Russian Touring, Russian Travel, Russian Women

Agency

Dates

Remarks

Ukraine

Dec 2003

     Vladimir Kreshchishin is an English/Ukrainian translator. His cost is very reasonable, and he located the correct archives for my grandfather's village by phone. Then we composed a letter, which he translated and then sent to the archive on my behalf. I paid him via Western Union.
     The archive then notified both him and myself of the results that they
found; in this case 21 entries, based on the information I provided. At this
point, you have to commit financially. I had the requested amount wire
transferred to the Archive's bank in NY. Once they receive the funds, they
will release the records.
     We decided to have a copy sent directly to Vladimir. This way, he translated them for me and emailed me with the results, which I got yesterday!
     The archive only holds the records for about a 70-year period. They advised me to continue my search with a different archive in UA and also in Poland.
     I will be pursuing this in the future.
     You can reach Vladimir at :   vkresh@tlc.kherson.ua
     Best wishes to all of you in your searching!
     Mary Kay Radnich

Irina's Travel International*

Erie, Colorado, USA

Dec 2003

Recommendation of Irina of Irina’s Travel International,

I have had occasion to use the services of Irina’s Travel International on several recent occasions involving personal international travel.

Without hesitation, I have recommended Irina’s travel services to several other individuals who have asked me about travel preferences.

Irina is very knowledgeable concerning the aspects of International travel and my recent trip to Barcelona, Spain was successful and without problem due to Irina’s assistance. Irina was also able to obtain for me a price for air transportation to Eastern Europe significantly lower than I found for myself on the internet. Same carrier, same flight numbers, same destination.

Dealing with Irina is a pleasure and I feel very comfortable in relying on the information that she provides. I have talked with Irina extensively and I feel that Irina is more friend than agent.

With possible isolated exceptions, all of my personal travel needs will be discussed first with Irina in the future.

Andy in Denver (Cossack Connection)

Ukraine Postal Express*

Ukraine

Dec 2003

Dear Vladimir,

We were pleased with your translation work and the diligence with which you handled an international project. We were impressed with the efficient way in which you managed funds for the budget in different currency's. Your communications were timely and the out come of the project satisfactory. We would be pleased to recommend you and your services to anyone who inquires.

You can use our website and email address as a reference.

Kind Regards, Johan.

Yoshkar-Ola Sweethearts

Yoshkar-Ola

Sept

2003

For several years (on a Yahoogroups forum), I helped solve issues people had with agencies based in Yoshkar-Ola. I know most of the agency owners, reputable and otherwise, who run agencies there.

I met my wife through Larisa and Natasha,

http://yoshkar-ola-sweethearts.com/ and can recommend them without hesitation. Only reason I mentioned them is because they are members of the List but rarely post.

Hope everything is going well with you. Keep in touch.

Regards, Bill

Yoshkar-ola.com

Cinderella Introductions

Yoshkar-Ola

Sept

2003

Try these two agencies that I am listing for you. I dealt with both and they were great to work with.

I know that there are others in YO and I am sure that some of the other guys will send them to you I just don't know their Internet addresses. Good luck!

www.yoshkar-ola.com www.cinderellaintroductions.com

Scott

Russian Flower

Sept

2003

I recently posted a request for a translator, to translate a letter from Russian into English.

I want to thank everyone who responded for your quick replies and offers to assist me. I will keep all of your names and services in mind, for future use.

However, I could only choose one to use, and I chose one called Russian Flower, a service provided by a couple named Darold and Tatiana.

Their service was excellent, with a quick and excellent translation and a very friendly and helpful attitude! I know Tatiana did a great job of translating, because she managed to capture exactly my sweet-heart’s manner of writing (usually she sends me e-mails in English, but this one was a postal letter in Russian).

I highly recommend their service. Ron

Salni Travel Services*

St. Petersburg

Sept

2003

Gentleman:

Please allow me to offer my strongest endorsement and recommendation of the services of Ludmila Lizbanova, in St. Petersburg. I just returned from a 12 day stay in St. Petersburg.. and I felt as though I were at home.

Ludmila assured that all of my needs were met, kept in touch with me, accompanied me whenever I needed her help. The apartment I rented from Ludmila was very, very comfortable and convenient. She met me at the airport, assured that I had a mobile phone and selflessly came all the way from her home when I needed help with the mobile phone.

This was my 4th visit to the former Soviet Union.. and each time I have worked with an agent like Ludmila.... she was by far the most accommodating and helpful.

As testament to my confidence and appreciation, on the day that I left [Sunday morning], I gave Ludmila money to rent the apartment for January 1 - January 11. I also told her that I wish her assistance when I return.

Please feel to ask me any questions about Ludmila or travel to St. Pete.

With kind regards, Duncan

Introductions by Irina*

St. Petersburg

The Cossack Connection*

Denver, CO, USA

July

2003

I read the post, myths and realities, Andy of Cossack Connections is right.

