Among the eastern European countries, which were considered to be "behind the Iron Curtain" are Poland and States of the former Soviet Union, including Ukraine & Belarus as well. For long decades cultural travel to these areas were almost or totally impossible. This unique journey will trace ancient history and culture, folklore and local customs, arts and architecture, all the delightful heritages these countries have to offer.
For centuries Poland has played a vital role in the growth of European culture. Its contribution is evident from names like Frederic Chopin, Nicolaus Copernicus, Andrzej Wajda or Pope John Paul II. Poland is also host to 13 UNESCO recognized World Heritage Sites. Crossing to Belarus then into Ukraine, we traverse a little-known region that has changed many hands from its earliest history. Belarus & Ukraine are two of the least-frequented and least familiar countries in Eastern Europe – the last European frontiers.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Warsaw, Poland. Upon arrival at the historical city of Warsaw, we are warmly received and transferred to our hotel. Warsaw is a delightful city with friendly people hence the rest of the day is free for you to independently browse the Old Town with it’s beautiful architecture. Hotel Marriott, Warsaw (2 nights)
Day 2: Warsaw. Our morning starts with the exploration of Warsaw’s Old Town. History resides here as we explore this World Heritage Site with its majestic Market Square, St. John's Cathedral, Barbican and Castle Square with King Sigismund Waza Column. We then drive along the Royal Route: Krakowskie Przedmiescie, Nowy Swiat and Aleje Ujazdowskie, with it’s numerous churches (Holy Cross Church, where Chopin's heart is kept in the pillar), monuments, historic buildings and palaces - many of them now housing embassies and ministries and stop in front of the Parliament. Walking through the Lazienki Park with its famous Palace on the Water we see one of the last 18th Century court theatres in Europe in Old Orangery, Chopin's monument and the Belvedere Palace. Includes: (B).
Day 3: Warsaw/Czestochowa/Krakow (drive). Another day into history, as we drive to Czestochowa - one of the most important sites in the Christian world and often referred to as the Religious Capital of Poland. Millions of pilgrims from all over the World come here every year to pray at the miraculous Black Madonna Shrine. Historians date the famous painting to the 14th Century, however legend has it that it was made by Saint Luke Evangelist on a piece of wood from the table used by Virgin Mary in Nazareth. Now a famous icon made of silver and ebony is a part of the Baroque altar. The altar is opened twice a day with organ music accompaniment. The painting is covered with precious decoration, forming royal gowns for Virgin Mary and her Child. Later we depart for Krakow for overnight. Overnight Hotel Holiday Inn, Krakow (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4: Krakow/Wieliczka/Krakow (drive). A day into heritage sites as we start with Krakow Old Town and Florianska Gate, which was built around 1300. Today it resembles an open-air art gallery, with numerous paintings and watercolors displayed for sale by local artists. At the 13th Century Cloth Hall the largest collection of Polish paintings are housed. Saint Mary's Church, dating back to 1221 is an interesting piece of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Collegium Maius with Gothic arcades, expanded in Renaissance style, was home to Jagiellonian University, the second oldest university in Central Europe. The Czartoryski Museum collection contains two most precious paintings in Poland: "Lady with an Ermine" by Leonardo da Vinci and "Good Samaritan" by Rembrandt.
We continue to see another of Poland’s heritage, the Wawel Castle. This Gothic royal castle was built on the remains of the 10th Century settlement and extended in Renaissance style in the 16th Century. Magnificent Renaissance interiors contain numerous paintings, furniture and national memorabilia. Collection of famous "Wawel Tapestries" designed and made in Flandre, especially for Wawel interiors, is truly unique.
