Russian Touring, Russian Travel, Russian Women

Agency

Dates

Remarks

Nina

(St. Petersburg)

Dec

2002

For the best possible service in St. Petersburg, try Nina and herAmerican husband - Phil. She has gone far beyond expectations for me. She has delivered gifts and flowers more than once at a more than reasonable price. What I appreciated more was giving me her impression of the woman that I visited.

During my visit in October, she found an apartment for me, picked me up at the airport, acted as a translator, and made herself available at any time. Phil even helped me register my visa. They also offer other services - translating, printing email (and pictures) and putting it into their mail system, delivering,... just about anything to help you.

If you need to get a card or a gift delivered, they are the best. As you can guess, I now consider them good friends. Her email address is rusin@omnisp.ru Terry L.

Olga

Mikheyeva

(St. Petersburg)

Nov

2002

If you are visiting St. Petersburg, I highly recommend the Tour Services of Olga Mikheyeva.

On two days during my November 2002 visit, I visited The Hermitage with Olga as my guide. Olga is extremely knowledgeable in the details of the Hermitage and I discovered through Olga, many things, of course, that I missed on a previous visit. On the first day, after our tour, she gained access for us to the Hermitage Theater to attend a seminar of American artists which was very interesting.

On the second day, Olga and I visited areas of the Hermitage not open to the general public.

After our tours, Olga introduced me to several new restaurants in the downtown area as well as the Hermitage cafeteria. We also toured a little of the city and, with Olga’s help, I obtained tickets to a great Folk Dance and Concert at the Concert Hall on Nevsky at the Anichkov Bridge.

Olga is a Certified Tour Guide for many of the popular attractions. Olga’s tour prices are reasonable and her professionalism and customer concern are at the top of the scale. It is a pleasure to be in her company.

Olga’s web site and contact info:

tourservice.sp.ru / Phone: 011-7-812-588-6244

Olga also offers translation services for those that may be interested. Andy in Denver

Translations

By Luba

(St. Petersburg)

Nov

2002

During my November 2002 visit, I also toured St. Petersburg with a young lady that has become a good friend since I first visited St. Petersburg. My friend, Luba Glebova, offers a Translation Service that I have used on occasion. Luba teaches English at the university and is a pleasure to work with.

Luba always finds time in her busy schedule to accompany me on tours of the city and is very patient with my requests. Luba has taken me to out of the way sections of the city for shopping (found some great chocolates and Christmas ornaments this trip to say nothing of the pastry shops) and has introduced me to several great restaurants for both lunch and dinner.

I first met Luba during my initial visit to St. P in April, 2001. We became friends almost immediately. Luba’s easy manner and wonderful smile are endearing. After becoming familiar with her services, I built several pages into this web site for Luba: TranslationsLubaG.html

Luba has since obtained her own domain: translationsbyluba.com

If you are in need of translations of E-mail or documents to or from Russian or an interpreter or a tour of St. Petersburg, you would do well to contact Luba. Andy in Denver

Introductions by Irina*

(St. Petersburg)

Nov 2002

My visit to St. P in November 2002, was again arranged through Agent Irina Borisova. Irina obtained for me a great flat on Stremmanaya Ulitsa near to Vladimirsky (Litiniy). The location of the flat is one block off Nevsky, just behind the Radisson Hotel and is very convenient to many bistros and restaurants. The heart of Nevsky is a pleasant 15 minute walk- The Hermitage is about 20 minutes. There are many grocery markets handy to the flat as well as Internet Clubs. The rail station is only a short distance as are several Metro stations. Irina has access to many flats in all price ranges, and if you are looking for accommodations near to Nevsky, I highly recommend the flat on Stremmanaya if it is available. (The doorbell even played the theme from Dr. Zhivago).

I also arranged airport transportation through Irina. Irina's husband, Misha, was, as usual, there waiting for me and easily ushered me through the airport both arriving and leaving.

Irina also helped me solve a small visa registration problem during this visit.

I have arranged all of my visits, except the first, through Irina with no concerns or disappointments. Irina has always phoned several times during my visits to ask if all was satisfactory and to remind me to call her if I needed assistance with anything.

There is a banner link to Irina’s web site on several pages of this site.

