Russian Gateway (UK) Limited

Peebles

2009-10-22T10:52:00.000-07:00

Pee, peek, peel, peep, peer
Peeved Pekinese
Peebles

First Customer Comment 2009

2009-01-27T09:07:00.001-08:00

Haystack at Giverny by Monet (in the Hermitage)

Alan, Just a note to tell you how much we enjoyed our trip, how well organised it was, how excellent were the guides, drivers and hotels and how impressed we were by the speed and efficiency with which you handled us. Particularly excellent were our hotel and guide in St Petersburg.We have already recommended you to friends, but if you would like us to act as a reference point we would be delighted to help.We may even be back ourselves! Thank you,

Timothy N

Russian Embassy Visa Scandal

2009-01-27T09:01:00.000-08:00

Important Update :26 JAN 2009 It is with sadness we have to increase our visa fees by £22 + VAT due to the Russian Embassy's decision to no longer accept applications from any member of the public, tour operators or travel agencies directly. As of 30th January 2009, all applications will be routed through one 'selected' company in London and another in Edinburgh. We received 3 days warning of the increase / change of procedure. For the past ten years, we have enjoyed a happy and fruitful relationship with the Russian Consulate in Edinburgh, processing visas directly with them at cost price. As of 30th January 2009, the situation changes. Full details of this unexpected change can be found at http://www.rusemblon.org. We can still process visas exactly as before, it has just become more expensive.

Service Provided	Processing Time	What We Need From You	Cost
30 Day Single Entry Tourist Visa	12 days	Passport, form, photo, return envelope	£126 GBP + VAT
30 Day Double Entry Tourist Visa	12 days	Passport, form, photo, return envelope	£136 GBP + VAT
Tourist Visa Invitation Only (by e-mail)	1 day	Passport details by e-mail	£20 inc VAT
12 month Multi Entry Business Visa	approx 5 weeks	See below	£226 + VAT + FEDEX fee
12 month Multi Entry Business Visa Invitation	21 days	Scan of passport photo page + work details	£104 + VAT + FEDEX fee

Lenin's Mausoleum Closing For 2 Months

2009-01-21T05:49:00.000-08:00

The Russian Govenment today confirmed that Lenin's Mausoleum will be closing for a period of two months from 16th February 2009. If you can speak Russian all the info is at http://travel.newsru.com/article/20Jan2009/mausoleumclean. Profilactic work will be done on his body 're-balsaming' and his clothes will be renewed. Also the air conditioning systems etc inside will be fully checked and updated. This happens roughly every 1.5 years. He will re-open on 16th April.

С Новым Годом ! Happy New Year

2009-01-05T02:45:00.000-08:00

We would like to wish all our customers and suppliers a very happy New Year for 2009. May it bring happiness. health and good fortune to you all !

Website Problems

2009-01-05T02:39:00.001-08:00

We have had some problems with our www.russiangateway.co.uk address which has not been working over the last few days due to malware / virus type thing hacking in to our web pages via the recent Internet Explorer security vulerability. The problem is now 100% resolved and the site is working perfectly. Google have not yet removed their 'this site may harm your computer' message from their engine as of 04JAN but this will be resolved shortly. We can assure you all of our sites are virus and malware free.

Customer Comment 05JAN 2009

2009-01-05T02:36:00.000-08:00

Alan

Just a quick report back. The trip went flawlessly. I was picked up
at the airport straight away, taken to the ballet on time (wonderful
seat thanks) and taken back on time. You were right about the Metro
it was fun and the Kremlin was interesting . Thanks for you help and have a good new year

Paula B

Customer Comment 03 JAN 2009

2009-01-05T02:33:00.000-08:00

Imperial Russia 7 nights 4 Star Plus December 26th 2008

Alan,

Just a note to tell you how much we enjoyed our trip, how well organised it was, how excellent were the guides, drivers and hotels and how impressed we were by the speed and efficiency with which you handled us.

Particularly excellent were our hotel and guide in St Petersburg.

We have already recommended you to friends, but if you would like us to act as a reference point we would be delighted to help.

