ITINERARY - 11-DAY UKRAINE DISCOVERY TOUR 2011
Day 1, Mon 27 June: Arrive in Kiev
Today we arrive in Kiev, a very European city located on the picturesque banks of the Dnipro River, and transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon, we take a city orientation tour to see some of Kiev's notable sights including the Golden Gate, the historic gateway to the ancient city, St. Vladimir Cathedral, the oldest surviving church that was built in 1037 by Prince Yaroslav, the Wise.
In the evening, we have a "Welcome to Ukraine" Gala Dinner to savour Ukrainian cuisine at the nationally renowned restaurant "Shynok U Seni I Gogi". (D)
Overnight in a comfortable Kiev Hotel
<-- The vibrant Khreshchatyk (Champs Elysees of Kiev)
Day 2, Tue 28 June: In Kiev
Today we have a full day of sightseeing starting with St Sophia Cathedral, the majestic 13-domed church that makes a huge impression on visitors with its rich frescoes and mosaics many of which are still intact. It is a national shrine and is under the protection of UNESCO. We then go on an extensive tour of Kyiv-Pechersk National Preserve (otherwise known as Lavra Cave Monastery - pictured at right).
This functioning monastery widely regarded as the best attraction Kiev has to offer to both Ukrainian and international visitors was founded by monks in 1051. It is situated on a picturesque hillside overlooking the Dnipro River.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the baroque, 18th-Century Mariyinski Palace (if open), the Mikhaylovskaya Square with its Monument to Princess Olga and finally the Chernobyl Museum, a chilling reminder of the worst nuclear accident in history. This evening you have an opportunity to try the local cuisine as dinner is not included. Also, you may visit the National Opera (Optional). (B/L).
Overnight in Kiev
<-- The unassuming building housing the impressive Chernobyl Museum
Day 3, Wed 29 June: In Kiev
After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the Museum of Ukrainian Folk Architecture and Habitats in the Prihovo Village. It is an open-air museum featuring, among other things, wooden cottages, churches, farmsteads and windmills, set in 160 hectares of scenic rolling hills. Lunch is at restaurant "Yaryvtsi" located on the grounds of the Open Air Museum. In the afternoon, we transfer to Kiev airport for our short flight to Lviv*. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel in the centre. Dinner is at the hotel. (B/L/D).
Overnight in Lviv. (*) Lviv is Ukrainian name. Lvov in Russian.
Day 4, Thu 30 June: In Lviv
Today we go on a tour of the Old City, seeing sights such as Shevchenko's Statue, the Lviv History Museum, the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Dominican Cathedral, and St George Cathedral. We also go up the tower of the Town Hall for sweeping views of the city and visit local open-air markets for traditional handicrafts and 'souvenirs' from the Soviet era. After lunch at a local restaurant (not included), we go to the Castle Hill for sweeping views of the city. The rest of the day is free. You may explore the architecture of the old city, admire the cultural and artistic heritage as displayed in the various museums or just relax in a cafe sipping famous Lviv coffee. Dinner is at our hotel. (B/D).
Overnight in central Lviv Hotel
Day 5, Fri 1 July: In Lviv
In the mourning after breakfast at the hotel, we go on a picturesque drive that takes us to the town of Olesko and the Olesky Castle, one of the most prominent landmarks in Lviv and a "must see" sight. After lunch at a local restaurant, we return to Lviv.
In the evening, we transfer to Lviv Railway station for the overnight journey to Odessa. Dinner is available on board the train (not included). (B/L)
Overnight on board the train to Odessa
<-- Children in their traditional costumes in Lviv
Day 6, Sat 2 July: In Odessa
On arrival, we will be met by our local bilingual tour guide before we transfer to our hotel for breakfast and check in. After breakfast, we go on a city familiarization tour covering Primorsky Boulevard where we see statues of Alexander Pushkin and Duc de Richelieu (city's founder and governor appointed by Catherine the Great), Potemkin Stairway and the Panorama of Sea Port. We then have lunch at the traditional restaurant "Kumanetsi". After lunch, we visit the Cathedral of the Assumption, the Sea Fleet Museum and the Opera House. Dinner is at our hotel. (B/L/D)
Overnight in a comfortable hotel in Odessa
The impressive Odessa Opera House -->
Day 7, Sun 3 July: In Odessa
After breakfast at the hotel, we take an excursion to "Odessa Catacombs", a maze of 2,500 kilometers of underground tunnels, exits and caves created nearly 200 years ago during mining of building materials that were used to build the city. We also see the "Museum of Partisan Glory" housed in a section of the Catacombs. The rest of the day is free.
