Trip to Alexander Palace? [2005]

[Robert_Hall]

Well, I am far from inexperienced traveler, but I just need to join the others at the hotel and need to know IF I should tip a prepaid transfer. Got in a syticky situation before when I had done the same, told NOT to then had the feeling that the driver expected something..Russia being different and all....

[helenazar]

You're right that it's easy to get a cab transfer. But a totally inexperienced traveller can get easily frightened when he or she gets into a situation as I and my friend got into at Saint Petersburg Airport in June 1992. It was utter chaos and it took us ages to get our suitcases. :-/ The transfer to the hotel was the easy part.
But no one should stay at home because of such a thing!!

Yes, Helen, this is true, the Russian a/ports tend to be very chaotic, not to mention all kinds of solicitations going on by licensed and unlicensed cab drivers. But the best thing to do is to bravely walk past them while looking for your own driver  . On my first trip to St Pete, our suitcases for some reason ended up at another a/port (I still have no idea how this happened) and we had to take a cab there to retrieve them. So yes, all kinds of unpleasant things can happen there, luckily all works out in the end (just remember - don;t pack anthing you can't live without in the luggage you hand in). But when you walk into that Alexander Park gate and see the AP in front of you, it all becomes worth it  .

[Robert_Hall]

Thanks,Helen. That is really what I needed to know. I expected the overcharging from the begining. But when one pays outrageous prices for a book---what difference does a cab ride  make?

[helenazar]

Well, I am far from inexperienced traveler, but I just need to join the others at the hotel and need to know IF I should tip a prepaid transfer. Got in a syticky situation before when I had done the same, told NOT to then had the feeling that the driver expected something..Russia being different and all....

Robert, they will always expect something when they see a foreigner, whether it is appropriate or not, that doesn't mean you have to do it. Use your judgment, but as I mentioned, if you tip, you don't need to go overboard...

[Sunny]

This thread is the stuff of dreams, that I'm sure we will make a reality.  

Sunny

[helenazar]

This thread is the stuff of dreams, that I'm sure we will make a reality.  

Sunny

No not dreams at all, very possible  

[BobAtchison]

I think 10-15 would make it - any more than that would be too many I think - I think/hope Antonio will come, Tsaria, others - we would need transport to get us around and a good guide who knows the palaces and locations - we have several of those already.

[Robert_Hall]

Depending on how things go on my visit in 2 weeks time, I would probably be quite interested in a more extensive visit in much better weather !

[helenazar]

Bob: If this trip would be planned well in advance, it cannot be much of a problem to get a group of ten together. After all, this discussion board has over a thousand members.

I agree, Helen, 10-15 people will not be a problem to get together from this forum. Are you thinking some time next summer (2006)?

[Val289]

What a wonderful thread!  I know that if time, finances,  and circumstances will allow me to go, I would certainly love to do this  I think this trip would be especially helpful and wonderful to inexperienced foreign travelers, such as myself.

[Robert_Hall]

I do not know what you have in mind here, but the last time I checked out a "Romanov Exclusive" tour of St.P  and the other palaces it rang up to around $5,000 for 2 weeks, all inclusive from the US. [this included private tours]
Obviously I did not join that time, but I know a couple of folks tthat did and  they had different reactions to the experience.
Is this the range you are thinking of ?

[helenazar]

I do not know what you have in mind here, but the last time I checked out a "Romanov Exclusive" tour of St.P  and the other palaces it rang up to around $5,000 for 2 weeks, all inclusive from the US. [this included private tours]
Obviously I did not join that time, but I know a couple of folks tthat did and  they had different reactions to the experience.
Is this the range you are thinking of ?

It sounds a little too steep, but it must depend on the accomodations and the time of year. I believe it can be done a lot cheaper... I think that it can be kept under $3K, but it just all depends I guess. Robert, what do you mean by "mixed reactions"? Did some like and some didn't? And if so, what didn't they like?

[chintz22]

I get excited just reading this thread!  Of course, I would love to go to all the places mentioned but St. Petersburg, Moscow, The Crimea and Ekaterinburg would be my top choices (I've always wanted to visit Darmstadt too, but that's another thread!).  

The level of accomodation means less to me than the chance to see these wonderful places with Bob, Antonio and the other amazing experts on this board.  I visited Russia as a student in 1988 on a bare bones budget non-Romanov centered trip and loved every minute of it.  The train ride from St. Petersburg (Leningrad then) to Moscow was especially wonderful--staying up late, playing cards and drinking endless cups of sweet tea gave me some of my best travel memories.  

I'll stay tuned to this thread and send in my deposit as soon as the trip is set up!  

Best to all,

Sarah

[Robert_Hall]

Exactly, Helen. One had a "dream of a lifetime" the other was so sick of the Romanovs and their palaces he put his entire collection up for sale. It was a rather intense and very full schedule.  A couple of people in the group also became ill- but I think that could happen anywhere.
This was...maybe 8 years ago. I do recal the hotel, meals and transportation around was superior as well.  I wanted to join, but did not have the time.

[helenazar]

I get excited just reading this thread!  Of course, I would love to go to all the places mentioned but St. Petersburg, Moscow, The Crimea and Ekaterinburg would be my top choices (I've always wanted to visit Darmstadt too, but that's another thread!).  

The level of accomodation means less to me than the chance to see these wonderful places with Bob, Antonio and the other amazing experts on this board.  I visited Russia as a student in 1988 on a bare bones budget non-Romanov centered trip and loved every minute of it.  The train ride from St. Petersburg (Leningrad then) to Moscow was especially wonderful--staying up late, playing cards and drinking endless cups of sweet tea gave me some of my best travel memories.  

I'll stay tuned to this thread and send in my deposit as soon as the trip is set up!  

Best to all,

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

I agree with your idea of what's important here, and although I would want to be reasonably comfortable on this trip, the other experiences are what counts most. I don't think one would need to spend an enormous sum of money to get the most out of this trip and still be comfortable, especially since the cost of everything in Russia is a lot lower than in the west, we are talking about 4-5 times less, and I am being conservative. It is a matter of "you will be charged as much as you are willing to spend" . Being a student, I am not really able to shell out more than say, $2-2.5 for a trip like this, and having done this before, I know that it is possible to do it for this sum and even less. You just have to play your cards right and plan well   .