I am booked for Helsinki, Russia and Turkey April 2012
 

I am getting very excited now. I just booked, on BA points, Premium economy tickets to London from Vancouver for April 25, 2012. I needed to book this first as this leg gets sold out on points very quickly. We are returning on May 22nd.
I will book the flight to Helsinki and return from Istanbul next week, as there is a promotion for the month of July again where you can covert your Visa Avion points to British AIrways and they give you 50% more. I do this every year and it sure makes a difference.

Today I booked the first three nights in Helsinki at the Hilton Strand which has good reviews and did so on Booking.com for $117 incl. per night including buffet breakfast. I thought it was a great deal so wanted to book it right away.

I am pouring over trip reports to get some ideas, but so far the plan is this. Feedback is more than welcome.
First about us. I am usually on the Asia board. My husband and I are 57/63 and travel middle of the road, not five star, more of a three.
I was shocked at the prices of Europe, I have been travelling in Asia and South America the past few years. I did go to England a few years ago but it was a home exchange so didnt hurt quite as much.

We will connect from London to Helskini and arrive at midnight
3 nights in Helsinki to look around the city.
train to St. Petersberg
5 or 6 nights in St. Petes
train to Moscow and spend 5 nights there and also see the golden ring

Fly to Istanbul from Moscow
two nights Istanbul
go to Cappadocia / Goreme area for two or three nights.
Rent a car and spend 6 or 7 nights touring the coastal towns.
fly back to Istanbul for one more night before flying home.

We have never been to Finland or Russia and I was in Turkey, Istanbul only, in 1973 but that was a very different trip for sure.

Hi live42day - sounds like a great trip! I'll be in Helsinki the end of August, although I'm staying more down-market at the Academica Hostel, and going south not east from there.

I was in Russia as part of a long trip in 2004, and I stopped off in Novgorod between St. Petersburg and Moscow - interesting contrast to the bigger cities. (See http://wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004/index.html for my time in Russia). I guess you know about seat61.com for the trains?

yes thanks Thursday, yours was one of the reports I read and wrote down Novgorod as a must see. I do know about seat61 and will use it , thank you.

Just wait until you see Moscow hotel prices - you WILL be shocked. Think $400 or so a night for a crappy Motel 6 type room w/ a double bed and no AC if it's inside the ring.

Anything nice or close to the Kremlin and your into the $600-$800 a night range.

Yikes. I will start looking now for bargains

Has anyone stayed at the 'Green Apple' in St. Petersberg?