Andy in Denver

With Love

From

Voronezh *

Oct 2002

I just wanted to put in a good word for Steve Williams and the With Love From Voronezh agency. I began writing to a woman there. After a couple initial contact letters, you're required to pay a monthly fee. I sent in my fee then stopped getting any more letters. You can imagine my concern.

Steve tried to find out why she stopped writing, to no avail. He then refunded my fee even though his agency wasn't to blame. I appreciate this kind of honest, straightforward way of conducting business. rojay

Alpha-agency

(Kiev)

Oct

2002

Hello list,

A good friend of mine has a small business called Alpha Agency, which provides reasonably priced but clean and nicely located apartments in Kiev along with other services that members of this list might be interested in.

Julia has about 25 low to moderate priced apartments available in addition to airport pickup, excellent translation and interpreting skills, and gift and flower delivery. I've known her for about 4 years and can vouch for her honesty and skill and her being a wonderful contact and friend in Ukraine.

Julia has had a web site for a while but on a slow free server so I transferred a copy of it to one of my servers to make it more usable to western viewers. The free site did not allow her own domain so I reserved and registered an appropriate name for her as www.alpha-agency.net this last weekend. It has already rippled through the DNS network so it is working now. I'm helping her write a new more polished site but for now, her own efforts describe her service just fine. The new unpublished site will feature credit card processing for apartment reservations and flower/gift delivery but for now, contacting her directly will start the wheels turning to get what you need done.

Her site is http://www.alpha-agency.net Just click on the service heading for details of each. If there are any questions, email her at dragon@secom.lg.ua for her services or you can contact me via km6xz@hotmail.com for my advice.

Thanks. Stan J.

Svetlana's Brides*

(Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)

Sept 2002

Svetlana's Brides - Agency of Kyrgyzstan. Svetlana Halepova, operates a modest agency out of her home in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

I visited a lady in Bishkek, and while I didn't meet her through this agency's website, she steered me towards Svetlana's agency for the purpose of airport pickup, apartment rental, visa registration, and general assistance, like being driven about by driver Peter.

While many website's services are the proverbial "pig in a poke", rest assured this woman's services are rendered honestly and above board.

If you find a lady in Bishkek via whatever means, I wouldn't hesitate to contact Svetlana for assistance.

Her English is very good, & I found her to be nothing less than hospitable, accommodating, personable, & friendly.

Were I to return to Bishkek, using Svetlana's agency for whatever services I needed would be a foregone conclusion.

Tim S

Svetlana's Brides*

(Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)

Sept 2002

Yes, Svetlana works hard. ..... the ladies' pictures are taken by her husband, and he decides which ones go on the web site.

I was in their home office during one of their many discussions over which pictures to use. These ladies are real ladies. They walk into her agency by word of mouth. Everyone I talked to while in Svetlana's home was sincere and looking for a husband. The economics of Bishkek are terrible. Svetlana has advanced my lady money for English lessons and other needs with just me saying that I would send the money.

When I went to Bishkek in May, I sent money to her associate in Florida, but the money did not arrive in Florida. Lost somewhere in the mail. Svetlana was very understanding, I used her internet connection to contact my bank, and had them send the money. She never hounded me for the money, and I rented the apartment, the driver, and translator, and she charged me less at the end of the two weeks than what we had agreed upon before I went.

Svetlana is a hard working lady, who helps the men out who come to her home. If there is a scammer in her agency, she wants to know about them, and she assured me she would remove them very quickly. Scott

Odessa

Konnect

(Odessa, Ukraine)

August 2002

I wanted to let everyone know about an agency in Odessa, Ukraine that I had really good luck with. They are Odessa Konnect at www.odessaukraine.com .

I used their letter translating service for a few months and the translator Artur did a great job helping me out with my lady while I was visiting Ukraine. They provide great service for a lot less than other agencies and go out of their way to make the trip the best possible one for you. They have contacts here in the U.S. and are more than happy to help you out on the phone or via email. Jack

Hotel Prolisok

(Borispol)

August 2002

For those who are interested, I know an hotel which is in a picturesque pine forest near the boundary of the city (18 km from the centre), 55 km from Borispol airport, 25 km from Zhulyany airport, 11 km from the railway terminal.Tourist complex consists of 3-storeyed hotel for 202 beds (single and double rooms, deluxe rooms) and of cottage-style hotel for 40 beds, Camping (with 30 bungalows), 3 restaurants, 4 bars, casino, sauna, big guarded parking yard and auto-service.

