2010 Ukraine Tour Itinerary

On Monday September 13 we leave our home destinations and Toronto for an exciting 16 day adventure in Ukraine.

After transferring in Vienna, we arrive in Kyiv, the ancient and glorious capital of Ukraine. We check into our hotel, relax, have supper, and go on an exciting bus tour of the City.

The following morning, after breakfast we visit the medieval centres of Kyiv, St Sophia, built by “Yaroslavl the Wise” in the 11th century, St. Michaels Cathedral, reconstructed after its destruction by the Soviets in the 1930’s, Pecherska Lavra also known as “The Monastery of the Caves” containing many ancient churches, underground catacombs and museums. We will be able to shop for gifts and souvenirs at the many kiosks located in this centre. After dinner we will be visiting Andriyivskyi Uzviz- St. Andrews Descent in the oldest part of Kyiv, where the artists and artisans sell a great variety of wonderful works from the fine art to embroidery, women's and men's Ukrainian embroidered blouses and shirts to Amber jewellery and t-shirts. We will see the spectacular St. Andrews church, the monstrous galvanized Arch on the Dnipro River and walk along Khreshchatyk, Kyiv’s Main Boulevard.

Next day, after breakfast, we visit the Taras Shevchenko Museum in Kyiv. On the way to Kaniv we will stop at Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky, a city as old as Kyiv with over 30 museums, or we will visit one of the many outdoor architectural museums on the outskirts of the city. If you have never seen a Paleolithic mammoth dwelling, or a trypilian house or authentic house or authentic village homes and gardens, this is the place to visit.

Then we are on our way to Kolomyia and Kosiv. This is a full day trip to as we drive throughout the country side from Kyiv to Rivne, a city in the province of Volyn, where we stop for lunch. This drive through the countryside in the heart of Ukraine is beautiful. We arrive in Kolomyia around supper and attend a planned concert at one of the schools in town.

Next day we visit a Hutsul Museum in Kolomyia. This Museum of folk art is one of a kind in the whole world.

Bring your Easter Egg cartons for the beautiful pysanky we can buy in the gift shop with other unique folk art items.

Carpathians, here we come!

We head for Yaremche, accompanied, as always, by a guide with extensive knowledge of the history and folklore of the mountains. We lunch in the mountains at the Hutsulshchyna Restaurant built in Hutsul style, overlooking the River Prut with its majestic waterfalls and rapids.

After lunch we cross the footbridge over the River Prut to a Folk Arts Bazaar for more shopping.

The following day, after breakfast and Liturgy, in a church which Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky had his troops and weapons blessed before a battle in the 1640’s, we take off to see an ancient fortress at Kamianets-Podilsky. This location, the museum and fortress are truly amazing. After lunch, in Kamianets-Podilsky we drive back to Kolomyia through the scenic Podillia countryside.

While in Kolomyia we will have the opportunity to visit and talk to a villager, attend a truly Ukrainian Wedding with all the guests and attend a concert and supper in a village.

The next day we leave for Ivano-Frankivsk, in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. W e check into the lovely Hotel Druzba after which we take a tour of the city. Again this is a pedestrian friendly city with wonderful architecture and many promenades along its narrow streets. There is wonderful shopping to be enjoyed, the numerous shops include, book, jewellery, folk art and fine art and many more.

Enjoy the European atmosphere of Ivano-Frankivsk, formally known as Stanyslav, as we do some last minute shopping.

Next day we tour Ternopil a city founded in the 1500’s , but completely destroyed in World War 2,all except for 5 buildings which we will visit the Ternopil Museum of Nature and History is exceptional.

While in Ternopil, we will be visiting Pochajiv, some consider one of the wonders of the world, and a museum relating to the history and culture of Ukraine.

There are many opportunities for shopping and taking pictures.

After Lunch we depart for LVIV, check into the Hotel Hetman and enjoy an evening in this beautiful city.

We will have a chance to see why the medieval centre of Lviv is a UNESCO Heritage site. The architecture is spectacular, and the walking, sightseeing and photography are truly unforgettable. There are numerous cafes all around and the Ukrainian beers and wines are very tasty. A special stop is made at the Vermisage . This outdoor market has something for everyone from antique embroidered shirts, korali, amber, old and new embroidery, weaving, pottery and other wonderful items to buy. We will lunch at Ukrainskyi Krai restaurant.

View the spectacular panoramic scene after we climb the highest point in the city. Vysokyi Zamok “The High Castle”. Coming down from the castle we continue our tour of the old city. We will visit the Ethnographic Museum with its contemporary works based on folk art and the National Museum of Art, which houses an extensive collection of icons like you have never seen before. After lunch at Restaurant Cheremkha, we trek over to the outdoor architectural museum, Shevchenkivskyi Hai, which in itself would take a few days to see completely.

We attend liturgy at St. Georges Cathedral, the seat of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. The choir members are soloists from the Lviv opera and Theatre. A fall Sunday afternoon in Lviv is quite something else as we join thousands of other people promenading and enjoying themselves.

After breakfast a final stop at the Vermisage (always one more thing to buy as a gift or souvenir ) We lunch at the Krainiskyi Krai restaurant, after some free time (for packing!) allows you the freedom to do as you please. That evening we celebrate our Gala Farewell Dinner before we leave Ukraine.

After breakfast the next morning we depart for Lviv Airport, where we catch our flight to Vienna , then home to Canada. This ends our journey together.
Please see attached Itinerary schedule which we will follow but it is subject to possible changes if we encounter any unforeseen circumstances.