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If the cost of hotels has forced you to put off your next big trip indefinitely, you may want to consider a cheaper—and potentially more fulfilling—way to stay.

Lodging bills can be significantly lowered by staying in the homes of members of the Educators Bed & Breakfast Travel Network ( www.educatorstravel.com ). Membership is $36 a year, and stays range from $36 to $41 a night, depending on the size of your party. And if the member is out of town for at least five days, you pay $40 a night for the whole house. Members also earn credits by hosting travelers.

Chuck and Maryann Mason—retired music and social studies teachers, respectively—host visitors at their home in Ashland, Oregon, just 15 minutes from the acclaimed Oregon Shakespeare Festival. They plan to visit members in Japan within the next couple of years. The network has enabled them to travel more than they would have otherwise. “You meet some wonderful people,” Maryann says. “It’s a type of travel that suits people with the expectation of having an adventure and having a good time.”

Outside of the United States, members can visit New Zealand, Australia, Germany, and England, among other countries. Retired professor Norm Smith, who cofounded the network with his wife, Hazel, says the system is useful because houseguests get the local scoop on the best places to go. Plus, he adds, members have formed lasting friendships with one another.

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10 Affordable Vacations for Teachers

Start planning now for your summer getaway.

Ahhh, affordable vacations. Is there such a thing? Vacation is what we dream about, hoping it’ll take away stress, boost our health, and help us rest. But, why does every vacation that sounds halfway decent have to cost so much money? That alone will send your stress levels over the edge. Especially when you have a teacher’s salary barely paying your bills! Well, take a deep breath and don’t stress. We got you.

We’ve rounded up ten amazing affordable vacation destinations. Exotic places you didn’t know were in your budget. Awesome US cities with more bang for your buck. The next time you’re stressed over lesson plans, faculty meetings, or testy parents—stop! Just imagine yourself discovering a new little corner of the world. Then smile because it’s not a daydream—it’s a soon-to-be reality!

1. South Haven, Michigan

Find your escape in this charming beach town on Michigan’s west coast. From award-winning wineries and charming boutiques and restaurants to the beautiful natural scenery of Lake Michigan, you’ll find something for everyone in South Haven .  Accommodations, from bed & breakfasts to cottages to hotels, are plentiful and range in price to fit every budget. Be sure to take a stroll to the Lighthouse Boardwalk. You’ll find a beautiful vista point to watch the beachgoers on one side and the ships coming into port on the other.

2. Tucson, Arizona

If Scottsdale is the glitzy gallery and nightlife capital of Arizona, Tucson is its laid-back little sister. Nestled in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by multiple mountain ranges, including the Santa Catalinas, Tucson is home to stunning outdoor adventures as well as thriving arts, culture, and foodie scenes. For a taste of the old Wild West, drive 90 miles south to the historic mining town of  Bisbee . There you’ll find galleries, museums, and fascinating historical sites.

3. Oregon Coast

Oregon’s western coastline is one of the best kept road trip secrets in America. Drive along Highway 101 to experience nearly 400 miles of jagged cliffs, pine forests, historic lighthouses, and sandy beaches. From the iconic Cannon Beach and its Haystack Rock, the most photographed landmark along the coast, down through Seal Rock to Brookings Harbor, you’ll find more than two dozen charmingly unique beach destinations.

4. Dallas, Texas

Dallas is a dazzling city packed with fun, food, and great places to stay at shockingly low prices. Rent a car to check out all the city has to offer, including fringe cities like Grapevine and Plano that have lots of small town charm. You can stay at luxurious hotels like the  Omni Dallas  for under $200 a night. Check out this list of cheap activities and places to eat while you’re there !

5. The Grand Canyon

If you’re willing to BYOB (as in bring your own bed), you can have a unique and even life-changing experience camping at the Grand Canyon. Bringing your own food and drinks also saves money. If camping isn’t your thing, you can nab great hotel deals in Flagstaff, Arizona, (about 90 miles from the South Rim) and Kanab, Utah (80 miles from the North Rim). Take advantage of all the free Grand Canyon activities —ranger programs, visitor centers, museums, scenic drives, hiking trails, and more!

