In the land of the Cossacks
Description
The Cossacks were adventurous nomadic adventurers, pirates and Slavic mercenaries from Eastern Europe. They colonized around the 15th and 16th centuries, particularly the banks of the Dnipro river in Ukraine, north of the Black Sea.
A stay to discover the city-cradle of Slavic culture, capital of the first Ukrainian state, "The RUS of Kyiv (Kiev)". A city rich in its great past history and its incredible current modernity, often unsuspected.
You will visit the following major tourist sites, in particular: the Pechersk Lavra Monastery, the Cathedrals of Saint Sophia and Saint Michael, the Saint Andrew's Church, the Saint Andrew's Descent, the long Khreschatyk Street and the Independence Square - Maidan. As well as the Opera, the Ethnographic Museum in the open air and the Museum of miniatures.
During your stay, you will also admire the splendours of the cities of Poltava, Cherkasy. As well as Lviv, the splendid city of western Ukraine, a true jewel of the Carpathians, authentic and modern. The architecture of the old city, in Austro-Hungarian and Polish style with Italian Renaissance influences, is remarkable.
You can stroll through its picturesque little streets, visit the very old pharmacy museum (1672), the palaces, the ancient churches and the 16th century Olesko Castle.
For all group trips in Ukraine, Vacanture offers:
- a choice of modern and designer hotels, located in the city centre, with a range from 3-star to 5-star hotels (in line with international standards of comfort, hospitality and aesthetics).
- a choice of modern restaurants, with a designer decoration, and a high quality service. They offer a revisited authentic Ukrainian cuisine, designed to satisfy a demanding international clientele.
- transfers in modern, air-conditioned buses that meet strict international standards for comfort and safety. Highly qualified personnel for bus driving.
- optional activities for evenings
Detailed program:
Kyiv (Kiev) - POLTAVA -CHERKASY - Lviv - Kyiv (Kiev)
12 days / 11 nights
Program (12 days / 11 nights)
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1
Kyiv (Kiev)
Reception at the international and modern airport Boryspil in Kyiv (Kiev).
Departure for the guided tour of Kyiv (Kiev), during which you will discover its main monuments: the Pechersk Lavra Monastery, Mohyla University, the Golden Gate, the golden domed St. Michael's Cathedral and St. Sophia Cathedral. As well as the church and the descent of Saint Andrew.
Transfer to a hotel. Installation in the rooms.
Dinner at a restaurant. -
2
Kyiv (Kiev)
Breakfast.
Visit of the Pechersk Lavra Monastery, splendid and millenary. With immense religious importance in the history of Orthodox Christianity.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Visit of the Treasure Museum "The Scythian Gold".
Walk along the picturesque Saint Andrew's Descent, the oldest district in Kyiv (Kiev), where many painters, artists and craftsmen offer their craft creations.
Visit of the remarkable St. Andrew's Church, in Baroque style, with its terrace overlooking Kyiv (Kiev).
Dinner in the city.
Optional: a short cruise on the Dnipro river (possibility of dinner on the boat). -
3
Kyiv (Kiev)
Breakfast.
Free time.
Visit to the museum of Taras Shevchenko.
Visit of Saint Sophia Cathedral.
Free time.
Having dinner.
Transfer to the station.
Installation in your train in compartments (4 berths).
22:37 Departure of train no. 91 to Lviv.
Night on board of the train.
Transfer mode to Lviv to choose:
- by plane on the 4th day in the morning (duration 1 hour flight), transfer to the airport after one night in a hotel in Kyiv (Kiev) (TO BE CONFIRMED)
- by night train, the 3rd day (10 p.m., arrival in the early morning of the 4th day to Lviv). Transfer to the station of Kyiv (Kiev). Installation in your compartment in 1st class with choice of berths (2 or 4 people). The train is modern, secure (with car attendant), air-conditioned, with free Wi-Fi internet access and catering service. -
4
Lviv
Transfer to your hotel. Breakfast.
Visit the poetic and legendary city of Lviv, with its narrow medieval streets and varied architectural styles. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Panoramic view from the hill of the Upper Castle to admire the rich architecture of Lviv, including the University, the Polytechnic Institute, St. George's Cathedral, a masterpiece of Ukrainian Baroque, as well as the very ancient St. Nicholas Church.
