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Newbie Travel Questions (Europe, Russia, Ukraine)
Hello People.
Good news, bad news. Bad news. Got outscourced from my job (lost it). GOod news. Have a small window of time to do some travleing for the first time in my life (outside the USA). So i have some general, maybe dumb questions. 1.) Im applying for my passport tomorrow, i finally got all the paperwork. I guess that typically takes up to 6 weeks or so? 2.) lets say, for arguments sake i went to Paris. But i wanted to go over to Russia and the Ukraine also. Now, would i be able to just go their as long as i had a passport? I mean, could i just hop a train(s) and a bus(s) and go their? what potiential problems lie in my path? Becuase i would like to go over to the Ukraine and Russia. But I would also like to travel all around those parts. but since i never did it.. i dont know what might prevent me from doing it. If anyone has been to Russia and Ukraine that is from the USA. How much money would i be looking at to spend a day for basic lodging and food? Would it be hard to get there not knowing the native language? The thing is, im not going to have a whole lot of money for this. And lastley. Whens a good time to exchage money for the native money? I mean, if im going to be traveling through so many differnt countries and all.... ANyhow, guess thats is. The problem is that ai dont know enough to ask the right questions. So i would be happy for any kinds of input whether it has to do with my questions or not. Thanks!!!!!! Hal |
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Newbie Travel Questions (Europe, Russia, Ukraine)
Many places (Ukrane, Russia, but not Western Europe) require Visas. If you want to go there, do the research or find a good travel agent to help you get the appropriate Visas. Julie ds wrote: Hello People. Good news, bad news. Bad news. Got outscourced from my job (lost it). GOod news. Have a small window of time to do some travleing for the first time in my life (outside the USA). So i have some general, maybe dumb questions. 1.) Im applying for my passport tomorrow, i finally got all the paperwork. I guess that typically takes up to 6 weeks or so? 2.) lets say, for arguments sake i went to Paris. But i wanted to go over to Russia and the Ukraine also. Now, would i be able to just go their as long as i had a passport? I mean, could i just hop a train(s) and a bus(s) and go their? what potiential problems lie in my path? Becuase i would like to go over to the Ukraine and Russia. But I would also like to travel all around those parts. but since i never did it.. i dont know what might prevent me from doing it. If anyone has been to Russia and Ukraine that is from the USA. How much money would i be looking at to spend a day for basic lodging and food? Would it be hard to get there not knowing the native language? The thing is, im not going to have a whole lot of money for this. And lastley. Whens a good time to exchage money for the native money? I mean, if im going to be traveling through so many differnt countries and all.... ANyhow, guess thats is. The problem is that ai dont know enough to ask the right questions. So i would be happy for any kinds of input whether it has to do with my questions or not. Thanks!!!!!! Hal -- Julie ********** Check out my Travel Pages (non-commercial) at http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm |
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Newbie Travel Questions (Europe, Russia, Ukraine)
On 10 Mar 2004 20:10:12 -0800, ds wrote:
1.) Im applying for my passport tomorrow, i finally got all the paperwork. I guess that typically takes up to 6 weeks or so? Check http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html. It will tell you what you need to bring to apply, and how you can expedite it (for $60 extra). There are a lot of websites that advertise 24-hour passports but I don't know what the story is there. My wife and daughter got their passport renewed last year. The new ones arrived in something like a week or two. Maybe they're getting better? Maybe travel being down helps in this aspect, too. -- -BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least) |
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Newbie Travel Questions (Europe, Russia, Ukraine)
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Newbie Travel Questions (Europe, Russia, Ukraine)
ds wrote:
1.) Im applying for my passport tomorrow, i finally got all the paperwork. I guess that typically takes up to 6 weeks or so? Yes, sometimes as little as two weeks. Depends on their workload, and I think that new passports take longer than renewals. 2.) lets say, for arguments sake i went to Paris. But i wanted to go over to Russia and the Ukraine also. Now, would i be able to just go their as long as i had a passport? I mean, could i just hop a train(s) and a bus(s) and go their? what potiential problems lie in my path? Mainly the fact that you won't be allowed in. Russia and Ukraine require visas of US passport-holders. Russia is one of the harder countries to get a visa for (not because you won't get it, but because they make you jump through so many hoops). And lastley. Whens a good time to exchage money for the native money? The best time is whenever you notice your wallet is empty. Then find the nearest ATM and withdraw some more. miguel -- Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/ |
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Newbie Travel Questions (Europe, Russia, Ukraine)
ds wrote:
