Completely updated every year. Insider advice from a local expert. Our author, a former Moscow-based AP correspondent, hits all the highlights, from Red Squaqre to the Hermitage. She's checked out both cities' best hotels and restaurants in person, and offers authoritative, candid reviews that will help you find the choices that suit your tastes and budget. Where to find the best dining from fresh fish to street food to opulent 19th Century cafes; the best accommodations from hostel to hotels fit for royalty; the best shops for linens, lacquer boxes, vodka, and nesting dolls; the best oddball attractions including Lenin's Mausoleum. Opinionated reviews. You'll get the author's favorite experiences: viewing Red Square at night, steaming stress away at a banya, taking the trans-Siberian railroad, sipping Baltika beer at Patriarch's Ponds, and enjoying a night out at the Mariinsky Theater. Exact prices listed for every establishment and activity--no other guides offer such detailed, candid reviews of hotels and restaurants. We include the very best, but also emphasize moderately priced choices for real people. User-friendly features including star ratings and special icons to point readers to great finds, excellent values, insider tips, best bets for kids, special moments, and overrated experiences.
This is a very useful guide to planning a trip to these two cities and finding your way around when you are there.
Excellent guide and I know Russia!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
I think the guide is useful and concise, very much to the point and touches on many interesting and relevant topics. I've lived in Russia most of my life, so far, and I think the guide more than does it justice.
I love Frommer's!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
With that said, I have been to Russia only once (about 10 years ago) and it was with a tour. I am planning my second trip this Fall (2006) and was pleased to see that Frommer's finally put out a book for Russia. The matter of fact reviews as well as prices cited for absolutely everything give you a snapshot of what it "might" cost. I say "might" because there are so many variables that a book can't truly predict (i.e. fluid exchange rates, supply/demand, the "current will of a taxi driver", etc.) but this book gives you at least a starting point to evaluate if you are overpaying or getting a deal. I am planning to go this Fall without a guide and my confidence is building, as result of this book. I should say that I can read & write in Russian and speak a little, but it was still an intimidating country for me 10 years ago. I can read a Frommers book anytime even if I do not have trip planned. I've just started reading this one and I already love it. Good job (again) Frommer's!
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