In the afternoon we visit the historical and interesting Wieliczka Salt Mine, which is a unique world-class attraction, included in the UNESCO "Human Heritage" List. According to legend the salt resources were brought here by "Blessed Kinga" from Hungary, who married a Pole. She dropped a ring at a Hungarian salt mine shaft to say "farewell" to her homeland. Salt reserves were soon discovered in Wieliczka. When excavation started, Kinga's ring was found in the first salt lump. A tour of the Mine includes beautiful chapels sculpted in salt - at a depth of 250 m below ground level. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 5: Krakow/Auschwitz/Zakopane (drive). After breakfast we depart for Auschwitz, to visit former Nazi concentration camp. A grim reminder of Nazi terror and holocaust, the "death factory" with its famous crematoria, Auschwitz - now Museum of Martyrdom - consists of brick barracks with tons of hair, shoes, glasses and other belongings of victims. Close to Auschwitz - in Birkenau – also see hectares of wooden barracks and gas chambers. Later we continue for another highlight – Zakopane, a famous Polish Mountain Resort. We tour Zakopane and go up on the Gubalowka Mountain top to get a breathtaking view of nature at it’s best. Afternoon we are free to walk around Zakopane or do some easy and interesting hikes. Overnight Hotel Mercure Kasprowy, Zakopane (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 6: Zakopane/Zamosc (drive). We leave this morning for Zamosc, with an en route stop at Lancut complex. At Zamosc we tour the Renaissance town complex built from the 16th C. This unique urban complex was founded in 1580 and its centre has maintained its original Renaissance plan. The Old Town Square surrounded with Renaissance houses with arcades and the imposing Town Hall is a sight not to be forgotten. Fortifications with underground corridors give us a picture of times bygone. Overnight Hotel Zamojski, Zamosc (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7: Zamosc/Terespol/Brest - Belarus (drive). Following our breakfast we depart for Terespol, at the Polish–Belarus border. After the immigration and custom procedures, we change guides and drivers and enter Belarus, a beautiful country located at the boarders between Poland and Russia, a country of blue lakes, quiet nature and hospitable people. We proceed to Brest. Overnight Belarus Hotel, Brest (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8: Brest. Our morning starts with the exploration of Brest and its rich cultural and historical heritage. Among the most visited locations is the Brest Fortress - a monument of the defense architecture, which was erected in the middle of the 19th Century on the former sight of an ancient settlement on the islands formed by the Western Bug and the Mukhavets Rivers.
At the beginning of its existence the Brest Fortress was one of the most perfect fortifications in Russia. Between 1878-1888 there were built 10 other Forts around the Brest Fortress and this way the defense line became 30 km long. In the early 1960's it was decided to create a memorial complex in the fortress. The ruins and the walls are carefully preserved. Restoration and conservation work has been carried out and the Headquarters in front of the main monument are also being preserved.
The main part of the memorial complex is the Square of Ceremonies where of the most important meetings take place and young soldiers swear an oath to be worthy of their fathers' and grandfathers' glory and to be loyal to their country on this sacred land, and the building of the Museum of the Defense of the Brest Fortress and the ruins of the White Palace adjoin the Square of Ceremonies. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 9: Brest/Minsk (drive). We leave after breakfast for Minsk, the Capital City, with en route stops at some astonishing places like the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, a World Heritage Site since 1979. Situated on the watershed of the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea, this immense forest range, consisting of evergreens and broad-leaved trees, is home to some remarkable animal life, including rare mammals such as the wolf, the lynx and the otter, as well as some 300 European Bison, a species which has been reintroduced into the park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve was awarded the European Council Diploma, which is the highest recognition of Belovezhskaya Pushcha's importance and uniqueness on the planet Earth.
After our visit here we stop by the Viskuly Residence. Here, on December 08, 1991 the leaders of three Republics - Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, which were state-founders of the USSR, fixed that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as "a subject of international law and geopolitical reality ceases its existence". Simultaneously creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States was declared. We later drive to Minsk. Overnight Victoria Hotel, Minsk (4 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 10: Minsk. Minsk is an ancient city, first settled about 900 years ago. It's also the capital of the Republic, and accordingly the cultural and economical centre of Belarus. The city is rich in history, traditions, culture and arts and we’re set to discover it during our city tour.
First is the Independence Square with the House of Government, followed by the Church of St. Simon and Helena ("Red Church"), the Victory Square with its 38 metres gray obelisk and eternal flame honouring the heroes of World War II, the Yanka Kupala Park with a wonderful fountain - Troitskoye Predmestye (Trinity Suburb) – the restored buildings of the 19th Century Holy Trinity Cathedral, the St.Catherine’s Church – all architectural monuments of the 17th Century. If time permitting we’ll also have a short visit to the ‘Stalin’s Defence Line Exposition’ of the arms of the WW2 and modern period: tanks, aircrafts, helicopters, canons, missiles. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 11: Minsk. After our leisurely breakfast, we leave for a countryside visit to the open air Museum of Rural Architecture and Life in Dudutki (50 km from Minsk). Collections of original pieces of Belarusian rural style architecture are displayed from different parts of the country. It offers an open-air exposition of country buildings, hundreds of articles of domestic use, agricultural implements formerly used by peasants, and works of applied arts.
