The Journey Home
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Well here goes - this is day by day and shows you were we are going to be and what we are up to - its also helping us organise ourselves!
Russia - Vodka on Ice 9 Days
17th March - London Heathrow - St. Petersburg
18th March - St. Petersburg - Free time
19th March - St. Petersburg - Pukka Pass Tour
20th March - St. Petersburg to Pskov
21th March - Pskov
22th March - Pskov - Overnight Trian to Moscow
23th March - Moscow
24th March - Moscow
25th March - Moscow - London Heathrow
Southern England 12 Days
26th March - London Heathrow
27th March - Along M4 to Swindon
28th March - Cardif
29th March - Bristol
30th March - TBC
31st March - TBC
01st April - TBC
02nd April - TBC
03rd April - TBC
04th April - TBC
05th April - TBC
06th April - London Gatwick
Egypt Experience 12 Days
07th April - London - Dubai - Cairo
08th April - Cairo
09th April - Cairo
10th April - Alexandria
11th April - Alexandria
12th April - Aswan
13th April - Aswan
14th April - Nile River
15th April - Nile River
16th April - Nile River
17th April - Luxor
18th April - Cairo
19th April - Cairo - Dubai
Dubai 3 Days
20th April - Dubai
21th April - Dubai
22th April - Dubai - Bangkok
Thailand Tropical Adventure 6 Days
23rd April - Bangkok
24th April - Bangkok
25th April - Bangkok - Khao Sok
26th April - Khao Sok
27th April - Khao Sok
28th April - Surat Thani - Ko Samui
29th April - Ko Samui
30th April - Ko Samui
01st May - Ko Samui
02nd May - Ko Samui
03rd May - Ko Samui
04th May - Ko Samui
05th May - Ko Samui - Bangkok - Sydney
Sydney 2 Days
06th May - Sydney
07th May - Sydney
08th May - Sydney - Christchurch
Travel halfway around the world... DONE!
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Russia - Vodka on Ice | 9 Days
Day 1: St. Petersburg
Welcome to Russia and the start of your holiday! Meet and greet arrival transfer from St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport. Transfer to hotel for registration and check-in. Tonight, around 2000hrs, our tip-filled Welcome Meeting takes place. Rest of evening free. Your trip leader will recommend some local bars and restaurants for you to try out. Overnight - St Petersburg
Day 2: St. Petersburg
Like Amsterdam, this stunning city founded by Peter the Great, is built around a series of bridge-connected canals and rivers. A city coach tour gives us an orientation of St Pete’s. Rest of day free. Most of St Petersburg’s inner city sights are located on or just off the city’s main thoroughfare - Nevsky Prospekt.
Day 3: St. Petersburg
pukka pass day 3 will include additional guided sightseeing inclusive of transport.
Day 4: St Petersburg – Pskov
Last day in St Pete’s before we head away to Pskov. Today we enjoy a guided visit at the Hermitage. Crammed to the rafters with art and treasures, it’s one of the city’s prime attractions. Later this evening, we travel by train to Pskov. Arriving tonight, we enjoy a late dinner.
Day 5: Pskov
Richly historical Pskov is built around a riverside Kremlin with a beautiful cathedral. On day 5, we’ll enjoy a tour of historical Pskov. Then, steamy windows at a local Russian banya (sauna), before later enjoying a vodka and lunch. Tonight, we enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Day 6: Pskov - Moscow
A short drive takes us to tranquil Pechory Monastery, founded in 1473. If monastic law permits, we can explore the fascinating burial caves where some 10,000 souls rest. After lunch, we have some alpine fun - ice-skating on a frozen lake or cross-country skiing. There are no mountains in the region, so a special type of ski is used for cross-country. Please note that if the weather is inclement, then the itinerary may alter slightly. Tonight we travel to Moscow.
Day 7: Moscow
We’re here in the city that kept Bond busy. On day 7, we’ll ride the capital’s Stalinist designed Metro to Red Square. From here, we’ll enjoy a guided walk in the Kitay-Gorod and Lubyanka area that takes in sights such as the Kremlin where we enjoy on day 8 a guided tour. In Red Square, feast your eyes on the wildly coloured turban domed St Basil’s Cathedral - an enduring Russian symbol. Remains of day free.
