trip

[dgc]

Just looking for some opinions

Im going to travel around the 1st of march it looks like flying into kiev is about the best way to go then up to gomel.And then down to Zaporozhye.i cant seem to find out how long it is from kiev to zap. I guess it would be by train and im starting to wonder if it just to much travel time for one trip.it just truns out the ladies i want to go visit live in those cities

[Nat]

It takes about 10 hours to get from Kiev to Zap by train. If the timetable hasn't changed, the train leaves Kiev at around 10pm, and arrives to Zap at around 7 am, but you'd better verify this information.
What about taking a plane from Kiev to Zap, wouldn't that be more convenient?

[Turboguy]

I would tend to agree with Nat.  The train will basically be a sleeper train and if you haven't been to the FSU before you might find flying more convenient.  The sleeper trains are fun in a way but sometimes if you don't know the language getting the ticket, finding your train and finding your seat can be a bit of a challenge.  The nice thing is you don't lose a day since you travel at night.  Still it is a neat experience.  Flying would be the better choice. 

[facetrock]

  I dont know how long your trip will be but time is important. I've been on the trains in Ukraine. Fun experience but for a first trip they can confuse the hell out of a guy. Take a plane. What I have noticed is the cost of a flight isnt anymore if you buy it same day or weeks ahead of time. If you plan on staying in just Gomel I bet there has to be a direct flight from some European city. Kiev airport is easy to figure out and get around if thats where you have to transit through. Not sure if you need a visa for Belarus?
  My other advice for a first timer would be to stick to one city unless you have done a lot of traveling in foreign countrys. One airline, one flat. Makes life simple.

[viking]

According to my wife, who lived in Gomel, you can take a plane from there to Zap. Dont know the costs.

Ft. Yes you need a visa to go to Belarus.

[I/O]

Night travel can work well. Most often the shorter flights are mid morning or mid afternoon and by the time you embark and disembark, you waste a day. Prep yourself with some food stuffs as the diner cars bite you blind, especially foreigners, you can hand towel wash up, shave etc in the car rest room. You generally arrive presentable enough to meet and greet without wasting a day. I've found this has been effective over the years, particularly when time is scarce.

[dgc]

Thanks everyone for the advice and flying sounds so much better Im self employed and have a great foreman on my crew ,so going to plan the time of the trip around the cities im going to im thinking around 2 weeks

[Faux Pas]

Thanks everyone for the advice and flying sounds so much better Im self employed and have a great foreman on my crew ,so going to plan the time of the trip around the cities im going to im thinking around 2 weeks

Any particular reason why Kiev, Zap and Gomel? Of course it is all subjective and different strokes for different folks but, for a two week trip, I would keep the traveling to a bare minimum. Three cities in two weeks counting the travel to and fro is akin to getting 10 lbs. of pooh in a 7 lb. box.

For a first time traveler it can get confusing and if you have a tight schedule the slightest of interruption could turn into trip clusterfack. From your description you'll likely be preparing to travel and actual traveling at least half of your trip. Wasted time IMHO

[chivo]

Another thing you might think about is having one if not both of them come meet you in Kiev. You could easily pay their way from both cities and save yourself a lot of time travelling. You seem to have enough time to make this happen and I'm sure at least one of them could make their way to Kiev for some R & R with you which would leave with only one other city to deal with if it comes to that.

Would save you time, trouble and probaby money in the long run. Would also allow for you to get your feet wet in country so you can better navigate your way next time. With only 2 weeks at your disposal, it would be what I would look to do if I could possibly arrange it.

[Gator]

Another thing you might think about is having one if not both of them come meet you in Kiev.

Splendid idea!  That's how I did my first trip. Other men have done the same.  UW enjoy coming to Kiev because there is much to do and see. 
   
Have you communicated   (telephone) enough with these two women to convince them to take some time off from work and make the trip to Kiev?  IMO you should  feel enough of a connection with a UW that you would not hesitate in wiring her $150 for the trip (although it is against the 10 Commandments).  This amount would more than cover her travel costs, lost wages, etc.   

Some UW will ask if you are meeting other women and they will probably object to making a trip to meet a man who is meeting other women.  Others don't ask and accept it even though they don't like it. 

Kiev is more expensive than nozzle cities so I don't know if you will save money (e. g., 2-BR flat in Kiev is more expensive than a 1-BR flat in Zaporozhye).

[dgc]

Thanks again for all the feed back havent set anything in stone yet and might end up making two trips out of it instead of one or 3 or 4 you guys get the idea  lol
I travel a lot but never over their so getting as much info as I can from the men that have been over their
Yes I have spoke many ,many times over the phone and many skype video calls and have no issue with sending some money for their travel expences
and have also been giving lots of thought to just staying in one city then going back to the others
I like to get lots of info then decide on a game plan I can take lots of time off but dont like being gone to long at one time. since I am self employed and have great people that can handle things when Im gone