Zdlavswiji. Hi, everyone. I became a member of this forum just now, 5 minutes ago. My wife and I signed up a Viking river cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow in early May this year (2018) on Ingvar. We also booked all the excursions included as part of the itinerary. For Moscow, two "free" excursions are offered: Panoramic Moscow and Moscow Close-Up. From the descriptions they are very similar with slight differences in places visited. If anyone on this forum could shed any light on what the major differences are and which one is better, we would greatly appreciated. Also, does anyone know what kind of weather it is like in May? Cold? Warm, sunny, cloudy, dreary, etc.? What kind of clothing should we bring? Any comments would be absorbed by us like two dry sponges. Sbasiba.

Pepe

Before anyone can help you (unless they have been on both of those specific tours which is unlikely) . . . tell us what sites are included on each tour. Or better yet, provide links to the two tours so we can see what is covered.

>>weather it is like in May? Cold? Warm, sunny, cloudy, dreary, etc.? <<

It honestly could be any and all of those

Here are the two descriptions:

Panoramic Moscow:
Tour one of the world’s most fascinating cities, Russia’s cultural and political center. You will meet your guide for a short ride on Moscow’s remarkable Metro, its cavernous stations adorned with a variety of elegant art and sculpture. Then, you will drive past the famed Bolshoi Theater. Alight your motor coach in magnificent Red Square; in the 15th century, it was known as the Torg, Slavonic for “marketplace.” Except for the Kremlin, with its crenellated red brick walls and towers, St. Basil’s Cathedral is the oldest building in the square. Built in the 1550s in the Byzantine style, each of the church’s amazing domes has a different design and color. There’ll be time to take it all in, and to explore the famous GUM Department Store. Your incredible day culminates with a special performance of original Russian music and dance, featuring traditional instruments such as balalaikas, bayans, domras and guslies.

Moscow Close-Up:
Get a closer look as you use the city’s famous Metro to cover longer distances and explore with your guide. Stroll to the nearest metro station, where we provide your day pass. You will ride to some of the most decorative stations, viewing the bas-reliefs of Dynamo, the mosaic vaulted ceiling of Mayakovskaya and the white marble of Teatralnaya. From Revolution Square, walk to Red Square, where you can explore on your own, marveling at the onion-domed St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin walls, Lenin’s tomb and the GUM Department Store. Later, ride to the soaring white Cathedral of Christ the Savior. You can visit the interior if it is open. Then cross the Patriarshy Bridge to Sofiyskaya Embankment and the inviting Bolotnaya Square. After a stroll to the Tretyakov Gallery, attend a special performance of original Russian music and dance, featuring traditional instruments such as balalaikas, bayans, domras and guslies.

Thanks for any help.

Pepe

Sounds like you're better off with the second because you can actually explore Red Square.

Be sure to drink a lot of water and relieve yourself on Lenin's Tomb, G-d knows the sob deserves it.

Actually, that maneuver may be illegal although warranted.

I didn't think the Moscow Panorama covered much, it's just Red Square and GUM basically, the Moscow Close up seemed better but neither really hit the spot IMO. It is such a short amount of time. May is usually pretty warm in Moscow, take mosquito repellent and layers in case it rains or gets cool.

From these descriptions, I'd go with the second -- but then, I hate being herded. If you choose the second, you might want to do some reading on your own about what you'll see.

Hi Pepe
I will be on this same trip beginning June 10. Friends of mine were on this same trip one year ago and they said the difference was one (Panoramic Moscow) was a "mostly bus tour" and the other one (Moscow Up Close) was a "mostly walking tour". My husband and I (we're both in early 70's) have signed up for the "mostly bus tour".
Did you happen to see my post entitled "Moscow" about one hour ago? I am asking about a personal tour guide for one day in Moscow because I am not interested in any of the Viking's offerings for that day. I would like to be taken to some of the local handicrafts and flea markets.
Also regarding weather, I plan to watch "Weather.gov" very closely right up to the date we leave. Our friends had mild weather last year with one day of rain.

>>Hi Pepe . . . Did you happen to see my post entitled "Moscow" about one hour ago? <<

Doubtful that he would see it because he only ever posted twice to Fodors (both on this thread) and those were more than a year ago.

ah yes, "one and done" Fodor's style

I am leaving on this same trip September 15. We have chosen Moscow close-up and the same in St. Petersburg. Can you make any other suggestions or things you might have done differently had you to do it again.

Hello Eznmomma:
Sorry for the tardy response. Have been out of town Both versions of the Moscow and St. Petersburg sightseeing excursions had their problems. The Panoramic trip (Bus version) was difficult because of very heavy traffic, especially Moscow. It took forever to get from one site to another. And I believe we had the ballet that same night, so it was a quick turn-around to go back out again. It was an exhausting/frustrating day. Maybe in the early Fall, for your trip, the traffic might be easier. The Up Close Trip (walking) was also difficult (which I heard from my fellow passengers), because of having to take the Metro and/or walk to various places so you don't get to see as much and again MANY Tourists crowing the streets and Metos. . Unfortunately taking one of these excursions is the only way to get an overview of the city. However, the River Boats are docked to the South of the city so you tend to go out the same way every day to various sights within the city. Thus you become very familiar with the buildings near the boat.
We did hire a personal guide for one day through "Tours By Locals". I had wanted to go to the Flea Market there in Moscow to do all my souvenir shopping. That was our best day. There were 2 couples and one guide. We had 2 Ubers, ordered by the guide, who picked us up right at the boat. We Ubered to the Flea Market, then Metro to a Food Hall for Lunch (NO TOURISTS) then the guide put my husband in one Uber to meet up with the Viking Tour of the Cosmonaut Museum, and the other couple and I took another Uber back to the Boat. Since our guide did not have her own car, the Uber costs were on the Guide's Credit Card. We did tip the guide generously on top of the $250.00 which was the charge for 1-10 people for the guide for about 5=6 hours. Her name was Victoria.
We also hired a guide from Tours By Locals in St. Petersburg, who did have a car. We used him on the day we disembarked from the boat because our flight did not leave until 7:30pm and we had to leave the boat by 11:00am. His name was Nikoli and he gave us a "Non-Tourist Tour" of St. Petersburg. We were sick of seeing so many churches for the last 2 weeks, so he took us to 2 food halls/markets, some more shopping at my request, and some local places that tourists don't go to. I highly recommend Tours by Locals. Good Luck.

I made the arrangements on-line toursbylocals.com before I left USA. I guess you could try to make the arrangements once you are there in Russia/Moscow/St. Peterburg, but you run the risk of not having much choice of available guides. ALSO...Not very good internet reception on the ship.