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Your short-cut to the inside story
 Moscow
and St Petersburg are classic European cities on
everyone's want-to-see list – and they're
really accessible places these days. However,
there are still activities where the language-barrier
can lock you out – an excursion not only helps
you get the most out of them, but ensures you
actually find the place, and get there on a day it's
open too! Even finding your way can be a problem (so
we'll usually arrange to meet you at a nearby metro
station or rendezvous point). Also many activities
(marked *) are only possible if pre-organised and
don't accept casual visitors - even the Moscow
Kremlin is now off-limits (for security reasons)
unless you go with a Licensed Guide.
Excursions do not include transportation except where
specifically indicated.
Your own English-language Buddy Guide accompanies you
on all the excursions and activities (including those
where the venue/organisation also provides their own
compulsory guide).
Moscow
KGB Museum*
The official Museum of the KGB, housed in the
Lubyanka itself - now the home of the FSB, the KGB's
successor. You can only visit by prior
arrangement, and you must take the tour with a
serving FSB Officer as your Guide here. The museum
covers both the overseas espionage activities of the
KGB and their role in turning the Tsarist political
prison network into the Gulags. Questions are
permitted. Closed weekends. Excursion: 2 hours.
£29 per person.
Anti-KGB Museum*
(The Andrey Sakharov Museum) When the USSR's leading
Nuclear Scientist refused to make The Bomb, he became
a public enemy. The museum tells Sakharov's story,
and of those many others who refused to obey. Closed
Mons. Excursion 2 hrs. £20 per person.
 The
Moscow Kremlin, regardless what your guidebook may
say, as of October 2004 it became impossible to visit
the Kremlin without a Licenced Guide – for
security reasons. The Kremlin is Moscow's medieval
citadel, comparable in scale and atmosphere with The
Tower Of London. Highlights include the world's
largest cannon and also the largest bell, and the
centerpiece of Cathedral Square – each
cathedral here played a different role in the life of
the Tsars – for baptisms, weddings,
coronations, funerals. Closed Thurs & during
State Ceremonial Visits. Excursion 2 hrs. £30
per person
St Petersburg
Museum of Russian Vodka. This admirably hands-on
museum not only shows you the secrets of making the
finest vodka in the world - but lets you try the
stuff too. The perfect kind of history-in-practice.
(Tasting-session not included). Open daily. Excursion
2 hrs. £20 per person.
Museum of Russian political history + Museum of the
History of Political Police. Essential background for
anyone wondering 'how the USSR ever came to
happen?' Rather more objective than the KGB
Museum in Moscow. Closed Sat, Sun & Thurs.
Excursion 2 hrs. £25 per person.
Tea at a Russian Home, to include Russian tea with
snacks and sweets.
This is a tradition few visitors see – you not
only try the tea, but hear about tea's long tradition
in Russian society too. A unique chance to see how
Russians live today. Activity 2.5 hours. £18
per person.
* admission restricted to pre-arranged visitors only.
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