Great Ukraine Tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites

throughout Ukraine in Lviv, Kyiv and

Chernivtsi

Enjoy a tour and wine tasting at

Ukraine’s best Winery in Shabo, near

Odesa

Enjoy the Mystic Carpathian Mountains

– attend a Cobblestone Freeway

exclusive – traditional Hutsul Wedding

Visit the village of Tulova – another

Cobblestone Freeway exclusive

Step inside the ornate and world-

renowned Lviv Opera House

Attend private concerts and cultural

events exclusively for Cobblestone

Freeway travelers

Great Ukraine is a Cobblestone Freeway favorite! We will make sure you get the very

best of sightseeing, accommodations and restaurants!

Treat yourself to our most extensive tour that offers our travelers the opportunity

to visit the most popular regions in Ukraine.

See the best of Ukraine at a comfortable pace; enjoy character-rich accommodations

in great locations, a mix of private and public transportation and the best service!

See all the highlights of Ukraine - from east to west, ranging from the golden domes of

Kyiv, the maritime charm of Odesa, to the quaint mountain villages of the Carpathian

Mountains, the multicultural Chernivtsi and the ‘Paris of Ukraine’ – the beautiful Lviv.

Not only will you be exposed to the fantastic history that Ukraine has to offer, but

you’ll get up-close and personal with the people and culture of this wonderful land.

This will be an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for a lifetime!

The Journey Kyiv

Day 1 (- / - / D)

Arrive in Kyiv – the capital of Ukraine!

After a transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city and have a brief city orientation around this

town. In the evening – meet the members of your group over the Welcome dinner in one of the

many local restaurants.

Day 2 (B / - / D)

In the morning, explore the old city district on a guided tour (bus + walking): see the new city

centre, and wander down Andriivsky Uzviz, where Ukraine’s artists live and work, see the Golden

Gates, the many beautiful Cathedrals, take a walk down Khreshchatyk Str. and Independence

Square.

In the afternoon we have a special treat – a traditional Ukrainian zabava, where everyone will

have a chance to learn some traditional central Ukrainian songs and dances from our special

guests! Intrigued? Good!

Day 3 (B / L / -)

Today you’ll have a chance to visit a real spiritual Mecca – the Kyiv Lavra Cave Monastery. After

a tour of this historic and sacred site, we will visit the Holodomor museum devoted to one of the

most terrible crimes against Ukrainian nation – famine.

In the evening we will travel like locals on an overnight train a travel to beautiful Odesa!

HOTEL:

‘Khreshchatyk’ Hotel

http://www.hotel-khreschatyk.kiev.ua/en

2 Nights

1 Overnight sleeper train ride Kyiv - Odesa

The Journey Odesa

Day 4 (B / L / -)

Welcome to the beautiful city of Odesa. Once we get checked in to our hotel, situated in the very

heart of the city, you will have a guided walking city tour through the city, learning its history and

visiting the main tourist sites, including the Potiomkin steps, Derybasivska Street, and the local

quay. In the afternoon we will visit the Opera and Ballet Theatre, considered one of the most

beautiful ones in Europe, for a performance! (*available any month except July).

Day 5 (B / - / -)

Free day for individual exploration, shopping or just relax at the beach. Your Group Leader will help

you with the options and recommendations of places worth visiting.

Day 6 (B / L / -)

There probably isn’t anyone who wouldn’t enjoy what we have planned for today!

We will take you to a small town called Shabo, where you will get a private tour of the Shabo winery,

participate in a wine tasting with tips from a professional sommelier and then visit a gift shop to

buy the products you enjoyed the most!

Day 7 (B / L / -)

In the morning, while we still have some time in the city, we will take you on combined tour

(bus+walking) where you will learn and literally experience how multinational Odesa is!

Afterwards, we will transfer you to the airport where you will take the plane to Chernivtsi. Upon

arrival check in at the hotel and free evening.

SUGGESTIONS WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN ODESA (NOT INCLUDED, PLEASE PRE-BOOK:)

#1 Discover mysterious Odesa Catacombs on a tour

The catacombs are a large, winding labyrinth filled with hidden caves, located right under Odesa. Its length

is about 2500 km and it’s the largest underground labyrinth in the world!

#2 Hit the beach (* seasonal option)

Take an advantage of a lazy day, doing nothing, just relaxing and sunbathing at the Black Sea. Make sure

you don’t forget your swimsuits!

