Kievo-Pecherska Lavra - a World Heritage Site: The word Lavra is used to describe high-ranking monasteries for monks of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Kyiv's World Heritage Lavra is the city's most extensive and amazing sightseeing attraction. Locally called Kievo-Pechersk Lavra, the name of the monastery is also translated as Kiev Cave Monastery, Kiev Caves Monastery or the Kiev Monastery of the Caves. The word Pechera means cave. The Lavra or Monastery of the Caves was founded by its … [Read more...]
Yalta – Jewel of the Crimean Peninsula | Yalta Travel
November 16, 2009 by
Yalta - Famous for the 1945 Yalta Conference: With its mountain peaks serving as a lovely backdrop, warm and sunny summers, Yalta, the jewel of the Crimean peninsula, became a fashionable health resort in the 19th century. Tsar Nicholas II and other Russian aristocrats brought their families here to recuperate from tuberculosis. People now joke that Yalta was founded on the back of Russian aristocracy's struggle with tuberculosis. Brief History of Yalta In 1883 Yalta was granted city … [Read more...]
Dnieper River Cruise – Photos and Itinerary
November 15, 2009 by
Dnieper River Cruise - Footsteps of the Cossacks: A river cruise in Ukraine means a cruise on the Dnieper River, down to or up from the Black Sea. Following is the itinerary of the "Footsteps of the Cossacks" Ukraine river cruise that we took in August 2008 with Viking River Cruises. This 12 days/11 nights cruise starts in Odessa and goes up to Kiev. You can also do this in the reverse direction. [Note: The itinerary for 2011 spends one day less in Yalta and is replaced by a day … [Read more...]
Kiev Airport Transfer – Dopobachennya Kiev!
November 14, 2009 by
Dnieper River Cruise - Kiev, Ukraine DAY 12 Kiev. (Sun.) After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B) We have to vacate our rooms by 09:00 a.m. so that they can clean the river boat for the next cruise, however you are able to wait in the Panorama Bar. A light lunch is also available for those who are not transferring to the airport first thing in the morning. Kiev Airport Transfer If you've pre-booked your airport transfer with Viking, they'll … [Read more...]
Kiev, "Mother of Cities"
November 14, 2009 by
Dnieper River Cruise - Kiev, Ukraine DAY 11 Kiev. (Sat.) Dock Location. Your ship is scheduled to dock at Pochtova Square 3, River Passenger Terminal.Included Kiev Tour. Arrive mid-morning and disembark for a tour of the 1,500-year-old Ukrainian capital, picturesquely situated on the Dnieper River. Called the “Mother of Cities,” Kiev is one of the oldest cities in all of Europe. From the 9th century onwards, it was the centre of trade on the Dnieper River route from Scandinavia to the … [Read more...]
Cruising the Dnieper River – Ukraine Travel
November 13, 2009 by
Dnieper River Cruise to Kiev, Ukraine DAY 10 Dnieper River Cruising. (Fri.) Scenic Cruising. Spend a relaxing day onboard as you cruise along the Dnieper River. The countryside on both banks of the peaceful river is varied; on one side steep rocks rise, on the other you can look across fertile fields and meadows. The ship sails overnight on your way to Kiev.Captain’s Farewell Dinner. Gather this evening to toast your memories and say farewell to your new found friends at the Captain’s … [Read more...]
Cruising to Kherson, a Fishermen's Island
November 13, 2009 by
Dnieper River Cruise - Kherson, Ukraine DAY 8 Kherson. (Wed.) Included Fishermen’s Island Excursion. Spend the afternoon cruising to Kherson, located 19 miles from the mouth of the Dnieper River and the Black Sea. Arrive in the mid-afternoon and disembark for your excursion to the Dnieper Delta. The Delta’s beautiful landscapes can only be explored by small boat. Set off from Kherson on a touring boat for a scenic cruise to a quaint fishing village located on Fishermen’s Island. … [Read more...]
Yalta Dopobachennya! (Goodbye)
November 13, 2009 by
Dnieper River Cruise - Yalta, Ukraine DAY 7 Yalta. (Tues.) Morning at Leisure or Optional Nikita Botanical Gardens Tour. You have the option to spend a leisurely morning in Yalta this morning or you may choose to join an optional tour to Nikita Botanical Gardens. Founded in 1812, this is the oldest scientific establishment in the Crimea. Contained within are 30,000 plants from around the world, including more than 2,000 roses and a unique collection of cacti. Enjoy wandering among these … [Read more...]
Yalta, a Popular Holiday Destination
November 12, 2009 by
Dnieper River Cruise - Yalta, Ukraine DAY 6 Yalta. (Mon.) Yalta Leisure Time & Optional Tours. Your day is free to explore Yalta at your own pace, or you may choose to join one or both of today’s optional tours. This morning’s optional tour is of beautiful Alupka Palace. Designed by English architects in 1828, the palace is an unusual combination of Scottish castle and Arabian fantasy set in an exotic park. Your palace tour reveals fascinating architecture, paintings, sculptures, and … [Read more...]
Yalta and the 1945 Yalta Conference
November 12, 2009 by
Dnieper River Cruise - Yalta, Ukraine DAY 5 Yalta. (Sun.)Included Yalta Tour. Disembark after breakfast for your Yalta city tour. Travel along the Lenin Embankment and to the Alexander Cathedral. During your tour, you also visit the White Palace in Livadia, a former summer palace of Czar Nicholas II and site where Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt met in 1945 and determined the shape of post-World War II Europe. Your guided tour takes you through the official halls and private apartments of the … [Read more...]