AUTUMN IN UKRAINE
September 22 – October 5, 2021

14 Day
All Inclusive
Escorted Tour

KYIV (4), KAMIANETS PODILSKY (2) KARPATY-TATARIV (3), LVIV (5)
Plus: Baturyn, Chernyhiv, Chernivtsi, Kosiv, Kryvorinia, Verkhovyna, Vorokhta, Yaremche, Bukovel Ski Lift Ride, Kolomyja and Rohatyn.

Tour Land cost:         $2890 Land rate per person double occupancy
Single supplement:   $600
Gratuities:                  $150
Arriving:                     Kyiv
Departing:                  Lviv

FLIGHTS: We will assist you in obtaining your international flights from your gateway city in USA or Canada.

INTER-CITY TRANSPORTATION: Kyiv/Baturyn/Chernyhiv by AC bus; Kyiv/Kamianets Podilsky by train;
Kamianets Podilsky through remainder itinerary to Lviv by AC bus.

HOTELS: Kyiv: Ukraina Hotel****, K. Podilsky: Reikartz Hotel*** , Tatariv: Koruna Hotel****, Lviv: Astoria Hotel****

SIGHTSEEING: As per itinerary including all entrance fees. No extra charges.

ESCORT: Fully escorted from Kyiv throughout the entire itinerary by a professional, English-Ukrainian speaking tour manager for groups of 10 or more. Local bi-lingual guides will be provided at each destination for groups of less than 10.

MEALS: As indicated on itinerary.

SIDE TRIPS: If you wish to visit surrounding areas of Kyiv, K. Podilsky, Tatariv or Lviv on one/two day excursions, this may be arranged at additional cost. Advance confirmation is recommended. Chauffeured cars are available for about $150-$200 per day, and a guide-interpreter is about $15 an hour. No refund will be forthcoming for unused group services.

TOUR DOCUMENTS: USA and Canadian citizens DO NOT require visas for Ukraine. Persons holding other documents, please check with Scope Travel consultant.

Please be at your gateway AIRPORT at least 3 hrs prior to flight departure time. Your baggage must be checked to your final destination KYIV (code KBP). If you have more than one piece of checked baggage, a surcharge of $25 will be collected upon arrival in Kyiv for porterage.

Upon arrival in Kyiv you will be met and transferred to group hotel.

In the evening, we proceed to the Memorials on MAIDAN to pay our respects and lay flowers in memory of the Nebesna Sotnia and other heroes of the MAIDAN.

Morning panoramic city tour of Kyiv includes: Khreshchatyk Boulevard, Volodymyr’s Hill, Kyiv National University, the Opera House, St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral and the 11^th century Golden Gate. The highlight of this tour is St. Sophia Cathedral, constructed in the 11^th c. by Prince Yaroslav the Wise. The construction reflects a strong Byzantine influence, and its interior is a unique harmonious union of mosaics and fresco paintings. Directly opposite St. Sofia (about 500 m.), you will visit the newly (1999) reconstructed St. Michael’s Sobor. Afterwards we leave you in the Andrijivskyj Uzviz artisan section for an afternoon of shopping in an open air bazaar of more than 100 kiosks. Afternoon free. Dinner under own arrangements.

Halfway between Kyiv and Chernihiv, we approach the sleepy town of Kozelets, where the “Nativity Of the Virgin” Cathedral complex (built in 1763) greets you. Kozelets is a real treat for historians, because of the unusual role it played in central and eastern European power games. Empress Elizabeth secretly married a local Cossack, Oleksiy Rozumovsky, and under his influence she showed good will towards Ukraine.

Arriving in Chernihiv, one cannot help but notice the brilliance of the golden domes of the various churches and cathedrals. Christianity came to Ukraine in 988, and churches began to be built during the reign of Volodymyr the Great, the prince who converted Ukraine to the new religion. In Chernihiv, there are several architectural examples of Ukrainian Baroque and the Classicist style. The churches that will be visited in Chernihiv: Illinsky Church, Boryso- Hlibsky Cathedral and the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral. These landmarks have hardly changed since the time they were built in the 11^th and 12^th centuries.

The Spasky Cathedral (built in 1036), later renamed Spaso-Preobrazhensky (Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Saviour) is Chernihiv’s oldest and most visited church. It witnessed many historical events, one particularly tragic for Ukraine.  It was in this church that the blessing for the union with Russia was given in January, 1654.  This union proved to be disastrous  for Ukraine, and over three centuries passed before Ukraine was able to regain her independence.

