Advice for travelling in Russia The popular stereotype of Russian people is that they rarely smile compared with western countries. Usually they smile for a circle of close people, but many Russian are like people in other countries - polite and helpful. There is a cold climate in Russia so Russian foods are most calories compared to foods from south countries. All over the world know some famous Russian dishes like Salat Olivier, Bliny, Borscht and Chai Po-Russki. You must try these dishes! Officially Russian have a four weeks' holiday. But most people have about two weeks' holiday per year, especially if they've a job. People usually go on a trip to warm places, but some people go to the 'dacha', dacha is like house in the village. However Russian also have about 14 holidays per year. This is similar to most countries. There is the living cost is different in Russia. It's depends on a place where you live. In comparison with Moscow, the cost of renting a flat in other city is not expensive. The cost living in Russia cities is the same, except Moscow and St. Petersburg. Russia is the largest country in Europe. There are eleven different time zones in Russia. So when it’s 8.00 a.m. in Kaliningrad (it’s near Europe), it’s 7.00 p.m. in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (it’s near Japan). Don’t forget about it if you want to phone to Russia. There is different the weather in Russia. There are four seasons. In comparison with the North, winters in the south are not usually very cold. The weather in the west hotter compared with the weather in the central of country. You should wear warm clothes in the winter!