Day 1-2 DEPART CANADA
Board your overnight flight (not included).
Day 2-3 KIEV
Welcome to Kiev the famed ‘City of Chestnut Trees’ astride the mighty river Dnieper.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 3-4 KIEV SIGHTSEEING
Your sightseeing tour shows you the colourful onion domed churches, Opera House and Golden Gate, all that remains of the old city walls. At the summit of Vladimir Hill enjoy a superb panorama over the city. Then via the historic Andriyivskyy Descent to the old Podol district, where craftsmen and fishermen used to live. This afternoon visit the Monastery of the Caves, considered among the most beautiful Christian shrines in the world. Then to the vast Patriotic War Museum centered around the 62-metre Motherland statue, one of the best recognized landmarks of Kiev.(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4-5 KIEV – ODESSA
This morning visit St Sophia’s Cathedral, its interior wonderfully decorated with gilded mosaics, frescoes and Holy icons. Then enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Dnieper River. This evening, board your flight to Odessa, a city known for its European character, beaches, green parks and relaxed joie de vivre. On arrival transfer to your hotel for dinner.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5-6 ODESSA SIGHTSEEING
Your city sightseeing tour includes all the main highlights. Along the Primorsky boulevard there is the Vorontsov Palace, monument to Duke de Richelieu, Pushkin Monument and the Potemkin Stairs. See the Palace of Weddings, Opera House, Archeological and Marine Museums, University, Museum of Western and Oriental Art and walk down the tree-lined Alley of Glory to the Monument of the Unknown Sailor. Drive out to the nearby village of Nerubaiskoye to visit a section of the catacombs, used as an underground base by the local partisans during WWII.(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 6-7 ODESSA – KHERSON
Journey from Odessa through the gardens, farms and vineyards of the countryside to Kherson. Upon arrival a city tour includes the ruined fortress which helped protect the town from Turkish invasion, Museum of Local Lore and the Arts Museum, John Howard’s tomb, City Tank T-34 monument and the City Ship monument on the Dnieper River embankment. The afternoon is at leisure.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7-8 KHERSON – KURPATY
Transfer from Kherson, via Simferopol, Crimea’s capital to your fun loving sea side resort. Head for the pool or pamper yourself in the sumptuous spa.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8-9 YALTA SIGHTSEEING
Yalta has been a magnet for the rich and aristocratic since the Tsars began abandoning Moscow to holiday here in the 19th century. Starting at Yalta’s main seaside promenade, alight the cable-car and enjoy panoramic views as you drift up Darsan Hill to the Mound of Glory Monument. Visit the Alexander Nevski Cathedral and see the former Ministry of Defence Hotel. Then continue to the house in which the great writer Chekhov lived, now a museum. Inside, the rooms still contain Chekhov’s turn-of-the-century furniture and the piano which Rachmaninov played. After some free time visit Livadia Palace – the summer residence of the last Russian Tsars and site of the 1945 conference that mapped out post-war Europe. Continue to Count Vorontsov’s Alupka Palace with stunning elements of Russian, Moorish and Gothic architecture. Round off the day with a drive to the Swallow’s Nest, a well known landmark perched on the edge of a cliff.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9-10 BALAKLAVA & SEVASTOPOL
Visit the small port of Balaklava, nestled on a narrow sea inlet which served as a secret Soviet submarine base for half a century. On the commanding heights overlooking the town are the ruins of the Genoese fortress and the site of the famous battle recounted in Lord Tennyson’s poem, Charge of the Light Brigade. Continue to Sevastopol, former home of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet. Tour the harbour and pretty Nakhimov Square, housing a monument to its eponymous hero. Visit the Panorama Museum - its stunning rotunda centerpiece depicts the story of the defence of Sevastopol during the assault of 6 June 1855. Return to your resort hotel.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10-11 KURPATY – SIMFEROPOL – KIEV
Transfer to airport in Simferopol for your return flight to Kiev where you are at leisure. As night falls, you are invited to a celebration dinner at a typical local restaurant, to toast the finale of a wonderful tour.(Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)
Day 11-12 RETURN TO CANADA
Departure transfers arrive at Kiev Airport at 09:00 & 11:30.(Buffet Breakfast)