National restaurants with folklore programmes "Yaroslaviv Dvir" and "Khata Karasya" are well known not only in this country."

The price is very reasonable.

E-mail me if you want to know more and pay less than the dramatic 150 USD for the downtown hotels like Rus etc...

Go to www.all-hotels.com.ua type Kiyv on the top left. Then the hotel is called Hotel Prolisok.

Philippe B.

Andrey

(Moscow)

August 2002

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Andrey and recommend him as a reliable contact in Moscow.

He also represents some of the finest ladies from Moscow.

Due to a delay with transatlantic flight my RW missed her connections, arrived to Moscow 6 hours later and missed her train. Andrey was very responsive in the circumstances. He met her at airport 6 hours later, arranged an apartment accommodation for her, obtained new train ticket for the next day, and took her to a railway station.

I also stayed at his apartment earlier this year.

A Foreign

Classic

Agency

(St. Petersburg)

July

2002

Here is my review of a few Saint Petersburg agencies.

Good luck. Jake

****************

These are my limited impressions from a few short visits.

1. Rossianka Agency (*****)

Located near Kaza Cathedral. Run by very nice, sincere ladies. Didn't meet anyone special from here, but I really like the women who run this agency.

2. Fortuna Agency (****)

Located near Church on Spilled Blood. Also had a good feel from this place. Very nice employees. Many nice, sincere women in catalogues. Reasonable introduction fee ($25).

3. Victoria Agency (****)

Located on upper Nevsky. Seemed like a nice place.

Reasonable rates for an introduction ($25).

4. Svetlana Agency* (***)

Located near Church of Spilled Blood. Seems ethical. Many nice women here. The lady in charge was very charming and a smooth talker (not that I hold that against her) and the prices were a bit high for me, but the office had a good "feel".

5. A Foreign Affair* (***)

The office was way out of town, (Pulkovskaya Hotel) but near the WWII monument (which is worth seeing). The women advertised with this agency seem generally sincere. The office was a bit run down, and the service was not that friendly, but prices were reasonable for an introduction ($25).

6. Classic Agency (0 stars)

I felt that the woman at this office was manipulative. I definitely got the feeling that there are many professional daters here. Got a very bad impression from this place...especially the fact that they have a special "Models Directory" where introductions cost $50. IMO, avoid at all costs.

Jake

With Love

From

Voronezh *

July

2002

I have been writing through With Love From Voronezh for about 5 months and I can say that I was helped along with honest opinion about this whole process and excellent service and advice. The agency is run by a fellow British guy, Steve, and his Russian wife Nadya. They have an office in Voronezh with a 5 memberstaff. Although small, I cant fault the way they operate.

When it came time to go to visit my girl, they arranged everything and helped make me feel confident (I was a little nervous, never having

been to Russia before). From the time I arrived at Moscow airport until my flight departure a week later, they took complete responsibility for me.

Actually Nadya was there in Voronezh at that time and I just wanted to post this message because there is no way that anyone could have looked after me better.

The translators, Ksenia and Elena were very helpful and handled it all with great under- standing, I felt that they were really on my side and watching out for my best interests.

I spent some time in their office and there is a really friendly atmosphere there. They treat all of their ladies with respect.

Having seen how expensive many other agencies are, I cant believe that they charge such low prices.

I want to acknowledge all their hard work and caring attitude. It's good to knowthat there are some good, honest people in the agency business. Alanfrom London

alphadating

(Odessa)

July 2002

Some of you may want to try www.alphadating.com.

It is located in Odessa and has a rep here in the states.

This is the agency I met wife from. I went to Odessa twice and they handled all the arrangements. They also took care of her interview and all the paper work and her exam in Kiev.

Dimitry is a good guy and was very helpful. Very legit agency.

I was quite happy with them.

Good luck! Mike

A Charming Lady*

(Odessa)

onetruelove

(Odessa,

Gomel, Dnepropetrovsk,

Minsk, more)

womenrussia*

July 2002

I wish to acknowledge the very good service I've received from A Charming Lady agency. They have a subscription to the Angelica network (but again, for reasons I don't quite understand, it is not a 100% subscription, but I just go to "onetruelove.net" to view the full subscription, and use ID#s from there).

