DISCOVER UKRAINE
We introduce you the best places to visit in our tour around Ukraine. You will definitely fall in love with it!
Some reasons to visit Ukraine
14 days
You will have enough time to feel and explore different corners of the country
3 big cities
You will visit the capital of Ukraine Kyiv, the cultural capital Lviv and southern gem Odesa
Unique experiences
Local food, wine, songs and legends: you`ll have a chance to feel the spirit of Ukraine
We introduce our itinerary
DAY 1-2
Odesa, Ukraine
The first stop in our trip is Odesa: multicultural city, which is situated at the Black Sea. After your arriving to the airport you will check in in the hotel and rest.
Next day you’re going to have an interesting excursion, walk around old city centre to see the main sights of Odessa, such as Deribasovskaya street, Opera and ballet theatre (exterior view), Primorskiy boulevard, Potemkinskaya staircase, old palaces and mansions.
It’s a perfect excursion for first time travelers who want to get general impression about the city. This tour is not only about city history, but also about architecture and prominent people who lived here.
In the evening you will have a free time to discover Odesa by yourself.
Stay in the heart of Odesa
In Odessa you will stay for 3 days in Premier Geneva Hotel, which is quietly located the historical center of Odessa, within a 5-minute walk from the famous Deribasovskaya Street and 800 m from the Opera and Ballet Theater
DAY 3
Bilhorod-Dnistrovskiy + Shabo Wine Culture Center
10.00 - 12.00 - If you have not been to Bilhorod-Dnistrovskiy — be sure to include it in your travel list! According to UNESCO, it is one of the 10 oldest cities in the world, which have preserved their continuous existence. The pearl of Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky is undoubtedly its fortress. And it’s really impressive!
It is the biggest fortress in the country, and a unique monument to the defensive architecture of the 13th -15th centuries. Despite its 'venerable' age and the historical events to which it was a first hand witness, the fortress managed to preserve its original structure, and today it is considered to be the best preserved medieval fortification facility in Ukraine.
13.00 - 15.00
After excursion at Bilhorod-Dnistrovskiy fortress we’ll visit Shabo Wine Culture Center, situated in Odessa region. During this tour you will discover the magical world of winemaking, explore the beautiful territory and listen to stories about this noble beverage.
It’s interesting to know that village Shabo was founded by Swiss people from the banks of Lake Geneva in 1822 when they moved here and organized wine industry. Today Shabo is one of the largest wineries in Ukraine.
DAY 4
10.00 - 13. 00
Tha last day in Odesa with one more interesting excursion and free time. We`ll visit cosy yards to see old Odessa and also learn about the wells which were important tool for collecting water in XIX century. One will also see places with friendly atmosphere, which makes Odessa so special.
After excursion you will have a visit to one restaurant, “2Karla”, with Bessarabian cuisine which was typical for Odessa in XIX century. A glass of local wine and traditional pie are waiting for you! Local cuisine is one of the ways to feel the city.
After great time in Odesa you`ll fly to Kyiv. In the evening you will have a rest in cosy hotel on Dnipro river, where you`ll stay for 4 nights.
DAY 5
Kyiv, Ukraine
Welcome to our capital - Kiev is huge, busy and cosmopolitan city but it also hides so many of beautiful monuments and places well worth a visit.
First of all you`ll see the mail sights in Open Kyiv excursion: the main street Khreshchatyk, Independence square (Maidan), the People’s Friendship Arch and the stunning views of the city, the main shrines of the city – the millennial Church of St. Sophia and St. Michael’s Cathedral, mystical street Andrew’s Descent and St. Andrew’s Church. As well as the Golden Gate, the National Opera, the place of entertainment Arena City, food market and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra excursion
Unique ancient monastery founded by monks in real caves! Sacred aura and spirit, absolutely a must-see in Kiev!
Each church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra has its history and its unique appearance influenced by the different periods and their typical styles.
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra caverns are a very complex system of narrow underground corridors, along with numerous living quarters and underground chapels.
Great Lavra Bell Tower is the highest in Ukraine!
DAY 6
River cruise to Mezhygirya
The Dnipro River is the perfect vantage point for taking in some of Kyiv’s most iconic sites. Enjoy the fresh air and cool wind as you travel with comfort on board of the small steamship.
