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Helpful Advice & Recommendations
Customs
Luggage Requirements and Weight Limits
Rules for luggage are defined by the destination and the flight class. The weight standards are as follows:
Check in, Up to 2 bags not exceeding 50 lbs each and up to 62 inch in total measurements (length, width and girth)
Carry on, 1 bag not exceeding 18 lbs
Check in, Up to 2 bags not exceeding 70 lbs each and up to 62 inch total measurements (length, width and girth) Carry on, 1 bag not exceeding 18 lbs
The following items may be carried free in addition to the free baggage allowance;
- 1 coat, blanket or similar item
- 1 umbrella or walking stick
- 1 handbag
- 1 small camera or binoculars Data Devices
Portable data storage devices are in demand thanks to an increased use of digital cameras, MP3 players and PDAs – all things AnastasiaWeb customers tend to bring to Russia and Ukraine. All of these devices, as well as personal computers, enable consumers to take advantage of digital technology advancements so they can store hundreds of songs, pictures or videos. Unfortunately, sometimes these items are not permitted by Customs. For example, the Customs officials in Dnepropetrovsk airport won’t listen to your explanations and might confiscate all your data or music CDs. These devices are considered to be potential mediums of secret information. So, we would advise you not to take a lot of CDs to Dnepropetrovsk in order to avoid any unpleasant arguments.
Lost Luggage
If your luggage was lost or your suitcases were damaged it is necessary to go to the airline office and draw up a written statement. An AnastasiaWeb Tour manager will help you with all these issues. Sometimes it takes several days to get the lost luggage back. We highly recommend that you should pack an extra shirt and pair of trousers in your carry-on luggage, just in case your baggage gets delayed or lost. Surely you do not want to miss the socials because your suit has not arrived yet.
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What to TakeGifts
AnastasiaWeb recommends that you take small gifts for the women (chocolate, cosmetics, etc.) If you bring an engagement ring for a special lady, we would also advise you to wear it, as if it were yours. Do not declare expensive things! Otherwise they will impose high duties on these items.
Gear
AnastasiaWeb highly recommends you should pack an extra shirt and pair of trousers in your carry-on luggage, just in case your baggage gets delayed or lost. Surely you do not want to miss the socials because your suit has not arrived yet.
Medicine
Most necessary items, such as toiletries, are available in the tour city. However, we would advise you to take any personal items you may need, such as medicines, dietary supplements or health foods.
E-mail & Anastasia web
Be sure you know your Username and Password so you’re able to access them from the tour city. This can be very helpful in contacting women to let them know you are in town, plus it’s great for checking to see who has taken an interest in you.
Cell Phones
Cell phones can prove to be a great tool. Not only for keeping in touch with those back home but keeping in contact with the ladies you have met. Cell phones generally cost less to use for calling home but be sure to check with your local carrier. If you would like to use your cell phone for local calls here, (Ukraine or Russia), it must fit the following criteria; GSM, Minimum - Tri-Band (850, 900, 1800 frequency), SIM card type, and most importantly OEM or carrier unlocked. An unlocked phone will allow you to switch SIM cards to a local operator, and enjoy local calling rates . NOTE: Not all carrier unlocked phones will accept a foreign SIM card. Be sure to check with your local carrier.
Do Not Take
Please do not take too many roles of film with you. It is really easy to buy them in the tour city.
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HotelExpectations
The hotel industry in Russia and Ukraine is not as developed, when compared with the USA or Europe. A 5-star hotel will meet world standards. A 4-star hotel in this country ranks as a 3-star or 2-star hotel in the USA. AnastasiaWeb would ask you to be tolerant and understanding towards the standards of living in Russia and Ukraine.
Room upgrade
Sometimes men want to upgrade their lodging and it can be done for an additional payment. You should plan on a $40 per day price increase for a 4-star hotel that will allow guests to visit you at all hours. Please, keep in mind that there are not always rooms available. If you want to change your room, please ask at the hotel reception desk or AnastasiaWeb assistants to help you with your issue.