I started my adventure last December, I spent much time on the Internet looking at the different MOB sites, I looked at the beautiful photos and read the advice on what to do if I wanted to marry one of these women.

This new concept, a bride from Russia, was exciting but also was scary, I decided to dig a little deeper and ran across a little web site, RWL, I was able to figure out how to join the group and even managed to look thru the archives I spent some time reading and very soon some of the same names kept appearing, I decided to make a few contacts, one of my new friends, Andy in Denver, made a few suggestions, he offered some advice, provided some web sites, and offered to help me when I had questions.

I wanted to visit Saint Petersburg, and, as I read more, I learned more, still again some of the same names appeared, I decided to contact Irina Borisova, Introductions by Irina. I had not read any negative words about her.

I emailed Irina and explained my desires, starting in January, 2003.

Since I started working with her my experience has been great, she has done everything and then some, after learning about me she made several suggestions about nice ladies in St. P. At this time, I paid her the fee for her service. I had the choice of how I wanted to contact the ladies and I decided to visit some of these beautiful ladies in March. Once again I read up on advice and, as Andy points out, some was myth and some was reality. I arrived in St. P and Irina was there with a big smile and she delivered me to my apartment. She also showed me how to exchange money and how to perform other tasks.

I had a great experience in this wonderful city, I do not speak Russian but I know how to smile and I am really good with hand signals.

I encountered zero problems, never stopped by the police, no mafia, no problems, well except, deciding which beautiful lady to make my future bride. As luck would have it, or should I say, with the preparation and good advice, I have a plane ticket to return to St. P the first of September to visit with my sweetie.

Good luck, Wendell

1st-attractive

Russia

usafianceevisas

Florida, USA

uniontelecard

July

2003

(1) www.1st-attractive.com Nadejda and her husband Vladimir are doing a great job with their introduction site.

Unlike many other guys, it only took a few days from my first visit to a RW site before I found the woman of my dreams thanks to Nadejda. She has also helped me with flowers and the visa sponsorship letters for two trips to Russia. She has always been very good at keeping me informed on every step of each transaction.

I highly recommend www.1st-attractive as a good site that I've already seen getting better. If she only had some pull at INS to speed up my application for fiancee visa. . .!

(2) http://www.usafianceevisas.com is a very good first stop for anyone who's embarking on the hazardous and myster-ious journey of fiancee visa application.

Owner Mark and his Russian wife Nina are very knowledgeable about the process and how to set up documentation to make a good impression at the INS. And his fees are quite reasonable compared to a lawyer or other experts, I believe.

Mark has done more for me than he had to, and can answer questions without all the usual bull.

Mark and Nina also have published a good Russian-language conversation book with clear phonetic transliteration (when I tried a few phrases from it on the phone with my sweetie, she complimented me on my pronunciation!) And they are starting work on an e-book version for English, so Russian ladies out there can gain new comfort with our language. I also used them to translate documents into English. Check hem out!

(3) There's a lot of useful FAQ information on visas for children at K1faq.com, too.

And for calling Russia, I recommend uniontelecard.com.

Yesterday I went to that site and for $20 got over 7 hours of phone time. (Which will last me about four days, as often as I call my sweetie).

Their connection quality is also better than with other prepaid sites I've tried.

Carey G.

(You'll get a lot of good advice from this group. Just remember that your main job (in the K1 process) is to try to get a poorly trained, overworked bureaucrat on your side as quickly as possible. I work as a "role player" and help train Immigration officers here in coastal Georgia, including several who review applications, and can attest to the fact that by making it as easy as possible for them, you're motivating them to return the favor. Of course, it'll always be the luck of the draw if you get a responsible person in a good mood, but you can greatly improve your odds by putting a lot of work into your preparation of the package and doing more than you have to.)

Glav's Travel*

New York

July

2003

I have used Glav's Travelout of New York City for travel in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan, yet to go to Uzbekistan.

Tsilya who works for Glavs Travel is from Uzbekistan and I like her very much. Their phone number is 1-800-336-5727.

They get good deals on flights from New York City to East Europe and can dothe paperworkforVisas.

Richard

Scope Travel*

New Jersey

July

2003

I am seconding Lyuda B.'s recommendation of Scope Travel www.scopetravel.com.

I have used them exclusively for travel to Ukraine for five years. Never a problem, always communicative. They have been in Business for over 30 years.

Although primarily for travel to Ukraine, they can also arrange travel to Russia. They have a great Visa processing service!

Jim Key

Global Club

Contact

Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine

Scope Travel*

New Jersey

July

2003

Hi, I wanted to recommend two wonderful agencies.

One is an introduction agency, Global Club Contact,in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine.

Two ladies, Olga and Irina, run it. They are very honest and helpful, truly interested in successful match, never being involved in scam. All of their ladies are real. Their service is free of charge for men.

I had used two agencies before them and they were the only agency that I loved and was not overcharged for my letters. I consider Ira and Olga my friends now. We write sometimes and I send them baby pictures. Here is the link -http://www.clubcontact.com/

I highly recommend their services. I do not have any interest in this, but trying to help a wonderful agency to prosper and their ladies to get some more attention.

