Alexander Rodionov's Blog
April 13, 2014
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The only book you need to read before visit Russia!
@RussiaGuide
The only book you need to read before visit Russia!
February 13, 2014
RUSSIA SURVIVAL GUIDE book is available as E-BOOK
RUSSIA SURVIVAL GUIDE book is available as E-BOOK - you can order it here http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products...
Russia Survival Guide
Russia Survival Guide
January 13, 2014
OFFICIAL PRESS-RELEASE ABOUT RUSSIA SURVIVAL GUIDE BOOK BY ALEXANDER RODIONOV & MAYA KRIVCHENIA
New book offers a mesmerizing slice of life in Russia
Alexander Rodionov & Maya Krivchenia shares an informative and enjoyable guide to enjoying the historical and cultural wealth of the world’s largest country
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – As an expat living in Russia since 2005, Maya Krivchenia knows the different things that make this country remarkable. In December 2013, she and co-author Alexander Rodionov, founder and director of Russia’s leading Destination Management Company, published a compelling handbook designed especially for those who want to know more about Russia and make the most out of their travels there. «Russia Survival Guide» has arrived just in time for the upcoming Winter Olympics which will be held in the Russian city of Sochi.
«Russia Survival Guide» is different from other travel guides out there in that it is conversational in tone and is written by two people who live in and have fallen in love with Russia. It is a treasure trove of historical and cultural facts and figures which are made more immersive by the authors’ personal stories. It is also a great reference guide for anyone planning to travel to Russia, providing answers to questions regarding the visa process, what to expect upon arriving, the modes of transportation and what cultural spots to visit, to name a few.
«Russia is an exciting, interesting, and dynamic country, but sometimes the differences that people come across are extremely frustrating and confusing,» says Krivchenia, «Our goal is to explain some of Russia’s unique qualities so that our friends, clients, tourists, and all others can appreciate this amazing country.»
A must-have for travelers and armchair travelers, «Russia Survival Guide» discusses all pertinent topics – from the country’s architecture to the traffic – in a chatty and thoroughly enjoyable manner. For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products...
About the AuthorsMaya Krivchenia grew up in a small Appalachian town in southeastern Ohio. After attending Eastman School of Music for her undergraduate degree in vocal performance, Krivchenia went on to the Ohio State University to do her master’s degree in vocal performance. In 2005 she won a Fulbright Fellowship to come to Russia and study Russian opera and art song at the Mariisnky Theater’s Academy of Young Singers. After finishing her master’s she returned to St. Petersburg where has been living, working, and singing ever since. Every year Krivchenia gives many solo concerts and returns the United States to give charity concerts when her schedule allows.
Alexander Rodionov is the founder and director of Tsar Events DMC & PCO – Russia’s leading Destination Management Company. He graduated from the Far Eastern Federal University, with honors, with a major in Tourism management and was a winner of the Russian President Scholarship program in 2001. With more than 15 years’ experience in MICE business, Rodionov became the first Certified Meeting Professional and Destination Management Certified Professional in Russia. His company Tsar Events DMC & PCO is the winner of many internationally recognized awards.
Alexander Rodionov & Maya Krivchenia shares an informative and enjoyable guide to enjoying the historical and cultural wealth of the world’s largest country
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – As an expat living in Russia since 2005, Maya Krivchenia knows the different things that make this country remarkable. In December 2013, she and co-author Alexander Rodionov, founder and director of Russia’s leading Destination Management Company, published a compelling handbook designed especially for those who want to know more about Russia and make the most out of their travels there. «Russia Survival Guide» has arrived just in time for the upcoming Winter Olympics which will be held in the Russian city of Sochi.
«Russia Survival Guide» is different from other travel guides out there in that it is conversational in tone and is written by two people who live in and have fallen in love with Russia. It is a treasure trove of historical and cultural facts and figures which are made more immersive by the authors’ personal stories. It is also a great reference guide for anyone planning to travel to Russia, providing answers to questions regarding the visa process, what to expect upon arriving, the modes of transportation and what cultural spots to visit, to name a few.
«Russia is an exciting, interesting, and dynamic country, but sometimes the differences that people come across are extremely frustrating and confusing,» says Krivchenia, «Our goal is to explain some of Russia’s unique qualities so that our friends, clients, tourists, and all others can appreciate this amazing country.»
A must-have for travelers and armchair travelers, «Russia Survival Guide» discusses all pertinent topics – from the country’s architecture to the traffic – in a chatty and thoroughly enjoyable manner. For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products...
About the AuthorsMaya Krivchenia grew up in a small Appalachian town in southeastern Ohio. After attending Eastman School of Music for her undergraduate degree in vocal performance, Krivchenia went on to the Ohio State University to do her master’s degree in vocal performance. In 2005 she won a Fulbright Fellowship to come to Russia and study Russian opera and art song at the Mariisnky Theater’s Academy of Young Singers. After finishing her master’s she returned to St. Petersburg where has been living, working, and singing ever since. Every year Krivchenia gives many solo concerts and returns the United States to give charity concerts when her schedule allows.
Alexander Rodionov is the founder and director of Tsar Events DMC & PCO – Russia’s leading Destination Management Company. He graduated from the Far Eastern Federal University, with honors, with a major in Tourism management and was a winner of the Russian President Scholarship program in 2001. With more than 15 years’ experience in MICE business, Rodionov became the first Certified Meeting Professional and Destination Management Certified Professional in Russia. His company Tsar Events DMC & PCO is the winner of many internationally recognized awards.
