Tour Kiev / Odessa

DAY 1. Arrival at Kiev airport. Meeting at the airport. Transfer airport-hotel. Arrival to the hotel Rus. Free time.

DAY 2.

9.00 – breakfast at the hotel.

10.00 – City-tour (4 hours) (with walk along ancient Podol’s district and St.Andrew Church with Andreevsky descent)

Kiev City Tour Sites to visit during city tour: "Vladimir’s Old Town" - the place were Prince Vladimir the Baptist founded his Kremlin and built the first Christian church in Kievan Rus State that was destroyed in 1240 during Tartar-Mongol invasion. See the copy of the foundation of the Church of Tithe, panorama ground (a marvelous view of the Lower Old Town called Podol) St. Andrew’s Church (designed by famous architect Rastrelli who was a court architect of Russian Quin Elizabeth) - outside visit. Nearby open-air souvenir market (10-15 minutes) St.Sophia Cathedral - During the rule of Yroslav the Wise, Prince of the Kievan Rus, the son of Vladimir the Baptist (Vladimir the Great) who brought the Christianity to the land, the construction of St. Sophia Cathedral began (1037). Built in Byzantine style, decorated with ancient mosaics (13th century craftsmen used about 177 shades of cubes) and wall paintings (frescos) inside The tourists come into the territory of the Cathedral, see all the buildings, a belfry, take pictures - but from outside. Mikhaylovsky Cathedral (St. Michael’s Cathedral), 1070-88. Outside visit. Destroyed in 1936. After its reconstruction in 1998 the cathedral acquired a Baroque appearance. The Golden Gate of Kiev - outside visit University building, Opera House, Kreshchatik Street (main Kiev boulevard) - from the bus (car). Arch of Friendship Monument to the founders of the city of Kiev St.Vladymyr’s Cathedral (insde) - if the time permits. Dnipro rive is long and beautiful (the 3d longest river in Europe).

FREE TIME

DAY 3.

9.00 – breakfast at the hotel.

10.00 – Excursion to Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra (Monastery) (3 hours)

The monastery was founded in the 11th century and is subdivided into the Upper Lavra and the Near and Far Pechery (caves of the monks). The underground galleries (caves) hold the imperishable relicts of Lavra monks who lived in the 10th-15th centuries.

14.00 – Excursion on ship along the Dnipro (2 hours)

FREE TIME

DAY 4.

9.00 – breakfast at the hotel.

10.00 – Excursion to the Wooden open-air museum Pirogovo Village (4 hours).

Overall the open-air museum (150 hectares) there are 300 architectural monuments from all over Ukraine. You can admire the wooden churches and cottages (khatas) rescued from ruins. A wooden “khata” is the temple of Ukrainian soul. There is the four hundred –year-old church of St. Mikhail as well as many other brought to this place from all over Ukraine.

FREE TIME.

DAY 5.

9.00 – breakfast at the hotel.

10.00- Travel to Odessa by bus.

19.00 – Arrival at Odessa. Hotel Yunost.

DAY 6.

9.00 – breakfast at the hotel.

10.00 – City – tour (2.5 hours).

Your exploration of Odessa will start at Primorsky Boulevard as you get off the coaches for a pleasant walk. This shady seaside promenade not only reveals the picturesque panorama of Odessa bay but also abounds in historical and architectural monuments. The layout of the boulevard was designed by the famous Russian architect A. Melnikov. From the monument to Duc de Richelieu descend the 192 Potemkin Steps, the gala entrance to the city for those who arrive in Odessa by sea. The steps built between 1837 and 1841 have become a recognizable symbol of the city specially after Eisenstein’s great film “Battleship Potemkin”.

At the eastern end of the boulevard stands Pushkin statue erected in 1888 by public subscription. The poet spent 13 months here in 1823-24 during his exile. Opposite the statue is the imposing pink-and-white colonnaded Odessa City Hall. A nearby cannon salvaged from the British frigate Tiger recalls of the Crimean War.

A gentle stroll will take you to view the Archaeological Museum ( exteriors only ) with its graceful columns. It was founded in 1875 and is the oldest in the Ukraine. A Roman copy of the famous Laokoon marble statue is placed in front of the museum. Marvel at the famous elaborate Opera and Ballet Theatre, designed by two Viennese architects Helmer and Felner and ingeniously realized by the Russian and Ukrainian masters in 1884-1887.

After boarding the coach you will take a short drive of downtown to Uspensky (Assumption) Cathedral, which was built in 1869 on the donations of the Cherepennikov brothers. This orthodox cathedral was designed by L. Otton in Russian style with some Byzantine features added. With its five domes and a 56-metrers high belfry the cathedral has upper and lower temples big enough for 5-6 thousand worshippers. Or you’ll see the newly restored Preobrazhensky Cathedral, the biggest in the city

Then you will proceed past the resort area to Shevchenko Park located not far from the city center. It was named after the Ukraine’s foremost poet. The highlight of the park is the Alley of Glory with a 21-meters high Monument to the Unknown Sailor. An eternal fire is burning day and night commemorating the defenders of Odessa.

Another option for those who don’t like military theme: a drive

To the famous resort area called Arcadia with dozens of bars, discos, restaurants etc.

Then you’ll drive back along the beautiful French boulevard.

DAY 7.

9.00 – breakfast at the hotel.

Excursin’s for choice

DAY 8.

9.00 – breakfast at the hotel.

Excursin’s for choice

DAY 9.

9.00 – breakfast at the hotel. Travel to Kiev.