Some countries are much easier to visit when all the arrangements, visas, translations and plans are done by someone else. A 2 week overview of the Baltic countries gave me a sample of most of the region. I could plan to return for a deeper look at a future time.
I have NEVER taken a tour. I use ships every year to avoid a crippling 10+ hour captivity in a plane seat that is shrinking every year.
I have NEVER taken a tour. I use ships every year to avoid a crippling 10+ hour captivity in a plane seat that is shrinking every year.
A suggestion to Holland America is to correct the time distribution for their tours. They did not add more tours for the open bus and free time walking for passengers (sold out) and told me they were ‘not allowed’. Possibly true since Russian has endless restrictions. I was only there a day but it was not a cheery place. Perhaps the grey skies contribute to the overall malaise.
Mature Solo Travel 
Interesting that you did not think St. Petersburg was not a cheery place. Maybe it was the weather. I was in St. Petersburg for a week and really enjoyed it. I thought the people were nice as well.
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i am very glad to hear this……….i am thinking of returning in may for a moscow to st. P trip. We had limited contact with locals, just the immigration officer and a few street vendors. i HATE tours but in hind site I did miss a lot by not being dragged around on a bus
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I went to Moscow before St. Petersburg. I am glad I went to Moscow 1st. St. Petersburg is easier to navigate by Metro. Moscow is a larger city and there is certainly enough to see. There is a fantastic Museum in Moscow on Russian Art. I thought we were treated quite well. We did it independently. I will be posting a blog at some point. Working my way through all my places bit by bit.
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