Moscow Travel Answers

Rumors about extreme cold in Moscow and St Petersburg are slightly overrated. Even in January the temperature rarely falls below -7. One of the best restorants in Moscow is «Pushkin», which is famous for authentic russian cousine. If you are planning to buy souvenirs in Russia be careful- most of goods you can by on flea markets is very low in quality and all the same. They all look like they are all from Pakistan fabrique of Fakes. The alternative is sovenirs boutique like Rus velikaya( Русь Великая in Kirrillic), Which is near Chkalovkaya tube station. In my opinion it is more like museum then souvenir market. Of course their prices are a little bit higher but at least you can be sure that all of their staff is make by Russian artisans. Lately I found their group on facebook www.facebook.com/RusVelikaia/ - pure pleasure

Basili - your directions re the more authentic souvenir place all came out in gobbledegook. Is it possible to write it so it is in plain English? thank you!

Rumors about cold in Moscow and St. Petersburg are not just rumors. I was in both cities this year at the end of January/beginning of February and the temperature was around -20-25 C. It was brutal. Yes, that was extreme cold even by local standards, but it's certainly possible to get stuck in it. During the three winters that I spent in Moscow, it dipped down to that level at least once or twice each winter, for a few days. My strong advice is to buy and bring the warmest boots you can lay your hands on. Also, be aware that most sidewalks are pretty poorly maintained as far as ice and snow removal--it's very easy to slip and fall. You want to be wearing boots with good soles. Young Russian women somehow manage to walk around in 3-inch heels anyway, but if you don't have practice in that, you'll break your ankle! There are a lot of good farmers' markets in Moscow (all around the city) but obviously these are a lot more colorful in the summer than in the winter. The Russian word for this kind of market is "rynok" and if you ask at your hotel for the closest one, they can tell you where it is. I used to live about a block from the Cheremushkinskiy rynok, which is not far from the Moscow State University campus, and there are many others, like Dorogomilovskiy, Tsentralniy, etc. There are also numerous goods markets selling (mostly) cheap consumer goods from China, which are not quite so atmospheric but still a very big part of life in Moscow.

Both respondents were right about Moscow weather. Unfortunately, now it is absolutely unpredictable. But I would say, that it's better when it is -10 -15C, then when it is around 0. As inthat case you can put on something warm and you'll be fine. But when it is about zero and all snow mixed with mud starts melting, the wind is blowing and it is still cold. It's awfull. So you'll have to think of not only warm, but water and wind resistant clothes, especially for StPetes. Pushkin WILL cost a fortune. If you come in the end of February you may be lucky enough to come when we celebrate Maslenitza. No, I checked, next year it will be in March. As for the markets, do not buy anything at so called Vernisage.It's absolutely pseudo Russian. Though you can just take a walk there. Actually, sometimes you can find really nice things at a small market not far from Historical Museum at Revolution Square. There is a good store of folk lace and embroidery on Arbat.

There are a huge number of souvenier shops on Old Arbat, but it is the tourist strip and they are not cheap, more upscale and this street isn't much for food unless it is in restaurants. While there I dined in a place called the Spechbuffet, which is over the Karmenny bridge. The food is good but what made it notable was that it used former Soviet china and its motif was that of a Soviet era restaurant. In theory the waiters are intentionally rude etc., but my limited Russian blunted that humorous as[pect of the place. Spechbuffet: "Communist Chic Cuisine" - Moscow Restaurant Tip by dlandt I also highly recommend park Statue, which is where they dragged all of the old Soviet memorials to the communists and set them up ina display before turning the local artists loose. "Park Statue - My one "MUST DO"" - Parks/Walking Routes Tip by dlandt and "A must see - Park Statue" - Moscow Things to Do Tip by dlandt

It is weather archive of feb 2012: gismeteo.ru/diary/4368/2012/... Climate is dry and it is windy, especially in StP. It is not comfortable for long distance walking :( Take the wool scarf, socks and cap, good waterproof shoes and warm coat. There is big food market "Danilovskiy" near metro station "Tulskaya". This is one of the most popular in Moscow. But in winter almoust all of vegetables is not russian (from China, Netherlands, Turkey, Egiprt, Israel, Morocco etc). http://www.danrinok.ru/