"We chose this trip because it was relevant to our curriculum - we study Orthodox Church, Spirituality and also Judaism in our Theology course together with Russia's 20th century history in our History course. We've always organised trips without companies before, so this was a new experience for me.
Our journey started in Moscow and our local guide Lena was great: efficient, knowledgeable and helpful. She bent over backwards to accommodate my suggestions about the programme and worked very long hours. Choraling teenagers on the noisy and overcrowded metro is her special gift! We had good accommodation in Moscow and the hotel food was just brilliant, varied and catered for all, mostly Russian dishes too. The highlight was a visit to the local school. They took it very seriously and were very hospitable. Having the chance to perform before the school added rigour and interest to the trip.
The boys loved the overnight train to St Petersburg, it was a real experience. We particularly appreciated not having to share compartments with strangers.
Our St Petersburg guide Lena was brilliant as well. I don't think a tour guide can get any better. The sixth formers all competed for her attention and she handled it very well, kindly but firmly. As for the accommodation in St Petersburg, we were pleasantly surprised and didn't know our money could afford a hotel that good - which says it all. The boys said that every day to their surprise they realised that the trip was getting even more fun than before.
This trip entirely met our expectations and more. Overall, taking into account all that was included, we think that it was good value for money, which was mainly possible due to all RCB staff, who worked very hard and have made this trip a really memorable experience for us all. A big thank you to them and I'd be very happy to refer RCB to other schools and teachers."
Alexey Kostyanovsky, Theology teacher, Magdalen College School
Magdalen College School travelled with RCB to Moscow and St Petersburg in April 2011
