lagatik river cruise

• COVID-19 Full Coverage
• Cover Stories
• Ulat Filipino
• Special Reports
• Personal Finance
• Other sports
• Pinoy Achievers
• Immigration Guide
• Science and Research
• Technology, Gadgets and Gaming
• Chika Minute
• Showbiz Abroad
• Family and Relationships
• Art and Culture
• Health and Wellness
• Shopping and Fashion
• Hobbies and Activities
• News Hardcore
• Walang Pasok
• Transportation
• Missing Persons
• Community Bulletin Board
• GMA Public Affairs
• State of the Nation
• Unang Balita
• Balitanghali
• News TV Live

Exploring the lush natural attractions of Kalibo, Aklan

Gateway to Boracay

Exploring the Lush Natural Attractions of Kalibo

Aklan’s capital Kalibo is an awesome destination in itself and not just a jump-off point to Boracay. For many people, the idea of exploring this town’s off-the-beaten-track attractions—which include white sand beaches, waterfalls and mangrove parks—might be more interesting than squeezing into crowded beaches and pricey hotels along with hordes of other tourists.

The trip to Kalibo, sponsored by the Department of Tourism, is a fascinating discovery of the town’s well-preserved natural treasures and its cultural and historical heritage. The distinctly cool weather and laid-back culture came as a surprise, since the town is seen as one of the business hubs of the Western Visayas region and an international gateway.

Here are six reasons why more people should visit Kalibo:

Ati-atihan . Kalibo’s most famous attraction brings thousands of local and foreign tourists to the town every third week of January. One of the country’s grandest and oldest festivals, the Ati-atihan feature costumed soot-faced performers taking to the streets to dance to drumbeats in honor of the Santo Niño.

The Aklan Freedom Shrine. At the town center is the Aklan Freedom Shrine, at the center of which a monument to the heroism of Aklanon revolutionaries who joined the Katipunan during the Spanish occupation. The 19 Steps monument contains the mortal remains of the 19 Martyrs of Aklan and the effigy of their leader Francisco Del Castillo.

The Lagatik River Cruise. The Lagatik river cruise in New Washington town lets visitors enjoy a sumptuous lunch of the town’s best seafood and fresh tropical fruits for only P500 per person while cruising the serene river fringed by lush mangroves. For those who love to sing, you can hit that perfect pitch as the ship has a videoke on board. The town of New Washington is also the birthplace of the well-loved Jaime Cardinal Sin. In honor of the late Manila archbishop, the townfolk have established a shrine at the town center near his ancestral house.

Jawili Falls. Memorable trips are made with spontaneous decisions. The crystal-clear waters of Jawili Falls in Tangalan town never fail to entice passersby to take a quick dip, even those who come there with no plans to swim. Foreign and local tourists who take side tours around Kalibo often drop by here to scale the seven towering cascades. There are now small amenities such as shower rooms, cottages and a small restaurant in the area. Visitors do not need to hike to get there as the first basin is accessible from the main road. The entrance fee is only P10.

Bakhawan Eco-Park. Kalibo is also a haven of eco-tourism. A must-visit in Kalibo is the idyllic Bakhawan Eco-Park in New Buswang. The 170-hectare mangrove reforestation area was built in the 1990s to address the frequent flooding in the town and aims to protect and maintain the rich ecosystem of Kalibo. Take a relaxing walk around the eco-park, crossing man-made bamboo bridges to reach the picture-perfect scenery of a tranquil river with a lush mangrove forest as backdrop. There is a small colorful boat tied at the end of the footbridge, as if waiting for travelers who want to further explore nature’s beauty. Be sure to reach the end of the path of the lush forest mangrove to get the fascinating view of the sea. The serenity that this place brings is more than enough to stay in this town. The Bakhawan ecopark can be reached in 20 minutes by tricycle or private vehicle from the town proper. Entrance to the ecopark costs P100 per adult while students pay only P50 (effective November 2014).

