Travel to Russia - Exeter International

I'm simply nervous about how safe it would be to travel by van into Russia since I've heard some stories...

What stories? 

["Господь им дал дар по молитвам их размягчать окаменелые наши сердца за их страдания..Мне думается, что если люди будут молиться Царской Cемье, оттают сердца с Божией помощью."]

I'm simply nervous about how safe it would be to travel by van into Russia since I've heard some stories...

What stories? 

A couple of my friends that went with their church got pulled aside and taken into some room for some reason and they had to bribe their way out.

That sounds odd, but there are strict laws on proselytising in Russia.

hey Holly,

I have just got back from a 3 week trip to Russia. The airport customs officers are not the most chatty of poeple, but were quick in stamping the passports and visa's. The police on the street were most helpful;, espceially when asked silly questions by myself when I got lost. You have nothing to worry about. i caught the train from Moscow to St petersburg and all staff were helpful at all points.
Enjoy your trip........I am now planning my summer version of my trip.

["Господь им дал дар по молитвам их размягчать окаменелые наши сердца за их страдания..Мне думается, что если люди будут молиться Царской Cемье, оттают сердца с Божией помощью."]

Thanks for all the information! I hope my trip is as successful as yours. 

Holly, I wish you good luck in your trip!!!!
I want to go to Russia too, but I'm still too young E_E!!
Anyway, GOOD LUCK!

["Господь им дал дар по молитвам их размягчать окаменелые наши сердца за их страдания..Мне думается, что если люди будут молиться Царской Cемье, оттают сердца с Божией помощью."]

Thanks, OTMAAfan! You'll get a chance.

Does anyone happen to know of any inexpensive but decent places to stay in St. Petersburg?

Thanks, OTMAAfan! You'll get a chance.

Does anyone happen to know of any inexpensive but decent places to stay in St. Petersburg?

I stayed at the Nevsky Hostel on Bolshaya Konushennaya.  Cheap, clean, and a supermarket across the street.  They have a kitchen so you can save money by cooking most or all your meals there.  You'll meet tons of travelers, but it's not "party central" like some hostels.  I stayed here and met so many people.  I also LOVED the location.  It's right off of Nevsky Prospect and the courtyard empties out onto Palace Square.  It's 1 1/2 blocks from Church on Spilled Blood, and a block from Kazan Cathedral.  The Nevsky Hotel Group has regular hotels too, which might be less costly if you're sharing a room with others.  There's also the Cuba Hostel behind the Kazan Cathedral.  My friend stayed there and loved it.  Whatever you choose, make sure it's between the Fontanka Canal and the Winter Palace and close to the Nevsky Prospect.  That way, you'll be close to a majority of the sites.  Being anywhere else kind of sucks and the time it takes to get anywhere will eat into your schedule. 

If you have any questions, please do feel free to PM me.  I'm excited for you and know that although you've expressed some anxiety about this trip, that you'll come back a seasoned traveler!! :-) 

Since just over a week a new ferry connection between Helsinki and St Petersburg is operating, and what is best: a visa free cruise possibility:
http://stpeterline.com/en/

 

And the ship is called "The Princess Maria" - how lovely! 72 Hours in St. Petersburg without having to obtain a VISA would be a fantastic trip!

72 hours is not nearly enough time to see what St P. has to offer!

I was told you could see a great deal of the City in three days.

In two and a half days I managed:

Kazan Cathedral
St Isaac's Cathedral
Alexander Nevsky Monastery
Moiika Palace
Tsarskoye Selo
Peter and Paul Fortress

and a good deal of walking about absorbing the atmosphere and being accosted by one-legged veterans of Chechnya in need of money

Lots more, however, which I didn't have time for

One word of warning, the only place where there are notices in English routinely is the Peter and Paul Fortress. In particular, the guided tours of the Catherine Palace are almost all in Russian. If you use the trains or the metro, it is quite difficult unless you can read Cyrillic script.

Ann

["Господь им дал дар по молитвам их размягчать окаменелые наши сердца за их страдания..Мне думается, что если люди будут молиться Царской Cемье, оттают сердца с Божией помощью."]

I'm supposed to be flying this Monday. Hopefully this volcanic ash won't mess any of my flights up. 

I have been researching for a trip for some time now. I had always hoped to have at least 3-4 days in the city and to see the following:

1. Hermitage
2. St. P&P Fortress
3. Yusupov Palace
4. St. Isaac's Catheral
5. Church on the Spilled Blood
6. Peter's Summer Palace + Summer Gardens
7. Alexander Palace

I know there are those who would say, what about Peterhof, Catherine's Palace or Pavlovsk?; but I have tried to narrow sites down to the ones that I want to see the most as I know I cannot possibly see them all due to limited time and resources.  My number 1 stie to see is the Hermitage. I have studied their web site for ages and to the point where I feel as though I could walk through there blindfolded and know my way! I do not plan on a simple 2 hr. stop here, I have planned at least half a day for the Hermitage. Does this list sound feasible to do in 3 days or 4 days?