marty raybon tour

Marty Raybon Reunites With Shenandoah After Almost Two Decades

By Beville Dunkerley

Beville Dunkerley

The voice of such classic country hits as “The Church on Cumberland Road,” “Next to You Next to Me” and “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart” is back. Marty Raybon is reuniting with Shenandoah, the band he co-founded in 1984 but left after their 1997 tour to travel other musical roads. Raybon tells Rolling Stone Country that getting back together with bandmates Mike McGuire, Stan Munsey and Chris Lucas was a long time coming.

“We were not a band that broke up because of dissension,” he insists. “We had our disagreements, as partners do in a business relationship, [but] we were then and remain to be friends. Returning to the band had actually been talked about on several different occasions throughout the years. I’ve always been truly proud of what we accomplished… the songs we recorded, the way they moved people. For years, all of us have heard what those tunes, those stories, meant to folks. We feel there is more to be said. So it’s time to reload and fulfill the request of fans who want to see us back together.”  

“Having Marty back is like putting on an old baseball glove that fit your hand perfectly a long time ago,” adds McGuire. “We’re like brothers, so playing all our old hits together again feels natural.  At the same time, we lost our bass player Ralph [Ezell] seven years ago to a heart attack and our keyboard player Stan [Thorn] has been gone for years, as well.  So there will be new faces with us.  But at the end of the day, having Marty’s voice coming out of the speakers again will make it be Shenandoah all over again.”   

Known just as much for their soulful ballads as their honky tonk dancefloor staples, Shenandoah are now working on new music for a future album. Raybon says they’re more concerned with great lyrics and melodies that transcend time than jumping on any sort of trendy country radio bandwagon.

“If given opportunity, the songs we have recorded right now will fill a lot of voids,” he hopes.

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They’ll likely test out some of those new tunes on the road, with tour dates that start October 24th in Enoch, Alberta, Canada. (See a list of cities and dates below, which is expected to expand soon.) In rehearsing for their upcoming dates, the band members have felt pressure to find a balance between appeasing fans of their old music with sounding fresh.

“We have to set a bar that surpasses everything we’ve done in the past,” says Raybon. “In the balancing of new and old songs, there will not be a great deal of change. Stage and lighting has come along way from where it was when we left it, but it still comes down to the music and what people are wanting to hear.”

Shenandoah have already made a bit of a comeback, in the form of Miranda Lambert’s chart-topping Platinum album . Raybon sings harmony with the country superstar on “Another Sunday in the South,” which pays tribute to the 1989 Shenandoah song, “Sunday in the South,” and namechecks the band in its chorus.

“Every generation of country artists have people who inspired them to do what they do,” says Lambert. “At the heart of my country inspiration is Shenandoah. They created a pure sound that takes you back home every time. And most of us are still trying to replicate that sound today!”

Lambert actually opened for Shenandoah about a decade ago at a show in Virginia. Surprisingly, McGuire reports that the thing he remembers most about the Texas spitfire was “how shy she was.”

“We were both leaning against the back of the stage watching another opening band play and I introduced myself to her. She acted like she didn’t know what to say,” he recalls. “But when she got on the stage all her shyness went away. I knew right then that she was a great performer and was going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

Shenandoah Tour Dates:

October 24 – Enoch, Alberta, Canada

October 25 – Calgary, Alberta, Canada

November 1 – Oxford, Alabama

January 24, 2015 – Weirsdale, Florida

March 6, 2015 – Lancaster, Pennsylvania

March 7, 2015 – St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania

April 4, 2015 – Mt. Vernon, Kentucky

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May 16, 2015 – Sheffield, Alabama

November 13, 2015 – Wilkesboro, North Carolina (Merlefest)

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About Marty Raybon

ABOUT SHENANDOAH

When country music lovers talk about the greatest groups in the genre, Shenandoah is always at the forefront of any discussion.

Fueled by Marty Raybon’s distinctive vocals and the band’s skilled musicianship, Shenandoah became well known for delivering such hits as “Two Dozen Roses”, “Church on Cumberland Road” and “Next to You, Next to Me” as well as such achingly beautiful classics as “I Want to be Loved Like That” and the Grammy winning “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart” duet with AlisonKrauss.

