To all the new friends that went on this tour from 2005/06/03 to 2005/06/18.(Including tour Director Xavier Libert and Coach driver Joseph)
On behalf of Carol and myself I would like to express our thanks for the wonderful bunch of people that accompanied us on this tour. It was our first ever overseas tour and we thoroughly enjoyed your company and good humour. I would however like to exchange digital photographs of Scadinavia in particular. I Lost about 300 imiges when I accidently "formatted" my disk when we arrived in Finland. I Could kill myself for this!! My Russian pictures are all safe for exchange - also the rest of the tour photos.
We would like to hear from you.
Regards,
Alfie and Carol

Hi Alfie
My wife and I want to do this tour next year. Can you give me some info on the tour, Pro's and cons, and do you recommend it?

Hi Phillip,
Your question as to whether it is a worthwhile tour to go on - a big yes!!
If you go on this tour, I assume it will be during June 2006 sometime like our past tour. Then it is summer up north an you can enjoy the loooong summer days - actually I don't know if the sun goes down properly or not because we never stayed awake to find out.
What motivated us to go on this particular tour? I Always had this urge to visit Russia because of our political history. I Wanted to go see for myself what the fuss was all about. Communism is gone but the scars will remain for another generation or more. Phone me on 082 450 3235 and I will give you my e-mail address and forward you more info and pictures.
Regards
Alfie

philipca,
The Cossack Explorer is a wonderful trip - you see a lot in a relatively short time - Russia was fabulously interesting and well worth the effort to get there. We did this trip a couple of years ago and enjoyed it so much that we are considering doing it again - after we see other places, of course. The pros are too numerous to mention - the cons - well, there are some loooong bus rides in Eastern Europe and crossing some of those borders takes a while - we looked at that as part of the experience, however.I did so much want to see Lenin in his tomb but he was being "dusted off" that day and the tomb wasn't open. I am off to China this fall and and going to be sure to see Mao in his tomb - I guess I have a thing for these major historical figures!!!

Hi Alfie

I tried your Mobile number, no answer. You can contact me on philipcj_5@hotmail.com
Regards
Philip

Alfie, Judy,

You've convinced me. My wife and I were considering a Central Europe tour, but will do the Cossack Explorer instead. We'll probably do the guaranteed one in August 2006. Maybe we'll meet up with Philip.

Hi Phillip/Con,
Sorry about the mobile phone, I've had a lot of people trying to reach me from landlines, but something seems to be wrong with my sim card. You should be able to get through from a mobile phone or phone me on +2711-613-2903 at home.
What I didn't mention about the tour is that we actually got more than we bargained for by passing through Denmark and Sweden. These two countries really got into my soul. I Think the time we passed through there, it was about mid-summer and very green. I Don't know what it would be like in autumn or winter.
Going on this tour you have to go on just about all the excursion tours to be able to get the most out of your visit, for example:
The Moscow circus is a must! The visit to the Kremlin is a must. So is the visit to Zagorsk and the Hermitage in St Petersburg. In fact, I wish I had more info about these places before we went. Also bear in mind the additional cost over and above the actual tour cost if you decide to go on all the excursions +/- 1800-00 Euros for the two of us.
The pace of the tour is however rather tight and very tiring. The living out of suitcases, I suppose is part of the deal, but not too pleasant. Expect to walk for hours when visiting the Hermitage and the Tsar's Summer palace, but it is worth the effort!!

hi alfie,
could I have your e-mail address so that I can ask you a personal question about your trip, my e-mail is mikabill@aapt.net.au

I would be so happy if you reply!
ruskigirl