Nice Moscow Express
In the Spring of 2012 we are proposing for the second time a unique railfan special tour: starting in Nice we'll take the new direct, once-weekly RZD Nice-Moscow Express, crossing Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Belorussia before arriving in the Belorusskya terminus in Moscow; during our stay in Moscow we'll have time to visit the tram network, a monorail and a railway museum as well as a narrow-gauge museum outside Moscow.
Introduction
Following on from our successful autumn visit to the Russian capital organised in collaboration with the FACS, "Fédération des Amis des Chemins de Fer Secondaires", we are organising a second trip there in April 2012. Starting once again in Nice, we'll board the Nice-Moscow "Riveria Express" for a two day journey (the longest rail journey in Europe) from the beaches of Nice to the boulevards of Moscow. We will travel comfortably in two-berth sleeper compartments, each with a wash-basin and each carriage is equipped with two WC's and a shower. The RZD "Provodnics" or assistants are two per carriage as well and are on hand for advice or for serving tea or coffee. A Polish dining car runs from Nice to Brest and a Russian one from Brest to Moscow.
Upon arrival in Moscow a full programme of visits is planned before our return to Paris on the Moskva Express, ICE and TGV, with a stopover in Berlin.
An amazing rail cruise and an action-packed programme of visits all rolled into one !
Departure point: Nice
End point: Paris
Departure dates: 2011 :
9th October
2012:
1st April
Language spoken: English/Anglais, French/Français,
Journey type: Railfan / Ferroviphile,
Details
Sunday 1st April 2012
Early evening rendez-vous at the SNCF railway station in Nice before boarding Train N° 19, destination Moscow. We take possession of our reserved sleeping compartments, comprising of two berths, washbasin and cupboard. Toilets and a shower are at the end of the corridor. Shortly after departure we'll be heading in the direction of Genoa, following the coastline and we'll be able to have dinner in the restaurant car as we travel eastwards. Night on board train.
Monday 2nd April 2012
As day breaks our train is heading ever eastwards over the Brenner Pass, through the beautiful Austrian countryside, before reaching the Czech border in the early evening. A full day on board to appreciate the special ambience of long-distance trains, sadly so rare nowadays. At the end of the evening we enter Poland and cross the country overnight.
Tuesday 3rd April 2012
As breakfast is being taken our train enters the station of Brest Tsentralny in Belorussia where the gauge-change takes place. After an approximate two-hour stop we continue eastwards to Minsk, thence on to Russia and its capital, Moscow, reached towards 11 pm. On arrival a private coach awaits our party for the short transfer to our nearby 4-star hôtel. This will be our centrally-located base for the next four nights. Overnight in Moscow.
Wednesday 4th April 2012
After a good night's sleep we take a private guided coach tour of this huge city, allowing us all to take our bearings and to see the most important sights. Optional group lunch.
In the afternoon we will take a guided tour of the Kremlin and the Saint Basil cathedral as well as the Red Square. Dinner (included) together at the hôtel. Overnight in Moscow.
Thursday 5th April 2012
In the morning, to discover provincial Russia, both groups take a train out of Moscow and then divide at the station of Sergei Posad: the "tourism" group takes a guided tour of the Monastery, followed by a group lunch (optional) and some free time. The "railfan" group takes a short coach ride to Pereslavl for a visit of the narrow gauge railway museum, followed by lunch (optional) and return to Sergei Posead. Both groups return together by direct train to Moscow, in time for evening dinner.(Included). Overnight in Moscow.
Friday 6th April 2012
In the morning the tourism group takes an accompanied ride by metro to Starlin's Bunker, followed by a guided visit and lunch (included). After lunch there will be some free time for a visit to Izmailovo Market before taking a commented trip by metro to three of the most beautiful stations on the network and their incredible artwork. Return to the hôtel at the end of the afternoon.
For the railfan group the morning starts with a journey by metro and by monorail before visiting the Richskaya open-air Railway Museum. Lunch (included) follows before a short ride by tram to the "Three Stations Square" and visits to the three termini : Yarolsavl, Kazan and Leningradsky. After the visits a rather longer ride by tram across Moscow brings the group back to the hôtel. Dinner at the hôtel and final overnight stay in Moscow.
