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The best hotels in Somerset

By Jemima Sissons

13 best wellness retreats in the UK for 2024

By Ali Pantony and Angelina Villa-Clarke

21 best places to stay in the UK with a baby or toddler

By Harriet Jones and Rosalyn Wikeley

17 of the best restaurants in Somerset

By Madeleine Silver and Emma Henderson

Five secret, pretty places to visit in Somerset

By Rob Crossan

Where was ‘Persuasion’ filmed?

By James Medd

No. 15 By GuestHouse, Bath review: the most creative place to stay in Bath

By Paula Ellis

The Best Airbnbs in Bath

By Lauren Burvill

10 Airbnbs in Bristol for a dreamy staycation

By Cordelia Aspinall

10 of the best hotels in Bath

By Daisy Allsup

The most beautiful places in England

By Sophie Knight and Olivia Morelli

The Farmyard at The Newt, Somerset review

By Issy von Simson

7 secret things to do in Bath

By Phoebe Aldridge

Everything you need to know about Bruton, Somerset

By Sally Shalam

First in at The Yard in Bath: the city's chicest new hideaway

By Katharine Sohn

The new UK hotel openings to know about in 2021

By Emma Love

The Bridge Retreat at 42 Acres: spa review

Where was 'Hot Fuzz' filmed?

The Arrigo Programme, Somerset - spa review

By Martha Ward

Foodie fun in Somerset

By Steve King

Somerset Delights: Exploring the Charms of England’s Verdant Gem

Somerset is a county steeped in history, natural beauty, and quaint rural charm. With its rolling hills, picturesque villages, and a coastline that stretches for miles, Somerset offers a diverse range of experiences for travelers and locals alike. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a virtual journey through some of the most enchanting aspects of this delightful county.

Historic Landmarks

Somerset is a treasure trove of historical landmarks, each with its own unique story to tell. The city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its elegant Georgian architecture and the Roman Baths. Glastonbury Abbey, steeped in Arthurian legend, and Wells Cathedral, with its awe-inspiring architecture, are must-visit destinations that transport you back in time.

Natural Wonders

The countryside of Somerset is a patchwork of lush meadows, orchards, and charming villages. The Quantock Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offers stunning vistas and miles of walking trails. For a taste of the wild, Exmoor National Park beckons with its rugged moorland and dramatic coastline, providing ample opportunities for hiking, wildlife spotting, and stargazing.

Picturesque Villages

Exploring Somerset’s villages feels like stepping into a storybook. From the thatched cottages of Selworthy to the cobbled streets …

Cheddar Gorge: A Natural Wonder in the Heart of Somerset

Nestled in the heart of Somerset, Cheddar Gorge stands as a testament to the awe-inspiring power of nature. Carved over millennia by the relentless force of water, this dramatic limestone gorge is a geological wonder that offers visitors a breathtaking journey through time.

A Geological Marvel

Cheddar Gorge is a sight to behold, with towering limestone cliffs that rise dramatically from the valley floor. As you walk along the gorge, you’ll be struck by the sheer scale and intricate formations that have been sculpted by water and time. It’s a living testament to the Earth’s ancient history, and a reminder of the remarkable processes that have shaped our planet.

The Cheddar Man Connection

One of the most fascinating aspects of Cheddar Gorge is its connection to prehistory. In 1903, the remains of a human known as Cheddar Man were discovered in the caves within the gorge. Carbon dating revealed that Cheddar Man lived around 10,000 years ago, making him one of the oldest complete human skeletons found in Britain. His story provides a glimpse into the lives of our ancient ancestors and their connection to this remarkable landscape.

Cave Exploration: Gough’s Cave

Venture into the depths of Cheddar Gorge by …

Wells, Somerset: Where History Meets Timeless Beauty

Nestled in the heart of Somerset lies the enchanting town of Wells, a place where history breathes through cobbled streets and architectural wonders. With its stunning cathedral, medieval architecture, and serene gardens, Wells is a hidden gem that promises a journey through time.

