I have a trip scheduled to St Petersburg next week.  I totally underestimated the challenge to plan and execute this trip.  After dealing with the traditional headaches of booking flights and hotels, I had to address obtaining a visa from the Russian Consulate.  They do have a helpful website (www.russianembassy.org) which provide me a description of the various forms of visas as well as the applications themselves.  To start, I am traveling for business but I am getting a tourist visa.  I then had to expedite the application since I was trying to get the visa less than a month in advance.  Some interesting requests on the form include:  a cover letter, my insurance information, my prior employment history and an invitation to stay at a hotel.