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Day 1-2: Minsk
Late afternoon arrival.
Day 3-4: Vitebsk & Poltsk
Enjoy an informative tour of the city’s main attractions including the 12th century Annunciation church, the classical architectural style of the Governor’s House and a number of other fascinating buildings and monuments including a monument to Marc Chagall depicting him captivated by his dreams. Other influences of Chagall include the famous Vitebsk People’s Art School building (originally organized in 1918 by Marc Chagall and Kazemir Malevich and Alexander Romm). The embankments of the Western Dvina are shown to hold a number of other beatutiful monuments just waiting to be discovered.
In the Afternoon the guided tour continues including a visit to the Art-Centre of Marc Chagall to see the artist’s original works (colored lithographs, xylographs, etchings with famous images: flying lovers, fiddler on the roof, acrobats, animals and birds) and also the Museum-House of Marc Chagall where the artist spent his childhood and youth.
Day 5: Mir-Nesvizh-Brest
In Mir our local guide takes you to visit the ancient castle which is an example of a purely Belarusian stone defensive architecture of the 16th century. From there we continue onward to Nesvizh (30 km.) to see a magnificent Catholic Cathedral of the Divine Body of the Christ built in 1593. The Cathedral is famous for a family burial-vault of the many generations of the historically influential Radziwills with it's beautiful frescoes. The tour culminates at Nesvizh Palace (the historical residence of the Radzivills) which includes a museum inside the Palace and a landscaped park in the English tradition. Both the Palace and Park are included in the Heritage List of UNESCO monuments.
Day 6: Brest-L'viv
After a guided city tour of Brest, our small group is driven to L'viv the capital of Western Ukraine, known as the "City of Lion", and seen as its heart and soul. Founded in the 13th c. by King Danylo Halytckyj, it was named in honor of his son Lev (Leo).
Day 7-8: L'viv
At L'viv you will enjoy two full days with highlights including visits to the Shevchenkivsky Hay (the Shvevchenko Park open air museum) and a number of the nearby charming small towns.
Day 9-11: Kyiv
Upon reaching Kyiv historical architecture abounds with guided visitations to churches, monasteries and more open-air museums. Free time is allocated to explore art galleries with opportuities to see and purchase local crafts.
Day 12-14: Crimea-Yalta-Sevastopol
THe tour continues next to visit Bakhchisarai, the 15c. capital of the Crimean Khanate, and then drive to beautiful city of Yalta. A city tour of Yalta includes Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Chekhov House and a visit to Livadia Palace where the "Big Three" (Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin) met in 1945 and set the course of history for Eastern Europe. Tour participants will also enjoy Wine-tasting at Massandra vineyards and an excursion to the city of Sevastopol.
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Day 15: Odessa
A morning city tour with your local guide includes Odessa City Hall, Prymorskiy Boulevard with the legendary Potemkin Staircase leading to the sea, the monument to Duc de Rishelieu, the Assumption Cathedral, the famous Opera and Ballet Theater, Troyitskaya and St. Paul Churches, the monument of the Golden Child and finally the Art Museum.
The Afternoon is free for independent exploration. Take the opportuity to check out the extravagant 18th c. Paccazh corridor where a vaulted glass roof shields the designer boutiques and posh cafes.
Day 16: Chisinau
The city of Chisinau is beautifully surrounded by seven hills seated in the Bac river valley. An afternoon guided tour of "the city made of white stone" includes references to well-known architects and poets such as Bernardazzi, Sciusev and Pushkin all of whom attributed to providing Chisinau with a unique character all its own.
Day 17:Excursion: Besalma
In Besalma Visit the Gagauzian National History and Ethnographic Museum founded in 1966. It has an excellent exhibition featuring the distinctive culture of the Gagauzian people who live here. They are a unique Orthodox community of Turkish Gagauzian origin. Local museum guides relate the history of this small nation in the south of Moldova.
Day 18 Excursion: Tiraspol, Transnistria
Full day trip to Tiraspol, Transnistria, at the present moment the administrative center of the self proclaimed Transnistria (Moldova). Feel the atmosphere of this disputed territory which always has been a battlefield between the major powers of the region. Interesting architectrual history includes the buildings of the Soviets, the monument of Suvorov and the Central Plaza.
Day 19: Excursion: Soroca & Old Orhei (Orchey)
A guided excursion to the ancient city of Soroca and the Soroca Fortress where the former ruler of Moldova, Stefan the Great, built the wooden "pearl fortress" on the bank of the Dniester River to defend the country from the attacks of tartars in 1499. From 1543 to 1546 the fortress was rebuilt in stone and today stands as the only Moldovan medieval monument entirely preserved. It is unique in Eastern Europe.
Continue sightseeing to Old Orhei (Orchey), a picturesque setting of great historical significance, where we visit the most interesting archaeological sites (14th -16th century). Continue with a visit to the well-maintained Orthodox cave monastery, St. Maria Dormata which was expanded and modified inside the cliffs by monks over the centuries. Christian churches provide magnificent scenery through the windows of the monastery which still functions today. Finally end the day enjoying a folklore show with dinner in Trebujeni and sample traditional Moldavian dishes and local wine.
Day 20: Depart
Transfer to airport for return to Bucharest or onward.
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