Readers recommend

Russia: Guiding light

Alla Ushakova, St. Petersburg; 011-7-911-932-6633, www.alla-tour.spb.ru. “During

a Baltic cruise that included

St. Petersburg, guide Alla Ushakova met our family (there were 14 of us) in a van. We spent two informative days with her at about a fourth the cost of the cruise line tour. She is fabulous, a college graduate who speaks excellent English. She offered marvelous details of Russian history, as well as information about the art in the Hermitage.” Rates are $15 an hour for a group of three.

Cec Katz

Beverly Hills

Wales: Near the sea

Egerton Grey Country House Hotel, Porthkerry, Barry CF62 3BZ, South Glamorgan; 011-44-

1446-711-666, www.egertongrey.co.uk. “This Welsh jewel is set in a gorgeous 7-acre garden near the sea on the southeast coast. Beautiful antiques decorate 10 lovely Victorian rooms in a luxurious country hotel. Hosts are warm and gracious. We had two exceptional candlelight dinners in the mahogany- paneled dining room. About a 30-minute drive to Cardiff.” Rates $148 to $241 per room, including breakfast.

Roberta Hopkins

Rossmoor

Send recommendations to “Readers Recommend”/Travel, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; fax (213) 237-7355, e-mail travel@la

times.com. Please include your name, address and phone number, and also the address, phone number and Internet site of the place or person you are recommending.