Today that legacy continues as original members Raybon and Mike McGuire reunite to launch a new chapter in Shenandoah’s storied career. It all began when the guys got back together to perform a benefit  concert for  a  friend battling  cancer.  “We saw how folks reacted,” Raybon says of the response to their reunion. “And then Jerry Phillips, son of legendary Sun Records producer Sam Phillips, said ‘You guys need to make a run at this. People   still love what you do. You can tell by the reaction. There’s a lot of excitement in the air.’”

“It’s kind of like riding a bicycle,” McGuire says of the band reigniting that chemistry on stage. “We had done so many shows over the years together, even though we spent 17 years apart, we got back up on the stage and it was like we never stopped. We knew those songs inside out. They were still dear to our hearts. It wasgreattogetbackupthereanddothemtogetheragain.”

Raybon and McGuire formed the band in 1984 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama with bassist Ralph Ezell, keyboardist Stan Thorn and guitarist Jim Seales. McGuire invited noted producer Robert Byrne out to see the band perform and he was so impressed he recorded a demo on the group and pitched them to Columbia Records.  Shenandoah inked a deal with the legendary label and began

establishing a national fan base with their self-titled debut in 1987. However, it was the band’s sophomore effort, The Road Not Taken, that spawned their first top ten hits— “She Doesn't Cry Anymore” and “Mama Knows.” Shenandoah followed with three consecutive No. 1 hits— “Church on Cumberland Road,” “Sunday  in the South” and “Two Dozen Roses.” “The Church on   Cumberland Road” spent two weeks at the top of the chart and   made country music history as it marked the first time that a  country band's first No. 1 single spent more than one week at the summit. It also helped propel sales of the album to more than half a millionunitsthusgivingShenandoahtheirfirstgoldalbum.

Great songs have provided the foundation for Shenandoah’s illustrious career. “We knew a hit song when we heard one,” Raybon says. “We are songwriters and we wrote some of those hits, but we really prided ourselves on having an ear for songs. Mike, in particular, has always been a good song guy. When he played us a song he found, we knew it was going to be special.”

Shenandoah became known for delivering songs that celebrated the importance of faith and family while reveling in the joys of small town life. “Next to You, Next to Me” topped the charts for three weeks and “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart,” a beautiful duet with Alison Krauss, won a Country Music Association Award for Vocal Event of the year and a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Shenandoah also won the Academy of Country Music’s Vocal Group of the Year in 1991.

McGuire credits Raybon’s vocals for providing Shenandoah with an identifiable sound. “When you hear Marty Raybon sing there’s nobody that sounds like him,” McGuire says. “There’s nobody that’s got the same chops that he’s got and he’s singing from his heart. That’s one of the reasons that everybody wants to hear him sing. Marty and me, we go way back. We’ve done a lot of things t ogether and we love each other like brothers.”

Shenandoah recorded nine studio albums and placed 26 singles   on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. The boys from Muscle Shoals have left a potent legacy at country radio with such   enduring hits as “Ghost in This House,” “I Want to Be Loved Like That”, “Rock My Baby,” “Janie Baker’s Love Slave,” “If Bubba Can Dance (I Can Too)”, written by Raybon and McGuire and “Her Leavin's Been a Long Time Comin,” in which former Dallas Cowboy quarterback Troy Aikman was in the video (also written   byMcGuire).

“Today Shenandoah is in the top five recurrents on all the XM   radio shows,” Raybon says. “That’s amazing to know that you are in the company of Alabama and George Strait. It’s hard to believe.”

Though they’ve secured their place in country music history, Raybon and McGuire aren’t content to rest on their laurels and are currently working on new Shenandoah music. “I’ve spent the last  15 years looking for hit songs,” McGuire says. “We have access to really top drawer material, and have found some great songs that   we will be producing ourselves.”

Even as Shenandoah records new music and hits the road on their upcoming tour, Raybon will still perform select solo dates. In the years since he exited Shenandoah, he’s established himself as an award-winning bluegrass artist, a natural home for his soulful country voice. Though much has happened since Raybon and Shenandoah parted ways, the bond has never been broken. It was music that brought them together and music that continues to bind them as they enter this next chapter. “We were fortunate enough to have songs that seemed to touch a great deal of people and while doing so it created a lot of memories,” says Raybon. “I truly do believethatthereareseasonsinlifeandIbelievethatthereisa

time and a place when God allows things. We’ve sat down and talked about reuniting before but it wasn’t the right time for it then, butIdobelieveitistimeforitnow.”

