Maxim Levoshin

ru_RU Russian
ru_RU Russian

Category: Europe

  • Checklist for Remote Nature Travel and National Park Stays

    How to Prepare for Remote National Park Travel

    🚘 Checklist: How to Travel Through Remote Nature Shitholes

    За последние два года я проехал больше 100.000 км на машине по двум Америкам и Евразии. Часто так бывает, что около классных природных локаций отели ну, скажем, очень маленькие (спасибо, что вообще есть). Я обычно бронирую место для ночевки в середине дня — в красивых местах никогда не знаешь, сколько часов захочется погулять и пофотографировать по дороге.

    Questions You Must Ask the Hotel Before You Arrive

    Especially in Latin America, never trust the description on booking platforms. Always ask these questions directly:

    ✔️ Are you open today?
    ✔️ What time does the front desk close?
    ✔️ Is there heating or working A/C in the rooms?
    ✔️ Do you have hot water?
    ✔️ Is there enough hot water to fill the jacuzzi?
    ✔️ Does the internet work?
    ✔️ What time does the kitchen close?
    ✔️ Is there secure on-site parking?

    Booking Sites Lie — Ask Directly

    Don’t rely on booking.com descriptions. Ask everything.

    What Are Your Favorite Travel Hacks?

  • Crossing into Armenia by Car with Dual Citizenship

    Crossing into Armenia by Car with Dual Citizenship

    Entering Armenia with Lithuanian Plates - Here's How It Started

    I’m driving into Armenia. Border guards look carefully at my car (Lithuanian plates), then at me. Back at the car. Then back at me. And say:
    — Sooo, you’ve got a Russian passport. Under the customs union rules, you’ll need to leave a $25,000 deposit in cash for vehicle import. You’ll get it back when you leave.

    Sure, I’ll Just Leave $25K in the Mountains — Totally Safe

    Yes, I pictured it exactly like that: leaving a fat wad of cash at the border, and two weeks later, the envelope is still patiently waiting for me in the mountains, untouched.

    When a Second Passport Becomes a Get-Out-of-Customs-Free Card

    Погодите, ну это же для граждан РФ, у меня вот есть ещё паспорт.

    — (long sigh) In that case, no deposit needed. Just pay a $10 "gyneco-ecological fee" at the bank and you’re good to go.