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Russia & the Ukraine (2012)

Last Revision: February 17, 2012
Below is a draft of the itinerary I am developing with ASLA Ltd. Tours. Since most of us, self included, have never visited our former cold war adversary, I hired a British company that has been organizing group tours in the region for over 20 years. ASLA has offices with experienced English speaking staff available 24 hours a day in all of the four cities involved in the itinerary, Moscow, St Petersburg, Kiev and Yalta. And if any of you have health care concerns, I have been assured that the hospitals and healthcare in Russia and Ukraine are of an extremely high standard and that ASLA uses hospitals with English speaking staff.
INCLUDED: 3 nights in standard rooms at the Park Inn Pribaltiyskaya or Pulkovskaya Hotel in St Petersburg, second-class rail Day Train St Petersburg to Moscow, 4 night’s in standard rooms at the Aerostar or similar standard hotel in Moscow, flight from Moscow to Simferolpol, 3 nights in standard rooms at Hotel Yalta or Hotel Bristol, flight from Simferopol to Kiev, 4 nights in standard rooms at Hotel Rus in Kiev, airport transfers, plus all of the entrances to the sites mentioned in the itinerary. Half board throughout
NOT INCLUDED: Personal expenses such as laundry, room service, FAX or telephone charges, internet connections where there is a charge, excess luggage fees, or sightseeing and meals which are not included in the itinerary, gratuities for guides and drivers. Russia requires a visa and ASLA will assist with the application.
AIRFARE ARRANGEMENTS: Since group fares are a thing of the past, you will need to book your own flight. The two flights within the tour--Moscow to Simferopol and Simferopol to Kiev--are included in the price. Let me know when you make your flight arrangements so I can put them on the page.
PRICE and ENROLLMENT: $3775@ in double room, add $590 for single. Price was originally based on a minimum of 25+1, and $1.00 = €0.7019.However, it appears that we will number between 15 and 20. I will hold the original price as long as we reach 15+1. Since the tour includes domestic flights and we will all need visas, I will probably need to close the tour to further enrollment on May 25, 2012.

CONFIRMED 14+1
Laurence Barker
Sara & Charlie Lewis
Beverly Baucum
La Rue Atterbury
Carrol Smith
Joe Di Dio & Bob Terhune
Alan Cutler
Margaret Cowden & Chris Larkin
Dona Stuewe
Tom & Vicki Michelson
Mel Cohen

HOPEFUL 5
Maureen Nowotny
Greg & Judy Parks
Gretchen Quinn
Sue Edwards

INTERESTED 6
Lynne Bueler
Evelyn Rogers
Jean & Jack Tinnea
Ben & Gail Plummer

 

Draft Itinerary

Monday 27 August
Fly from USA
Tuesday 28 August
Arrival St Petersburg and transfer to the Park Inn Pribltiyskaya Hotel for check-in and dinner.
Wednesday 29 August
Full day city tour including a visit to the Peter & Paul Fortress. Dinner
Thursday 30 August 
Half day guided tour to the Hermitage (Winter Palace) with option to stay on at the museum after the tour. Dinner
Friday 31 August 
Check out of hotel. Guided tour of Catherine Palace and the Amber Room. Afternoon train to Moscow. Arrival transfer to Aerostar Hotel. Dinner.
Saturday 01 September
City tour and guided tour of the Moscow metro. Dinner
Sunday 02 September 
Half day visit to the Kremlin and Armoury. Dinner
Monday 03 September 
Full day visit to the Tolstoy Estate at Yasnaya Polyana. Dinner
Tuesday 04 September 
Check-out. Visit Christ the Saviour Cathedral en route to the airport. Afternoon flight to Simferopol, then proceed to Yalta. On the way visit Nikita Botanical gardens. Arrive Yalta, check-in and dinner at Hotel Bristol or Hotel Yalta. Dinner
Wednesday 05 September 
Visit to Chekhov house-museum then Livadia Palace. Dinner
Thursday 06 September
Morning visit to Alupka (Palace-park complex). Afternoon to the observation platform, Swallow’s Nest castle and then to Massandra Palace and Massandra winery. Back to the hotel for dinner.
Friday 07 September
Morning free. Check-out and transfer to town of Bakhchisaray and Khans’ Palace and lunch. Continue to Simferopol airport for evening flight to Kiev. Arrival transfer to the Rus Hotel for check-in.
Saturday 08 September
Morning orientation tour of Kiev. Entrance to National Art Museum. Dinner
Sunday 09 September
A short ride/walk to the Old Town seeing the University, Taras Schevchenko Opera & Ballet Theatre, Golden gate and St Michael’s Cathedral. Visit and entrance to St Sophia Cathedral. Visit Andriyivsky Slope with its art galleries, shops and studios. A short visit to Bassarabka market and back to the hotel. Evening traditional dinner at a local restaurant.
Monday 10 September
Travel to Kiev-Pechersk Lavra monastery (caves and Gold Treasury). Afternoon visit to Museum of the Great Patriotic War. Return to hotel for dinner.
Tuesday 11 September
Check-out and transfer to airport for flight home.

Arrival Departure Flights

Tom & Vicki Michelson	8/27, 15:35 AF2252,		Alan Cutler	9/11, 6:45. LH2547
Joe Di Dio & Bob Terhune	8/27,15:35 LH2538		Beverly Baucum La Rue Atterbury	9/11, 6:45. LH2547
Beverly Baucum La Rue Atterbury	8/27,15:35 LH2538		Margaret Cowden & Chris Larkin	9/11, 14:10, LH 1491
Laurence Barker	8/27, 17:00, AZ 540		Laurence Barker	9/11, 18:10, AZ 481
Margaret Cowden & Chris Larkin	8/28 13:30, LH 1454		Sara & Charlie Lewis	9/11, Pending
Alan Cutler	8/28, 15:55, LH2538		Mel Cohen	9/11, Pending
Dona Stuewe	8/28, Pending		Dona Stuewe	9/11, Pending
Sara & Charlie Lewis	8/28, Pending		Carrol Smith	9/11, Pending
Carrol Smith	8/28, Pending		Tom & Vicki Michelson	9/12, 6:40 AF1837
Mel Cohen	8/28, Pending		Joe Di Dio & Bob Terhune	9/12, 9:20, SA4271

IN USA: Sara Lewis 321 N. 134th St. Seattle WA 98133 206 367 5927 Toll free 1877 8968747

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