Day 8: Moscow
we head into Red Square where, if open, we can pay our respects for free to Lenin (the father of Communism) at his eerie mausoleum. We continue inside the Kremlin where we enjoy a guided walk through the grounds. Famous Gorky Park with it’s winter ice rink where cheap skates can be hired and neighbouring Sculpture Park - home to redundant statues from Russia’s Communist era are worth a visit and for those interested, we’ll head there with our guide. Alternatively, enjoy Moscow your way.
Day 9: Moscow - London
Tour Ends
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Southern England
Well we have the car booked and a map. What more do you need? We are planning to see as much of the country that has been home to us for nearly two years now. To be honest this is the most exciting bit of the trip for me as I feel that we have neglected to see Briton just everything around it!! - We are still ironing out the little details with this leg of the journey...
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Egypt Experience
Days 1-2 Cairo
Colourful Cairo simply overflows with character. Visit the majestic Sphinx and the sole surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza. Wander the halls of the massive Egyptian Museum, and lose yourself among the ancient treasures on display.
Days 3-4 Alexandria
Travel to Alexandria via the Coptic Church complex at Wadi Natrun, which dates from the 3rd century AD. In Alexandria, head underground and delve into the mysteries of the Kom ash-Shuqqafa catacombs, before a fresh seafood lunch.
Days 5-6 Aswan
In picture-perfect Aswan, explore the vibrant market, watch the sun set over the Nile from our gliding felucca and later enjoy a traditional Nubian dinner. A short flight to Abu Simbel takes us to the massive stone temples of Ramses II, carved deep into the mountainside.
Days 7-9 Nile River
Visit the Unfinished Obelisk and High Dam before cruising the Nile. Our boat is large and air-conditioned, so we travel in comfort while witnessing first hand the life-giving qualities of the mighty river. Along the way we stop to explore ancient temple sites. On our arrival in Luxor wander through the magnificent Karnak Temple.
Day 10 Luxor
Discover the jewels of ancient Thebes, the Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Hatshepsut and the spectacular royal burial sites of the Valley of the Kings. There is the opportunity to take a balloon flight over the Nile or visit the world's first Mummification Museum.
Days 11-12 Cairo
Return to the capital and take a trip to the Khan al-Khalili souq and our favourite coffee shop. The souq shows just how alive and brilliant Cairo still is today. If the crowds and the noise are too much, head out to the peaceful Coptic Christian sector of Cairo before our final farewell dinner.
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Dubai
We're still working on this bit but it will involve sand and a toboggan!
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Thailand Tropical Adventure
Day 1 Bangkok
The day is free to familiarise yourself with Thailand's exciting capital. Get out and grab a few bargains at the Pratunam wholesale market, zip along the khlongs in a longtail and maybe sample Bangkok's exciting nightlife.
Day 2 Overnight train
Visit the impressive Grand Palace, take a boat down the vibrant Chao Phraya River, or enjoy a traditional Thai massage at Wat Pho before climbing aboard an overnight train.
Day 3 Khao Sok Tree Tops
Climb the ladder to your simple tree house, and home for the night. Take a guided walk through the rainforest or drift down the Klong Sok River on an inner tube.
Days 4-5 Khao Sok Rafthouse
Travel by boat to the rafthouses on the beautiful Raja Phraba Lake. Deep in the heart of the jungle and surrounded by fantastic limestone peaks, there is no better way to wake up than to the exotic sounds of gibbons and birds.
Day 6 Surat Thani
There is the option of an early morning boat trip to one of the many caves in the area before travelling on to Surat Thani where your trip comes to an end.
Days 7-12 Ko Samui
Statying in the same 5 star resort as last time.
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Sydney
Almost home, we plane to see a show and just generally relax.
Labels: Trip Home
posted by Maarty @ 12:00 pm,