McGuire agrees. “We are really proud of the quality of the material that we have in our catalog and how it’s touched so many people’s lives,” McGuire says. “As far as the future goes, I’m expecting more of the same. We’re still the same guys. Marty still has the same voice he had back in that day and I still have the same harmonies that I sung on all those records. I expect the records we cut in the future are still going to sound like Shenandoah and the songsaregoingtobejustasgoo

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Shenandoah Plan Extensive Revival Tour for 2023

As they gear up for the release of their next full-length album, mainstay country group  Shenandoah are announcing a tour that takes its name from their newly released single, "Revival."

The 2023 Revival Tour has actually already begun, with early dates in late January and early February, but fans still have nearly 50 chances to see the group live in concert this year. Shenandoah will next hit the stage on Friday (Feb. 10), and the Revival Tour extends through early December, when it will wrap with a stop in Birmingham, Ala.

"It's a wonderful feeling to hit the road with the boys as we again return to radio with new music," lead singer Marty Raybon says in a statement. "We are excited for what the year holds, now let's have us a Revival!"

When it arrives, Shenandoah's new album project will be their first since their 2020 collaborations project, Every Road . That outing saw the band collaborating with country A-Listers including  Lady A , Brad Paisley , Luke Bryan , Dierks Bentley and more. Their duet with Blake Shelton, " Then a Girl Walks In, " went to country radio.

Several of the dates on the Revival Tour are already on sale. For complete ticketing information, visit the band's website .

Shenandoah 2023 Revival Tour Dates:

Feb. 10 -- Elizabethtown, Ky. Feb. 17 -- Bossier City, La.* Feb. 18 -- Lake Charles, La.* Feb. 24 -- Due West, S.C. March 2 -- Dade City, Fla. March 22 -- W. Siloam Springs, Okla. March 23 -- Tulsa, Okla. March 24 -- Roland, Okla. March 25 -- Hinton, Okla. Apr. 1 -- Sylacauga, Ala. Apr. 15 -- Georgetown, Texas Apr. 21 -- Lubbock, Texas Apr. 22 -- Las Cruces, N.M. Apr. 29 -- Pasadena, Texas May 5 -- West Chester, Ohio May 18 -- Shipshewana, Ind. May 19 -- Council Bluffs, Iowa May 20 -- Walford, Iowa May 27 -- Denim Springs, La. June 2 -- Chickasha, Okla. June 3 -- Ft. Worth, Texas June 10 -- Albany, Texas June 15 -- Wise, Va. June 17 -- McMinnville, Tenn. June 24 -- Rainsville, Ala. July 1 -- Alexandria, Minn. July 4 -- Russellville, Ala. July 7 -- Bandera, Texas July 8 -- Norman, Okla. July 13 -- Tuscumbia, Ala. July 14 -- Walcot, Iowa July 15 -- Topeka, Kan. July 18 -- West Union, Iowa July 21 -- Mattoon, Iowa* July 29 -- Mineral Wells, W. Va. Aug. 4 -- Cambridge, Ohio Aug. 19 -- W. Branch, Mich. Sept. 2 -- West Liberty, Ohio Sept. 9 -- Dobson, N.C. Sept. 14 -- Albuquerque, N.M.* Sept. 23 -- Bonham, Texas Sept. 28 -- Alma, Ark. Sept. 29 -- Caldwell, Texas Sept. 30 -- Tomball, Texas Oct. 7 -- Winnie, Texas Oct. 13 -- Hiawassee, Ga. Dec. 3 -- Birmingham, Ala.

*Country Comeback Tour w/ Billy Dean & Wade Hayes

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Shenandoah announces revival tour.

Posted by Buddy Iahn | Feb 9, 2023

More than 50 dates are set for 2023

Grammy Award-winning country band Shenandoah is hitting the road on its 2023 cross-country trek, the Revival Tour. The tour name compliments the group’s new single, “ Revival ,” released Friday, January 27th via 8 Track Entertainment/Fame Records.

The first leg of the 50+ live concert tour includes stops in Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Iowa, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Kansas, with more to be announced soon. The band is also part of the Country Comeback Tour with Billy Dean and Wade Hayes.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to hit the road with the boys as we again return to radio with new music,” explains Shenandoah lead singer Marty Raybon. “We are excited for what the year holds, now let’s have us a Revival!”

“Revival” is the first single to drop ahead of Shenandoah’s upcoming full-length album, set for release later this year.

