Where can I buy authentic Russian souvenirs (like original hand-painted Matryoshka dolls, Russian fur hat, etc.)?

Everything depends on your reason for getting the souvenirs. If you want to buy some cheap bric-a-brac for your little kids or bring a present to your neighbor, then purchasing souvenirs from curb traders or at a flea market is perfectly acceptable. Keep in mind, though, that most of the lacquer boxes they sell in the street are cheap imitations, whereas a picture on the top is a postcard glued to the box and then lacquered on the top.

With time the postcard will peel off and the box can be thrown away. However, if you want to get a quality memento of your visit to Russia or buy a gift for a special occasion, you should consider shopping at special souvenir centers. Like all finer things in life, quality souvenirs are more expensive than those sold in the street, but you get the real stuff!

After all, we get what we are paying for.

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