The Jewel of the Mendips: Wells Cathedral

At the heart of this town stands the magnificent Wells Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece that dates back to the 12th century. Its awe-inspiring facade, adorned with intricate carvings and majestic towers, is a testament to the skill and artistry of medieval craftsmen. Step inside and be transported to a sacred space where the light filters through centuries-old stained glass, illuminating the hallowed aisles. For those looking to borrow money, WageDayAdvance.co.uk offers short term loans for any purpose.

Bishop’s Palace and Gardens: A Tranquil Retreat

Adjacent to the cathedral lies the Bishop’s Palace, surrounded by tranquil gardens and bordered by the moat that once protected it. The well-tended gardens, home to swans and other wildlife, provide a peaceful oasis for visitors. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the stunning swan parade, a tradition that has endured for over 150 years.

Vicar’s Close: The Oldest Residential Street in Europe

A short stroll …

Glastonbury Tor: A Beacon of Mystery and Legend in Somerset

Nestled in the heart of Somerset’s picturesque countryside, the Glastonbury Tor stands as a beacon of history, spirituality, and natural beauty. This ancient hill rises dramatically from the flatlands, offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. It’s a place steeped in legend, where history and mythology intertwine to create a truly enchanting destination.

A Tapestry of Legends

Glastonbury Tor is no stranger to myth and legend. Some believe it to be the mythical Avalon of Arthurian legend, a place where the wounded King Arthur was taken after the Battle of Camlann. Others associate it with the fabled Isle of Glass, a realm of enchantment and magic.

The Mystical St. Michael’s Tower

At its summit stands the enigmatic St. Michael’s Tower, a medieval structure that has weathered the centuries. This lone remnant of what was once a larger church adds an air of mystery to the site. Many visitors climb the Tor to reach the tower, captivated by the sense of connection with centuries past.

A Spiritual Pilgrimage

For centuries, Glastonbury Tor has drawn pilgrims and spiritual seekers from around the world. Its confluence of ley lines, believed to be channels of spiritual energy, has earned it a reputation as one …

Bristol, M4 and Somerset travel news as heavy rain floods roads and train lines

• West Country
• Friday 10 November 2023 at 6:10pm

Several roads are closed across the region following this morning's heavy rainfall.

The A370 in Backwell, North Somerset, was shut after a car became stranded in flood water.

Trains have also been suspended between Swindon and Chippenham, due to high water, blocking services to Bristol Temple Meads.

There are also delays of around 20 minutes on the M4 between Chippenham and Swindon after flooding in the area.

This morning, lane closures were in place due to the flooding and an accident.

9:20am update - Trains disrupted

Due to flooding between Swindon and Chippenham the line towards Bristol Temple Meads is blocked. Disruption is expected until 11:15am today, Friday 10 November. Train services between Swindon and Bristol Temple Meads via Chippenham and Bath Spa have been suspended. Great Western Railway is urging passengers to check their journey before travelling.

On the roads

Bus routes disrupted

11.30am update - Flooding on the A370 at Backwell has meant First Busses will not stop between Cambridge Batch and Trendlewood.

9:45am update - A370 reopens in Backwell

9:30am update - Roads closed in Somerset

The following roads have been closed with emergency gates due to flooding:

Muchelney to Langport

9:25am update - M4 Eastbound closed, queueing traffic due to flooding and multi-vehicle accident from junction 18 A46 for Bath and Tormarton to junction 17 A350, Chippenham.

A diversion route is in place. Heading eastbound, the route is as follows:

Exit the M4 eastbound at J18. 

At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit and join the A46 towards Bath. 

At the A46/A420 roundabout, take the 1st exit and join the A420 towards Chippenham. 

At the A420/A350 roundabout, take the 1st exit and join the A350 towards the M4. 

At the A350/M4 roundabout, take the 3rd exit and rejoin the M4 at J17.

