Dear fellow Travelers:

I am happy to be able to resume our monthly newsletter program in order to provide you with current information regarding events in Russia. I have just returned from an 11 day trip with nine other intrepid adventurers and I think they can all relate that the trip was the trip of a lifetime.

Although we sell travel insurance on our web site I have never staunchly recommended it as I have never had to cancel a trip. This time however, I wish I had purchased it for myself. On this last trip I had a surprise visitor - a kidney stone. I am happy to report that the medical care I received was quite good. It was at a private hospital just five doors down from our hotel. It was a modern facility staffed with medical professionals that would rival almost any American hospital. I was treated and released in a matter of only three hours. I must say I had never seen such good looking nurses and doctors in one place before.

Now on to more relevant things: The first article in this month's newsletter has to do with the marvelous Metro system of Moscow. Built during the era of the Communists the system remains one of the wonders of modern cities anywhere. Please read about the most highly attended public art galleries in the world.

Some other entries have to do with an updated commentary on some of the better yet affordable restaurants of Moscow and St. Petersburg. We always eat well on our tours and this last one was no exception.

Finally an article on the new construction plans for the Mariinsky II facility under construction in St. Petersburg. I hope you enjoy the newsletter and that you will join us soon for a three star or five star trip of a lifetime to the largest country in the world, Russia!

Sincerely,

Michael E. Donnelly, Ph.D.
President