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Ukrainian Cruise 2011
Just as invigorating as our Kiev to Odessa cruise, but in reverse. Begin in Odessa, Ukraine’s limestone fortress city, and travel to such charming towns as Yalta, Sevastopol, Zaporozhia, and more. End your 10- or 12-day adventure in Ukraine’s economic, cultural, and historical capital, Kiev, a city overflowing with life and inspiration. (Map view)
Itinerary| Day 1 | Emparkation in Odessa  Your driver will pick you up at the airport. At the exit he will be waiting for you with your name on a sign, and from there he will take you to the ship where dinner will be served. You may relax and overcome your jetlag in your cabin, the ship’s lounge, or the fully-stocked bar. |
| Day 2 | Odessa  Take a rare glimpse into both old and new when you arrive in Odessa, Ukraine, where the history of the former Russian republic can still be felt. View the formal entrance and best-known symbol of Odessa at the Potemkin Stairs, and let the regal beauty of the Uspensky Cathedral awe you. If you seek more culture, the Odessa Opera House is renowned for its stunning ballets. |
| Day 3 | Vilkovo  Today you will stop at Vilkovo, a village of majestic landscapes and unique architecture. It has been called by some a Ukrainian Venice. Later tonight we will dock in Odessa. |
| Day 4 | Sevastopol  The Crimean Peninsula was a present to the Soviet Republic of Ukraine from Nikita Khrushev, a leader of the Soviet Union. Sevastopol, its capital, contains a magnificent harbor where the Russian Black Sea Fleet resides. This resident caused the city to be closed to foreign visitors for a time, but it has recently become accessible. You will see the remains of the Greek colony Khersones, the World War II Memorials, and the cemetery of the German soldiers. Optional tours for the day include a bus tour to Bakchisarai and a performance of the Black Sea Fleet Ensemble. |
| Day 5 | Sevastopol  This is a free day for you to explore Sevastopol. The optional tour for today is a bus trip to Yalta that includes a visit to Livadia Palace, the summer getaway of the Russian tsars. It was there that Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin met for the Yalta Conference in 1945 to determine the future of Europe. |
| Day 6 | Sevastopol  You will have another free day to soak in Sevastopol. Optional tours for the day include a panorama of the Defense of Sevastopol during the Crimean war of 1853-1856. |
| Day 7 | Kherson  Today our ship will glide on to Kherson, a city with a history stretching back 3 centuries. Originally built by Greeks as a trading outpost, this beautiful city currently boasts lush vineyards. Following Kherson, we will explore a small fishing village and experience modern-day life in Ukraine. |
| Day 8 | Zaporozhia  Welcome to Zaporozhia, the land of the Cossacks! Today we will visit the Museum of Cossack Glory. An optional tour is to the Cossack Horse Show where the best horsemen in Europe will parade before you. |
| Day 9 | Sailing  Today you will spend onboard the ship. Enjoy rich cultural programs and make new friends while we sail along to Kiev. |
| Day 10 | Kiev  Kiev has been dubbed by many historians as the Cradle of Russian Civilization. There are many important historical sites here, the most important being the St. Sophia Cathedral and Pecherskaya Lavra. St. Sophia's Cathedral echoes the past glory of Byzantium, while the Pecherskaya Lavra (Cave Monastery) recalls the deep asceticism of early Christianity. For your first day in this grand city, you will have a general tour that includes a visit to Maidan Nezalejnosti, Kiev's central square where events of the Orange Revolution took place a few years ago. There are two optional tours today as well, to St. Sophia's Cathedral or to a performance of the Ukrainian National Choir. |
| Day 11 | Kiev  This day is free for you to explore Kiev. The Andreevsky Izviz is of particular interest, being one of the best known historic streets and a major tourist attraction in Kiev. Some of the Kiev's most interesting historical sites can be found here, including the Castle of Richard the Lionheart, St. Andrew's Church, and Mikhail Bulgakov's house. The street also has a galore of gift shops and art galleries, great restaurants and museums, making it popular among locals as well. You may also want to take a stroll over to the Pecherskaya Lavra, the former center of Orthodox Christianity in Eastern Europe. The Pecherskaya Lavra contains numerous architectural monuments ranging from bell towers to cathedrals, from underground cave systems to strong fortification walls. It is also the burial place of many rulers of ancient Russia. |
| Day 12 | Disembarkation in Kiev  Your voyage has come to an end. It is time to say farewell to this glorious section of the world and your new friends as you leave, taking with you unforgettable memories. Ask your travel specialist about available cruise extensions. |