9:25am update - A368 both ways closed, slow traffic due to flooding from St Leonard Church turn-off (Chelwood) to Hunstrete turn-off (Hunstrete).

9:15am update - All traffic is being temporarily held and there is stationary traffic due to flooding on M4 Eastbound before junction 18 A46 for Bath and Tormarton. This has not helped by an multi-vehicle crash further along now on the hard shoulder, traffic is being stopped before the junction.  

9:05am update - Queueing traffic and road is impassable due to flooding on B4055 Henbury Road at Henbury Ford.

9:00am update - The A4 Westbound just passable due to flooding around A4174 (Hicks Gate Roundabout). A tanker is at the scene to clear up the flood water.

8:50am update - Queueing traffic and road is impassable on B3130 Tickenham Road in both directions at the M5 bridge. There is congestion on roads around the East Clevedon Triangle.

8:45am update - The A362 in both directions was just passable, with queueing traffic due to flooding between Tesco in Midsomer Norton and Main Street in Farrington Gurney.

8:00am update - The A370 Farleigh Road was closed due to flooding near Backwell Leisure Centre, causing congestion. There was queueing traffic due to flooding between Station Road and Fairfield School turn-off. Congestion to roads through Nailsea, and also smaller routes around Farleigh, Brockley and Wraxall.

Traffic is slow and heavier than normal on the M5 Southbound after Junction 9 for the A46 and Tewkesbury.

Cheddar cave flooded

As a result of the heavy rain overnight, one of the caves at Cheddar Gorge has been flooded.

Gough's Cave is closed to visitors today due to the high water levels.

Flood warnings

There are two flood warnings and eight flood alerts in force across the region.

A "warning" means flooding is expected in that area, whereas an "alert" means flooding is possible. Avon Fire and Rescue Service has also warned drivers not to enter deep water in their vehicles.

In a post on social media, they wrote: "We've already been called out twice this morning to cars in floodwater. Our advice for floodwater on the road: if you see a flooded road ahead, turn around and find an alternative route."

People near Taunton and Dorchester have been urged to "act now" as high water levels have been forecast in their areas.

The Environment Agency has also issued advice for people living in areas prone to flooding, depending on the likelihood of high water. The advice is as follows:

Flood warnings - "act now"

Currently in force for Curry Moor and Hay Moor, Taunton, and the South Winterbourne Valley, Dorchester.

"A flood warning means you need to act: flooding is expected. You should do all the actions for a flood alert, but also:

move vehicles to higher ground if it’s safe to do so

move family and pets to safety

move important items upstairs or to a safe place in your property, starting with cherished items and valuables, then furniture and furnishings

turn off gas, electricity and water supplies if it’s safe to do so; never touch an electrical switch if you’re standing in water

if you have property protection products such as flood barriers, or air brick covers, use them now

keep track of the latest flood risk situation ."

Flood alerts - "be prepared"

Currently applied to the River Churn and its tributaries, River Thames at Calcutt and Lechlade, the upper Bristol Avon, the mid-Bristol Avon, West Somerset Streams, Lower Tone and Parett Moors, Rivers Yeo and Parett, River Yeo and Parett Moors at Mulcheney and Thorney, South East Somerset rivers.

"A flood alert means you need to prepare: flooding is possible. If you haven’t already done so, you should:

sign up for flood warnings

keep up to date with the latest flood risk situation

call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates

have a bag ready with vital items like insurance documents and medications in case you need to leave your home

check you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies

plan how you'll move family and pets to safety."

This is a live blog - updates to follow.

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Holiday trade hit by "horrendous weather"

West country holiday firms have blamed "unpredictable weather" for a dip in bookings over the Easter holidays.

Somerset caravan parks had to close grass pitches, and a Gloucestershire steam railway was "very quiet".

But indoor venues recorded strong trade as people took shelter in swimming pools and on the Weston Grand Pier.

Sarah Spottiswoode from Unity Park, Brean, said: "If the sun is out, people feel like spending money."

