, happily playing along as if nothing were amiss.
The story gets even more interesting when you translate the title of the video, ...
10 countries Americans need advance visas to visit
Aug 17th, 2011 at 12:00PM: We live in an increasingly borderless world and we have access to many countries that were closed (or non-existent) 20 years ago. As reported earlier this week, Americans are especially lucky with access to 169 countries visa free. Still, there are still many countries that Americans need advance visas to visit. Visa applications and processing services can cost several hundreds of dollars and ...Russia celebrates 450th anniversary of St. Basil's Cathedral
Jul 11th, 2011 at 10:30AM: It's the most recognizable icon in Russia, reproduced on millions of postcards, books, and websites. St. Basil's in Moscow is a colorful cathedral that's celebrating its 450th anniversary this year. As part of the celebration, the cathedral is opening an exhibition tomorrow dedicated to the mad holy man for whom the cathedral is named.
St. Basil lived during the time of Ivan the Terrible ...Top ten most crowded islands in the world
Jul 7th, 2011 at 12:30PM:
From an island microslum in Colombia to a haute enclave in central Paris, the ten most crowded islands in the world bear scant similarities in class or culture. In fact, every entry in the top ten comes from a different country. But being islands, each shares the common thread of scarcity - whether it be land, resources, or housing. In general, these islands are prophetical microcosms for an ...Poison alcohol kills Russian tourists: three things they should have known
Jun 3rd, 2011 at 10:00AM: Poisonous alcohol has been blamed for the deaths of three Russians on a cruise off the Turkish resort of Bodrum.
The Russians were part of a trip by travel agency managers exploring tourism possibilities in Turkey. In total, 20 Russians and one Turk were poisoned by the drinks. The $50 cruise included 10-12 mixed drinks. While some reported that the alcohol had a strange taste, it appears that ...Moscow Metro celebrates 76th anniversary
May 20th, 2011 at 1:00PM:
This year marks the 76th anniversary of the Moscow metro system. From the public to the private areas, the stunning architectural images showcase one of the world's most fascinating transportation masterpieces, far exceeding the beauty of those in the United States.
Opened in 1935 with one 11 kilometer line and 13 stations, it was the first underground rail system in the then Soviet ...Video: mysterious dancing Russian plane
May 5th, 2011 at 10:30AM:
A word of warning - this is a long video, but if you have the patience to watch it, you'll see what the title means. This Russian Tupolev Tu-154 took off from an airport near Moscow, and experienced a defect in its controls. According to one source, the plane hadn't flown for over ten years, and was sent skyward without any checks or repairs.
Apparently, the crazy dancing plane was able to ...
Ode to the expat newspaper
May 3rd, 2011 at 3:00PM: One of my favorite things about traveling, in addition to foreign supermarkets, oddball museums, and miniature toiletries, is the local English-language expat newspaper. When I'm home in New York, I tend to get all my news online, either directly from news websites through specific searches or curated from friends' links on social media (one of the best sources for news from US newspapers is ...Knocked up abroad: second trimester travel
Apr 27th, 2011 at 11:30AM:
Not far along enough for second trimester travel? Read more about pregnancy in a foreign country, Turkish prenatal care, travel in the first trimester,Turkish superstitions, and foreign baby names on Knocked up abroad.
A few years ago, before the word staycation foisted itself into the travel lexicon, babymoons were all the rage. A babymoon typically referred to the last getaway for ...Knocked up abroad: foreign baby names in a foreign country
Apr 15th, 2011 at 12:00PM: Just arrived? Read more about pregnancy in a foreign country, Turkish prenatal care, travel in the first trimester, and Turkish superstitions on Knocked up abroad.
"Whatever you do, if it's a girl, don't call her Natasha," was the first bit of advice a Turkish friend gave me about having a baby in Istanbul. While a common and inoffensive name in the US and Russia, in Turkey and many other ...Knocked up abroad: pregnant travel in the first trimester
Mar 16th, 2011 at 11:30AM: For more on pregnant travel, see parts 1 and 2 of Knocked up abroad: pregnancy in a foreign country here and here.
There's no question that having a baby changes you: your body, your lifestyle, even your shoe size. One thing I hoped not to change altogether was traveling, as long as it was reasonably safe and comfortable for me and the baby. From the beginning of my pregnancy in Istanbul, my ...Russia plans Las Vegas clone in Siberia
Mar 10th, 2011 at 1:30PM: Siberia is known for many things. Long train rides that cover almost 6000 miles, massive tigers that hunt wild boar in snowy enclaves, and a lake whose depths reach deeper than any other lake in the world. Oh and cold. Wintry, unrelenting, freezing cold weather drapes Siberia in snow and below freezing temperatures for roughly half of the year. It is a place so remote and foreboding that if you ...Photo of the Day - Matryoshka dolls
Mar 6th, 2011 at 6:00PM:
For travelers, Russia is a country that is at once fascinating and baffling. An oft-cited metaphor for Russia's many charms and mysteries is the Matryoshka doll, a typical wooden figurine pictured in today's photo. At first glance, the Matryoshka appears to be a single doll, but when opened, reveals a series of ever-smaller figures inside. Adding to the mystery of today's photo, taken by ...Five ways to get more European stamps in your passport
Mar 2nd, 2011 at 10:30AM:
Lake Ohrid, Macedonia.
Yesterday, I wrote about the fact that European passport stamps have become harder and harder to get. The expansion of the Schengen zone has reduced the number of times tourists are compelled to show their passports to immigration officials. For most Americans on multi-country European itineraries, a passport will be stamped just twice: upon arrival and upon departure. ...Travel then and now: Travel to the USSR and GDR
Mar 1st, 2011 at 3:30PM: This year is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Soviet Union and 21 years since the reunification of Germany. While citizens of the USSR and GDR were unable to travel abroad and restricted in domestic travel, foreign travelers were permitted under a controlled environment. In the early nineties, if you were a foreigner looking to go abroad to the Eastern Europe or Central Asia, you called ...Russian truck transports plane through St. Petersburg streets
Jan 25th, 2011 at 1:00PM:
I just know there is a "In Russia...." joke to be made here. The photo shows the elaborate transport of a U.S. owned Eclipse private jet. The plane was being transported from the airport to a convention center where it was scheduled to be put on display.
According to the story, during transport, the truck hit the nose of the plane which messed up the entire plan. Originally, the plane was ...10 ways to survive a Russian winter vacation
Jan 12th, 2011 at 3:00PM:
The phrase "Russian winter" may bring to mind images of tall fur hats, snowcovered gold church domes, and steaming bowls of borscht. It may also remind you that both the armies of Hitler and Napoleon were driven off by the cold winter of the north and that "Russian winter" is also an explanation why every invader has failed to conquer the country. Winter of 2010-2011 was forecast to be the worst ...InterContinental Hotel Group prepares for 2011 openings in Russia, Portugal, Qatar, more
Jan 3rd, 2011 at 12:00PM: A new year brings new hotels. While travelers are prepping their calendars in anticipation of 2011 trips, hotel groups are working hard to open new properties around the world for guests. International expansion in Asia and Europe are top priorities for hotel groups including Marriott, Starwood and Hilton. Next up: InterContinental Hotel Groups plans their 2011 expansion including hotels in ...