Baturyn served as the official residence and administrative capital of the Ukrainian Hetmans. After Ivan Mazepa was elected hetman of Ukraine in 1687, Baturyn began to flourish as the capital. Travelers from distant lands were impressed with its grandeur. In November, 1708, Tsar Peter I learned about Mazepa’s alliance with his staunch enemy, Swedish King Charles XII, and he ordered Russian forces to destroy the city and kill all the inhabitants. Only one building was left standing. It belonged to Kochubey, the Attorney General, who opposed Mazepa and supported the Russian Tsar. It was this support that saved Kochubey’s house from destruction. It is of a modest size, but its architectural elegance makes it a remarkable landmark.  Today, Baturyn is a small town with whitewashed houses and shady gardens, a place of long ago glory.  

Morning  transfer to the new Ukrainian  Patriarchal  Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ for AM Liturgy. Afterwards, we continue our sightseeing of Kyiv with a tour of Pecherska Lavra (Monastery of the Caves), an active monastery founded in the 11th c. and center of Christianity for Kyivan-Rus. Its complex of churches reflects a unique Ukrainian baroque style which is only surpassed by the beauty of the newly reconstructed Uspenskyj Cathedral (1998), destroyed by Soviet mines in 1941. The labyrinths of the “near” and “far” caves hold over 115 burial niches containing remains of St. Antoniy, Nestor the Chronicler, and many religious and political leaders. World-renowned Scythian Gold treasures are exhibited within its walls. 

A short stop at nearby Hanchar Museum, followed by a late lunch.

Evening and dinner under own arrangements. 

After breakfast, we visit   Mezhyhiria. Viktor Yanukovych resided here while Prime Minister and later President of Ukraine.  Deposed by the Revolution of Dignity, he fled Ukraine in Feb, 2014.   Today it is a museum displaying his excessive opulence. The estate is situated on the banks of the Dnipro River and covers over 350 acres.

Late lunch at a local restaurant, and we proceed to board our train at 4PM to Kamianets Podilsky – arrival 11:30PM.

Our tour director from Lviv and bus driver will meet us at the rail station for transfer to hotel.

This “museum city” is renowned for its diverse historic architecture, but the real “wow” is the immense canyon that completely encircles the old city.  The rocky island is high and inaccessible, except for one very small road leading to the site of Podilia’s largest medieval fortress.  The castle was built in the 11th c., but most of what we will see was added between the 14c and the 18c.

Today, you will  cruise on the second largest river of Ukraine, Dnister. Enjoy the beautiful views of the canyon, the castle.  Lunch will be served onboard. Enjoy the unique natural water inlets in the canyons of Dnister River that reminds one of fjord formations.  This tour concludes with a walking tour of the Kamianets Podilsky Castle.

Dinner under own arrangements.  Evening free. 

We rejoin our touring coach for a drive through some of the most enchanting villages before arriving in Chernivtsi, the capital of Bukovyna.  It’s a beautiful and mysterious town with many narrow streets and hidden views, and some incredible architectural gems which we will see during our city tour:  The National University of Chernivtsi,  Kobylanska Museum, the Opera House, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit and the two churches of St. Nikolai.   Lunch in a local restaurant and we continue to Yaremche, the capital of the most colorful ethno-cultural group of Ukrainians – the Hutsuls. Travel through the picturesque area called Hutsulshchyna and marvel at the examples of modern day Hutsul architecture with its wooden buildings, red-clay tiles and steep roofs built for the heavy snows of the mountain regions.

We visit the famous bazaar for local souvenir shopping.

Yes – and tonight we will have dinner in Hutsulshchyna Restaurant located on the River Prut.

We continue to Tatariv for overnight. 

After breakfast, we will drive (in jeeps) through some of the most scenic Carpathian villages: Kosiv-Kryvorivnia -Verkhovyna and Vorokhta.  Lunch with banosh and shashlyky in a local restaurant.

Return to hotel for folkloric dinner and overnight.  

The morning finds is in  Bukovel ski resort for a ride on a ski lift to see the spectacular Chornohora Mountain range (weather permitting), and then to  Kolomyja, the heart and soul of  Hutsul culture,  to visit the Pysanka Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts and Wooden Carving. 
Lunch in local restaurant and we continue to Lviv via  Rohatyn to view its newly constructed statue of Roxolana, wife of Suleiman II.  Arrival in Lviv by 4-5PM.
Evening and dinner under own arrangements. 