We may even be back ourselves!

Thank you,

Timothy N

Imperial Russia DEC 2008 Comment

2008-12-16T10:05:00.000-08:00

Alan
Please let me take this opportunity to congratulate you on your guides in Russia,both Gelena in Moscow and Elena in St. Petersburg were fantastic,they looked after us from arrival till departure. Both were very professional,informative, helpful and went out of their way to deliver a service second to none and played a major part in our tour enjoyment culminating in making a trip of a lifetime absolutely superb,everything went to plan without a hitch.

Thanks very much to you and your staff for an excellent holiday,it was worth every penny.

Jim

Liverpool Flights

2008-12-16T10:04:00.001-08:00

Now Fly On Any of Our Tours or Cruises from Liverpool via Amsterdam to Russia
We can offer zero supplement flights on most tours and cruises from Liverpool John Lennon Airport. KLM are starting three times a day to and from Amsterdam from March 29th 2009. The flights make Liverpool to Moscow and Liverpool to St.Petersburg possible every day with great connections.

Moscow Citybreak October 2008

2008-11-11T09:34:00.000-08:00

Hi Alan,

On behalf of us all, many thanks for our recently completed Moscow Tour.

We were all well pleased with your excellent programme, the quality of our Tour Guide [Galina], and in particular [and what actually made it so good for us less agile], the quality of the tour transport and the standard of the driver.

Kindest regards,

Jack W

Customer Comment - Imperial Russia - October 2008

2008-11-11T09:32:00.002-08:00

Hi Alan,
We had a fantastic time in Russia thanks - Galina and Lena were amazing!

Thanks,
Gemma C
Imperial Russia 7 nights October 2008

Customer Comment 11th November 2008

2008-11-11T09:32:00.001-08:00

Dear Alan
Please forgive me for not emailing your before this to say thank you for your organisation of my stay in Moscow in May. I arrived back in Australia in mid July. Time just seems to have flown.
The Cosmos Hotel was very good and I had a central room on the third highest floor! Fantastic views. My guide, Maria, was excellent. Most informative and pleasant company. Her organisation of transport and passes was very good. My cruise went off without a hitch and I was transferred from the St Petersburg port to the airport in a very posh car, thanks to you. Both BA flights were efficient and on time.
I will recommend you to anyone wanting to see Russia.
Thank you.
John C

Imperial Russia Tour October 2008 - Customer Comment

2008-10-28T03:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Alan,

Please find copy of an email I have sent to Galina. We were very impressed with her, and she well deserves the praise. We had a fantastic trip, you might even say of a lifetime. Everything went as planned, the two hotels Kebur in Moscow and the Alexander House in St. Petersburg were absolutely excellent, and well worth the extra money. The arranged visit to the theatre to see a typical Russian culture show in lieu of the State Circus, was in our option the better option as it again was a great experience. I would not hesitate to recommend your company, and the particular trip we went on to anyone who might be considering going, but feels a little hesitant. Hopefully we will re visit Russian in the future and we would certainly come to you for the arrangements.

Kind regards,

Allan & Val McD

Customer Comment - Royal Russia Tour October 2008

2008-10-21T03:30:00.000-07:00

Alan,
What a fantastic trip and experience! Apart from a few minor problems, at Moscow airport, everything went like clockwork and Valerie and I had a wonderful week in Russia. Both guides were a pleasure to be around and their knowledge just lifted everything on to a higher level. Galina in Moscow was superb and I would appreciate if you could pass on our thanks to her for bringing the history of Moscow alive. Our fellow tourists were fun to be around and we enjoyed their company immensely. Both hotels, while different, were really well situated and a pleasure to stay in. The rail trip from Moscow to St Petersburg was a memory that will last for some time to come. All in all this proved to be a holiday of the highest quality, very well organised (even though I had my fears) with a good balance between guided tours and free time. The memories which we will carry will be treasured until our next trip which will surely not be too far in the future when Russian Gateway can perhaps open up this vast country after serving up an amazing starter.Thank you very much for everything. Stephen and Valerie H (Royal Russia October 2008)

