In order to travel by train into Russia we are required to have an official invitation which can be obtained from the hotels where we stay. However, each of our hotel bookings would have to be made individually and we’d all need separate authorisation. In addition, and more importantly, we have to send our passports to Manchester or London for processing and it costs just over £100 per person for the visa and the admin charge.
It’s something I had overlooked. My fault completely.
So the Northern Loop has been re-designed and re-imagined... still 4 countries, still a fantastic adventure and drawing experience but the name, well 'Baltic Safari?' I don't think so. We're still calling it the Northern Loop!