Piña silk. Aklanons are also known to have pioneered the 8th century tradition of pineapple fiber weaving. Piña silk has been a popular choice offabric for the Philippine elite since the Spanish era. The fabric is usually used for making formal clothes such as the barong Tagalog and the terno; home accessories, and personal items like handkerchiefs. The piña-weaving industry is an important source of livelihood for many Aklanons. If you want to check out some of the weaving, visit the La Herminia Arts and Crafts and the Dela Cruz House of Piña.

(Text and photos by SOPHIA TORRES/GMA Network)

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Agri-Commodities
• Asean Economic Community
• Banking & Finance
• Business Sense
• Entrepreneur
• Executive Views
• Export Unlimited
• Harvard Management Update
• Monday Morning
• Mutual Funds
• Stock Market Outlook
• The Integrity Initiative
• Editorial cartoon
• Design&Space
• Digital Life
• 360° Review
• Biodiversity
• Climate Change
• Environment
• Envoys & Expats
• Health & Fitness
• Mission: PHL
• Perspective
• Today in History
• Tony&Nick
• When I Was 25
• Wine & Dine
• Live & In Quarantine
• Bulletin Board
• Public Service
• The Broader Look

Today’s front page, Friday, September 27, 2024

• Covid-19 Updates
• Photo Gallery

Bakhawan Ecopark: Aklan’s prime ecotourism destination

• Leony Garcia
• November 16, 2014
• 7 minute read

IF there is one thing that Aklan province can be proud of and can contribute to the rest of the Philippines—besides the huge economic gains brought by the island of Boracay, of course—it’s its highly successful ecotourism project.

As huge bodies of water surround the country’s 7,107 islands and leave coastal settlements vulnerable during natural calamities, a group of Kalibonhons in the capital town of Kalibo has found a solution that could withstand the destructive forces of nature: it has converted a mudflat into a beautiful mangrove forest, one that serves as the town’s first line of defense against storm surges. This “solution” has become a tourist attraction known as Bakhawan Ecopark and Research Center. The word bakhawan means “mangrove” in the local language.

Wide mudflats used to sprawl on the coast of Kalibo’s Barangay New Buswang, which made the village prone to floods and storm surges during weather disturbances. The local government; the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and non-governmental organizations, including the United Services and Welfare Assistance Group and the Kalibo Save the Mangroves Association (Kasama), addressed the problem in 1990 by turning the muddy shoreline into a mangrove reforestation site. They started with 50 hectares, which later grew to more than four times that size as the project progressed.

The community-based project did not only address the barangay’s flood problems, but also gave its participants a source of livelihood. Kasama members/families were assigned areas for them to maintain and manage. In return, they receive salaries and are allowed to harvest mud crabs and shellfish in the areas given to them. The mangrove-reforestation project has served local communities in two ways: it provided a sustainable solution against flooding and a means to generate income.

Kalibo’s prime ecotourism attraction

TODAY Bakhawan Ecopark stretches into a 220-hectare  mangrove  forest and serves as one of Kalibo’s prime tourist attractions. During the recent Manila Media Familiarization Tour hosted by the Department of Tourism, media representatives enjoyed the ecopark’s relaxing ambiance and fresh air while strolling on the 1.3-kilometer bamboo and wooden trail that runs deep into the forest—which is teeming with different species of mangroves and wildlife—and ends with a scenic view of the beach. Indeed, a perfect hideaway where one could  commune with Mother Nature.

The ecopark also serves as a sanctuary for different types of birds and marine creatures. Other features of the ecopark include a watchtower, souvenir shop, canteen, massage area, charcoal briquetting, picnic huts and a Center for International Mangrove Studies.

The media representatives also had the chance to witness how a tamilok, or wood worm, are gathered from the bakawan trees and eaten straight from the tree’s bark. According to locals, tamilok—which tasted like an oyster—is an aphrodisiac, and gathering them has become a major activity for visitors.

