GCT Russian Waterways with some Independant thrown in. Less than a month. Any last minute suggestions?
 

My DH and I and another couple are on the May 22 departure for this trip. Can't wait!!!! In Moscow, the tour has some free time and some tours we aren't interested in. Here is our itnerary:

Sat (our first full day) do the GCT bus tour and subway ride and walk the Arbat with GCT.

Sun (on our own) Izmailovsky Market, lunch maybe at the Metropole or some other fancy restaurant. Then the Circus with GCT. Any suggestions for the afternoon after lunch but before the Circus?

Mon- GCT Kremlin/Armory Tour then Golf at the Moscow Country club on our own. Do you think we can do the Kremlin/Armory and then get to the golf course by 1:30? Perhaps we should do the Kremlin on our own on Sun after the market? Do you think we will have enough time for the Kremlin if we leave around noon? That is probably only 2 hours. We could play later but is will cost a lot more if we don't tee off before 1:30. I am guessing we have to bite the bullet and play later. What would be a reasonable time? We also want to see the Diamond Vaults-is it worth the extra time?

Tues- GCT Tretyakov Gallery Tour, lunch and embark ship.

Is there anything else we are missing that we should try to squeeze in or substitute?

We don't have much choice once we are on the ship. In St Petersburg we will probably add an evening canal trip and we might go back to the Hermitage on Tues afternoon. Do I have to arrange for admission tickets in advance if we don't go with GCT? The tours we are taking include Peterhof, Peter & Paul Fortress, bus tour of the city, Catherine's Palace, the Ballet and Yusupov Palace. Anything else we should add in or substitute?

This will be our one and only trip to this area so we don't mind cramming if we have to.

Thanks for your help.

ttt

Hi, I have taken this river cruise and I added days at St. P and Moscow too.

I would say since you are not going to be returning to Russia you should make the most of the sightseeing time. Personally, I would spend as much time at the Kremlin as possible and skip the golf, you can golf anywhere. The Kremlin and Red Square are amazing!
If you rush through this area, I don't see why you would want to go at all.

The GCT will get you in and out of these places w/o having to wait in line for tickets, etc.

I loved the circus and at intermission go out and watch the children pose with various animals in the lobby for photos.

Taking that GCT and the adjoining days were some of the high-lights of my life and memories, I would hate to see you miss anything. Try and meet some of the local people, some of the most interesting and friendly people I have ever met.

Make sure you do a complete report of your trip (especially extra cost excursions) since I am scheduled for the same GCT tour on June 19. I cannot wait to go!!

yes have a wonderful trip
will look forward to your report since we are going next year
albeit not on tour but solo but any tips would be greatly appreciated especially if you get to know some of the districts ( we are still deciding where to stay in moscow and st petes)
safe happy travels!

I cannot imagine spending time in Moscow on a golf course, rather than Red Square, along the banks of the river, or extra time in the Kremlin, etc., but that's just me. If you'd prefer to golf, you should do that.

The advantage of visiting the Kremlin and buildings within with GCT would be speedy admission to the Kremlin and the venues, along with tours in English.

Visiting on your own is quite difficult. You'd be behind tour groups with appointments attempting to gain admission.

Twenty years ago when I met my DH I would have agreed that playing golf on vacation is a waste of time. Now that we have played in all 50 states and 5-6 countries in Europe, as well as Australia and NZ, I think it is a great part of the experience. We meet local people doing something that we both like which brings us together. We will only play 9 holes in Moscow which will take about 2-3 hours. It's all in the timing.

The original plan was to play golf instead of go on the GCT to meet with some aged Russian Army veterans and hear their stories. I don't really have an interest in that so golf was a much better alternative. We are still hoping to do that but there is now a tournament that day so we don't know if there is room on the course for us.

The next day is the Kremlin tour followed by lunch on our own and then free time for the rest of the day. I am just trying to get a feel for when lunch might be. I read in a differnt guidebook not to expect lunch until 2pm. Lunch for me is like 11:30 normally. I need an approximate time to schedule the tee time which is the reason I asked.

There are not many people writing about Russia. This is the least prepared I have ever been for a trip. I love to hear every little detail, tip and trick. So thank you all for your comments. Can anyone answer any of the other questions not relating to golf? Experience at the Market?
Tips for using the subway? Visit the Diamond Vault? Thanks, I am very grateful for my fellow Fodorites!

I am considering the GCT Russia trip too and will be following this thread hoping for information; as you wrote, there hasn't been much written so far.

<<The original plan was to play golf instead of go on the GCT to meet with some aged Russian Army veterans and hear their stories. I don't really have an interest in that>>

I don't have much interest in that either so will be interested in your reaction if you do it.

I hope you have a wonderful time and will give us a brief report of your impressions when you return.

Bon voyage!

I have to say that listening to Red Army veterans recount their stores would be high on my own list--living history of their period is something not easily found and should be cherished.

I'd like to hear from someone who has heard the Red Army veteran's stories, maybe it was a fascinating experience, but people have different interests -- now if it were the KGB telling their stories I wouldn't miss it.

I did and it was fascinating. At that time it was not an organized talk, they spoke and then we could talk to them and they showed off their medals, etc. It was outdoors by the ship. Their wives were with them and it was a touching experience. In fact it is one of things I remember most about the trip.