Moscow included in the List of the Top Fifteen ‘Rising Destination’ Sites for 2012

Moscow, Red Square

According to the largest international tourism search engine ‘TripAdvisor’, Moscow is the fourth most promising and attractive tourist destination for 2012 in the list of the fifteen most popular rising international destination sites for 2012. The rating is based on feedback from the website’s visitors and experts in the field of tourism media. Moscow with its interesting political, scientific, historical, architectural and business culture currently attracts travellers from all over the world.

Moscow’s centuries-old history now sits side-by-side with modern European outlook. Once in Moscow, ‘TripAdvisor’ recommends that tourists visit the ornate metro stations, Red Square and the Kremlin, to see the nine domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, the KGB Museum and many other symbols of Moscow’s great and terrible past.

The top fifteen tourist destinations in the ‘TripAdvisor rating, for destinations that are rapidly growing in popularity, are led by the resort of Lagos in Portugal, followed by Hua Hin in Tailand, Tallin in Estonia, Moscow in Russia, Bucharest in Romania, Innsbruck in Austria, Stockholm in Sweden, Cannes in France, Turin in Italy, San Sebastian – Donostia in Spain, Austin in Texas, Antigua Guatemala in Guatemala, Semiyak in Indonesia, Cape Town in South Africa and Queenstown in New Zealand.

Special police forces for tourists in Moscow

The Moscow Committee for Tourism and the Hospitality Business is planning to create a special police department for tourism to help foreign visitors orientate themselves in the Russian capital.

These types of police units are now commonplace in many European countries. There is a strong possibility that these units will be patrolling the streets of Moscow as early as 2012.

It is reported that the police uniform for the tourism department will differ from the usual police uniform, although the actual design has not been discussed in any detail as yet. It is also known that the Moscow Committee is planning to recruit people who are over 35 years old, in the belief that older people will have more experience and have a better knowledge of how to react to different situations. The special police officers will have a detailed knowledge of Moscow’s tourist sites and be able to answer the most common questions foreign visitors are likely to ask.

According to the plan of the Moscow Committee, the presence of special tourist services will increase the attractiveness of the capital for foreign visitors.

A leading international travel exhibition, the “World Travel Market” ended in London last week

For four days London hosted the world-famous international travel exhibition the “World Travel Market” (WTM). WTM can be compared with such great and world-renowned tourism events, as the Chinese CITM, the ITB in Germany and the JATA World Travel Fair in Japan.

In 2011, the exhibition was organised by nearly 5,000 representatives from 197 countries and regions. Early indications suggest that the event was attended by more than 25,000 people, all of whom have an interest in the tourism industry.

Tourism professionals value the WTM as a unique international business platform to establish business contacts, make deals, learn about the latest industry events and to generate new areas for business development.

The World Tourism Organisation held the key note speech which was dedicated to the development of the tourism industry in the face of uncertainty, in particular, the events in Japan, the complication of the political situation in the Middle East and the economic crisis were discussed.

This year, the Russian Federation with the support of the Federal Tourism Agency (Rosturizm) represented numerous regions of the country such as Volgograd, Irkutsk, Kostroma, Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Rostov, Sverdlovsk Region, Krasnodar, the Altai and Perm region, and the Sakha Republic as well as Moscow and St. Petersburg. It is also important to acknowledge the contributions made by major Russian tour operators, enterprises, transport companies, museums and other hospitality companies all of which gladly introduced the visitors and partners to a range of their tourism products and services.

The Russian delegation was led by the Head of the Federal Agency for Tourism, Alexander Radkov.

The next WTM will be held in London, in the ExCeL Exhibition Centre from 5th – 8th November 2012.

Russian Fashion in Folklore Style – colourful, bright and dynamic

Russian Fashion in Folklore Style – colourful, bright and dynamic. Inspired by traditional Russian clothes, shawls and scarves coming from old provincial towns. This is the Russian sole and its history that inspired new approach in fashion. Collection by Shevchenko family designers – Yanastasia brand. Presentation at shopping and entertainment complex Afimall, part of the Moscow International Business Centre – Moscow – City, on 23 October 2011. Collection presented by famous Russian singers, dancers, and their children.

The 11th International Conservatoire Week in St. Petersburg

28th October, St. Petersburg will host the “International Conservatoire Week” festival. The “International Conservatoire Week” festival is a unique forum for one of the brightest and most extraordinary music projects in St. Petersburg. Musicians from all over the world will perform varied music including opera, folk, choral, jazz, chamber music and wind instrument emsembles on different stages around St. Petersburg.

