RUSSIA MAKS Airshow, Monino & museums Optional extension to St Petersburg

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1 RUSSIA MAKS Airshow, Monino & museums Optional extension to St Petersburg PROVISIONAL ITINERARY & GENERAL INFORMATION Tuesday, 23 rd Monday, 29 th July/ Thursday, 1 st August How time flies its 2 years since the last MAKS and here we are again. As always we include 2 full days at this brilliant airshow: one day inside and a second aboard our specially chartered ship! We drop anchor on the River Moscow alongside the airfield, within a stone s throw of the Air Traffic Control Tower which is airshow centre for the flying display! With the sun behind, fabulous photographs can be taken from this perfect location. The People's Republic of China will be a partner country of MAKS 2019: could this see the latest Chinese aircraft participating? We visit the Central Armed Forces Museum, the Great Patriotic War Museum, the private aircraft collection of Vadim Zadorozhny and the one and only: the Central Air Force Museum or Monino. Plans were announced on the 16 th November 2018 of the eventual closure of the museum and the transferring of all its aircraft to the Great Patriotic War Museum in Kubinka, to take place by the end of March However, Monino will be open when we visit. As the next MAKS airshow is due to take place in 2021, this tour is a very good opportunity to visit or re-visit this incredible collection, as aviation experts warn that it will be impossible to move the larger types (and they could be scrapped on-site). Time also on Chernoe airfield with its An-2s and Mi-2s who enter the factory as un-airworthy messes and re-emerge at the other end as brand new, updated ready to fly machines! On our last day we have a tour of the Kremlin and the famous Armoury; or you can go out to Domodedovo Airport, as you wish (transfers not included). Alternatively, you are free to take time away from the group to pursue your own interests. We fly on the scheduled service of British Airways from London s Heathrow Airport; stay 6 nights at the Holiday Inn-Tagansky in the centre of Moscow on a full board basis: bed, breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal; transfers are by air-conditioned coach (see appropriate paragraph of on page 7 of General Information); and in addition to one of our Aviation Tour Managers we are accompanied by a local English-speaking guide. From Moscow you have the option of extending your time in Russia by visiting St Petersburg for more aviation and sightseeing opportunities details on page 5. Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 1 of 10

2 PROVISIONAL ITINERARY all times local DAY 1: TUESDAY, 23 rd JULY Between 07:00 and 07:55 please check-in with British Airways in Terminal 5 at London s Heathrow Airport. Then meet your Ian Allan Tour Manager and fellow enthusiasts who will be gathering by Column G, located in the Departures Hall immediately before the self-service check-in podiums (not the usual line of check-in and fast bag-drop desks). Latest check-in time advised by the airline is 3 hours prior to departure, i.e. 07:55 Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5 Flight: BA 235 Departs: 10:55 Moscow Scheremetyevo Airport Arrives: 16:50 After Passport Control we collect our luggage from Baggage Reclaim, proceed through Customs and in the Arrivals Hall meet our local guide. We then transfer to the Holiday Inn-Tagansky in central Moscow, located a 10-minute drive from Red Square, for a 6-night stay on a Full Board basis: breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal. Each room has tea and coffee making facilities, iron and ironing board and mini-bar which can be used as a refrigerator. Meals are taken in the hotel s Sanctuary Restaurant ; there is a Lobby Bar. Also free highspeed wi-fi. Website: HI-_-RUS-_-MOWSM#scmisc=nav_hoteldetail_hi DAY 2: WEDNESDAY, 24 th JULY Today we visit the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, featuring 14,143 square meters of exhibit space. The Hall of Commanders, which features a decorative "Sword and Shield of Victory" contains busts of recipients of the Order of Victory, the highest military honour awarded by the Soviet Union. In the centre is the Hall of Glory, a white marble room with the names of over 11,800 recipients of the Hero of the Soviet Union distinction. A large bronze sculpture, the "Soldier of Victory," stands in the centre of this hall. Below lies the Hall of Remembrance and Sorrow, honouring Soviet people who died in the War. This room is dimly lit with strings of glass beads hanging from the ceiling, symbolizing tears shed for the dead. The upper floors have numerous exhibits about the War, including dioramas depicting major battles, photographs of wartime activities, weapons and munitions, uniforms, awards, newsreels, letters from the battlefront, and model aircraft. In addition, the museum maintains an electronic "memory book" which attempts to record the name and fate of every Russian soldier who died in World War II. There is also a collection of aircraft on display. Website: We visit the privately-owned Vadim Zadorozhny Museum with its amazing collection of 68 beautiful, classic automobiles and 115 motorcycles (many from WWII) plus over 80 aircraft, most of which are on public display and not hidden away! Within the collection is a beautiful Messerschmitt Bf-109G-6 Gustav and a superb Ilyushin IL-2 Sturmovik tank-buster! They are now busy restoring a second Sturmovik, a single-seater. Website: DAY 3: THURSDAY, 25 th JULY Departing the hotel at 08:30 we visit one of the largest and best collections of aircraft in the world: the Central Air Force Museum better known simply as Monino. The museum opens at 10:00 and we plan to stay 4 hours (packed lunch provided which can be eaten on the coach or in the grounds). Pictured right is just a SMALL view of this huge collection; missing is a couple of hangars with the WWI and Great Patriotic War (WWII) aircraft, plus more aircraft outside to the left of the photograph. As well as military aircraft associated with the Cold War of the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, there are also early examples of Russian Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 2 of 10

