Russian Federation Travel Guide

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'An Idiot Abroad' Boards the Trans-Siberian Express

January 30, 2012 at 2:05 PM | by | Comments (0)

On this week's episode of An Idiot Abroad, Karl Pilkington crosses another journey off the Bucket List: traveling across Russia on the Trans-Siberian Express.

When Karl arrived in Moscow to board the infamous train, a cranky taxi driver briefed him on the trip, explaining that Karl was about to spend a week, "in a smelly carriage with Russians who will not wash for a week but they will drink." But, at first that was not Karl's experience at all. He checked into a first class private room on the train and was actually—for maybe the first time on the series—happy. But, that happiness was short-lived after he was moved to a third class bunk where he said he "felt like Anne Frank."

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From Alaska to Siberia on Vladivostok Air, All of Which Sounds Dubious

December 2, 2011 at 9:51 AM | by | Comments (0)

We’re always intrigued by some of the air carriers based in Russia, so when we heard about Vladivostok Air bringing some flights to Alaska we just had to share. The airline is the new face of Russian aviation—at least according to their website—but they’ve actually been around for quite some time, doing their thing since the 1930s in one form or another.

Vladivostok Air is now planning weekly flights for a couple of months beginning next summer between Anchorage and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Sure it’s not Moscow or St. Petersburg, but a trip there will definitely get your friends to haul out the atlas and try to figure out where the heck the Kamchatka Peninsula is. Oh, and it’s pretty much Siberia, so there’s always that perk.

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Moscow Airport's New Sleepbox: Better than 'Two Luggages on the Floor with a Hoodie Draped Over'

August 17, 2011 at 10:40 AM | by | Comments (0)

We're not going to say that sleeping in airports is uncomfortable. Everyone already knows that. We're here today to slam down the Bible, thumb our fist on the pulpit and do declare that there is a better way! There is hope for airport nappers! This hope is the Sleepbox and after spending several years as a popular concept and focus of design blogs, the Sleepbox has actually materialized as a physical, money-generating thing.

Just this week the first Sleepbox made its debut at Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport and the international interest has been immediate. In all fairness, anything beating two luggages on the floor with a hoodie draped over them is a huge improvement. So now Sleepbox is accepting its first guests, offering rentals of 30 minutes to several hours while providing free WiFi, bunk beds, a folding desk, an LCD TV and "ventilation." Don't expect an ensuite bathroom, but do note that the bed sheets are automatically self-changing and there is luggage storage.

Want a bathroom? It's off to the Yotel with you.

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Bombing Kills More Than 30 at Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport

Where: Domodedovo International Airport, Moscow, Russian Federation
January 24, 2011 at 12:11 PM | by | Comments (0)

Steven Frischling—airline geek, professional photographer and travel security blogger of Flying With Fish—steps in to give us an update on the emergency situation currently playing out in Moscow:

Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport (DME), 26 miles southeast of Moscow and a favorite of low-cost carriers, was torn apart by a bomb blast earlier today at 4:37pm MSK, in the international arrivals lounge area.

The explosion is believed to be set off by at least one suicide bomber, although police postulate that the blast area is potentially from more than one bomb. The blast killed a confirmed 31 people, with more than 130 others injured.

Despite the fact that the explosion quickly filled the airport's single terminal with smoke, causing the airport's evacuation, Domodedovo has now miraculously reopened for flights just a few hours after the deadly terrorist attack. Russian news outlet RT.com reports that flights for this evening are departing on time.

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World Cup 2018 Goes to Russia, 2022 to Qatar (Where It's Illegal to be Drunk)

December 2, 2010 at 11:20 AM | by | Comments (0)

Just moments ago, two huge announcements hit the world, news that brings major repercussions for tourism, development, media and (of course) money. FIFA revealed the winner countries who will get to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup. Russia will host the 2018 World Cup and Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup. Yo, Qatar Airways and Aeroflot, you can start sketching some new World Cup airplane livery now.

Russia beat out England, Spain-Portugal and Holland-Belgium to win for 2018, while Qatar took top spot for 2022 over the United States, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

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$560 Total to Moscow from New York on Transaero's New US Routes

October 12, 2010 at 9:21 AM | by | Comments (2)

Raise your hand if you can name any Russian airlines. Wait, you didn't know there was more than Aeroflot? Well there is, and one of them has their sights firmly set on more direct routes between Moscow and the United States. We're talking about Transaero, an airline that's been around since 1990 and will now begin flying to both New York and Miami later this month.

With only 50 planes, Transaero is far from being mistaken as a huge airline, but they are pretty major over in Russia and are favorites for holiday travel, with routes like Moscow to Sharm el Sheikh and Moscow to London. The new Miami service is unique as it will make Transaero the first airline ever to have non-stop flights between Moscow and Miami.

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This Year, Aeroflot VIP Flyers Get a Calendar Full of Nude Flight Attendants

June 28, 2010 at 5:21 PM | by | Comments (0)

Of all the NSFW flight attendant posts we've done—and we've done more than a couple recently—this is by far the NSFW-iest of all. Russia's national airline Aeroflot regularly mails out gifts to its VIP loyalty program members, and this year they've settled on one perk designed to literally perk up their male customers.

