I have been working in the travel industry for the greater part of my life and in 1992; shortly after the collapse of the USSR, I founded my own travel agency, from where, I organised international travel trips – for people from all walks of life, in the country which had now become Russia.

Thus, after seventy years of having had an iron curtain wrapped around us, us (former) Soviet people were now free to travel…to wherever we desired and whenever we desired to do so.

Some years later, I was invited to work in the state energy sector, where I spent several, and very successful years working with some of Russia’s top businesspersons as their personal overseas events and business meetings organiser – arranging things from flights, to hotel bookings, overseas conferences/seminars and visa requirements – as well as the supervising of the accurate translating of important business and legal documents, from our various translations departments.

However, virtually every spare moment of my free time was devoted to the study of British history, the culture and the etiquette of its people and their traditions; because I knew that one day I would be living there. That was always my game plan – my motivation to study everything I ever could about Britain.

Upon finally moving to Oxford: some two years later, in 2012, I became the proud holder of the coveted “Blue Badge Guide Certificate” and its accompanying badge – having completed a very in-depth and intensive two year study course.

Over the many years, spent in the travelling and excursions business sectors: I have worked with Olympic teams, individual businesspersons (male and female), as well as entire families from all walks of lives and professions: including people who are merely staunch admirers of Britain and of the British etiquette of “tea time.”