2008-10-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome on board Russiana River Cruises, the UK's only travel company dedicated to offering you the very best in river cruising between Russia's two greatest cities. River cruising is the best way to see Russia, Moscow & St.Petersburg in all their splendour and the Russian countryside in all its rustic beauty. The combination of life on board and the wonderful places we visit en route will leave you with memories which will last a lifetime. For our 2009 Russian River Cruise programme visit http://www.russiana.co.uk/

6 Country Adriatic Sea Cruise from £999 per person

2008-10-15T05:56:00.000-07:00

Exclusive - our Eurorivers.com brand are now offering super value for money Adriatic Sea voyages visiting 6 fabulous countries culminating in a visit to Albania ! Prices , including return flights from any European airport to Venice and full board cruise for 7 nights, start at only £999 GBP per person. For full details visit http://www.eurorivers.com/istria.html

Eurovision Song Contest 2009

2008-10-13T12:47:00.001-07:00

Early Booking Offer 1 - valid until 31st October 2008
We will be running a group tour to the Eurovision Song Contest for Moscow 2009
Tour dates: 11-17th May 2009 Please note we will take no more than 50 participants and will close sales as soon as this figure is reached. We expect demand to be high and have provisional bookings coming in from Europe already.
The price will be £1395 GBP per person
This price includes1. Russian Visa including all processing costs 2. Return direct flights from London Heathrow 3. 6 nights DBL BB accommodation in the 4 star Hotel 4. Excursions: Moscow City Tour, Kremlin Visit, Metro Tour, Arbat Street and Russian lunch 5. Transport: Airport transfers + return transfers from hotel to venue on all three nights6. Tickets: category I or II tickets to the three evenings

Russian Visa Invitations £20 only inc VAT

2008-10-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

As we are fully registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow we can issue invitation / vouchers (tourist confirmation) which you will need for your Russian Visa. We can issue same day and e-mail ypou the support in pdf form for you to print and take to the Embassy. We don't even have to have details of your accommodation in Russia. All we need is your passport details, date of entry and exit and payment. No trouble at all - please note not all hotels issue invitations (as they aren't all registered with the MFA) so we are without a doubt the best value visa invitation service in the UK. All inclusive price for invitation £20. If you want is to process for you the cost (including the invitation and Embassy processing fee) is £99 + VAT. You just send us form, photo, passport, passport photo and cheque. We do the rest and in 10 days you have your Russian Visa. We are simply the best - go to www.russia.org.uk for full details

TripAdvisor Comment - No Hermitage Queueing

2008-10-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

“The highlight of our visit to St Petersburg”
State Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace
Odette, North east England
Jul 16, 2008
4/4 found this review helpful
We were able to spend a full day at The Hermitage which we needed to see the wonderful state rooms, The Raphael Loggia and the fabulous paintings, tapestries and sculptures. We went with Russian Gateway and our guide Maria got us into the Hermitage without having to queque and took us straight to the french Impressionist gallery which we wanted to see first. We had arranged to stay after Maria had given us a 3 hour guided tour and it was good to have the flexibility to stay as long as we wanted after this. We had two breaks for food and drink at the cafe there which wasn't crowded and the tales of dreadful toilets there proved to be unfounded.

New Tours for 2009 !

2008-10-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

We are delighted to announce our new tours for 2009, exclusive to Russian Gateway UK Limited . You can view them all at http://www.russiangateway.com/ and pressing 'Citybreaks'.

A Russian Odyssey - Moscow, St.Petersburg and Kiev 8 nights
St.Petersburg Super Luxury 6 nights

Moscow and Ulyanovsk - the Real Russia - 8 nights

Kiev Weekend Tour 3 nights

St.Petersburg 5 Star Weekend Winter Special (only £799 for 3 nights !!)

Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow
Northern Jewels - St.Petersburg and Helsinki 7 nights
Grand Russian Tour by Coach, Rail and Plane 14 nights

as well as our old favourites

Imperial Russia Moscow / St.Petersburg 7/11 and 15 nights with your own guide and driver
Citybreaks to Moscow and St.Petersburg of varying durations
Royal Russia Twin Centre Moscow / St.Petersburg monthly group tour on set dates

Special 2009 Offers

2008-10-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

1. Russian River Cruises
*** EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS ON ALL VIKING PAKHOMOV, KIROV and SURKOV CRUISES 2009 ***Viking are offering all customers booking a 2009 Russian cruise before 31st October 2008 a discount of £300 per person on the Pakhomov and £400 per person on the Kirov or Surkov. Not only will we honour this discount but we are offering a further exclusive £100 per person discount on all three ships. Also, if you buy and AX Deluxe Cabin or Suite Cabin on any of the ships and pay in full at time of booking, we will take a further £100 per person from your invoice total. Also we include full Russian Visa processing which Viking River Cruises charge as nearly £100 extra per person. So by booking with Russiana and not directly with Viking, you could save £600 per couple.

*** EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS ON ALL MS LENIN CRUISES 2009 ***On our 3 Star Plus MS Lenin Ship we are offering a discount of £100 per person if you book and pay in full before 15th October 2008

Pricematch Promise If you find a like for like cruise anywhere else at a lower price, we guarantee to at least match it. Don't forget many do not include Russian Visas - we include full processing in all of our cruises.

2. Russian Tours 2009
Offer 1: Book any Imperial Russia Moscow & St.Petersburg Twin Centre Tour before 30th September 2008 for a free upgrade to the ultra luxury Nikolaevsky overnight train - saves you £160 !

Offer 2: Book and pay in full for your 2009 tour before 30th September 2008 for a £100 per person discount - combine with offer 1 total saving £360 per couple !

3. European / China Viking Cruises
Please note the offers below are Viking's standard discount offering. In addition, we will give you an extra £100 per person discount which will not be available anywhere in the world !

EARLY BOOKING SAVINGS 2009
Book by 31 October 2008 and save the following amounts on UK brochure prices:
Save £500 per person on:China’s Cultural Delights

Save £400 per person on:
Tulips & Windmills
Grand European Tour
Eastern European Odyssey
Waterways of the Tsars (Applies to Viking Surkov/Kirov only)
Imperial Jewels of China

Save £300 per person on:
Rhine Discovery
Romantic Danube
Elegant Elbe
Portraits of Southern France
Waterways of the Tsars
(Applies to Viking Pakhomov only)
Footsteps of the Cossacks

Customer Feedback Oct 08

2008-10-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

Dear Alan,
I want to thank you for organizing our recent St. Petersburg to Moscow cruise. We returned to England last week, the revised flight times having worked without a hitch.
The whole experience was unforgetable. There were no weak links in the package:-
- The ship was first-rate - comfortable, clean and well operated.
- Food in the restaurant was consistently excellent and well served by very pleasant staff.
- On-board entertainment and educational programmes were really top quality.
- English speaking quides were first class.
- The itinerary - given the constraints of a l0 day cruise - was really comprehensive, varied and, for the most part, a whole new experience.
Generally what we have known about Russia has grown from the limited exposure we get over the years on our television, both in the UK and in Canada. The reality was a big delightful surprise!
Even the weather co-operated! Cold, but no rain in St. Petersburg, mild and cloudless in Moscow.
Thanks again for your role in the operation. We would not hesitate to recommend the package to our friends here in the UK and in Canada.

Yours sincerely,
Clare, Ken and Brenda P

Our Group Companies

2008-10-13T05:27:00.000-07:00

Russian River Cruises http://www.russiana.com/
European River Cruises http://www.eurorivers.com/

Russian Tour Programme http://www.russiangateway.com/

Russian School Tours http://www.russiangatewayschools.com/

Welcome to Russian Gateway UK Limited

2008-10-13T04:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the new blog of Russian Gateway (UK) Limited, the UK's leading independent provider of tours and cruises to Russia. On this blog we will be posting news about our tours and cruises, special offers, travel news about Russia and loads more. If you have anything interesting to add let us know and we will be happy to put it on our blog. We will also be publishing many of our customers comments.