Costs for Russia for budget to moderate travelers & lots of other questions--can you advise?
Nov 24th, 2007, 01:09 PM
#21
julies - you can see my (unedited) pix of Novgorod and the Golden Ring towns I visited at kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/287618.
stu - if you're headed to Ukraine you might be interested in my (edited) pix from last year at kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/264391
stu - if you're headed to Ukraine you might be interested in my (edited) pix from last year at kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/264391
Nov 24th, 2007, 08:10 PM
#22
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Great photos. I was amazed in some ways some of the ones from Novgorod made me think of our visit to Lithuania and some of the dark brown wooden churches reminded me of churches we sawy in the Maramures area of Romania. The Golden Ring looks fascinating. Kathy, do you remember about how much a car and driver cost? I am going to really have to start adding up al the numbers and the possible length of a stay we'd have.
Odin--Your comments about tours and agenciesdo make sense. I'll also have to consider using some sort of an agency, something I typically don't do except when it it a really, really different part of the world to me. It might make sense in this situation.
Thanks to all.
Odin--Your comments about tours and agenciesdo make sense. I'll also have to consider using some sort of an agency, something I typically don't do except when it it a really, really different part of the world to me. It might make sense in this situation.
Thanks to all.
Nov 25th, 2007, 05:05 AM
#24
julies - glad you liked the pix!. My Golden Ring trip was part of a package - train tickets for St. P. to Beijing, accommodation, and several side trips, and I don't remember how much that one piece added. Plus, my impression is that prices have risen dramatically.
I booked with Passport Travel (www.travelcentre.com.au) and while the Australian office was fine, their ground agent in Western Russia, G & R International, was definitely not. (Some of the gory details, plus my diatribe about homestays, at www.wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004 - Rainy Russia.)
I wouldn't use Passport Travel for Russia unless they've changed their ground agent. Plus, I checked their web site, and their current GR one night trip, which only goes to Suzdal, is "US$386 per person based upon twin share and US$763 for one person". I was a single and I am quite sure I didn't pay that much!!! I would see whether Russia Experience is offering anything beyond train trips, and check the Russia "sticky" at Lonely Planet's Thorntree for other suggestions.
BTW, julies, aren't you the poster who was unhappy with Vietnam? While Russia isn't Vietnam, at the budget level it isn't Western Europe either. There is very real poverty among the elderly, and, I suspect, in the countryside, and the infrastructure isn't in great shape.
I booked with Passport Travel (www.travelcentre.com.au) and while the Australian office was fine, their ground agent in Western Russia, G & R International, was definitely not. (Some of the gory details, plus my diatribe about homestays, at www.wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004 - Rainy Russia.)
I wouldn't use Passport Travel for Russia unless they've changed their ground agent. Plus, I checked their web site, and their current GR one night trip, which only goes to Suzdal, is "US$386 per person based upon twin share and US$763 for one person". I was a single and I am quite sure I didn't pay that much!!! I would see whether Russia Experience is offering anything beyond train trips, and check the Russia "sticky" at Lonely Planet's Thorntree for other suggestions.
BTW, julies, aren't you the poster who was unhappy with Vietnam? While Russia isn't Vietnam, at the budget level it isn't Western Europe either. There is very real poverty among the elderly, and, I suspect, in the countryside, and the infrastructure isn't in great shape.
Nov 26th, 2007, 05:32 PM
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thursdaysd--
Yes I am the poster who caused the great Vietnam upheaval. But, no I am not someone who was unhappy with our trip to Vietnam. I just said we did a very, very, very off-the-beaten path and strenuous trip that was physically and emotionally exhausting. There we hiked in and did homestays in very remote tribal villages in the north after we did a bicycle trip to the remote reaches of the Mekong Delta. I think people who interpreted my comments as being unhappy with the whole experience were those who typically stay in deluxe accomodations and who couldn't figure out how anyone could possibly not enjoy the deluxe services at bargain rates that Vietnam can offer.
My guess is the poverty in Russia might be more comparable to what we saw in certain areas of Romania and in some of the smaller eastern Czech towns and in places in Lithuania. We tend to prefer cultural immersion and seeing the real country versus being pampered in western-style manner, so I wouldn't worry at all about this aspect of a trip to Russia. When I mentioned the fact that my daughter-in-law told me about a very, very simple place that we could possibly stay in Russia with family friends of hers, my husband commented that if it even has a toilet it has much better facilities than some places we've stayed.
Yes I am the poster who caused the great Vietnam upheaval. But, no I am not someone who was unhappy with our trip to Vietnam. I just said we did a very, very, very off-the-beaten path and strenuous trip that was physically and emotionally exhausting. There we hiked in and did homestays in very remote tribal villages in the north after we did a bicycle trip to the remote reaches of the Mekong Delta. I think people who interpreted my comments as being unhappy with the whole experience were those who typically stay in deluxe accomodations and who couldn't figure out how anyone could possibly not enjoy the deluxe services at bargain rates that Vietnam can offer.