6. Sanibel Island–Captiva Island, Florida

If you’re looking for an island paradise getaway close to home, Sanibel and Captiva are the perfect hot spots to check out. Located off the west coast of Fort Myers, they are easily accessible and offer a wide variety of lodging options in every price range. You’ll find world-class shelling beaches, crystal-clear turquoise Caribbean waters, lots of great restaurants, and funky shops. You can even take a four-mile bike ride through the pristine Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge .

If you love adventure (hello, rain forests, Mayan mountains, and jungles) or just want to sit close to the water (beautiful beaches that are perfect for fishing and diving), Belize is one of the most versatile destinations around. Best of all, it’s packed with affordable resorts featuring every amenity you could want—casinos, bars, pools, beach activities, and upscale dining—for $100 or less per night. Some favorites: George Hardie’s Las Vegas Hotel in Corozal (Northern Belize) and the oceanside Royal Caribbean Resort in San Pedro, along Ambergris Caye.

8. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet. You can travel between beautiful beaches, jaw-dropping rain forests, and charming, small towns nestled between volcanoes— and it won’t bankrupt you ! The country has a system of national parks and reserves that protects approximately 25 percent of the country. It’s only a few dollars to enter, and you can go on free self-guided walks where you can encounter wildlife and more. Public transportation is also cheap—buses cost less than $10, even for long rides between cities/attractions. As for accommodations, it all depends on what you prefer. A hostel can cost as little as $9 a night, a mid-range hotel is between $50–$75, and a luxury resort is usually in the $100–$200 range.

One of the best things about Jamaica is how much the locals love showing off their island and taking care of tourists. From the world-renowned beaches to the incredible mountains (the Blue Mountains, to be exact, as in where the most incredible coffee in the world comes from), it doesn’t cost much to stay, eat, and play. You can find an Airbnb in the center of everything for as little as $25 a night. By eating at delicious local restaurants, you can spend less than $40 a day on food.

10. Cruising

Cruising can actually be one of the most rewarding, relaxing, and affordable ways to get in a vacation. Shorter cruises (3–4 days) on some of the older (but still beautiful and full of amenities you expect) ships of notable lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian, can cost around $100 per night. Once you’re onboard, the ship offers everything from food to entertainment. Plus you get to stop in great ports like the Bahamas, Baja Mexico, and the Western Caribbean.

Know of more affordable vacations for teachers? Come and share in our  WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group  on Facebook.

Plus, check out our list of Disney teacher discounts.  

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Bed and breakfasts.

Always on the lookout for great resources for our Wandering Educators, we recently partnered with the incredible site, BedandBreakfast.com.

I remember all the B&Bs that I have stayed in - yet I hardly remember any of the hotels, with their samenesses.

An information and booking resource for thousands of inns, BedandBreakfast.com is the ultimate site for finding great bed and breakfasts worldwide.

B&B owners have renovated many, many historical buildings, and help preserve the history, traditions, and cultures of their locations. 

Bed and Breakfasts are generally ownder-occupied, and have between 1 and 15 guest rooms, as well as guest common areas. Many B&Bs host weddings and cultural events. Each bed and breakfast is a treasure, with different decorations, food, and personalities.

Marti Mayne, our B&B Editor, has written about many B&Bs on our site. Please click here to read her articles.

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Kerry Dexter

As I just did a food finds artcle on Cambrige, Massachusetts, I'll add that several of my favorite b&bs there belong to bedandbreakfast.com, among them Irving House in Cambridge and Morrison House in Somerville.

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dreamvision

Awesome! It has a lot of information in one place- including whether or not children or pets are welcome!

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Join a ‘Hospitality Exchange’ and Stay for Free Whenever You Travel

US exchanges Senior exchanges Exchanges for those in mid-life, or older Exhanges for Women Exhanges for Gays and Lesbians Exhanges for Teachers World-wide exchange to promote world peace, with no strings attached

In theory, at least, it’s a simple idea. We all have spare rooms, spare beds, a cot or a couch. Why not make them available to congenial people when they travel to your home city, in exchange for their doing the same for you upon a visit to their home city—or to the city of another congenial person?