Inviting Another Person
Each hotel has its own rules. Basically unregistered guests are not allowed to stay in the hotel after 11 pm. If you want your guest to stay longer than this time, you will have to either:
- Register her in your room (it can cost you up to $30)
- Book her into her own room.
If you would like to book a room in this hotel for your date coming from another city, please talk to AnastasiaWeb tour assistants and they will take care of the arrangements.
Calling from the Hotel
Long distance calls from the hotel are rather expensive, overseas calls are VERY expensive. For instance, a call to the USA costs $6-8 a minute. So, it will be better if you ask your friends or relatives in the US to call you back. You will be given the telephone number of the hotel at the orientation meeting on the first night of AnastasiaWeb tour.
The country code for Russia is 7, for the Ukraine – 380
City Codes:
- Moscow – 495
- St. Petersburg – 812
- Kiev – 44
- Odessa - 48/482 for 6 digit numbers
- Dnepropetrovsk – 56
Example (how to dial the Moscow office number from the US): 011-7-495-787-9158
If you have any problems regarding phone calls, please ask AnastasiaWeb tour assistants in the Hospitality Room to help you.
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Invitation to the SocialHow it Works
If you are planning to travel to Russia or Ukraine on an AnastasiaWeb tour, you can invite the women to meet you during the socials through the AnastasiaWeb site. Please login to your account. Press the Search button and enter the lady’s ID Number. Above her picture you will see "Invite to Social" button. If you don’t see this button, it means the women lives too far from the tour city. You can check on the status report of your invitations by selecting "Invitation to Socials" menu, and then "Invited Ladies" link. Choosing to use this service will deduct 5 credits from your account.
Make sure she comes!
If you invited a date to a social; please let us know by email to the administrator. The socials are held in night clubs and many women attend them. It would be easier for you to find her if AnastasiaWeb tour assistants know who you are expecting to come. The reception staff will be instructed to introduce the lady to you on her arrival.
She was not there
If your date did not show up or couldn’t meet you at the socials; let an AnastasiaWeb administrator know about it. Please, email to tours@anstasiaweb.com. Our administrator will check with your date and refund 5 credits to your account.
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SafetyBasic Rules of Safe Behavior
All Anastasia web tour cities are safe for tourists, however, the same basic rules of behavior are important here as in any large city like New York or San Francisco . Some common sense tips are: don’t carry much cash or valuables with you and stay aware of your surroundings in the street.
Pickpockets
Being in a large city like Moscow or Kiev, don’t tempt fate by acting like an easy target for pickpockets – don’t carry your wallet in your back pocket. It's very hard to prove that your wallet was stolen because pickpockets usually empty them immediately and throw them away. In case they get caught with a wallet, they say they just found it and were on their way to the police to give it up. So, if you are absent-minded, AnastasiaWeb recommends that you wear a money belt.
Video and Photo Cameras
Please watch your video and photo cameras when you are in the tour city. Do not leave it lying in public places. At the socials Anastasia organizes a special table for interpreters. This is the place for you to put you camera as interpreters are instructed to keep an eye on them.
Beggars
Like in every large city there are people in the streets asking for money. Please do not pay attention to them. Usually, they are harmless but nevertheless can snatch out your bag or wallet.
Nightclubs
There are a wide choice of night clubs and entertainment centers in the large cities. If you decide to go to a night club please ask AnastasiaWeb’s tour assistants to recommend a good place.
Traveling at Night
AnastasiaWeb would advise you not to walk alone at night time or even walk along large well-lit streets. The safest way to get to the hotel is to take a taxi.
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WeatherThe average temperature for Russia in winter is 15-5 °F and in the summer 70-80 °F. As far as Ukraine, they get over 290 sunny days a year. Winter is short and mild; the average temperature is 30 °F. Snow and low temperatures are quite uncommon. Summers are long and hot, the average temperature is over 75 °F, but they often get about 90 °F.
To get more information about the weather in your tour city, please visit the following page: http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/ (choose the country). It will help you to decide what clothes to wear.