3 aeroplanes, warbirds from WWI and WWII, and various classic Soviet airliners. For a list of aircraft and a gallery of photographs please go to the following website: Then to somewhere completely different: the Antonov An-2 and Mil Mi-2 Repair Plant in nearby Chernoe. Here they take old and decrepit An-2s biplanes and Mi-2s helicopters and transform them into brand new flying machines; there are scores of aircraft and helicopters in the grounds, some needing a bit of TLC and others in showroom condition! DAY 4: FRIDAY, 26 th JULY At 07:30 we set off for a full day at the 2019 Moscow Airshow MAKS on Zhukovsky airfield. Our VIP Coach Pass ensures we can drive onto the airfield and park not far from the static display, instead of parking miles away in Bykovo and using the public shuttle coach service. DAY 5: SATURDAY, 27 th JULY This morning we look around the large and very impressive Central Armed Forces Museum with its exhibits of weapons, uniforms, tanks, artillery, armoured trains, boats and aircraft! Pride of place in the collection goes to the actual victory banner raised over the Berlin Reichstag in 1945, which is kept here alongside the swathes of captured Nazi standards that were trampled on Red Square during victory celebrations. Other displays of note include the remains of US pilot Gary Powers' U-2 spy plane (pictured left), who was shot down - and survived as a prisoner - over the Urals in Website: The afternoon is free. Why not visit Red Square, Lenin s Mausoleum, followed by the beautiful GUM department store with its shops, cafes and restaurants. DAY 6: SUNDAY, 28 th JULY At 08:30 we leave the hotel and drive to an embarkation point close to Zhukovsky on the River Moscow. Here we board our specially chartered boat and cruise along the river to the airfield. We drop anchor near to the ATC Tower which is air show centre during the flying programme. The boat has a café, bar, toilets, and a rooftop deck. Lunch is taken on-board (this meal is included in the tour price). With aircraft above and around you, and with the sun behind, superb action photographs can be taken! DAY 7: MONDAY, 29 th JULY Having checked-out we depart the hotel by 09:00 for a tour of the Kremlin grounds including the famous Armoury (admission is included in the tour price). Then to Domodedovo Airport where we check in with British Airways no later than 14:00 for our flight back to London. Alternatively, spend most of the day at Domodedovo Airport (transfers would be at your own expense), prior to checking in as stated above. Those continuing on the optional extension to St Petersburg will, after the morning sightseeing tour, transfer to Moscow s Leningradsky railway station and take their seats on the express train service. Moscow Domodedovo Airport Flight: BA 232 Departs: 16:05 Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5 Arrives: 18:00 Whilst waiting for our luggage in Baggage Reclaim we take the opportunity to wish each other Da svidahnia until the next time our paths cross. Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 3 of 10

4 TOUR PRICE PER PERSON TOUR: From: 1, From: On request Package price based on sharing a twin bedded room on a Full Board basis: breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal as stated Single room supplement Land-only (NO flights) PLEASE SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR CONSULTANTS BEFORE BOOKING TOUR PRICE INCLUDES Flights on the scheduled services of British Airways from London s Heathrow Airport, as stated UK and Russian airport taxes, and UK Passenger Service Charge All coach transfers as stated Chartering of the boat on Day 6 6 nights hotel accommodation in rooms with en-suite facilities Full Board: breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal 1 days admission to MAKS Admission to all stated aircraft museums and collections Services of a local-english speaking guide throughout Services of an Ian Allan Tour Manager throughout NOT INCLUDED Travel insurance see page 9 Visa see page 7 Personal expenditure, e.g. telephone calls, laundry, drinks, etc. Tips and gratuities Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 4 of 10

