Eastern Europe/Russia?

[LoafersOrLouboutins]

I'm now 'official' with my FWB after 9 months, so he is now DP. To celebrated he wants us to go away for a break together, from the Thursday night to Tuesday morning. My parents are taking my DDs to Berlin at the end of October so we thought we would go away then. We both like the look of Eastern Europe or Russia. Where would you recommend? We're both history geeks and enjoy a drink . I would like to go to Estonia but DP likes the look of Lithuania. We both want to go to Russia. Any ideas/tips are very welcome

Vilnius and Tallinn are both pretty cities and as the budget airlines fly there, you'd be able to pick up flights from the UK quite cheaply. However, I am not sure there's about to do there from Thursday -Sunday, unless you're planning on doing both cities in one trip.

Moscow is great and St Petersburg is absolutely magical. You could do both, travelling between on the overnight train. A package holiday would better for this as they'll sort out your visas for you (doing this off your own bat is painful and not worth the hassle, IMO) and all your travel internally. It will be chilly at the end of October but not too bad. Both cities are super-expensive, so expect to pay a premium for everything.

If you're on a budget then the Baltics are definitely better value for money.

*enough to do there to "about"

Gosh, I also meant to type 'Thursday to Tuesday'. I am fat fingered today! Anyway, I know Eastern Europe well, particularly the former Soviet republics, so am happy to help further if needed.

Moscow to St Petersburg sounds magical! We're not on a budget as such but would like to do it as budget-ish as possible as we'd like to go away again after Christmas. How long is the train between Moscow to St Petersburg? Should we stay in a hotel or is there a b&b like option? Thank you!

I visited Tallin last year and thought it was beautiful, perhaps you could combine it with somewhere else as you have nearly a week. I also visited St Petersburg last year (I went on a Baltic cruise) and thought it was an amazing place, particularly if you like visiting palaces, churches and galleries. The palaces were like nothing I have seen before. If you do go I would recommend taking the hydrofoil over to Peterhorf Palace and gardens. I loved it there. I really liked EggButty's suggestion of the overnight train to Moscow. That is on DH and I list for when the DC have left home. It sounds really Romantic to me (I don't know if it is).
Happy planning.

The train between Moscow & St Pete's takes about 8 hours in a sleeper overnight. You can travel more quickly during the day but that's just on a regular train- no romance at all!

I would stay in a hotel in Russia. B&Bs aren't really a developed industry over there. As I say, an organised trip might be better as they usually have all the trips to palaces & museums sorted for you and no organising to do yourselves. Buying train, theatre tickets can be a nightmare for tourists, you'd be better off getting someone to do all that. Two-centre holidays (Moscow & St. P) are the norm and always feature the overnight train!

Not sure if the hydrofoil to Peterhof would run in October but would be happy to be corrected on that.

Yes sorry I wasn't thinking of the time of year.