3 Don’ts for Anyone Traveling To Russia for the First Time

Every country has a unique way of doing things. What’s acceptable in one country may not be acceptable in another. For that reason, when traveling to Russia, ensure that you observe both the written and unwritten rules. That will ensure you stay out of legal trouble and enjoy your stay without offending people.

Here are 3 don’ts for anyone traveling to Russia for the first time:

1. Don’t Ignore The Holidays In Russia

Certain holidays in Russia are taken very seriously. These include the Russian Christmas day as well as the Orthodox Christmas day. Others include the Russian New Year holiday. These holidays are usually celebrated in the first week of January.

You should also be aware of the Labor Day and the Victory Day holidays. The holidays usually take place in the first and second weeks of May.

During these holiday periods as well as other regional holidays, the city you are in may not have as many people as you would expect. Some stay home while others will attend the festive public events organized to commemorate these days.

You may not be able to access public institutions during such times. These include government offices and even embassies. Some shops may also be closed. And some of those that remain open may have shorter working hours.

So, plan your trip accordingly. And determine in advance if the tourist attraction you want to visit will be open to the public on those days.

2. Don’t Ignore The Climate In Your Russian Destination

If you want to visit Russia when it’s warm and comfortable, then take a trip from May through to September.

But remember that some areas of Russia are really cold regardless of the month of the year that it is. And others can have severe winters that require you to have appropriate clothing.

The city of Yakutsk, in the Sakha Republic of Russia, is one of the world’s coldest cities. Winter temperatures can fall to lows of -40°C. Other contenders for the coldest places in Russia include Oymyakon whose temperatures have been known to fall to freezing lows of -60°C and Khabarovsk among others.

If you choose to travel to Russia’s remote areas, be prepared for the climate in some of these areas. You may think you understand what cold feels like, but you probably don’t. Your regular winter clothing may not be enough to help you survive in some of these Russian regions.

So, don’t ignore how extreme the climate can be at your Russian destination.

3. Don’t Disrespect Churches While In Russia

Russia is not an atheistic country. Atheism may have been the belief system during the days of the Soviet Union, but not currently. The Russian Federation considers Orthodox Christianity as the main religion. It’s also worth noting that Russia has had a long religious history. And that means you will encounter lots of religious buildings with historical value.

While touring Orthodox churches, you should not disrespect them. Sometimes you may do so unintentionally because you don’t know the local customs concerning how to conduct yourself.

Men should remove their hats before entering an Orthodox Church. Women should cover their heads. Revealing clothing is not acceptable. So, find a long skirt or something else that covers you before entering an Orthodox Church.

You should also walk into the church calmly after turning your phone off or to the silent mode. Ask permission from the church authorities before taking photos. And don’t take those photos while a service is in session unless it’s approved.

Remember, the rights of believers are protected by law. So, don’t make them mad by disrespecting their places of worship.

You can have a great time in Russia if you conduct yourself in dignity and consider local customs. So, learn what’s expected of you even as you process your visa. And if you need a Russian invitation letter, check us out at https://visaexpress.com/russian-invitation-letter/.