5 OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO ST PETERSBURG Monday, 29 th July Thursday, 1 st August DAY 7: MONDAY, 29 th JULY Having checked-out we depart the hotel by 09:00 for a tour of the Kremlin grounds including the famous Armoury (included in the tour price). We then transfer to Moscow s Leningradsky railway station and take our seats on the express train SAPSAN 766 to St Petersburg: a perfect opportunity to see something of the countryside outside the Moscow city limits. We stay 3 nights at the 3* Hotel Ibis St Petersburg Centre on a Full Board basis. On-site is the Ibis Kitchen restaurant and bar; facilities include satellite TV, free wi-fi and in-room air-conditioning. It s only a 5-minute walk to the famous Nevsky Prospekt with its shops and restaurants. The hotel is also near to the Hermitage, various museums and river boat cruises along the Neva River. Website: DAY 8: TUESDAY, 30 th JULY A full day sightseeing. In the morning we visit the world-famous Hermitage; now a museum of art and culture it is the second-largest art museum in the world. Founded in 1764 by Empress Catherine the Great, it has been open to the public since With over 3 million items, including the largest collection of paintings in the world, they occupy a large complex of 6 historic buildings along Palace Embankment, including the Winter Palace, Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage, New Hermitage, and Hermitage Theatre which are all open to the public. Then, in the afternoon, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the first and oldest landmark in St. Petersburg, built between 1712 and 1733 on Hare Island along the Neva River by Peter the Great. The cathedral houses the remains of almost all the Russian emperors and empresses from Peter the Great to Nicholas II and his family, who were murdered on the orders of Lenin and were finally laid to rest in July Among the emperors and empresses buried here is Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia for 34 years. Alternatively, spend the day at St Petersburg Poltava Airport (transfers at your own expense). DAY 9: WEDNESDAY, 31 st JULY A free day to enjoy at your leisure. DAY 10: THURSDAY, 1 st AUGUST This morning we will request a ramp tour of St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport. If not approved we will visit the Central Naval Museum: At 13:00 we arrive at St Petersburg Airport and check-in with British Airways for our flight back to London. Alternatively, spend the morning at St Petersburg Poltava Airport (transfers at your own expense). In Pulkovo 1 there are seats in the terminal overlooking the ramp. The best spot is outside the right hand side of the terminal on the departures level in order to get the best view of the runway. Website: St Petersburg Flight: BA 879 Departs: 15:35 Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5 Arrives: 17:10 Whilst waiting for our luggage in Baggage Reclaim we take the opportunity to wish each other Da svidahnia until the next time our paths cross. Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 5 of 10

6 TOUR PRICE PER PERSON Including extension TOUR: Including extension From: 1, From: On request Package price based on sharing a twin bedded room on a Full Board basis: breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal as stated Single room supplement Land-only (NO flights) PLEASE SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR CONSULTANTS BEFORE BOOKING TOUR PRICE INCLUDES Flights on the scheduled services of British Airways from London s Heathrow Airport, as stated UK and Russian airport taxes, and UK Passenger Service Charge Rail journey Moscow-St Petersburg All coach transfers as stated Chartering of the boat on Day 4 9 nights hotel accommodation in rooms with en-suite facilities Full Board: breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal 1 day admission to MAKS Admission to all stated aircraft museums and collections Services of a local-english speaking guide throughout Services of an Ian Allan Tour Manager throughout NOT INCLUDED Travel insurance see page 9 Visa see page 7 Personal expenditure, e.g. telephone calls, laundry, drinks, etc. Tips and gratuities Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 6 of 10