January 6, 2014
January 3, 2014
Russia Survival Guide is available on sale
FInally my book Russia Survival Guide is available on sale. Visit this link and order it! http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products...
December 16, 2013
ALCOHOL HABITS IN RUSSIA - Russia Survival Guide (extract from the book)
There are a lot of jokes and stereotypes about Russian people and alcohol. Unfortunately, vodka became one of the main symbols of Russia for foreigners.
Yes, we have to admit that, unfortunately, Russian people consume a lot of alcohol (according to the report of WHO in 2011, Russians were fourth place in the world), especially in small towns and villages. The government is trying to solve this problem by increasing taxes for alcohol and limiting sales (for example, you can buy alcohol in Russia only from 8:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m., in some cities till 10:00 p.m.). Also you cannot buy alcohol in Russia if you are under eighteen years old. This policy is giving result—in big cities, the problem of alcoholism is not as bad as it was before.
The vodka subject is very important in Russia from different points of view—from economic, cultural, and historical. Real Russian vodka is distilled by using water and pure grain alcohol. It must be 40 percent grain. Real vodka must be clear in appearance and has no particular flavor (except ethanol). It is very rare when vodka has added flavor. It is very often foreigners call by mistake flavored vodka with cranberry or cherry nastoiki (usually 23 percent alcohol) or pepper and horseradish samogon (can be 80 percent alcohol).
When we speak about vodka, you need to know that we have real drinking rituals that we have been following for centuries. Read about them next week or in our book RUSSIA SURVIVAL GUIDE http://tsar-events.com/russia-surviva...
Yes, we have to admit that, unfortunately, Russian people consume a lot of alcohol (according to the report of WHO in 2011, Russians were fourth place in the world), especially in small towns and villages. The government is trying to solve this problem by increasing taxes for alcohol and limiting sales (for example, you can buy alcohol in Russia only from 8:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m., in some cities till 10:00 p.m.). Also you cannot buy alcohol in Russia if you are under eighteen years old. This policy is giving result—in big cities, the problem of alcoholism is not as bad as it was before.
The vodka subject is very important in Russia from different points of view—from economic, cultural, and historical. Real Russian vodka is distilled by using water and pure grain alcohol. It must be 40 percent grain. Real vodka must be clear in appearance and has no particular flavor (except ethanol). It is very rare when vodka has added flavor. It is very often foreigners call by mistake flavored vodka with cranberry or cherry nastoiki (usually 23 percent alcohol) or pepper and horseradish samogon (can be 80 percent alcohol).
When we speak about vodka, you need to know that we have real drinking rituals that we have been following for centuries. Read about them next week or in our book RUSSIA SURVIVAL GUIDE http://tsar-events.com/russia-surviva...
December 10, 2013
MOSCOW VS ST. PETERSBURG. PART 1. ARCHITECTURE - Russia Survival Guide (extracts from the book)
One of largest argument in biggest Russian cities is «which of cities is better». And there are lot of reasons for never-ending debates as these two cities are completely different with it’s own pro and cons.
For Muscovites St. Petersburg was always the depressing slow city where you spend weekend if you want to visit Europe, but you don’t have time and money for it. For citizens of St. Petersburg Moscow is place where you work and earn money, earn very good money.
Competition between these cities started immediately after of foundation of St. Petersburg. And it never stopped. That’s why visiting Russia be prepaid to see two different faces of Russia, two different way of mind and different life style.
More here: http://tsar-events.com/russia-surviva...
and in my book
For Muscovites St. Petersburg was always the depressing slow city where you spend weekend if you want to visit Europe, but you don’t have time and money for it. For citizens of St. Petersburg Moscow is place where you work and earn money, earn very good money.
Competition between these cities started immediately after of foundation of St. Petersburg. And it never stopped. That’s why visiting Russia be prepaid to see two different faces of Russia, two different way of mind and different life style.
More here: http://tsar-events.com/russia-surviva...
and in my book
November 12, 2013
RUSSIA SURVIVAL GUIDE: Why we are doing it?
The goal of this book and blog is to help people understand Russia better and to have a better experience while they are here. We wanted to write something that would help people fall in love with Russia, as much as we have, by sharing our experiences and funny stories about our life as an expat in St. Petersburg (Maya Krivchenia) and travel professional organizer (Alexander Rodionov).
Russia is an exciting, interesting, and dynamic country, but sometimes the differences that people come across are extremely frustrating and confusing. Our goal is to explain some of Russia’s unique qualities so that our friends, clients, tourist, and all others can appreciate this amazing country. Hopefully this will help answer some of the many questions you already have about Russia while planning your trip. By traveling to Russia you will certainly have a unique experience and hopefully by reading this you will get to experience Russia to the fullest!Alexander Rodionov
Russia is an exciting, interesting, and dynamic country, but sometimes the differences that people come across are extremely frustrating and confusing. Our goal is to explain some of Russia’s unique qualities so that our friends, clients, tourist, and all others can appreciate this amazing country. Hopefully this will help answer some of the many questions you already have about Russia while planning your trip. By traveling to Russia you will certainly have a unique experience and hopefully by reading this you will get to experience Russia to the fullest!Alexander Rodionov
