Testimonials

I have collected many, many testimonials since starting my business over 15 years ago. Originally they came in various forms such as letters and email, but nowadays the main place for collecting testimonials and reviews has become tripadvisor. So I would encourage you to take a look at what people say about me on the tripadvisor site.

If you interested in anything specific - tours with children for example, then I may be able to put you in direct touch with former clients who can tell you in more detail about their personal experiences with me and of my tours.

Why I like my clients

What you won't find on tripadvisor is any mention of why I like my clients. After all this love is mutual , so I've written special thanks to citizens of USA, Australia, New Zealand,Israel and Great Britain - as well as the following common text about why I like my clients.

---

My dear, my precious clients… For many years they have been doing 2 very important things:

• THEY INSPIRE ME
  
  Thanks to my work I've met a lot of happy couples who have been married for over 25 years, despite the currently fashionable idea that love lasts for about 3 years. In these couples I've seen the opposite with my own eyes.
  
  I've worked with people who in their 80s not only traveled to such dubious destination as Russia, but have even started new romances. I had a client who started painting in his 80s - I will never forget the hours we spent together in the Russian museum. I worked with a Romeo and Juliet in their 60s (both raised 4 children in their first marriages). You should have seen HOW they looked at each other, their facial expressions and all the small gestures of tenderness between them.
  
  I've worked with families where grandchildren treated their grandparents as the valuable treasures.
  
  I've worked with fathers of a type that I'd never met before - those for whom raising children was one of the best gifts life granted to them.
  
  Within all my life I have never seen so many proofs of victory in not-so-easy business of human relationships as I did within my years as a private guide. Mass media mainly promotes the individuals who succeed to make loads of money and stay looking ever youthful. This model does not suit me - I am neither interested nor capable of living such a life. But when I work with people who in their 50s, 60s and 80s - even not being multi-millionaires nor looking like fashion models - they demonstrate that in life there are more sources of happiness than simple money or youth - THAT is what inspires.
  
  
• THEY MAKE ME FEEL NEEDED AND VALUABLE
  
  Receiving emails brings me a very important message, that I'm needed. And among these letters sometimes come very special ones, for example testimonials and recommendations these give me a great feeling that I did, and can do, something really special for people..

I decided to write this article when I was thinking about my personal resources of happiness because I see 2 mainstream ones: my clients and loving family - with my husband in the first place.

---

Special thanks to my clients from:

The USA

If people in the world judged the American nation by my clients, they would unanimously agree that Americans are the cream of humanity. They are:

• open-minded
• excellently educated
• refined people who combine the practical business approach to life with the curiosity and sensitiveness to the world around them
• mature
• responsible
• friendly
• smart

Their ideas about what makes happy moments in life are very much like mine.

After several years of working with USA clients I became confused - from where do the stereotypes about Americans come from if real people are so great? My British friend put some light on it saying that those Americans who:

• travel
• dare to go so far as Russia
• do not want a package tour, but look for a private guide

form a very specific segment of the nation. And - right I am - they are actually great. But they are not representative - they are above average. Imagine - what a lucky person I am, spending my working hours with the best of Americans! I mean the best in the sense which is most valued in Russia - by their spirit, intellect and soul.

Some of my American clients have left a deep trace in my memory. I consider meetings with them as destiny gifts in a certain sense. I remember them with admiration and… miss them.

Australia

I live in Russia and have no plans to leave. But if were to choose a country to move to…. All Australians I've worked with had one thing in common: the charm of really nice people. I would dream to have such neighbors, to be surrounded by them in my everyday life. That is why when I see that future guests are coming from Australia I start smiling.

New Zealand

I have a feeling that for NZ citizens traveling is as natural as breathing or working - not a privilege of the upper classes. I've worked with builders, administrators and teachers. I can not help admiring these people who with calm confidence travel from one country to another, thousands of mile apart as if they are doing their usual, useful work. I wish all nations would be like NZ in this respect!

Israel

The most demanding, educated and smart people usually come to me from Israel. One can not afford to be poorly prepared with them or careless. Working with them is like an informal exam. That is why when, for example I got a letter in which an old Jewish gentleman wrote that I exceeded his expectations I felt really very flattered. Words of praise from such discerning clients have a high value.

Great Britain

If a Genie would grant me 3 wishes what would I ask for? One of mine would be - English manners and humor. For me working with British people is usually a challenge. I keep asking myself - am I good enough? What else should I do to be up to their level? Great Britain is my secret resource for developing self-perfection .