European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 17, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                N. A s i a a boat cruises past the Kremlin on the Moscow River. Laming Atrip food sights dual prices mean mostly cheap thrills for the adventuresome by Carl Hartman the associated press if you re looking for a spot to spend a Long cheap Cool vacation give some thought to Russia. But Don t make the trip until late Spring or summer. A sojourn in Russia which requires a spirit of adventure and an interest in giving up cornflakes $6 a Box for caviar Only about $2 an ounce can be instructive. Streets in Moscow and St. Petersburg Are an endless fascination of Majestic classical buildings Stalin style skyscrapers and kiosks that sell everything from caviar to korean sport shirts. Moscow has fantastically painted churches that look like daring designs for wedding cakes St. Petersburg offers the Hermitage with its great collection of Art and a wealth of other palaces built by Peter the great and his successors. Summer temperatures in Moscow and St. Petersburg rarely reach 80 degrees and the Days Are Long in july it does t really get dark until after 11. There can still be Snow in May but june is usually Nice. So is september and often the first half of october. Croup Tours Are cheap in. Winter for Good reason if the russian Winter Defeated Napoleon and Hitler it can fee expected to vanquish the average tourist. If you have time take a train to Poland then find a cheap fare in local currency. Surveys Call Moscow one of the world s most expensive capitals. They Are right if you stay at the Metropole where the cheapest single room costs $330 and breakfast is $22 hard currency please no rubles accepted. More modest hotels have rooms for $30 to $40 if you can stand a Little discomfort and Uncertain plumbing. The bed and breakfast Industry is thriving. . Agencies can arrange accommodations starting at about $75 for a double but prices negotiated on the spot Are much lower. Some proprietors also will do a generous Home cooked dinner for about $8. Food is plentiful and sometimes a Surprise. The hostess continued on Page 8 is photos by Ken George pop and Rock n Roll Are popular Street entertainment in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Fcbruary17,1994 stripes Magazine 7