Moscow and St-Petersburg vacation in Russia

Environment

We aim to play a positive role in the communities where we operate and carefully manage the impact of our business socially and environmentally. Providing a responsible trip to Russia is a vital part of our strategy. We are committed to the issues of diversity and creating a positive travel environment for our clients.

As part of this tour we might visit the “Green ring of Moscow”, a special designed eco-tour. It includes visiting seven protected areas - three nature reserves - Oka, Oka-terraced, Central Forest and four National Parks - Ugra, Meschera, Plescheevo Lake and Smolensk Lakes. All areas are located relatively close to Moscow and form a symbolic green ring around the capital of our country. We suggest that these particular areas form the starting point for your trip. Each territory has its own distinctive features. These include remnant old-growth spruce, pine and oak forests, rare plants, animals and birds, beautiful landscapes, a bison nursery, a centre for the rehabilitation of orphaned bear cubs and a nursery of rare species of cranes, museums and cathedrals. Weekend tours have been developed by employees of nature reserves and national parks in cooperation with the Centre for Ecological Travel as part of the "Green Ring of Moscow" project. Before visiting “Green Ring of Moscow” our local guides educate travelers by providing all necessary information regarding how to help preserve the areas (recycling while you are there, viewing wildlife in a sensitive manner and not trampling off pathways).

In our UK office we operate a green practise when possible. As part of “Da.Dobro” project in March, 2016 we had “Green Office” day, where we were reducing the normal amount of electricity used in our office, promoting more energy-efficient practices and a more environmentally sustainable approach to our business. Our clients had a chance to participate in this campaign and were actively encouraged to help us in our mission.

Community

Charity activities: our company and its employees take part in a multitude of fundraising activities supporting charities and other organisations. Together with charity organization “Da.Dobro!” we support local charities in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Georgia, the United Kingdom and Finland, such as: Mosvolonter, Doroga v mir, Starost v radost, Svoboda jizni, Biuro Dobrih Del, Zhizn kak chudo, Young people for world without violence, Greenpeace, WWF. Together with Dadobro, we have huge plans for 2016 to promote protecting the community. We have a calendar of charity activities in 2016 which covers community and social responsibilities in our company. The results of our charity activities and campaign are published on our website and distributed it in social network, which encourage our clients to follow us up and join our activities. For example, in February we had an International Day of Equity, where our local DMC suppliers and partners have been given clothes and toys to Ukrainian refuges. Our clients could join this initiative and had a chance to make a donation.

Local food: This trip includes breakfast only, hence travelers have the chance to try local Russian food in local cafes and restaurants. Our guides will suggest the best local restaurants and guests will have a chance to experience the local cuisine.

Donation to local communities: There is a chance to make a donation in order to support local communities. In every visited Monastery and church in this trip there is a small box where visitors can contribute to local communities and support children from poor families and having learning or development issues. All entrances fees to museums are going to Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation. Last year Ministry of Culture distributed all revenue received from museum’s fees for charity trips organized for Russian children from poor families. Thus, every traveler paying entrance fee, takes a part in the big charity projects organized by Ministry of Culture.

As we work with Russian DMCs and local suppliers only, as well as local guides, we ensure that revenue form our tours goes into the hands of local people. Local guides know the area very well and can point out the best restaurants to eat at, in addition to local producers.