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The SocialsExpectations
The Socials begin with a quiet atmosphere and soft background music. Later in the afternoon we start some music for dancing. The lights are dimmed so that women feel more comfortable. If you find the music to be too loud, you can always find a quieter corner in the club, or you can even take a stroll outside with a date if you like.
What to Wear
We would recommend that you wear a suit and a tie or whatever you would normally wear to a formal event. Dressing up would be a gesture of respect toward the ladies.
What do ladies expect?
In this country it is not common for a woman to approach a man, so even if a lady is interested in a man, she will most likely wait for him to take the initiative. There can be some exceptions when a lady might introduce herself to you or ask someone to do so for her. In most of the cases they won’t do it, especially if they are at our socials for the first time.
Take with you to the socials
We recommend you take a small note book and a pen, your camera and photos. While talking to a woman it would be nice to show the photos of your family, your house and surroundings to her. She will appreciate your wish to tell her more about you life, family and interests.
Interpreters
Anastasia provides free interpreting services only during the socials. Should you like to meet with a woman after the socials, Anastasia web’s tour assistants can help you to arrange for an interpreter. The standard fee is $10 per hour.
Be Efficient
It is your responsibility to get contact information for the ladies you meet, so take phone numbers, notes and photos of the ladies. This information will be very helpful if you need to find a lady when the socials are over.
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What if I... possible problemsLose my passport
Anastasia web advises you to make at least one photocopy of your passport so you can carry it with you in the tour city. If you lose your passport you will have to deal with the US Embassy or Consulate officials instead of Russian/Ukrainian women.
Russia: The Consular Section at the US Embassy in Moscow accepts applications to replace passports that have been lost, stolen or damaged.
An applicant without a passport, due to loss or theft, must present the following:
- Documentation that establishes identity and citizenship (driver’s license, old passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, etc.)
- Application for Passport (DS-11)
- Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport (DS-64)
- Two Photos
Embassies and Consulates overseas no longer issue full validity passports. Overseas posts accept passport applications and electronically forward them to the National Passport Center in the United States The full validity passport is then sent back to the Embassy or Consulate to be issued to the applicant. The turn around time for this process is usually five business days.
Ukraine: You will have to file a police report with the local Ukrainian militia stating that your passport was lost. Your must bring this report to the US Embassy in Kiev as proof that your passport is indeed lost. Obtain two identical passport-size photographs. There are several express photo studios in the tour city. An Anastasia tour assistant will help you with the arrangements.
Come to the Consular Section during American Citizen hours to apply for a new passport. The documentation needed:
- police report
- photocopy of your passport
- any photo ID that supports your claim to be a US citizen (driver’s license, school ID card, naturalization certificate, etc.)
- two passport-size photographs
You will fill out an application for a new passport and supporting paperwork. The processing fee is $30. An AnastasiaWeb tour assistant will help you with the arrangements.
I want to cancel my trip
Cancellation must be made in writing. Refunds are calculated from the date that we receive written cancellation. All refunds will be processed within 30 days of receipt of your cancellation. You will be refunded in the manner in which you paid; either by check, credit card or money order.
Processing Fee: There is a fee of $150 for each tour cancelled, which will be deducted from your $400 non-refundable deposit, leaving $250 which will be kept on account for you to use toward any future tour. The $150 processing fee reflects only the cost of administering a tour booking and is not intended to be a punitive in any way. We realize that the majority of those who cancel their tour bookings do so out of necessity.
For all cancellations, we will refund you the entire cost of your tour less your $250 non-refundable deposit and the following per person charges:
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Days Prior to Departure: |
Charges: |
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72 or more |
$150 processing fee |
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71-31 |
35% of selling price |
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30-8 |
50% of selling price |
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7-1 |
65% of selling price |
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0 |
100% of selling price |
If no cancellation letter is received – no refund will be given.
Land Only Client
If you sign on Land Only Package please pay attention to your visa. Make sure it is valid for the whole period of the tour and does not expire during your stay in the tour city.
I miss the group transfer
Full Tour Package includes transfers to and from hotel. If, for some reason, you miss the group transfer from the airport or decide to extend you stay in the tour city an individual transfer won’t be arranged. You will have to take a taxi.