#3 Enjoy different kinds of shopping

If you want to do authentic shopping – you should definitely pay a visit Pryvoz market, a visit card of Odesa.

Alternatively, visit the Passage - a covered street of chic shops with impressive facades!

HOTEL:

‘Bristol’ Hotel

http://bristol-hotel.com.ua/en 3 Nights

The Journey Chernivtsi

Day 8 (B / L / -)

On this day enjoy a guided combined city tour (bus+walking) around this beautiful city and learn

its long history.

Also enjoy a visit to the stunning Chernivtsi National University, which is jokingly called ‘Ukrainian

Hogwarts’ and absolutely seriously is in the list of UNESCO world heritage. You will visit the

university buildings during the tour and evaluate their uniqueness and monumentality.

Take the rest of the day to do some shopping, sit in a quaint coffee shop or simply relax at the hotel!

Day 9 (B / - / D)

We’re taking you on a time travel today! Not literally, of course, but you’ll get to see how the local

princes and rulers lived – visit the fortress of Khotyn and Kamianets-Podislky on a guided tour.

In the afternoon we have a special treat – a private performance of a local vocal folk ensemble called

‘Holos’! You don’t want to miss this! And to complete this perfect day – a bukovynian style Zabava,

when back to the city!

If you have relatives in Ukraine, you can take a day off from touring and visit with family. We can

help you with all the arrangements.

Day 10 (B / L / -)

Visit the local ethnographic open air museum to see examples of the region’s folk architecture. Later

on, visit Bukovynian Diaspora Museum, which is very touching for people from Ukrainian diaspora

from all over the world. It shows the life of their grand great parents, how their left Ukraine, where

they lived and what they did.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy! Your guide will point to the places worth visiting.

HOTEL:

‘Allure Inn’ Hotel

http://allureinn.com/en/

3 Nights

The Journey Carpathian Mountains

Day 11 (B / L / -)

After a few hours of free time in the morning, we are off to the land of Hutsuls and our trip begins

in style – with an authentic village experience! We’ll travel to the village of Tulova, feel like part of

a big family; walk around the village of Tulova, enjoy a joyful celebration with traditions, music and

more! Experience the famous ‘Ukrainian hospitality’ at its best!

Later on, we will get back on the road and travel to the Carpathian Mountains.

Day 12 (B / L / -)

Today we will take our time and enjoy the beauty around us. You’ll visit the local crafts bazaar

where craftsmen from around the area bring in their works to sell.

Later on we will visit a master class at woodcarver’s family, we’ll see their works, try to carve a

traditional Hutsul Style cross for your necklace and have an opportunity to buy some souvenirs.

Have the home-made lunch together with the host family!

Day 13 (B / L / -)

Set your mood on getting inspired by the beauty of the Carpathians – we’re going to take you to the

picturesque Verkhovyna where you’ll visit a House-museum famous from the film ‘Shadows of

Forgotten Ancestors’ by cinema guru Sergiy Paradzhanov. Feel the true Hutsul atmosphere and

observe how the household of our ancestors looked like.

Next stop that will definitely impress you is a Museum of Hutsul Magic, here you’ll get to know

about the mountain magicians called molphars. It is said that they could cleanse the dark clouds,

stop raining, and even heal the cancer with tincture from vipers.

You’ll have the afternoon off to relax at the hotel.

Day 14 (B / L / -)

In the morning, we’ll travel to the village of Yavoriv, where we will see how traditional local wool

blankets, “lizhnyky”, are made.

Afterwards, another Cobblestone exclusive awaits! You are cordially invited to a Hutsul family

house! You will learn traditional songs and customs, enjoy the home-made lunch and experience

real Carpathian hospitality!

HOTEL:

'Sokilske' Hotel http://www.karpaty.info/en/uk/if/ks/tyudiv/hotels/sokilske/ 4 Nights

The Journey Lviv

Day 15 (B / L / -)

On our way to Lviv we’ll stop in a quaint little town called Kolomyia to see the world’s only Pysanka

Museum as well as the Hutsul Ethnography Museum – the collection of costumes, tools and art will

help you to imagine how our ancestors lived. Lunch.

Arriving in Lviv, we’ll get you checked in, and take you out for a city orientation around this beautiful

medieval city. To finish the day – enjoy dinner in one of the many local restaurants. Your guide will

recommend you nice restaurants with delicious food.

Day 16 (B / L / -)

To claim that Lviv is a tourist capital of Ukraine is not an overstatement. Mysterious and

architecturally lovely, this UNESCO–listed city will definitely make you fall in love with its beauty!

Enjoy a guided walking city tour taking you to worthy sights and discover rich history of this

magnificent place!

Then, after tasting some fragrant coffee in one of many coffee shops, visit Lviv Opera House and

admire its stunning interiors. You may also take advantage of shopping in the city: numerous

souvenir stores, art galleries and an open-air craft markets offer a variety of artwork, embroidery,

woodcarving and more!

Day 17 (B / - / D)

In the morning, we’ll take you on a guided walking tour around the famous Lychakiv cemetery, a

place where famous Ukrainian writers, politicians and public figures are buried.

Also take advantage of the many suggestions we have for you today! Trust us, you won’t struggle

looking for things to do – from the numerous themed restaurants and coffee shops to countless

sightseeing and shopping opportunities, you will keep yourselves busy! Spend the rest of this day

on your own discretion.

In the evening, enjoy one last zabava! And its going to be a good one!

If you have family in the area – we’ll be more than happy to arrange a visit for you! Contact us for

details!

Day 18 (B / - / -)

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 Cobblestone Freeway!

HOTEL:

‘Vintage Boutique’ Hotel

http://vintagehotel.com.ua/en/

3 Nights

Extend your trip

Day -1 | Depart for Ukraine

Day 0 | Arrive in Kyiv

Upon arrival in Kyiv, enjoy the Dnipro River Cruise by a comfortable

boat and discover the major waterfront sights of Kyiv in a relaxing

atmosphere. Contemplate breathtaking views on both sides of the river

while your friendly local guide tells you interesting facts about the

capital of Ukraine!

Day 1 | OPTION #1: Day trip to Chornobyl exclusion zone

Take a moving journey to Chorbyl, where it seems like the time has

frozen here after the world’s worst nuclear accident.

You will see the most attractive tourist places such as the town of

Prypiat, the hospital receiving the firefighters and NPP workers, the

secret soviet object Chernobyl-2 (radar "DUGA-1"), the Sarcophagus

and the New Safe Confinement ("Arch").

OPTION #2: Day trip to Mezhyhiria

Visit the Museum of Corruption – the Mezhyhirya Residence of the ex-

president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych.

Evening time - coming back to Kyiv and meeting with the rest of the

group at Welcome Dinner!

2 Night Pre-tour options in Kyiv: 2 Night Post-tour options in Lviv:

Day 18 | Lviv Castles Tour: Olesko + Pidhirtsi

Enjoy a day trip to visit some of the stunning castles in Lviv’s

surrounding areas. We will visit the Olesko and Pidhirtsi castles.

These castles are great examples of the fortification architecture and

you will uncover many secrets of the past, exploring their territory.

Upon returning to Lviv, take some free time to shop, walk around the

city or simply have rest after the long day.

Day 19 | Lviv: Brewery tour

Take a Brewery tour - you will be impressed with the wide range and

variety of beer in Lviv, and the enigmatic atmosphere of the city and

tunes of Lviv music has transformed the process of beer drinking into

a ritual that hasn’t changed for centuries!

(*This tour should be arranged in advance)

Day 20 | Lviv departure

Tour Details

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

Escorted tour from beginning to the end

All Events included in the Itinerary

2 big meals a day + snacks

1l bottle of flat water per person on the bus

All land transportation in an air conditioned quality

bus with professional driver

15 nights in comfortable character rich 4 & 5 star

hotels and quality villas and 1 overnight train ride

Internet in hotels when possible

Flight UIA PS60/PS41 Odesa-Chernivtsi

Flight prices subject to change until ticketed

Full time tour leader

Special events exclusively for Cobblestone travellers

Cobblestone Freeway t-shirt

NOT INCLUDED:

Extra days before/after the tour

Events and Services not included in the itinerary or

marked as Optional

Some meals and beverages

Airport Transfers if arriving or departing on day

other than tour start and end dates

Travel Insurance

Laundry & Telephone Services

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS:

Extend your trip

Upgrade your room / Get a single room

Do a side trip – visit Family, have your Family History researched

MORE QUESTIONS

If you have any question or requests regarding your trip – big, small or

downright quirky – please call or e-mail us. We are happy to help!

*You will be charged for additional services at the end of the trip *Unforeseen events and new discoveries may result in changes to this itinerary, but only for the better! None of the activities listed are guaranteed at this point. You will receive a more detailed itinerary closer to departure dates.