Author Topic: RUSSIA (Read 23075 times)

Frozen Toes · « **on:** January 03, 2011, 12:34:23 am »

I have been doing research on Russia as a travel destination. So far, I've learned that one of the cheapest ways to go there is via Singapore Air which offers a Manila-Singapore-Moscow route for about PHP 65,000 net (roundtrip). Also, according to online travel guides, I should start with booking a hotel in Moscow/St. Petersburg and ask them to send me a formal invitation, which is a requirement in VISA application. Finally, accommodation seems pricey. However, I'm reluctant to resort to hostels due to security reasons.

So, really, how safe is it to visit Russia? And is it difficult for Philippine passport holders to obtain a VISA?

Thank you.

vhanya · « **Reply #1 on:** January 10, 2011, 09:46:16 pm »

^its quite safe =) two of my friends went here this year on separate occassions. next destination ko to after my month-long europe trip next year =) about visa, same as getting a japanese visa. not as hard/unpredictable as US.

Frozen Toes · « **Reply #2 on:** January 10, 2011, 10:44:40 pm »

I read some blogs kasi on Russia kaya hesitant ako pumunta. Parang dami daw lasing pakalat kalat sa daan tapos may mga nangteterrorize ng tourists. Nag enjoy daw friends mo? Civil naman daw ba yung pakikitungo nung mga Russians sa kanila?

vhanya · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2011, 11:11:44 pm »

yes. mostly sa st petersburg nga and main moscow tour nila =) stay ka at least 4 stars hotel. pag tourist locations, ok naman daw russians =) mas rude pa nga parisians eh hehe. btw, they went on a tour package.

Frozen Toes · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2011, 07:49:25 am »

If you have the time, paask naman kung anong travel agency nila. Thanks!

vhanya · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2011, 01:21:59 pm »

ok no problem =)

l_neveph · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2011, 09:18:16 pm »

How about trying the trans siberian railways and have Beijing as the starting point?Is it a cheaper alternative tapos nakapasyal ka pa sa other countries?Meron kaya travel agencies dito which offer that package?Magkano din kaya aabotin just for the train package?

mama squeak! · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2011, 01:48:24 pm »

I would love to go to Moscow! My college friend working at the DFA was assigned there for 8 years. Marami syang nice kwentos na nakakaenganyo to visit. One of these days.....

^sis, I know the Trans Siberian is within Russia only. You have to take another train network to get in Russia from China. But I might not be updated with their network. Talking of trains, one in my bucket list is the Orient Express Venice Simplon line. Hay! Ipon-ipon muna.

theflygirl · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2011, 08:06:10 am »

My "auntie", who is a former congresswoman, and her group went to Moscow on an official trip some years ago and said it is really nice but do be careful at times din, esp when separating from your group. (Although, anywhere naman dapat ganun.) She heard marami din daw manloloko but I am curious about heading there, too. Would love to visit Red Square, etc. Historical and political tour kumbaga. How unfortunate lang the recent bombing at Domodedovo.

mama squeak! · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2011, 04:46:26 pm »

^sis, umpisahan mo then update mo kami.

If you want to go to Moscow, the airline you can take from Manila would be Cathay Pacific via HKG. Not sure if Aeroflot still flies from here though before kasi they do.

little_princess · « **Reply #10 on:** April 09, 2011, 07:52:56 pm »

Went to Russia last year (holy week) via a group tour. It was really nice especially seeing the castles/museums.

It is a culturally rich country and if you love history, you will be amazed with the story of the czars

Visited Moscow and St. Petersburg and did the whole touristy thing. We even rode the Metro 2 days after the bombing! Mind you, shopping there isn't go great and we just ended up buying lots of souvenirs.

Also, visa isn't as hard to get compared to the US. We didn't even have an appearance.

Re safety, we were always advised not to wander off by ourselves and there was one time that we were near the Red Square, a Russian couple approached me and opened their eyes really wide then walked off laughing. I felt that it was a racist thing to do with my chinky eyes but I just laughed it off and even laughed with them.

As a group, people usually look at us which I think is pretty normal since I don't think they see lots of Asians like me in those parts but compared to the stares that we got in Turkey, Russia was pretty tame

Frozen Toes · « **Reply #11 on:** April 11, 2011, 02:20:32 pm »

^ You weren't offended by what the couple did?

little_princess · « **Reply #12 on:** April 11, 2011, 03:02:21 pm »

^ i was offended but then if i throw my weight around there, it wouldn't be so advantageous for me. it isn't my country and the people there aren't very friendly. so i laughed with them to show i wasn't pikon.

Frozen Toes · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2011, 09:33:07 am »

^ Good for you. Ako kasi, after reading about what they did to you, hay naku, naiinis ako.

little_princess · « **Reply #14 on:** April 12, 2011, 10:21:03 am »

i know, inis din ako but i should be the better person. futile to argue with them if they wont understand half of what i'll be saying

anyhow, we also watched the russian circus, it was really nice but kawawa the animals.. they stuff that you see in movies, you'll see it there.

chinita8 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 07, 2011, 01:23:04 am »

Quote from: l_neveph on February 05, 2011, 09:18:16 pm

How about trying the trans siberian railways and have Beijing as the starting point?Is it a cheaper alternative tapos nakapasyal ka pa sa other countries?Meron kaya travel agencies dito which offer that package?Magkano din kaya aabotin just for the train package?

Wow, has anyone here actually tried this Trans Siberian railways system? Or know of anyone who did? How was it? Is it fully operational? Where does it start and end? So so curious ...

Been to St.Petersburg and it's really a great place to visit. It was part of our Scandinavian tour. The Winter Palace and the Hermitage are 2 places worth adding to your bucket list. Rich in history and culture. 2 things I quite noticed though is that it's not really a clean city. You can see garbage thrown on streets and vandalism here and there. Sayang coz the structures and palaces were really nice. Different from what you see in London or even in Sweden. But their women really looks like models ha - tall & gorgeous - even those who seem to be just loitering around. No wonder, lots of models are from there.

mama squeak! · « **Reply #16 on:** May 07, 2011, 09:06:47 am »

^I read this blog where the guy took the trans-siberian train from Moscow to Vladivostok. Sounds interesting but this was done a few years back. Still trying to look for updated travel tips on this.

http://www.trans-siberia.com/my2004tour.html

mama squeak! · « **Reply #17 on:** May 07, 2011, 09:11:16 am »

Just found an updated website!

http://www.seat61.com/Trans-Siberian.htm

Wow! Talk about a looong train ride. But this should be fun. Another one in the bucket list!

piglet24 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 05, 2011, 04:29:40 pm »

My husband and I are planning to visit Russia. Have been fascinated with their history and their buildings
kaya wanted to visit the country. We are currently processing our documents. Right now, we are
comparing prices with other countries. So far ok namn ang rates. nakaka sad lang kasi iba iba ang
rates for visa application. Since Philippine passport holder kami mas expensive siya kaysa sa ibang
lahi. talk about discrimination! ahay. WE will be taking a group package. para di kami maligaw and
whatever else will happen.

Sa mga sis na nakapunta na ng Russia, any do's and don'ts? thanks.

little_princess · « **Reply #19 on:** August 06, 2011, 11:14:16 am »

^ when are you going?

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Author Topic: RUSSIA (Read 23075 times)

Frozen Toes

vhanya

Frozen Toes

vhanya

Frozen Toes

vhanya

l_neveph

mama squeak!

theflygirl

mama squeak!

little_princess

Frozen Toes

little_princess

Frozen Toes

little_princess

chinita8

mama squeak!

mama squeak!

piglet24

little_princess

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