Unlike a “vacation exchange,” which involves a meticulously scheduled, simultaneous swapping of homes or apartments, the “hospitality exchange” is a far more casual facility, available at any time. On the eve of a trip, members—in the usual instance—consult a directory of other members, and then phone or write to learn if they can be accommodated. The others—the hosts—do the same when it’s their time to travel. Each is received in another’s home as a relative would be, either for free, or at most for a simple reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.

Sensible? Logical? It’s more than that. It’s like a perfect world, this cooperation among people, like enjoying an extended family all over the world.

But there’s a problem: the considerable amount of time required of an organizer. The practice involves, at least, the periodic publication and distribution of a members’ directory, sometimes even direct assistance from the central organization in making reservations. Because membership fees must be kept modest, and no one earns a living from them, the idealistic founders of many a “hospitality exchange” have eventually been forced by hard reality to give up the effort.

That’s what happened in 1986 to Tom Lynn’s “Traveler’s Directory,” a nationwide “hospitality exchange” that was both the “giant” (several hundred members) and a pioneer in the field.

But eight other groups continue to carry the torch, and deserve our attention. Each caters to a different type of American:

The Hospitality Exchange of Lewistown, Montana, is the direct successor to the Traveler’s Directory. This 40-year-old company, which is run by Wayne and Kathie Phillips, recently brought a similar organization called World for Free into its fold. About one-third of the current 500 hosts are “retired”; the others are between ages 35-55, or younger. “They come from all income brackets and all occupations, but share one ideal: an enthusiasm for travel and travellers,” says Wayne Phillips. As potential hosts, members all retain the right to say no to a prospective stay—“your home is your castle” is the organization's motto. Members have access to a secure password-protected Internet-based directory of members' listings. Thus member information is current. In addition, an annual directory is printed for those who prefer that. Only members have access to the electronic and print directories. Membership: $20 for one year, $35 for two. For an application form, contact: The Hospitality Exchange, phone 406/538-8770, 822 West Watson, Lewistown, MT 59457, or visit its website at http://www.hospex.net .

Evergreen Bed and Breakfast Club is for people over the age of 50 who love to travel.  Members provide hospitality and overnight accommodations for each other in their own homes.  The club has operated continuously since 1982 and now has more than 2,000 host locations throughout the US and Canada.  No exchange visits are required.  Most visits are for a day or so as members drive cross-country, travel south for the winter, or attend special events.  Members make reservations directly with their hosts and pay a gratuity of $10/day for one or $15/day for two, including breakfast.  Annual dues are $60 for singles and $75 for couples.  New members receive a 50% discount on dues for the first year.  Mail:  201 West Broad Street #181, Falls Church VA 22046. Phone: 800/962-2392; Email: [email protected]; Web : www.evergreenclub.com .

The Affordable Travel Club , like Evergreen, limits its membership by age (in this case to those over the age of 40) and must have a permanent residence and allows its members to charge a small fee to defray the costs of hospitality ($15 per night single, $20 double). Travel privileges are only open to host members, all of whom must pay a yearly fee  between $55-$70 depending up whether they take the computer version or the printed Directory for U.S. Hosts.  Canadian members pay between $45-$60.   Overseas membership is free.  It also offers pet sitting and house sitting services.  Each year they offer a cruise or tour to the members. Affordable currently has over 2,800 members (1400 households)  in 48 states and 30 countries worldwide. Write or call The Affordable Travel Club, 6556 Snug Harbor Lane, Gig Harbor, Washington 98335, 253/858-2172, Web: www.affordabletravelclub.net .

Women Welcome Women Worldwide is the most seriously idealistic of the clubs. Its goals are no less than to “foster international understanding by cross culture friendship” and redefine the role of women in society. To those ends, this massive organization of 3,000 members in 79 countries sponsors conferences and gatherings, as well as publishing a quarterly newsletter and a directory in hard-copy for members. Yearly membership is $50. Members set up their own visits, by contacting women in the cities and towns that they are planning to visit. And while male partners and friends are allowed to accompany their female counterparts on trips (with the permission of the hostess), they are not allowed to join. A truly impressive organization. For more information, contact the North American representative, Sharon Giese, P.O. Box 648, Westport, CT 06881, phone 203/866-4774, or Shirley Anderson, E-mail: [email protected] ; Web: www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk .

