Let’s face it, traveling overseas is a drag. First, if you don’t have a passport, you need to get one, which takes time and money. Then, depending on your destination, you may well need to get a visa, which takes – you guessed it — more time and more money. Russia, which is one such visa-requiring country, also demands that all visitors register their visa within three days of arrival. Add that hassle to the tiresome list of dealing with jet-lag, struggling with language barriers and coping with culture shock, and it’s clear: Traveling overseas, especially to Russia, can be a major headache.
But don’t despair. Turns out, you can visit Russia without ever leaving the U.S. How is this possible? By visiting one of the various Russian communities across the United States. Whether it’s a few shops at the intersection of 19th Avenue and Northern in Phoenix, or the entirety of the Brighton Beach district in Brooklyn, you can get a taste of Russian food, Russian language and Russian culture right in your own time zone.