This trip can be just Kiev only, or if you wish to explore the Jewish, Greek, Tatar’s influences, then head to the South, to Odessa and Crimea, following the historical footsteps.

Highlights

◊ Kiev St. Sophia Cathedral

◊ Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra : visit underground tombs lead by a monk

◊ Kiev Jewish Heritage Tour

◊ Kiev Art Museum

◊ Odessa city tour

◊ Lunch in Swallows Nest – the restaurant leaning over the cliff

◊ Wine tasting at the Imperial Massandra wine cellars

◊ Livadia palace, the former residence of Nicolas II

We recommend: 2nights in Kiev, 2nights in Odessa and 3nights in Yalta

About the tour: Explore Kiev, the city of pleasure and leisure. St. Sophia’s Cathedral, inspired by Hagia Sofia in Istanbul with its thirteen cupolas, dominates the skyline and here you will see some of the most perfectly preserved mosaics and frescoes of the 11th century. The severe Kievan-Pecherskaya Lavra caves take you to the Orthodox spiritual world.

Kiev's Jewish history requires at least a full day to explore. The city's Central Synagogue was built in the late 19th century in the very heart of Kiev near the popular Bessarabian market. It was closed by the Soviet regime and only returned to Jewish ownership in the 1990's, when it was fully renovated.

The second biggest city in Ukraine, Odessa, is the site where energy floats in the air, citizens laugh non-stop and being moody is forbidden. Explore this sea port city with its very impressive architecture like the Opera House, the Vorontsov’ Palace and the Philharmonic Building.

Next to the Crimean peninsula, a triangle, where each side presents a different climate zone. Long before Crimea became the front battle line of the Ottomans and Russians it was an important Byzantine port. Crimea was captured by the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Yalta was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1783 (thanks to Catherine the Great and Potemkin), along with the rest of Crimea, sparking the Russo-Turkish War.

Due to the wonderful climate to have a residence in Crimea was a must among the Russian royalty. Crimea became a Russian Riviera. The first Russian winery was started here by Count Golitsyn and you will have the chance to taste his Massandra wines. Livadia palace is the most elegant one among the necklace of royal residences - light and virginally white. World War II history buffs will enjoy visiting Livadia Palace where Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt met in February, 1945 to discuss the post-war spheres of political influence. After the Lenin’s revolution, many of the palaces were used by the Soviet government as a state dachas or rehabilitation centers. There are enough to see and enjoy in Crimea.

The price for such a tour would start from 1,550 euro per person, twin sharing, 7 nights, Tour Only. Domestic flights/train not included.