Carson

Hello.<BR><BR>I am looking at two Kempinski hotels (Moscow-Baltschug/St. P-Grand Hotel Europe) for travel later this year. Anyone have experience with either and any comments to share? Thanks.

Marc David Miller

Friends of mine have stayed at both, and I have seen many of the rooms. <BR><BR>The Moscow hotel is probably the best property in the city, although its location is something of a pain unless you have a driver (it's a long walk to the public transport). <BR><BR>The Grand Hotel has a great location (probably the best of any of the lux properties in Petersburg). The one thing I didn't like at the Grand Hotel was the line for the breakfast buffet--you had to pay in advance (or sign your room number), before being seated which caused a 20 minute line--plainly not what I expect when dropping $30-35/head for breakfast. The other restaurants are good but not memorable.<BR><BR>Service at both is great although as with other luxury properties in Russia their fees for everything are outrageous in comparison to normal Russian life.

Shain

Hi Carson,<BR>I have "only" experience with the <BR>fantastic Kempinski Grand Hotel Europe<BR>St.Petersburg.<BR>I have been during the "white nights" there(around midsummer 21.june).<BR>Fanastic hotel under swedish management.<BR>The rooms are very cozy and classic,<BR>and american standard deluxe rooms.<BR>Try to not get a room with streetview,<BR>maybe you get some just a bit noise from the streets. Even if the main entrace lies on a side street.<BR>The breakfast room is awonderful youthstyle room, very spacious.<BR>Also the "caviar-bar" a juwel that<BR>let you give an idea, how rich people<BR>around the russian-tsar (before 1910)must have been, and gives a good impression of what Russia once were.<BR>(before revolution).<BR>The steambath(also used for 007-movie)<BR>is worth to try - no spies anymore(i guess/or hope). Also a wonderful open<BR>Lobby, where you can get your tea while <BR>planning on your day in the "venice of the north".<BR>Time around 21.june means, the sun not really fades away, even at 3 a.m. it's bright enough to read outside.<BR>The weather is very continetal, means dry, and temperatures at day can easily<BR>top 28 degres, but feels less due to notmuch moisture in it.<BR>Ask the hotel concierge to arrange<BR>a private guided tour to those liitle<BR>homes of Fjedor Dostowjewski and Rimski Korsakov. Sometimes a small quartett plays inside these rooms his great works. Those flat has been preserved, so you really got an impression of what was living around the 19.th century.<BR>I definitely found St.Petersburg, also because of the great tsar architecture more interesting than moscow.<BR>Don't miss:<BR>Hermitage (of course, third biggest musuem in the world - so take time)<BR>Peter & Paul fort, St.Isaak cathedrale,<BR>and around go to Catharina- and Tsar palace. Also take speedboot ferry to the park and castle of Peterhof.<BR>And if you find time - take a tour to<BR>Novgorod (fortress) 200km and enjoy the absolut untouched and very russian lanscape that will kept your heart immediately. There is no compareable <BR>countryside in europe and makes you want to see more of the great russian and ukrainian endless grounds.<BR>Novgorod was once a big "Hanse" city,#<BR>somehow reminds me to the Kreml to.<BR>Well if you need more infos or sights<BR>I just forget about theaters there,<BR>more specific things let me know or email me.<BR>Great St.Petersburg fan -<BR>Shain/eu/de/d&uuml;sseldorf<BR>

Carson

You guys are great, thanks!

Shain

Hi again,<BR>well I found no standing inline for breakfast buffets,<BR>but tourist are indeed getting melked for each add thing you want to have or do.<BR>But somehow it's worth it.<BR>Another great idea - is - when coming <BR>from/to St.Petersburg - take the overnight train Moscow-st.Pe. - it'll<BR>give you a complete other feeling for traveling by train, first class is a must, but you feel again switched to <BR>last century.<BR>Shain/eu/de/germany

Carson

Shain, thanks again. I have heard about the overnight train. Right now I have air booked on Pulkovo from MOW-STP-MOW. In your opinion, should I do the train instead??

Marc David Miller

If your time is tight and you are doing both ways I would fly (or investigate flying into one city and flying out of the other).