Departure on foot for the guided tour of the old city.
Visit the splendid Latin and Armenian cathedrals, the Orthodox Church of the Assumption with its Renaissance bell tower and the Korniakta Tower.
Visit of the Market Square and the Pharmacy Museum.
Stroll in the small streets, and coffee tasting.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Visit of the National Museum, with its rich collections of icons (14th - 17th century), decorative and popular art objects.
Visit of the souvenir and painting market.
Dinner at a restaurant.
Optional: Opera evening in Lviv (performance by reservation). -
5
Lviv
Breakfast.
08am Departure to visit the Truskavets resort.
In the middle of the route, visit a village in the Skole region, with a meeting with the villagers. Tasting of local products.
Lunch in Truskavets.
Back to Lviv.
Dinner at a restaurant. -
6
Lviv
Breakfast.
Departure by bus to visit the historic village of Zhovkva and excursion to the famous monastery of Khrekhiv.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Visit of the Palace of Count Pototskyi, housing the richest museum of fine arts in Ukraine, with its collections of European art, sculptures and portraits, as well as a collection of icons, including masterpieces by Rubens and other famous artists.
Dinner at a restaurant.
Transfer to the station.
Installation in the train in compartments (sleeping berths for 4).
Transfer mode to Kyiv (Kiev) to choose from:
- by plane on the 7th day in the morning (duration 1 hour flight), transfer to the airport after a night in a hotel at Kyiv (Kiev) (TO BE CONFIRMED)
- by night train, on the 6th day (10pm, arrived in the early morning of the 7th day at Kyiv (Kiev)). Transfer to the station of Lviv. Installation in your compartment in 1st class with choice of berths (2 or 4 people). The train is modern, secure (with car attendant), air-conditioned, with free Wi-Fi internet access and catering service. -
7
Kyiv (Kiev) - POLTAVA
Breakfast.
Departure by bus to Poltava, a small city considered as the "soul and heart" of Ukraine where the Ukrainian literary language was definitively formed under the influence of Ivan Kotliarevskyi.
Stop at the village Gogolevo. With a visit to the Gogol Museum, dedicated to the famous Ukrainian writer, and a visit to the villages of Dykanka and Velyki Sorochyntsi.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Continuation to Poltava. On the way stop at the village Opishnya, the former centre of Ukrainian pottery. Visit of a workshop. You will make a souvenir object.
Arrival to Poltava. Installation at a hotel.
Dinner at a restaurant. -
8
POLTAVA - CHERKASY
Breakfast.
Meeting with an icon painter in his studio.
City tour: Church of the Transfiguration, Church of the Assumption, house-museum of Ivan Kotlyarevskyi.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Departure for Cherkasy with a stop in Chyhyryn, former residence of the Ukrainian hetmans (superior Cossack dignitaries) and in Subotiv where the most prominent hetman is buried - Bogdan Khmelnytskyi.
Late evening arrival in Cherkasy.
Installation at a hotel in your rooms.
Dinner at a restaurant. -
9
CHERKASY
Program to be determined in Cherkasy
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10
CHERKASY
Breakfast.
Departure from the hotel for a short discovery of Cherkasy.
Departure for the visit of Uman and the arboretum "Sofiyivka" (1796). This world-famous park was created by Count Pototskyi in honour of his wife Sofia. With artificial waterfalls, locks, caves, river on which tourists can walk by boat. It is one of the most poetic places in Ukraine, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lunch in Uman.
Departure for Cherkasy.
Arrival in Cherkasy.
Dinner at a restaurant. -
11
Kyiv (Kiev) - CHERKASY
Breakfast.
City tour.
Visit to a cutting-edge agro-industrial company.
Lunch at the restaurant.
Departure by bus to Kyiv (Kiev).
On the way stop in Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky: visit the wonderful open-air museum of folk architecture.
Upon arrival in Kyiv (Kiev), installation at the hotel.
Free time.
Dinner at a restaurant. -
12
Kyiv (Kiev)
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport and assistance with boarding formalities.