We would like to take a group tour to St. P and Moscow and would appreciate feedback from people who have taken tours (both negative and positive).
We want a fully escorted tour, first class deluxe hotels, guides and transportation.
Thank you.

I took a tour in the days when that was your only choice (or hire an incredibly expensive private guide) and loved the place but hated the tour. Went back independently and loved the trip - being able to do whatever we wanted when, pick out own (much better) restaurants etc.

First class and deluxe hotels are two completely different things.

I would look at a bunch of upscale tours - start with Tauck - and get specific info on what hotels they use. And see how many nights they spend in each place ( I think you will find that most torus do too few days in each place).

If you want a truly deluxe experience go to the web site of Conde Nast Traveler or Travel & Leisure and search out travel agents that specialize in Russia - and ask what they would charge for tour that is exactly what you want.

We went with Brendan tours a few years ago, excellent guide.
I would recommend them on our experience. We usually do self drive through Europe. But, after looking at the roads and villages, I would definately not want to drive.

If you really want luxury I think the top-end outfit for Russia is Exeter International. You could also look at MIR. But I did homestays....

Thank you.
I will call Exeter after the holiday.
MIR is a Russian based outfit. Right/wrong I want an American company.
Tauck is great (we did a tour with them) but for 2010 the only way to get to Russia is to do other stuff we don't want to do.

Don't know why it matters to you (I've done several trips with an Australian outfit), but MIR is American and is based in Seattle. See http://www.mircorp.com/faq.asp#faq02

Hi anon!

I hope this is kosher. I don't plan on spamming Fodor's message boards at all, but since we came up, I thought I'd pop in:

I work for MIR and we are indeed based in Seattle. We have on-the-ground offices in St. Petersburg and Moscow (as well as Kiev, Tashkent and Irkutsk) but all tour operations are out of Seattle.

You should give us a call after you call Exeter and compare and see what tour fits you best. 800-424-7289. Ask for Charity. We can do private tours for you or you can join a group that's already going.

-Kristin
(Marketing specialist)

Hi,

Regarding transportation, I pre-ordered my airport pickup. It is cheaper than arranging a taxi at the airport itself.
The driver met me with a nameboard at the airport. No problem.

Apart from airport pickup, I ordered transportation with the same company around Moscow. They did a package deal for me.

Also, their website says that they provide private tours. I asked the driver and he said that they offer unofficial guides (cheaper), by car and on foot.

Hope it helps!

I am used to traveling on my own in many other cities in Europe, but I would like to arrange some city tours for Moscow and St. Petersburg.

I'm wondering what company you, 5ta5, used for transportation.

Also, thursdaysd, what company do you like from Australia?

I'm thinking that I want to spend more time in each city, but would like some advice and transportation while I am there.
Thanks

For tours I've used Intrepid, but they are a budget outfit - great itineraries, great prices, variable leaders, budget hotels and local transport. It's a good option for people who usually travel independently and who don't need pampering.

I also used Passport Travel out of Australia (http://www.travelcentre.com.au/) to arrange homestays and train tickets for my Trans-Mongolian trip - see wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004/index.html . I wasn't happy with their ground agent in the west (G&R International) but otherwise everything went well.