Lesbian & Gay Hospitality Exchange International , was founded in 1991 to “make the world a friendlier place for gay and lesbian travelers” according to founder Garnet Colly. Currently it has over 1,000 members in 30 countries, with large clusters of members in Berlin, Paris, London, Brussels, Minneapolis, Montreal, Copenhagen, and Chicago. Membership is $40 per year per household and if you join with a lover, family member or roommate, you can travel separately under the same membership. Memberships can be paid for online via PayPal. For further information, contact Lesbian and Gay Hospitality Exchange International, c/o Jay Wiley, Schonleinstr. 20, D-10967, Berlin, Germany, e-mail [email protected] , Web: www.lghei.org .

Educators Bed and Breakfast Travel Network , as the name suggests, is a club for those in (or formerly in) the teaching profession, and school administrators. Set up somewhat differently from the other organizations, members are not given each others’ contact information. Rather, anyone can access the online directory of listings, but no names, addresses, or phone numbers. You choose from the descriptions, call the club and then they make all the arrangements for you. The nightly fee is $34 for a double room, $30 for a single, plus a $5 booking fee for each reservation. Of those amounts, $10 goes to the host in the form of a travel credit that can either be used toward the yearly membership fee ($36 per year, plus a one time non-refundable initiation fee of $10) or toward the host’s own travels. Visit the organization’s Web site at www.educatorstravel.com or write to Educators Bed and Breakfast Travel Network, P.O. Box 5279, Eugene, OR 97405, phone 800/956-4822).

was started by a Universalist couple, but has since been sold to Paula Robbins. It has many Unitarian Universalists as members, although it is not directly sponsored by any church. And in addition to homes, its directory lists higher-priced and more formal B&B’s. Membership is $18 per year, which entitles you to a copy of the printed directory (published in April) and an identification card; one-year access to its website plus membership and directory is $23; and web-only access is $10/year. Contact UU'RE Home, 43 Vermont Court, Asheville, NC (phone 828/281-3253), Email: [email protected] ; Web: www.uuhomecomings.com .

The one without reciprocal obligations And finally, there’s Servas , of New York City, similar to a “hospitality exchange,” but not really so, because members are entitled to receive hospitality without being obligated to provide it; as a Servas member, you can be a “taker,” not a “giver,” all because thousands of other Servas members around the world are willing to put you up without expecting anything in return; they do so because they enjoy have foreigners in their homes and because they believe the activity furthers the cause of world peace. An outgrowth of the peace movement, Servas has built its remarkable roster of 14,000 hospitality-givers over more than 50 years, and yet maintains a relatively low profile in the United States. Applicants pay a fee of $85 and are then screened for membership by a Servas interviewer in their locality; being accepted for membership, they are then entitled, on the eve of a trip, to receive the names and addresses of hosts in the cities to which they will be traveling. The normal stay with a Servas host is three days and two nights, which may be extended at the discretion of the host. Day-hosting or day-stays are also an option. A great many Servas travelers, known to me, invariably stay for a week and longer in the homes of their hosts. If you’re endowed with the proper attributes—you enjoy meeting people, conversing with them and ascertaining their views, sharing the daily rhythms of their lives—then you’ll want to join Servas. To me, Servas is the most exalted travel organization on earth. Contact: United States Servas Inc., 11 John Street, Room 505, New York, NY 10038, phone 212/267-0252, Web: www.usservas.org .

All of these organizations are anxious to grow, anxious to serve. By simply providing occasional hospitality to their members—an enriching experience—you can then receive hospitality from their members, traveling cheaper and better.

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Summer Travel Discounts for Teachers at B&Bs

Image credit: www.thetwelveoaks.com

No more students, no more books . . . just lots of discounts for teachers at bed and breakfasts across the country this summer, thanks to a new program from BedandBreakfast.com.