7 GENERAL INFORMATION Payment for A deposit of per person should accompany your Booking Form, with the balance due 10 weeks prior to the tour s departure. Please see your Booking Confirmation/Invoice for the exact date. Please note that a reminder of the payment date will not be sent. Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Consular Advice The FCO's consular service is a major operation. Every hour of every day consular staff around the world are advising and helping British nationals. For up-to-date passport, visa and security information, we suggest you visit In addition, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) provides both a web site and an Information Line, telephone: This line is open between the hours 10:00 16:00, Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays). Coach Travel only use coaches chartered from reputable companies, with a driver. Where we have had to cancel a tour, due to the small number of bookings, we have looked at the possibility of renting a seater minibus, with our tour manager driving. However, without exception, the hiring of such a vehicle is illegal if any of the occupants make any payment towards the rental price, fuel and/or other expenses - known as for hire or reward. Any such rental, made without these facts being known to the rental company at the time of booking, also invalidates all insurance covering the vehicle, contents and persons. The DVLA has also confirmed that any for hire or reward rental could breach the normal driving classification of a standard UK driver s license. Therefore, we do not undertake any tours using 9-18 seater minibuses from a rental company; either with our tour manager, or a member of the group, driving. Passports and Visas Citizens of the UK are required to be in possession of a Full UK Passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Russia. Everyone requires a visa to enter Russia and your passport must have 2 clean, facing pages. We strongly recommend that you use the services of ASLA, a private company based in Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire who specialise in travel arrangements to Russia. Our groups have used their expertise for many years. Website: You will require a Tourist Single Entry Visa and this currently costs If you wish to do your application through, and with the assistance of ASLA, they charge an additional fee of 31.00: a total of They will make sure your submission is 100% correct. Whether you apply yourself or via ASLA you will need to make a personal visit to the Visa Office in either London, Manchester or Edinburgh so that they can take your biometric data (your fingerprints). All prices quoted are correct as of November 2018 but are subject to change at the discretion of the Russian authorities. Full details on how to complete and submit the application (6 pages) will be sent to you on receipt of your booking. However, if you wish to see the details before you book please contact us and we will forward a copy. Baggage Regulations British Airways Departing from London s Heathrow Airport Checked Baggage: British Airways will transport 1 piece of checked baggage per person free of charge, the total dimensions of which must not exceed 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29½in x 25½in), including the handle, pockets and wheels. Maximum weight is 23kg (50lb). Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 7 of 10

8 Cabin Baggage: for travel out of London s Heathrow Airport you may take 1 carry-on bag (and 1 personal item). Your main piece of hand baggage can be up to the dimensions of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 18in x 10in), including handles and wheels. You must be able to lift the bag into the overhead locker unaided. Carry-on baggage must be stowed in carry-on compartments of the aircraft, under a seat, or in an overhead locker. Your bag must also fit into the bag gauge, available at the check-in area. All larger-sized items must go in the aircraft s hold. Restrictions remain in place for the carriage of liquids, gels, and creams in hand baggage for all passengers departing from and transferring through all EU airports. Some other airports around the world operate their own restrictions. Customers are advised to check before they travel. Limited quantities of liquids (individual containers must not exceed 100ml or 3.5 fl oz), are allowed as hand baggage but must be carried separately through security in a clear plastic, zip-top or re-sealable bag that does not exceed 20cm x 20cm (8 inches x 8 inches), or quart size. Items must fit in the bag comfortably and the bag must be completely closed. The bag can only contain liquids such as shampoo, suntan lotions, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and hair spray, perfumes, cosmetics such as mascara and lip gloss, water and other drinks, soups and syrups and other items of a similar consistency. Cigarette lighters are NOT permitted in hold baggage or through the security search. These may be purchased airside. Hand baggage can also include electronic equipment such as mobile phones, digital cameras and MP3 players (such as i-pods). Laptops must be removed from the bag for x-ray. All equipment which contain batteries must be fully charged, e.g., mobile phone and cameras. Any that are not fully charged will be taken by airport security staff and returned to you when you next pass through the airport. Should you be detained for questioning and miss your flight, Ian Allan Travel cannot be held responsible. Prescription medicines in liquid form, e.g. diabetic kit can also be included. At security all remaining items should be placed in the tray provided for screening, e.g. car keys and fobs, cash, solid food, books, newspapers, cigarettes and tobacco, belts and shoes. Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. All wheelchairs will be subject to search. Please note: you may be subject to a hand search by the security team and required to remove footwear to be x-ray screened. Baggage Weight Restrictions UK Airports Since 1 st June 2004, any single piece of checked baggage weighing more than 70lbs (32kgs) has not been accepted at check-in by any airline operating from London s and many U.K. regional airports. Meals On this tour breakfast, a packed lunch and evening meals are included. Health Requirements There are no known mandatory or recommended precautions for visiting Russia; however, we recommend you consult your local doctor or health centre for the latest information. Climate The month of July should be warm and sunny with temperatures around 23 C (73 F), but during heat waves, which can occur anytime from May to September, daytime temperature highs often top 30 C (86 F), sometimes for one or two weeks. Local Currency The currency is the Russian Rouble. For several years it has been illegal to charge for goods or services in any currency other than Roubles, and no longer will taxi drivers or café/bar staff take other currencies like US Dollars, Euros or Sterling. Recent legislation has dramatically cut the number of places you can exchange money, although there are still many more bureaux de change in Moscow than in most European cities, some open 24-hours. It Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 8 of 10

