Going on a Trip to Russia!

[AdamJT]

My wife and I will be going on a trip to Russia in a few weeks! It will be our first visit to the country. Our visit on this trip will include Moscow and Ivanovo (180mi NE of Moscow). If anyone has any knowledge of good areas to photograph I would love some advice. We have the obvious tour of Red Square planned and a few other areas, but is there anything else highly worth getting to that I might miss in the normal tourism?

Also, is there any other special advice? Such as "don't take a picture of so and so or you will be thrown into jail never to be heard from again"? Any issues with crime and stolen camera equipment out of the ordinary?

Thanks so much!!!

[DocFrankenstein]

Any issues with crime and stolen camera equipment out of the ordinary?
Nope, that's quite ordinary.

Just be... alert and keep an eye on your bag in public transit.

[New Hobby]

Get insurance. I went a few months ago and did not have any problem but I'm still glad I got insurance. Keep your gear close esp. if your are on the Metro. My brother has lived in St. Pete for years and told me that there are gangs who "patrol" some of the stations. If someone tries to hold you up in the station just keep moving.

The police can pull anyone over for any reason. I was pulled over two time in one week. Keep your passport with you at all times and keep it safe on you. Photocopy it before you leave (front 2 pages) and keep the photocopy in you luggage. That is just in case you have an issue with the passport. Also you will get a paper when you land that you have to hand back when you leave. Keep it with your passport at all times. Your hotel will be able to stamp it and you will need that stamp.

I did not make it to Moscow but was told there is not much to shoot. Any chance of adding St. Pete to the trip? There are loads of things to shot there. Here are some shots I got from St. Pete.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/newhobby/sets/72157604132459059/

I'm very glad I went and would tell anyone its a great place to visit. It is very diff. from a 1st world country but it is not a 3rd world country.

[DocFrankenstein]

I did not make it to Moscow but was told there is not much to shoot.
I'd imagine they were joking. St. Petersburg is nothing compared to Moscow.

[AdamJT]

Thanks both for the tips. There really is a huge amount to shoot around Red Square in Moscow. I think I will probably need to come home just to relax my shutter finger;)

I carry insurance on my gear, but I will double check for international travel. Good point!

Part of our group will be going on to St. Petersburg, but unfortunately due to time consraints we will be flying back from Moscow. It really sucks to be that close and not go, but that's only a reason to go back!

Anyone else?