Dubbed the Philippines’s most successful mangrove reforestation project, the Bakhawan Ecopark has set a benchmark for a greener Philippines, earning local and foreign recognition. For one, the United Nations’s Food and Agriculture Organization hailed it as one of the exemplary forests managed in the entire Asia-Pacific region. It has also been awarded as the Golden Eagle award for excellence in environmental preservation.

On January 22 the Provincial Capitol of  Aklan , headed by its Economic Enterprise Development Department, had 8,000 new mangrove  propagules  planted on a two-hectare area of the ecopark. The activity was aimed at minimizing climate change and to replace the mangrove trees that were destroyed by Supertyphoon Yolanda (international code name Haiyan) last November.

Other sights to see

ASIDE from Boracay, Aklan is famous for its Ati-Atihan Festival. One of the oldest and grandest festivals in the Philippines, the Ati-Atihan traces its roots to as far as 1212 AD. Every January Kalibo comes alive as dancers

wearing feathered headdresses and covered in soot to portray dark-skinned Atis, dominate the streets and shout “Viva Señor Santo Niño! [Long live the Holy Child!]” and “Hala bira! [Go for it!]”

Experience what Aklan has to offer and enjoy its laidback charms through its interesting destinations and activities:

• Take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Jawili Falls. Jawili Falls are made up of seven waterfalls and emerald green basins. It may not look impressive at first, but there’s no denying its uniqueness. The waters in Jawili’s dark natural pools cascade like gigantic steps carved from a mountainside. Water pours from each basin, creating numerous waterfalls in the process.

Foreign tourists vacationing in Boracay usually drop by the falls via the arranged tours offered in the famed island-resort. The falls are also a good spot for picnicking with family or  friends. The place has been developed for the convenience of tourists; cottages and shower rooms are available, and a modest restaurant is open.

• Visit Aklan’s oldest church. At more than 110 years old, Saint John Nepomucene Church in Tanglan town is considered as Aklan’s oldest church. Its limestones are said to be quite similar with those used on the Saint Thomas of Villanova Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo province.

Historical records say the people of this municipality built this church—named in honor of the patron saint of the Tangalanons—during the Spanish colonial era. They also say men, women and children were forced to carry on their heads, from Barangay Afga to Poblacion, the limestone bricks that were used in the construction of the church, which lasted for almost 28 years. These people were not compensated for their efforts; the only consolation they got was regarding these efforts as an offering to God.

During our visit, we found the church in a dismal state, which was in stark contrast to the newly built municipal hall adjacent to it.

We wondered: How was the municipal government able to construct a new building while it left a historic house of worship in disrepair.

• Experience Christmas all year round at Jojo’s Christmas Cottage . Found at the heart of Sampaguita Gardens, Jojo’s Christmas Cottage is a three-story Victorian mansion that celebrates Christmas all year round. Inside are various Christmas dolls, figurines, trees and decorations, as well as a Precious Moments collection, a lifestyle brand created by American artist Samuel J. Butcher, who has spent most of his life in the Philippines.

Owned by Butcher himself, he named his property Sampaguita because of his fondness for little kids selling sampaguita. Jojo’s Christmas Cottage was named after a member of Butcher’s loyal staff.

The sprawling 2.6-hectare property also feature 48 guestrooms and suites; three restaurants; convention facilities; a business center; a spa and fitness center; two swimming pools; circus rides; a 43-foot aquarium; an Oriental garden, the Precious Moments gallery; and the Samuel J. Butcher Mansion, which has a vast antique collection and stunning pieces of bric-a-bracs and other Oriental items.

• Watch native pineapple leaves transform into intricately woven pińa cloth. Aklan’s top local product, pińa jusi, or Philippine silk, comes from the red pineapple variety. This fabric is regarded as the most exquisite of all fabrics because of its sheen and softness. Primarily used to make the  barong Tagalog  and terno , modern designers now use it for gowns and haute-couture dresses, which have been showcased in international fashion shows.

We visited the La Herminia Heritage Arts and Crafts, where we saw how pińa was made: the leaves are scraped; the fibers are tied one by one; and then woven together. This process lasts almost an entire month.