The company will send out a 2011 calendar that fits nicely into the rest of Russia's sex-soaked culture, where each page has one of the airline's female flight attendants in some state of undress. And by "some state" we mean "totally, completely, unapologetically naked." Between this and last year's Aeroflot news, it seems like Aeroflot's cabin crew is perpetually just a video camera and a bong hit away from a debaucherous drug-fueled orgy. Which is kind of awesome.

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Another Volcano Erupts; Will It Be Eyjafjallajokull Part Two?

June 21, 2010 at 4:00 PM | by | Comment (1)

Currently listed in Wikipedia as "Last eruption: 2010 (continuing)," Russia's Shiveluch volcano took its place over the weekend as the newest candidate for traveler Big Ash problems. The 70,000 year old volcano started erupting in May 2009 and is still going strong, spewing volcanic ash some three miles into the atmosphere in just the last few days. Experts insist that there's no danger to local villages and that travel disruptions should minimal, but experts are also notoriously bad at these sorts of things. So we figured it's good to put this on your radar.

That way when your flight over the Pacific is "unexpectedly" disrupted next week, you'll know whom to blame (Science!)

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Dunkin' Donutski? Moscow to Now Run on Dunkin'

May 4, 2010 at 3:35 PM | by | Comment (1)

Another American fast food joint is attempting to take over another country. Last month, Taco Bell was breaking into India and now Dunkin' Donuts is giving Russia the old college try.

DD actually opened in Russia 11 years ago but demand was weak (Russians were reportedly confused by the donuts) and DD later closed their two shops. But this time, DD is intent on getting Russia to run on Dunkin' with plans to open 20 stores in Moscow.

The first restaurant in Moscow on Novy Arbat Street, one of the city’s most prestigious and historic areas, will be open to the public on May 11th. This opening marks Dunkin’ Donuts’ plans to expand steadily throughout Russia and Ukraine over the next several years.

Donuts Project LLC, Dunkin’ Donuts’ franchise partner in Russia, is set to open between 10 and 20 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in Moscow and the Moscow region in 2010.

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Moscow's Subway Suicide Bombings Raise Questions About Subway Safety

March 29, 2010 at 9:00 AM | by | Comments (0)

Around 11pm last night EST, which would be during the morning rush hour in Moscow, two separate female suicide bombers detonated themselves in the subway underground of the city. The first occurred in a train at the main station Lubyanka, killing 23 on the train and platform and the second came at the Park Kultury station, killing another 12. The attacks again raise important questions about the safety of public transportation while turning an eye to Russia and their terrorism problems with Islamist rebels fighting for independence in Chechnya.

Russia is not new to subway bombings, but then neither are Tokyo, London or New York, the latter of which has foiled several attempts of terrorists to bomb and even cyanide gas the system. As a result, expect subway security to be beefed up in big cities around the world, especially in New York. Plan for random bag checks and remember that using common sense is a good defense. While there's probably no need to bring your flame-retardent suit on the train today, it's also a good idea to be aware of what's going on around you.

Related Stories:
· Moscow Subways Attacked, NYPD Increases Subway Security [Gothamist]
· Two Blasts in Moscow Metro, Dozens Killed [RT]
· Tragedies [Jaunted]

[Photo: BookRags]

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Eight Things To Know About Attending The Next Olympic Games

March 1, 2010 at 5:34 PM | by | Comments (0)

The 2010 Winter Olympics have come to an end and as sad as we are for the fun to be over, we're getting cheered up by thinking about the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Here our Jaunted Winter Olympics Embed Tuija Seipell gives us tips on what we should know for the next Olympic games. Want to reminisce about the 2010 Olympics? Go here to peruse all of Tuija's stories.

The Russians had a highly visible presence at the Olympics as they will host the next Winter Games in Sochi in 2014. They took over the entire Science World here in Vancouver (originally built for Expo ’86) and renamed it Russky Dom – Russian House - so visitors were able to get a peek at what 2014 will hold.

The descriptions and topographic maps of the Krasnodar area where the games will be held looked quite cool. There was also a tiny stage where Russian singers and dancers performed, and a well-stocked shop of the expensive red-and-white Russian team gear.

But whether you're headed to London in 2012 or Sochi in 2014, there are some things you should know before you go. Here are Eight Things to Know About Attending The Olympics.

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First International Flight In 15 Years Leaves Chechen Airport

November 18, 2009 at 9:19 AM | by | Comment (1)

Is winter cabin fever setting in yet? Are you itching to travel before the holidays ground you with too much cranberry sauce? Well, all we can say is just be happy that you don't live in the region of Chechnya because they just had their first international flight in 15 years.

Okay, so there are other reasons why you should be thankful you don't live in Chechnya, like all that conflict and the human rights violations over the last 18-plus years. But since we've got the current state of Russian carrier Aeroflot on our minds, this bit of news made our ears perk up.

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