Travelling to Russia?

3 Mar 2007 CrisToronto asked

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• 3 Mar 2007 Kylie85 said

  

  hi Cris,
  what have you heard that makes you belive its not safe enough?? I am going to be in Russia in August after I finish all my European travel. I am finding it a pain in the ass to get a visa, thats the only annoyance at the moment. Oh and ive been trying to learn a little Russian and Im finding that damn near impossible.
  Im not going with contiki but Im catching the Vodka Train through to Beijing. I know you need a ‘invite’ to the country in order of apply for a visa and you have to register your visa at hotels and stuff… seems quite odd. Can anyone please exaplain who it works, im muchly confused.

  hi Cris,<BR>what have you heard that makes you belive its not safe enough?? I am going to be in Russia in August after I finish all my European travel. I am finding it a pain in the ass to get a visa, thats the only annoyance at the moment. Oh and ive been trying to learn a little Russian and Im finding that damn near impossible. <BR>Im not going with contiki but Im catching the Vodka Train through to Beijing. I know you need a 'invite' to the country in order of apply for a visa and you have to register your visa at hotels and stuff... seems quite odd. Can anyone please exaplain who it works, im muchly confused. or Cancel
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• 5 Mar 2007 CrisToronto said

  

  cool. thnx for the assurance!

  cool. thnx for the assurance! or Cancel
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• 5 Mar 2007 Kylie85 said

  

  oh Cris! all that stuff sound just awful! <!--graemlin::eek:-->
  EEK! …
  but it will be an experience..
  how frequent would the trains get gased???
  thats quite scary.. as im catching the train to mongolia!!! <!--graemlin::confused:-->

  oh Cris! all that stuff sound just awful! <img src="http://connect.contiki.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif" alt="Eeker" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::eek:--><BR>EEK! ...<BR>but it will be an experience..<BR>how frequent would the trains get gased??? <BR>thats quite scary.. as im catching the train to mongolia!!! <img src="http://connect.contiki.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="Confused" width="15" height="22"><!--graemlin::confused:--> or Cancel
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• 5 Mar 2007 PinaI said

  

  Oh my gosh – I didn’t think it was that bad over there!
  
  I have wanted to go to Russia for a long time and had planned on doing a TopDeck tour there (as it’s one of the few companies that just goes to Russia for 8-9 days). I think I might change my mind now and go with a tour group that will get me in just as quickly and safely as they can get me OUT!

  Oh my gosh - I didn't think it was that bad over there! <BR><BR>I have wanted to go to Russia for a long time and had planned on doing a TopDeck tour there (as it's one of the few companies that just goes to Russia for 8-9 days). I think I might change my mind now and go with a tour group that will get me in just as quickly and safely as they can get me OUT! or Cancel
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• 6 Mar 2007 CrisToronto said

  

  i’m pretty sure you’ll be fine with tour group. but i would be scared to go alone

  i'm pretty sure you'll be fine with tour group. but i would be scared to go alone or Cancel
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• 22 Mar 2007 princess19 said

  

  I had this discussion with my roomate when i booked my trip. He went over there a few years ago by himself and stayed with a friend there ( dont ask). He told me it was a nightmare trying to get his visa validated, and he was stopped by the police several times where they threatened to arrest him if he didnt have his passport. However he made it out alive with tons of pictures and souviners. He also said he would love to go back.
  
  I can read cyrillic and speak little russian so im not overly concerned. I dont think im going to wander off the tour too much because i dont want to get into a bad situaton. Besides- The concerns you have and what youve heard.. its like that in many many countries. I cant tell you how many times ive been warned about Mexico ( dont drink the water, people will rob you and kidnap you because youre an american, and the list goes on) and ive never had a problem going there ( well i was on a public bus that got pulled over but thats a different story for a different day).
  
  Same goes for New York. Everyone has horrible things to say about the city, but im a native and have never been touched by anyone. Perhaps thats where my adventrous side comes from but like i said im not overly concerned about going to Russia . Im actually really excited and cant wait =)

  I had this discussion with my roomate when i booked my trip. He went over there a few years ago by himself and stayed with a friend there ( dont ask). He told me it was a nightmare trying to get his visa validated, and he was stopped by the police several times where they threatened to arrest him if he didnt have his passport. However he made it out alive with tons of pictures and souviners. He also said he would love to go back.<BR><BR>I can read cyrillic and speak little russian so im not overly concerned. I dont think im going to wander off the tour too much because i dont want to get into a bad situaton. Besides- The concerns you have and what youve heard.. its like that in many many countries. I cant tell you how many times ive been warned about Mexico ( dont drink the water, people will rob you and kidnap you because youre an american, and the list goes on) and ive never had a problem going there ( well i was on a public bus that got pulled over but thats a different story for a different day).<BR><BR>Same goes for New York. Everyone has horrible things to say about the city, but im a native and have never been touched by anyone. Perhaps thats where my adventrous side comes from but like i said im not overly concerned about going to Russia . Im actually really excited and cant wait =) or Cancel
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