Sandra and Neville Walliss

Sandra and Neville Walliss, managing directors and founders of Travelrite International tours will lead this Vladivostok to Moscow tour on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Neville worked for ICI in many management positions including two postings to England. Sandra was a teacher at secondary schools and TAFE Colleges. After returning to Australia in 1981, Neville and Sandra investigated starting their own business and decided on travel in 1984. Since 1984 they have managed approximately 65 land and cruise based tours.

Undisputedly the world’s greatest railway journey, the Trans-Siberian Railway runs from Moscow, over the Urals, across the magnificent Russian steppes and alongside the shores of the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal. It passes through eight time zones, and travels almost 10,000 km; one third of the way around the world. Our Trans-Siberian Express tour is a leisurely journey, making sure you get plenty of time to take in and enjoy this voyage of a lifetime.

In Vladivostok we will have time to explore and tour round this rarely visited city, which until recently was relatively unknown to foreigners. We will stop off at Lake Baikal to visit a traditional fishing village and enjoy a barbecue at the water’s edge. As a major highlight, our train will branch off the Trans- Siberian main line to take a trip into Mongolia for a visit to the capital, Ulaan Baatar, before we return to Russia for the remainder of the trip. We will visit the Irkutsk, the ‘Paris of Siberia’, Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic, Yekaterinburg – where the Romanovs were executed, and Kazan, with its beautiful Kremlin before we arrive in Moscow.

We spend three nights in Moscow where we see the old and new in this amazing city before we travel to St Petersburg, the glittering city of the tsars. The main attraction has to be the gradually changing scenery, from the climb through the Ural Mountains (the boundary between Europe and Asia), to the wide open steppes and the broad rivers we cross. Travelling on the Trans-Siberian is the only way to truly take in the vastness and grandeur of the world’s largest country.

The Golden Eagle Luxury Trans-Siberian Railway Journey
The 12 new, fully en-suite sleeping cars feature state-of-the-art amenities. Gold Class cabins have everything from modern, separate shower cubicle and underfloor heating to a DVD/CD player, LCD screen and individual air conditioning – and at 7 sqm, they are among the largest rail cabins anywhere in the world. Silver cabins are more compact at 5.5 sqm and have similar facilities with a fully en-suite bathroom. A particular delight of the Golden Eagle are the two beautifully appointed restaurant cars, where the chefs serve carefully prepared meals using only the finest local ingredients.

Whether it be the world-renowned ‘Borsch’ or Omul – a fish unique to Lake Baikal – we offer a culinary experience representing the very essence of Russia. Meals are complemented by wines from around the world, as well as vodka. The social heart of the train is of course the bar car, a great place to relax and settle into the unhurried pace of life on board. Unwind in comfortable surroundings and watch the world go by as you get to know your fellow passengers. Enjoy the sounds of the pianist playing in the evenings, and the bar stays open until the last person leaves. Be one of the first to travel on one of the great railway journeys in absolute luxury!

Visas
A visa for Russia and Mongolia will be required for the tour. Travelrite is able to help obtain these for you. Further details will be sent after booking.

Climate
We will be travelling through Russia in summer, the best time of year to travel. The days are often sunny and temperatures can get up into the mid 20s. In the evenings it gets cool quickly.