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Traveling to a destination for the first time can be daunting. Doubly so when the language is different, notices and signs are written in unfamiliar script and everyone seems to be scowling or shouting at everyone else. But look past this at sunlight dappling birch trees in spring, hills covered with frozen lace in winter; at churches and more churches, each with a golden cupola and a people whose pride is only surpassed by their generosity. With a little preparation and forethought your first trip to Russia will be memorable.

Visitors to Russia need a visa before arriving. This requires supporting documentation, from an hotel booking confirmation for a tourist to an official invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a business trip. It's not easy to get hold of these, especially if you intend to stay with friends or if your business trip is a last minute arrangement. Plus there is the time involved in lodging your documents with the Embassy and waiting for the visa to be issued. By far the easier way is to apply via a specialized visa service. Fill out a form, submit your passport and wait for the visa to arrive. Check out VisaHQ for one such service (www.visahq.com).

If you are visiting one of the larger cities, the health risks are no greater than at home. There are no vaccinations required. You will need medical insurance, which needs to be declared on the visa form, but a standard policy is acceptable.

Although there are many stories about crime rates, for visitors, this has no more significance that in most Western cities. Beware of pick pockets and carry a copy of your passport with you on the street rather than the real thing.

Arriving at your destination should be an exhilarating moment. If arriving via Moscow, know your airport and what to expect. Domodedovo has been refurbished and is an efficient modern airport. If you have to land at Sheremetevo, be prepared for a long wait. Relax and soak in the atmosphere of the airport that was built for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Try smiling at the immigration officer you might just get a glimmer in return. You have to fill out a two-part immigration form. Complete both parts and keep the second for when you fly home. Try to get one of these forms on the plane; it saves time when you land.

If someone is meeting you at the airport, so much the better. It's always more comforting that someone knows your name, even if they don't speak your language. If there is no-one, there are car companies in the arrivals

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