Hi! We're taking the Northern Capitals and Russia tour. Do you know if we visit the Berlin Wall (or whatever is left) during our Berlin overview tour? Or do we need to see on our own? I ask because our day at leisure is before our city tour. Thanks!

Hi Floren

We are also going on this tour - our date is the 6 September - which tour are you on?

Hi Salpal,

We're going in August! Have a great time! Let me know if you know if we see the Berlin Wall on our trip!
THANKS!!
Floren

We drove past sections of the wall on several occasions during our 2005 tour.

Have a great trip.

Dragon - thank you so much! That is very helpful! I really appreciate the help!

Hi Floren,
I have just come back from this tour two weeks ago. In Berlin you wont have much time to see the wall and better off to see it in your own time. I had three days in Berlin before the tour started so that gave time to see the landmarks.
The remains of the wall is near Checkpoint Charlie. You can see the brick traces where it used to be on the road just behind Brandenburg Gate.
I enjoyed the tour but it was full on so make sure you have lots of energy. You get up very early in mornings as days are long and full of sightseeing.
Russia is very interesting for the Experience. I rather St Petersburg than Moscow. You see what the trafic is like in Moscow. Very bad.

Warsaw in Poland was a fascinating city and my favorite behind Berlin.

if you like to ask me more questions about the tour feel free to ask.
Cheers Peter

Peter,

THANK YOU!! This is very helpful! We appreciate it! Did you take any of the optional excursions? If so, which ones would you recommend and which ones should we skip?

Also, since you were in Berlin for three days, did you have private tour guide?

Thanks again!
Floren

HI Floren,
For Berlin, we took the hop on hop of Bus which is really good as it takes you everywhere you need to see in Berlin. You can get off at the stops and spend some time in that area and when u are ready to move on, catch the bus to the next stop. Checkpoint Charlie is so interesting that you need at least couple of hours to explore the place and read all the information/ history on big boards along the street.

FOr the Tour, I did all the optionals and they were all worthwhile. Its hard to say whats better or what not better as it depends on your interest.
My Favourite optionals were the Swan lake Ballet in St petersburg. Doing all the optionals keep you very busy and full on but well worth it. If you dont do them all, you end up wasting your own time. In total , all the optionals cost me $798 Euros so that would be about $1200 Australian Dollars.

All the hotels are lovely. the hotels in Russia are not centrally located and are about 20 mins bus ride from the city centre so make sure u do all the optionals in Russia as if not you most likely to waste time hanging around the hotel.
The others are pretty central expect for Stockholm. The Berlin hotel is lovely and located near 5 star and only a 25 min walk to the old town.
Food is nice at all hotels including the breakfast.
hope all that info helps.
if you want to know more lee me know.
Regards peter

Hi Peter
Thanks for your postings. I am going on this tour on 6 September. What sort of options are offered? I don't remember seeing the Ballet as an option on the standard list of options on the website.

I am planning on taking all the options....what was Belarus and Lithuania like? How many people were on your tour? ARe their toilet breaks taken when long bus tours are taken?

Also what was the ferry trip overnight to Helsinki like? was it a big boat? was it rough seas? How about the train from St Petersburg to Moscow, are you seated all with your tour group? is it first class or second class? what was the journey like.

Sorry so many questions - it's getting closer and I am counting down the time!! Any info or advice you can give would be very much appreciated.

Hello Salpal75
When i received my list of Optionals when i started the tour, I was surprised to find the Swan lake Ballet which was like a surprise Optional. So hope u might get it. All the Optionals were very enjoyable and most of them included a dinner which were all good.
We also did a Russian Folklore show as enjoyed that very much as well as the Moscow Circus.
In Belarus, it wasnt much to see. Really the reason we visit Belarus is its the only way out of Russia. But you'll find Lithuania a pretty country and I loved the City of Villinus. Its has a lovely old town and the hotel is right by the river and close to the old town. So when u get free time which we had heaps and went for walk along the river. the hotel in Villinus is lovely and modern.
The Hotel in Belarus was very average, but its only for one night.
The ferry across the Baltic sea was nice. Its a big boat, more of a cruise ship and it was smooth. the Baltic Sea isnt like Bass Strait. Its more like a huge lake. Might depend on the weather but should be ok. The cabins were nice but small and comforable to sleep. There is lots to do on the boat and many resturants and shops to see and so things..

As for the toilat breaks, during the day when you are on the road, there are many stops for toilet breaks and are aleast 2 hours apart.
The train ride to Moscow was ok. the carriage wasnt that great, It was supposed to be 1st class but to me it was more 2nd Class and the toilet was yuk. I Wouldnt have wanted sit on it and some on the ladies, that I heard of had to squat as they didnt want to sit on it. So make sure you go to the toilet well before the train leaves the ST petersburg Station.
The whole group were all seated in the same carriage, so dont worry about being separated from the group
Our Tour Guide was great and organised everything very well. Her name was Anna. she was easy going.
I enjoyed the Hotels execept for Belarus. The best Hotels in the order were Warsaw, Berlin, Villinus, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm.

When u get to Russia, be prepared for long waits at the Border. The Russians are slow and slow to get thinggs done.
Make sure you have at least $80us Dollars and a couple of passport photos for your Belarus Visa. The Tour Guide will organise that for you so you dont have to worry about that.

you will enjoy the experince and to see Russia. You will see how different the life style is compared to Australia's lifestyle and make you appreciate home more than ever.

Once you enter Russia from Finland, the roadscape all changes as it is very bumpy and narrow road. Finland has lovley divided roads and free ways so its a big change and into Russia the buildings look very run down and poor. You will find all that out when you do the tour. Thats all part of the expereince. Once you enter St Petersburg it all changes as it a beautiful city and i enjoyed it very much and i trust you will too.
If u want to ask more questions, feel free to do so. I am happy to help out.
When i get time i will put my photos on the website too.
Cheers Peter