Travel Questions; Need advice

[ChipShot]

I am looking to travel to Ukraine and Russia this spring. I'd like to visit some ladies in Odessa, then go to Volgograd, then to Sochi, then back home. Any advice on how to do this?  Are there flights within the FSU, specifically a flight from Odessa to Volgograd? If I could transition from Ukraine directly into southern Russia, I could avoid Moscow, an dsave time. Any thoughts? I would depart out of New York. I have about ten days off from work to do this. It may sound like a push, but there are a few key ladies in each city, and I'd like to start to narrow my focus a bit.

I would also love to go to Tver, Kherson....so many ladies...so little time. Tver and St Pete in the summer, I think.

[DE]

... in response to Travel Questions; Need advice, posted by ChipShot on Jan 19, 2002

Maybe since you are limited in time, you might want to think about locating yourself a little more centrally and paying the train costs to have the ladies meet you more centrally?  I say this based on your limited 10 day travel time and the fact you want to meet ladies from several different locations over great distances.  You'll burn at least one day in your initial flight over.

Maybe you could locate in Kiev and pay the train fares for the ladies to meet you there or you could even fly into Kharkov (closer to the Russian border but still in Ukraine) and pay for the ladies to meet you there since apartment costs are much cheaper.  This also gives you the advantage of rescheduling their train departures if things are not going well and since you are in a major city, you could easily implement a back up plan of using an agency if you find yourself with time and no lady.

By doing this, you will determine which ladies are willing to take the time to meet you and have a better guage of their sincerity?  Just a thought since you are limited by time and you'll certainly want to make the most out of your trip.  Austrian Airlines fly directly into Kharkov while most major airlines fly into Kiev.

One visa, one trip, more productive time, less hassle, more options, your choice.

[odeccaman1]

... in response to Travel Questions; Need advice, posted by ChipShot on Jan 19, 2002

Most international flights are out of Kiev but a few from Odessa & other cities. I think it would be difficult to travel to both Russia & Ukraine (unless just to major cities Kiev & Moscow) as transport is just not efficient enough and if you are not a Russian speaker your options are limited. Enjoy  all  Odessa flights are listed at  www.odessapost.com.ua

[Zink]

... in response to Travel Questions; Need advice, posted by ChipShot on Jan 19, 2002

I'm not positive but I think that you won't be able to go directly from Odessa to Volgograd by plane. As far as I know there isn't a customs area at the Volgograd airport. You should check with somebody else though.

In the summer there are flights between Volgograd and Sochi. The train takes 12 hours. Flights from Moscow to Volgograd are just over an hour. Flights from Moscow to Sochi are about 2 hours.

[KenC]

... in response to Travel Questions; Need advice, posted by ChipShot on Jan 19, 2002

Chip,
The train takes 2 hours between Moscow and Tver.  It is an 8 hour train trip between Tver and St Pete.  These are times for the "fast" train.  Add 1 hour and 4 hours for the regular trains.  Hope this helps you with your schedule.
KenC