Shopping in Russia is definitely different from anywhere else that I’ve ever shopped. Stores come in several sizes, each with a particular kind of character. You can see what I mean when you visit any one of the local stores in Russia.

If you’re looking for the most basic of necessities like food, be prepared for a different kind of shopping. Groceries in Moscow, Russia are set up quite differently. When you go into the store, you will see several counters, each with store personnel. Behind those counters, you will see a choice of products. If you want to purchase something in these peculiar stores in Russia, you have to go up to each counter, make your choices, the personnel weighs it if need be and then you pay for it at the cashier which is usually located behind a small desk in a corner by the door. The same setup can also be found in and around all of Russia’s grocery stores, bookstores, toy shops, fabric shops and even some department stores. I bet shoplifting is a pretty unheard of event in Russia – Moscow at the very least. And Also, the rule is that you have to bring your own bags when it comes to these stores in Russia.

If you’re looking for a place to shop in Moscow, Russia in the traditional sense, head to a yarmarka – basically a market. People set up stands and sell their goods. It’s the best place in Russia to find a bargain due to the competition of many vendors selling the same things.

One weird thing I notice when shopping in Moscow, Russia is, while everything may be available, it’s not always that easy to find. Some of the stores in Russia don’t sell what other stores sell. I’ve seen butcher shops that sell only beef for one day then pork the next. Shopping in Russia can really be odd for first timers.

But of course, a shopping trip in Russia isn’t really a shopping trip if all you buy is food, right? What happened to all my talk of big-named Western brands at the start of this thing? Those stores will probably give you the type of shopping experience in Moscow, Russia that you would expect anywhere else.

Here’s the thing, the people in Moscow, Russia happen to be some of the more liberated partygoers out there. They always look good and mind you, the things they shop for are expensive. They are name brands after all. If you can get used to the odd store setups, I suggest you find a yarmarka or a warehouse if you want to go bargain shopping in Moscow, Russia.

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu

I guess I underestimated the nightlife in Kiev, Ukraine. Our first stop was Cocktail Bar 111, where there’s a rotating bar in the center of the place. Just a tip for all you guys planning to go to this club: go on a Monday or a Tuesday so you don’t have to pay for cover charge.

Our next stop was one year old Opium Dance Club, one of the finest in town, and pride of the Kiev nightlife in Ukraine. Cover charge costs around $10 to $20. Since my friends and I were on a club hopping streak that night, we decided to check out the rest of the clubs and bars on our Kiev nightlife itinerary in Ukraine.

And so on we went to our next destination, but still in Ukraine mind you. Freedom [the name of the bar] totally transported us to a time where people did not know the meaning of the word inhibition, and thus, we shed off ours and partied as hard as we can. A local partygoer at Freedom suggested that we try Privilege next, because our nightlife in Kiev, Ukraine would not be complete without it.

Privilege hosts an open air party underneath the starry Kiev sky, in Ukraine. It was a fun night and we headed home tired but satisfied. Needless to say, we slept the whole day to recharge our bodies for yet another night out in Kiev, Ukraine.

On the second night, we checked out Arena. They played great house music and the people were hot. We absolutely enjoyed in this place, and gave the Kiev nightlife in Ukraine another two thumbs up.

For the next two nights, we checked out a string of clubs, namely Forsage, Greenwich Club, Sound Planet and the like in Ukraine.

Since we were fairly acquainted with the Kiev nightlife in Ukraine, we decided to check out the more laidback places that the Kiev nightlife in Ukraine boasted of, like the casinos. The first one was Gabriela, which is a fairly classy casino located in the center of the city, on Kreschatik Street, in the Dnipro Hotel, Ukraine. We enjoyed a few rounds of poker and Black Jack and then we moved on to the next place, a casino semi-hidden in the older parts of the Ukraine. The casino is called Zaporozhye, located in Podol, a quiet, peaceful district of Kiev, still in Ukraine.

We went home feeling satisfied with our brief stint in the city of Kiev,Ukraine and its amazing nightlife. As we boarded the plane back to our own city, I realized that the Kiev nightlife in Ukraine will always hold a special place in our party goers’ hearts.

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu

The greatest attraction during Christmas season in Naples is the little shops selling the terracotta nativity scenes with quaint figures. They are open all year long and the Christmas season is the best time to visit this street. A number of nativity shops have flooded the streets of Naples. The nativity of Christ is the most indispensable object in the market. In Via San Gregorio Armeno, religious or not religiously inclined there are best buys for you.

Where to shop during the Christmas season in Naples isn’t so hard to go either. There are certain districts in Naples that are more specialized than others. There are designer clothes whre you’ll find the most expensive boutiques in and around Piazza dei Martiri, there is also an area around Via dei Mille which is not so expensive, but quality buys I must say. The Vomero district has a long line of clothing and accessory shops, from whre you could drop your eyeballs out and shop for sales. If you’re up for shopping for furniture and fittings, Piazza Municipio and via dei Mille is the place suited for you. Antique buyers must visit via D. Morelli or towards via Costantinopoli in the historic centre.