If anyone has been to Russia and Ukraine that is from the USA. How much money would i be looking at to spend a day for basic lodging and food? Would it be hard to get there not knowing the native language? The thing is, im not going to have a whole lot of money for this. First thing to do is a little basic research. Go to your library, and set up camp at the travel section. Leaf through lots of books, read the "how to get there" sections. I think you should look at Rough Guide and Lonely Planet books, but read them all. Just start to get a feel for what you can do. As for Russia, I don't think it's right for you this trip. The visa requires an invitation, which can come from a hotel, tour guide or resident. So you have to book your travel, accomodation and then get a faxed invitation which you have to take to the embassy. When in Russia you have to surrender your passport. Travel in the countryside is complicated enough that the local (UK) bookstore had no Russian travel guides, just St P. and Moscow ones. Russia is a great place to visit, but for this trip on a budget and wanting to "bum around", then there is plenty to see in Western Europe. Save Russia for a later trip. joan -- Joan McGalliard, UK http://www.mcgalliard.org |
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Newbie Travel Questions (Europe, Russia, Ukraine)
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#9
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Newbie Travel Questions (Europe, Russia, Ukraine)
"ds" wrote in message om... Hello People. Good news, bad news. Bad news. Got outscourced from my job (lost it). GOod news. Have a small window of time to do some travleing for the first time in my life (outside the USA). So i have some general, maybe dumb questions. 1.) Im applying for my passport tomorrow, i finally got all the paperwork. I guess that typically takes up to 6 weeks or so? 2.) lets say, for arguments sake i went to Paris. But i wanted to go over to Russia and the Ukraine also. Now, would i be able to just go their as long as i had a passport? I mean, could i just hop a train(s) and a bus(s) and go their? what potiential problems lie in my path? Becuase i would like to go over to the Ukraine and Russia. But I would also like to travel all around those parts. but since i never did it.. i dont know what might prevent me from doing it. If anyone has been to Russia and Ukraine that is from the USA. How much money would i be looking at to spend a day for basic lodging and food? Would it be hard to get there not knowing the native language? The thing is, im not going to have a whole lot of money for this. And lastley. Whens a good time to exchage money for the native money? I mean, if im going to be traveling through so many differnt countries and all.... ANyhow, guess thats is. The problem is that ai dont know enough to ask the right questions. So i would be happy for any kinds of input whether it has to do with my questions or not. Thanks!!!!!! Hal Hal, Maybe you should travel to India and get your job back! You didn't mention how long your "window of opportunity" will last, and that's important. If I were in your shoes and had the time and money, I'd head for western Europe, see a little of France and Germany, head south to Spain and Portugal, then hook a "left" eastward and work my way toward Turkey, and then double back and figure out how to get home. Or not. Have fun! Tom |
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Newbie Travel Questions (Europe, Russia, Ukraine)
I have been to Ukraine twice, the last time five years ago ( I married
a Ukrainian). Very few people speak English there. You will probably not be able to just get around by yourself without a working knowledge of Russian or a guide/companion. Things were not very Westernized although this is changing. I see there are now some ATMs listed in Odessa. You will need a visa although it is becoming easier to get and there is discussion of dropping the requirement or making it available on the spot in places like Odessa. My info is not very up to date. A good place to look for current info is the travel BB on brama.com (ds) wrote in message . com... Hello People. Good news, bad news. Bad news. Got outscourced from my job (lost it). GOod news. Have a small window of time to do some travleing for the first time in my life (outside the USA). So i have some general, maybe dumb questions. 1.) Im applying for my passport tomorrow, i finally got all the paperwork. I guess that typically takes up to 6 weeks or so? 2.) lets say, for arguments sake i went to Paris. But i wanted to go over to Russia and the Ukraine also. Now, would i be able to just go their as long as i had a passport? I mean, could i just hop a train(s) and a bus(s) and go their? what potiential problems lie in my path? Becuase i would like to go over to the Ukraine and Russia. But I would also like to travel all around those parts. but since i never did it.. i dont know what might prevent me from doing it. If anyone has been to Russia and Ukraine that is from the USA. How much money would i be looking at to spend a day for basic lodging and food? Would it be hard to get there not knowing the native language? The thing is, im not going to have a whole lot of money for this. And lastley. Whens a good time to exchage money for the native money? I mean, if im going to be traveling through so many differnt countries and all.... ANyhow, guess thats is. The problem is that ai dont know enough to ask the right questions. So i would be happy for any kinds of input whether it has to do with my questions or not. Thanks!!!!!! Hal |
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