This place can be hardly called a museum so "alive" are all the displayed objects. A magnificent reconstruction of the traditional way of living in Belarusian village that can be not only seen but even touched and tasted. In an "old-timer" bakery we can make a loaf, in a ceramic workshop we become potters, or have some training as a blacksmith or miller. And certainly we will never forget the amazing taste of delicious homemade food with real traditional samogon (home made vodka) we’ll have here for Lunch. Later we return to Minsk. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 12: Minsk/Polotsk/Minsk (drive). We leave again for a day-tour, this time to visit Polotsk, the oldest town in Belarus, former centre of Polotsk Principality (first mentioned in 862), one of the most ancient centres of old Rus. Polotsk is also famous for its 11th Century St. Sophia Cathedral and the walls of the 12th Century fortress and convent. The Convent is named after St. Ephrosinia of Polotsk, a benefactress and patron saint of Belarus. Here we can see her symbolic Cross, part of the national heritage of the Belarusian people made by a famous medieval jeweler, Lazar Bogsha. We will also visit the Upper and Lower Castles, the Grozny's Earth Wall, the Jesuit Collegium, the House of Peter the Great, Christ's Appearance Monastery and Our Savior St. Euphrosyne's, before we return to Minsk. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 13: Minsk/Mir/Minsk (drive). We depart this morning to Mir (130 km from Minsk) to visit the 16th Century Castle of Mir, built by duke Ilinich as unique example of architecture of this period. The architecture of the castle has features of the late Belarusian Gothic. Later in the Century the castle was rebuilt in Renaissance style, so today it has features of Gothic, Renaissance, Defensive Fortress and Palace architecture.
From here we depart to Nesviz and tour its Castle, a former residence of the Radzivills family of medieval Belarusian magnates with its beautiful park ensemble and a neighboring 16th Century Church designed by Bernardoni to charm any visitor. When we return we drive to Minsk Railway Station and embark for our overnight rail journey to Kiev - Ukraine. Overnight onboard first class sleeper train (1 night). Includes: (B), (L).
Day 14: Arrival to Kiev - Ukraine. We arrive in the morning to Kiev, the Capital City of Ukraine. Upon our meeting with the local hosts, we drive to our hotel for check-in and a short rest. This ancient city is the Capital of Ukraine and one of the biggest cities in Europe. It has been standing on steep hills overlooking the Dnieper River for more than 1,500 years.
According to the ancient legend, Kiev (Kyiv) it was founded by the three brothers Kyi, Schek and Khoryv and their sister Lybid, and it was named after the eldest brother Kyi. It is known as the mother city for all Eastern Slavic peoples. Kyiv Rus is the state from which Ukraine, Russia and Belarus are all descended. Later in the afternoon, you will have an "orientation" tour in Kiev (for about 2-3 hrs), to observe some real pearls of the World’s architecture within the city, like St. Sophia Cathedral and Monastery Complex, the St. Andrew’s Church and the Ukrainian Baroque Church - designed in 1754 by the Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Overnight Hotel Dnipro, Kiev (2 nights). Includes: (B).
Day 15: Kiev/Uman/Kiev (drive). This morning we will drive to Uman and have a tour of the town. Here we must see the local Cathedral, as well as the "romantic" old town area. Uman has a very varied and striking architecture. Most of the buildings in the city are very old. These buildings have taken on a variety of appearances from a variety of influences. Moorish, Gothic, Islamic, Medieval, and Soviet architecture are all represented in Uman’s buildings. Uman’s hospitality is unmatched. We will have a wonderful time getting to know the locals, who are always pleased to converse with travelers. After completing our walking tour, we will return to Kiev, with few en route stops. The rest of the day is free in Kiev. Includes: (B).
Day 16: Kiev/Odessa (flight). After an early breakfast at the hotel we are taken to the airport for our flight to Odessa. Upon arrival we’ll have a city tour of Odessa. The excursion will acquaint us with the city, its revolutionary, historical and architectural monuments, it’s past and present.
Usually all tours must begin with the Seaside Boulevard to enjoy a pleasant stroll along it. On Primorsky Boulevard - the city’s most popular promenade - line many of Odessa’s finest buildings and monuments. Among the pretty structures are the Palace of Count Vorontsov and the Palace of Weddings. Count Pototsky’s former Palace is now the Fine Arts Gallery. (The exhibit includes a prized collection of Russian and Ukrainian paintings dating back to the 15th Century).