Shenandoah 2023 Revival Tour Dates:

Feb 10 – Elizabethtown, KY Feb 17 – Bossier City, LA Feb 18 – Lake Charles, LA Feb 24 – Due West, SC Mar 2 – Dade City, FL Mar 22 – W. Siloam Springs, OK Mar2 3 – Tulsa, OK Mar 24 – Roland, OK Mar 25 – Hinton, OK Apr 1 – Sylacauga, AL Apr 15 – Georgetown, TX Apr 21 – Lubbock, TX Apr 22 – Las Cruces, NM Apr 29 – Pasadena, TX May 5 – West Chester, OH May 18 – Shipshewana, IN May 19 – Council Bluffs, IA May 20 – Walford, IA May 27 – Denim Springs, LA June 2 – Chickasha, OK June 3 – Ft. Worth, TX June 10 – Albany, TX June 15 – Wise, VA June 17 – McMinnville, TN June 24 – Rainsville, AL July 1 – Alexandria, MN July 4 – Russelville, AL July 7 – Bandera, TX July 8 – Norman, OK July 13 – Tuscumbia, AL July 14 – Walcot, IA July 15 – Topeka, KS July 18 – West Union, IA July 21 – Mattoon, IA July 29 – Mineral Wells, WV Aug 4 – Cambridge, OH Aug 19 – W. Branch, MI Sept 2 – West Liberty, OH Sept 9 – Dobson, NC Sept 14 – Albuquerque, NM Sept 23 – Bonham, TX Sept 28 – Alma, AR Sept 29 – Caldwell, TX Sept 30 – Tomball, TX Oct 7 – Winnie, TX Oct 13 – Hiawassee, GA Dec 3 – Birmingham, AL

About The Author

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: [email protected]

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Shenandoah Announce 2023 'Revival Tour' Dates

Grammy-winning country band Shenandoah have announced a 2023 cross-country trek, dubbed the "Revival Tour."

The tour's name is taken from the band's new single, "Revival," released on January 27 via 8 Track Entertainment/Fame Records. "Revival" is the first single to drop ahead of Shenandoah's upcoming full-length album, set for release later this year.

The first leg of the 50+ date tour kicks off in February and March. The huge trek extends through December.

"It's a wonderful feeling to hit the road with the boys as we again return to radio with new music," explains Shenandoah lead singer Marty Raybon . "We are excited for what the year holds, now let's have us a Revival!"

Shenandoah Revival Tour Dates:

02.10 Elizabethtown, KY 02.17 Bossier City, LA* 02.18 Lake Charles, LA* 02.24 Due West, SC 03.02 Dade City, FL 03.22 W. Siloam Springs, OK 03.23 Tulsa, OK 03.24 Roland, OK 03.25 Hinton, OK 04.01 Sylacauga, AL 04.15 Georgetown, TX 04.21 Lubbock, TX 04.22 Las Cruces, NM 04.29 Pasadena, TX 05.05 West Chester, OH 05.18 Shipshewana, IN 05.19 Council Bluffs, IA 05.20 Walford, IA 05.27 Denim Springs, LA 06.02 Chickasha, OK 06.03 Ft. Worth, TX 06.10 Albany, TX 06.15 Wise, VA 06.17 McMinnville, TN 06.24 Rainsville, AL 07.01 Alexandria, MN 07.04 Russelville, AL 07.07 Bandera, TX 07.08 Norman, OK 07.13 Tuscumbia, AL 07.14 Walcot, IA 07.15 Topeka, KS 07.18 West Union, IA 07.21 Mattoon, IA* 07.29 Mineral Wells, WV 08.04 Cambridge, OH 08.19 W. Branch, MI 09.02 West Liberty, OH 09.09 Dobson, NC 09.14 Albuquerque, NM* 09.23 Bonham, TX 09.28 Alma, AR 09.29 Caldwell, TX 09.30 Tomball, TX 10.07 Winnie, TX 10.13 Hiawassee, GA 12.03 Birmingham, AL

*Country Comeback Tour w/ Billy Dean & Wade Hayes

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

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

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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.

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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

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.

4-Day Tour in Moscow

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Description

This 7 Realms Ultimate tour of Moscow can be 3-Day tour, with 7 hours each day, or 4-Day tour, with 5 hours each day. 

