Is there a check list?

[jb]

One caveat, the cheapest travel deal is not necessarily the best travel deal.

 This comment is absolute GOLD.

Cheaper tickets are routinely sold on Air France with a plane change in Paris.  While this sounds good, you will usually regret this choice.  Air France has the worst reputation for lost/misplaced luggage.  (They once lost my bags both comming and going, and I didn't get the luggage back for almost 3 weeks after I returned from Moscow.)  The germans (Lufthansa) almost never lose a bag, same for the Brits (British Airways), and KLM is also a good choice.  Although KLM does suffer frequent delays in and out of Amsterdam, so their "On Time" record isn't so good if you are trying to make a connecting flight to another city.  Many times, missing a connecting flight means being stranded for a extra day because there may only be one flight each day to your particular destination.  Further on this vein, WRT cheap travel deals, check your return schedule, many flights on the way back will have an unwanted RON (remain over night) factored in if you aren't careful.  Having to pay for an Airport Hotel room in any European city will add approximately $150 to your travel cost, the least expensive room I've ever had was $90.00 for a broom closet sized room at the Hotel Ibus at Charles de Galle in Paris.  It's better to spend the few extra dollars on the slightly more expensive flight than waste an extra day in a hotel.  

Just my 02 cents, but I always wanted to spend my time at my destination, not waste time at some halfway point enroute.

[jb]

Did I miss something?? Ah year there are also FSB's (former KGB) agents under your beds and in each phone receiver in each hotel).

Yes,, my wife's cousin is a senior FSB official, all Russian Embassies around the world are fully staffed by these agents.  He was the Russian Consul General in San Francisco, and before that,the number 2 man in Washington DC for the Russian Embassy.  I always carry his card and phone contact information in my pocket whenever I'm in Russia. You'd be surprised at how well I get along with the Milistia after I ask them to call "my cousin".

[Elen]

Wonder what have you done to be awarded with Milistia's attention to your person? 

[jb]

I speak very funny Russian.

[Elen]

too loudly I guess  

[jb]

too loudly I guess

Actually, no, most times when I'm with my wife folks feel very sorry for me because they assume I'm a deaf mute.  I let her do all the talking.  :dude:

[Todd]

On the subject of flight check lists and air fares, etc.,  I totally agree with others emphasizing to avoid Air France and connecting through Charles de Gaulle airport (Paris.)  I always find myself rushed and confused whenever I'm in that airport.  If you must, be sure to leave plenty of time for connecting flights (greater than 2 hours)...just to be on the safe side.  If you are going to Moscow, I would strongly recommend the direct flight from JFK on Delta and avoid the connection issue altogether.  As an added plus, there is no interruption in sleep time, and you can almost get an extra 1/2 day out of your travels that way.  Also, if you are going to Belarus, I would strongly recommend Luftansa out of Frankfort.  From Boston, it is only a two hop flight...Boston to Frankfort ...Frankfort to Minsk.  When in doubt, always strive to reduce the number of connections.

[FredC]

As well as a digital camera, I suggest a polaroid. That way when you meet people you can leave some photos with them. I know that several of the ladies that I met weren't intersted in having their pictures taken until I said that I had a polaroid.

[ISORW]

To correct one of the posts, you do NOT need a visa to visit Ukraine unless you plan on staying for more than 6 months out of the year.  I am here, 4th time in 5 months, for a 1 month period of time and I do not have a visa.