Odessa, Crimea tour of Ukraine - 5 days

The tour allows you to spend 4 nights by the Black Sea of the Crimea region in Ukraine. This is a great holiday for you if you wish to relax and discover some history of Ukraine as well.

 

Itinerary of the tour - 4 nights/ 5 days - TO BOOK/ENQUIRE

- £ 500.00 GBP ( British Pounds) per person sharing a twin/double room in 3* hotels based on MIN 2 pax.

Time period available: All year

If you are from Europe, USA or Canada feel free and use the CURRENCY CONVERTER located on your right to calculate the costs of the tour accordingly. Thank you.

 

Please note: We organise this trip usually for group of two persons and more. Travel for one person can be organised on request.

 

1 day.

Arrival to Odessa. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in.
City tour of Odessa.It is barely two centuries old, yet it has a wealth of history. An exclusive necklace of the Black Sea Northern Seashore was decorated with its precious pearl - Odessa (after the ancient Greek colony Odessos, which was believed to be in the vicinity). The city today is a large sea port, a major commercial, cultural, scientific centre of Ukraine.Your city tour starts from the hotel, the guide with an air-conditioned car takes you to the historical centre of the city to start an easy stroll, beginning with the Odessa Opera & Ballet House along Primorsky Boulevard towards Potemkin stairway.The theatre building is considered to be the second best after the Vienna Opera Theater. Completed in 1887, in baroque style, the theatre was designed by the architects, responsible for the Vienna House and the Dresden Court Theatre, both of which it resembles.Further on there are: the Classical building of the Archaeological Museum., the white marble Laocoon Statue, the colonnaded City Hall, which has served many purposes in its history, a cannon, which was salvaged after the British Frigate "Tiger" sank in 1854 during the Crimean War; and Pushkin Monument.We continue strolling along Primorsky Boulevard, lined with majestic 100 - year old horse chestnuts and plane trees towards the impressive Potemkinskaya staircase and Duke Richelieu Monument.In Ekaterininskaya Square (named after the Russian Empress who founded Odessa) you will take your car to drive you across the historical centre of the city towards estate of Count Tolstoy, which now houses the Scientists' Club of Odessa for visit. Among the Palace's exhibits is a collection of photographs and furniture which once belonged to Count Mikhail Tolstoy, a cousin of Leo Tolstoy, an outstanding Russian writer. You will go along Richilieuvskaya street, one of the major thoroughfares, connecting the old historical centre with the Railway Terminal.You will pass by Odessa Synagogue, A Muslim Cultural Centre and St. Panteleimon the Healer Cathedral, which proves the fact, that Odessa is a cosmopolitan city, a city of many religions.The car will go further along Taras Shevchenko avenue through the city district, which was built after the World War II, pass by the Victory Monument and drive along the French Boulevard then to have a glance upon Odessa resorts, towards Shevchenko park. Named after Ukrainian poet and patriot, a park offers a pleasant view on the Black Sea nearby theUnknown Sailors' Obelisk (World War II); has its own bathing beach and an open-air theatre.

Free time
Dinner on own
Overnight at the hotel

2 day. Odessa -An Impressive tour to the catacombs .

Breakfast at the hotel.
Threading some six hundred miles under the city of Odessa and its environs (5-12 m from the surface), the catacombs were used as a hiding plаce for revolutionaries and criminals. During World War II they were used as command post for the resistance and were never occupied by the Nazies.Departing from the quayside, this excursion begins with the brief drive through the port city and will take you to small Ukrainian villages, farms, orchards and vineyards. A photostop could be made to make photos of the countryside, formerly known as the USSR wheat basket. You will soon make a stop at the village of Nerubaiskoe , originally built as the Cossak's settlement at the end of the 18th century. In the Catacombs you would be able to indulge in the atmosphere of the guerilla movement participant camp in the years of Hitler invasion. Odessa's 73-day defense against the Nazi invaders remains an example of great fortitude and courage. The title of the Hero City was conferred upon Odessa for this heroic deed. You will be guided through the catacombs by a knowledgeable catacomb guide.You will come to know, that World War II was extremely destructive and traumatic experience for the former Soviet Union,part of which Ukraine was. A great deal of the prestige of the Communist regime over several decades stemmed from its successful leadership of what was called the "Great Patriotic War" against the Nazi invaders, and from its attempt to mix Communist ideology with patriotic sentiments. You will learn about the World War II more, about its influence upon the Soviet security concerns, and about its more general ideological impact.

NOTE: Please, note: this tour involves a moderate amount of walking on flat underground walkways and some stairs in the
catacombs. We recommend you to dress comfortably and carry a jacket or pullover for your underground visit.

Then you will be taken back to the city centre to have lunch on own or to your hotel
Check-out. Transfer to the railway station
Evening train Odessa - Simferopol