Although the transportation and some restaurants in Naples are closed during this season you can make your travel a lot easier by renting a car or by foot.  The restaurants of some hotels are also open where they serve special food in Christmas season.  Although Christmas dinners at Naples are meat based, people who are vegetarian are allowed and is given by the restaurant the food they want to eat, they also have Christmas cookies for everyone.  Aside from traditional Christmas beliefs, Naples also is a fun and amusing city.  The Edenlandia Amusement Park is filled with lights and a lot of promos to enjoy this Christmas season.  Children from 12 onwards will surely enjoy the treats.  Truly an educational trip to experience before the Christmas day.  Visit Naples in this holy Christmas season but don’t forget to bring your family along with you.

Latvia offers its tourists an open air museum also known as Les Hallet. In here, you will find the national history of Latvia and further understand the people of Latvia itself.  Various craftsmen performing their skills, dressed in traditional costumes of Latvia. Snacks, meals, & souvenirs are available. There are picnic areas also available.

The next great museum in Latvia is the Latvian Ethnographic Museum.  It is used to be a 100 hectares of life, now the people in Latvia made changes so they moved the armsteads, windmills, fishing villages, churches and other historic structures in here.  Here in Latvian Ethnographic Museum in Latvia, you can watch the craftsmen perform various tasks or try some Latvian cuisine and drink in the tavern.

In Riga, Latvia they dropped they’re prices for tourists into its hotels and restaurants.  but that’s nothing compared to the deals you can find in Liepaja – a hip coastal city in Latvia  with cheap design hotels, 24-hour clubs and cafés and food and drink prices that will make you think you’ve traveled back in time. Explore beautiful beaches, medieval churches, tsarist era fortifications and an abandoned prison that Ghost Hunters International declared one of the most paranormally active sites they had ever encountered here in Latvia.

Have a half hour train ride to the nation’s summer capital – the traditional seaside spa town of Jurmala, Latvia where  you can walk along white sandy beaches, relax with a cold drink at a summer terrace on Jomas iela or book some time for a massage, a facial or a healing treatment at one of the city’s numerous spas.  A great experience only here at Jurmala, Latvia.

Here in Latvia the legal age for singles to drink is 18 so it’s a problem to minors but heck of a great thing to non minors anymore.  Latvia throws these great of the hook parties and crazy people to meet especially when they had alcohol inside them.

Riga, Latvia has a good range of excellent restaurants, bars and cafes. In summer months, cafes spill out onto the streets. Nightclubs in Latvia offer a varied scene, from dancing all night to blues concerts. Make sure you order the Black Balsam. It is known in Latvia as a black alcoholic liquid which has been produced since 1700. The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret by the people of Latvia, but some of the ingredients include ginger, oak bark, bitter orange peel and cognac. It is drunk either with coffee or mixed with vodka.

You can also go shopping in Latvia. The Amber is of high quality and a good buy. Other purchases include folk art, wicker work and earthenware.

Enjoy Latvia and share your experience to your friends so they can visit Latvia at its fullest.

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu

One thing that newcomers will learn of Moscow, Russia is that a bar or nightclub is not just as it is. Almost every bar in Russia’s center doubles up as a restaurant, a bowling alley, billiard hall, casino, concert venue or even book shop. I think the reason is that Russia, or specifically Moscow, has such a vast metropolis and cabs are so expensive and bar owners want to provide their customers with everything you could possibly want to do for nightlife entertainment in Russia.

In other words, Moscow, Russia isn’t the best place to go bar hopping especially considering that these multi-purposes bars charge an entrance fee. It would be best to choose a spot for the night and stick with it.
Try going to Propaganda. It’s a staple of the Moscow, Russia nightlife scene if you want my opinion. A friendly crowd of local students and tourists often pack this club and a night of drinks and dancing rarely disappoints this stop in Russia.

For a more full on club experience in Russia, try going to Fabrique. It’s more glamorous than Propaganda but perhaps not as fun. Fabrique has a decent set of foreign DJs to entertain you as you experience the nightlife in Russia.

If you’re more the type who like alternative nights out and live music, Russia’s B2 is the place for you. This nightlife spot is dedicated to live acts of every variety. The scope for listening to live jazz music in Russia, specifically Moscow, isn’t narrow either. You can check out homely jazz dens like Forte or go more upscale and check out suave joints like Le Club. Moscow, Russia is a place that real jazz lover’s will find appealing.

Moscow, Russia is also known as the city of sin. Just flash your cash and you’ll see how far you can get with sultry members of the opposite sex. Don’t expect Russia to be an exception to the rule that the best things often come with a huge price tag though. Bars like Piramida and Nightflight are located on prime properties near Russia’s Red Square and are notorious meeting places for rich men and naughty girls. You can avoid the ambiguity and head straight for Dolls if you want to check out one of the classiest strip joints in Russia though.

So whether you’re a partygoer or a music enthusiast or even a guy looking for a bit of sultry indulgence and find yourself stuck in Russia, there’s a place you can go to in Moscow, Russia.