This agency has American owners, and Natasha (a former oceanic geologist/PhD) in Odessa is the affiliate owner. She is committed to giving great service, and has gone out of her way

for me on MANY an occasion. I sent her an English/ESL dictionary that cost me $20 just to ship, if that's any indication.

I'm always happy to pay her site a compliment, because she's earned it! If this helps...

Oh, also, there are websites for blackballing scammers (search "google.com" with "russian women / scammer / blacklist"). Heck, I can't think of the sites name now...wait, here it is:

http://www.womenrussia.com/blacklist.htm

Timothy L.S. flagday1960

Moscow Rick*

(Moscow)

July 2002

Charlie is right. I rented two different apartments from Moscow Rick in June. He was helpful to me before and during my visit. It is impossible to underestimate the value of having an English-speaking person to call for advice or who can give you restaurant recommendations. You also can discuss the most important subject with him, Russian women. Having a person with whom to discuss your thoughts about the women you have met can be invaluable.

One important tip he gave me was to buy a prepaid Internet access card. These cards are similar to prepaid calling cards; in fact, they usually work for both long-distance calls and Internet access. I rought my laptop computer with me, so I simply plugged my computer into the phone line in the apartment and used one of these cards to access the Internet for a cheap rate of approximately $1 per hour. Be prepared to configure your computer dialing software for pulse dialing, as most private phone lines in Moscow apparently still use pulse dialing.

List Member Doug

Moscow Rick*

(Moscow)

July 2002

My fiance arrived last Friday (hooray) in America. I just wanted to say a big thanks to Rick in Moscow (Moscow Apartments) for the excellent service he provided for us. I am not sending this because I was asked to, but to convey to others a trustworthy person and service in another country.

I could not be in Moscow for the interview due to my company requirements at the time. I was very concerned about my fiance and her father when she was in Moscow and that everything went well. After reading some stories about how the least little things may turn into an "Omen" for the RW. Since I could not be there in person, Rick's service was the next best thing for me.

I arranged for them to be picked up at the train station and transported to the apartment and also for my RW to be driven to airport and her father to the train station when departing Moscow. The train was late (2 hours) , but Rick's wife Natasha, waited..

The apartment , was a wonderful sight for them. They were able to buy food at the market and cook in the kitchen of the apartment. My RW and family are not much on restaurants. They took the trolley car to medical center and metro to the embassy.

Rick checked up on them and sent me emails about his visit.

I was able to call directly to my RW to the apartment instead of a switchboard at the hotel.

My RW and her father and sister (who was a surprise to us came along too) had a relaxing holiday.

Rick provided excellent "customer service" and I should know since I work in a world wide company in an the customer support department where we always are striving to improve our "customer service " attitude in anyway we can to make sure the customer will use our service again and again.

I plan to use his apartments when I travel through Moscow in the future. I have stayed in a hotel and it is small and nowhere to relax. I found the apartment to be less expensive than the hotels my fiance had found.

The only negative thing my RW said was about the elevator was not working sometimes, but that can happen anywhere and it does happen in Russia.

Sincerely, CharlieD, Dayton, Ohio

oksanas.net*

(St. Petersburg)

July 2002

I would like to add something to the recent very accurate review of Oksana's services. She is the ONLY service I personally recommend to my Moscow guests when they need apartments, transfers, guides, translators, etc., when they visit St. Petersburg.

In Russia, it is very difficult to find the high standards of service that you expect at the best business establishments in the States, but I feel we provide that here and Oksana provides that in SP.

Enjoy your travels this summer, but please plan ahead. This is the busiest tourist summer I've seen. I again have the same positive feelings I

had about Russia's business and tourist future as I had 6 years ago (before they were crushed by the economic collapse in 8/98).

Best Regards, Moscow Rick

Russian

Brides*

July 2002

My friend who came to Moscow to meet women used this agency. I went on line and recognized about 10 or 15 of the gals from around town. It is chock full o' gold diggers.

My old girlfriend was on there- I asked her about it- she said that they took her profile from another site, then wrote her and asked her if she wanted to write men from Anastasia. She said no. She is still on there.

My friend did meet several ladies from the site. One lady said that the agency told her to write men back, whether she needs them or not. ($8..ching).

