UKRAINE 14 DAYS

Rarely can we find a place frozen in time. Lviv offers an opportunity to look back at its history with a lot of nationalities contributing to the development of the city. Discovering  the city center on foot, you will  get acquainted with the  versatility of architectural  styles implemented in historical churches and houses, you will visit the Armenian and the Jewish quarters and the famous Opera House. In the afternoon you will be visiting Lychakiv Cemetery and find out more about the distinguished personalities who were writing the history of the city.

Yesterday you made your first acquaintances with Lviv  and its city center. Today you will discoverthe other unique places in this old city and go on a big city tour. You will scramble up a hill to the High Castle wherefrom magnificent view opens over the city. You will also visit the St. George Cathedral – marvelous architectural ensemble, whose interior is striking with its richness and diversity of iconography. Not only should you look around the city, but also feel its atmosphere with each single step, inhale it from the stones of old buildings, from the picturesque  alleys inviting you to saunter around, from the shabby time-struck romantic benches in the park, spontaneous chess sets on the alley in front of the Opera House, in the atmosphere of numerous coffee houses. In the evening we gather for dinner and share our thoughts.

In the morning we drive to Halych, the former centre of Galicia-Volyn principality, — the most powerful stronghold in  the ancient south-western lands. The town of Halych, located in western Ukraine, gave name to the whole region of Galicia. The town is also known for the Karaite communitywhich has had its roots here since 13th century. Karaism is a movement in Judaism, a mixture of Jewish, Christian and Islamic religions. You will visit Karaite history and culture museum, where you will get a closer look at the features of life and traditions of the mysterious Halych Karaites, who are no longer presented in the region. Then we go to the Karaite cemetery, one large, wide and solemnly sad monument to the little people of the big community. From Halych we drive to Yaremche, where we will visit Hutsuls – an ethno-cultural group which inhabits the Carpatian Mountains – and have there a Hutsul traditional dinner.

The densely forested Carpathian villages are the abodes of Hutsuls. In the Hutsul settlement Verkhovyna you  will visit the ethnographic museum with its worthwhile collection of antique clothes, musical instruments, househ old appliances and crafts of the Hutsuls.  In the afternoon we return to Yaremche and take a walk through well-known souvenir market, one of the most visited places in Yaremche. You can buy there anything what your heart desires – from delicious Ukrainian honey to original handicrafts of local craftsmen. In the late afternoon we have a small trip into the woods. We will enjoy real green paradise, spending our time relaxing in the open air.

First thing in the morning we set off to Rohatyn – small town within the 2 hour ride from Yaremche. Rohatyn is best- known for its famous Roksoliana – Ukrainian wife of the sultan Süleyman I Kanuni. When she was young, she was captured by Tatars and sold into slavery. Süleyman was captivated by her personality and intelligence and made her his only wife, he also trusted her regarding matters of the state. We will also visit the wooden Church of the Holy Spirit which contains unique iconostasis from 17th century. After lunch we drive to Lviv wherefrom we take train to Kyiv.

Today the capital of Ukraine — Kyiv unveils for you its true identity. Situated on the banks of the Dnipro River, the city of Golden Domes is famous as one of the greenest cities in the world. During your stay here you will get acquainted with its history and contemporary life, get to know new people and feel the special atmosphere of the city which throughout its whole history has fought for its freedom. The history of the capital of once the most powerful east European states covers the period of 1500 years. During our sightseeing tour you will visit Podil, one of the oldest neighborhoods of Kyiv, the place from which originated city’s trade, commerce and the actual place where centuries ago three brother Kyi, Shchek and Khoryv laid a foundation stone of city of Golden Domes, see the government quarter, explore numerous Kyiv churches and of course walk through Independence Square and Khreshchatyk – the main street of Kyiv, the witnesses of recent notorious events on Euromaidan.

