RGS’ trip to St Petersburg and Moscow February 2014

Outline of the Itinerary Sunday 16 th February – travel to St Petersburg Sunday 16 th February – travel to St Petersburg Monday 17 th February – tour of sights including Cruiser Aurora; visit to Peter & Paul Fortress; visit to Yusupov Palace Monday 17 th February – tour of sights including Cruiser Aurora; visit to Peter & Paul Fortress; visit to Yusupov Palace Tuesday 18 th February – visit to Church of the Spilt Blood; visit to the Winter Palace & Hermitage; folklore evening; overnight rail journey to Moscow Tuesday 18 th February – visit to Church of the Spilt Blood; visit to the Winter Palace & Hermitage; folklore evening; overnight rail journey to Moscow Wednesday 19 th February – tour of Moscow including Novodevichy Convent, Saint Saviours Cathedral, Victory Park; visit to the Kremlin, St Basil’s, Red Square and Lenin’s Mausoleum Wednesday 19 th February – tour of Moscow including Novodevichy Convent, Saint Saviours Cathedral, Victory Park; visit to the Kremlin, St Basil’s, Red Square and Lenin’s Mausoleum Thursday 20 th February – visit to Museum of Modern History; shopping in Arbat Street; return to RGS Thursday 20 th February – visit to Museum of Modern History; shopping in Arbat Street; return to RGS

Arrangements for departure Meet at RGS 05:50 on Sunday 16 th February with passport and EH 111 card Meet at RGS 05:50 on Sunday 16 th February with passport and EH 111 card Any problems, please call by 05:30 Any problems, please call by 05:30 We will depart at 06:00 whether you have arrived or not We will depart at 06:00 whether you have arrived or not Catch flight BA878 to St Petersburg departing at 09:30 from Heathrow T5 Catch flight BA878 to St Petersburg departing at 09:30 from Heathrow T5 Arrive St Petersburg at 17:00 local time and travel to Hotel St Petersburg Arrive St Petersburg at 17:00 local time and travel to Hotel St Petersburg

Arrangements for return Depart Moscow at 19:25 local time on Thursday 20 th February on flight BA234 Depart Moscow at 19:25 local time on Thursday 20 th February on flight BA234 Arrive London Heathrow T5 at 19:35 Arrive London Heathrow T5 at 19:35 Anticipated arrival at RGS 21:00 Anticipated arrival at RGS 21:00

Medical information, dietary requirements and contact details Please notify me of any dietary requirements or changes to medical information not mentioned on the indemnity form Please notify me of any dietary requirements or changes to medical information not mentioned on the indemnity form Please let me know if the emergency contact details for someone in the UK change before we depart Please let me know if the emergency contact details for someone in the UK change before we depart

Clothing and temperature Average temperature for February is Average temperature for February is -8°C, but it can go as low as -14°C! You will need: You will need: –Hat and gloves –Sensible shoes –Thermals –Layers –Warm and waterproof coat

Personal safety Follow instructions Follow instructions Wear sensible shoes to minimise the risk of slipping on ice Wear sensible shoes to minimise the risk of slipping on ice Always carry the emergency contact details card Always carry the emergency contact details card Take responsibility for loading and unloading your bag at each point (i.e. coach, airport, hotel etc) Take responsibility for loading and unloading your bag at each point (i.e. coach, airport, hotel etc) Do not bring expensive personal possessions (they are not covered under the school’s insurance policy) Do not bring expensive personal possessions (they are not covered under the school’s insurance policy) Bags that are carried should be kept at the front to prevent them being snatched / slashed Bags that are carried should be kept at the front to prevent them being snatched / slashed Always stay in a group Always stay in a group Politely decline the attentions of street sellers Politely decline the attentions of street sellers

Student conduct Please could all students sign a copy of the RGS student code of conduct (at the back of the room). Please could all students sign a copy of the RGS student code of conduct (at the back of the room). The minimum age for alcohol consumption in Russia was changed to 21 last year. The minimum age for alcohol consumption in Russia was changed to 21 last year.

What to bring… Bag suitable for the train! Bag suitable for the train! Passport with visa & EH111 card Passport with visa & EH111 card Warm clothing Warm clothing Medical needs (e.g. blister plasters, cough sweets, paracetamol, immodium, inhaler) Medical needs (e.g. blister plasters, cough sweets, paracetamol, immodium, inhaler) A game / pack of cards A game / pack of cards Money (Russian roubles) Money (Russian roubles) Snacks Snacks Notebook and pen Notebook and pen Towel! Towel!

How much money to bring? Roubles need to be ordered in advance but most banks will do it in hours Roubles need to be ordered in advance but most banks will do it in hours The exchange rate is approx 55/56 roubles to the £ The exchange rate is approx 55/56 roubles to the £ For: For: –Entry into Russia –Lunches (c. £10-£15 per day) –Souvenirs –Guide books

Any questions? advice/russia advice/russia advice/russia advice/russia