Continue our walk past the impressive Potemkin Staircase, which was completed in 1841. We will then see the Pushkin Monument (the poet spent a 13 months exile in Odessa), the monumental Opera House (completed in 1887), a baroque-style building which resembles the Vienna Opera House and Dresden Court Theatre, and was designed by the same architects. After our check-in to hotel will have another interesting excursion to "The Mysteries of the Odessa Catacombs", followed by visits to temples of Odessa belonging to different religions and different periods of Odessa’s development: Orthodox, Catholic, German, Caraime and Jewish Synagogues and the Arabian Cultural Centre. Overnight Hotel Mozart, Odessa (1 night). Includes: (B).
Day 17: Odessa/Simferopol (overnight train). After breakfast at the hotel we will have some free time for shopping and other personal activities, to enjoy walking to the seaport, have a quay-walk and enjoy the coffee shops. Later in the afternoon will meet our driver at the hotel and he will transfer us to the Railway station for our overnight train to Simferopol. Overnight aboard train – first sleeper class (1 night). Includes: (B).
Day 18: Simferopol/Bakhchisarai/Yalta (drive). After our arrival to Simferopol, we are met at the Railway Station and we will be taken to Bakhchisarai. The former capital of the Crimean Tatars is situated 75 km from Sevastopol. On the way to Bakhchisarai we will see the Northern part of the Crimean Peninsula with the landscapes of gardens, roses and lavender plantations. In one hour will suddenly find our selves in the East… The architecture of the former residence of Khan Girey is the mixture of different styles from Russia, Italy, Ukraine and Turkey. Alexander Pushkin was impressed by the legends and Fountain of Tears in Bakhchisarai and wrote a beautiful poem "Bakhchisarai Legend" inspired by the romance of the place.
After this visit we will be transferred to Yalta. Yalta is considered to be the center of Crimea and most local and foreigner tourists head here first. There are nice beaches in Yalta as well as many places of interest, restaurants, shops and entertainment centers. The place is also known for the 1945 Yalta conference, sometimes also called Crimean conference, attended by President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill and Generalissimo Stalin. It breathes the history of the last 150 years. The palace buildings and extensive gardens overlooking the sea and the bay of Yalta reflect the influence of the original architect, Ippolito Antonovich Monighetti, who was sent from Moscow to Livadia after the estate, was bought for Tsar Alexander II in 1861. Big Livadia Palace was built in 1911 by famous Ukrainian architect Krasnov in style of the Italian Revival. Overnight Hotel Oreanda (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 19: Yalta/Sevastopol/Yalta (drive). Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a leisurely city orientation tour. This will be followed by our drive to Sevastopol. The large harbor town of Sevastopol it is built near the ancient Greek settlement of Hersones. It's a great place to get a taste of Russian culture in Ukraine and at the same time enjoy the many beaches and historical monuments.
We start our sightseeing tour around the city centre, with the Count Landing-Stage, the Monument to the Scuttled Ships visit the Chersonesus - the St Vladimir Cathedral in Chersonesus, laid in the presence of the Russian czar Alexander II. In the evening we’ll return to Yalta. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 20: Yalta/Simferopol/Kiev (drive & fly). After an early breakfast, we will have our driver transferred us to Simferopol Airport in time to catch our flight back to Kiev. Upon arrival in Kiev we will go strait to the International Terminal to embark our flight back home. Includes: (B).
Tour highlights & World Heritage Sites (WHS):
* Historic Centre of Warsaw (WHS)
* Historic Centre of Krakow (WHS)
* Wieliczka Salt Mine (WHS)
* Auschwitz Concentration Camp (WHS)
* Old City of Zamosc (WHS)
* Belovezhskaya Pushcha/Bialowieza Forest (WHS)
* Minsk City tour
* Museum of Rural Architecture and Life in Dudutki
* Castle of Mir
* St. Sophia Cathedral, Kiev (WHS)
* The Potemkin Stairway and the Monument of Duke de Richelieu – Odessa
* The Chersonesus, Sevastopol
* Yalta, Crimea
Tour dates for 2008:
May 10, Jun 07 & 21, Jul 12 & 26, Aug 09 & 23, Sep 06 & 27.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation as mentioned (double rooms, all superior category)
- All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary
- Road taxes, parking fees, driver’s overnight wages
- Domestic flight tickets (Kiev / Odessa & Simferopol / Kiev)
- All train tickets as mentioned
- Services of local English-speaking guides and drivers
- Entrance fees to places, parks and sites mentioned in the itinerary
Price Excludes:
- International airfares and airport taxes
- All other (optional) programs, not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any kind of Insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses, phone bills/beverages/tips/laundry
- Services not mentioned above
Single Supplement USD/CAD: 1,200.00
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Poland
Belarus
Ukraine
Archeology/History
Cultural Journey
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