Another said she received about 20 e-mails a week from guys, and never opened them. She opened my friend's e-mail by chance.

Another guy married a girl, and forgot about his profile. He went on to show his buddy some RW, and saw his profile was still on the site. Then he opened his profile, and saw there was an "intro letter" FROM HIS WIFE. In case you don't get it- some agency sent a dummy letter under his wife's name, and sent it long after she went to the States. ($8...ching).

My other friend met a girl at social in Moscow and said, oh yeah, you wrote me...and she said she never wrote him...never wrote anyone on Anastasia web.

That said, there are nice, sincere girls on the site, and it is probably worth it- it is fast, but realize it will cost you a fortune..............

I would not respond to unsolicited e-mails, or at least know it is a crap shoot- on a slow day you can imagine what agency owners do to generate income.

*****please note, Russia is a big village, and the world of agencies, RW and foreign men is even smaller...sooner or later here you run into a lot of the people, and you know them...........

Julienne Fries

oksanas.net*

(St. Petersburg)

July 2002

Get in touch with Oksana at: www.oksanas.net. She's really great.

Oksana can help you with apartments (at fair rates), transfers, visas, translating, etc.

She found a nice 3 bedroom place right on Nevsky for me and my friend . She also has a cool American boyfriend (who occasionally posts on this list) who can easily be enticed to give you some nightlife advice (if that is your interest). Jake

Natasha Varetskaya*

adam-and-eva.com

(Odessa,

Kherson)

July 2002

The best person for flower delivery in

Odessa is Natasha Varetskaya. She is the one that actually delivers for the flamingo people and also US companies that deliver flowers in that area. She also handles Kherson quite well.

Her address navar@paco.net and her website

adam-and-eva.com.

Jay H.

Moscow Rick *

(Moscow)

July 2002

I just got back from Moscow after spending a week in Rick Moncher's 2 bedroom apartment.

To sum it up, the apartment was everything that Rick promised on this list, and more.

First of all, there was the excellent customer service that I received from Rick. He met me at SVO-2 at the appointed time and helped me register my visa.

Next, Rick gave me lots of practical advice as we drove to the apartment which included how much money to pay the gypsy taxi drivers for a ride to the US Embassy (30 to 50 Rubles). He also had a lot of practical advice regarding AM/RW relationships.

When we arrived at the apartment, Rick went through all the details that I would need for the week. This included everything I needed to know about the apartment, and also a quick survey of the neighborhood to point out the locations of the nearest store, flower shop, Metro station, etc. A few days later, after Lena and her cousin arrived, Rick and his family dropped over for a personal visit to welcome all of us to Moscow. In addition, Rick was available all week long via phone.

Now, about the apartment. It was beautifully furnished, well maintained, and it was HUGE! I especially appreciated the VCR in the living room as it is capable of playing NTSC, PAL, and SECAM formats. I just wish I had brought along some of my favorite VHS tapes to play.

For $110 per night, Rick's 2 BR apartment is the best bargain in Moscow.

BTW, Lena & I saved a substantial amount of money by buying $100 Worth of groceries for the week and eating it in the apartment. We only ate out once (and this was Lena's choice, not mine.) It was a joy to be able to wake up in the morning, shuffle into the kitchen to eat some breakfast, and then to be able to go back to bed for another snooze. It made the whole week very relaxing.

In summary, I will never rent a hotel room in Moscow again. Rick Bowled me over with his hospitality and his great apartments.

Seattle Jeff

Oksana and

Slava

(Kiev)

July 2002

If you are needing an apartment for Kiev, Try Oksana and Slava at oksana@trav.kiev.ua or welcometokiev@yahoo.com cell phone 380(44)247.90.55.

They can set you up with any or all your travel needs in Ukraine or Russia. They speak English and are wonderful people. I have always enjoyed their company.

Hope this helps a little. September is a great time to visit. Hope you have a good trip,

From: "Mike Y" minnesotamikel

Elite Russian Ladies

(Yoshkar-Ola)

June 2002

Last Saturday I posted a trip report of my recent experience in Yoshkar-Ola and my review on the agency I worked with.

