Czars & Caviar
Imperial Russia
August 3 - 13, 2011

TOUR PREPARATION

Entry Requirements—For U.S. Citizens you will need a valid passport and a Visa, which is required for entrance into Russia. The Russian visa is quite complicated and requires an invitation letter from our tour operators in Russia. We will send full details about how to obtain a Russian visa several months prior to departure. Since obtaining the visa is a time-consuming process, booking this tour will no longer be possible after June 15, 2011.

Immunizations—No immunizations are currently required for travel to the areas visited on this tour, but it is wise to have your inoculations up-to-date. Is your tetanus booster current?

Exit Requirements—There is currently no airport departure tax required of visitors leaving Russia.

SUGGESTED VIEWING

• War and Peace (1968)—The magnificent 8-hour 1968 Russian version, NOT the one with Audrey Hepburn and Henry Fonda
• Anna Karenina (1997)—with Sophie Marceau & Sean Bean
• The Russia House (1990)—with Sean Connery & Michelle Pfeiffer

WHAT TO BRING

In August, average high temperatures range between 52 and 68 degrees F in both Moscow and St. Petersburg, but because of the very northern location you should come prepared for the possibility of chillier temperatures. (Last summer’s scorching temperatures and wildfires in and around Moscow were an anomaly.) You won’t need a suit jacket or tie unless you want to dress up for an opera or ballet. The tour is very informal and dinner attire will always be casual. Try to pack light and bring no more than two small pieces of luggage. Laundry services will be available at our hotels throughout the tour. Think “layers” and plan mix and match outfits! Pack any medications you require in a carry-on bag and leave expensive jewelry at home!

Suggested Packing List:

____ Passport with Russian Visa.

____ Nice, casual wear for dinners.

____ Shorts (1 or 2 pairs)

____ T-shirts (4 – 5).

____ Long pants (2 – 3 pairs)

____ Long-sleeve shirts (5 – 6).

____ Socks, underwear for ten days.

____ Sweater for cool days.

____ Jacket for cool evenings.

____ Umbrella or other rain protection.

____ Comfortable walking shoes (2 pair in case one gets wet).

____ Ziploc bags: large for wet things, small for documents/toiletries.

____ Washcloth (optional). Most European hotels do not provide washcloths.

____ Daypack or fanny pack.

____ Sunscreen / lip balm / sunglasses.

____ Personal toiletries / wet wipes / hand sanitizer.

____ Camera, lots of digital memory, extra batteries.

____ A good book for the long flights.

MONEY MATTERS

The monetary currency is the Russian Ruble, as it has been for more than 500 years. Paper notes come in denominations of 5 (very rare), 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 Rubles. Coins come in 1, 5, 10, 50 kopeks or 1, 2, 5, 10 Ruble coins. Changing money is rarely a problem while in Russia, as these two large cities have banks and currency exchange offices nearly everywhere and ATMs are widely available. The interbank exchange rate as of September 26, 2010, was about 28 Russian Rubles to the U.S. $1.00. Click here to find the most up-to-date exchange rate.
     You may also use U.S. dollars many places in Russia. In fact, dollars are the most widely accepted currency in the country. Major credit cards are accepted at most restaurants, hotels, shops and tourist attractions. In Russia very few places expect you to tip. Top-end hotels and restaurants add 5% to 15% to your bill, while porters expect around US$1 a bag. Shops have fixed prices, but in markets you can practice your haggling skills. We will make collective tips to our guides and drivers as appropriate throughout the tour.

LIABILITIES / DISCLAIMERS

Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All tour participants are required to sign a standard liability form.
     The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 8 participants. Toto Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure.
     We strongly encourage you purchase Travel Insurance to cover all aspects of your travel in Russia. You can apply online by following the link at the bottom of this page.

THE TOTO SPIRIT

Toto Tours provides Adventure Travel Experiences as differentiated from tours in the traditional sense. Adventure Travel allows (even encourages) you to be an active participant. Adventurers can be identified by certain traits. They are:

•  fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and accentuate the positive;
•  good natured realists who are willing to accept situations as they exist;
•  undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays or bad weather;
•  willing to forego some of the amenities we normally take for granted;
•  eager to try new things & test limits;
•  punctual;
•  not whiners!

Come with us as we experience the glory of old Czarist Russia in the marvelous capitals of Moscow and St. Petersburg! If you have any questions, please call us toll-free at:  800-565-1241.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you purchase travel insurance with Travel Guard to cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow the link below or call us for more information.