Situated in the western part of Ukraine, Lviv, the “City of Lions”, is its heart and soul. Founded in the 13^th c. by King Danylo Halytckyj, it was named in honor of his son Lev (Leo).  Through centuries of Polish, Austrian and Soviet occupation, Lviv was the gateway to “the East”, but with independence in 1991, Lviv is finally free to develop its own Ukrainian identity.

Highlights of today’s morning city center walking tour are  Rynok, the 15-16^th c. city square, the Dominican Church, Armenian Church Complex, the Chapel of the Bojim Family, the Armenian Quarters and the Opera House.

Remainder of the day free.  Dinner under own arrangements.

Optional: Philharmonic Hall or Opera Theater performance (pending availability)

Free day under own arrangements.

Today we proceed on a bus tour of Lviv and will visit Vysokyj Zamok, Lviv University, St. George’s Cathedral, the stronghold of Western Ukraine’s Catholic Church and Lychakiv Cemetery We will stop to visit the memorial museum “Prison on Lontskoho Street” – the first museum prison in Ukraine dedicated to the memory of those who suffered at the hands of Ukraine’s occupiers. From 1939-1941, thousands of political prisoners were brutally tortured and executed by Soviet authorities. The prison was in use till 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed. Many well-known Ukrainians were imprisoned here for their anti-Soviet activities.
Our final stop is the Ukrainian Catholic University campus (UKU), where we will see the newly constructed church and the most modern library in Ukraine – memorium to Andrij Sheptyckyj. Lunch in University cafeteria. Afternoon free.
Evening Gala Farewell Dinner.

Breakfast. Morning hotel/airport transfer.

LVIV ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL TOURS:

Skansen- open air museum Shevchenko Haj + Lychakiv Cemetery (3 hours)

Price: $45 (4 hrs – minimum 6 persons)

The open air Museum of Folk Architecture deserves special attention. The exhibit includes wooden structures from the 18th –20th cent., grouped into villages surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes. The Lychakiv Cemetery is known for its beautiful and unique tombstone sculptures. Ivan Franko, Solomia Krushelnytska, Filaret and Mykola Kolessa, Volodymyr Ivasiuk, Volodymyr Tysovsky and other notables are buried there.

Metropolytan Andrej Sheptytsky Museum + Ethnographic Museum (2 hrs) Price: $20 per person (entrance fees included, minimum 3 persons) The National Museum has the largest icon-paintings collection in Ukraine. The Ethnographic Museum displays the rich folk heritage of Western Ukraine.

Zhovkva City Tour + Krekhiv Monastery incl lunch (6 hs minimum 6 persons) Price: $70 per person After Lviv, Zhovkva has the largest number of architectural monuments in the region. Highlights include the ancient Castle of the 17th –18th cent., the Market Square, the Roman Catholic Parish Church of 17^th c. (Renaissance), Basilian Monastery, Church of the Nativity and the 17th century Synagogue. Krekhiv, village in the Zhovkva district, 40 km from Lviv, was first mentioned in historical sources dating to 1456. It is best known for the 17th -18th cent. Basilian Monastery. Many structures have been preserved: St. Nicholas Church, Holy Trinity Church, bell tower, walls and gates. Restored in 1991, the monastery has a beautiful linden tree alley from the 17th century.

Pochaiv Monastery + Olesko Castle + incl lunch (10 hours) Price: $95 per person (entrance fees included) (minimum 6 persons) After Kyiv’s Cave Monastery (Pecherska Lavra), Pochaiv is the second largest Orthodox shrine in our country. It is located in the Ternopil region, 140km northeast of Lviv. According to legend, it was founded by Kyiv monks fleeing the Tatar invasion of 1240. The Monastery itself was first mentioned in the chronicles of 1527. The central church of the Monastery complex is the Dormition Cathedral (1771-1783). The Pochaivska Lavra is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage sites in Ukraine. Among its many relics are the footprint of the Mother of God in a rock, spring with healing water and the miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin. The Olesko Castle, located 70km west of Lviv, is a historical architectural structure dating from the 13th -18th cent. Bohdan Khmelnytsky spent his youngest years at the castle. After the 1975 restoration, a museum was established and the Castle now serves as an exhibition site for the Lviv Gallery of Arts. It features five hundred paintings, sculptures and works of applied art from the 10th -18th cent.

Rates are subject to minor changes, pending number of participants on tour and US $ fluctuation.