This  day we  visit the  absolute highlight  of Kyiv sacral life  – Kyiv Pechersk Lavra,  the part of UNESCO World Heritage List which is also known as Kyiv Monastery of the Caves. The monastery complex dates back to 1051 and  is preeminent center of the Eastern Orthodox Christianity. On its territory is situated museum of Scythian treasures where we will get acquainted with traditions of tribes which lived here centuries ago. In addition, we also touch upon the tragic part of the history of Ukraine. The memorial to the victims of Holodomor (Famine) in 1932-33 which is a tragic symbol of Soviet totalitarian regime will open to you one of the pages of a tragic Ukrainian history. In the evening we will make an one-hour boat trip on the Dnipro River and admire the golden domes of the numerous Kyiv churches.

Today we visit the historical park “Kyiv Rus” where you will immerse into the atmosphere of famous Kyiv Rus, the first state to arise among Eastern Slavs which is a glorious ancestor of Ukraine and cradle of Ukrainian culture and nation. The very park is the reconstruction of ancient Kyiv detinets (medieval city fort). Here you have a possibility to try yourself at bow shooting, ride on horses, visit the master classes of folk crafts, see how yurt (portable circular tent of felt or skins) looks like and visit the museum of historic costumes and armor. In addition, you will have a unique chance to try old Ukrainian cuisine and eat the dishes which were long ago served to kniazs (Kyiv Rus kings) and boyars (noblemen). In the evening we take a plane which brings us to Odessa.

Welcome to Odessa – the largest Ukrainian port city. Catherine the Great ordered to build this city driven  by the ambition to create the most beautiful port city in the world. Whether she succeeded or not and how much  of the then flare has remained – you will see for yourself. Today you make the first acquaintances with the city. You visit the main attractions of Odessa – Prymorsky Boulevard with the Richelieu Monument which attracts every season not only tourists, but also city residents; the Potemkin Stairs with its 192 steps which lead you to the port; the Opera House, one of the most magnificent in Europe; Derribasiwska street; the burgomaster’s residence; the Assumption Cathedral; the Greek Trinity Church; the Orthodox Cathedral of Christ Transfiguration. After lunch you will have free time to discover the city with its views, main and side streets by yourselves.

An outburst of emotions is waiting for you in the morning – the catacombs of Odessa with the European longest tunnel  system and  labyrinth, located  under the city and amounting to the boastful 2500 km of length!  Today catacombs offer their visitors a breathtaking excursion. Inside the catacombs, there is also a museum which tells you the history of this tunnel system. Another highlight of the tour is approaching later in the evening – we will slip into dresses and tuxedos in order to visit opera it the Odessa Opera House.

Today  you will  have the whole  day for yourselves.  But here are few tips  to help you to not miss  anything interesting: you can enjoy clear air and water on the beautiful sea beaches of Odessa, you can take a boat trip and admire the beauty of the city from the sea or you can visit the largest dolphinarium in Ukraine.

On this day we visit the “white city” Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky (or earlier: Akkerman), one of the oldest cities in the world. Both names are self-explanatory and refer to the white color (Akkerman means in Turkish “white rock”). What do Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky, Athens, Jerusalem, Rome and Beijing have in common? All these cities can look back at more than 2500 years of history. Nowadays Akkerman is famous for its medieval fortress which was built in the 14th-15th and has remained in good condition. Today it is the largest fortress on the territory of Ukraine and belongs to the 7 wonders of Ukraine. The fortress will amaze you with its 3 to 5 meters thick walls and numerous towers. With a little luck you will entertained at a historic festival or a disguised knight tournament. In the evening the last highlight of our tour awaits you – we will go by yacht to Arcadia – most popular touristic attraction in Odessa where the nightlife of the city is concentrated.

Well, our program comes to its end. You take with you unforgettable impressions and the great feeling of having experienced  something special. You have spent your time in Ukraine eventfully and learned about its culture, traditions and nature.We hope that we have managed to persuade you to come here once more in the future. We always welcome you here!