We stayed at the Radisson Blu in Moscow which whilst convenient for the sites we visited by coach was not a great location for independent sightseeing.  The rooms were comfortable, hotel staff pleasant and accommodating.  Breakfast and dinner were buffet style with a wide selection of food.  We were fortunate that Red Square was not hosting anything when we visited but 45 minutes is not long enough here when you have to factor in lunch and a loo stop as well which were both in the adjoining shopping mall on the 3rd floor.  

The train journey to St Petersburg was interesting, Moscow station was an eye opener and has an amazing array of shops and eating places.  Food and drink is served on the train at reasonable prices and the seats are very comfortable.  There is not much scenery as the line is screened by trees most of the way.  Moscow in particular is very green with lots of open space and the fall colours were lovely.  Do be aware that there is a lot of walking both ends of the journey with your luggage in tow.

As Mike has said the Taleon Imperial Hotel is fabulous and the food, service etc excellent.  We were told that this is the last trip to stay here and if that is true and JY are moving to a hotel outside the city that is a big mistake as the location is perfect and allows lots of independent sightseeing.

Bernie, our tour guide was excellent as were both our local guides, Sergei and Olga.  I cannot praise Bernie enough - he did everything he could to make our stay go smoothly even organising transport for the group members who had booked the opera in St Petersburg.  He also organised a trip to a Russian Folk Evening which was extra at 4,900 roubles and a fantastic night out.  Good value too as in the price was a glass of champagne on arrival and snacks with caviar and vodka in the intermission. 

The weather was grey and damp most of the time but not cold so pack for layers.  Most of us took lots of 'cold' clothing which we did not wear.  The hotels etc are all very warm.  As to cost of food etc - a reasonable lunch costs around 400 to 600 roubles (£5-£8).  Coffees around 250 roubles, lots of Italian restaurants, coffee shops.  Local beer 350 roubles for a pint or small bottle, wine in the hotels was 500 roubles a glass.  I took £300 in roubles for the week, ATM's are freely available and credit/debit cards widely accepted

As a point of interest regarding the visa, only UK, Myanmar & Namibia need visas (not Ireland!) and it is apparently tit for tat 'diplomacy' between the UK and Russia which is to blame.  Russia are believed to be waiving the visa requirement for the World Cup if you have a ticket.

Any questions, I will try to answer them.

Thanks for taking the time to review this holiday. Given what you have said I will add it to my wish list.

Lesley

Jaya

Many thanks for that great review!  Unfortunately I am fairly sure that we in Ireland do need a visa although the process is a little simpler than the UK one - we don't need to visit the embassy.  Russia is definitely on my "must do" list.

All the best,

Bob

Dave

I’m really pleased to hear that you had a great time in Russia. My group stayed in a different hotel in Moscow, but like yours it wasn’t central either, which did make it difficult for independent sightseeing as you say. And that makes it all the more disappointing to hear that JY will not be using the Taleon Imperial Hotel in St Petersburg for future tours. The Taleon Imperial is a fabulous, centrally located hotel which gives easy access to most of the main sights, whilst also allowing you to make the most of your free time in the city. Consequently, if JY change this to a hotel outside of the city centre, then they will be making a VERY big mistake indeed. So PLEASE JY, do NOT ruin this amazing holiday by changing to an inferior hotel in a less convenient location. Quite apart from anything else, this historical hotel epitomises the very essence of the holiday ie the era of the Russian Tsars.

Mike

Always worth checking but this is what our TM told us.  I have to say that I do not understand why I had to provide fingerprints since these were not checked on entry or exit!!.

Regards

Chris

I understand that the embassy/application centre ask that you provide fingerprints as these are required to obtain a visa.

Kind Regards,

Amy

I am aware that fingerprints are required to obtain a visa.  My point was that having given these they are not then checked whereas e.g India where you do not give your finger prints to get a visa take them at the entry point.

Apart from the fingerprint requirement everything else could be done online for Russia - so my point was that this is just another e.g of the tit for tat diplomacy I referred to.

It's Roy, but "the system" wouldn't let me register as that.  I agree with your review but my recollection was that we had an hour and a quarter at Red Square, not 45 minutes.

Anyway - it was fantastic!  I loved every minute of it! Don't forget Violetta at Tolstoy's House....!

Lovely to hear from you. I thought I had replied to you but I have been having intermitttent problems with my Internet connection so apologies if this is a repeat.

Thanks for correcting me - I still think it is not long enough for everything that is there plus lunch etc especially given the long queue at the Wall.  How could I forget Violetta?  I am sure I missed other things as well in such a  brilliant tour but I did not want to resemble 'War and Peace'!!

Just be glad I didn't mention your star turn  😃