I have used a great travel agency recently also. It is Scope Travel in NJ.

I cannot describe how satisfied I was!!! I had tried to use "Go to Russia" before contacting Scope Travel and was completely displeased with their terrible service. Lady agent in "Go to Russia" was rude, did not listen to what I was looking for, I could not get her on the phone many times, would not give me dates I wanted, gave me much higher prices then Scope Travel and finally told me to call her back "when you make your mind"!!!!

It was FSU service in US!!

And when I called Scope Travel, I got a person on the phone immediately. They listened to what I wanted, gave me great deal on prices and dates I wanted.

I mailed my payment and received tickets very quickly. They included with the tickets lots of interesting and useful information about traveling to Ukraine, luggage rules, visa rules, bright luggage labels so it will be easy to find our bags, etc. WONDERFUL AGENCY!!! We will use only them again.

I hope somebody can use this information.

Sincerely, Lyuda B.

Moscow Rick*

Moscow

Oksana*

St. Petersburg

July

2003

I'm back from a wonderful two and a half week trip to Russia. I had the opportunity to visit Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Ulyanovsk. I had a wonderful time, met a lot of very nice people, and had excellent places to stay thanks to Rick Moncher, who you can reach at: moscowapartments@yahoo.com for apartments in Moscow, and Oksana, who you can reach at: oksanas@mail.oksanas.net.

Getting recommendations of where to go and how to get there were easy to follow by both Rick and Oksana. I wish both of them all the luck in the world in making people happy during their stay and their apartments were an excellent place to stay.

I would like to take this opportunity to give a big "Hi" to Rick in Moscow and Oksana and Chuck in St. Petersburg. You folks are super.

Have a nice day. Tom

Athena Agency*

St. Petersburg, Sevastopol

May

2003

Aloha,

I'd like to add my 2 cents.... Although I have never met (owner) Jay Hand, I have been a client of Athena Agency and I have exchanged numerous e-mails with Jay. He has always been a straight shooter, given me excellent advice, and never once did he push his agency.

He even gave me contact information on my trip to Novosibirsk last year. When I used Athena 2 years ago, I was very impressed with Athena, the staff, and how they made every effort to help me in my search. After 2 trips to St. Petersburg, I couldn't believe how exceptionally reasonable his prices were, both for meeting women and interpreter services.

When it was time for me to pay for my services, there was a glitch in the CC server and I left Sevastopol with a handshake and IOU.

Once safely on Maui, only then was the glitch corrected and I was able to pay for my services. As I recall, it was $137.99 to meet seven ladies and 30 hours of interpreting services. The point being, his prices were very low and I was trusted to pay for my services after returning home.

If I return to Sevastopol or any other city where Athena has an office, and I have need of an agency, I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

Aloha from Maui and off to Kiev tomorrow.

Robert

Athena Agency*

Sevastopol

May

2003

I have used Athena Agency in Sevastopol and I thought the agency did a good job and provided services at a reasonable rate.

I have never met (owner) Jay Hand, but I have been to Sevastopol a number of times and no one local or foreigner, ever spoke badly of him, although many have heard of him.

I visited the agency and I saw ready to help employees. The men and women working there seemed to enjoy their job. One of the drivers picked me up in Mariupol and took me to Sevastopol and certainly we had time to talk, as he spoke great English. ..... in fact his wife worked there, too.

Richard

Athena Agency*

Odessa

April

2003

I was visiting the marriage agency, Athena Agency, in Odessa several times. I have been consulted by the ladies (Natalia and Lena) in BEST POSSIBLE WAY.

I ever could not imagine that this kind of services is available in the world. Everything was great (except the speed of internet access). Such friendly and smiling ladies, who were trying to do their best. Very seriously, with charm and creativity.

Unbelievable to find this service in Ukraine. I trust 1000% these ladies. They are really great. The owner of this marriage agency can be proud to have such ladies in his agency.
Dr. Erturk, Krentzlingen, Switzerland

Love To Meet You

Ukraine

April

2003

Nine months ago I stopped writing and started studying Russian and was preparing to leave for Kiev for two months when I a friend recommended http://www.LoveToMeetYou.Com

I checked it out and this agency passed with the best marks I could give!

Firstly, it is a family run business from Saskatchewan and Zhitomyr, Ukraine.

Secondly, all the ladies are screened and do not appear on any other agency.

Thirdly, it can cost as low as $29 a month and I joined just to meet one lady.

She wrote to me, I replied and shortly she will meet me in Kiev for the start of my two month stay.

The agency support is better than one could expect. Ladies get phone calls advising them of email. The agency provides high quality translations of letters at very reasonable rates. This goes a long way towards getting to know each other.

Finally, http://www.LoveToMeetYou.Com

appears to be setting standards of service in quality and quantity that most other agencies will not even approach. I give it the best rating I can, a five star rating.