I want to extend my stay
If you make up your mind to stay longer in the tour city and choose the same hotel you have to pay for your room in cash or by your credit card at the reception desk.
Have lost luggage
If your luggage was not delivered on time and you have no extra shirt and pair of trousers in the carry-on you can ask the romance tour participants to help you.
Fall sick
Anastasia web cooperates with the hotels that have a good medical center. Such generally used medicines as Terra Flu and Coldrex are available in any drug store in the tour city.
Got lost
Anastasia web recommends you to always carry your hotel guest card. In case you get lost downtown, catch a taxi and show the guest card to the driver.
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MoneyHow much spending cash do I need?
If you’re considering dining out with a date nearly every night as well as touring, and transportation (taxis) the budget per day is close to $200 a day.
Approximate prices for Ukraine:
- a bottle of water (1.5 l) – 2-3 grivnas (30-40 cents)
- dinner at a restaurant – 250 grivnas ($50-$70)
- a bunch of flowers – 100-110 grivnas ($20-25)
- taxi ride – 10-15 grivnas ($2-3)
Approximate prices for Russia:
- a bottle of water (2 l) – 20 rubles (70-80 cents)
- dinner at a restaurant – 1500-3000 rubles ($50-100)
- a bunch of flowers – 300-500 rubles ($20-25)
- taxi ride – 100-150 rubles ($5)
Credit Cards and Travelers Checks
Do not bring much cash. You are only allowed to bring $1000 for Ukraine and $3000 for Russia in cash without listing the sum in the customs declaration form. In order to avoid problems exchanging money please bring crisp USD bills. Traveler’s check will be safer if you travel from Ukraine to Russia , but they are not accepted at many banks unless they are "American Express". Credit cards are preferable. The majority of restaurants in the tour cities accept credit cards. You can also use ATM to cash them.
Western Union
Agent locations of Western Union in the tour cities are everywhere: in banks, post offices, retail stores, travel agencies, currency exchange offices, railway stations, airports and more. AnastasiaWeb’s tour assistants will help you find the nearest location to you. Please keep in mind that in Russia, a valid identification document is required to send money.
In Russia and Ukraine amount transferred from outside the CIS region is paid out in U.S. dollars. Rubles are available for intra-country money transfers only. All payouts are made in cash only. Money transfer fees are set according to valid Western Union tariff rates and vary depending upon the amount of money sent.
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Traditions and Etiquette in RussiaExtending your hand
When getting out of a car a man should offer his hand to a lady. She will be pleased to lean on a firm hand.
Presenting flowers
When offering flowers to a lady, make sure you’ve got an odd number. In Russia an even number of flowers are taken to the cemetery.
Opening the door to her heart
It is considered to be polite if a man opens the door and first lets his lady pass. Please hold the door if you are the first to enter.
To kiss or not to kiss
Public displays of affection occur only when greeting each other, particularly with relatives and close friends, when they hug and kiss each other on the cheeks. The usage of the gesture between people is determined by the social position, sex and age of a person. It’s not common for a woman to kiss a man on the first date.
Shaking hands
The Russian handshake is common, and is a firm grip with several shakes, between men. A handshake between two women or a man and a woman is much gentler. Between women, the older should offer her hand first, and men should wait for a woman to offer her hand first.
You can’t leave your hat on
Russians and Ukrainians are religious people. There are many small churches, temples and beautiful cathedrals in these countries. In respect to their beliefs, please follow some rules. First, if you are going to a church put on your long pants, as shorts are not acceptable. When coming into a church take off your hat. Do not talk loudly. As far as women, they cover their heads with a cloth, usually headscarf. They are also not allowed to wear jeans or pants inside the church.
In public indoor places such as theatres or offices it is not considered acceptable to leave outdoor clothes on as there is usually a cloakroom where you can leave your coat, nor should you sit on your coat while in a restaurant or theatre.
Oh, those Russians…
In public places standing with your hands in your pockets, loitering and lounging around while chewing gum is considered poor manners, as is laughing and talking loudly. In this case, vendors and museum cashiers will spot you as a foreigner from a "mile" away.
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