Q: Which of the 5 elements to the right is likely to have the largest impact on the success, comfort, safety and enjoyment of your visit?

Certainly a comfortable, well-located hotel can make a big difference, but in my opinion, based upon my own experiences and the experiences of our customers, it is the hiring of a quality private guide that can make the biggest difference... where a vacation to Saint Petersburg can become among the greatest travel adventures of your lifetime. No kidding... that's what our customers have told us.

Russian Guide Network, Inc. is the name of my little business. It's a Pennsylvania corporation (USA). I started the company in December 2001 to help my guide friends in Russia get some customers. All these years later we're still going at it. Our specialty is in providing guide services to the independent traveler. That's individuals, couples, and small groups of usually 6 or fewer people.

If you are considering visiting Saint Petersburg by cruise ship, I can say that it will not be enough. You can only get a small taste of this great city when you do it that way.

Instead, come on over by plane or train and stay a while. Six or seven days is what I recommend. Even 9 days wouldn't be too long in my opinion. There's plenty to see and do, all kinds of great evening entertainment every night, and when you are not doing everything in a crazy rush like the cruise ship visitors, you get to relax more and come to experience what the pace of life is really like in Saint Petersburg. This is the path for having the most fulfilling and most exciting Saint Petersburg experience.

And if this is to be a once-in-a-lifetime visit, then you've got to hire your own private guide. Do it right! It's worth the money.

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