Two ?s- one on booking Denrus Value tour and one on Rubles.

[Coastaljen]

Yes, I am booking with Alla too. With a group, you don't have to worry about a visa but you have to stick with the group at all times. ..from what I understand.

 

I meant that I assumed they were getting their own visas for Russia. As I figured there was a way for individuals who want to do so to purchase and get their own visas. You just don't do that with a group tour.

[jhannah]

I don't know... maybe your bank was able to. We have a HUGE foreign exchange at Wells Fargo here, and they said that they are not allowed to bring in Roubles.

I got some last week from Chase Bank here in Texas. They arrived overnight. I was surprised because a book I have on visiting St. Petersburg says that Rubles are only available in Russia. IIRC, the ship did not have Rubles available. They supposedly cannot be exported.

 

If you're on an organized tour, your tourguide will arrange a group visa. When we were there, I went into Moscow one day while my DW stayed in St. Petersburg and took a ship tour. She did not have to obtain her own visa, but I did.