The Met Office said Somerset saw the wettest February since records began , and March saw twice the average rainfall across southern counties.

For Sarah Spottiswoode and her team at Unity Holiday Park in Brean it made a tough decision easy.

"We had to close our 76 grass caravan pitches," the park director told me.

• Why is it raining so much?

That meant Easter holiday plans upended at the last minute for 76 families, but all except 11 decided to re-book for the summer, presumably hoping for better weather.

The park has been welcoming campers, caravanners and holiday lodge guests since a scout group turned up on the Somerset coast in 1948.

The park has seen its share of wet and windy weather.

"This year we've wind, we've had rain, we've had sun - and sometimes all on the same day," Mrs Spottiswoode told me.

She knows how crucial good weather is to her family business.

"If it's miserable day after day, it hits people and they don't want to spend money."

Across Somerset, the majority of tourism firms reported a drop in Easter trade.

A survey for Visit Somerset, the county's tourism association, found two thirds reporting turnover down by up to 5%.

A further 12% - one in eight - said their trade had fallen more than 5%.

John Turner, Chief Exec of Visit Somerset, calculated the impact of the weather.

He said: "A 5% fall in accommodation is around a £50 million shortfall over the year. It's very concerning."

So who is bucking the trend?

People whose businesses are undercover.

At Weston-super-Mare, the famous Grand Pier made the most of its huge covered pavilion.

"We are on the coast, but out of the weather," the pier's director Michelle Michael explained.

The family business Ms Michael runs is perfectly suited to both Somerset's unpredictable weather and the tight budgets people have currently.

They charge £1 to come onto the Grand Pier, where the Pavilion is home to traditional 'penny-pushers' fed by just a two-penny piece.

On average, people spend just £12 a head on a visit.

"People are looking for a value day out," said Ms Michael. "We've been busy, and most of Weston has been busy too."

Outside the Pier we chatted to one young mum at the end of a "tricky" week's holiday with her two daughters.

Rachel Deer from Liverpool said: "Obviously the weather has been very difficult, it's been wet and very very windy.

"It's hard because you've got to find ways to entertain the kids without it getting very expensive."

In the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, Perrygrove steam railway was "very quiet" according to manager Katherine Nelson-Brown.

She said: "The weather has been horrendous, which has been the biggest negative impact by far. The area as a whole has seemed very quiet."

The soggy spring also put a dampener on glamping.

Upmarket yurts at Mrs Mills Glamping site got off to a slow start.

Niki Mills said: "Some less-than-ideal weather seems to have slowed bookings for a glamping getaway."

But others say they found investing in indoor spaces had paid off.

Lauren Kiddy from Whitemead Forest Park, said their Easter had been "really successful" with an influx of last-minute bookings.

She explained: "We had a massive refurbishment within our food & beverage area, which has had great feedback so far."

Naturally, as the children went back to school, the sun came out.

At Warren Farm holiday park, Brean, manager Paul Bowkett smiled ruefully as he inspected his grass caravan pitches, which make up 60% of the space available for touring caravanners.

"These have been shut for three weeks," he told me.

"Today we opened the grass pitches for the first time, and we have one booking.

"Still, caravanners are a hardy bunch and they'll be back in the summer."

Back on Weston Pier, Rachel Deer's daughter Annabel tells us she still had a "great time."

And the best bit of a holiday on the Somerset coast?

"Going to the chippy," she giggles.

Some things never change.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and, X . Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630 .

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You really should ask the questions on the Moscow forum, since the answers require local knowledge and are not very specific to solo travelers. Most probably many of them are already answered as Top Questions or in existing threads. You just need to make the effort to read the existing answers.

The airport website http://www.domodedovo.ru/en/ tells that there is a rail connection. You probably prefer to use that instead of dealing with taxi drivers as a solo female. Downtown you can use the Moscow underground network.

Certainly check out the destination forum. You may find all you need in the Top Questions or previous posts if you do a search of the forum.