The fantastic people I worked with were David and Irinna Refuerzo. The agency is Elite Russian Ladies, and the address is www.1erl.com These two people have become my friends, and I was awestruck by the work they did for me and of how gracious they were as hosts to me in their city.

If your planning on going to Y/O and need some help, give them a try.

Sincerely, Glenn

Robert Herbst

June 2002

I just finished reading Robert Herbst's New Book "My email order bride, a trip to Feodosia, Crimea and Ukraine". I really enjoyed it and it brought back many memories of my own trip to Russia three years ago to find my wife.

If you are looking for a wife from the Ukraine, or Russia, this is a must read. It is about his six month trip to the Ukraine to visit his future wife and step son. It details the life of Russian people as they live every day. If you want to understand your wife to be and know exactly what to expect once you arrive there is no better way to go. His entire stay is detailed with lots of good photo's of The Ukraine and his bride to be. I wish I had this book before I went.

You can find the book at booksurge.com and greatunpublished.com. Just visit and enter the authors name (Herbst).

His other books are there as well. I also read and enjoyed "Tales of Lyudmila". This is about life here in the states with his new bride after she arrived.It is quite entertaining.

Whether you already have a Russian wife or are thinking about it, you should read these books.

Rod R. rrob

Peace Travel Services*

June 2002

Just returned from a most memorable trip from Omsk in Siberia.

I do wish to recommend Andrei of Peace Travel Services to other List Members.

Andrei's driver was there for me when I needed him. The "Taxi-Mafia" surrounded this AM at the curb, and wanted me, but I held my ground and simply stated "Nyet"!!! Andrei's driver also had my tickets for domestic travel within RU, and everything went incredibly smooth. He also telephoned my lady in Omsk for me, to tell her I was ok, and had arrived safely.

Overall I simply wanted to state that Andrei REALLY came through for me when I needed him. I thus, highly recommend his services to other list members, and will definitely use him again, when I go again.

Thanks for the recommendation BT, and thanks Andrei!!!

HTH, Edward

Anastasia

Web

Russian

Brides*

(Negative)

June 2002

Be very careful indeed. I put my details in the Anastasia Web/Russian Brides Gentleman Catalogues for free and purchased some credits when the mails started to come in, around two weeks ago. I was inundated with mails and they seemed genuine ladies, and I also searched through the ladies and contacted some.

However, some ladies never replied to the first letter I sent in response to them, and those that did reply had most certainty NOT read my letter to them. I even wrote a second letter, but still replies were not personal and I think pre written by someone else.

Indeed a couple of times I received the *same Email*. I have written several Emails to Anastasia Web complaining about this and demanding a credit refund, but so far they have failed to respond.

They do say in their policy that they expect some abuse of the system by agencies and that they will rectify things as soon as they are told. This has not happened.

It is a shame because it is a great idea.

I will keep all informed if the company respond to my mails. digley

Moscow Rick *

(Moscow)

June 2002

I have been back from my 3-week trip to Russia, where I spent my first 2 weeks in Rick Moncher's deluxe 2-bedroom flat on the garden ring.

I found the area to be nice, right on the garden ring as he said. The place was immaculate with Ikea style furniture (which I happen to like). Decent-sized as far as apartments go, even compared to the states. Satellite tv, large bedrooms, small water closet (typical), small bathroom (typical) with tub and shower and nice sink and mirror. Decent-sized kitchen with microwave, full-size refrigerator, even washing machine/dryer.

Basically it is everything he advertises, very clean, spacious, and in the words of my fiance - "WOW!".

Very impressive as far as trust-worthiness and reliability in my eyes which was my concern, and very impressive as far as quality and cleanliness to my girl. Rick was reasonable in his negotiations.

And no, I was not previously a friend of Rick's, not related, and he did not pay me for this review. I give this honest review as a thanks for his honesty and hospitality. I now consider him a friend and look forward to using another one of his flats when I return hopefully in October for my fiance's interview. And I hope to get the double flat since it's now "our place" in our eyes... ;)

Rick - thanks dude for everything you did for me and Elena - the place really made a big impact on her and your attitude made a great impression on both of us.

My warm regards, Tony C.

allrussiahotels

Go To Russia*

May 2002

For a search for Russian Hotels I recommend allrussiahotels.com. It is very easy to navigate and has all of the necessary info about the hotels. Comparison of amenities and prices is easy.