Dear Intrepid Travelers: It is time for another newsletter and once again our staff has achieved an informative and interesting collection of items that should interest anyone who has been to Russia or who is contemplating travel there in the future. Summer is the time that most Americans want to see St. Petersburg and Moscow. That is because Russian winters can be an overwhelming force of nature.

I must remind everyone that because summer is so popular, the crowds in both cities are difficult to deal with. Space is at a premium whether one is trying to enjoy a museum or a fine restaurant. Prices are higher for plane tickets, souvenirs, hotel rooms, venue tickets, and just about anything else that costs money.

As a result we advocate going in the spring and fall. Yes, we also like to go in winter because one must be a little curious about the experiences one can acquire facing Mother Russia at her most extreme. Last winter I had the pleasure of taking among others an American General who really wanted to see Russia in the snow. We had a great time and only one day of true Russian winter. There was snow, but I made a huge mistake. I went during Christmas and New Year's. There were just as many tourists there as in summer! We will choose our winter dates more carefully in the future.

Last thought for this opening to the newsletter - if you are going to St. Petersburg, I urge you to take more time than provided by a cruise liner. With a direct flight in First or Business Class to Moscow, you have the opportunity to see both Moscow and St. Petersburg in one trip of only 11 days. It is a grand thing to do and the only way to really see anything of significance in Russia. If you are really going to do it right, do it with us. See you in an airport somewhere soon en route to the largest country in the world for your trip of a lifetime!
Sincerely,

Michael E. Donnelly, Ph.D.
President