According to Bog Tambong of La Herminia, a pińa gown made of the linawan (pure fiber) and has hand-made embroidery costs between P10,000 and P12,000. No wonder La Herminia’s clients include popular Manila-based designers Rajo Laurel and Paul Cabral.

• Enjoy the Lagatik River Cruise. Ten minutes away from Kalibo is the historic municipality of New Washington, named after US President George Washington and best known as the hometown of the late Archibishop Jaime Cardinal Sin of Manila. Exploring this coastal town is more fun by taking a cruise of the Lagatik River.

River-cruising, as a unique tourism experience in Aklan, has been developed by the Dumaguit-Batan Ferries Corp. The home port of the cruise ship is Sitio Malogo in Barangay Polo. This is the barangay next to and east of Poblacion in New Washington. The place is now called The Yard, because this is where ships are built.

It also has a waiting area for clients with a restaurant-bar and souvenir shop. Lagatik River, which is the river south of the Poblacion, connects the port of New Washington to the Sibuyan Sea and the high seas. It stretches along some of the municipality’s barangays at a length of 9.6 kilometers.

Enjoy the beauty of nature and breathe fresh air along the way from the mangroves found in the waters of New Washington to Tinagong Dagat (Hidden Sea in English) of Batan town.

Tinagong Dagat is approximately 8 km long and 4 km wide. It is between Altavas town and Batan, and also partly hidden from Batan Bay by two islands that are fringed with mangroves, thick undergrowth and rocky beaches.

Cruises last for three hours and are available three times a day (7 to 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.). Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, with these meals accompanied by live music onboard.

Possible short stopovers during the cruise are the Capis-pisan islet, fish-fattening farms and fish/oyster farms. At the islet, a resthouse was constructed by the College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences of Aklan State University (formerly Aklan National College of Fisheries).

The dinner cruise is now popular among families and school groups, as well as professionals, and local and foreign tourists.

Related Topics

• Leony R. Garcia

Walking Italy: A picturesque way to see Tuscany

• The Associated Press
• November 9, 2014

DOT eyes creation, implementation of rules for diving operations in PHL

• Estrella Torres
• November 17, 2014

DEEP DIVE INTO CAMIGUIN | Uncovering the hidden gems of this wondrous island

• Arabelle Jimenez
• September 28, 2024

SUMMIT TO SEA ADVENTURE | TRails to Empower Kids take volunteer travel to Iloilo

• Kelly Austria

Foreigners’ shopping seen aiding tourism rebound

• Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
• September 27, 2024

Resort villas in the WPS? Tieza bids out project study

• September 23, 2024

CANYONS, CLIFFS, AND CRYSTAL WATERS | The ultimate Cebu adventure awaits in Badian

• John Eiron R. Francisco
• September 21, 2024

Are you a tourist or a traveler?

• Charo Logarta

The Farm at San Benito celebrates magic of festive season with family gatherings, corporate events and wellness weddings  

• BusinessMirror

Tourism sector nears pre-Covid resource consumption levels

• Bless Aubrey Ogerio
• September 20, 2024

Swiss-Belhotel International announces major expansion PHL

‘BELOVED’ | NUSTAR Resort launches inaugural bridal and celebrations Fair

Solons push higher 2025 budget for tourism.

Investors are putting up hotels, but where’s infra?

• September 18, 2024

Spotlight on China’s cultural tapestry

• September 16, 2024

New bank partnership makes Korean visas easier for Filipino travelers

FOR NATURE LOVERS | The Seven Rila Lakes in Bulgaria

• Joshua Berida
• September 14, 2024

SPOTLIGHT ON REGIONS LESS TRAVELED | Travel expo 2024 highlights hidden gems, local tourism revival

• Justine Xyrah Garcia

QUICK ESCAPES | Agoda shares Pinoys’ top picks for weekend adventures

DOT champions inclusive tourism in Boracay Island with launch of first-ever Muslim-friendly cove

200,000 Muslims have visited PHL this year; Malaysians top arrivals

• September 13, 2024

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE | Lea Salonga’s wax figure by Madame Tussauds Singapore unveiled

• Edwin P. Sallan

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Lagatik River Cruise

Related Searches

• lagatik river cruise new washington •
• lagatik river cruise new washington photos •
• lagatik river cruise new washington location •
• lagatik river cruise new washington address •

• Your Privacy Choices
• Bahasa Indonesia
• Los Angeles
• Philadelphia
• San Francisco
• Washington, D.C.
• Great Britain
• Netherlands
• Philippines

Foursquare © 2024  Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA

Is this your business? Claim it now.

