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Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
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  #1  
Old 27 Jan 2010
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Beej, I can give you plenty information and even lend you maps if you want I have done most of the routes your talking about - PM me with some of your proposals - I can also give you a contact for reasonably priced rooms in St Petersburg centre. Re the ferry I would consider going over to southern sweden or via Copenhagen, ride on to Stockholm day ferry to west coast of Finland (and ride round to Helsinki) or ferry Stockholm to Helsinki. No cabin required as its only 4 hours saves a fortune on ferry fares - Into Russia from Helsinki -(the border is about 110miles if I remember right and the border crossing is friendly and efficient I done it in about 40mins ) back out through Estonia (bit awkward the border guards there ,Latvia, Lithuania Poland Germany (its a long road that one) but the whole trip I would allow three weeks. Jake.
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Old 27 Jan 2010
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Originally Posted by adventure950 View Post
ride on to Stockholm day ferry to west coast of Finland (and ride round to Helsinki) or ferry Stockholm to Helsinki. No cabin required as its only 4 hours saves a fortune on ferry fares - Into Russia from Helsinki -(the border is about 110miles if I remember right and the border crossing is friendly and efficient I done it in about 40mins ) back out through Estonia (bit awkward the border guards there ,Latvia, Lithuania Poland Germany (its a long road that one) but the whole trip I would allow three weeks. Jake.

I echo what adventure950 says when he talks about ferries: I did just like this but in opposite direction (ferry from Turku, FIN to Stockholm: 4 hours with no cabin and price was OK).
Three weeks is what it took me, also.
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Old 27 Jan 2010
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Prices.

Helsinki-Talin:
Took this ferry 3 or 4 years ago and it cost something like 70 quid.

Turku-Stockholm:
Took this ferry in october last year, cost I think 40 euros.

Danish bridge tolls:
!!Expensive!!
Not exact sure on the price, but there's two toll bridges on the way to copenhagen and for motorcycle I think they were roughly 20 euros each last october.


Denmark isn't the most interesting country in the world, and that southern part of sweden isn't great either.

Russian tourist visa for British cost around £100. Maybe a little less if you live in london and go to the visa center yourself.


I think visiting Peterburg and Russia would be the highlight of this trip. However I can think of more interesting trip ideas on a similar time/distance/budget. But the baltic area does have its fans so if you're interested then go and find out for yourself.
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Old 27 Jan 2010
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Thanks!
Thanks Knight of the Holy Graal for your tips and thoughts. Especially about the Police warnings... we have heard that they are quite strict!

Thanks Jake... didn't realise that you'd done that part of the world! Will email you (once I get my stupid work Audit handed in!), with our possible route. Good to hear about other ferry options too! Regarding trip length we have just over 5 weeks.

Thanks also to Nath. We would definately be seeing Russia as the highlight of this route, we've both wanted to go there for years! Although... I have to say that I'm curious to see what else you would suggest!

Will have a look into other ferry options this weekend!
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Old 28 Jan 2010
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Lots of tsarist era palaces a short ride from St Pete
Make sure you check out Petergof (Petrodvorets) and Pushkin and Pavlovsk as well.

One look at Petergof and you will understand why they had a revolution against the Tsars. Its completely over the top. Makes the royal palaces in London and Amsterdam look insignificant in comparison. Only the French royalty went over the top as much as the Russians and they had a bloody revolution as well.
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Old 28 Jan 2010
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Make sure you check out Petergof (Petrodvorets) and Pushkin and Pavlovsk as well.

One look at Petergof and you will understand why they had a revolution against the Tsars. Its completely over the top. Makes the royal palaces in London and Amsterdam look insignificant in comparison. Only the French royalty went over the top as much as the Russians and they had a bloody revolution as well.

That's correct, Colebatch is right.
I visited Pushkin in Tsarskoye Selo and I found it outstanding, wonderful!

Did not visit the other palaces outside St.Petersburg and I regret it much.
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