Ever wondered how they celebrate Easter in Ukraine? Now you can see for yourself! Join one of Cobblestone Freeway s favorite tours that takes you through modern cities and quiet mountain towns to experience the most important holiday in the Ukrainian culture. Make your own Easter eggs, bless a traditional Easter basket and enjoy a delicious Easter feast! From big city lights to quaint mountain villages, this tour offers our travelers the best of both worlds! Easter in Ukraine 2018 Style: Signature Dates: April 3-17, 2018 Duration: 15 Days/ 14 Nights Start Lviv End Kyiv TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Partake in the Easter preparation and celebrations with local people; Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites throughout Ukraine; Enjoy the Mystic Carpathian Mountains; Visit world s only Pysanka (Easter Egg) museum; Enjoy private concerts & cultural events exclusively for Cobblestone Freeway travellers;
Lviv April 3-6, 2018 Day 1 Tuesday, April 3 Arrive in Lviv the Paris of Ukraine! After a transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city, take a walk around this medieval town with a modern vibe, and enjoy a meal in one of the many local restaurants. Day 2 Wednesday, April 4 The city, often called the Paris of Ukraine, got this name for a reason once a princely state, part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and then of the Polish Kingdom, today Lviv is a modern European city that has, nonetheless, preserved a very special old-european feel. Take a city tour on a retro train and discover more! We strongly suggest you visit the Lviv Opera House either for a show or simply to see the stunning interiors! HOTEL: Lviv Rudolfo https://rudolfo.com.ua/?lang=en 3 Nights Day 3 Thursday, April 5 Naturally, all the touristy attractions of Lviv are centrally located, but this doesn t mean there aren t things to explore beyond this realm! We ll take you on another adventure, on a bus, where you ll get to visit the famous Lychakiv cemetery, the old-new train station, incredible cathedrals and more! In the afternoon take advantage of the many suggestions we have for you from the numerous themed restaurants and coffee shops to countless sightseeing and shopping opportunities, including traditional Easter fair - you will keep yourselves busy!
Carpathian Mountains - Chernivtsi April 6-13, 2018 Day 4 Friday, April 6 On our way to Carpathian mountains we'll stop in the city of Kolomyia and visit the famous Pysanka (Easter egg) museum to admire the best works! Arriving to Kosiv - a picturesque town in the Carpathian Mountains enjoy the breathtaking views and fresh, relaxing air. Day 5 Saturday, April 7 Begin preparations for your Easter celebrations, including making your own basket to bless! Visit local crafts bazaar where locals skillfully produce Easter eggs, jewelry boxes, pottery, embroidery, leather goods and many others. Day 6 Sunday, April 8 On Easter Sunday attend a church mass in the village of Bukovets and then you are cordially invited to a Hutsul family house! You will partake in ancient Ukrainian rituals and sample delicacies prepared specifically for the Easter festivities and experience real Carpathian hospitality! Day 7 Monday, April 9 Another Cobblestone exclusive awaits! In the village of Bereziv we will take part in traditional Easter rituals Gajivky. You will learn traditional songs and dances with locals. Day 8 Tuesday, April 10 Continue Easter celebrations in the village of Tulova walk around, visit with locals, do a jam session with local musicians and learn Easter songs & dances from the villagers! We ll wrap things up with a zabava Tulova style! Arrive in Chernivtsi in the evening. Day 9 Wednesday, April 11 Being in Chernivtsi we ll visit the most beautiful and important sights in the city, including the stunning University buildings and downtown area. Day 10 Thursday, April 12 Spend a day in Kamyanets Podilsky, and admire the ancient fortress of Khotyn located on the banks of the Dniester River. Day 11 Friday, April 13 Free day for individual exploration and in the evening take an overnight train to Kyiv HOTELS: Kosiv Villa Zhyvytsia http://zhyvytsya.com.ua/ 4 Nights Chernivtsi Allure Inn http://allureinn.com/en/ 3 Nights Overnight train to Kyiv
Kyiv August 14-17, 2018 Day 12 Saturday, April 14 Upon arrival to Kyiv you will be transferred to hotel, have some time for relax and breakfast and it s time to explore Kyiv a modern city with an ancient spirit. Explore the old city district, see the new city centre, and wander down Andriivsky Uzviz, where Ukraine s artists live and work. HOTEL: Dnipro www.dniprohotel.ua/en 2 Nights Day 13 Sunday, April 15 Today you will visit world famous St. Sofia and St.Volodymyr`s Cathedrals, see stunning views of the city from the Golden Gates of Kyiv. Have some time for shopping on Khreshchatyk Street (Kyiv s shopping district), Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square), and much more! Day 14 Monday, April 16 Today you ll have a chance to visit a real spiritual Mecca the Kyiv Lavra Cave Monastery. After a tour of the place, we will visit the Ivan Honchar museum that has an impressive collection of embroidery, musical instruments and more ethnographic treasures! Then Kozak village Mamayeva sloboda an open-air museum with authentic houses from the Kozak epoch, wooden churches and marvelous windmills. In the evening, enjoy one last zabava! And its going to be a good one! Day 15 Tuesday, April 17 After a free morning to stock up on souvenirs we will transfer you to the airport where, sadly, we will have to say our goodbyes! Thank you for travelling with Cobblestone Freeway!
Tour Details WHAT S INCLUDED: Escorted tour from beginning to the end All Events included in the Itinerary 2 big meals a day + snacks All land transportation in a quality bus with professional driver 13 nights in comfortable character rich 3 & 4 star hotels and quality villas, incl. 1 overnight train ride 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.