[mcanvasback]

I got my flight - I am travelling on Aeroflot from JFK to Moscow on Sat, July 22. (then onto Bishkek that night) Anyone else?????

Also, I am in Moscow for 12 hours, I am getting a hotel room. I want to go see Red Square, is that doable??

[Kasey]

You can definitely see Red Square, we stayed at Marriott Grand, it was about a 15 minute walk down to Red Square, you probably won't have time or energy to do any tours, but you can walk thru the square, check out St. Basils and just get some good pics. Many of the hotels will also be able to hire you a driver if you are further away.
But play it by ear as well, see how you feel after your flight.
What hotel are you staying at?

[Amysue1112]

Great news Melanie! Do you mean stay in a hotel AND see Red Square in 12 hrs?? I suppose it is possible...we had about 9 hrs between flights...but by the time we went from one Moscow airport to the other..and with check in time...there wasn't that much time to spare. Besides, you may want to SLEEP!
Will you be stopping back in Moscow on the way home?

[mcanvasback]

Yes, I did mean stay in a hotel and see Red Square. Maybe I'm dreaming, I do need to sleep. It just seems unthinkable to be in Moscow and not see anything! I do not have to change airports as Aeroflot comes into SVO. Maybe on the return - I land in Moscow 9:20 am and do not leave until 2:20.

I think I am booking a day room at the Novotel by the airport.

Thanks to all who PM'd me!!!

BTW, I am starting a blog, http://kyrgbaby@blogspot.com. Give me til tomorrow noon, then check itout!!

[calikismet]

Mel -- if you stay at the Novotel, you likely will not make it to Red Square....your first goal will be sleep, and food and a shower, and and the time between Red Square and the airport can be up to an hour one way depending upon the traffic... maybe even more in the afternoon rush hour. But if you can, and feel energized, do try it.. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get back to the airport!

Very excited to see your journey!!!!

[erickk]

We stayed at the Novotel (the one day rate--there for 8 hours!)-but enough for a nap, a shower, some food. Just happy to be off an airplane.

When we went the first time our agnecy had someone pick us up from the airport and take us sight-seeing. This time they took us to the Novotel--but of course it was -50 degrees so no one was really up for the sightseeing at that point :-)

What about trip 2--you may have more time since you have to spend a few days in Moscow to finish up the paperwork. You should have some time then.

Congratulations again Melanie. I cannot wait to see the pictures.

Karen

[angelkisses0102]

Rest up kiddo...you will honestly not have time unless you sleep the whole way over and really aren't tired! Maybe add on a day or two before your second trip for you little miss!

[lakimnafite]

Do you have a driver? On our first trip, we were only in Moscow a few hours. Our driver picked us up at the one airport, gave us a great quickie tour, and got us to the second airport. It seems reasonable that you could have your driver pick you up from your hotel a few hours early for your flight out, and give you a tour. Also, on the way back, if they pick you up at 9:30, they certainly have enought time to give you a tour and get you to the other airport in time. Just make sure you tell your agency to have them prepare to give you the tour, so they have a driver available!

[cathvash]

I THINK that the Novotel actually runs a free shuttle (every hour?) downtown. You may want to contact them to confirm that. I think your plan is doable, -you have a safe place to keep your bags, shower, change, nap a bit etc. between flights. However, you should know that the trip downtown can take TWO hours in heavy traffic, so allow plenty of time.

[nancyral]

Just my opinion - I could have been in London with a private invitation form the Queen to see the crown jewels and I would have said no - I was in no mood for sightseeing. I wanted to get moving on the adoption. A good book and a hot shower was all I could handle.