Regards, R. T., Executive Director, Sudbury Men's Centre

Karmen Agency

A Love in Russia

Anastasya

Alloc-net*

Volgograd

April

2003

I've known Anastasya for over three years now and she and her husband have become very good and close friends. She is DEFINITELY one of the good agencies in Volgograd. She is honest, trustworthy and will look out for your best interests in this pursuit. I'd recommend her highly.

There are four really good agencies in Volgograd that I know of.

The first three I can vouch for based on my own personal experience with them. The fourth I have never used myself but I've heard nothing but good things about them from friends:

http://www.karmen-agency.com

(found my wife here)

http://www.aloveinrussia.com

http://www.anastasya.com

http://www.alloc-net.com

Usual disclaimers apply. :-) Brad

Kherson Girls*

Kherson

April

2003

Let me say that I was a client of Kevin's Khersongirls agency and his services were direct, upfront and honest. Kevin even knocked off part of my bill at the end, because it seemed too much.

As for the "selling" of addresses, meet the ladies in person and ask for her address then. You get free translation and unlimited emails per month, so what is the big deal. Many successful agencies (such as LTP) do the same thing.

I can say that Kevin was honest and helpful in dealing with me.

I could recommend using his services.

Squirecam

adam-and-eva.com*

Odessa,

Kherson

April

2003

I just sent flowers to a girl this morning about 1AM Eastern Standard Time using

http://www.adam-and-eva.com

I have used them in the past and they were excellent.

Today I sent 9 roses in a vase arrangement for only $41.00 with 3 photos. They arrived the same day and this afternoon I received 3 pics of my girl.

I gave them the wrong address and the phone didn't work but they still found the right location and were very prompt.

What can I say but they are the best in the business. I used to pay $100 for the same thing with another company. But this is much better. And so much faster using locals.

I highly recommend Natasha. She owns two agencies under the Angelika Network.

Brian

adam-and-eva*

Odessa,

Kherson

April

2003

I happen to know Natasha personally of Adam and Eva Agency. I have been to Odessa a number of times and she has helped me tremendously.

For the foreigner wishing to meet a Ukrainian woman, there is absolutely no one more capable, intelligent, honest and harder working in Ukraine, than Natasha in Odessa, e-mail: navar@paco.net

(Andrei is the best in Moscow, Irina is great in St. Petersburg). Although, I will say that Masha in Sevastopol is closing in on a strong second place. Natasha lived and studied in America for several years, so her English is of native quality. She has American and Ukrainian flags in her office in Odessa, perhaps that shows where her loyalties lie.

If there is any possibility of a service needed for your lady in Ukraine, then Natasha is the go-to-woman. I get no money for this reference, just a belief in this truly good human being.

Richard

Kherson Girls*

Kherson

April

2003

I want to offer my opinion about Kevin and his agency. I have known Kevin now for 6 months and have dealt with him quite often. In my dealings with him, he has gone out of his way to help me in my search for the right girl - either through his agency or just in general.

He has offered excellent advice that I have benefited from in getting to know the girls as well as planning my trip there.

Please note that many of Kevin's CLIENTS are making positive comments. I can only comment on my personal experience in this matter and can tell you that I will be headed to Ukraine this year and will definitely be using Khersongirls as my agency.

Tommy G

Alloc-net*

Volgograd

April

2003

I can tell you without a doubt that the agency to go to is http://www.alloc-net.com.

They are a spinoff of the old "womenofsouthernrussia" site.

I would trust them without question. Victor and Alla are great people.

I don't have any financial interest in the company. If I were to look for another Russian bride they are the only place I would look.

Happy hunting. Rog

Alloc-net*

Volgograd

April

2003

     I likewise will confirm that alloc-net is a great agency. Victor and Alla are very trustworthy.
     Alla went out of her way to help me find the lady I spent 18 years seeking. Yes, you can post my recommendation. I highly recommend Victor and Alla at alloc-net.
     Kindest regards,   Gary

Luba

Kiev

April

2003

I am in Kiev at the moment and have been using a pretty good helper, Luba. I thought I would post her details for the rest of the group.

Her rates are reasonable, she gives advice on the girls (whether you want to hear it or not) and I understand can organize apartments.

Last week I promised more contact details for this helper and advisor:

Luba's E-mail: rom61@ukr.net Mark H

Glav's Travel*

New York

April

2003

Thanks, Andy!

I used 'ARK' (of Glav's Travel) on your advice and he did a good job w/ the tickets to Kiev as well as the visa.

Glav's Travel, Empire State Building

350 Fifth Ave., Ste. 5700

New York, NY 10118

(800)336-5727, (212)290 -3300

FAX (212)290-2358 Tim

Poland4U.com

Hotel Partner

Warsaw

March

2003

I just got back from Warsaw last month. The hotel booking service, Poland4U.com gives excellent discounts on hotel rooms and apartments that are unavailable in Poland.

I used to work as a manager of a major hotel chain where the rule was that only the best discounts are given to those people actually at the desk, and never give much of a discount on a reservation.