Saturday 7th April 2012
Departure first thing in the morning aboard the Moscow-Berlin Express. Installation in our comfortable two-berth sleeping compartment; our day is spent on the train contemplating the scenery missed on the inward journey during darkness. Night on board the train.
Sunday 8th April 2012
Arrival first thing in the morning at Berlin's new Hauptbahnhof, a prime example of the town's rennaissance and renewed dynamism. The tourism group joins the awaiting coach for a full day guided tour of Berlin's highlights and the Palaces of Potsdam, returning at the end of the afternoon to our 3 star hôtel. Overnight in Berlin.
Option: Termination of your journey in Berlin at the end of the afternoon and individual arrangements for prolonging your stay and for returning to your departure point. We will be happy to provide suggestions and a quotation should you wish.
Monday 9th April 2012
Departure from Berlin around midday by ICE towards Paris and arrival in Paris at 21h.
For organisational reasons this programme may be subject to change.
Tariffs
TARIFFS ET CONDITIONS
Standard package:
Tariffs per person:
Twin or double room and twin-berth sleeper : 1750 €
Twin or double room and twin-berth sleeper with shower and WC between Nice & Moscow : 2330 €
Single hôtel room and twin-berth sleeper subject to availability:1980 €
Single hôtel room and single-berth sleeper: 2350 €
Options:
Tariffs per person:
Group lunch package for optional lunches 4th and 5th April : 40 €
End of journey in Berlin on 8thApril at 18h:
Double room and twin-berth sleeper: - 210 €
Double room and sleeper with shower & WC: - 210 €
Single room and twin-berth sleeper : - 190 €
Included in standard package :
Accommodation
Sleeping accommodation on the trains in the chosen category, Nice-Moscow, Moscow-Berlin & Berlin-Paris.
4 nights in a 3/4-star hôtel in Moscow, 1 night in a 3-star hôtel in Berlin.
Meals
Breakfast on 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th April.
Lunch on 6th April.
Evening dinner on 4th, 5th & 6th April.
Transport
The train journeys Nice-Moscow, Moscow-Berlin, Berlin-Paris, Moscow-Sergei Posad. Coach transfers between the railway and station and hôtel in Moscow and vice versa. Accompanied transfers by metro and tram in Moscow as described in the programme. Transfer by coach from Sergei Posad to Pereslavl and return. .
Visits
Guided 4-hour tour of Moscow by coach. Afternoon guided visit of the Kremlin and the Red Square. Escort during transfers by metro and by tram within Moscow. Entrance to the Pereslavl Narrow Gauge Museum, guided visit of Berlin and Potsdam.
Travel Insurance
Included. Please see notes in "Options".
Not included :
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners not mentioned, personal expenditure, possible tips, visas.
Options
Formalities.
To be able to participate, each traveller must be in possession of tourist visas for two countries, Belorussia and Russia. To obtain these visas your Passport must be valid at least six months after the end date of the tour and have two spare pages for visa stamps. You are entirely responsible for the application processes and proof of visa obtention will be required before you are allowed to join the group. The documents required for your applications varies depending on your nationality and you should seek advice from the appropriate consular offices in your home country.
Insurance
The specific nature of this journey and the countries visited oblige us to include a complete travel and health insurance package in the basic tariff. This package includes notably:
-Cancellation of journey
-Luggage and personal objects
-Interruption of journey
-Accident
-Force prolongation of stay
-Repatriation and medical expenses
-Forced early return
-Travel assistance
The details of the policy will be sent when your registration is confirmed.
Organisation
The journey will take place if a minimum of 30 persons is reached. If this minimum number is not reached ,any monies paid will be refunded in full.
Applications are dealt with strictly in their order of arrival (our Spanish metre gauge March 2011 trip sold out within two weeks) so we do suggest you act quickly if you would like to participate. No applications wll be considered after 15th February due to visa application delays. The following cut-off dates apply:
Applications: 15th February 2012
Deposit: (30% of the total amount): with your application
Balance: 45 days before departure
If the balance is not received by 15th February your application becomes void and no refund of any sums paid is due.