Marc David Miller

Also, instead of using the hotel's guide I would highly recommend I met Olga Stepanova, a guide in St Petersburg, Russia. She can be reached at <BR><BR>[email protected] <BR><BR>I used her for several days in St Petersburg and she was the finest guide I ever had--so good that I brought her with me to the Lake Baikal region so <BR>that she could translate for me. I have already booked her for an entire week during my next trip in June.<BR><BR>Several of my friends hired Olga for their tours in St. Petersburg as well <BR>and agree with me. Her prices are very reasonable, and I found her to be a <BR>needed resource, even though this was my third trip to St. Petersburg. I <BR>have had friends show me around, and have taken other guides in Petersburg, <BR>but using Olga was more efficient--I have a great knowledge of Russian <BR>history, and she would arrange for guides from some of the museums to show <BR>me their collections, while she would simultaneously translate for me. For <BR>most of the less-specialized sights (Hermitage, Peterhof, city tours) Olga <BR>is licensed and quite knowledgable. <BR><BR>In Moscow you can use Patriashy Dom:<BR><BR>www.russiatravel-pdtours.netfirms.com<BR><BR>They run many daily excursions at reasonable prices--their guides are very good, especially Felix Meltser (I took about 15 tours with him in the last few years). You can also hire their guides privately.

Shain

Hi Carson,<BR>it is ok in your case and not a big shame if you fly. Because the train leaves around 8pm if I'm right, and get's you in the early morning hours to<BR>St.Petersburg.<BR>You don' t really miss time overnight - but as I said it is an experience and you might get not much sleep during the ride.<BR>I actually don't no?! Maybe I would do, if I know I will not return.<BR>But on the other hand - you are going in summer(early)<BR>Spare this one for a russian winter tale.<BR>I promise you - if you return in winter -<BR>and make the train trip - that impression is a bit more than in summer !!!<BR>So - plan on returning and plan it than in winter (late jan./february is best)!<BR>Well - need more inf ?<BR>Shain/eu/de/d&uuml;sseldorf

Carson

Thanks for great replies, Marc and Shain. Between these and all the replies in the other threads that I have been following, much great information. Marc, I will be on sort of an independent tour, but it features a private guide and car. This is arranged through the tour co. (a reputable U.S. establishment), so I am hopeful the guide will be competent, but I realize that is certainly no guarantee. Perhaps I will contact some of the people you have referenced as well. Unfortunately, I speak practically zero Russian, though I will do my best to learn basic phrases prior to...Thanks again.

Marc David Miller

Besides hello, please and thank you I would concentrate on the cyrallic alphabet---that way you could navigate a metro or a taxi (it got me through two trips).

Debbie

Carson-The overnight train from Moscow to St P is fabulous-go first class(2 berths/compartment) for an unforgetable experience. Train leaves at 11pm promptly, arriving St P, 8am-2 very quick stops along the way. If you have the time, sure beats flying. ENJOY!

Mary Carlson

Carson - you mentioned a reputable travel company. May I ask which one it is? Thank you.

Carson

Mary:<BR><BR>I am using General Tours. When I said "reputable" I suppose this could be classified as a leap of faith since I have not dealt with them in the past. However, they have been in business for a long time and they are the company Delta Air Lines uses as an affiliate (Delta Vacations), so I figured they must be ok.

Shain

Hi Carson ... again,<BR>I may forgot to tell you to ask for or better just recerve the beel chambre rooms.<BR>You will be quiete stisfied with location of the rooms and interiour.<BR>Shain/eu/de/dus

Carson

Shain-again thanks for the benefit of your experience. I will do as you suggest. Should this be done upon check-in or in advance of arrival?<BR><BR>Carson

Debbie

Carson-Used GT for our trip to Russia-Moscow/St P-last June-we're usually independent travellers, but Russia is one destination we'd agreed to opt for an organized tour-the language barrier being one major reason. IMHO, GT did an outstanding job-the guides were of the highest standard, answered endless questions, and got us thru musuems(the Kremlin/Hermitage)in ways you can't even begin to imagine. And if anyone tells you there's no traffic in either city, they've haven't been there lately! The tour bus drivers were excellent-GT used a late model Mercedes Benz bus in Moscow-quite comfortable! Sure, one downside of an organized tour is exploring sites as you wish, however, dealing with a totally unfamiliar language, touring very crowded museums is where a *reputatable* tour operator is worth its weight in gold. GT offers many optional tours-they will not pressure you into joining any of them-it's up to your discretion if you choose to participate in anything. Our client services manager secured tickets to the Mariinski(Kirov)ballet for us-what an unforgetable experience! The theatre is utterly beautiful, and if you're able to purchase tickets, I would highly recommend seeing a performance. In our book, GT did an outstanding job-wouldn't hestitiate to use them again in another country where doing an organized tour is our choice over independent travel.