Moscow and St. Petersburg in Sept
Sep 26th, 2015, 04:07 PM
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Moscow and St. Petersburg in Sept
We spent 10 wonderful days in Moscow and St. Petersburg. For 7 of the 10 days we were on a Gate 1 tour. For 3 of the 10 days,we were on our own-1 day in Moscow and 2 days in St. Petersburg. We stayed at the Marriott Grand Moscow and Radisson Royal in St. Petersburg. Both were within easy walking distance of the major sites. The Marriott is a true 5 star hotel in terms of the room and the buffet breakfast. The Radisson is more 3-4 stars. I was satisfied with both and would recommend them, though the Marriott is certainly a nicer hotel and a better value.
On the day we arrived, and the day before the tour started we walked to the 19th and 20th century Art Museum located next door to the Pushkin Museum. The admission charge of $5 US is a bargain compared to admission charges for high quality art museums in the US.. We spent several hours viewing extraordinary impressionist art. If you like impressionist art I would highly recommend this museum.
On the first day of the tour we visited the Kremlin, Assumption Church and the Armoury Museum. We traveled by metro, boat and bus. The metro stations are extraordinary and I recommend taking the time to see at least some of them.
On the second day of the tour we traveled to St. Sergius Posad, a Golden Ring town about 1.5 hours by bus from Moscow. Although seeing the monastery and churches there was interesting, in retrospect I would have preferred to spend the day in central Moscow. There is a lot to see in Moscow and 2 days gives you just enough time to scratch the surface.
Red Square was closed for most of the time we were in Moscow because it was the anniversary of Moscow's founding, and official celebrations were going on in Red Square. We did get to see it on our last half day in Moscow, before we boarded our train for SP. But if seeing Red Square is a priority, I would not schedule your time in Moscow during the first weekend in Sept.
On the day we arrived, and the day before the tour started we walked to the 19th and 20th century Art Museum located next door to the Pushkin Museum. The admission charge of $5 US is a bargain compared to admission charges for high quality art museums in the US.. We spent several hours viewing extraordinary impressionist art. If you like impressionist art I would highly recommend this museum.
On the first day of the tour we visited the Kremlin, Assumption Church and the Armoury Museum. We traveled by metro, boat and bus. The metro stations are extraordinary and I recommend taking the time to see at least some of them.
On the second day of the tour we traveled to St. Sergius Posad, a Golden Ring town about 1.5 hours by bus from Moscow. Although seeing the monastery and churches there was interesting, in retrospect I would have preferred to spend the day in central Moscow. There is a lot to see in Moscow and 2 days gives you just enough time to scratch the surface.
Red Square was closed for most of the time we were in Moscow because it was the anniversary of Moscow's founding, and official celebrations were going on in Red Square. We did get to see it on our last half day in Moscow, before we boarded our train for SP. But if seeing Red Square is a priority, I would not schedule your time in Moscow during the first weekend in Sept.
Sep 26th, 2015, 06:30 PM
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This is a trip I've always wanted to do! Curious to know your thoughts on whether a tour is necessary or not. I've heard mixed things from non-Russian speaking friends who have visited. I prefer to travel on my own schedule, but did you feel unsafe at any points? Glad it worked out and was a great trip! 
Sep 26th, 2015, 07:21 PM
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We took a Gate One Tour to China and thoroughly enjoyed it. We did not feel rushed at any point and had plenty of time on our own. The hotel choices were beautiful, nicer than what we normally choose for ourselves. I felt slightly intimidated with touring China on our own so really glad we choose a tour for that trip.
Sep 26th, 2015, 07:30 PM
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Glad you had a good trip, shelleyk!
Bostonblondie, not to jump in on shelley's answer, but I was in Moscow solo and without a group and it worked out just fine. There were some really lovely people who helped me out on occasion with directions (and the Metro) but all in all I had no issues. (Trip report for that is here; a few years old now, but might give you some idea: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-to-moscow.cfm )
Bostonblondie, not to jump in on shelley's answer, but I was in Moscow solo and without a group and it worked out just fine. There were some really lovely people who helped me out on occasion with directions (and the Metro) but all in all I had no issues. (Trip report for that is here; a few years old now, but might give you some idea: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-to-moscow.cfm )
Sep 27th, 2015, 02:01 PM
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Bostonblondie-For a first time trip to Moscow and SP I would recommend a tour. The reason is not because I felt unsafe at any time, but because time management was very efficient during the tour. We never waited on line to get into any of the sites including the Hermitage, the Armory, and Yusupov Palace. The tickets were taken care of by the tour company and we walked right in past the people who were not in a tour group.
When we were on our own it took longer to find certain sites even though we had good maps. The street signs are in Russian and cyrillic so it was not easy navigating when going off the beaten path. We eventually found all of the sites we were looking for, but it took longer than if the bus simply would have driven us to the front door.
I liked the Gate 1 itinerary because there was enough free time to "do your own thing" while the rest of the group went on optional tours. For instance, in SP the group spent 3 hours on a tour of the Hermitage, and in the afternoon most went to Catherine's Palace, as an optional tour for which they paid extra. We chose not to go with the group to Catherine's Palace, but instead stayed at the Hermitage until 7PM, spending considerable time viewing the French impressionist paintings which were recently installed in a separate building across the courtyard from the Hermitage, but which is included in the ticket for the Hermitage.
We have a 3 year visa. If we return to Russia, which we are considering, I would go independently. But for a first time visit, I am glad we did part tour part DIY.
When we were on our own it took longer to find certain sites even though we had good maps. The street signs are in Russian and cyrillic so it was not easy navigating when going off the beaten path. We eventually found all of the sites we were looking for, but it took longer than if the bus simply would have driven us to the front door.
I liked the Gate 1 itinerary because there was enough free time to "do your own thing" while the rest of the group went on optional tours. For instance, in SP the group spent 3 hours on a tour of the Hermitage, and in the afternoon most went to Catherine's Palace, as an optional tour for which they paid extra. We chose not to go with the group to Catherine's Palace, but instead stayed at the Hermitage until 7PM, spending considerable time viewing the French impressionist paintings which were recently installed in a separate building across the courtyard from the Hermitage, but which is included in the ticket for the Hermitage.
We have a 3 year visa. If we return to Russia, which we are considering, I would go independently. But for a first time visit, I am glad we did part tour part DIY.
Sep 29th, 2015, 04:22 PM
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Bostonblondie - We just came back from Moscow. What a fantastic city! We had gone on a river tour with Viking a few years ago and got one day to be on our own in Moscow while the other two days were with the Viking group. I had learned the Cyrillic alphabet (OK, most of it) before we left so I felt less uncomfortable with signs.
Go! It's great. Perhaps you would feel more comfortable with a tour for your first trip. But we never felt in danger as it's quite a safe city, and people helped us as well, even though most did not speak English.
Go! It's great. Perhaps you would feel more comfortable with a tour for your first trip. But we never felt in danger as it's quite a safe city, and people helped us as well, even though most did not speak English.
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