We are two women who will be traveling with a tour group to St. Petersburg. After completion of tour, we would like to go to Moscow for 2 - 4 days. Suggestions for a private guide? Do we need one? Will be going in June 2010.

Don't have a recommendation but if you find any suggestions elsewhere do post them as we are looking for the same for next spring.

hi I am also a solo woman ending a tour in st pete (which ine are you on? and am interested in 2 days in moscow. Am planning to take train from st pete. Have younfound anything? do you think its safe for a solo woman in the city?

If we are going around the same time, would be willing to split cost of a guide,

No, you do not need a guide if you are willing to invest a couple of hours in learning the cyrillic alphabet and maybe a couple of key phrases before going on holiday. Buy a good guide book and decide from home what you want to see.

I suggest spending at least one day around the Red Square, GUM, Lenin's tomb, Saint Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin. If you like churches and monasteries, do visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Kazan Cathedral and Novodevichy Convent and Monastery. Also, you don't want to miss the Moscow metro (cheap, efficient, and beautifully decorated), the Arbat shopping street and vdnkh exhibition center.

If you are very adventurous, you should consider taking a local train to Sergiev Posad which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site like the Red Square and the Novodevichy Convent.

Generally people outside the usual tourist places don't speak English much, but you can get around easily in Moscow using the ultra-efficient metro system. With a good map and a phrase book you'll be fine! Enjoy your trip!

As far as females travelling alone, there is no big risk in Moscow. Use your common sense, don't get drunk, don't walk alone in dark places at night, don't go to a stranger's home or invite him to your hotel room - the usual stuff. Personally, I would find a lot more distressing travelling alone in Italy where men constantly try to hit on you.

I (older female) spent time St. P and Moscow alone, and agree that you don't need a guide, but do need to learn the alphabet. I did sign up for a couple of half day tours in Moscow after I got there and I also had a car and driver for a two day-one night tour of the Golden Ring.

I stopped off for a night in Novgorod on the way, which I highly recommend. If your tour doesn't take you there, make sure to take the boat trip to Peterhof while you're in St. P.