9 is easier to change US Dollars and Euros; other currencies are normally only changeable at larger banks or central exchange offices. Commission is normally negligible. Buying rubbles abroad is usually extremely difficult, and exchange rates, at least for Dollars and Euros, are much more competitive in Moscow. If you want to carry cash, then bring it in one of those currencies. An easy way to access funds is through ATM machines once you get to Moscow; there are many throughout the city and are also to be found in most hotels, in metro stations and outside banks. The flat-rate charges are small, and exchange rates are normally reasonable (although there's little way of checking beforehand). Credit and bank cards are now widely accepted in large shops, most restaurants (including fast-food outlets), and larger bars and nightclubs. It is always worth checking before you order, however, as some businesses don't consider it a major problem if their card terminals are out-of-order for a few days. Visa and MasterCard are accepted almost everywhere, while American Express and Diner's Club can rarely be used. You should also be aware that, due to high instances of card fraud emanating from Russia, some Western banks need to be notified of your travel plans, otherwise they may block your card automatically after the first time you use it in Russia, whether to make a payment or withdraw cash. Traveller's cheques are the safest option, and can now be exchanged in any branch of Sberbank, Russia's national savings bank, and several other large banks. However, our itinerary does not include any time for visiting banks as this would reduce the time spent on the aviation visits. Travel Insurance For citizens of the United Kingdom, are able to offer competitive and comprehensive insurance cover. However, if you do not wish to take out our insurance, you must ensure that comparable or greater cover is taken. The number of your Insurance Policy should be written, if known, on your Booking Form at the time of making the reservation, but no later than the date when final payment is due. A copy of the policy must be forwarded to. Individual insurance policies are arranged through CoverMore Insurance Services Limited; the premiums for which will vary according to your circumstances. Full details are available on request. These policies also include cover for non-scheduled flights, i.e. pleasure flights, where the aircraft is licensed and insured to undertake such flights, and where a payment is made. NOTE: You will be required to provide proof of travel insurance with your visa application. Wheelchair Assistance at Airports. Anyone requiring wheelchair assistance at airports must have this service requested and confirmed in advance. Airlines and/or airports can no longer provide this service without prior confirmation, therefore, please annotate your booking form accordingly. Flexible Itinerary We are very happy for enthusiasts to take time away from the printed itinerary to pursue their own interests so long as they inform the Tour Manager. It will be the individual s responsibility to ensure that they re-join the group in the hotel at the stated time on the day of departure. Land Only Price For enthusiasts who would prefer to join the tour in Moscow (instead of flying from London s Heathrow Airport with the main group), we will be very pleased to provide a Land Only price: NO FLIGHTS will be included. You are strongly advised to contact us before making your own flight arrangements in the event that there has been a change to the published itinerary. Please note that the Land only price is based on you meeting up with the group at the hotel in Moscow and does not include the airport transfer on Day 1. However, should your arrival/departure at Moscow s Scheremetyevo Airport coincide with that of the group, a seat will be offered if available at a supplement of The airport transfer on Day 7 (Moscow) or Day 10 (St Petersburg) is included. Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 9 of 10

10 Payment for all transfers will be taken with your final payment. For those who request coach transfers after final payment has been taken, payment will be collected by our Tour Manager on arrival in Moscow, either in Sterling ( 20.00) or Euros ( 25.00) in cash only. Flight Timings & Connecting Travel Arrangements to Departure Airport All flight departure and arrival times are correct at the time of preparing each itinerary; however, airlines may change these times with little or no prior warning. In practice such changes are only a few minutes either way and the final itinerary will show the actual times. Clients making their own arrangements to get to the departure airport by air, rail, coach etc., should bare the above in mind if purchasing nonrefundable or non-changeable tickets. cannot be held responsible for any changes to flight times and any privately arranged travel tickets to the airport becoming invalid. Pre-departure For connecting flights from UK regional airports - please call on for the latest special offers available. Airport Hotel and/or Car Parking: we can offer special rates for the above at most UK airports, please ask for details. Pleasure Flights Disclaimer Should you decide to undertake any pleasure/sightseeing flights which have not been offered or sanctioned by us, will not be held liable for any injuries or death resulting thereon. Tours Affected by World Events or Unforeseen/Unplanned Circumstances In an ever-changing world, events may occur immediately before or during a tour that result in cancellations or changes to the tour itinerary. For example, an increase in security may result in an approved visit being cancelled by the host, etc.. cannot be held responsible for any tour being cancelled, or itineraries affected, due to world events or circumstances beyond our control. * * * Tour MAKS - Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 10 of 10