I want to book a holiday to Turkey when I am in Kiev,Travel agencies??

[UkGraham]

I plan to visit my girl End of July for 2 weeks, this will be 3rd meeting, we have been to Kiev twice and would like to go somehere else like Turkey where visa is not a problem.
She could book it and I could send money over by Western Union and We could meet in Turkey but logistically this is complicated as we are travelling from different countries. I would rather meet her in Kiev for a few days and try and book a holiday whilst in Kiev from a reputable travel agency which in my mind makes it simpler  for both of us. Of course I realise it would be a last minute booking and we may not find anywhere, we would just have stay in Kiev or maybe travel to another City in Ukraine.
Does anyone know of or had experience of booking holidays from Kiev and know any reputable agencies?
Thanks in advance

[Admin]

I plan to visit my girl End of July for 2 weeks, this will be 3rd meeting, we have been to Kiev twice and would like to go somehere else like Turkey where visa is not a problem.
She could book it and I could send money over by Western Union and We could meet in Turkey but logistically this is complicated as we are travelling from different countries. I would rather meet her in Kiev for a few days and try and book a holiday whilst in Kiev from a reputable travel agency which in my mind makes it simpler  for both of us. Of course I realise it would be a last minute booking and we may not find anywhere, we would just have stay in Kiev or maybe travel to another City in Ukraine.
Does anyone know of or had experience of booking holidays from Kiev and know any reputable agencies?
Thanks in advance

I do not recall the name of the agency - but they are not difficult to find. They have offices on the ground floor of the Hotel Lybid. I used them several times and found them to be quite professional and helpful.

Good luck,

- Dan

[Mir]

Yes it is possible and I have used one agency a few times.
However since you are going to Turkey why do you want to use any agency.
A booking with an agency is required if she needs a visa, like for Budapest or Poland the two easiest ones for FSU women. In case of Turkey you can just book a flight for her on-line and meet her at the airport (you go directly), you would have booked accommodation already on-line.
On the other hand if you want to meet in Kiev first, in the same way book flights and hotel in Turkey before you go to Kiev.
I really don't see the need to involve any agency for this.

[ScottinCrimea]

Mir is right, it's really quite simple.  You can do everything on your home computer, including finding a hotel.  I did it that way when I met my future wife for Christmas one year in Istanbul.  I found a great hotel just 5 minutes walk from the Blue Mosque that was only $70 a night.  We are fortunate to have some great friends who live in Istanbul and they are always willing to show us a great time when we go.  I think you will love it there.

[UkGraham]

Thanks Guys
I am just trying to keeps things simple.
Thanks again for your advice

[Pike]

Scott and Mir are missing a major point in their 'do it yourself' approach.

Through a travel agent you can book an 'all inclusive' package of flights, resort hotel, and all meals at several locations in Turkey.  These package deals are much much cheaper than you can put together piece-meal.

Quite frequently, the entire cost of a all inclusive package will be less than the cost of the air flight alone.  I know it is screwy sounding, but it is true.  They do it because with a packaged price, each participant (hotel, airline, etc.) are not divulging how low their cut really is.  They don't want that to be known as it would undercut their own individual pricing schedules and everyone would be trying to negotiate these low prices on a piece-meal basis.

I  have done these all inclusive packages several times from FSU cities with gals where we went to Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus, etc.  Fantastic bargains.  Many travel agents to chose from in major FSU cities and their prices are all very similar.  Just have your gal check with her work colleagues, friends, relatives, etc., as to which travel agencies have been used in the past.

You and she will get a kick (sort of) from reading the written agreements with the travel agencies.  The agreements state that you will never get any refunds for any reason, but you nevertheless must inform them if for whatever reason you cannot go.

[RK]

Scott and Mir are missing a major point in their 'do it yourself' approach.

Through a travel agent you can book an 'all inclusive' package of flights, resort hotel, and all meals at several locations in Turkey.  These package deals are much much cheaper than you can put together piece-meal.

Quite frequently, the entire cost of a all inclusive package will be less than the cost of the air flight alone.  I know it is screwy sounding, but it is true. 

That is correct and the same as here in the US. There will be much greater savings on a package deal when you buy it from say, US Airways Vacations inclusive of the air and hotel.

[Mir]

Pike/RK

You are both right, One of my friends recently went for a 15 night holidays to Thailand for a ridiculous price.
However such offers come and go and one needs a rather smart FSU girl who one can trust (so she has the money ready) and makes a good deal when she sees it.

So UK G you can ask your girl to shop for a good deal and if she can't find one then you can book on-line.

