Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Holiday in Russia

Just come back from holiday, recently. I spent around one month in Ukraine and Russia.
Here is an article from Ezinearticles.com I found later. It was written for the tourists, but something in it brought some memories.

Russia is the largest country in the world. This means an endless list of interesting sights to see, as well as a wide assortment of things to buy. If you have limited funds, though, or not enough room in your luggage, here are some of the most popular items you can bring home as souvenirs of your holidays in Russia.

Vodka - Ask what Russia is known for and most people will answer 'vodka'. After all, bottles of vodka are widely produced in Russia. They are considered the best vodka, too, and the strongest, with about 40% alcohol content.

Russian champagne is excellent, too, and is nearly as widely available although it was once reserved only for the Russian aristocracy. If you don't like having a bottle in your suitcase, though, you can bring an ornamental metal box of Krasnodar tea as an alternative souvenir of your holidays in Russia.

Matryoshka dolls - First made in 1890, Matryoshka dolls or Russian nesting dolls are another popular Russian souvenir. They are especially popular for their unique style and can be an interesting display for your living room.

Lacquer boxes - These beautiful boxes make great gifts and souvenirs of your holidays in Russia. You'll have to distinguish between the authentic ones and the mass-produced ones, though. It's easy - the real ones are far more expensive and come with a certificate of authenticity.

Amber jewelry - Amber is a fossilized resin often classified as a gemstone, and most of it can be found on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Because of this, amber pendants and beads are sold in most Russian souvenir shops. If you want something more classy, you can buy Alexandrites instead, which are rarer than diamonds and change color depending on the light source. Keep in mind that they are more expensive, too, though.

Fur hats - Also called Ushanka, Russian fur hats are considered one of the most stylish hats in the world. They are very practical during the winter, too, especially since they come with ear flaps. Whether you come from a country with freezing temperatures from time to time or simply want to make a fashion statement, it's a good idea to buy Russian fur hats as souvenirs of your holidays in Russia. To spend holidays in Russia that you can truly call your own, book your car hire Russia today. Learn more about cheap car hire worldwide at http://www.zencarhire.com/

Article Source: "http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Isabella_Olsen">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Isabella_Olsen