Hey Ed!!

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Busy time catching up!!

Your guides were great. Very nice and knowledgeable people. They were all very willing to be flexible and we were able to change plans as our needs and wants occurred. That was a nice plus. They really did earn their fee – it is not easy to guide 30 kids through St Petersburg in an individual manner but that is what they did. Each of our 3 groups was able to get a different flavored tour based on what the group wanted.  One group stayed longer in the museums, one did more trekking and physical stuff and one did a more relaxed, playful kind of tour. It was very well done. . And the guides stayed every day as long as we needed them - without complaints – they did not even look tired! They were very professional.

We gave the kids a feedback sheet to fill out. It’s due Monday and as soon as we get the info I will pass it on.

I was with Sasha most of the time and he was inexhaustible. The kids and I felt like we covered every inch of that city by foot!! He was obviously knowledgeable, very prepared and did not start running out of patience until the last day. Perfect timing! I did feel however that he should be one of those Swiss Alps tour guides who lead people in survival wilderness treks…..he never stopped and was always forging ahead! He was forced to slow down many times to wait for me and the remainder of the group - once he even had to come back to get us! J  (We are pampered types and he is obviously not!)

Veronica also was very helpful and knowledgeable – she and I were able to work out group details when Sasha was occupied. I was very impressed by her professionalism and enjoyed working with her. She was very down to earth and easy to talk to.

I really did not work with Elena.

The student who lost his wallet remembers tucking it in his belt when he got into the bus so it either fell out in the bus or once he stepped outside of it. (He thinks he may have missed the pocket.) That was about the only problem! The guides made everything else very smooth. It was definitely smart to have guides – they helped us in so many ways – finding restaurants, knowing how to get places, warning us of dangers and unsafe areas, advising us on the best places to go, how to exchange money, where to exchange money….the list could go on forever. Several times, when entering a museum or cathedral, I saw Sasha go from official to official to do what was needed to be done – even for small things like hanging coats - they kept redirecting him. The bureaucracy was incredible. He saved us a vast amount of time and frustration by handling it for us.

It was a great experience and I will recommend Russian Guide Network to my friends. (I would in fact tell them NOT to go without you guys!!)

Thanks Ed!

Vicki McGrady
Intensive Studies
International School Bangkok