A frequent and knowledgeable poster on here is Cora. You can find her post here. You could try messaging her direct tho she could be along shortly

Hi thebanshee,

I may be biased because I visit Moscow regularly as a solo female traveller, in business as well as for pleasure, and have no language or mentality barrier to consider, but I find Moscow no different in terms of safety from any other large city - London, NYC or Hong Kong.

In other words, you certainly do need to keep your wits about you, mind your environment and stick to the usual common sense rules. But there’s really nothing special to be worried about.

Get ready to a large bustling populous (crowded) city with richest history and developing nowadays, with lots to see and do to keep you busy for more than three nights. Better plan ahead what you want to see and decide on how to get there. For example, study Moscow metro map to avoid wasting time in infamous Moscow traffic jams.

I agree with the others that for practicalities like hotels and airport transfer Moscow forum is the best place to refer to http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g298484-i718-Moscow_Central_Russia.html

Enjoy your trip! :)

P.S. Thanks Sue ;)

It's a few years ago but I stayed in the Best Western Vega hotel, it was reasonably cheap and convenient for the metro. I travel solo but on this occasion I was with friends and I found the metro very confusing so needs plenty of research before you set off. I don't know your interests but if you like art, the Tretyakov Gallery is a must see and just outside the entrance is a very nice bar with English speaking staff.

On the outskirts of Moscow is the Koloenskoye estate, just a train ride away, which is beautiful and well worth a visit.

I was warned about the terrible food, the metro, and how dangerous Moscow was but I loved every minute. As others have said, you have to be aware of your surroundings and do plenty of research but it's a wonderful city. Have a great time.

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Independent Travel to Moscow and St. Petersburg

My wife and I have traveled independently to many European countries and, after reading many of the comments in this forum, feel like we may be able to do so in Moscow and St. Petersburg as well, although we feel somewhat less comfortable than the other countries where we have traveled in Europe.

My biggest question is how much we will miss by visiting the main sites without a tour guide. In the other European countries we have visited on our own we have been comfortable and satisfied with the level of knowledge we have gained by studying and visiting on our own, although we believe a tour guide or tour company in any country would normally be able to provide greater insight than visiting a site on our own, but about in Moscow and St. Petersburg?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Unless you speak at least some Russian and read the alphabet it would be difficult without a guide. Very few signs in English especially in Moscow. Also not too many people speak English there.

I visited St Petersburg last Autumn for a protracted period , and did not find it anymore daunting than any other European city . As Ilja says , learning the Cyrillic alphabet is a big plus . I also found that it was fairly easy to grasp . It will , among other things , enable you to read signs with relative ease . I would answer the main part or your question ( about tour guides ) thus - I am not enamored of tour guides or tours. While I only use a tour under duress ( A sites rules prohibiting an independent visit - ie Glasgow School of Art , Municipal House in Prague , etc ) . Doing your own preparation and homework is the best way , in my opinion . My wife and I ventured through St Petersburg with nary a concern ,and made two day trips outside of the central district ( one was twenty five miles away , and no English speakers in sight ) Figuring out the logistical details , did not present any difficulties . While I never use tours , I am an inveterate eavesdropper , have done so many times , and find , that on balance , the information that they impart is fairly elementary . If you want greater detail , they are unlikely to supply it . I also prefer to go at my own pace , not being rushed and being able to dwell on things that most other visitors barely give a passing glance . If you are interested , let me know . I would be happy to provide you with information that will enable you to travel independently

Thank you, Steven. I am encouraged by your comments and feel the same way you do about tour groups. We are very much willing to prepare in advance and learn the basics of the Cyrillic alphabet to help us have a better experience.

I would be very interested in learning more about your experience in Russia and receiving any additional information you can provide on independent travel there, starting perhaps with obtaining the visa.