The festival programme also includes Stravinsky’s ballet, The State Chamber Choir of Armenia and world premieres performed by contemporary Russian composers.

A number of workshops, lectures and seminars held by world-class musicians will run alongside the festival.

Please contact Go Russia for tickets.

Apple Museum in Moscow

A collector of Apple memorabilia, Andrey Antonov is planning to open an ‘Apple’ museum in Moscow. Antonov has built-up a unique collection of technical equipment and accessories made by technology giant ‘Apple’. The collection includes screens, hardware, keyboards and other computer paraphernalia produced by Apple during the last 30 years.

In this collection you can find everything from the sublime to the ridiculous. The former includes both the stationary and portable models of the Apple IIC (1980), a rare Apple II from 1978, the first pocket computer and the Mac portable which astronauts have taken with them into space. The latter includes a beer bag-fridge complete with radio and some limited edition Apple-shaped sunglasses.

The opening of the museum is scheduled for the beginning of 2012.

Beer art-museum in Moscow

The Beer art-museum will be open in the former factory known as the “Red October” building in Moscow on 18th October.

Visitors will have a chance to taste more than 100 samples of different types of beer, ale, stout, and lager. There will be an opportunity to try beer with the flavour of nettles, banana, cherry, vanilla and coffee.

The main purpose of the museum is to teach people the etiquette of beer drinking. Visitors of the museum will be guided around by experts who will be able to discuss brewing traditions around the world and beer consumption etiquette.

Each visitor can take part in the beer production process or can design a beer glass.

Travelling with Go Russia to Moscow, Volgograd and St. Petersburg

Have just completed the feedback survey but wanted to add some personalised comments for you all, both positive and constructive. Firstly had a great time, I could not believe it would be better than the last time but it was.

Organisation
I very much like the flexibility that this company offers. You, personally, have worked tirelessly to meet all my little requests in terms of a tailor made tour/solution. The effort you went to in organising different car/driver combinations was excellent and is a testament to both your expertise and the companies flexibility. It is a real customer focussed company and I hope you never loose that, it is a rare commodity.

Hotels
Hotels again are great, which is why I stayed in them again. I cant tell you how impressed I am particularly with the Ambassador. This is well above what I would class a 4 star hotel.
I made some feedback, at hotel staff request, on the InTourist hotel in Volgograd. It is comfortable and I did not have any major problems, but it is not of the same standard as the Moscow or St Petersburg hotel. Not complaining, you just need to be aware. Their restaurant is fairly ordinary, but the one across the road at the Volgograd is excellent. They could do with an investment in bed/mattress combinations as the wooden frame single beds are not brilliant and the air conditioner and fridges really don’t cope with the 35 degree heat of Volgograd. Again, not complaining just letting you know. I sleep under the stars if I have to, so I take what I get and it met my needs, especially with its great location.

One improvement you do need to make is booking of early check ins if required. I had forgotten to ask, but it was the same last time. When the overnight train arrives in St Peter at 8 or 9 am, rooms aren’t available at the Ambassador until 14:00 unless early checkin has been organised. Getting of the train all you want is a shower, so this should be considered.

Similarly then, because they cant give you access to rooms no key is available so breakfast becomes a problem, as you need the keypass for lift access. Early checkin would solve all the problems, and is just a minor detail

Transfers
Only had one problem with transfers with one being 30-45 minutes late at the airport. Held my ground against the taxi companies who want your business but at close to midnight you do begin to worry. Can I suggest a local Russian Number to call if there is any problems or to get guidance. I know you have a UK number, but international calls are hugely expensive on a Russian SIM card which typically only have 500 Rubbles credit on them (Which is plenty for local calls). The driver was fine, but sometimes little problems do crop up.

Drivers
You have excellent drivers. I cant believe the lengths drivers go to in Moscow in particular to keep traffic moving. It is an eye opener. David in particular on this trip was a real asset. He organised things brilliantly, especially where we had the drop off and pick up at the same spot (Great Patriotic War Museum). His English is great and he spent a bit of time ensuring that the driver picking me up was well briefed, and I was well briefed. He managed to have me picked up with a different car and driver from the same spot at the agreed time without any problems. I cant speak highly enough of his services.

Guides
Again a real highlight, as there were last time. Tamara at Volgograd was excellent. The gentleman who took me to Monino was fabulously entertaining and even offered to let me join his family for a meal and drink, such was his hospitality. Svetlana who escorted on the canal cruise was also very interesting and caring of personal safety and a real joy to talk with. She was just like having a day out with a friend. The guide to Peterhof was similarly fabulous. I can’t believe you have so many high quality guides, both this time and for my Feb trip.

