Moscow To St Petersburg

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Madeline Moore

  MOSCOW TO ST PETERSBURG

  

  Written July 2012

  A really excellent, safe and stress free way to explore a country I have always wanted to visit! This trip was one of my favourite holidays... Our excellent guide, Evgeniya, made sure we saw and did as much as possible in the 7 days. Both Evgeniya and local guides which she organised for us were so knowledgeable, and so I felt I learnt such a lot on guided tours of both cities, visits to the Kremlin, Armoury, Red Square and numerous beautiful palaces.This trip also gave us the opportunity to experience some real Russian culture as well, from the overnight train journey, a wide variety of Russian cuisine, visiting a Russian festival during a free afternoon in Moscow and exploring the backstreets on our St Petersburg walking tour. Both activities organised for some of our evenings; such as a midnight boat tour along the Neva to see the raising of the bridges and the Winter Palace illuminated against the backdrop of the 'white nights', or the night time cycling tour of St Petersburg, as well as just exploring Red Square at dusk made this trip feel really magical.     

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The most awe-inspiring part had to be the midnight boat tour in St Petersburg. The White Nights were like nothing I had ever seen before and seeing the city from the perspective of the river brought all of the history and things I had read about St Petersburg 'to life'. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Evgenia, our group leader, was absolutely brilliant! She was a fantastic help with the language and communication, making not being able to read Cyrillics a lot less stressful! More than this she was such a lovely person; kind, friendly, calm, and so knowledgeable.

  She really got to know all of our group. Without her leadership I don't think we would have been able to have done and seen so much in just one week. I feel that the amount we were able to do and see exceeded my expectations from reading the trip notes, and that this was down to Evgenia's planning and careful thought.

  She was also able to take us to nice, unusual places to eat and made sure we experienced the widest range of cuisine possible - from a Soviet style dinner to Georgian and Belorussian restaurants, and a Russian take on 'English dining'! The other guides which she organised for us were fantastic to -  she had put real effort into choosing the best tour guides in each city - and she looked after us on the activities.

  She also went beyond the call of duty in order to make sure that everyone was accommodated for, and voluntarily took us to some of the places we wanted to see during free time parts of the trip which I really appreciated. There didn't seem to be anything she hadn't thought of!! We really missed her when we said goodbye at the airport! 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  It's definitely worth reading even a small bit about Russian history before you go, as I found that having some understanding of the history of the places we visited made me appreciate visiting them even more!

  Also if you're considering staying on beyond the length of the Exodus trip in St Petersburg I would definitely recommend it - there is so much to see and to explore in (both Moscow and) St Petersburg beyond the time we had there on the trip!

   It's worth knowing that the trip includes a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes are definitely important!  

   
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  Kirsten McKenzie

  MOSCOW TO ST PETERSBURG

  

  Written June 2012

  Once more Exodus strikes an outstanding balance between an organised trip (all the potential hassles are taken care of so you can concentrate on enjoying yourself) and independent travelling (nothing feels 'packaged' or sanitised). This is an excellent introduction to some of the 'greatest hits' of Russian history and culture. While a week can only scratch the surface of these extraordinary cities, the number and diversity of sites and activities that this trip manages to include is extremely impressive.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Only a week's visit but jam-packed full of highlights:

  - 'Swan Lake' at the Bolshoi (for the audience as much as for the dancers). 

  - The extraordinarily beautiful Moscow metro stations (who knew!?)

  - The public banya in Novgorod (every Russian is a passionate expert in how exactly it should be done)  

  - Walking the streets of St Petersburg in bright sunlight as midnight approaches. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Olga was an exemplary group leader. She was attentive to all the diverse needs of the group and very keen to make sure that everyone was accommodated. I occasionally read reviews that complain that tour guides are not flexible enough. Olga went out of her way to be both organised and flexible which would have been a big challenge in such a jam-packed itinerary. She was able to adapt things when necessary, and to take advantages of opportunities as they arose. We were not only able to fit in everything that was scheduled, but also lots of things that were not - having dinner with a local family, picnics in the park, and above all the visit to the extraordinary gardens and fountains of Peterhof which was not on the original itinerary. 

  Olga's personal experience and history in Russia made her a fascinating guide with a very real passion for her country. Indeed all the local specialist guides impressed with their detailed knowledge and enthusiasm.  One of the real highlights of the trip were the Russians we met - both the Exodus guides and the ordinary people who were keen to tell us as much as they could about their country and its history. 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for lots of walking - we were on our feet continually for the best part of eight hours on the day of the walking tour of St Petersburg and the visit to the Hermitage. It was worth it. The more you can explore on foot, the more you will get out of this holiday.

  To get a good night's sleep during the 'white nights' you should consider bringing an eye mask as the curtains in the hotels can be quite thin. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I would definitely suggest adapting the itinerary to include a scheduled visit to Peterhof on the way from Pushkin to St Petersburg, as we did on this trip. It was a major highlight and wouldn't require too many logistical changes to incorporate.

   
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  Maria Ceraolo

  MOSCOW TO ST PETERSBURG

  

  Written May 2012

  my first Exodus trip. amazing group of people, amazing place, maximum sight seeing, overall a fantastic experience! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  difficult to say, there were so many highlights. the tour guide in Novgorod was brilliant. felt like a real walk through history.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  great enthusiasm, patience, and leading skills.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  read the trip notes beforehand and have an idea of what you really want to see and do whilst there.

   
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  Helen Froggatt

  MOSCOW TO ST PETERSBURG

  

  Written May 2012

  This was my first Exodus trip and I loved every minute of it! The sights were jaw-dropping, our tour guide Anya was superb and I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to share the experience with. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  So many moments...seeing St Basil's for the first time as we made our way to the hotel; the amazing colours of Catherine's Palace on the outside (and all the gold on the inside!); the amazing decor of Moscow's metro; and learning how to order Vodka on the overnight train!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Fantastic! Anya was really helpful, patient, came up with great ideas for things to do and always cheerful.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Before you go - have a quick read up on the places you visit on the trip, to make sure you make the most of your free time

   
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  Martin Jenkins

  MOSCOW TO ST PETERSBURG

  

  Written May 2012

  A well planned trip with a good balance of seeing the key historical sites in Russia. More opportunity for the guide to support the group in identifying places not to be missed whilst in Russia. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Moscow, my childhood memories of Red Square and the Kremlin. To actually be standing in that place and visiting the Kremlin and Armoury were amazing.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Overall Anya was a very good leader. At the initial meeting she made the itinery very clear was always on hand to answer questions and provide advice. In Moscow she provided a tour of the subway and a visit to Sparrow Hill, all excellent additions to that area. She provided excellent translation on the sleeper train when I had to share with a Russian couple. I felt the cycle ride in the park at Pushkin was unecessary and would have proferred to go straight to St Petersburg on that morning. Additionally, I believe that Anya could have given us the tour of St Petersburg as this is her home town, yet this was delegated to a local guide that spent to much time away from the key sites. Anya had a good sense of humour and would help with any questins you asked, however did become slightly defence if I suggested doing something slightly different from her plan.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared to walk a long way if you would like to see all of what this trip has to offer in 8 days