Tips for Adoption Travel

• Travel Safety
• Drinking Water
• Tipping
• Taxes
• Useful Telephone Numbers
• Travel with Children
• Accessible/Disabled Travel
• Postal Services
• Telephones and Fax
• Internet
• Medical
• Electricity
• Emergency
• Photography
• Time Zones in Russia

Travel Safety

Serious crime against foreigners is rare, however, petty crimes such as pick-pocketing and purse snatching occur somewhat frequently like in most large metropolitan areas. Pickpockets are mostly active in crowded areas such as train stations, markets, shopping areas, sightseeing destinations, etc. Be wise and cautious with your personal belongings in public places.

Some of the precautions to avoid potential problems:

• Do not show off your money in public
• Keep enough money for your immediate needs in your pocket, and hide the rest either on the bottom of your bag ( which you should carry close to your body) or at the hotel . Messenger or over the shoulder bags is your best choice.
• NEVER wear a bag or purse on your street-side shoulder in order to avoid becoming a target of the "snatch-and-ride"
• Keep valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel instead of leaving them in your room
• Remove any "sparkly" jewelry that may draw a thief's attention before you go out for a stroll in the city.
• Never carry your passport/visa, credit cards, traveler's checks or other travel documents in your shoulder bag or bum bag. your best choice.
• Have the documents securely placed on the bottom of your over the shoulder bag. Better yet, leave your passports at the safety deposit box at your hotel
• Keep valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel instead of leaving them in your room
• Respect the customs of the local authorities and avoid getting into quarrel with the natives.
• Avoid traveling in any areas or sites that are not open to foreigners.

Drinking Water

Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is offered at most hotels or can be purchased in stores. Drinking water could be sold in CIS countries under the name : KLUCHEVAIA VODA. Avoid buying bottled water at the street vendors.

Tipping

Today, attitudes towards tipping are changing. Tips are now frequently accepted by travel guides, tour bus drivers, porters and waiters in top-class hotels and restaurants. Tipping may not be as generous as it is here in U.S. but is still very welcome and acceptable.

Taxes

Consumer taxes are included in price tags on goods but big hotels and fine restaurants may include a service charge of 10% or more.

Useful Telephone Numbers

Traveling in Russia, following numbers are very useful to have:

Phone Number Service

01 Fire Department.
02 Police
03 Ambulance
08 Weather Forecast
09 Local Telephone Number Inquiry

U.S. embassy in Moscow Tel (095) 728 50 00 Novinsky Boulevard 19/23

Travel with Children

To make your travel with children safe and comfortable during , here are some tips to consider:

If you travel with a infant, following items should be include in your luggage:

• Blanket for baby to sleep with
• Baby food and drink
• Baby wipes
• Bottles
• Sufficient disposable nappies
• Safety seat
• Extra changes of clothing
• First-aid kit containing necessary medicines such as antibiotic ointment for cuts and scrapes, allergy relievers and motion sickness relievers
• Pacifiers, candies, or chewing gum to ease air pressure
• Toys and books
• Plastic grocery or zip-lock bags which can be used to carry a variety of sizes for storing soiled diapers, clothes, and shoes .
• 

Accessible/Disabled Travel

Travel Preparation :

• Choosing a suitable itinerary
• Before booking a tour, describe your disability to the operator in detail to ensure proper arrangements are made.
• Have a thorough physical examination and consult your doctor about your present physical condition
• Describe the trip to your doctor and ask for advice.
• Pack enough medication to last a few days longer than you expect to be away in case of unexpected delays
• Take a doctor's note and phone number
• Bring your adaptive aids such as hearing aids and crutch. If you use a wheelchair, be sure to bring some spare nuts and bolts and specialized tools to dismantle it
• Check your health insurance policy. If it does not provide for overseas visits, consider requesting your insurer to extend the policy. It is also advisable to take out travel insurance to cover you in the event of accidental injury as well as cover for medical expenses.
• Check Accessible Facilities for the Disabled

Airlines and airports in Russia have made efforts to improve their facilities. The airport is equipped with lifts and ramps to provide easy access for disabled travelers. Wheelchairs and assistance can be arranged for passengers on the aircraft.

Most top-class hotels have special access facilities. You should contact the hotel in order to reserve any special accommodations if required.

Postal Services

There are Post Offices in all cities and towns throughout the country. Domestic mail is fast and the cost is low. The international postal service is also efficient. Under normal circumstances it usually takes 5-10 days for airmail letters or postcards to reach their destinations.

Points for special attention:

Envelope sizes are standardized in Russia, so always buy them from post offices, hotels and appointed agencies.

A postal code is required when mailing letter.

Telephones and Fax

Russia's phone system is efficient. Direct long-distance dials and International calls all can be made from hotel rooms or roadside telephone kiosks.

In hotels, local calls are generally free or only charged a nominal fee while domestic long-distance and international calls will be charged a variable service fee. Phone cards are more economical and can be purchased in most large cities.

Internet

Internet services are now widely available in Russia, especially in the major cities. Internet Cafes are widely available throughout the central locations B 4 and 5 star hotels provide a High Speed Internet connection , for an extra fee, of course.

Medical

Standards of both medical care and the availability of medicines can vary a great deal between one region and another.

In major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg medical facilities are good. Some hospitals have special sections set aside for foreigners. There will be doctors and nurses who speak English. They are well qualified and competent so you will receive good medical care. Medical fees are reasonable and immediate payment is required.

Often, only primary health care is available in rural and remote areas. This is why you must be assured that you are in good health before you travel. It is essential that you take all recommended precautions so as to avoid accidents or illnesses.

Most hotels will have access to a doctor. Should you require treatment, contact your hotel desk clerk, who will arrange for you to either see a doctor or be taken to a hospital.

Electricity

The electrical current on European Continent is 220 volts. If you plan to bring any electrical appliances , you should purchase an adaptor that switches from 110 to 220 volts.

Emergency

If you've lost something, notify the hotel, tour group leader, transportation authorities or the police. If credit cards or traveler's checks have been stolen, inform the issuer as soon as possible.

If you lose your passport, you should report the matter as soon as possible to t your embassy or consulate in Russia.

Photography

Bring more films than you think you'll need, as you'll find there's a lot to photograph. All security X-ray machines in Russia are film-safe. Cameras and video cameras should be declared upon entry to Russia.

Most major brands of color print film are available in Russia .In the large cities film could be processed in one hour and the quality is acceptable.

Points for Attention:

Taking pictures is forbidden in most museums and palaces, metro stations.

Time Zones in Russia

In the winter Moscow time is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. During Daylight Savings Time, which stretches from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October (the same as most of Europe), Moscow is four hours ahead of GMT.

 When it's 12 noon in Moscow it's: