Orthodox Tours

While on the tour

1.      I don’t speak any foreign languages, should that be a concern for me?

This is not something to be concerned about. Most of our guides speak very good English, and where English-speaking guides/presenters are not available we always provide an English translation.

2.      Can I arrive earlier and join you?

Yes, you can. All extra arrangements will be your responsibility unless we have a prior personal agreement.

3.      Can I stay longer, after the tour is over?

If you would like to stay longer and explore additional sites we did not cover or revisit sites we covered during our tour, you certainly can do that. We can even help you with accommodations, transportation and a guide, if you would like.

4.      Do I have to stay with the group all the time?

In “Entry Visa” restricted countries we must ask that you stay with the group. At the very least you must keep with the overnight hotel registration arrangements we have made for you. We do not object to some short deviation during the daytime. Please note that if you make a conscious decision to forego something on our itinerary there will be no reimbursements and all optional or additional tours and associated expenses are your personal responsibility.

5.      Can I see my friends during the tour?

If you have friends, colleagues or acquaintances in the country of our destination you are welcome to visit with them. We appreciate the courtesy of letting us know about such meetings, especially if you plan to stay with friends overnight or will miss part of the day.

6.      Do I need foreign money?

Monetary exchange places are available upon your arrival in our destination country and the local exchange rate is usually significantly better in the place of destination vs. your home bank. We consider it a wasted effort and unnecessary trouble to try to acquire foreign currency prior to departure.

7.      Can I use credit card on the tour?

Usually you can use credit cards during the tour because more and more places worldwide accept this form of tender. VISA is the most popular credit card with MasterCard following closely. American Express is also being accepted, but not quite as widely as VISA or MC. Prior to departure, please inform your financial institution that you will be traveling abroad. In many cases, an unusual pattern of financial activity such as purchases abroad may lead to the suspension of your account.

8.      Can I use ATM or debit card?

The ATM cards that are associated with your checking accounts are ideal for acquiring local currency. The advantages of such use of your ATM card are:

1.      You do not have to carry a lot of cash with you.

2.      You can exchange only as much money as you need.

3.      You always have the current exchange rate of the day.

9.      Is there enough time for shopping?

Different people have different shopping habits. We do allow some time for souvenir /memorabilia shopping, but our tours are not general tourist or shopping tours.

10.  Are meals provided during your tours?

Most meals are provided during our tours. They are full meals at hotels or local restaurants with a fixed price that can be high. Whenever we can we try to save funds by using a local café or deli store where you can get something filling, but inexpensively. When we have free time in the evening you have the opportunity to dine at a good local restaurant and try specialty cuisines. In cases when we need to save time or if nothing is easily accessible we take care of the meals ahead of time.

11.  Can you arrange for a special meal?

If you are allergic to some type of food or a vegetarian, we try to arrange for a special meal for you whenever it is possible. Please note that low fat meals or sugar/milk/meat/gluten substitutes may not be available. If you need any dietary supplements that you use at home, please make sure to have them with you on the trip.

12.  What are the hotels like that you use?

We use the equivalent of three star hotels or the best accommodations available. At times we use religious houses or retreat complexes that are ranked as three star equivalents. But please note that in different countries the system of rating hotels can vary greatly. We make sure that at a minimum all accommodations are clean, safe and rooms have modern, private amenities.

13.  How do you get from place to place on your tour?

We hire a comfortable air-conditioned private motor coach for our travels within cities and from one city or region to another. We use overnight sleeper trains for longer transfers. On occasion and at the request of the group, we will use public transportation such as famous subways in some Russian cities. This is done to add to our experience of public culture. We must note, however, that these subways are notorious as tourist traps.

14.  What the weather will be like?

That depends greatly on the time of the year and geography of the regions where we will be traveling. You can easily find a several day weather forecast on the Internet for any region in the world. We also try to update you by email on weather conditions prior to group departure.

15.  What type of clothes and shoes should I bring with me?

Modest, comfortable clothes are all that you need. Good walking shoes are a must. Because we visit many religious places, we ask that you avoid sleeveless outfits and shorts. Women are encouraged to bring some type of head covering for visiting churches and monasteries where women are expected to cover their heads with a scarf or some kind of a hat. We suggest that you leave all your precious possessions and jewelry at home. You really do not need them on the tour and you want to avoid attracting the attention of those who prey upon tourists. This is true even in cities across the USA.

16.  Do I have to attend all the services?

No, you do not have to attend religious services, even though we encourage you to do so as a means of understanding the places we visit and as an enhancement of your pilgrimage experience. If you are not a Christian, not an Orthodox Christian or just do not feel like attending a service, you do not have to attend. Some lesser prayer services are built into the main itinerary at special shrines and religious sites, but we do not believe these services will offend or compromise anyone’s beliefs.

17.  As a non-Orthodox person, do I REALLY have to cover my head in church?

Head covering in the church, like many other religious practices, represents pious traditions that were developed over centuries. Your attempt to follow such traditions is an expression of your respect for this heritage and it need not be seen as a religious affiliation or agreement with the practice. Where head coverings are expected, we ask you to cover your head. If you have a strong objection to doing so, you can remain outside while the group explores the monument or monastic complex.

17.  Is it true that you can suspend one’s participation in the tour and send them back home?

Though this is highly unlikely and has never occurred on one of our tours, we do reserve the right to interrupt one’s participation in the tour if the behavior of an individual is inconsistent with our mission and the sanctity of the places we visit; or if an individual disrupts the group in general or endangers anyone’s safety. We are very watchful for issues that could prove disruptive and we will not tolerate episodes that disturb the peace of the group or that of the local citizens in the countries where we are guests.

18.  Can you recommend some educational material about the theme of the pilgrimage or tour before we go?

We provide every participant with the list of reading material as well as links to related literature and articles posted on the Internet. We always appreciate it when participants prepare themselves by reading about the places we are going and the themes we will be covering. Even a little bit of research on your part greatly enriches your experience. What you bring to the tour in terms of pre-knowledge also helps us because it is hard to always offer 101-type introductory lecture on every aspect of the trip during a specialized journey. No one will feel uncomfortable for not having studied much before hand, but your experience will be much deeper and varied if you are at least minimally prepared.