This bespoke history-culture-art itinerary is the ultimate guide of Moscow with authentic Russian, Ukranian and Georgian cuisines along the way. 

Ready for adventure?

Highlights of  7 Realms tour of Moscow

• Explore Kremlin , the oldest and the largest fortress in Russia, a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage;
• Learn the stories of two Russian paradoxes –  Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon , both the largest in the world;
• Walk the oldest streets in Moscow  and observe the ancient architecture of Moskovy;
• Discover Kitay Gorod , which used to be home to the first skyscraper and the first typography in Moscow, as well as the biggest pharmacy in Europe;
• Dive into off the beaten path of Moscow – Zamoskvorechye  and get impressed with a dazzling mix of hidden architectural gems and art masterpieces of Russia;
• Visit Tretyakov gallery  that reflects 1000 year-old history, art and culture of Russia;
• Explore the iconic sights of legendary Kolomenskoe  including the Palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, which is considered the eighth wonder of the world;
• Get scenic panoramic views of Tsaritsino park , the most romantic park of Moscow;
• Admire “Russian Gothic” of the Grand Palace in Tsaritsino , and enjoy the picturesque landscape with fairy-tale bridges;
• Have fun in Gorky Park , which is even the #1 park of Russia;
• Meet locals and catch up with local art trends in Winzavod Art Center , the oldest and most respectable art gallery in Moscow;
• And, of course,  try Russian pelemeni, Soviet vareniki or bliny, Ukranian borsch, Georgian Khachapuri , as well traditional hospitality, coziest and amazingly beautiful interior of the best local restaurants.

12-14 th  centuries

Red Square, the Kremlin, Kitay Gorod + Russian traditional lunch

We are going to see the cradle of Russian history and track the development of Moscow.

The residence of Dukes, Tsars, Emperors, Supreme rulers, Presidents will surprise you with its cathedrals, largest in the world Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell, as long as the Armory with personal belongings of Great Tsars.

Highlights:

Red square tour.

• Walk-through  the Resurrection Gate  and don’t forget to flip a coin so you’ll be sure to come back one day!
• Visit the world’s famous  Kazan Cathedral ;
• See the  State Department Store  (GUM), once the Upper Trading Stalls, which were built over a century ago and still operating!
• Admire the lovely  St. Basil’s Cathedral , built to commemorate the capture of the cities Kazan and Astrakhan. After construction of the cathedral, the poor architect, Postnik Yakovlev, was blinded by Ivan the Terrible, forbidding him from replicating such a beauty ever again;
• Walk by  Lobnoye Mesto  (literally meaning the “forehead place”, or “Place of the Skulls”), once Ivan the Terrible’s stage for religious ceremonies, speeches, and important events;
• As well as  Lenin’s Mausoleum, GUM,  Manege Square, the Monument after Marshal Zhukov, Alexander Garden, Grotto monument, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Obelisk to Romanov royal dynasty.

Kremlin Tour

• The Cathedral of Twelve Apostles  forms the grand entrance to the luxurious Grand Kremlin Palace.
• The Tsar Bell , the largest bell in the world, and  Cannon , the largest bombard by caliber in the world.
• The Ivan the Great Bell Tower  marks the exact centre of Moscow and resembles a burning candle.
• The Cathedral of the Assumption , place of coronation of the grand princes and tsars as well as the burial place of metropolitans and patriarchs.
• The Cathedral of the Annunciation , the private church of Russian grand princes and tsars for domestic and family ceremonies.
• The Cathedral of the Archangel , the necropolis of the Moscow dynasty of Ruriks and first Romanov tsars. The history of the necropolis started in 1340 with Ivan I, the great grandfather of Ivan the Terrible.
• The Armory  originated as the royal arsenal in 1508 and boasting the richest collection of the works of Russian and foreign decorative and applied art of 4th-20th centuries.
• +  The procession of the equestrian and pedestrian guards of the President’s regiment  (April to October).

Kitay Gorod Tour

Kitay Gorod is the oldest part of Moscow after the Kremlin, emerged in the 14th century due to the expansion of the boundaries of the Kremlin.:

Experience Kitay Gorod with its it’s charming one-of-a-kind places, many with great historical significance.

There are 4 monasteries, 24 churches, cathedrals, and 8 chapels in the area of Kitay gorod. We’ll see some of them.

