sbcnanny

I am travelling in mid - September, along with 2 friends, on an organized and escorted tour that goes to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Veliky Novgorod and Moscow. The itinerary is already set, but I'd like some advice on currencies, what to expect weather- wise, and some tips on dress codes in Russian churches.
Since all 4 countries use different currencies - Danish kronen, Swedish kronen, Euros in Finland, and rubles in Russia -- is it best to purchase a bit of each currency at home in Toronto, Canada, and then use ATM's in each country to get additional cash ? I thought I'd pay cash for small day- to- day stuff and use a credit card for larger purchases.
Can anyone tell me what the weather is usually like in that area in mid to end of September ?Some guidebooks say to bring along gloves and a warm hat, Is it really that chilly at that time of year ?
Finally - I've read that some Russian churches don't allow women to enter without a head covering, or when wearing pants. Does anyone know for sure ?
Any information on these topics would be greatly appreciated -- this trip has been on my bucket list for a long time, and I can't wait to go.
Thanks !

kja

I'd wait until you reach each country and use the ATMs there. Be sure to notify your banks in advance of your travel.

For typical weather information, see underground.com or timeanddate.com -- here's the later, which I just set to Copenhagen; you can set it to whatever city you want.
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/...nhagen/climate

It CAN get chilly or windy anywhere. IME, a pair of silk gloves and a silk scarf are well worth the tiny bit of space they take. And you can use that scarf on your head if you do visit one of the churches where a head covering is required.

You'll see some wonderful things - enjoy!

thursdaysd

As kja said, wait and use ATMs. When notifying your banks and credit card issuers, find out what fees they charge.

Proper attire for Russian churches varies. It's been a while since I was there, but the only one that required a skirt was the Church on Spilled Blood in Ekaterinburg, which is basically a shrine to the "martyred" Romanovs. They provided a skirt you could tie on over your pants. I didn't wear a head scarf anywhere that I remember. However, things may have gotten stricter since then.

Odin

Mid September can be very pleasant temperatures in CPH, HEL and STO IME. By the end of the month, it can start to get colder/windier/rainy, best to take layers. I've never needed gloves so early in the year nor a scarf but doesn't do any harm to take them in case it is unusually cold.

rncheryl

Just back from a Baltic cruise. We visited several St. Petersburg churches: no restrictions in attire. I had on long pants and no head covering as did others in our group.

danon

"Finally - I've read that some Russian churches don't allow women to enter without a head covering, or when wearing pants. Does anyone know for sure ?"

Not that. I noticed.

I traveled to Russia twice.... carried at least 100 dollars in rubles at arrival.
one never knows!

sbcnanny

Thanks everyone for the tips. - I'll be sure to use hem!

sbcnanny

Thanks everyone , for your tips. I really appreciate the input and I'll definitely keep them in mind.

Trophywife007

Ditto what mcheryl said -- we were just there in June.