A wide range of goods such as watches, cameras, wines and spirits, furs, ceramics and glass, jewellery and toys may be bought in Moscow and St Petersburg. Shops take payment in rubles and, occasionally, by credit card. It is necessary to allow extra time for souvenir hunting: shopping can be a time-consuming activity, owing to the relatively chaotic state of the retail trade in the Russian Federation. It is also advisable to shop around, as prices vary significantly. A good strategy is to choose your souvenirs in a department store such as GUM (on Red Square), and then buy them in a smaller, less centrally located shop.

Historically, the main shopping districts of Moscow have been concentrated in the city centre, along Tverskaya ulitsa and Novy Arbat. Luxury designer stores like Cerutti, Versace, Hermès, Gucci, Armani, and Prada have settled along pedestrianised Stoleshnikov pereulok, Kuznetsky Most, and Tretyakovsky proyezd. On Kutuzovsky prospekt, off Novy Arbat, you'll find Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, and Fendi boutiques. Along with Stary Arbat, which has been particularly spruced up for the tourist trade, these streets are your best bets.

In St. Petersburg, the central shopping district is Nevsky prospekt and the streets running off it. Don't expect too many bargains beyond the pirated CDs and videos (which could be confiscated at customs in your home country!), however, because prices for items such as clothes and electronic goods are just as high as in the West, and in the chic stores in hotels they are even higher.

Outside the large department stores of Nevsky prospekt, you'll find some boutiques and lots of "variety shops" -- part souvenir-oriented, part practical -- which can be a bit bewildering. Check them out if you have time; you never know what you may find.

Kholui and Palekh lacquered boxes make attractive souvenirs. Traditional and satirical Matryoshka dolls (wooden dolls within dolls) are widely available. Khokhloma wooden cups, saucers and spoons are painted gold, red and black. Dymkovskaya Igrushka are pottery figurines based on popular folklore characters.

Engraved amber, Gzhel porcelain, Vologda lace and Fabergé eggs and jewellery are highly sought after. A samovar makes a good souvenir. Antiquities, valuables, works of art and manuscripts other than those offered for sale in souvenir shops may not be taken out of the Russian Federation without an export licence.

Taking up the entire East side of Red Square, and looking more like a palace than a shopping centre, the GUM building offers designer shopping like few before will have experienced. Built at the turn of the 19th Century the complex boasts an elegantly-decorated interior, comprising of three parallel arcades, centred around a fountain and roofed by a splendid glass ceiling - magnificent! Whole afternoons can easily be wasted browsing through flagship stores of the likes of Christian Dior, Hugo Boss and Puma. And with Bosco Bar and Cafe onsite you don't have to go far for a decent drink either!