You will also see:

• First typography in Russia , founded in 1553;
• First “skyscraper” of Moscow , 5-storeyed building built in 1876;
• English Old Court on Varvarka street , the former home of the first foreign representation in Moscow (1553);

The Trinity monastery on Ilyinka  – Apartment house-monastery of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra (“Trinity Compound”) which is nowadays an object of cultural heritage of regional significance (1630s).

+ Traditional Russian food with a great buffet bar. 

Eat as much as you like! :) Hearty lunch in Russian traditional restaurant, with old Russian traditions, bright decor and amazing authentic food in historical Tverskaya street, the main street of Moscow.

14 th -17 th  centuries

Zamoskvorechye & Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve

Highlights :, zamoskvorechye tour.

• Explore vibrant Zamoskvorechye neighborhood full of life and character, which locals consider an epicenter of architectural masterpieces and ancient cathedrals, modern street art and best coffee in the town – Ultimate Russian Culture Experience!
• Soak in the beauty of the  greatest Russian masterpieces;
• Explore the  treasures of Russian art and architecture , ancient and modern;
• Get immersed into  Russian history ;
• Track the  origins of Moscow ;
• Experience Moscow’s premier art gallery –  Tretyakov Gallery;
• Admire the impressive architectural styles of  Russian cathedrals and temples.

Kolomenskoe Tour

Discover the oldest settlement of Moscow belonging to the Stone Age!

Kolomenskoye is a Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve in the open air: Ethnographic art, historical and architectural complex with the existing facilities of the medieval farm, stables, a forge, an apiary, a watermill.

You will see:

• Palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich , initially built in 17th century and consisted of 270 rooms Nowadays considered the 8th wonder of the world by Russians;
• The Church of the Ascension  – a UNESCO monument and a masterpiece of Russian and world architecture.
• Palace Pavillion  that served as a tea house or home theater, the main façade is decorated with Doric portico and two lioness sculptures;
• Front Gate Complex  that was the main entrance to the summer residence of the Tsar for distinguished guests;
• Church of Beheading of St. John the Forerunner  that Ivan the Terrible for holiday worships and his birthday feasts;
• As well as royal  Food Yard, Peter I’s House, Household structure (Mead Brewery), The Streltsy Guard-houses, Moss Tower and the Memorial Pole.

+  Lunch in Korchma, Ukranian traditional restaurant.  

Dynamic interior with authentic decorations and festive ethnic Russian & Ukranian traditions in one place! Your lunch will include:

• Lean sorrel borsch
• Podolsky Salad,  incredibly juicy and crispy salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, cauliflower, carrots and greens;
• Zrazy with mushrooms and spinach
• Chicken soup with noodles
• Spring salad with cucumbers, radish, eggs, green onions, lettuce and mayonnaise
• Chicken schnitzel with stewed cabbage

18 th -21 st  centuries

Tsaritsino, Gorky Park, Winzavod Art Center

Tsaritsino tour.

Tsaritsyno is the monument of the so-called “Russian Gothic”, unique in its style.

Enjoy the picturesque nature of the architectural ensemble, fairy bridges and castle, vintage terraces, statues, ponds and historical atmosphere! You will see:

• Palace of Catherine II , full of mysteries, gossips, intrigues and scandals;
• Famous Bazhenov’s  Bridges  that are distinguished by unique artistic features that fully represented the architect’s “theater architecture”;
• The cascade of  Tsaritsynsky ponds  formed during 16th-18th centuries;
• Magic  Slopes  with beautiful landscapes that became a natural backdrop for open-air theater during Catherine II reign;
• The Ruined Tower of Tsaritsyno  offers amazing panoramic views from its observation deck;
• Temple of Ceres  where the Empress rested and watched holiday hay celebrations;
• Tsaritsyno Fountain  with 3000 lights dancing polonaises and minuets in the evenings.

Gorky Park Tour

Gorky Park is Russia’s most popular park. It also features Europe’s largest skating rink with artificial ice in winter.

Discover Gorky Park from its early Soviet Communist history and hear the stories behind how it evolved to become the trendiest and hottest spot of Moscow.

Founded in 1923, the park has a lot to impress with:

• Rich Soviet past;
• Authentic local vibe;
• Garage Art Center,  founded by Dasha Zhukova, the wife of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich;
• Gorgeous nature landscape; 
• Yoga and dance classes;
• A myriad of local cozy cafes , street food kiosks, posh restaurants and coffee places with hot pastry.

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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