In the evening, we transfer to Odessa Railway station for the overnight journey to Simferopol. Dinner is available on the train (not included). (B/L)
Overnight on board the train to Simferopol.
Day 8, Mon 4 July: Simferopol - Yalta
After arrival in Simferopol, we have breakfast in a local restaurant. We then transfer by coach to Yalta, the resort town on the Black Sea coast, which hosted many well-known Soviet leaders and other notable figures. On arrival, we go on a walk along the Promenade and then visit Alexandr Nevsky Cathedral, a beautiful example of neo-Byzantine architecture. After lunch at a local restaurant, we take the chair lift to Darsan, a pseudo-Greek temple and lookout for a panoramic look at Yalta and surrounds. We then check in to our hotel and the rest of the day is free. Dinner is at the hotel. (B/L/D)
Overnight in a Yalta Hotel
Day 9, Tue 5 July: In Yalta
After breakfast, we set off on an excursion to Sevastopol, home of the old Soviet Black Sea Submarine fleet. There we visit the Black Sea Fleet Museum, Lenin's Statue and 'Panorama', a massive and impressive work of art commemorating the defence of Sevastopol in the Crimean war.
In the afternoon and after lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the magnificent Khan's Palace at Bahchesaray (pictured at left), former capital of Crimean Tatars, and the nearby Monastery, which is a functioning monastery. We return to Yalta in late afternoon, and the rest of the day and evening are free. (B/L)
Overnight in Yalta Hotel
Day 10, Wed 6 July: In Yalta
Today, we visit the Livadia Palace (pictured at right) in the grounds of Livadia Park. It is a wonderful Italian Renaissance-style palace, built of white Crimean granite. The building was built in 1911 for the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II as a summer residence. It became world famous for hosting the Big Three conference between Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill in February 1945.
In the afternoon, we visit the palace-park complex at Alupka. 16km south west of Yalta, it boasts a stunning coastal setting and the majestic Alupkinsky Palace. Our final organised activity for the day, and indeed for the tour, is wine tasting. Crimea produces some excellent, world-class wines and you should not miss the opportunity to sample some excellent wines produced by world-renowned winery "Massandra". In the evening, we have a farewell dinner in a special restaurant. (B/D)
Overnight in Yalta Hotel.
Day 11, Thu 7 July: Simferopol
The tour finishes after breakfast this morning. We transfer to Simferopol Airport for our flight to Istanbul or other ongoing destinations. (B)
TOUR DETAILS
11 day Ukraine Discovery tour 2011
(This tour starts in Kiev and finishes in Simferopol, Ukraine)
Tour Dates: (See Note 1) |
Monday 27 June to Thursday 7 June 2011. |
Tour duration: |
11 days / 10 nights |
Tour price: (See Note 2) |
$3,450 for group of 15 -20 per person twin share. |
Combined Best of Russia/Ukraine Discovery tour price: |
$7,150 for group of 15 -20 per person twin share. |
Group Size |
Minimum: 8, Maximum: 20 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The tour price includes:
- Accommodation in centrally located, mostly four-star hotels.
- Meals as indicated in itinerary plus Gala Dinner on Day 1 and Farewell Dinner on Day 10. (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
- All transportation within Ukraine, including airfares and train fares
- Modern air-conditioned coach with one spare seat for every two people.
- Airport transfers on arrival in Kiev and departure in Simferopol.
- Sightseeing program (including excursions and all entrance fees), tipping at hotels and restaurants and other charges.
- Services of a bilingual tour leader who is with the group on 24/7 basis.
- Services of an English speaking guide.
- First medical aid insurance and visa support.
- Drinking water on the coach
The tour price does NOT include:
- International airfares
- Departure taxes, levies and other charges
- Passport and visa fees
- Items of a personal nature such as drinks, minibar, phone calls, etc.
- Beverages at meal times
IMPORTANT NOTES
- The tour date and itinerary may change without notice. In the event of any such changes, those who have booked and paid the required deposit will be notified in writing.
- The prices are subject to change without notice until paid in full.
- The combined tour price includes airfare from St Petersburg to Kiev.
- 'Add-On' flights are available between Istanbul and Ukrainian cities at reduced rates, if flying to and from Istanbul with Turkish Airlines on long haul flights.
- The Ukraine Discovery and the 10-Day Best of Russia tours are run back-to-back and may be combined. See our Newsletter "OzTours News" for details.
- This itinerary is current as at 03 Sept 2010.