Ship MS Shevchenko: Kiev - Yalta - Odessa - Istanbul, River Cruise 02 Jul 2010 - 16 Jul 2010

Route description:

Itinerary

Day 1	Kiev: Embarkation Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport with your name sign. He will take you to the port for embarkation. At 4 pm the Captain will be organizing a Welcome Cocktail Party that you are cordially invited to attend. The rest of this day is reserved for you to rest. You have an eventful program ahead and, probably, will want to get some rest. If you prefer to socialize, you can make first friends at the ship's bar.
Day 2	Kiev, Ukraine Kiev is one of the oldest cities of the ancient Russ and, as many historians say, the cradle of whole Russian civilization. The city was incredible wealthy, had powerful military and an amazing rate of literacy for its time. The golden age of Kiev came to an end when the Mongol hordes burnt it to the ground. There are many important historical sights in Kiev, the most important being St. Sophia Cathedral and Pecherskaya Lavra. St. Sophia's Cathedral echoes the past glory of Byzantium, while the Pecherskaya Lavra (Cave Monastery) recalls the deep asceticism of early Christianity. For this day, we have planned a general tour of the city including the visit to Maidan Nezalejnosti - Kiev's central square where events of the Orange Revolution took place few years ago. There are two optional tours: to St. Sophia's Cathedral and performance of the Ukrainian National Choir. St. Sofia Cathedral St. Sofia Cathedral (1037 AD) is an outstanding architectural monument of Kievan Rus'. Originally the cathedral was a burial place of the Kievan rulers, but after the pillaging of Kiev dukes of Vladimir-Suzdal in 1169 and then by the Mongols in 1240, the cathedral fell into disrepair. The Soviet rules called for destruction of the cathedral, but thanks to the efforts of scientists and historians, this national heritage has been preserved.
Day 3	Sailing day This is sailing day you will be offered an interesting entertaining program on the ship.
Day 4	Zaporozhia, Ukraine Zaporozhia - the lands of Cossacks - is a territory in southern part of the Ukraine. In the 16th century Cossacks built a fortress on the Khortitsa Island and lived there according to their laws. Cossacks were semi-independent tribes who defended Russian lands from Turkish Empire. In return, Russian tsars allowed them to have their own rules and order. For this day, we have planned a visit to Cossack Glory Museum and an optional Cossack Horse Show - cossacks have always been some of the best hourse riders in the world and for centuries, they constituted the core of the Russian cavalry.
Day 5	Kherson, Ukraine Today, our ship will enter the Dnieper Delta and approach the town of Kherson that has been standing on the hill for three thousand years. It was originally build by Greeks as their trading outpost in the region and today, these beautiful lands boast wide steps and vineyards. After exploring Kherson we will stop by at a traditional Ukrainian fishing village.
Day 6	Sevastopol, Ukraine Sevastopol is the capital of the Crimea. The Crimea Peninsula was granted by Nikita Khrushev as a preset to the Soviet Republic of the Ukraine (of course Nikita Khrushev was from the Ukraine himself). The future status of the Crimea has become a point of contention between Russia and the Ukraine in the recent years. The political arguments do not diminish the natural beauty of this place. Sevastopol has a magnificent natural harbor - the whole of the Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Closed for a long time for the foreign visitors, because of the Black Sea Fleet, the city and its history are more accessible for visitors these days. You will see the remnants of the Greek colony Khersones and a Panorama of Defense of Sevastopol during the Crimean war of 1853-1856. We will also visit the World War II Memorials Malakhov Barrow, Sapun Mountain and the cemetery of the German soldiers. Optional tours for the day include a bus tour to Bakchisarai and performance of the Black Sea Fleet Ensemble.
Day 7	Yalta, Ukraine Yalta is world famous town in Crimea for it political history. It is the place that gave birth to the term Yalta conference where Roosevelt, Churchil and Stalin met for hard negotiations to divide Europe neat the end of Wold War II. However, Yalta is even more attractive by its historical and picturesque sights that you won't find any where. It is a great resort with beautiful sea sights and considered to be one of the best resorts among Russian and Ukranian people.
Day 8	Yalta, Ukraine You will have another day in Yalta to explore the town and sea shore on your own. You can also take one of the optional programs offered on the ship on that day: Visit of Alka Palace with wine tasting
Day 9	Odessa, Ukraine Odessa was one of the most important cities of the Russian Empire, third-largest, in fact. Odessa was built by the order of Catherine the Great to defend the southern flanks of the empire from the Turks. Today, Odessa is an important economic and cultural center of the modern-day Ukraine. The city is most known for its distinct dialect and for massive migration to Brighton beach in late 80s - early 90s. You will have a city tour by bus around Odessa The optional tour for the day is the opera or ballet performance at Odessa Theater.
Day 10	Odessa, Ukraine This day is for you to explore Odessa. The optional tours for the day is a visit of Shabo village
Day 11	Constanta, Romania The second largest city in Romania, Constanta is a major Black Sea port and resort that has been a crossroads between eastern and western Europe for close to 3,000 years. The city's ancient Greek ruins, its many museums and its world-class aquarium and planetarium offer spellbinding glimpses of history, art and archeology and nature. Today you will have a city tour of Romania including visit to Histria fortress.
Day 12	Nessebar, Bulgaria Nessebar is one of the prominent seaports and tourist destinations on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. The ancient part of the town is situated on a peninsula (previously an island) connected to the mainland by a narrow man-made isthmus, and it bears evidence of occupation by a variety of different civilizations over the course of its existence. Its abundance of historic buildings prompted UNESCO to include Nesebar in its list of World Heritage Sites in 1983. Here you will have a walking city tour
Day 13	Nessebar - Istanbul After breakfast on board you will disembark and start your bus tour to Istanbul that will last about 6 hours. At your arrival you will be accommodated at a 4 star hotel and at night welcomed with complementary dinner.
Day 14	Istanbul, Turkey Also known as Byzantium and Constantinople, Istanbul is the only city to span two continents, connecting Europe and Asia at the Galata Bridge. Explore he incredible treasures of Topkapi Palace, the manificent Blue Mosque and Hadia Sofia and test your negotiating skills in the huge, covered Grand Bazaar. You will have introductory city tour by bus including lunch at the local restaurants. Breakfast and Dinner are provided in the hotel.
Day 15	Istanbul, Turkey This is your last day of the tour. You will have breakfast at the hotel and will be offer a transfer to the airport. We hope that you enjoyed this exotic journey across Dnieper river and Black Sea and will want to come back here again. We will be glad to offer you our services if you wish to extend your trip in Turkey.