Moscow Travel Thread...Possible DO??
Apr 17, 2009, 9:06 am
#166
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: No Longer Anything
Posts: 478
Let's talk tours. I see lots of interest for tours of Moscow, Kremlin, Red Square, etc. during the 24-27 of April. Here're a couple of links:
http://russiatravel-pdtours.netfirms.com/sched.htm
http://www.viator.com/Russia/d65-ttd
http://russiatravel-pdtours.netfirms.com/sched.htm
http://www.viator.com/Russia/d65-ttd
Apr 17, 2009, 11:29 am
#167
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Yes
Posts: 200
Apr 17, 2009, 12:40 pm
#168
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: WAS (DCA preferred)
Programs: UA 1P, AA PLT
Posts: 124
I'm planning to get both boarding cards at IAD. I don't know how easy it will be to convince anyone in Moscow that I'm turning around without a visa unless I've already got my boarding card ready.
Apr 17, 2009, 6:27 pm
#170
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DC, JNB, LON, NYC
Programs: * A
Posts: 2,530
Apr 18, 2009, 9:19 am
#171
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Yes
Posts: 200
Of course, now that I think about it more it would seem that you pretty much have to do it at check-in to avoid the visa discussion.
Apr 18, 2009, 9:22 am
#172
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 11,962
Right, what I meant was are people doing it at IAD checkin or airside at IAD - obviously doing at at DME is a no-go without a visa. I was curious if people are having an easier time with one or the other, or if it just doesn't matter at all.
Of course, now that I think about it more it would seem that you pretty much have to do it at check-in to avoid the visa discussion.
Of course, now that I think about it more it would seem that you pretty much have to do it at check-in to avoid the visa discussion.
Apr 18, 2009, 12:09 pm
#173
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BWI (Annapolis) & PWM (Bailey Island)
Programs: AA LT Gold (MM), WN A-List, Fairmont L/T Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 884
Let's talk tours. I see lots of interest for tours of Moscow, Kremlin, Red Square, etc. during the 24-27 of April. Here're a couple of links:
http://russiatravel-pdtours.netfirms.com/sched.htm
http://www.viator.com/Russia/d65-ttd
Once tours are chosen, I'll add a "who's doing what when" list to post #139 this weekend.
Oh, and welcome to our group lesenok.
http://russiatravel-pdtours.netfirms.com/sched.htm
http://www.viator.com/Russia/d65-ttd
Once tours are chosen, I'll add a "who's doing what when" list to post #139 this weekend.
Oh, and welcome to our group lesenok.
Apr 18, 2009, 6:04 pm
#174
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Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,333
Right, what I meant was are people doing it at IAD checkin or airside at IAD - obviously doing at at DME is a no-go without a visa. I was curious if people are having an easier time with one or the other, or if it just doesn't matter at all.
Of course, now that I think about it more it would seem that you pretty much have to do it at check-in to avoid the visa discussion.
Of course, now that I think about it more it would seem that you pretty much have to do it at check-in to avoid the visa discussion.
See my post 124 below .. you MUST get the DME-IAD BP in the USA, ideally at IAD, or you are TOAST.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11566867-post124.html
Glen
Apr 19, 2009, 10:03 am
#175
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Yes
Posts: 200
See my post 124 below .. you MUST get the DME-IAD BP in the USA, ideally at IAD, or you are TOAST.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11566867-post124.html
Glen
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11566867-post124.html
Glen
I was asking if people were doing it at check-in vs trying to get the return BP at the RCC at their origin point, not whether they could do it at DME. Its been abundantly clear to everyone for weeks that that wouldn't work, and I don't think anyone was talking about that.
My concern was primarily if I was going to get a ration of @#$& from the TAs at IAD or not - it wouldn't be the first time that happened when I was doing something unusual. And yes, I have all the paperwork printed out.
Apr 20, 2009, 9:20 am
#176
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SAN & ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 252
UNHBuzzard, thanks for the offer. I'll be contacting Glavpivtorg today to set up our dinner reservation. Since I will not be doing the ex-KGB tour though, could you assist by making that reservation in your name? According to posts, it looks like there will be 5 attendees unless I missed someone.
Thanks,
Green
Thanks,
Green
Apr 20, 2009, 11:13 am
#177
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BWI (Annapolis) & PWM (Bailey Island)
Programs: AA LT Gold (MM), WN A-List, Fairmont L/T Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 884
UNHBuzzard, thanks for the offer. I'll be contacting Glavpivtorg today to set up our dinner reservation. Since I will not be doing the ex-KGB tour though, could you assist by making that reservation in your name? According to posts, it looks like there will be 5 attendees unless I missed someone.
