The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website is a good source of health information for travelers.

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Sightseeing may require, at minimum, the ability to walk at a moderate pace for a mile or two and the balance and agility necessary to climb stairs, enter and exit buses and boats, and navigate uneven or cobble-stoned streets. Some sightseeing stops do not have elevators or wheelchair access. Bring medications in their original, clearly labeled containers. A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your med­ical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea. If carrying syringes or needles, have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity. When on vacation, it is always wise to watch what you eat and drink and avoid drinking tap water while traveling. Most hotels will provide complimentary bottled water. You can purchase additional bottled water throughout your trip.

The currency in Russia is the Russian Ruble, which is made up of 100 kopeks. It is available in the following denominations: Banknotes: 10, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 Rubles; Coins: 1, 5, 10, 50 kopeks and 1, 2, 5, 10 Rubles. You can use all major credit and debit cards (including Cirrus and Maestro) in ATMs and good restaurants and hotels. Traveler’s checks are possible to exchange, although at a price. Euros or US dollars in cash is the best to bring, and in general, should be in pristine condition – crumpled or old notes are often refused. You can exchange foreign currency at authorized agencies such as banks, exchange offices, and hotels. The exchange rate constantly fluctuates. The current exchange rate is approximately 1 USD = 62 RUB. For the most updated exchange rate, please check www.xe.com.

The standard electrical voltage in Russia is 220 volts and 50 hertz. Bringing an adaptor is a good idea if you plan to use electronics (i.e., cell phones, laptops, cameras, etc.) during your trip.

Russian cuisine is diverse, as Russia is the largest country in the world. It derives its rich and varied character from Russia’s vast and multicultural expanse. Its foundations were laid by the peasant food of the rural population in an often harsh climate, with a combination of plentiful fish, poultry, game, mushrooms, berries, and honey. Crops of rye, wheat, buckwheat, barley, and millet provided the ingredients for many pieces of bread, pancakes, cereals, kvass, beer, and vodka.

Never drink tap water in St Petersburg, as it contains Giardia lamblia, a parasite that can cause horrific stomach cramps and nausea. Bottled water is available to purchase everywhere. Saint Petersburg and Moscow offer sophisticated, world-class dining and a wide variety of cuisines, including Japanese, Tibetan, and Italian. They are also excellent cities to sample some of the best cuisines of the former Soviet Union (e.g., Georgian and Uzbek). It is also possible to eat well and inexpensively without resorting to the many western fast food chains that have opened up. Russians have their versions of fast food restaurants which range from cafeteria-style serving comfort foods to street-side kiosks cooking up blinis or stuffed potatoes.

Russian is the official language in Russia. The language is a member of the Slavic language family, with the minor exception being that it is further sub-classified into the East Slavic family, thus being closely related to Ukrainian and Belarusian. English is becoming a requirement in the business world, and many younger Russians in the cities (particularly Moscow or St. Petersburg and elsewhere) know enough English to communicate.