Help Julio Iglesias Concert and Russian Holiday

Wystri Warrick on 10/07/2018 - 22:44
Last edited 11/07/2018 - 12:46

Hey fellow Ozbargainer's hope you are all well :).
As I received so much helpful advice and recommendations from my previous post (thanks everyone :), I thought I would ask here again.

Julio Iglesias is one of my most favourite singers, probably my most favourite and there's a world tour!
I've decided to go to the last concert that is going to be held in Moscow on the 17th of October, as this will give me more time to save.
I plan on departing for Moscow on the 14th of October, staying a few days and doing some activities, I'm after suggestions on what to see and do.

I've never travelled overseas, never even been to an airport!
I'm after advice, tips and recommendations.
I know I'll need a passport and I believe Russia requires a visa?
Sky Scanner shows flights are about $1250.
I've been looking at accommodation on Trivago, is there anything that I should watch out for?
When I arrive I believe I have to register with the Russian ministry of internal affairs?

Some activities I'm considering:
Dirt bike riding
Horse riding
Shooting range
Flying an airplane (just a ride where I'll also be able to take the controls)

Some attractions I'm considering:
State historical museum
Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
Moscow Zoo
Red square
Gorky Park
Izmaylovo flea market
Izmailovsky flea market
Ostankino TV Tower
Moscow Kremlin
Moscow Metro

TLDR
First time overseas traveller after advice and recommendations, more specifically from anyone who's been to Russia, or has experience on travelling to Russia.
Also after ideas of things to see and do.

Travel

Comments

  • sparkles on 11/07/2018 - 00:33
    +1

    You need to start here:

    https://sydney.mid.ru/web/sydney-en/tourist-visa

    Unfortunately it's not a simple or easy visa to get, I observed a work colleague go through the process. Russia is definitely a more challenging place to start for your first trip overseas so start the process asap if that is where you have your heart set on. Is the concert on anywhere else easier (or cheaper) to travel to?

    • Wystri Warrick on 11/07/2018 - 00:45

      Hey sparkles thanks for the reply :).
      Yes other locations for the concert are:
      Tashkent, Uzbekistan
      Dubai, United Arab Emirates
      Tel Aviv, Israel

      • ego22 on 11/07/2018 - 06:35
        +2

        I would go to the dubai concert.
        The activities your interested in would all most likley be in dubai.
        And dubai is an actual fun city. Those other places….. If, u like history?

        • Wystri Warrick on 11/07/2018 - 12:34

          I'm really eager to see the Moscow museum, it's one of the reasons why I picked Moscow and I love history.
          If temps are in the high 30's I get heat rash, and I'm assuming that Dubai would be quite hot.
          However if Dubai is cheaper and easier to get into I'll probably go that route (I'm such a tight arse), I'm also interested to see the Dubai aquarium.

        • sparkles on 11/07/2018 - 15:39
          +1

          @Wystri Warrick: Why not stop in Dubai on the way to somewhere else? Like London, which is an awesome destination for a first time traveller.

        • Wystri Warrick on 11/07/2018 - 20:19

          @sparkles: stop in Dubai for the concert and then head to London?
          Yeah that does sound good, but I do want to keep things cheap.

  • Colombian on 11/07/2018 - 06:58
    +1

    Does Julio Iglesias sing in English? or Russian to be more precise? Wow, I had no idea.

  • Baysew on 11/07/2018 - 08:56
    +3

    Help Julio Iglesias Concert and Russian Holiday

    Post was a bit long to read all of it.

    However I believe both things could be avoided if you stay focused.

    • Wystri Warrick on 11/07/2018 - 12:41

      Hehe thanks Baysaw, I'll add TLDR.

    • blitz on 12/07/2018 - 12:05
      +1

      Ha ha, excellent.

  • Savas on 11/07/2018 - 09:20
    +1

    Shouldn't you be studying?? Or this this after your exams? Sounds like a fun holiday though

    • Wystri Warrick on 11/07/2018 - 12:22
      +1

      Yeah.
      I talked to my principal and the concert doesn't fall on exam dates.
      I've been working on improving my grades, and I'll be doing extra studying.

  • onevstheworld on 11/07/2018 - 21:24
    +2

    I think it's an interesting place to go… should be on everyone's bucket list, but it's not the easiest place to be a tourist.

    I thought Moscow just oozed a communist vibe… it was grim but great at the same time. If you want to see Imperial Russia (as opposed to Communist Russia), St Petersburg is a better city to visit.

    In addition to what you've already mentioned:
    - Go see a Russian ballet
    - If you're an architecture nut, visit at least one of Stalin's skyscrapers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Sisters_(Moscow)
    - Take a river cruise

    On a side note: Cyrillic is the most mind-bending alphabet to an English speaker… it looks like you should be able to read some it, but you'd be completely wrong. e.g. ресторан means restaurant… google it… how you think it sound sound vs how it actually is said is miles apart.

    Be on alert though. I went during the oil boom times, before the economy and politics started becoming messy. Even then, found myself constantly checking my pockets and paranoid I was being followed.

    http://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/europe/eastern/Pages/r…

    • Wystri Warrick on 11/07/2018 - 22:42
      +1

      Yes I was thinking of seeing one.
      I saw that Swan lake was going to be on at the Kremlin, but it's in September :(.

      While I know absolutely nothing about architecture I do like it, favorite period in architecture is the renaissance.

      Ah yes thanks onevstheworld :).
      I've checked the smart traveller site, and I'll definitely be on the alert.

      Thanks onevstheworld :)

    • Wystri Warrick on 17/07/2018 - 21:46

      Hey onevstheworld :).
      I'm hoping you could answer these questions for me.

      Would you know if Izmailovsky, Ostankino flea markets accept Visa, or would I need cash/rubles?
      Is visa widely accepted, or am I likely to need cash in Russia?
      Where would be the best place to exchange currencies?

      Sorry to bombard you with so many questions.

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