December vacation spots

[tenebre]

Any ideas where would be a nice warm place to go in december that a Russian citizen can get to?

I was thinking Mexico or maybe Belize. We wanted somewhere tropical, but I am struggling a bit with requirements for her to enter various places.

I am sure she can get a MExican Visa though, she jsut has to fly a wacky pattern to avoid transit through the USA.

[kievstar]

Are you sure on Mexican visa?  You can look easy on the internet on places RW can travel.  Dominican Republic, Thailand, are good choices in December.  Egypt and Turkey are to cold.

[GoodOlBoy]

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC...I met a Russian girl there several years ago. No problems entering or exiting the country for her. I just checked their web site and it looks like the same rules are in place for Russian's for 2008:

 The Citizens holding the following Passports may
enter the Dominican Republic without a Visa
( Tourist Card must be purchased upon arrival at the Airport )
.

Note:  This information is current as of January 1, 2008 and at the time of posting is believed to be accurate.  However, Travelers to the Dominican Republic are advised to contact the nearest Dominican Consulate in their home country to verify if this information continues to be accurate, or if there have been any recent changes.  

.. .

ANDORRA, BAHRAIN, BELIZE, ARGENTINA,  ARUBA,  AUSTRALIA,  AUSTRIA, BAHAMAS, BELGIUM, BOTSWANA, BRUNEI, BRAZIL,  CANADA,  CROATIA,  CURACAO,  CHILE,  CYPRUS, DENMARK, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, DOMINICA,  ECUADOR,  ESTONIA, FIJI, FINLAND,  FRANCE,  GERMANY,  GREAT BRITAIN,  GRENADA, GUYANA, HOLLAND, HUNGARY,  ICELAND, IRELAND,  ISRAEL,  ITALY,  KAZAKHSTAN, JAMAICA,  JAPAN,  KUWAIT, LIECHTENSTEIN, LITHUANIA, LUXEMBOURG,  MALAYSIA, MALTA, MEXICO,  MONACO,  NAMIBIA, QATAR, PARAGUAY,  PERU,  POLAND,  PORTUGAL,  ROMANIA,  RUSSIA, SAN MARINO,  MAURITIUS, SAINT VINCENT,  SAINT LUCIA, SAMOA, SEYCHELLES, SINGAPORE, SPAIN, SWEDEN,  SWITZERLAND,  SURINAME, THAILAND, TONGA, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO,  TURKEY, SOUTH AFRICA, UNITED STATES, URUGUAY,  UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, VANUATU
 

BTW, make sure to check out the ALL-INCLUSIVE hotels. There are several of them on or near the beaches. Food, drinks, some activities are all included in the price. You can save some money by going this way.

[UTRO]

As far as the Caribbean goes, I would suggest the Dominican because a Visa isn't necessary. We've been there twice, last year in December and last week. The only direct flight from Moscow is available through Transero Airlines. All other Airlines transfer through a second airport in Europe. Preferably go with Air France, which flies to the Dominican daily. They transfer through Paris CDG, so she will not require a Visa of any kind. As you seem to realize, whatever you do, DO NOT fly her Anywhere where a transfer is required through an American airport. She will be turned away at Moscow, or worse, the American city she reaches.
For Mexico, she will require a Visa to visit. That will entail her to provide a Medical Exam (translated into Spanish), notarized proof of at least $1000 in a chequing account, notarized proof of employment and notarized proof of any assets (property) that she may have. Is Mexico worth this hassle??
Last year I arranged Lana's flight from Moscow to Punta Cana and it was $1200. I arranged the accommodation from my end as well. This year the least expensive flight I could find was $1900! So we decided to try her Travel Agent in Kirov to see if we could get a more reasonable price. We did via ITC, International Travel Club, headquartered in Moscow. Total price for the trip, including Lana's flight was $2700, all inclusive. We stayed at one of the better Resorts which was less than a year old. The ITC rep was very available and helpful when we met up in Punta Cana. They have a kiosk located at the Punta Cana Airport.

[Turboguy]

VWRW and I spent the summer last year in Grenada and Barbados. Both were nice and hastle free. Flights go through Frankfort, Paris or London. D. R. Is nice too.

[tenebre]

thanks for the tips guys.

man prices are crazy that I am finding though. DR , the palma was $1k per night yeesh

[Turboguy]

You will find all kinds of prices. There were aces that high in Grenada and Barbados but we ended up with an apartment for $ 75.00 a night. If you are loofing for a 5 star hotel expect to pay big bucks. You can find a reasonable price but don't expect a lot. Maybe you can find a package deal.

[tenebre]

Yeah i understand that.

All we want is a SAFE place with a pool and food so we can enjoy our time. We are going for 16 days so the price really matters. :-)

we just want to spend this time together because i have off work and the k1 wait is long.

I appreciate the tips. Got my travel agent working DR now and the tips for CDG airport helped alot.  Appreciated all

[docetae]

Any ideas where would be a nice warm place to go in december that a Russian citizen can get to?

I was thinking Mexico or maybe Belize. We wanted somewhere tropical, but I am struggling a bit with requirements for her to enter various places.

I am sure she can get a MExican Visa though, she jsut has to fly a wacky pattern to avoid transit through the USA.

Why not cuba ?  There are direct flights from Europe and if you are in US, you can go there by transiting trough Canada. Look on Canadian travel sites for packages (expedia.ca, air canada vacations, air transat...)

[GoodOlBoy]

I hope you are joking about Cuba??? He said he wanted a "safe hotel with a pool" ??

[kievstar]

Be careful on Cuba.  There are cases each month where people go there from the USA via other countries and they get caught.  Slim chance of being caught but why take the chance.