You will have a trip on a double-decked boat to Mezhygirya, the former private residence of Victor Yanukovych. This former property of the fourth president of Ukraine is now considered to be a Museum of Corruption or Kitsch.
DAY 7
Chernobyl, Ukraine
One of the most famous place in Ukraine is Chernobyl exclusion zone, where you`ll have a day trip to. The «Forbes» magazine called Chernobyl the most extreme and original place.
The tragic events that took place there have left an indelible mark in the history of the world. Time has stopped there in April 26, 1986...
Radiation makes the zone particularly interesting. Now at the ground there lays, in the thousand-times-decreased scale, a picture of contamination after a large radiation incident – the picture extremely intricate, interesting, representative also for chemical accidents and terrorist attacks, and fortunately already safe for the visitors.
Also you can visit one of the most secret objects of the Soviet Union - "Duga-1"
DAY 8
Pyrohiv Countryside, near Kyiv
Pyrohiv open-air museum is a unique historic exposition of Ukrainian housing and living settlements. 300 unique buildings of folk architecture dating from the XVI – XX centuries located on more than 150 hectares of land.
We will make a journey back in time! We’ll visit schools where children studied in the 18th century, feel like guests in a real Ukrainian hut («mazanka»), go inside a church which is more than 400 years old, and climb up the hill to the old windmills.
After such an interesting days in the central Ukraine you`ll fly to Ivano-Frankivks, where your journey around Western Ukraine begins
Mountain Nest
Premier Club Hotel is situated in Yaremche and offers panoramic views of the picturesque mountains, as well as a sauna, a table tennis, pool and terrace with amazing view.
DAY 9
Yaremche, Ukraine
In Yeremche we will organize jeep tour in Carpathian’s with traditional mountain cuisine dinner witch you will taste high the mountains in accompaniment with Gutsul traditional music.
09.30 - Breakfast at the hotel.
10.00-12.30 - Sightseeing tour of the city of Yaremche. During which you will get acquainted with the main sights and objects of the city.
12.30 - 13.30 - Lunch
13.30 - 14.00 - Meeting with instructors. Transfer of group to jeeps. Instructing. Departure to the mountains by jeeps.
14.00 – 17.30 - We invite you to dive into the world of Carpathian nature and active tourism along the route: Yaremche city - miny zoo with wild animals - "Girls' tears" waterfall - Vybranka polonin - Shchivka polonin - Mount Sinyachka - Chornohorytsia polonin - Yaremche city.
17.30 - 18.30 - Arrival to the city. Tasting of local beer and Carpathian cheeses.
18.30 - 19.30 - Supper. Free time.
DAY 10
Yaremche, Ukraine
08.30 - Breakfast at the hotel's restaurant.
10.00 - 13.00 - Departure by minibuses on excursion to "Bukovel" TC. A walk through one of the largest ski resorts in Central and Eastern Europe. An overview of Molodist Lake, cable-car ride and panoramas of the highest peaks of the Chornohora Range. Those who wish may try a zip- line. Free time.
13.00 - 14.00 - Lunch
14.00 - 16.00 - Visit the original building - the "Inverted Hut" museum and the Guk (14 m) waterfall in the Zhenets tract.
17.00-18.00 - Supper. Free time
DAY 11
Yaremche - Lviv, Ukraine
9.00 - Breakfast, check out from hotel.
10.00 - 12.30 - You`ll go to Carpathian's tasting tour to local manufacture, where you`ll taste some Carpathians cheese and alcohol.
12.30 - 13.30 - Make a souvenir by your own! You will be able to take part in master classes, during which you will be engaged to do traditional Ukrainian things. For example, you can make a traditional Ukrainian Easter egg called pysanka.
14.00 - 17.00 - Transfer by bus to Lviv
17.00 - Arriving to hotel. Free time
Hotel George
The history of this building stars since 1793 year. After the renovation an exquisite hotel with luxurious rooms and a marvelous panoramic view of Old Lviv has been created, with the ideal combination of perfection of the European service and the Ukrainian hospitality in the very city centre.
DAY 12
Lviv, Ukraine
Ukrainians say: “You will never forget your first time in Lviv”.