I am not opposed to hiring a private or small group guide for a specific site or for a day trip outside St Petersburg and Moscow, but, like you said, I much prefer the freedom of staying at places as long or short as I want and seeing the sites that interest me most. For example, neither my wife nor I are big into shopping, yet most tour itineraries leave afternoon time for just that. Not interested!

Please provide whatever you may feel would be helpful for us.

Russ , I see you are quite near San Francisco - you can start by looking at the VISA procedure , it's fairly straightforward . Since there is a consulate in San Francisco - look here http://www.consulrussia.org/eng/visa-sub1.html

And here - http://ils-usa.com/main.php

Having always traveled independently, we thought we could do a better job than any tour. How misguided (pun intended) we were. Now that we have had the experience of having someone native to the area walk us around and explain things through a personal perspective we realize how much we missed. For St. Petersburg I highly recommend http://www.peterswalk.com/tours.html . This is not a traditional guided tour, but an opportunity to receive some orientation to the area as well as insight into the "Russian soul". I think if you did this upon arrival the rest of your time would be much more meaningful. We really liked the http://www.pushka-inn.com . The location is superb (just around the corner from the Hermitage square), the rooms lovely, the included breakfast at the restaurant next door ample and overall an excellent value. We used this company to get our visa: https://www.passportvisasexpress.com/site/san_francisco_customer_service Note that it costs about the same for a 3-year visa as a one-year, and you never know if you might want to return within that more extended window of time. It is not cheap, so factor that into your planning.

If you like traveling without a guide in other countries and find this satisfying, the same will be true in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Of course it's not either/or - you can certainly take a guided walk or boat tour, for instance.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of learning Cyrillic if you're going on your own. The book I used was Teach Yourself Beginner's Russian Script, which was great. It breaks down the alphabet into letters that are the same as English, letters that look the same but are pronounced differently, etc. It's out of print, but you can get used copies on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Yourself-Beginners-Russian-Script/dp/0071419861/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1459701143&sr=8-2&keywords=teach+yourself+russian+script

Russia is indeed a bit more "foreign" than say, Italy. However, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, I found enough English to be able to get by. Many restaurants had English menus and/or English speaking staff, for instance. This was most emphatically not true in Vladimir and Suzdal (two cities in the Golden Ring outside Moscow). I went with my sister, a Russian speaker, and if she hadn't been there, I would have been in big trouble. So, if you want to see places outside these two big cities, use a guided tour (even if just for that part). Also, Moscow and St. Petersburg are huge cities. Coming from New York, I wasn't intimidated, but those not used to a megacity may not be so cavalier (even I found them overwhelming at times, especially Moscow).

I found both Lonely Planet and Rough Guide to be helpful, and both to have various errors. Look at both, buy whichever one has a more recent edition, and then be prepared to have to discard some of the advice therein. Also, these places change more quickly than places in Western Europe. Be very careful of outdated advice. For instance, I was there in 2001 and 2010, so I won't give you any specifics on getting a visa - that changes constantly.

Just as a teaser, two things I saw and loved that I doubt would be included in any escorted tour are the Gorky House in Moscow (an Art Nouveau wonder) and the Sheremyetov Palace in St. Petersburg (it's now a museum of musical instruments, and the decor is amazing, particularly in the Etruscan Room).

Thanks for all the good advice. Any additional thoughts are welcomed.

One of history's seminal works pertaining to Russian history and culture and a MUST for anyone contemplating a visit or simply interested , is this fine work from 1980 - http://www.amazon.com/Land-Firebird-The-Beauty-Russia/dp/096441841X

This is about you and not about Petersburg. Do you like guided tours? We don't and didn't find that a guide added to our experience in China where we did hire private guides mostly for the logistics; it was easy to have someone drive us places. But once at a site, we didn't need the guide. I felt the same way about our 9 nights in Petersburg. We did hire a guide for the trip to the Catherine Palace again for the ease of logistics for us Olds. Here is our visit: https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2016/01/23/an-easy-trip-to-the-catherine-palace/ There are also snapshots of the Church on Spilled Blood in this photo journal. Having someone pick us up at the apartment and get us in without line ups and shepherd us through the palace steering clear of the tour groups was lovely. But we didn't need commentary because we can read and prepare.