Often overworked and most definitely underpaid, many teachers are lucky enough to have the summer months off, but the summer is the most expensive time of year to take a vacation. Participating bed and breakfasts in the Travel for Teachers program are offering a range of getaway specials starting at 25 percent off. Some B&Bs offer free nights while others offer teacher appreciation packages that include free massages, wine and other amenities.

More than 100 B&Bs are participating. Click here for all offers .

"We are honored to organize and offer this special promotion for teachers who give so much commitment and hard-earned time to our nation's youth," says Gregory Sion, general manager of BedandBreakfast.com. "We can't think of anyone better who deserves a weekend of rest and rejuvenation than teachers, and we hope they will enjoy these special travel offers."

A sampling of what's available through the Travel for Teachers program:

• Inns offering 40 percent off regular rates, including: Pine Lodge Bed & Breakfast in Inglis, Fla., The Inn of the Patriots in Grover, N.C., and The Garden Gables Inn in Lenox, Mass.
• Mount Victoria Bed & Breakfast Inn in Eureka Springs, Ark.: Two-night romantic getaway in luxury suite, two couples massages, and two all-day Eureka Springs trolley passes, for only $475 (normally $630).
• Jasones B&B and Restaurant in Marion, Ill.: Teachers Appreciation Girls Night Away package for four to six women, including complimentary bottle of sparkling wine with dinner, for $399 (normally $649). One-hour massages specially priced at $75.
• Farmers Guest House in Galena, Ill.: $100 off a two-night stay and a gift certificate for a wine tasting for two (a $300 value for only $188+ tax).
• The Coquina Inn Bed & Breakfast in Daytona Beach, Fla.: Two-night stay with complimentary chocolate-covered strawberries, for $189 (rates normally are $119 to $139 a night).
• The Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast in Covington, Ga.: Free in-room hot stone massage ($100 value) with stay.

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Airbnb Supports Out-of-School Learning by Launching Online Field Trips

Today, Airbnb is launching a new collection of Online Experiences – Field Trips – designed for parents to broaden their kids’ horizons and supplement their core curriculum.

According to a new study of parents,* participation in extracurricular activities is down 30 percent for children that typically take part in at least one structured activity during an average week, and has dropped nearly 50 percent for kids that typically take part in multiple activities. As parents look to lead more activities from home, 86 percent worry that their children will miss out on important developmental opportunities if extracurriculars and after school activities are cancelled, and 71 percent are concerned that their child’s mental health will be impacted. 

Through Airbnb’s newest collection of Online Experiences hosted by passionate, expert hosts, parents can now send their kids on a virtual trip of discovery with some of the world’s brightest and bravest. Special activities will include “ Decoding The Science of 2020 ” with Bill Nye (the science guy), a “ Socially Conscious Story Hour ” with filmmaker, actress and activist Olivia Wilde, and “ How to be a Social Problem Solver ” with the Dias family of #1000BlackGirlBooks, among others. 

Decoding the Science of 2020 with Bill Nye (Los Angeles, CA, United States)

How to be a Social Problem Solver with Marley Dias (West Orange, NJ, United States)

Socially Conscious Story Hour with Olivia Wilde (Los Angeles, CA, United States)

“We want everyone, kids especially, to be curious,” Nye said. “Asking questions and seeking answers is how we make discoveries and learn about the world around us. We’ll encourage questions and share facts with a new generation about some of this year’s hottest topics in science. It’ll be a blast.”

Families can now gain unique access to 75+ extracurricular Online Experiences hosted from over 20 countries around the world, including: 

• Go on a Leopard Safari in Sri Lanka (Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Discover Bueno Aires Street Art and Sketch (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

• Make a Traditional Mexican Piñata (Mexico City, Mexico)
• Uncover Pompeii with an Archaeologist (Pompeii, Italy)
• Learn about origami and the essence of Japan (Koto City, Japan)
• Dive Under the Sea with a Shark Scientist (Cape Town, South Africa)
• Spend a Day in Paris with a Parisian (Paris, France)
• Learn About Space with an Astronomer (Bergen, Norway)
• Olympic Family Workout with Bruno Fontes (Florianópolis, Brazil)
• Make Vegan Brownies with the Family (Medellín, Colombia)