Make sure your information is up to date. Plus use our free tools to find new customers.

You must enable JavaScript to use foursquare.com

We use the latest and greatest technology available to provide the best possible web experience. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings to continue.

Download Foursquare for your smart phone and start exploring the world around you!

Travel to your destinations hassle-free!

with Your Budget-Friendly Car Rental in Kalibo, Aklan!

We’re Here To Help

Have a question? Feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to assist you!

Reserve Now!

Select from our wide selection of cars and reserve. Convenient and efficient!

Check Our Cars

We have a variety of cars for you to choose from. Select what suits your specific needs.

Why Choose Kalibo Rent a Car?

Best price guarantee, 24/7 online reservation, great selection of cars.

Drive your own car! Need it on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis? Even longer if you say so!

Chauffeur Driven

Airport pick-up/drop-off, delivery services, units have full insurance, several forms of payment.

Discover Amazing Places

Museo It Akean

The Museo It Aklan can be considered a storyteller about Aklan, its people, its culture, historical heritage, economic and social achievement. It is located in Martelino Steet, Aklan, and it’s considered a host for a collection of Aklan’s past, with artifacts that reflect its rich and colorful culture, where history buffs would find a feast for their eyes. Recently renovated with an elegant design, it is a repository of the province’s cultural heritage.

Bakwahan Ecopark

Kalibo’s Bakhawan Eco-Park is a 220-hectare Mangrove forest that started in 1990 with just 50 hectares of reclaimed land created by the Kalibo Save the Mangroves Association (KASAMA for short). Most of the forest is the result of a successful mangrove reforestation project that started back in 1990. Today, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization considers the Bakhawan Eco-Park as the country’s most successful mangrove restoration project.

Sampaguita Gardens

The Sampaguita Gardens on Aklan is a 2.6-hectare resort owned by Sam Butcher, artist and creator of the Precious Moments doll.This boutique resort’s center is a Victorian Cottage offering guests of an everyday Christmas Experience. It has a Precious Moments store and the JCC Museum if Christmas showcasing Precious Moments collectibles.

Boracay is a splendid tropical island of stunning white sand beaches and clear blue waters located about an hour’s flight from Cebu or Manila.

This tiny island competes with the best beaches in more popular destinations such as the Caribbean and the South Pacific as well as the Philippines’ neighbors, namely Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The island offers water sports and activities such as sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, diving, jet-skiing and many more. However, the fun in Boracay does not end by the time the sunsets. Its nightlife pulsates with plenty of bars and restaurants serving food, drink, and fun until the wee hours of dawn.

Lagatic River Cruise

Take the chance to cruise around New Washington through the scenic Lagatik River. Their tours are officiated daily, and indulging in it will be worth it. Looking over the vibrant environment covering the coastal zones of Pinamuk-an Island in New Washington and the Tinagong Dagat of Batan along with attending the organized visits to the mangrove and bird sanctuary, fish fattening farms and oyster farms will make you feel like you’re in a seafood and coastal paradise.

Customers Love Kalibo Rent a Car!

Reserve now and get the best Kalibo Rent a Car has to offer!

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Recommended Posts

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• Hurricane Zone 2024
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!
• How To: Follow Topics & Forums (Get Notifications)

1299 What Kind of Cruise Ship Decor Do You Like Best?

1. what kind of cruise ship decor do you like best.