If I can make a suggestion, perhaps you should give the guides a list of the customers they will be taking on a tour in addition to the GoRussia sign. We almost had a disaster, as I saw what I though was my guide for the Peterhoff trip, as she was carrying the GoRussia sign. She was surprised there was only one of me as she was expecting someone else as well, and we were about to commence the activity when we discovered I was about to go on a city tour designed for someone else. My bus arrived later. Giving the guides a bit more information would avoid any confusion.

Assistant
I can’t tell you wonderfully this worked out for the trip to MAKS. Maria was fabulous. She rang the hotel when she was a little late. she was able to help get me to the airshow without any problems, negotiating with rail staff on the best method, and was a great companion and helper. She cares so much for your well being, offering to take photos and generally doing anything to help and make the day comfortable. She even was interested in engaged in wonderful conversation about things that are of interest to me (all of which I’m certain are a bore to her). It was almost like travelling with a close friend with similar interests who knows the local stuff.

If I had known that an option of an assistant was available I think I would have taken that for many parts of the trip as it was independent travellers need. Very different from a guide who has a lot of expertise and knows all the historical stuff. Someone like Maria is just a great facilitator. She would have been a perfect solution to visiting any of the museums and sights, someone who can get you through the metro system, organise tickets and generally sort out translation issues without the formalness of guides.

If I had discovered her on my first trip I would have just asked for her to accompany me each day and got wherever by the Metro. Being a local she had many ideas of places to visit which may be of interest on the way home as well.

I think the company should offer this as part of the great service you have in addition to the guided tours. Someone who is available at a daily rate to just be an assistant on activities that you may know about. Some people I’m sure are like me and have a fair idea of what they want to see and just need some help without necessarily having a driver and car etc. Going with the flow.

Finally
Hopefully not too much here, I just wanted to let you know what a great time I had, and to give you detailed feedback of all the things which I think you do brilliantly and a few suggestions to hopefully allow you to offer even better services in the future.

I feel very lucky to have discovered goRussia for my Russian adventures, you were the exact solution I was looking for and could not have been more delighted with what you all do. I still can’t believe I just stumbled on you via an internet search.

I’m still trying to work out if I prefer the picture perfectness of Winter, with minimal tourists or the freedom to explore that summer offered, and which of the many things was the highlight. It is a shame I feel like I’ve done the best of Russia, there is many other things I could see there, and that I need to see other parts of the world as I have enjoyed myself and working with you and the company and all its employees immensely.

Many thanks, and if you have an opportunity to pass on any positive remarks to any of those in Russia I dealt with, please do so. I tried to as best I could but not sure if I succeeded with my couple of months of Russian tutoring.

Thanks Diana and well done Julian (?) you have set up a great company here with wonderful staff in both the UK and more importantly in Russia.

Please feel to use any of my comments in any way you see fit on promotional material, I am happy to endorse and be attributed to them for you.

Scott

Artworks by Antonello da Messina in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

The exhibition, “Antonello da Messina” in the Tretyakov Gallery is dedicated to the Year of Italian Culture and Language in Russia.

Antonello da Messina is an Italian artist who worked during the early Renaissance period.

Russian museum collections do not own any works by this talented artist which makes this particular exhibition so special.

There are only around 70 paintings by Antonello da Messina known to currently exist in the world. Some of them can be found on display in the ‘Old Masters Picture Gallery’ in Dresden, the ‘National Gallery’ in London and the ‘Louvre Museum’ in Paris. In museums in Sicily, (the home town of Antonello da Messina) there are just 7 paintings, and 4 of these have been transferred to Moscow for this exhibition.

The exhibition will be open for the public until 20th November 2011.

The Memorial Museum of Gherman Titov is now open in the Altai Region

On the 6th of August after large-scale reconstruction works, the memorial museum for the great Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov was opened to the public.

Gherman Titov became the second man to orbit the Earth aboard “Vostok 2”.

The museum is situated in the village of Polkovnikova in the Altai Region. It is here where Gherman Titov lived and studied as a young man. The centrepieces of the museum collection are Titov’s spacesuit and a model of the ship “Vostok 2”.

Visitors can also find rare documents concerning space flight, as well as telegrams, photographs and publications from Soviet and foreign magazines and newspapers. There are many interesting facts on Gherman Titov’s life, his working days and friendship with Yuri Gagarin. One of the museum’s collections is dedicated entirely to the Altai Region and space activity that has taken from there, which included the landing in the Altai Region of the first female cosmonaut – Valentina Tereshkova.