If you got an artistic eye and taking a pleasure in capturing moments, both big and small, then this tour is for you! Ukraine photo journey is for those that seek adventure, but don`t like the idea of jumping on and off a bus, running from place to place. You will never have to worry about rushing and not being able to take in your experience on a Cobblestone tour. We ensure you have plenty of time to take in your incredible surroundings. Ukraine Photo Journey Style: Signature Dates: January 3-16 Duration: 14 Days/ 13 Nights Start Lviv End Lviv TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Take lectures and practice on photography from professionals; Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites throughout Ukraine; Enjoy the Mystic Carpathian Mountains; Celebrate Christmas in authentic Hutzul village; Visit world s only Pysanka (Easter Egg) museum; Enjoy private concerts & cultural events exclusively for Cobblestone Freeway travellers;
Lviv January 3-5 Day 0 Optional: Come a few days earlier and explore the City of Golden Domes! Enjoy a pilgrimage through all the iconic city sights, such as Golden Gates, Volodymyrsky, Myhailivsky and St. Sophia Cathedrals. Explore the old city district, see the new city centre, and wander down Andriivsky Uzviz where Ukraine's artists live and work. Take a walk down Khreshchatyk Str. and explore the historic pace that the Maidan has become. Photographers' dreams come true in this place. So don't miss your chance to use this opportunity! HOTEL: Rudolfo www.hotel-lviv.com.ua/en 2 Nights Available upon request* Day 1 January 3: Lviv Arrive in Lviv. Enjoy some time to rest and cool your heels after the long flight before having a traditional welcome dinner and exploring the city. Don t forget your camera! Day 2 January 4: Lviv In the morning take a city tour on a retro train and discover what Lviv has to offer. Afterwards enjoy a walking tour, taking you around the central pedestrian area - take in the beauty of the city and capture it with your camera! You can also visit the local souvenir market Vernissage for souvenir shopping. Climb the High Castle mountain, which presents a bird s eye view of the city for more fascinating shots. In the evening - discussion board. Tips on interior photography.
Carpathian Mountains January 5-10 Day 3 Carpathian mountains After breakfast you will be transferred to Carpathian Mountains. On the way we will stop by the ancient town Rohatyn to visit 16th century wooden church-museum. Afterwards, Pysanka and Folk Art & Hutsul Life museums in Kolomyya to go back in time and see how our ancestors lived. Once you arrive to Carpathian Mountains you ll have time to unwind wander around, relax at the sauna, spend some time with the locals, or just enjoy the view of the mountains. In the evening - lecture on character portrait. Day 4 Carpathian Mountains Morning, visit famous Kosiv mini-bazaar! You ll find the best of folk arts and crafts in one place. After shopping, be a guest at Bukovets village. Feel like a part of a big family, enjoy a delicious meal, sing songs and celebrate together with local people. Feel the Christmas spirit in a traditional Hutzul style. Day 5 Carpathian Mountains In the first half of the day, visit Kryvorivnia village. Experience local hospitality, discover old traditions, explore the history of their origin. After lunch meet with local people sing songs and celebrate together. Join local carolers who will impress you with their colorful costumes and wonderful singing. Be prepared to be impressed! Evening returning back to the hotel. Day 6 Carpathian Mountains On this day, we will be able to devote more time to exploring scenic landscapes. Choose from a number of optional activities that we can offer to you: sleigh ride, skiing, taking ride on the snowmobile around the area, chill out in the hot tub or sauna OR just climb the mountain on the ski lift to enjoy the beautiful panorama around you. We will help you with all arrangements! Day 7 Carpathian Mountains In the morning take a trip to Sheshory village. On our way we will visit the ancient church in the village of Pistyn - this is must see place. Upon arrival to Sheshory, have a lunch at traditional Ukrainian restaurant on the bank of picturesque river. Take a stroll through this unusual places. Inhale the fresh Carpathian air and give yourself the time, you deserve it. Returning back to the hotel in the evening. Zabava Hutzul Style with Music Show to complete this day. HOTELS: Kosiv Maetok Sokilske http://sokilske.com.ua/ 5 Nights
Tulova Chernivtsi Lviv January 10-16 Day 8 Tulova After breakfest trip to the village of Tulova. We ll make our own borshch and pyrohy, learn carols and much more. Experience Christmas in an unforgettable authentic Ukrainian village. Stay in the village for the night. Day 9 Chernivtsi We are heading to the capital of Bukovyna and the beautiful multicultural -Chernivtsi! Upon arrival we will check in to the hotel. Afterwards, walk through the city, learning its fascinating history and then visit an architectural gem, and a place you don t want to leave the Chernivtsi University. In the evening lecture on night photography. HOTEL: Chernivtsi Bukovyna http://bukovyna-hotel.com/en/ 4 Nights Lviv Rudolfo www.hotel-lviv.com.ua/en 1 Night Day 10 Kamianets Podilsky An exciting day - we re taking you on a time travel today! Not literally, of course, but you ll get to see how the local princes and rulers lived visit the fortress of Kamianets Podilsky. Explore this medieval city with its fascinating history, influenced by different peoples, and stunning architecture. Have shoot in the fortress. In the evening lecture on the urban street photo. Day 11 Chernivtsi On this day we have prepared something special for you. Become a part of the grand Malanka festival! During this fest you can see a street pageant of people dressed in the costumes of Malanka, Vasiliy, the goat, the gypsies, the cranes, bears and even some new characters, right next to you. Keep your cameras ready, these will be great shots. Day 12 Chernivtsi Malanka celebration continues and we go to the Krasnoilsk village. The entire village will turn out to celebrate - preparing feasts, sewing each other into costumes, and reveling in a shared history. Malanka celebration is so deeply embedded in Ukrainian identity and culture that no one is quite sure exactly where it came from or how old it is. So this place is definitely worth to visit. Day 13 Lviv We are leaving Chernivtsi and heading back to the Paris of Ukraine - Lviv. Upon arrival do last minute shopping or just wander through its ancient streets doing some best shots before leaving. Day 14 Lviv We will transfer you to the airport where, sadly, it s time to go back home or continue on to new exciting destinations.
Tour Details WHAT S INCLUDED: Escorted tour from beginning to the end Workshops, Presentations and Lectures included in the Itinerary 2 big meals a day + snacks All land transportation in a quality bus with professional driver 12 nights in comfortable character rich 3 & 4 star hotels and quality villas, + 1 village stay Internet in hotels when possible Full time tour leader Special events exclusively for Cobblestone travellers Cobblestone Freeway t-shirt NOT INCLUDED: Extra days before/after the tour Events and Services not included in the itinerary or marked as Optional Some meals Airport Transfers if you re NOT travelling with a group OPTIONAL ADD-ONS: Extend your trip Upgrade your room / Get a single room Do a side trip visit Family, have your Family History researched Village home stays MORE QUESTIONS If you have any question or requests regarding your trip big, small or downright quirky please call or e-mail us. We are happy to help! *You will be charged for additional services at the end of the trip **Unforeseen events and new discoveries may result in changes to this itinerary, but only for the better! None of the activities listed are guaranteed at this point. You will receive a more detailed itinerary closer to departure dates.