My guess is the poverty in Russia might be more comparable to what we saw in certain areas of Romania and in some of the smaller eastern Czech towns and in places in Lithuania. We tend to prefer cultural immersion and seeing the real country versus being pampered in western-style manner, so I wouldn't worry at all about this aspect of a trip to Russia. When I mentioned the fact that my daughter-in-law told me about a very, very simple place that we could possibly stay in Russia with family friends of hers, my husband commented that if it even has a toilet it has much better facilities than some places we've stayed.
Dec 9th, 2007, 11:56 AM
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We have recently come back from St Petersburg and I can provide you with some info about this city
As for hotels, we stayed in the Hermitage mini hotel, the price is around 100 euros per night( though I think it will be more expensive during the summer season)It's a small, more intimate hotel with a very pleasant and helpful staff. Perfect location( www.ermitage.spb.ru)
Before I found this hotel, I came across a website of Comfort hotel and Herzen House( I think they are located in the same building) The prices are even less expensive but they were already booked
As for the restaurants and cafes, I did like very much small cosy cafes nearby our hotel- Stolle( it's a wonderful pie cafe)it was around $10 per person to have lunch. There is also a nice place, called Pushka Inn,I had the best Borsh and Beefstroganof there
As for hotels, we stayed in the Hermitage mini hotel, the price is around 100 euros per night( though I think it will be more expensive during the summer season)It's a small, more intimate hotel with a very pleasant and helpful staff. Perfect location( www.ermitage.spb.ru)
Before I found this hotel, I came across a website of Comfort hotel and Herzen House( I think they are located in the same building) The prices are even less expensive but they were already booked
As for the restaurants and cafes, I did like very much small cosy cafes nearby our hotel- Stolle( it's a wonderful pie cafe)it was around $10 per person to have lunch. There is also a nice place, called Pushka Inn,I had the best Borsh and Beefstroganof there
Jun 5th, 2008, 06:34 AM
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My husband and I just returned from Russia. Our way of dealing with the high cost of hotels was to stay in an apartment.
Our recommendation for Moscow is-Moscvow Rick—
The apt. was terrific
Perfect location, near restaurants,grocery store, one Metro stop from the Kremlin. Rick runs a thoroughly professional operation—studio was well equipped, full kitchen, computer w/hi-speed internet, secure building. Reliable airport pickup and drop-off. Found him on the internet. Don't want to sound like an advertisement, but I went through a lot of searching to find places to stay in Moscow and St. Petersburg and wanted to share my discovery with others
It is past late spring, but hope this information will help future travelers.
Our recommendation for Moscow is-Moscvow Rick—
The apt. was terrific
Perfect location, near restaurants,grocery store, one Metro stop from the Kremlin. Rick runs a thoroughly professional operation—studio was well equipped, full kitchen, computer w/hi-speed internet, secure building. Reliable airport pickup and drop-off. Found him on the internet. Don't want to sound like an advertisement, but I went through a lot of searching to find places to stay in Moscow and St. Petersburg and wanted to share my discovery with others
It is past late spring, but hope this information will help future travelers.
Jun 14th, 2008, 05:06 PM
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Thursdaysd:
Excellent pix..thank you. I have some pix of most regions of Romania where I've visited many times since 1979.
My roots are in the vicinity of Kiev which I understand is quite a beautiful city these days. I could not get permission to visit the two small towns in Kiev Gibernia (province) during USSR days..but should have no trouble now, especially with Ukraine's Independence.
A doctor friend of mine and I caused quite a stir in Moscow back in '85 when we asked a traffic officer directions for KGB headquarters..within minutes, two military officers stopped us at the front door of KGB headquarters...after 15 minutes of uncomfortable quesioning and detention, we were allowed to continue on. That's not the full story, but you get the pic.
stu t. (if you'd like to peruse my Romanian pics and some old scanned photos of 1980's USSR, just write if you wish) [email protected]
Excellent pix..thank you. I have some pix of most regions of Romania where I've visited many times since 1979.
My roots are in the vicinity of Kiev which I understand is quite a beautiful city these days. I could not get permission to visit the two small towns in Kiev Gibernia (province) during USSR days..but should have no trouble now, especially with Ukraine's Independence.
A doctor friend of mine and I caused quite a stir in Moscow back in '85 when we asked a traffic officer directions for KGB headquarters..within minutes, two military officers stopped us at the front door of KGB headquarters...after 15 minutes of uncomfortable quesioning and detention, we were allowed to continue on. That's not the full story, but you get the pic.
stu t. (if you'd like to peruse my Romanian pics and some old scanned photos of 1980's USSR, just write if you wish) [email protected]
Mar 11th, 2009, 04:15 PM
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julieS
did you ever get to Russia????
We did in October '08..and had a great experience...on our own for two weeks in Belarus (3rd world) and in Kiev..but on a Viking river trip from Moscow to St. Pete which was superb...and we normally eschew group trips of any kind.
Stu T.
did you ever get to Russia????
We did in October '08..and had a great experience...on our own for two weeks in Belarus (3rd world) and in Kiev..but on a Viking river trip from Moscow to St. Pete which was superb...and we normally eschew group trips of any kind.
Stu T.