Poland was just the opposite. I needed to stay one day more than the reservation. I tried every trick I knew about how to get a cheaper room, including threatening to go to another hotel (usually the best, most front desk managers have a rule of no one ever walking out), but the hotel where I was staying at, would not even give me the same rate as the previous reservation, just the posted rate ($130.00).

I had to call in a new reservation through the reservation service to get the old rate($51.00).

For apartments, there are 2 services listed on the service, plus looking through the 'inyourpocket' Warsaw guide, there are 2 more services. Cost-wise from cheap to expensive:

1) City Apartments, tel. 825-3912 - city center (42-100 Euros).

2) Old Town Apartments, tel. 826-7863 http:.www.warsawshotel.com - city center ($50-$175)

3) Warsaw Apartments, tel. 550-4550 - everywhere ($55-$75)

4) Residence St Andrews Palace, tel. 826-4640 - near city center ($130-$160).

Personally I would not stay in an apartment in Warsaw. There are too many new and quality hotels at reasonable rates.

I stayed at Hotel Partner, a nice little business hotel, with a great restaurant, and free breakfast. My rate was $55.00 for one week. The restaurant meals were $4.50 to $12.00.

I had a front desk person who took good care of me, calling discount taxis, telling me of restaurants, and sending me to the right shops to get supplies. Though officially it is probably only a 3 star hotel, the service was excellent. Only problem, nowhere close to the city center.

Warsaw is a large city, generally you will want to stay near the city center, most of the embassies are just north of the center, the airport is a little farther north. Anything west of the river, is a good distance from the center. Old town is walking distance south of the center.

One important warning about Warsaw - Beware of the Taxis. Never take a taxi that does not have a company name and telephone number on it.

I made this mistake at the airport, a $10.00 taxi trip cost me $35.00 because I took a gypsy taxi, that had a name and rate posted. The meter in this taxi was rigged. Or to be more precise, had multiple rates. The posted rate on the taxi, is only the base rate, rates change due to how taxi was called, to time of day, or who you are. Even the company cars did this, but this is usually only a small change.

In one week at my hotel I took at least 10 trips to the city center, usually to the same spot. Not once were two rates the same, the variance was over 30%.

Some taxis also tried to take me to mafia owned bars and brothels 10 km outside of Warsaw. This is only bad news. 10km out they can rip you off as much as they want.

Anything you want can generally be found in the city center.

Gale

Chumak Travel

Canada

Matrimus

Agency

Kharkov

March

2003

I live in the USA and I would like to highly recommend an agency located in Kharkov and also a travel company located in Canada.

Dmytro Prokopenko (416-234-56-04) from Chumak Travel (or Tour Agency of Canada) has been excellent and the Matrimus Agency, located in Kharkov, is great also. Both agencies are affiliated and have been outstanding, in my opinion, as well as very honest with me.

Dmytro has been very helpful to me and also readily available.

The agencies have helped me to get a visa to both the Ukraine and Russia. They will arrange for your apartment, will have a driver pick you up at the airport and get anything that you will need while you are.

My apartments have always been clean, reasonably priced and, overall, very nice. (My apartment in Odessa was not so great). I have personally used them for several trips to Ukraine and also to St. Petersburg (they have affiliate agencies that they use for Russia).

I have used them for letter/flower deliveries to make sure that the lady really existed (some women were in fact scammers who did not exist or did not live at the address that they gave to me).

Matrimus has offices/partners in the following cities of Ukraine: Kiev, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk, Yalta, Alushta, Feodosiya, Mariupol, Kherson, and Gorlovka.

They will provide correspondence with girls who live in other cities of Ukraine with the help of their agents. They have helped me with purchasing airline tickets for me to travel while I was in Ukraine, as well as for some of the ladies with whom I wished to meet with. (Never, ever send money directly to the lady unless you have already met with her. Reserve the tickets for her yourself by using your credit card or have another outside agency, not her agency, buy the tickets for her. You will not get scammed by doing things this way, at least for tickets anyway).

I can not say enough about what they have done for me and their help with my trips to Ukraine and to Russia. I have had nothing but good experiences with them.

Sincerely, Michael

RussianService*

Russia, more

March

2003

I thought I would let you know of my experience with the Flower Delivery Service of www.russianservice.com.

Many may think the prices are high but, in comparison, I believe they are reasonable and fair. After receiving a picture from my fiancé of her birthday party and the flowers/food basket I sent thru this service, I am even more convinced that not only are the prices reasonable but actually a good deal.

They offer photos of the delivery, but I declined this both times I did not want to catch my fiancé "off guard" since the delivery was a surprise.

Today I received a photo from my fiancé (if anyone would like to see a picture of the gift, email me) and I was very pleased by the flower arrangement and basket.

She called me both times I have used this service and she was always so surprised by the "size" of the gift, so I thought that this company was competent before looking at the picture, now I think the company deserves praise and a "thumbs up" recommendation!

