Sari_Graff

I am interested in taking a small group trip to Moscow, St. Petersburg and some other areas. I'd like to spend about 11-15 days on the ground. So far, the only "small group" tour I have found is Travel All Russia which also is known as Firebird Tours. Has anyone ever used them?
Also, what other small group tours are available for a minimum of 11 nights in this area. It must include Moscow in addition to St. Petersburg.

thursdaysd

Can't believe you have only found one. Where have you looked? And what is your budget?

Are you looking to join a standard group tour with other people, or do you want a customized tour just for your group?

Sari_Graff

We are 2 people and would like to be in a small group tour with a maximum of 24 people. The 11 day and the 6 day extension from Travel All Russia is $4312. but there are only breakfasts included....so food is extra and tipping, airfare and miscellaneous along the way. I guess I'd like to keep the entire trip at 6K or under.

thursdaysd

Interesting. Intrepid, Exodus and Imaginative Traveller only have eight day trips to the capitals, Odysseys Unlimited, Adventures Abroad, Tauck and Bestway don't have anything that just covers the Russian capitals - you would have more choice if you included the Baltic states.

http://www.mircorp.com/destinations/#destination-trips has a couple. They may add up to more than your budget, although they include more than the trip you're looking at.

What age are you? Road Scholar has a tour that fits: https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-...-st-petersburg

Any interest in a cruise between the cities?

https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/...ise/itinerary/
https://www.rcrusoe.com/on-the-volga...ssia-heartland

You can also check Viking, Vantage etc. for that.

I traveled with MIR last year. They have good guides and comfortable hotels, and well-traveled clients.

If you put "moscow petersburg tour" into a search engine you'll turn up more companies, including some I wouldn't use like Globus and Trafalgar and several I don't recognize, like Travel All Russia.

kja

Another option would be to travel to Russia independently, as several of us have done. Of course, that wouldn't work if you have a strong preference for traveling with a tour group....

Sari_Graff

Thank you so much. While I have traveled a lot, I am trying to take a short-cut and have a professionally planned the trip. Of course, I would like more cities than just St. Petersburg and Moscow in Russia. The 6 day extension went to Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. I will look at all that you suggest. I think I'd prefer a land tour rather than a river cruise. I'd rather immerse myself in the country than be on a boat. I have cruised many times and like it for R n R and taken Viking to Eastern Europe, but frankly found the river cruise boring.

Sari_Graff

Ah yes, we are both over 65....but youthful in mind, body and spirit!

Sari_Graff

We are 2 single women.

Sari_Graff

I have chosen to take a 16 day tour with Insight and booked at a discounted fare with Pavlus Travel.

Thank you all for your help!

2016adventurer

I also recommend Mir Corp., for the same reasons as thursdaysd suggested above. I haven't taken their tours but I live in Seattle and know people who work for Mir Corp. They are extremely knowledgeable, connected to the region, and have been around a while.

thursdaysd

I thought you wanted a small group? Insight's definition of "small" is 40 people. MIR's is 12.

Is that the "Russia, Warsaw and the Baltic States" trip? If so, it doesn't give you much time anywhere except St. Petersburg, including in Moscow. Are you planning to stay on after the tour?

Sari_Graff

While Insight has a maximum of 40, their groups generally are around 30 and the price from Pavlus Travel was irresistible! Pavlus saved me a lot of money on my Viking River cruise through Eastern Europe. A friend has used Insight many times before and highy recommended them

It's too early to book airfare so our pre or post is, as yet, undecided.

We are both happy with our choice.

Sari_Graff

While Insight has a maximum of 40, their groups generally are around 30 and the price from Pavlus Travel was irresistible! Pavlus saved me a lot of money on my Viking River cruise through Eastern Europe. A friend has used Insight many times before and highy recommended them

It's too early to book airfare so our pre or post is, as yet, undecided.

We are both happy with our choice.

thursdaysd

Hope you have a good trip and report back afterwards.