• Colorful and wacky! It sets the vibe for fun.
• Serene and soothing! Greige helps me relax.
• Arty and sophisticated! Whimsical pieces make me smile.
• Nautical and classic! I want to feel like I'm on a ship.
• Mod and shiny! Give me all the glass and chrome.
• Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.

Write An Amazing Review !

Click this photo by member XFrancophileX to share your review w/ photos too!

Parliament, Budapest

Features & News

LauraS · Started 18 hours ago

LauraS · Started 20 hours ago

LauraS · Started 23 hours ago

LauraS · Started Thursday at 06:47 PM

Cruise Planning

Find a cruise, popular ports, member reviews.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

If you are already a Cruise Critic member, please log in with your existing account information or your email address and password.

• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures

Updates on Current Sailings

This page contains the most up to date information on conditions that may affect your itinerary. General information will be listed below, with details of any affected departures. There are no notifications at this time. When necessary, guests and their travel advisors will be notified directly and this page will be updated. For information about your specific voyage, please log onto MyVikingJourney.com .

For Further Assistance

If you have any questions or need further information please contact Reservations at 1-877-523-0579 or email [email protected] , Monday – Friday, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM, PT.

Sign up to receive updates from Viking

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.

Company Information

• Order a Brochure
• Special Offers
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Advisors
• Media Center
• Investor Relations
• Health & Safety Program
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Manage Cookies

Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises

2024-2027 RIVER CRUISE AND AIR FARES:  Offer applies to bookings made from September 1-30, 2024. Terms & conditions for select promotions may vary. $25 deposit is applicable to all River itineraries. Special fares plus up to FREE International airfare valid on select departures of Grand European Tour, Lyon Provence & the Rhineland, European Sojourn and Capitals of Eastern Europe, Paris to the Swiss Alps, Cities of Light, London, Paris & D-Day, Rhine & Main Explorer . Airfares may vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise\cruisetour offer. All prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Additional restrictions may apply. 2024 : Pay in full by September 30, 2024 or at time of booking if within 120 days of departure. 2025 : Pay in full by October 31, 2024. 2026 : Pay in full by April 30, 2025. 2027 : Pay in full by January 15, 2026. Offers expires September 30, 2024.

$25 DEPOSIT:  For itineraries 35 days or less, a $25 deposit applies to February 2025 & onward departures; for itineraries greater than 35 days, a $25 deposit applies to April 2025 & onward departures; World Cruise products excluded; call for details.

AIR UPGRADE:  Upgrade to Premium Economy air from $799 per person or Business Class air from $3,499 per person based on select gateways and dates. Additional airline-imposed baggage charges may apply; for more information visit  Airline Luggage Restrictions  . Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received. For more information about customized air services and US gateways, visit the Viking Air Plus page.

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS:  Cruise fares listed are cruise only in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement savings are off applicable rates. Cruise fares listed are valid for U.S. residents only. All fares and offers are for new bookings only and are subject to availability, may not combinable with other offers except Viking Explorer Society Travel Credits and Viking Referral Rewards, are capacity-controlled and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Special fares are based upon published full brochure fares; cruise fares do not include pre-paid charges, optional facilities, and personal charges, as defined in the terms and conditions of the  Passenger Ticket Contract  which may be viewed elsewhere on this website. Full brochure fares may not have resulted in actual sales in all stateroom categories and may not have been in effect during the last 90 days. Promotional fares may remain in effect after the expiration date. Air promotion applies to roundtrip flights only from select Viking Cruises U.S. gateways and includes airport-to-ship or hotel transfers, air taxes and air fuel surcharges. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Viking reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares at any time. For up-to-date prices, please call Viking or your Travel Agent. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Complete terms and conditions may be found in the  Passenger Ticket Contract .

AIR OFFER RESTRICTIONS:  Offer expires September 30, 2024.

NOTE: U.S. flights depart one day prior to check-in date. Paid Business or Premium Economy Class may require travel in economy on flights within North America or Europe. Premium economy is limited to specific airlines and we may not be able to accommodate based on aircraft type and availability. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received.