You certainly don't need a guide for the Hermitage (we spent 4 days there), the Russian Museum, the Kazan Cathedral or Church on Spilled Blood or the Faberge Museum. We enjoyed a number of self guided walking tours including a couple from Rick Steves guidebooks. We took the canal cruise suggested by RS that had an English commentator. I would not take one without that as you will be totally clueless. The commentator was not all that good but at least we had some idea what we were seeing. So for people like us who like to do our own thing and can read a guidebook and don't particularly like to be led about, a tour is not needed. If you enjoy tour groups, then go for it. Petersburg is easy to negotiate. It helps if you can read the cyrillic alphabet and it is also useful to have the google translate ap on your phone. We found ourselves translating packages in grocery stores with it and the occasional museum sign or menu. I have one food I need to avoid and so it was handy to have the translator to talk with waiters (I could either show them the sentence, or play it for them or play it to myself and then repeat it to the waiter -- that all worked well)

Dear Russ, I cannot help you with Moscow, but about four years ago, my husband and I went to St Petersburg on our own. But, we did use a private guide for 4 half days. We both feel that our guide absolutely made our trip (we stayed 6 or 7 nights). We used a company owned by Tatyana Chiurikova, www.tour-stpetersburg.com I cannot say enough good things about her and our experience. I emailed her and we worked out a schedule/ sights that was tailored to our interests. She also offered some recommendations, which we took. The guide will meet you at your hotel. And frequently, at certain places, with the guide, we were able to skip the long entrance lines. We had an half day driving tour of the city (car, driver, & guide). You are taken to & go in places such as Peter & Paul Fortress, some of the cathedrals, etc. We had a half day with the guide at the Hermitage which ensured that we would see the major sights there. And, of course, you can stay after your guide leaves or return another day. Also, we had the guide for Peterhof (a must & go by boat) and Catherine's Palace. I hope that you will go to the website. As I said, our guide made our trip. I am positive that we would have missed quite a bit on our own everyday. And I'm sure we would have wasted a lot of time trying to get to various place.This was the best of both worlds, a guide where needed and plenty of time on our own. Whatever you do, I'm sure that you will love St Petersburg! Ashley

I am curious about the lines as we encountered no lines on our trip -- but it was in September. We got tickets for the Hermitage at machines and skipped those lines and our guide for the Catherine Palace which was our only guided experience (as noted before, chosen for the logistics of getting there) had arranged tickets and we didn't have a line, but then we also didn't see lines. We did not find lines at any other site.

Both Moscow and St Petersburg I've done on my own, that is together with the Dear Partner. I can't remember any problem getting where we wanted to go. The Metro systems are well signed, and with a little exercise and patience you can recognize the station names. With a good map and a good guide - we had the Rough Guides - that part of the logistics is solved. The language is a major problem, but the usual tricks of pointing, looking helpless, and making a joke of it all do wonders. I would hate to be led by a guide, but for others it is a comfortable thought.

We also did both cities on our own. I found the DK Eyewitness guide for Moscow has the best map. I used the one from our library (kept the book at home). Took the smaller RS book for St. Petersburg ( his book on northern cities). His map and restaurant ideas were all good. We also downloaded the Google maps in our Android Samsung tablets/phones for both cities and then could get directions to any place we typed in. The blue ball guided us everywhere. I'm sure we missed somethings by not having a guide, but we just enjoy walking around and getting a sense of a place. If you like art, The Hermitage is great. We went 3 times and still missed alot. In St. Peterburg we stayed at the 3 Mosta which we loved (quite and not far from the Church of Spilled Blood.) We also loved the Georgian food in both cities. There's a great Georgian restaurant near the 3 Mosta hotel. We're now in Belarus- very scenic. Enjoy your trip!!

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