How to go

VISA AND OTHER PROCEDURES

Russia has bureaucratic and demanding admission procedures. First, you must obtain a letter from a travel agency accompanied by a detailed program. These documents testify that you will visit the country under the authority of these entities and give precise information about the places you are going to visit and on what dates it is supposed to do so. Then, you have to take out a mandatory insurance. With these elements, you can apply for a visa at the nearest embassy – forms, photographs and a payment apply – and wait for approval. More information at www.vhs-portugal.com

HEALTH CARE

Russian authorities do not require any specific illness certificate to allow entry into the country. Besides the special attention to the very low temperatures (perfectly possible -20°C from November to March) and not drinking tap water even in Moscow or St. Petersburg, there are no prior precautions or risks worthy of alarm.

For more information on traveling health, see the Health Portal of the Ministry of Health and Tropical and Traveler Medicine Clinic. In FitForTravel find country-specific health and disease prevention advice (in English).

TRIP TO RUSSIA   

A TAP (tel: 707 205 700) operates direct flights from Lisbon to Moscow, the main gateway into the country. Count on round-trip flights from €200, more expensive in high season (June to end of August.)