TESTIMONIALS

Several months ago, I arranged a trip with East West Tours, mostly because the process of obtaining a Russian tourist visa seemed lengthy and prohibitive. I worked with both Dora and Anna to customize a tour package for my family. We wanted to visit highlights: Helsinki, Tallinn, Stockholm, and St. Petersburg. The ferry, MS Anastasia, was quite well-appointed for a ferry, and the meals were amazing (we had the option that included the breakfasts/dinners as part of the price). Our room for four was very tiny: two sets of bunkbeds with a single walking aisle, little bathroom, and a door, but given we were really only in the cabin to sleep, it was workable. The other spaces on the ship were spacious, and outdoor space ample.

We very much enjoyed the ferry trip which was a round trip from Stockholm to St. Petersburg, with brief stops in Helsinki and Tallinn, on the Princess Anastasia. Our East West Tours agent Bobby was so helpful and promptly answered all our questions before the trip and as promptly made all the arrangements. The ferry was very nice, clean, the food very good, and the crew very professional and helpful. After a bit of snafu with the initial St. Petersburg hotel we were to stay in, we were taken to a beautiful and very comfortable hotel. Our guide Liliya Engels in St.

This trip was amazingly wonderful and I would recommend it highly. The hotel in St. Petersburg--fabulous!!! The ship has been redone and is quite nice, food was bountiful and delicious. However, the beds were very uncomfortable and need to be upgraded! Traffic flow getting off for our tour was disorganized and slow! – Suzanne Siney -

Dear Bobby, A bit of feedback: 1) Travel guide Boris was wonderful. Driver Sergei punctual and polite. 2) Hermitage Official State Hotel was superb. Truly 5-star. Very few guests as tourism to Russia has collapsed. 3) Princess Maria ship is quite old but staff and food AOK. The entertainment was average. Cabin AOK. 4) Port facilities in St Petersburg are primitive unlike in Helsinki which has a good standard. Overall an excellent trip. St Petersburg is a fascinating wonderful historic city. Thank you for organising – Ben Livson -

From: Sonia I [mailto:ibxxonxx0@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2014 4:33 AM
To: dora@east-west-tours.com; alex vilkevich
Subject: Splendors of Russia trip – - -

Hi Dora and Alex,

Just returned yesterday from the now-defunct Splendors of Russia trip which you organized for Jean Coberly and me.

Thank you for such a wonderful trip and all your help in bringing this trip to a very successful fruition.  I appreciate your help, as well as Amanda's throughout the preparation of this journey.  I am listing some comments which you might be interested in.

Aeroflot offered comfortable planes and excellent

Thank you Dora, for the great cruise to Russia you helped me and my family plan this past year. I must admit we were glad we did not need visas for our short stay on the boat. It’s such a nice program and the private St. Petersburg tour alone was worth the trip! We loved spending time in Helsinki and Tallinn as a family and trying new foods and experiencing new cultures together. It’s a trip we’ll remember for years to come! Thank you, George Rimstoke and family