It is now May and I must relate that I am somewhat distressed by the many requests that have arrived this week for tours in Russia this July. As experienced Russian hands know, the three summer months are the busiest time of year, and the hotels are basically sold out. Hotel rooms that normally are reasonably priced are sold, and the most expensive rooms are the only ones available. That means that 5 star hotels are asking up to $700 or more for their unsold upgraded rooms. I urge anyone out there who is seriously considering a trip to Russia to take advantage of our 3 star tour departing on 20 July and returning on the 30th. We have four spots remaining and that is about all we can do. Fortunately the group going is very small so that anyone taking advantage of this tour will have plenty of personal attention and can still take advantage of rooms that we rented back in the winter when rates were reasonable.

The next opportunity to take advantage of reasonable prices is our October tour which will have the advantage of the last mild weather for 2005. We can and do arrange private tours for individuals but feel as if no one can conduct a tour as well as our personal staff, and I like to go along just to make sure things are as perfect as they can be. For those of you interested in a winter tour, the hotels are fairly unoccupied, and we are striving to put one together for December of 2005. For summer lovers it is best to get your deposits in early for next summer and to commit to the summer months not later than February of 2006.

May in the city is always exciting, and our May tour for 2006 which leaves the United States on 25 April, 2006 will be special because the city is preparing for what will be its 302nd birthday. Spring will have sprung, and there will only be a few days of brisk weather, and overnight everything will have begun to show spring blossoms. I hope that you will enjoy this newsletter as much as I have. For those Pritikin adherents out there, I hope my class of April 2005 will use April of 2006 for a great reunion in one of the most beautiful cities in the world-St. Petersburg! Of course, the invitation is open to all.

Sincerely,
Michael E. Donnelly, Ph.D. President