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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many pieces of luggage may I take and what size?
- What paperwork will I need to travel?
- Do I need additional health insurance?
- Will we communicate sufficiently?
- What is the dress code for coming to Ukraine in?
- What type of clothing will I need?
- What can I bring with me?
- Should I bring photos?
- May I bring videotape?
- What small gifts should I bring for the lady?
- What can I leave with?
- What about money?
- How much spending money will I need?
- Are there other costs?
- What about credit cards?
- How much are calls to the US and Canada from Odessa?
- What about the electricity?
- Do you use the metric system in Ukraine?
You may take 3 pieces of luggage. We recommend that your carry-on bag contain one full change of dress clothing, your necessary toiletries and your computer or valuable camera items. . 62" total dimensions (L x W x H) with a total weight of 70 lbs. . 55" total dimensions (L x W x H) with a total weight of 70 lbs. . 45" total dimensions (L x W x H) with a total weight of 45 lbs. If your baggage will exceed the following guidelines you will be subject to a cash penalty, generally not exceeding $50.00. Our advice, pack less clothing and have your laundry washed in a washing machine, that there is in any rented apartment. Number of bags = 2 Pounds per bag = 50 lbs.
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What paperwork will I need to travel?
You will need a passport, which you can obtain locally. If you already possess a passport please be sure there is at least 6 months remaining on it from when you plan to enter Ukraine.
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You should check with you health care insurer and ask if your current policy will cover you being in Ukraine. If not, you will need to purchase a rider policy to cover any emergency medical situations, which may occur here, upon your arrival to Ukraine either at the airport or at Visas Permits Department of police.
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Even though most of the women understand some English, and some do speak it fluently, we have plenty of interpreters on hand. We will assist you in your conversation with a woman to know her better, and also help you whether it's obtaining tickets for the theater or the opera, or maybe a tour of the city, or a trip to one of the museums. One of the best ways to get to know the woman better is to allow her to give you a guided tour of our extraordinary city.
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One visitor may wear a tux, another a suit, another blue jeans. However, we recommend dress trousers and shirt and take a couple of sweaters as a minimum. We do however wish you to be comfortable and yourself, so we leave the final decision to you. Just keep in mind that this will be your only opportunity to make a good first impression.
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Be yourself and dress comfortably during most of your trip. Spring attire may be jeans, shorts, sweaters, jackets and trousers. An umbrella is always a good item to pack as well. If you attend the ballet or opera, you may want to wear something a little more formal.
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You are allowed to bring basically anything you like for personal use except illegal drugs and weapons. Video equipment, cameras, radios, even lap-top computers are OK. You can bring up to 250 cigarettes, although you will find them to be at a great bargain in Ukraine. If something of yours is confiscated for any reason, you should ask for a receipt and you may be able to claim it on the way out.
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It may be a good idea to bring along personal and regional photographs. Photographs of yourself, friends, family, pets, home, cars and your recreational activities will certainly allow any viewer to have a much fuller understanding of who you are and what your particular geographic location affords for those residents living in the area.
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United States and European videotape formats are not compatible.
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Today you may purchase everything in Odessa that you could purchase in your homeland. So it is better not to bring any jewelry items with you, as you will be charged to pay a big tax on it at the customs, but to buy it in Odessa shopping for it together with your lady. Furthermore prices for jewelry items are a lot lower in Ukraine. Probably there is no woman in the world who does not like good perfume. Most Ukrainian women seem to like European dark chocolate. We might also suggest you look for something produced or manufactured in your particular area, which you are proud of or think may make a nice gift.
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You can take anything bought from a Western-style shop or department store, but save your receipts. Since 1990 the taking out from the country of certain quantities of consumer goods such as caviar, tea, fabrics, some clothing, carpets, leather, photo equipment, precious metals and stones has been restricted.
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There are a lot of currency exchange points in Odessa, where you can exchange your money to Ukrainian grivna. There are legal exchange offices practically everywhere, including hotels, restaurants, boutiques, street front stores etc... You will be asked to fill out a currency statement when you enter the country. This statement is designed to prevent people from taking out more money then they brought in.
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We have found that most of our clients are very comfortable with a budget of between $700 US and $1000 US. Some spend more than that and some spend less, it really depends on your taste. Odessa is a large city with attractions and outlets for a variety of tastes and income levels.
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Other than normal spending money there will be very little in the way of expenses you will need to worry about. You may have a very special request or need that could incur an additional cost. However, few of our clients encounter a need for this. Relatively minor additional expenses could include special transportation, interpreter, or gift buying for your relatives and friends.
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Visa, MasterCard/EuroCard and American Express are all widely accepted. Travelers' Checks are probably the best way to carry your cash since they are refundable. You can use them to pay direct for many goods and services in the city. Once you get outside of the city the Travelers' Checks can be more difficult to cash. American Express is the most widely recognized brand, however, is the most expensive here. Some points charge up to 16% to cash your money from American Express card while such cards as Visa and MasterCard are cashed only for 2.5-3.5%. All in all it is a good idea to bring a combination of cash, Travelers' Checks, and credit cards.
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The rate per minute from the local governmental phone companies to the US and Canada is approximately $2.50 US or higher. But our agency has a possibility to provide you the IP phone connection for $1.80 US per minute only.
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The electricity is 220 volts, 50 Hz AC. The sockets do require a Continental or European plug adapter with two round pins. American appliances need a 220V to 110V/100V converter.
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Yes. The metric system is in use here.
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If you have any questions, suggestions or you need further information, please feel free to email to our agency manager or fax to the following number 1-925-871-5651 (USA)