3 day Yalta

Arrival to the Simferopol railway station.
Transfer to Yalta (appr.80 km)
Check-in at the hotel.
Meet with the guide and start your city tour of Yalta.This includes visit to Alexander-Nevsky Cathedral, the biggest Russian Orthodox Church in the southern coast of the Crimea, built 1905. Proceed to Chekhov house-museum with innumerable editions of his works. Chekhov spent more than five years in Yalta. Due to his weak health he was recommended to live in the south. He built a cozy country house in the suburban part of the city. While the house was under construction, Chekhov was planting flowers and trees in the garden. Nowadays the house-museum is lost in greenery. Yalta period of Chekhov's was very prolific and he wrote many of his world famous novels in this cozy house. Then you will be taken to Livadia to visit the lavish "White palace" and the site of the famed "Yalta conference".Built in 1911 by Tzar Nicholas II, Livadia became the last residence of the last Russian Tzar.Designed by Russian architect Krasnov in the early Italian Renaissance style and completed in 1910-11, the White Palace will strike you its arresting beauty. Your guide will show you the restored White Hall where the historic meeting between Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill was held, the Tzar's Study and Roosevelt's headquarters. Take a moment to look at the Palace's attractive interior courtyard - one is a copy of the Monastery Court of St. Mark's in Florence and the other carved in elaborate Moorish style. Time will be provided for a short visit at a handicraft shop for browsing and, should you desire, to purchase some mementos. After Livadia Palace you will be taken to Alupka, one of the most beautiful Crimean resorts. It is famous also with Vorontsov palace, built by the Governor-General of Novorossiysk between 1828 and 1846.Alupka is located in a very picturesque area at the foot of the highest mountain of the Southern Crimea I-Petri. Prince Michael Vorontsov (one of the richest persons in Russia) was brought up in England and the palace was designed to be an imitation of an English masion (built in 1848 in Tudor's style). You will walk through a park before your guided palace visit. The 9 richly decorated rooms provide splendid viewing, exhibiting a collection of padtons, furniture and other items of the 19th century art. Enjoy your strolling along Lion terrace in the southern part of palace garden after visit. After the Vorontsov Palace visit you will reboard the bus and shortly (5-7 min. drive) find yourself at the wine tasting area ofmthe Massandra Winery. There will be a choice of 10 unique wines for tasting. They are Unique both because of the climate and soil, where the grapes grow and due to the ancient traditions of the local wine-makers. One of them is making comments during the wine-tasting.

4 day. Whole-day tour to Sevastopol

Breakfast
Nestled between the sea and the beautiful green valleys, Sevastopol is set on the group of hills, which form a natural amphitheatre, overlooking the magnificent Bakhtiarsky bay. You would be able to discover the wealth of historical and architectural offerings of this glorious city, founded in 1787 as a naval fortress and a firm stronghold in the south of the Russian Empire. The first stop on your eventful tour will start from Chersonesus of Taurida -- the National Preserve which incorporates the unique historical & archeological ensemble, including the ancient town, the Museum of Antique & Medieval history, a port, the ancient plots of land of the citizens of the ancient town founded by the Greeks 2500 years ago, numerous basilicas & St. Vladimir's Cathedral. Chersonesus is the sacred place for Christians. Christianity was introduced in Chersonesus in the IV century & came to Russia from here in the X century, Kievan Prince Vladimir & his squadron was baptized in Chersonesus in 988. Your Sevastopol visit will be incomplete without Panorama "The Defense of Sevastopol 1854-1855".The building of panorama (one of the best Sevastopol museums) is situated here. The tour will be made at the 125 foot-high circular panorama building, completed in 1905 and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the valiant stand of Sevastopol in 1854-55 Crimean war.Take a moment to enjoy the Panorama imposing Russian classical-style portico, friezes and columns before entering the main hall. You will be immediately captivated by a spectacular panorama, depicting the major episodes of the Malakhov Kurgan battlefield. Marvel at the intricate details of the 5000 sq. feet monumental painting, created by Rouband of Munich.Follow the sights and savour the sounds of one of the bitterest clashes of the Crimean War, and examine extremely impressive figures of Russian, English, French and Turkish officers and soldiers ultimately sent into action on June 6, 1855.Some 100 yards south of the Panorama building, you will see a section of Bastion IV with seven old cannons. It was here, that Leo Tolstoy was promoted to lieutenant and began to write the first of his "Sevastopol Stories" in the intervals between the actions.Finalizing this memorable adventure, you will be whisked by your coach to the striking ceremonial gate of the Grafska Pristan (Count's Harbor), which was the private landing stage of Admiral Voinovich, Commander-in-Chief of the Black Sea Navy.

Transfer back to Yalta.Dinner on own
Overnight at the hotel

5 day Bakhtchisaray (half-day tour)

Breakfast
Two hours transfer takes you to a small town of Bakhtchisaray On the way you would be able to enjoy the views of the Greater Yalta on the way. Bakhtchisaray ("the city in the garden") is the former residence of the Crimean Khans from the 15th to 18th centuries. Built around a courtyard, its wooden construction is very typically Eastern in design & feel. Particular
feature are the one hundred or so fountains fed by underground streams found throughout the palace. These include the Golden Fountain & the Fountain of Tears. In the former harem the rooms are furnished in the typical style of the time, whilst the Folk Museum reveals something of the life & history of the Crimean Tatars.. It was here, were the military adventurous plans of the Crimea Khans, inspirited by the powerful Ottomans, were born. Today it is one of the towns in the Crimea, most frequently visited by tourists.The Khan's Palace is the main place of interest.The survived monuments include several palace buildings, the Falcon Tower, Great Khan Mosque, the harem buildings, medrese, the Fountain Patio with the "Fountain of Tears" immortalized in poetic lines of Alexander Pushkin. Bakhtchisaray has become one of the first museums in the South of the Russian Empire, after the last Crimean Khan has left it in 1783.

Lunch in the Tatar restaurant, tasting Tatar cuisine
Transfer to Simferopol. Flight back home.

THE END OF THE TOUR

INCLUDED:

-          guide services according to the program

-          transport services according to the program

-          3* central hotels on B&B basis

-          transfers

-          entrance fee

-          all taxes

 

EXCLUDED: flights, dinners.

Please note : We organise this trip usually for group of two persons and more. Travel for one person can be organised on request.

 

PLEASE use our CURRENCY CONVERTER located on your right to calculate the costs of the tour accordingly.