As Western visitors go back, airplanes groan under the combined weight of suitcases stuffed with vodka bottles, military-style fur hats, striped soldiers' T-shirts and quantities of nesting dolls. They are a safe and, sadly, often a very expensive choice. So here's a quick guide to your last-day Russian gift shopping.
How to Shop for Russian Gifts and Souvenirs
Every Russian city has what its denizens call a "tourist market". It offers row after row of tawdry nested dolls, garish fur hats no Russian would dream of wearing, and plastic "military supplies" made in China. They often cost twice and three times more than the real thing just round the corner. Where to find the good stuff and what to look for? Here goes:
Art Salons: The Best Choice for Russian Souvenirs
Every Russian town has one or several art and craft salons, and they sell a variety of goods from original art work and jewelry to cute knickknacks and standard tourist ware which will cost you considerably less. Art salons buy their supplies straight from professional registered artists and craftsmen, only charging a small commission, which makes them an inexpensive and authentic choice for some very creative gifts, starting from as little as five dollars.
Go Rambo in Russian Military Supplies' Stores
Called VoyenTorg ("Military Trade"), they too can be found in every Russian town. While some of their more professional stock can't be acquired without a special permission, they always offer a free and very cheap choice of typically Russian striped military T-shirts, army boots, fur hats, and a paraphernalia of pocket knives, compasses, mugs, backpacks -- same stuff that you see at every Russian "tourist market", only perfectly authentic and for a fraction of the price.
Check out Russian Grocery Shops
Instead of waiting to pay 50 bucks for a fancy bottle of Polish-made vodka at the airport, follow one of the old baboushkas into a local grocery shop round the corner. These shops offer a wide range of quality vodkas, brandies and other spirits and wines, Russian as well as foreign, starting at as little as 5 dollars with no compromise on quality. While at it, you might want to also check cakes and candy, boxes of chocolates, and especially cigarettes which will cost you considerably less than those in the tax-free area of the airport.
Buy Original Russian Craft at Factory Stores
Every production line in Russia has its own little shop to sell its goods to general public for wholesale prices. The most promising options are undoubtedly local china factories with their often exquisite varieties of tableware, as well as distilleries, jewellers and local craft makers.
Where to Buy Cheap Russian Gifts
Shopping for cheap and original Russian gifts -- from matryoshkas, Russian art and crafts, to Russian army supplies and, of course, Russian food and drink -- can't be easier. To locate the inexpensive choices listed above, simply ask your guide or a hotel receptionist: they'll be only too happy to share some of their insider knowledge with a savvy visitor.
Author Sunil S.
How to Shop for Russian Gifts and Souvenirs
Every Russian city has what its denizens call a "tourist market". It offers row after row of tawdry nested dolls, garish fur hats no Russian would dream of wearing, and plastic "military supplies" made in China. They often cost twice and three times more than the real thing just round the corner. Where to find the good stuff and what to look for? Here goes:
Art Salons: The Best Choice for Russian Souvenirs
Every Russian town has one or several art and craft salons, and they sell a variety of goods from original art work and jewelry to cute knickknacks and standard tourist ware which will cost you considerably less. Art salons buy their supplies straight from professional registered artists and craftsmen, only charging a small commission, which makes them an inexpensive and authentic choice for some very creative gifts, starting from as little as five dollars.
Go Rambo in Russian Military Supplies' Stores
Called VoyenTorg ("Military Trade"), they too can be found in every Russian town. While some of their more professional stock can't be acquired without a special permission, they always offer a free and very cheap choice of typically Russian striped military T-shirts, army boots, fur hats, and a paraphernalia of pocket knives, compasses, mugs, backpacks -- same stuff that you see at every Russian "tourist market", only perfectly authentic and for a fraction of the price.
Check out Russian Grocery Shops
Instead of waiting to pay 50 bucks for a fancy bottle of Polish-made vodka at the airport, follow one of the old baboushkas into a local grocery shop round the corner. These shops offer a wide range of quality vodkas, brandies and other spirits and wines, Russian as well as foreign, starting at as little as 5 dollars with no compromise on quality. While at it, you might want to also check cakes and candy, boxes of chocolates, and especially cigarettes which will cost you considerably less than those in the tax-free area of the airport.
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Buy Original Russian Craft at Factory Stores
Every production line in Russia has its own little shop to sell its goods to general public for wholesale prices. The most promising options are undoubtedly local china factories with their often exquisite varieties of tableware, as well as distilleries, jewellers and local craft makers.
Where to Buy Cheap Russian Gifts
Shopping for cheap and original Russian gifts -- from matryoshkas, Russian art and crafts, to Russian army supplies and, of course, Russian food and drink -- can't be easier. To locate the inexpensive choices listed above, simply ask your guide or a hotel receptionist: they'll be only too happy to share some of their insider knowledge with a savvy visitor.
Author Sunil S.
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