[viking]

 will concur with kievstar. You are going through a K1. You don't need any hassles on your side.

[docetae]

I hope you are joking about Cuba??? He said he wanted a "safe hotel with a pool" ??

Not joking at all... you have among the best resorts there ... do a simple google search or resorts available on Cayo Coco..I don't know what you believe about Cuba, but for tourists, this is almost paradise...

[viking]

My next door neighbor is going to Bali for a month. RT from JFK, via Narita in Japan, is about $1400. Now that place is paradise!

[UTRO]

1K per night!?! CR*P!! Last week we stayed at the Grand Bahia Principe Ambar in Punta Cana. It's an Adult only section of the Grand Bahia Principe and is less than a year old. It was very good and quiet. Lots of Ruskies. Staff aren't all up on their English though. If you want a really good place, with lots of Americans and staff who speak very good English, try Excellence Punta Cana. Ask for the Excellence Club upgrade with an Ocean View Jr Suite. For me it's the best Adult All Inclusive in PC, with premium liquor included in the price. Plus you don't have to reserve the a-la-cart restaurants, you just show up. Awesome nightly shows too!
Through December they offer 25% off their regular price.
Check out Tripadvisor.com, Excellence is usually rated #1 or #2 on their site. There is another Member here who I recommended Excellence to and he'll be going in December.
Whatever you do enjoy!!

Oh, one other place you might want to consider, where FSU women can vacation without a Visa, are the Maldives Islands situated in the Indian Ocean. If you got the cash it's absolute unspoiled PARADISE!!

[UTRO]

Not joking at all... you have among the best resorts there ... do a simple google search or resorts available on Cayo Coco..I don't know what you believe about Cuba, but for tourists, this is almost paradise...

Cuba is good.... food isn't the greatest. Cigars are awesome

[UTRO]

Be careful on Cuba.  There are cases each month where people go there from the USA via other countries and they get caught.  Slim chance of being caught but why take the chance.

How would you get caught? The Cuban Custom Agents purposely will not stamp an American Passport for this reason. You fly to Cuba from Canada so who's to know?? When you return to Canada, Canadian Customs simply views your Passport. Canada Customs only cares about Canadians. They don't share information with American Customs.............. or do they.....?

[tenebre]

done!

got 16 days at Paradisus Punta Cana with my air for $6k through my work, apparantly we have a special deal there! woohoo

her ticket is $2500 which sucks but such is love :-)

your tips were invaluable guys. VERY much appreciated.

[UTRO]

done!

got 16 days at Paradisus Punta Cana with my air for $6k through my work, apparantly we have a special deal there! woohoo

her ticket is $2500 which sucks but such is love :-)

your tips were invaluable guys. VERY much appreciated.

Sounds wonderful!! Sixteen days is perfect for someone travelling to meet you from overseas
I could only get a week off this time and it took my poor Domovyonock 36 hours to get to and from PC (plane and train) Due to this I feel a little guilty about such a short vacation. I think the engagement ring made up for it
Not to sound negative, but I'll remind you that the Paradisus is not an Adult Only (couples and honeymooners) Resort. It's for everyone, including singles and children. I only want to point that out to you in case this is something you may have overlooked. I have been at Resorts where singles can be pretty noisy into the wee hours and if you don't like having children run around you at the pool, beach and at dinner, this place will not be for you and Elena. I love to walk down the beach watching the children play in the surf..... but for a Romantic and Peaceful trip, I like to be able to escape from the noise and be somewhere quiet. My two cents
You're both going to love it and December is not so muggy and hot!

Enjoy!
Dave.

[tenebre]

we both love kids too . So no worries :-) i find couples only resorts to be a it too stiff for me ;-)

[docetae]

done!

got 16 days at Paradisus Punta Cana with my air for $6k through my work, apparantly we have a special deal there! woohoo

her ticket is $2500 which sucks but such is love :-)

your tips were invaluable guys. VERY much appreciated.

6k$ seems the normal price (after a quick search) Just one advise if you plan to rent a car, people are driving really bad inside the island (they don't care about speed or signalizations). There are regularly accidents involving foreigners. have a good travel and stay safe !

[UTRO]

we both love kids too . So no worries :-) i find couples only resorts to be a it too stiff for me ;-)

Absolutely Svet loved the Dominican and I'm sure Elena will too. Start counting down those days! Enjoy!!
p.s. went to Nizhniy Novgorod with Svet this past April. I agree with you that it's a really nice city. Especially the Pedestrian street Bolshaya Pokrovskaya and the Kremlin.

[ambach123]

How about Turkey or Cyprus? Do they require visa for Ukrainians?

[UTRO]

For December? Too cold.... Egypt is the best destination in that part of the world at that time of the year!

For Turkey a Visa is required, but is issued as she passes through Customs Control. http://www.turkishconsulate.org.uk/en/visa.htm#touristvisaforall

For Cyprus she needs to apply for a Visa prior to travel
http://www.cyprusvisa.eu

[Gator]

Joining the discussion late.  The DR is a great choice.  My Moscow wife loves Punta Cana (we've been there twice).

She has also been to Costa Rica, Mexico and Cuba.  Mexico requires a visa, and obtaining it was difficult.

Another possibility for a man with more time is to meet her in Thailand.  There are frequent, inexpensive flights from the FSU to Thailand.

Also, you may have got a lower total price for the DR trip by having her book the hotel and her flight and hotel as a package through a FSU travel agent.  That was my experience once.  Most flights, especially at New Year's, are more readily obtained through a package deal.  Another time, however, her agent managed to find a low price on Air France.