Fall 06 Tour

Dr. Ronald R. Pope, President
Serendipity-Russia
1403 Kingsridge Drive
Normal, IL 61761-2860
Email

Russia in the Fall

Fall 2006 group in Pushkin at Catherine the Great's Summer Palace

3rd Tourism Development Project Tour

September 14 to September 28, 2008
(subject to change)

Enjoy unparalleled Russian hospitality
and the grandeur of ancient Rus while
observing firsthand the developing tourism industry.
Your feedback will contribute to our Tourism Development Project.
This project is designed to aid efforts to expand
tourism in the Vladimir region.

15-day, fully escorted tour
$3,950* per person -- plus airfare and Russian visa. Double occupancy.
Included: in-country lodging & transportation, guides, museum fees,
and three meals a day. Everything except personal expenses.

For more information please contact us

*Cost subject to change in response to changes in vendor charges and/or currency fluctuations

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Group Co-Leaders

Karen Hasara (left)

Former mayor of Springfield, Illinois
Former Illinois State Senator and State Representative
Widely traveled, including Ukraine and Russia
Vladimir Region Tourism Development Project team member
Leader, 2005 & 2006 Fall Tours

Karen Keener

Retired professor of English,
Parkland College in Champaign, IL
Former director of International
Studies and Programs, and former
chair of the Humanities Department
Widely traveled. Has led, co-led, or participated in more than 15 tours abroad, including to Russia.

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Comments from Past Tour Participants:

"This trip offered a very special opportunity to meet and interact with local Russian people. Those experiences were the highlights of the trip and provided memories that will last forever." David and Jannettee Yee

"The American Home in Vladimir is an exciting, vibrant bridge to Russian citizens--connecting them with the U.S. We really enjoyed meeting people in their homes, in factories and at the local government building. We spent an enjoyable day with students in several English-speaking schools and visited an orphanage. The visit to St. Petersburg was awesome. This is the type trip more people should take--meeting Russians in their world. Thanks!" Marilyn Kennedy

"This trip provided a unique opportunity to get to know the people of Russia, as well as see major attractions. Meeting with high school and college students, having dinner in host homes, and seeing work places helped erase stereotypes. St. Petersburg has to rank as one of the most beautiful cities in the world." Jerry and Gwenn Klingler

"I thought the trip was fantastic! I am grateful I had the opportunity to go. I enjoyed all aspects of the trip-the various tours, concerts, and, most of all, visiting with the families, students, and the American Home people." Judy Henderson
This was an experience I'm still digesting. Spending time in Vladimir first made the big cities more understandable. The personal interactions in Vladimir were what make this trip exceptional. Jane Curvey

The trip is well worth its cost. While admittedly it is a lot of money, I got much more out of the experience than if I'd spent the same amount on other discretionary items."
Dick McLane

Itinerary
Contact information

Photos from our Fall 2005 Tourism Development Tour:

	Karen Hasara with Yuri Fedorov, Head of the Dept. of International Relations and Tourism, Vladimir City Administration, and Yelena Bychkovskikh, Dept. staff member
At the Karl Libknekht orphanage--the group donated 8 bicycles and tricycles--much to the children's delight.
	Meeting with young Russian's at the American Home
Visiting in the Teacher's Office at the American Home
	Tour participant, Marilyn Kennedy, presenting Alexei Altonen with some items from the Phoenix Suns. These items (especially the autographed photos) will be major prizes at the Annual American Home Street Ball Tournament.

Your itinerary will include Vladimir and the surrounding communities in the Golden Ring, St. Petersburg and Moscow.

You will have dinner with a Russian family in Vladimir and meet with a variety of other people who will be selected in part based on the special interests of the group members. Previous tours have included meetings with educators, attorneys, law enforcement officials, medical personnel, and musicians and artists.

At the end of your journey, we will ask you to provide us with comments and suggestions that can be incorporated in our ongoing Tourism Development Project. This will give you the opportunity to make a contribution to the development of the Russian economy.

For more information on this tour, and/or our Tourism Development Project--and to be kept informed as the plans for this trip develop--please contact us.

Links to articles and the City of Vladimir:

UI Team Gives Tourism Tips to Russian City

I'm Not Afraid of Russia, I Can Live Here if Necessary!

City of Vladimir http://www.vladimir-russia.net

Tentative Itinerary

Days 1-2	Depart from the U.S. (probably on Delta Airlines from Atlanta). Group will be met at the airport and escorted by motorcoach to Vladimir.
*Days 3-7*	Vladimir/Suzdal: Visit the majestic Assumption Cathedral, the famous Golden Gates (the historic entrance to Old Vladimir), and the Crystal Museum. Enjoy a warm reception at the American Home. Meet with a variety of interesting people. In the nearby city of Suzdal, you will see the Museum of Wooden Architecture and Peasant Life, the Suzdal Kremlin and stroll the cobblestone streets. Suzdal has been a setting for some of Russia's best known art films. And in Gus Khrustalny visit a glass and crystal factory--which offers some excellent buys on their products. Depart by overnight train to St. Petersburg.
Days 8-11	St. Petersburg: Tour Peter the Great's capital. Some highlights of the tour include the Hermitage in the Winter Palace, St. Issac's Cathedral, and the Peter and Paul Fortress. Enjoy an evening at the ballet or other concert. Cruise the canals (weather permitting), shop to your heart's content, and enjoy a spectacular folk concert at the Nikolaevsky Palace to complete your stay in St. Petersburg. Depart by overnight train to Moscow.
Days 12-14	Moscow: In Moscow you will have the opportunity to visit Red Square; the Kremlin, including its famous Armory Museum housing a Fabrege Egg collection, tsarist coaches and costumes; Lenin's Tomb; and St. Basil's Cathedral. Motorcoach tour of the city. You will also take in the world renowned Tretekov Art Gallery and stroll through GUM, Moscow's famous department store. Attend a performance of the famous Moscow circus. Shop on the Old Arbat which has been converted to a pedestrian mall.
Day 15	Depart for the U.S.

For detailed information, please contact us!
Phone: 309-454-2364
email: ronpope42@cs.com

$500 deposit due at time of booking