Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Christa · Just Starting Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 8 Location: USA

I am an American with Russian ancestry. I wish to spend 2 to 2 1/2 weeks in Russia this year, visiting my father's hometown of Yaraslovl and looking for any relatives that might still live there. I also wish to visit the two (2) circuses in Moscow, take a trip on the metro subway, and visit the flea market. I would also like to visit the Summer Palace and Hermitage in St. Petersburg.

I am a senior citizen traveling alone. I do not wish to be in Russia during the "white nights" season.

I am having extreme difficulty getting any travel agency to book this trip for me. I wish to travel from Boston, MA, USA to Moscow by plane. To Yaraslovl by hydrofoil boat ferry. To St. Petersburg fromMoscow by plane. I wish to stop overnight in another country before entering, and after deparitng Russia, as I have a back problem and cannot stay on any airplane for more than 7-8 hours time. Is there anyone of you out there who can direct me to a travel agency who you think could set this up for me as soon as possible? I alreayd have a current passport; however, I do not a visa. Thank you so very much.

Margaretrose M. Zabelin
E mail: yellowbird@isp.com

xxatti · Frequent Guest Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 31

Why not just book the trip yourself using the internet? Confused

cjstanchek · Just Starting Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 3

i would think that any compitant travel agent would have no problem booking ths trip[/quote]

gaijin · Lounge Lizard Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 155

nice idea to go by boat to Yaroslavl. I suppose you will go back from Yaroslavl to Moscow by train?
Then why not go directly from Yaroslavl to Piter by train? It is 13 hours if I remember well, the comfort is OK in kupe class (less than 50 dollars by today's rate), you will travel with 3 other people. If you want to have only one companion, you have to double the price to get a "luxe" ticket. The train doing that trip looks old but it's OK after all.

You can also go to Yaroslavl by train (5 hours I think) then to Piter by boat on the Volga, but that probably is a long cruise (5 days?)

I think it is impossible to book a train from abroad, so I think agencies that will do it from the USA will take outrageous commissions.
It would really help to have a friend here who could book everything for you (to book a train ticket it is necessary to know your passport number, maybe the whole data - date of issue etc.).
Another possibility is to contact a Russian agency that will take more reasonable commissions.
Last possibility I can think of, start with booking the hotel and ask them to book the tickets for you, or at least ask them how much they would charge. Most decent hotels can send you an invitation for the visa.

gaijin · Lounge Lizard Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 155

By the way for your back problem Paris should be the perfect stopover Smile

. Or Amsterdam.
For that you just have to book via internet one Boston-Paris ticket and one Paris-Moscow ticket, and enjoy Paris for a day or 2, unless your travel agency offers you something better.

edit to add: For your back, again... A trip in the metro of Moscow or Saint-Petersburg is likely to include lots of stairs. One possibility to avoid that is to take the Moscow circle line, stop at 3 or 4 of the most interesting, and get out at the starting point. taxis are rather cheap (very cheap compared to Paris) but hardly ever speak english. Only use a taxi ordered in advance (by the hotel staff), never pick up in the street. The hotel staff is likely to make you overpay, they seem to get commissions. Some taxi companies are realiable and very reasonable (in Piter, 007 is my fav), but english is rare (maybe some chance calling Taxi Blues, somewhat more expensive but better service).

Gustavo · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:49 am Post subject:

Christa · Just Starting Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 8 Location: USA

19 February 2009

Thank you os much for your suggestion. There are several reasons I cannot book through the internet:

One, I do not speak or read Russian.
Two, I have cut my visit of Saint Petersburgh out of my trip as the whole trip was sounding too expensive. Some travle agents had their price quote up to $6,500.00!

So now, I only plan on going ot Moascow and Yarasloval.

Three, my trip is going to be cetered around two circus performances. I am having great difficulty finding out what is the last week the circuses perform before taking a summer break. Until I know those dates, I cannot even make any reservations!

Four, due to severe back problems, I cannot make a direct flight to Moscow and have to stop overnight - to rest - in Iceland. I am not that experienced a traveler to make four flight connections on the itnernet.

Five, I have a dial up modem and my home computer internet connection STINKS. I have not been able to access it for over a week. I amtyping this on my library's computer.

Thank you so much for writing.

Christa in New Hampshire, USA

Gustavo · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 4:49 pm Post subject:

Well, as far as "circus" goes, I cannot give advice.

Check this page online booking system, there are lots of places to stay in Peter/Moscow.

Also check www.hostelworld.com or www.venere.com which provide, also, extensive data on "sleeping" matters.

Good luck.