Meals (-, -)
Arrive in Kyiv
Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide at the airport and chauffeured to your centrally located hotel. Check-in.
After some time to rest and unpack your suitcases, your guide we’ll show you around and give you a bunch of local insider information on the best souvenir stores, local restaurants with the most delicious food, and show you places to exchange money as well as ATMs!
Free evening at leisure.
Meals (breakfast, lunch)
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll embark on a guided City Tour (bus + walking). We’ll explore the ‘heart’ of Kyiv: Independence Square, better known as Maidan. This is the place which has changed history, where the Orange Revolution and Revolution of Dignity happened and we’ll learn about each of these important moments.
Next, we will see some of Kyiv’s most iconic sites, such as St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral, the Golden Gates of Kyiv, and St. Sophia’s Cathedral – places which date back to the 10th century! Travellers from Ukraine and abroad come to this pilgrimage place to see 1000-year-old frescoes and mosaics and feel the spirit of tradition. And, finally, St. Michael’s Cathedral, located opposite St. Sophia’s Cathedral, will surely impress you with its sky-blue exterior and glittering golden domes, which add a stunning layer to a cityscape.
Later on, we will take you to Andriyivsky Uzviz (St. Andrew’s Descent). This meandering, cobblestoned street snakes is littered with many historic sites – the 18th-century St. Andrew’s Church, and many other museum and art galleries – even a museum about the history of the street! Today it is home to the city’s artisans, craftsmen and vendors – discover all kinds of items on their stalls, from unique pieces, souvenir trinkets to authentic Ukrainian clothing.
Spend the rest of this day at your own discretion. If necessary, your guide will suggest optional activities according to your interests.
Meals (breakfast, lunch)
Today we’ll visit and have a guided tour around one of the largest Christian holy places in the country – the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra – a world-famous historical and architectural landmark. The monastery’s gold-domed churches are a real feast for the eyes: the Scythian gold could rival that of the Hermitage! The tour takes you down into the underground labyrinths filled with ancient mummified monks – intriguing, to say the least!
Afterwards, we offer you to learn more about Ukraine’s complicated past at the WW2 Memorial and Museum. The giant soviet “Motherland” monument, which is part of the complex, is one of Kyiv’s most distinctive features (and taller than the Statue of Liberty!). This site contains “The Flame of Glory”, an outdoor museum with WWII military equipment, and the “Alley of the Hero Cities”. Moreover, we can’t miss the unique opportunity to rise to the observation decks of the monument to see a panorama of Kyiv from the bird’s-eye view.
Following, we’ll have lunch in one of the restaurants nearby.
Later on, your guide will take you to the Postal Square, near the River Port, where we take a boat cruise down the Dnipro River. Feel a sense of awe as you travel down this great river, the river down which the Kozaks sailed, and was the site of the Christening of Ukraine in 988. Discover the major waterfront sights of Kyiv in a relaxing atmosphere.
Free evening at leisure.
Meals (breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, we will visit the National Museum of Ukraine’s History. Take a stroll through the many eras of Ukraine’s past, from the Stone Age through to modern-day. Some of the most fascinating and powerful displays are on the top floor, where Ukraine’s modern revolutions and the present-day war are covered through poignant photos, press clippings, and war-battered signs. We will have a tour of the museum with a professional guide.
Keep exploring Kyiv sights and now it’s time to feel the Kozak spirit! You will visit Mamaieva Sloboda, an open-air museum, with thematic exhibits that represent a full replica of a historical settlement, depicting Ukrainian nature, architecture and the way of life.
Afterwards, return back to the city center where we will have lunch and enough time to make the last-minute shopping before leaving. Late checkout from the hotel.
Evening, сatch the fast Intercity train Kyiv-Odesa. Snacks and drinks can be purchased directly on the train at an additional cost. Upon arrival to Odesa, you’ll be transferred to the hotel in the very city center and get checked-in.
Meals (breakfast, lunch)
After breakfast in the hotel, to intoduce you to the city, we’ll embark on a city tour of the most prominent places around Odesa. During this tour, you’ll see the Potiomkin Stairs, which create a fascinating illusion, Derybasivska Street, the bustling hub of the city, Duke de Richelieu Monument, Belvedere of Vorontsov’s Palace, the local quay to look out over the sea and many more.
After an excursion, we will enjoy a delicious lunch in one of the best restaurants in the city, followed by some free time to explore the city on your own and take some cool pictures of an amazing Odesa!
This evening, we’ll pay a visit to Odesa Opera Theater which is rightfully considered among the most beautiful in Europe. The original building was finished in 1810 but burned down in 1873. Current theater design was done in the style of Viennese Barocco in 1887. Full restoration of the Opera Theater was completed in 2007. Opera Theater has unique acoustics and even the quietest whispering from the stage can be heard in any part of the hall.
Being here you will be able to fully enjoy the atmosphere of this unusual place during the performance.
(*Please note that the visit to the Opera House may be moved to another day depending on the performance schedules).
Afterwards, you can enjoy this wonderful evening in one of the many restaurants in downtown.
Meals (breakfast, lunch)
For those who enjoy delicious wines, today is your lucky day!
Today, the small town of Shabo will open its doors to us! Shabo is home to its own winery and wine factory, where we will take a tour of the winery, and even try some of their fabulous products with tips from a professional sommelier. Shabo’s wine is famous around the world for its quality and exceptional taste. If you like it enough, you can even purchase some to take a taste of Odesa home!
Enjoy some lunch at a cozy restaurant next to the wine factory.
Afterwards, relax near the sea. Check whether you took swimsuits with yourselves, as we will have time for swimming and sunbathing (*seasonal option).
Return back to Odesa. Remainder of the evening at leisure.
Meals (breakfast, Dinner)
We will start our day with visiting the world’s largest network of underground catacombs. Its length is about 2500 km. First catacombs started to appear in the 19th century, as underground quarries. During World War II, local partisans used the labyrinths for hiding. Enjoy a guided tour of the place.
Afterwards, we’ll visit the Odesa Fine Arts Museum which is located in the city center. This unique architectural monument was built in the 1820s. OFAM collection today is considered to be one of the most significant and diverse in Ukraine. It currently numbers more than 10 000 objects of fine arts: painting, drawing, sculpture, icon painting, arts and crafts. The exposition is the built-in historical and chronological sequence.
As soon as the tour of the museum is over, you can enjoy some free time for lunch and exploration of the city on your own.
You may choose to visit Odesa Passage for shopping. The inside and exterior of the Passage building are decorated by numerous sculptures. The Passage houses multiple shops and restaurants. It is rightfully called the most picturesque market of Odesa.
This evening, we’ll get together to wrap up your tour of Ukraine – enjoy a traditional Odesa-style festive dinner with live music accompaniment to it!
Meals (breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel.
After a free morning to stock up on souvenirs we will transfer you to the airport where, sadly, we will have to say our goodbyes! Thank you for travelling with SILK ROAD DREAM TOURS!
