Kutrubes Travel: Tours of the Ukraine

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Tours to Russia and Eastern Europe

Ukraine
10 days/9 nights

2008 Tour Dates:
Anytime. Contact us and let us know when you'd like to go.

Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe after Russia and the sixth in population. The people of modern Ukraine are mostly Ukrainian and Russian. Bordered by many neighbors, the culture of Ukraine has been mostly influenced by Russia and Poland. In 1991, after a failed coup in Moscow, Ukraine declared itself independent. The same year Crimea became an autonomous republic. Ukraine is commonly called the "bread basket" of Europe because of the rich soil in the Steppes. The country has suffered and survived invasions from ancient times. Under the reign of Catherine II Ukraine was absorbed by the Russian Empire and basically remained there until 1991.

Day 1
Arrival at Borispol Airport where you will be met and transferred to Rus Hotel. According to ancient chronicles Kiev has existed since about the end of the fifth century. Because of its role in history as the center of the Kievian Rus State about the 10th century, it is the mother city of all Eastern Slavic peoples of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. A city sightseeing tour includes the St. Sophia Cathedral complex built in 1017-31 to celebrate Prince Yarloslavs's victory over a rival tribe from the East. It was named after St. Sophia Cathedral of Istanbul and brought authority to the king by being a center of political, cultural and educational activity. Overnight Rus Hotel.

Day 2
After breakfast we visit another of Kiev's most important sites, the Caves Monastery or Pechersk Lavra. It is an extensive complex spreading across wooded slopes of gold domed churches and underground labyrinths of mummified monks. Established in 1051 by the Kievian Rus it played a major role in the intellectual history of the Ukraine. Free time. Overnight at Rus Hotel.

Day 3
After breakfast visit the Pirogovo Open Air museum of folk life. Free time. At 8:00 pm Hotel pick up and transfer to the railway station for the overnight train Kiev-Lvov.

Day 4
At 6:30 am arrival at Lvov. Pick up at railway station and transfer to the hotel. After breakfast, take a three hours Lvov city tour. Free time. Overnight at 3* Wien Hotel.

Day 5
After breakfast, embark on a day tour of Lvov castle. Free time. At 7:00 pm hotel pick up and transfer to railway station for the overnight train Lvov-Odessa.

Day 6
At 8:00 am arrival at Odessa railway station and transfer to 3* Chernoye More hotel. After breakfast a city sightseeing tour of Odessa the largest commercial port of Ukraine on the Black Sea. Odessa was taken back from the Turks during Russia's expansionist campaign of the 18th century. It was rebuilt and renamed and grew quickly becoming important in the export of Ukrainian grain. Odessa has a number of wonderful museums housed in former palaces well worth visiting. Free time. Overnight at the same hotel.

Day 7
After breakfast, our Odessa museums tour includes the Art Gallery, Archaeological museum and Literature Museum.. At 6:00 pm hotel pick up and transfer to railway station for the overnight train Odessa-Simferopol.

Day 8
At 6:30 am arrival at Simferpopol railway station. Pick up and lunch break. Transfer from Simfeporol-Yalta with sightseeing en-route. Hotel check-in and free time. Yalta was the summer retreat for the imperial family and under Tsar Nicholas II the current palace was built in 1911. The earlier history of Crimea is one of colonization by Genoese, Greeks, Armenians, and Tartars. Tolstoy, Chekhov, and Rachmaninov spent their summers on large sprawling estates in this spectacular, almost Mediterranean setting. Our tour today will take in the palaces of Yalta including Livadia where the Yalta Conference of 1943 took place. Overnight 3* Bristol hotel in Yalta.

Day 9
After breakfast we depart for further exploration to Sevastopol a city battered time and again by siege and bombardment. Sevastopol suffered destruction starting with the Crimean War 1854-55 from attack by British, French and Turks. Under the Soviets Sevastopol was the home of the Black Sea Fleet. We continue to the ancient town of Khersonesus. Return to Yalta for overnight.

Day 10
After breakfast and check out you will be transferred to SIP airport to fly from Simferopol to Kiev for a connection home.

TOUR PRICE:

Land Cost Per Person:
(double occupancy)

8 travelers: $1525.00
6 travelers: $1665.00
4 travelers: $1944.00
2 travelers: $2313.00

Single Supplement: $394.00

Kutrubes Travel has SPECIAL AIRFARES - Contact us for details.

Tours guaranteed to depart with a minimum of two people. Entrance fees included only for groups of 10 and more people.

Price Includes:

Accommodation on B/B basis
Services of driver and guide throughout
Airport transfers
Internal air transportation (where available)
Train transportation
Visa support
All taxes

Price Does Not Include:

International airfare (unless otherwise arranged)
Departure and custom fees
Gratuities and individual daily expenses
Additional beverages
Travel insurance
Trip cancellation
Medical and luggage insurance are recommended for coverage against all unforeseen circumstances

Payment and Refund Policies

If you have any questions or you'd like to book this trip, please contact us.

Custom itineraries available to this or any of the destinations we travel to.

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