Kappy

Hi
My original plan was to go to Helsinki this September. The plans have been changed until May 2009. I also would like to include a trip to Moscow that was not originally planned.
My question is:
Has anybody used Finnsov Tours from Helsinki to train to St. Petersburg and or Moscow? If so how would you rate them?
Thank You.

bratsandbeer

No, I have not used Finnsov Tours. There are some old postings on tripadvisor.

I have gone on a 4 day tour to St Petersburg from Helsinki with the Finland Tourist Bureau. The trip was arranged through Nordicsaga. We have had Nordicsaga arrange some independent travel also in Norway. And they have given us very good rates on hotels. We have been happy with Nordicsaga.

The trip to St Petersburg was good. My one complaint was the food at the Hotel Pribaltiskaya where we stayed was not very good. Also, the hotel was too far out from the city center. Since our trip they have relocated to a different hotel. We had lunches provided when we were out for the day and it was excellent Russian food.

http://www.adventureus.com/Directory...utfitterID=288

afterall

If you just want to visit Peterburg and Moscow there is no reason at all to look for someone to arrange it all for you.

Just do it yourself.

Kappy

Hi
I would plan the trip on my own as I do usually but there is a language issue and a little hard to navigate.
I figured since I will be in Helsinki that I would hook up with a Finnish Tour as I have been to Finland before and they are lovely people. I have been corresponding by e mail with Finnsov Tours and they have been very responsive.
Amy more info on them would be great.
Thanks

bratsandbeer

Language could be a problem. One young man on our tour was from Spain. He went on his own to the downtown area knowing the bus he was to take back. He got the bus mixed up with one going in the opposite direction. He did find a Russian who knew German so he could communicate enough to know he was on the wrong bus and what to do. But he was 2 hours late getting back with the group and his wife was starting to worry.

Many are traveling on their own but my sister and I did not want to go to Russia independently. She had been to Moscow and St Pete before and thought it was not a wise thing for us to do.

Kappy

Hello Again:

Now I am planning my real trip in May to Paris then to Helsinki.

I wanted to know if anyone has used Finnsov Tours recently for the 6 day train trip to St. Petersbug and Moscow ? I usually travel independently but I know from talking to friends and family that have been to Russia the language is an issue. That is why I want to use a tour group. I have checked other tours but this one has the two places that I want to see on the same trip by train.

Thanks in Advance.

Kappy

I just received an email from Finnsov Tours so I do not need my question answered. They seem very well organized and I will use them for my trip to Russia in May.

Orlando_Vic

We used them in 1986 or 87 for a 4-day trip from Helsinki to St. Petersburg. Yes, they were very well organized and delivered on everything promised. As I remember, they had 3-4 busses going at the same time and each was organized by the native language of the travelers. Thus, we were in an English-speaking bus and had lots of people to talk with along the way. They did a great job and I think you will enjoy your tour with them.

Kappy

Hi Orlando

Thank you very much.
We are making the reservations early next week for May.

LaurenKahn1

I will be in Finland in July and am thinking about going to Petersburg after my home exchange in Finland finishes. There is not a lot on this forum about Finland. For many travelers to Europe, Europe is all about Paris, London and Rome.

Kappy

Hi
Going to St Petersburg and Moscow Russia by train in May with Finnsov Tours. They have been really great. I did all my communication with Sanna and she is excellent and responds very quickly. I highly reccomend them if you are interested in a tour from Helsinki Finland

Kappy

Hi
Just back from Europe.
Finnsov Tours in Helsinki (web site) finnsov.fi was wonderful. I booked my reservations with Sanna and she was really helpful and responded immediately to any questions.
The tour consisted of a driver tour guide and the two of us for both St. Petersburg and Moscow.
If you are interested in going to Russia book with Finnsov.

LaurenKahn1

If you are American, you need a visa. That has to be well in advance and I am sure the tour company will take care of it for you. You don't want to do this at the last minute because it will not work.

The situation may be different for Finns and other Europeans.

Igormikhalich

Hello, I live in St.Petersburg, my advice is to travel on your own too, there are good small hotels here, but never stay in big ones.

Kappy

We had a great time in Russia especially St Petersburg and Trivisa got us the visa. Finnsov does not do that for you but it was not hard to do. The visa company is in Washington Dc and it took one week. Russia especially Moscow is easier with a tour guide do to language issues. St. Petersburg is more compact.