Travel to Russia - Exeter International

Thanks Jehan. I realy appreaciate you opinion on Europa. It sounds realy great! It is a pity the price is outragously high. I imagine the price of the hotel was very expensive. The meals even cost extra money? how is the weather there?

I've been to Jalta, on the Crim, when I was eleven together with my mum (who isn't now anymore ) and it was very nice, beautiful Flora especially, rare trees, nice people, but many very very poor corners. Sometimes dead cats were lying on the streets and many dogs & cats without home ( )  I like very much the typical Russian dolls, we brought from there and other nice stuff.  I will always remember the food as well: cabbage...cabbage...cabbage  It did not taste bad, but was to much every day. I think this food is cheap and is eaten that much because the people are rather poor there...

Friends of mine, a couple, did the transsiberian route (transmongolian actualy, from Russia, through Mongolia to Beijing) for a month, on around 4000 euro (2000 each). I have a budget of 5000 euro (hoping to depart towards the end of april 2009). You can do some parts cheaper than others. But I think most money will be spend on Petersbourg. Reading this post, it seems it's worth it to spend more money there. What else do some of you recommend that's worth to spend more money on?

I do not know about the TransSiberian,  but I have taken the Red Train from Saint Petersburg to Moscow [and back]. It was  expensive, but worth it.  Our own  cabin with drinks & a meal.  [it leaves at midnight!]  Obviously not much to see on the  way,  but I love  train travel so it worked quite well for me.
 On my next journey, I would like to take the day trip. It still takes about 8 hours, but more to see, I am sure.
 In my own experience, one gets what one pays for,  so, do the best you can afford!!!

For the budget travelers, there is this year a new Russian budget airline - Sky Express - for example Moscow to St. Petersburg US$20. It is expanding and within the next few years, there will most likely be competition as it is being watched closely. To defray costs and timeframe, it is possible to combine both air and train routes.

http://www.skyexpress.ru/en/

Joanna

Having been on a flight from Kiev to Moscow (in 1979) on which the plane door was nailed shut, I wonder if one must put ones' arms out the window of the plane & flap, for the pirce, on this carrier.
TATYANA

I well remember 'soviet' travel, and have endured a variety of 'experiences'.    More recently I have flown from St Petersburg to Ekaterinburg and both outward and inward the aircraft (Uralair) were virtually brand new.   

tsaria

[European Royal History Journal]

I do not know about the TransSiberian,  but I have taken the Red Train from Saint Petersburg to Moscow [and back]. It was  expensive, but worth it.  Our own  cabin with drinks & a meal.  [it leaves at midnight!]  Obviously not much to see on the  way,  but I love  train travel so it worked quite well for me.
 On my next journey, I would like to take the day trip. It still takes about 8 hours, but more to see, I am sure.
 In my own experience, one gets what one pays for,  so, do the best you can afford!!!

In 2005 when we went on the Eurohistory tour we flew into Petersburg on BA. From St Petersburg we took Aeroflot to Moscow on an airplane (old Soviet jets) that had lacked overhead latches. When it took off and landed half the bags people had placed in the overhead bins flew off and landed on people's heads, laps and aisle. It was a hoot!

From Moscow to Perm we took a train for 28 hours. From Perm we went on private bus to Nyrov and Tyumen. Then from Tyumen to Tobolsk we took another train. Tobolsk was incredible!

From Tobolsk to Yeakaterinburg we took an overnight train...then a private bus to Pokrovskoe and Alapaievsk and the return we did on Uralair to Moscow and from Moscow back to London on BA. All in all it took us three weeks. Our friend Zoia Belyakova was invited part of the tour to act as our translator and second guide...seeing her argue with some of the tour guides was precious as most of them were from the old Soviet system. We nine people on board became the best of lasting friends!

All in all it was an amazing experience!

Arturo

How envious am I!

Eddie

thanks to you for posting this informative topics.
thanks,

hey Guys,

A great big thankyou for all the information and tips that I have picked up. I have just received my visa and tickets for a trip to Moscow and St Petersburg and the advice has been great.
We are heading out on 29th of December and have a month is Russia. I am hoping that is enough time to indulge my passion for the Romanov's. (I am not sure my partner knows what he is in for)
Thanks again
Brett

Wow, 4 weeks in Russia. That should be plenty of time but you will miiss the fantastic fountains at Peterhoff- they shut them down  for the winter. But, Russians  do not hibernate, there should be not problem seeinging as many palaces as you like.
 It looks like my partner  and I may  go to Russia for a canal  journey from Moscow to St Petersburg next autumn.  Hvae not decided on Exeter or Viking though. First we go on a 2 week river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam to see how we like  such journeys.

Hi Brett & Robert,

Brett -
You should be able to see everything that you want in the 4 week interval that you're there.
In winter also, you won't have all those tourist lineups to worry about.

Robert-
I just returned from a river cruise on the Rhine/Danube from Amsterdam to Bucharest in September (which I was told is the best month to do that)...
You need to make your plans a good 9 months before though to get the best boat...
I had a great time and I'm sure you will also - it's a good trip and lots of beautiful scenery and history...

Larry

How nice that you have just been on a river cruise that is similiar to what we are doing next spring [for our 40th anniversary, BTW] I would like to  hear about it. PM  me if you like. And do not worry, our journey was booked and paid for   months ago.
 Brett, same with you, PM me if you would like a good reference for a guide & translator in St. Petersburg [at least- he will go just about anywhere!]

I'm most likely going to study at Petrozavodsk this summer and will be spending a week touring St. Petersburg and Moscow and other towns and I was wondering how does one go about visiting the Alexander Palace? We're planning on visiting Pushkin and some of the palaces but in order to go in do you have to do anything special? Such as make an arrangement beforehand?