[UkGraham]

She managed to get the best deal at a local toursit office, but the only way to pay was for me to send her about $2000 by western union which I was a bit nervous about doing, that's a lot of money for a Ukrainian woman to have in her hand in cash, but I decided if she kept it, all I lose is the money and I have at least found out she wasn't genuine. Anyway she sms'd me to say there was $111 left and should she send it back! So I told her to keep it and buy some clothes for our holiday. That was the 1st time I had sent her money. So I'll meet her in Kiev and we can travel together,problem I have now is trying to book the Borispol Airport hotel for a night which is proving difficult unless someone knows of a better one, we need to be at the airport at about 3am.
Thanks again for the advice
Graham

[Mir]

I doubt you will get much joy trying to book a room at Borispol on-line or by email. So:

1. Ask her to phone the hotel and book a room for you

2. Phone them yourself and book a room.

BTW if you have met the girl before and she was OK then it is unlikely that she will defraud you with money.
Question is:

1. Is she just looking for a good time and you are looking for something serious: Then it can result in heartbreak for you Or
2. You are just looking for good time and she for something serious will result in heart break for her, but
If you are both looking for good time or serious relations then good can come out of this.
Have fun

[UkGraham]

hi Mir,
I would like to think we are both serious, hard to speak for someone else though.
She tried to book a room over the phone but they told her it would cost $150 and she refused to book it at "big price". She doesn't like spending my money! She said we should sleep in Airport before paying that much. However, if the hotel is in walking distance, I plan to walk over when we arrive to see if we  can get something more reasonable, we only need it till about 3 am. We also need one for the return journey for one night.
Graham

[Mir]

Well if they are quoting that price to her it is unlikely they will make it any cheaper for you.
Hotel is 10 mins walk from the terminal.Just start walking on the right side footpath towards Kiev and you will see it.
If you plan to stay at the airport then you might find something useful here:
http://www.sleepinginairports.net/europe/kiev.htm

good luck

[Kuna]

Graham,

I reckon it'd be pretty uncomfortable sleeping in Borispol and not a great way to start off your holiday with your lady.

$150 isn't bad for the hotel if you consider it'll get you off to a refreshed and relaxed start of your holiday.

You could call the hotel yourself (directly) or try this travel agent (www.olymp-travel.kiev.ua).  They might be able to help. I've used them for hotels and visa support and found them to be very efficieint and helpful.

I know what your lady must be like because mine also resists spending money at every opportunity BUT when I take control and "just spend" I think se quietly appreciates the extra effort on my part.

Kuna

[UkGraham]

Thanks guys,
 I have no real intention of sleeping at the airport, If I have to pay $150 I will, looking at the website though, it seems it costs more when you reserve a room, if I am reading it correctly. Some rooms are quoted at $88, that is why I think it might be worth taking a walk over and seeing what is available. IF they have spare rooms they might be negotiable.
Graham

[Kuna]

Graham,

Generally airport hotels will be less negotiable than tourist resorts because they know their clientele have fewer options.  You might jag a lower rate but if you can get it for $150 I'd take it.  The other option is to pay for a transfer from the airport to the centre of Kiev and take an apartment for the night - and then have your lady negotiate a price with a taxi for the return in the early morning.  It might be cheaper that way???

(You can get a taxi from the centre of Kiev to Borispol for about 120 grivna)

Kuna

[Mir]

Paying $150 and staying at the airport is better then paying $75 and staying in an apartment in the centre.

[Wayne B]

Anyway she sms'd me to say there was $111 left and should she send it back! So I told her to keep it and buy some clothes for our holiday. /quote] UkGraham, you gave your lady $111 to buy some clothes for ya'lls holiday......you are a big spender I could see the look on your girls face He give me enough money to buy maybe one pair jeans....

[UkGraham]

Not sure what your point is Wayne. That was money that was left over so I told her to keep it. It's not all about money is it?

[Wayne B]

Not sure what your point is Wayne. That was money that was left over so I told her to keep it. It's not all about money is it?

UkGraham, no it is for sure not about money.....I was poking a little fun at you

[RK]

looking at the website though, it seems it costs more when you reserve a room, if I am reading it correctly. Some rooms are quoted at $88, that is why I think it might be worth taking a walk over and seeing what is available. IF they have spare rooms they might be negotiable.
Graham

Uk...you are correct in what you are reading. The rates are almost double if you reserve it in advance. I have stayed there before and as mentioned, it is a 10 minute walk at the most to the hotel. I have exchanged a couple of emails with them in the past to confirm the different rates.  FYI...I doubt seriously they will negotiate empty rooms. They seem pretty cut and dry with their pricing, but it never hurts to ask.