[OMOMMA]

Hi everyone,

Our agency told us that based on our needs we would probably be going to the Khab region. Has anyone ever done the Home Stay instead of a hotel? I think it would very interesting to stay with a family and learn about their customs. We are considering it for the first trip but maybe not the second. What do you think would be some pros/cons?

[Xanny]

The obvious con is that you might not like the food/accomodations/location and you wouldn't have recourse to make a change like you would in a hotel. But I like the idea of staying in a home. It will give you much more insight into the culture of the region, you will likely get to eat what the locals eat, sleep where the locals sleep, etc. Plus a family can recommend restaurants and sights to see that a hotel concierge might not know about.

I guess once you pick up your child on the second trip, you will head straight to Moscow, but if not, it might be nice to have the child in a home the first night or two where they could hear familiar language sounds and smell familiar smells as they start to get used to you.

Of course, our agency doesn't offer that option, so I'm just saying what I think, but that's MHO.

Xanny

[mabelr]

We heard that all Russians smoke, so if we don't care to be in a smokey atmosphere all the time, should we not stay in a homestay?

Do homestays cost a lot less than a hotel? What are they like?
How would we get there? Would our driver and translator take us there?

Does anyone have any experience with staying in one in the St/. Peterburg, Yaroslavl, Ivano, MOscow or Tver areas?

[bratgirl]

We were told by our agency that if the region we end up going to is small, and there aren't any hotels, we would be doing a homestay. They have contacts and pre-arrange the stay before we travel. I have heard many positive experiences of people who have done a homestay. They end up making friends for life with the couple they stay with.

Smoking is an issue for me. I have a very difficult time breathing around smoke, especially in a closed in area. I wouldn't want to go to court stinking of smoke and I'm not fond of my luggage smelling. The friendship and experience may outweigh my comfort, though.

I have heard it is less expensive for a homestay. It depends on the level of service. One person from this board said they were picked up from the airport and driven to all their appointments by the couple and were provided three private meals a day. I think there was more, but it cost them $200 a day. Not a bad deal with food and transportation included.