Conf. Description 

     Conf. Planning Committee 

     Conf. Goals  

     Conf. Design

     Conf. History 

     Objectives 

     Invitation to 8th Conf.

     Conf. Coordinators 

     Cruise Stops 

     Cruise Ship 

     Price Includes 

     Extended Stay 

     Preparing for your Trip 

     Submission Due Date 

     Submission for Program 

     Goals & Objectives 

     Abstract Directions 

     Focused Discussion Group Directions 

     Submission Review Criteria 

     2003 Projects

     2005 Projects

     Guidelines for Collaborations & Exchanges 

     List of Exchanges & Collaborations 

Below you will find valuable information to help you to prepare for your trip to Russia.

Passport

Before leaving home for the airport, please ensure that you have your passport, which has your Russian visa stamped inside. Bring with you a photocopy of the first page of your passport and some passport photographs. These are useful in the event of loss.

Baggage

Make a detailed list of everything you pack for the trip, and then leave the list at home. We can’t be responsible for lost baggage, but the airline will make every effort to recover baggage or make proper compensation if you are able to itemize the suitcase contents. It’s also a good idea to tape a piece of paper inside of your luggage, which shows your full name, home address and telephone number.

Water

Do not drink trap water anywhere in Russia, including aboard our ship. However, aboard our ship, on each deck, you will find water fountains for this purpose. This water is boiled and to be used for drinking.

Clothing Suggestions

Bring clothes that are comfortable, informal and easy to care for. Please refer to a temperature listed in the “Typical weather” section. Dress informally for shore excursions and board the ship, even at dinner.

Leave your formal evening clothes at home as tuxedos and evening gowns are inappropriate. The only times you may wish to “dress up” are for the Welcome and Farewell Dinners aboard the ship; on these occasions, a jacket for gentlemen, and a cocktail dress for ladies are appropriate. Generally the dress code is informal.

For cool weather, bring along at last one warm woolen sweater and a lightweight windbreaker and an umbrella. A raincoat will always be useful for the occasional downpour.

Pay particular attention to footwear – you should have a good pair of comfortable walking shoes with thick rubber soles and firm arch supports. If you buy new shoes, break them in before the trip. Suitable footwear aboard the ship would be sneakers, deck shoes, tennis shoes and similar rubber-soled shoes.

The tours involve extensive walking during visits ashore, so we want you to be comfortable!
In many Russian towns and cities there are functioning churches, monasteries and convents to visit. Ladies are kindly requested to bring a scarf to cover their heads and to wear a skirt if you wish to enter the churches. The Russian Orthodox Church considers this appropriate dress.

Customs

Upon arrival at the airport in St Petersburg, you will find there are Red and Green channels at Customs. All tourists pass through the green channel unless a custom officer points you to the red channel. This usually does not happen.

Art/ Antiques

Works of art such as painting, sculpture and carpets cannot be taken out of the country. Antiques such as icons, old coins, weapons, books published before 1945, furniture, samovars and musical instruments can be taken out only if you have a permit from the Ministry of Culture. These items are subjects to 100% duty.

Photography

Please do not photograph people without first asking their permission to do so. In certain museums, churches and buildings of historical or architectural importance, flash photography is not allowed. You will often be charged in rubles for taking a video camera or camera into certain museums. The charge varies from $2 to $8.

Valuables

There are no safety deposit boxes on board; we therefore recommend that you do not bring valuables on your trip.

Shopping

The best advice regarding shopping when visiting a number of different places is: if you see something you like, buy it to avoid disappointment later.
Suggested souvenirs: watches, cameras, champagne, vodka, fur hats, ceramics, crystal, amber and enamel jewelry, metal and wooden painted trays, woolen shawls. Carved wooden souvenirs and hand painted lacquer boxes are widely available. Linen tablecloths, napkins and embroidered cloth are popular throughout the country and particularly in Yaroslavl.

Sundries You May Wish to Bring

• Binoculars (excellent for viewing scenes from the River)
• Facial tissues, washcloths, shower caps, as they are not supplied on board.
• Toilet paper (you may find the paper too coarse, as we are used to very soft paper in the US)
• A bar of your personal soap (soap is provided on board, but you may find it of poor quality)
• Skin cream and other cosmetics you would normally use for protection against the sun.
• Insect repellent
• Spare set of eyeglasses for emergencies. If you wear contact lenses, bring a pair of eyeglasses for occasions when contacts are bothersome to wear, such as in strong wind or dust.
• Medications you take on a regular basis because they are vital to your health. A letter should accompany these from your doctor (Signed and dated), certifying that such medications are vital to your health. Dosages should be indicated. Always pack any personal medication you require in your carryout luggage, not in your checked baggage.
• Common remedies such as laxatives, indigestion tablets, aspirin and travel sickness pills.
• Sunglasses
• Sewing, cosmetic, first aid kits and paper tissue
• Laundry soap packets and a flat sink stopper
• Instant coffee packets

For further information, please contact:
West Coast: Marie Driever at mariedriever@comcast.net, (503) 706-7344
East Coast: Rachel Difazio at Rachel.Difazio@childrens.harvard.edu, (978) 927-4452