Thanks,
Green
Thanks,
Green
Apr 21, 2009, 10:12 am
#178
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SAN & ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 252
Glavpivtorg Restaurant Update!
Re Glavpivtorg -
I called to make reservations for 25 at 7pm April 25 under the name "Green".
The manager said that with parties over 10 people, they do a set full dinner (appetizers, salad, soups, main course, dessert etc.) provided to the tune of 3000 rubles ($70-75) each. She wanted to send me a menu via email for people to pick and choose which items they would like included. I asked if we could split our group into three as to avoid this. No.
I said I'd need to check with the group, as many may not have been planning to have such a large meal.
She also said that Saturdays are very busy, so without a reservation it will be difficult to get in. Also, she asked if prepayment was an option. I said preferably not. And...there was no one there that spoke English (at least when I called).
So....the way I see it, there are 4 options:
1. Be prepared to spend $70 per person and select menu ahead of time.
2. A representative from each "family" make separate reservations and we all just happen to end up there at the same time.
3. Meet in front of the restaurant at 7pm, then the group of us split into smaller groups and try to get in. Failing that, try somewhere else.
4. Select a different restaurant.
Feedback, please. Or a brilliant option #5.
I called to make reservations for 25 at 7pm April 25 under the name "Green".
The manager said that with parties over 10 people, they do a set full dinner (appetizers, salad, soups, main course, dessert etc.) provided to the tune of 3000 rubles ($70-75) each. She wanted to send me a menu via email for people to pick and choose which items they would like included. I asked if we could split our group into three as to avoid this. No.
I said I'd need to check with the group, as many may not have been planning to have such a large meal.
She also said that Saturdays are very busy, so without a reservation it will be difficult to get in. Also, she asked if prepayment was an option. I said preferably not. And...there was no one there that spoke English (at least when I called).
So....the way I see it, there are 4 options:
1. Be prepared to spend $70 per person and select menu ahead of time.
2. A representative from each "family" make separate reservations and we all just happen to end up there at the same time.
3. Meet in front of the restaurant at 7pm, then the group of us split into smaller groups and try to get in. Failing that, try somewhere else.
4. Select a different restaurant.
Feedback, please. Or a brilliant option #5.
Last edited by GreenFireflyer; Apr 21, 2009 at 10:22 am
Apr 21, 2009, 10:25 am
#179
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,476
Sorry to be out of the loop for the past 2 weeks. I've been travelling (shocking for a flyertalker, right?
.My wife and I can definitely make it to Glavpivtorg on 5/3, so if there's a rez, add 2. Thanks.
BTW, does anyone know the approximate cost of a meal there? I assume they don't take credit cards, right? We're leaving on the 4th, so I'll probably be drawing down my rubles by then (although perhaps I can trade greenbacks for rubles with someone if my math turns out wrong).
Apr 21, 2009, 1:11 pm
#180
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: No Longer Anything
Posts: 478
Re Glavpivtorg -
I called to make reservations for 25 at 7pm April 25 under the name "Green".
..........
So....the way I see it, there are 4 options:
1. Be prepared to spend $70 per person and select menu ahead of time.
2. A representative from each "family" make separate reservations and we all just happen to end up there at the same time.
3. Meet in front of the restaurant at 7pm, then the group of us split into smaller groups and try to get in. Failing that, try somewhere else.
4. Select a different restaurant.
Feedback, please. Or a brilliant option #5.
I called to make reservations for 25 at 7pm April 25 under the name "Green".
..........
So....the way I see it, there are 4 options:
1. Be prepared to spend $70 per person and select menu ahead of time.
2. A representative from each "family" make separate reservations and we all just happen to end up there at the same time.
3. Meet in front of the restaurant at 7pm, then the group of us split into smaller groups and try to get in. Failing that, try somewhere else.
4. Select a different restaurant.
Feedback, please. Or a brilliant option #5.
Or, I like the option of having people make separate reservations. I would be willing to add four or so more people to me +1, and make a reservation for 6, maybe up to 8. Hopefully that wouldn't cause too big a problem for the restaurant.
Oh, but you mention that noone speaks english at the restaurant. Do you speak Russian? ^ If we decide to go this way, and I get 4 -6 others who want to be on my reservation, I will call the restaurant on Friday when I get to the hotel. Or do you think that would be too late. ??
Sorry, so many questions ....