My fiancé lives in Ozersk, a closed city south of Ekaterinburg, so I thought that if they were able to deliver anything on time I would be happy.

I think it is important to let people know of a good experience with a good company.

thomas

Unipress

Ukraine

March

2003

I used a Travel Company in Odessa called Unipress.

I reserved a flat on Deribasovskaya street through their site. You can see pictures of their apartments on their site.

The apartment I rented was good, not real fancy by standards here, but clean, 2-story, had its own hot water supply, telephone and FAX and so on.

It was in a great location in the middle of the shopping/tourist area, lots of restaurants and an easy walk to the opera house and seaport.

Included in the Unipress service was them picking us up at the airport with a translator and driver.

Good luck and have a great trip. JJ

Actis Travel Company

Oksanas.net *

St. Petersburg

March

2003

Point of information on a river tour company in St. Petersburg that I found on the internet. (I did not list their URL as I cannot recommend their service.

I found their prices and procedures to be unreasonable, but you may find different if you are in the market for a river tour, have patience and don't mind the added expense.)

The round trip itinerary offered was interesting and covered several towns and points of interest. The cabins seemed to be well appointed. (They offer additional itineraries to include a tour from St. Petersburg to Moscow.)

However, I decided not to book the tour now for my May/June visit due to many changes made by the tour company and the confusion that ensued.

The price quoted to me in E-mail was nearly twice the price indicated on their web site ("so sorry, those were last year's prices" and "that was the 'from' price".)

Prices were quoted for Main and Middle Deck and when I expressed interest in the Middle Deck, there was "so sorry, another mistake" and I was told that the Middle Deck was actually higher in cost than the main Deck.

The Actis rep took a very long time in responding to my E-mails and not all of my questions were addressed.

I asked Oksana of Oksanas.net for assistance and she obtained prices from the tour company that were initially reasonable and were in line with the Actis internet prices.

Oksana proved to be a great help in sorting some of the confusion. Her charge for this, BTW, is very reasonable.

However, when the tour company found that Oksana was inquiring for a foreigner, the price again skyrocketed. (Oksana found the same price increase with another tour company- Solnechniy Parus.)

Actis is not set up to accept credit cards and required that the fare be paid in advance to their bank account. I felt, in light of all that transpired, this was chancy at best. I did not book the tour.

Very disappointing, but I have been on boats before and I will try to find another way to visit the villages and the monasteries.

Andy

MAKSIM

Yoshkar-Ola

March

2003

I've used http://www.yoshkar-ola.com/e/ in the past to provide flowers, photo's and document translations.

I found them to be reasonably priced, charged the transactions to credit card or by other means, and were always quickly responsive to my inquiries.

Stephen wkguy

Flower and Gift

Int'l *

Russia, Ukraine, more

March

2003

For Flowers:

http://www.flowers-to-russia.com

Their service has always been good in the past. They are good. I've used them about four or five times in the past.

If you provide a local number, they call the day before delivery is scheduled to ensure someone will be there to accept the flowers, and the flowers have been very nice.

My girlfriend in Odessa sent me a few photos of the last bunch of roses I sent, and I can email one or two of the pics to whomever is interested in seeing an example of something that was delivered.

Chuck in Washington, D.C.

Ukraine Guides

Russia, Ukraine, more

March

2003

When I went to Kiev, I used a small agency which saved me a lot of money.

They had an apartment in the center ready for me and a driver standing by to take me from the train station. I has the full use of a translator and tour guide.

Their web site is: Ukraineguides.com.

I hope that this is of some help.

A fellow traveler in life. Glenn

Intel-T

St. Petersburg

March

2003

Regarding Visa Registration - St. Petersburg

You can go and register your visa on Ligovsky Prospect 29 in the courtyard, through the arch, black door on the left. (The No. 29 is missing-arch just before the restaurant.)

Company's name "Intel-T", second floor. (To the left upstairs, at the back of the hall. "Intel-T" sign is in Russian- "ЕнТел-Т")

Near to Metro "Ploshad Vosstaniya".

The registration cost is $20.00. They will register you through a hotel.

If you try to register through apartment you stay in it'll take you a long time in lines to notary and OVIR.

Tourists can be registered in the apartment only if the owner of the apartment gives a permission for it, a permission has to be done at a notary, then you have to go to local OVIR in your district, stay in line there. They don't work every day, they only open a few hours a day on certain days.

So if you don't want to lose your time, register in "Intel-T" through a hotel.

This registration is totally legal and you won't have any problems with customs with it on your way back home.

Oksana Oksanas.net

( Note from Andy:

I stayed in the area of Intel-T in May, 2003 and went there to register my visa. It was, by far, the most convenient office I have visited for registering. At first, the agent balked at registering because I did not receive the invitation or visa through Intel-T. (an impatient "This is not from us!")

The agent asked me who sent me to Intel-T and I responded "Oksana". With that, her demeanor changed and she registered me within minutes with no further complications or questions.

Stamp, stamp, staple, rustle of papers and I was outta there!