Experiment with Colored Pasta and Chocolate Volcanos (Rome, Italy)

• Learn Sign Language Through Games (Athens, GA, United States)

Learn about Origami and the Essence of Japan (Koto City, Japan)

The collection will also feature a number of activities affiliated with Classroom Champions , a nonprofit where volunteer Olympians, Paralympians and Professional Athletes offer a social and emotional based curriculum and mentorship experiences to K-8 classrooms. Classroom Champions helps Olympians and Paralympians bring these experiences to life online, where you can now find them on Airbnb through Field Trips. 

“As a mother of young children, I’ve been navigating the challenges of at-home education with my own family this year,” Wilde said. “Now more than ever, I believe the stories we tell our children today are an integral part of who they become tomorrow.  I’m delighted to offer this experience to encourage storytelling that fosters empathy, awareness and curiosity.”

“It’s a difficult time to be a student,” 15-year-old Dias said. “Without the structure of the traditional school experience in place, it’s important we find creative ways to incorporate immersive and engaging activities into our increasingly virtual lives. Airbnb’s new collection of Online Experiences is a treasure trove of extracurriculars for kids like me who are looking to connect with the world around us from home.”

These Online Experiences will range from $7 to $100. See the entire collection starting today at airbnb.com/fieldtrips . All proceeds from Nye’s Social Impact Experience will go to The Planetary Society, a nonprofit whose mission is to empower the world’s citizens to advance space science and exploration – and all proceeds for both Wilde and Dias’s Social Impact Experiences will go to Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, a community-based organization with skilled and caring staff that offers high-quality programs and support services to help at-risk youth ages 6-18 build skills and confidence for a successful future.   

*Based on a sample of 2,000 responses to a voluntary September 2020 survey sent to a representative sample of primary caretakers of children between the ages of 6 and 14 years old. No payment or other incentive was provided in exchange for completing the survey.

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The Ultimate Guide to Travel Deals for Teachers: Save Big on Your Next Adventure

By knbbs-sharer.

As a teacher, you work hard to educate and inspire your students. Reward yourself with a well-deserved adventure without breaking the bank. The travel industry recognizes the value of educators, and hence, they offer travel deals for teachers. In this ultimate guide, we bring you tips and tricks to save big on your next travel trip.

Benefits of Travel Deals for Teachers

Travel companies and tour operators offer exclusive discount packages for teachers as a token of appreciation. These customized deals range from airlines to accommodations and attractions. Discounts can range anywhere between 10% and 50%, which can mean significant savings for teachers. Some travel deals extend to family members traveling with teachers as well.

How to Find the Best Travel Deals

1. Join Teacher Travel Groups on Social Media: Many online communities like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have groups that cater to teacher travel. These groups offer valuable information about upcoming deals and discounts.

2. Sign Up for Travel Newsletters: Travel companies often send newsletters via email that advertise the latest promotions and offers. These newsletters can give you insight into the best deals.

3. Visit Travel Websites: Various travel websites such as Priceline, Expedia, and Travelocity offer deals for teachers on flights, car rentals, and hotel bookings.

4. Consult with Travel Agents: Travel agents have access to a wide range of deals that can cater to your unique travel requirements. They can help you find the best deals on flights, accommodation, and attractions.

Examples of Travel Deals for Teachers

1. Discounts on Flights: Airlines such as Southwest and Delta offer exclusive deals for teachers that cover both domestic and international flights.

2. Hotel Discounts: Major hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Wyndham offer discounts for teachers when booking directly via their website.

3. Attractions Discounts: Theme parks and attractions like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld offer discounted admission tickets to teachers and their families.

In Conclusion

Travel deals for teachers can be found through various means, and it is essential to take advantage of these discounts when planning your next trip. By utilizing these tips and tricks, you can save a lot of money while still having a fantastic adventure. Don’t forget to check out various online communities, visit travel websites, sign up for newsletters, and consult with travel agents to get the best deals. Enjoy your travels while getting the most out of your hard-earned money.

(Note: Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)

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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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