You will easily fall into the atmosphere and mystery of this centuries-old heritage city while walking through the maze of small streets covered with cobwebs of history.
Lviv is the cultural capital and the soul of Ukraine. It has always been multireligional and multi-national. Lviv was included on the Cultural and Historical Heritage List by UNESCO in 1998.
Lviv is filled with the aroma of coffee and the warmth of Ukrainian hospitality. You will hear the beautiful and melodical Ukrainian language, walk through the city center (with its small cozy streets), see elegantly beautiful Western European architecture, and the greatness of catholic cathedrals will leave you breathless!!
Sightseeing list: Market (Rynok) Square; Lviv Opera House; Virmenska (Armenian) street; palace of Counts Potockis; Chapel of the Boim family; Dominican Church; Bernardine Monastery; Italian courtyard; High Castle Park and Lychakiv Cemetery.
Taste it!
It`s time to explore cafes and restaurants of Lviv! They can definitely impress you! Being a cultural capital of Ukraine, Lviv has a cuisine that is rich and as varied as the country itself.
A great way to explore the real Lviv when eating out is seek out the particularly smaller bars and hidden restaurants where the locals frequent. You are more likely to encounter authentic local dishes and lower prices whilst soaking up the unique atmosphere. So we`ll organize gastronomic tour in Lviv!
Dishes you`ll try on the Gastronomic tour in Lviv:
- Borsch — a traditional thick vegetable soup made out of beet root and up to 20 other ingredients; meat optional. This soup is a staple dish in every Ukrainian family.
- Deruny or “Potato pancakes” — fried cakes of grated or ground potato with flour and egg.
- Halushky — thick, soft dumplings made with wheat or corn flour.
- Holubtsi or Cabbage rolls — cooked cabbage leaves wrapped around a filling of meat, rice, and spices.
- Kholodets or “Aspic” — jellied meat.
- Nalysnyky — thin crepes wrapped around a filling of curds, mushrooms, meat, jam, berries, etc.
- Salo — cured slabs of pig fat.
- Syrniki — fried pancakes with quark (curds) served with sour cream, jam, or honey.
- Varenyky — dumplings containing curds, potatoes, cabbage, meat, or fruit.
- Zrazy — meat pies stuffed with rice, buckwheat, mashed potatoes, etc.
DAY 13
9.30 - 18.00 "Golden Horseshoe of Lviv region"
Castles of Lviv region are one of the major tourist attractions around the city. Their beautiful architecture, mystical history and scenic landscape have always attracted people. In order to popularize the castle legacy of Galicia the route "Golden Horseshoe of Lviv region" was established, which includes 3 castles.
Olesko Castle is a place famous for its exhibitions. Ukrainian icons, wooden sculptures, marble bust of Queen Barbara Radziwill, the portrait Basil Nicholas Potocki, battle painting “Battle of Vienna”, a unique collection of sculptor Ivan Pinsel, Western European tapestries in the spirit of Baroque and Mannerist, 17-18 century original furniture and many other valuable historical pieces.
Zolochiv castle has been a royal residence, a prison, and an educational facility. It was built as palazzo in fortezzo, that is, it was suitable for living and as a defense structure. Today it is a museum, displaying the collections of antique furnishings and art, sculptures, paintings, tapestries, period weapons, and objects used in everyday life at the time.
Pidhorodetsky Castle is a Renaissance palace with the surrounding fortifications. At the site of today's castle ancient fortifications existed. The first mention of them was in 1530. The interior of Pidgoretsky castle struck contemporaries with its beauty and splendor. The halls and rooms match the names given to them: Chinese, Golden, Knight, Green, Mirror, Mosaic. Around the castle there was a beautiful park that belonged to the monuments of landscape art of national importance. It was built at the level of samples of so-called “Italian” parks.
DAY 14
Shopping, gifts and all free day! Give you an opportunity to lost in the city`s streets.
We recommend to visit Lviv Coffee manufacture and Lviv Chocolate factory and buy there some tasty souvenirs for friends and your family. ;)
DAY 15
It will be the end of our story, but we are sure that you will take the part of Ukraine in your heart back home.
You will come back to Belgium by plane from Lviv airport.