To avoid possible denial at Intel -T should you choose to have your visa registered there, perhaps it is best to receive your visa invitation through Oksana or to have Oksana's advice beforehand if the invitation and visa is not received through Intel-T. Certainly, be sure to drop Oksana's name.

Andy, June 03 )

Volga Darling

Russia

March

2003

I recently returned from a trip to Russia where I used the Marriage Agency Volga Darling.

Their website address is www.volgadarling.com I met a wonderful lady through Volga Darling and have started the I-129F visa process with the agencies help!

They are co-owned by two Russian ladies and an American man who lives in Volgograd.

They are a smaller agency, of course hoping to grow larger, but give excellent service!

They offer Free Memberships, Free profile / photos submission for their catalog and all letters from their ladies are Free, the man only pays for letters he writes to the ladies!

They are a very low cost service that is very concerned about scammers and giving great customer service and satisfaction, in a western style!

They are always happy to help in any way possible!

Anyway, check them out and see for yourself! I am very happy with how they helped me!

Bob

Alexander

Korjev's

Tender Ladies *

Ekaterinburg

Russian Service.com*

Russia, more

March

2003

Flowers for Novouralsk. Try this site: http://www.russianservice.com/

Delivery anywhere in Russia.Toll free US number 1-888-689-4473 also. Russian and English speaking.

Russianservice.com was recommended to me to try by Alex Korjev of Alexander Korjev's Tender Ladies in Ekaterinburg.

He has served me very well in Ekaterinburg proper.

Hope this helps you.

I've got to get my order out for Woman's Day also.

Doug

Flower and Gift

Int'l*

Russia, Ukraine, more

March

2003

Try this company for flowers, I have used them in the past. They have western prices, but flower prices go up on March 8, just like they do here on Feb. 14. http://www.flowers-russia.com

Joe M

A Ukrainian

Lady

Krivoy Rog

Feb

2003

My personal recommendation is: http://www.aukrainianlady.com/

Vladimir is very trustworthy and professional as is his staff. He runs a small agency that provides excellent customer service and personal attention.

They deal only with women in and around Krivoy Rog.

I have met Vladimir and have complete trust in him. Trust is not something I give out easily.

YMMV, but I stand behind my recommendation. It is a small agency, but I have the utmost respect for them. They took excellent care of me while in Ukraine and were very reasonable, courteous, friendly and professional.

I felt like I was with family.

Brian D

Ukraine Postal Express*

Ukraine

Feb

2003

February 24, 2003

Re: Vladimir Kreshchishin,

To Whom It May Concern:

It has been my pleasure to be acquainted with Vladimir for several

years. He has, during this time, translated: personal, legal, governmental,

and business documents with the utmost speed, impeccable accuracy, as well as alacrity.

His work has been accepted in The United States by several

governmental agencies as well as in my own field of education. I have also

had the pleasure to meet Mr. Kreshchishin personally, and find him of

tremendous personal integrity, diligence, and character above reproach. I

would highly recommend him in any translation endeavor without any

hesitation.

Feel free to contact me with any additional questions or concerns.

Kenneth Bletsch

Go East Now*

Los Angeles

Feb

2003

I would also like to recommend Olga Salem of Go East Now for translation services.

I've been using Olga for about a year now, and I will say that she is very prompt, very efficient, and knows the English language extremely well--including many American slang terms.

She is also a very nice lady, that--if you wish--will give you an honest opinion (from a Russian woman's perspective :-)) about the ladies you choose to correspond with.

She will even go the extra step and assist you in understanding the cultural differences that exist between the East and the West, and help smooth over any communication difficulties that you may encounter as a result. I know she has helped me out of some pretty difficult moments!
Thanks, Olga!

Jerry K

Go East Now*

Los Angeles

Feb

2003

     I would like to recommend Olga Salem of "Go East Now" to your site.
     Olga performs translation services, which include 3-way telephoning, letter translation, and transmission to the FSU.
     I have used her services and would certainly recommend other guys to use her for such correspondence.
     She also freely offers an un-biased opinion of the lady with which you have chosen to correspond with.
     Olga is in the LA region of California and may be reached at: olga@uia.net. Her web-site should be running shortly also.
     Hope this helps someone else.

floridaedward

Gala

Translations *

Feb

2003

I highly recommend Galina Garrett. Her translation services are extremely reasonable, she gives good advice, and she tells it like it is.

She gives translations and 3 way phone calls a very personal touch. You can't go wrong with Galina. Her web address is www.galatranslations.com

Charles S

Oksanas.net *

St. Petersburg

Feb

2003

Hello, I saw your website linked on RWL today.

     It was the first time I came across it as I don't follow the list daily anymore.  I've participated on RWL off and on for over 3 years now.
     I'd like to recommend www.oksanas.net Agency with the following comments
     I am very enthused to recommend Oksana to anybody traveling to St. Petersburg because I have never encountered anybody in my 10+ trips to Russia who goes so far above and beyond the regular aspects of business to please her clients.

She's thorough, professional, and charming. I've used her for apartments, airport transfers, translation, and flowers.

Chuck

Peace Travel Service*

go-russia.com*

St. Petersburg, Moscow

Jan

2003

Every time I go through Moscow, I use Andrei's Peace Travel Services.

Register your visa in the airport in three minutes flat for $20. Saves you lotsa wasted time and effort later, also, go on their website after you’ve checked for Aeroflot and other Russian airline’s schedules for internal flight legs on Travelocity and Expedia, chances are good that Andrei can save you some cash on those tickets. Plus the last time he got me tickets, at about 20% less than Travelocity, I didn’t use them, so he got me a full refund!!! Try doing that with a Travelocity or Expedia ticket!!!!

I had left my pictures with my ex RW in Samara and I asked her to send them to Moscow c/o Andrei at his house. This was the most assured way of getting me the pictures intact. Price for this service: gratis!!!

His staff is always courteous, and will lend you a helping hand, and watch over you until they are satisfied that you won’t have problems figuring out where you are going. By train, bus, whatever. They will buy your tickets for you, so you pay what the locals pay, and they don’t mark up the difference into their pocket.

Just all around fair, friendly, and a sense of integrity you don’t always find in a foreign land.

I have no interest in Peace Travel Service except to say that it is in YOUR best interest to use them. Especially on your first visit to Moscow

Poka, Mark S

Peace Travel Service*

St. Petersburg, Moscow

Jan

2003

When you are planning a trip to Russia you guys should ALWAYS think of Peace Travel Service at http://www.go-russia.com/ because it is truly the best and what's more Andrei is a good guy.

If he was born in the US he probably would be the CEO of a giant company because he does more things that other people simply can't do that it is amazing. I can't think of anyone that Andrei has ever let down and I know that he deserves lots of business. What's more his service is inexpensive so how can you beat it?

Steve B

Natalia Koval

Kiev

Jan

2003

My first trip to Kiev, I stayed in a a hotel. My second trip I stayed in an apartment. The apartment was nicer, less expensive, and closer to the center of Kiev. It met all of our requirements.

My friend Natalia Koval (kovaln@mailru.com) made the arrangements. She can also make the other standard arrangements too: pickup, tours, translation, etc. Highly recommended.

Doug in Houston

Kherson Girls*

Kherson

Jan

2003

(A narrative by an agency is away from our usual format, but the posting speaks for itself. Andy)

Tip of the day.

We had two ladies come into our office today to cancel their service. It seem that our policy of not allowing ladies to request money on the e-mails is interfering with their business. The are not interested in marriage just the money.

A little investigation done by my office revealed that both ladies had local boyfriends, and use (other agencies) that only filter their e-mail looking for e-mail address.

Some common statements in these ladies' e-mails sent to clients from other sources:

1. English lessons $100.00 (true cost in Ukraine for English school $20-$25 per month).

2. Passport $200.00 (true cost Between $50-$100 for two week service).

3. Visa for America $500-$1200 (true cost $45 dollars if she can get one.)

4. $60 for internet access (free for ladies in agencies)

5. Meet anywhere but Kherson (both ladies didn't want to be seen with men in their hometown. Boyfriends would get jealous.)

If you know a lady and meet her, I see no problem with sending a little money. If you haven't met her, don't send money. I can understand sending money for train tickets to meet you someplace, but I recommend that you go though a travel agency and let her pick up the tickets.

Hope this helps. Kevin Kevin@Khersongirls.com

IDI-BRIDGE.com

Kharkov

Jan

2003

I notice you do not have Sergey Federov of http://www.IDIBRIDGE.com

This has got to be the best agency anywhere.

Free first letters to and from ladies, each e-mail letter translated $1.50 each, colour printing 40 cents, scanning pictures 20 cents. Honesty and integrity he scores higher than any other agency.

I find it amazing that you do not have him listed.

Regards, Roger T

Wildwind.com*

Crimea

Get Married

Now

Kherson, Novovisbirsk

Jan

2003

Thank you to anyone who answered my message, and generally speaking to anyone who posted information about good or bad

experiences with agencies. I searched the list archives and I found valuable information about several agencies, many of them with

a good reputation.

I visited wildwind.com (Arch of Love) but their website generates a lot of popup windows and my old Pentium II crashed before I could see more than the homepage.

I cannot say they are bad or dishonest people but my trip was a failure. For 3 main reasons in my opinion:

Disorganized database, Poor management, below average translators and matchmaker.

It will be up to them to solve these problems and create a better interface between their American clients and the wonderful ladies from their city.

All the best from Canada! Sorin

Ecvo Tours

New York City

Jan

2003

I have a great contact for Visas for you.

Call Vladimir Shiffman at Ecvo Tours. You can reach him at 212-563-6394. He can get you a visa real quick and for a reasonable price.

I have used him for several years and he has helped me in many an emergency situation. He can also get you good prices on air tickets.

Just be prepared to listen closely. He has a REAL thick Russian accent.

Brett