WESTERN HIGHLIGHTS

Start your journey arriving into one of the most ancient cities in Eastern Europe – Kyiv. The capital of Ukraine, and the former capital of the Kyivan Rus, this beautiful and historic city has played a key part in the past, present and future of this country…

After a transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city, take some time to relax, and walk around this beautiful city, and have a meal in one of the many local restaurants.

Today is a chance to get to know this city’s long and exciting history. Your first impression of Kyiv is bound to be a surprise.  Nowadays, Kyiv is not just a city of Golden Domes, exciting and historical museums and memorials. It’s also a cool, up-and-coming progressive city, fast paced in some aspects, as you would expect a capital to be, but, in true Ukrainian style, also a place to sit back and relax as you watch the world go by, in one of its many backstreet cafes…

After breakfast at the Hotel, we will take you on a tour to explore the old city district, see the new city centre, and wander down Andriivsky Uzviz, where Ukraine’s artists live and work. You’ll also get a chance to see the Golden Gates, the many beautiful Cathedrals, take a walk down Khreshchatyk Str. and Independence Square.

In the evening you are in for a treat – a traditional Ukrainian zabava, where everyone will have a chance to learn some traditional central Ukrainian songs and dances from our special guests! Intrigued? Good!

Today you’ll have a chance to visit a real spiritual Mecca – the Kyiv Lavra Cave Monastery; an ancient collection of churches and buildings, winding underground passages and stunning golden domes.

After, we will visit the Holodomor museum, and WW2 Memorial, to learn more of Ukraine’s long and fascinating history.

In the evening, enjoy stunning views of the ancient city and Dnieper River, do some last-minute shopping, because after dinner we will hop on a train and travel overnight to the capital of Bukovyna – Chernitvsi!

Welcome to Chernivtsi! A beautiful multicultural city, and the capital of Bukovyna… Historically a cosmopolitan community, Chernivtsi was once dubbed “Little Vienna” and “Jerusalem upon the Prut”. Chernivtsi is currently twinned with seven other cities around the world, the city is also considered one of Ukraine’s most important educational and architectural sites.

Once you get checked in to your hotel, enjoy a leisurely walk around this beautiful, multicultural city and learn its long complicated history. The rest of the day is yours to explore, do some shopping, sit in a quaint coffee shop or simply relax at the hotel!

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 hundreds of years ago –at the ancient fortress of Kamianets-Podislky. The different types of people that lived in Kamianets-Podilsky each brought their own culture and architecture, meaning that this place is steeped in history and culture. Learn the city’s history on a tour through the ancient fortress, the cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the City Hall Building and numerous other fortifications.

That evening, dinner at one of our favourite restaurants, with a unique private concert of ‘bilyi holos’ (or white voice) from an amazing group called Gerdan. Their singing will simply take your breath away… You’ll also get to sample some authentic Hutsul dishes – try some “banosh” – a maize base, usually served with a mushroom sauce, sour cream and “brynza” – sheep’s cheese! Trust us – it’s delicious!

After Breakfast in the hotel, we will take a guided tour of the historic Chernivtsi University, This Hogwarts-like collection of buildings was the residence of the Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans, and is even on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

After lunch, we will head to the quaint village of Tulova. Here the locals are keen to welcome you into their village, to show you around, to experience their culture and day to day life –  you will be made to feel like part of this big family! Experience the famous Ukrainian hospitality at its best! Take a walk around the village, then revel in a joyful celebration soaked in traditions, music, dancing and more!

In the afternoon, we will get back on the road. After arriving in Kosiv, a picturesque town in the Carpathian Mountains you’ll have a free evening to relax.

Welcome to the unforgettable Carpathian Mountains… Sweeping forests, mountain lakes, fast flowing rivers and beautiful waterfalls. Join us to discover the unique Hutsul culture, unique handicrafts, and be at one with nature!

Today we will learn Hutsul traditions and culture, by visiting an ancient Hutsul wooden church and house-museum in the village of Kryvorivnya. Next – another Next Stop Ukraine exclusive awaits! You are cordially invited to a Hutsul family house! You will learn traditional songs and customs, sample some local delicacies and experience real Carpathian hospitality!

After lunch we will attend a Music Presentation from musician family Ilyuk, then a free afternoon to relax.

This morning you’ll visit the famous Kosiv Craft Bazaar, to admire the very best hand-made goods of this fantastic region in a kaleidoscope of patterns and colours. Some of these items cannot be found anywhere else – so take a good look!   Wool blankets, wooden carved chests, ornate plates, embroidered cloths, beaded décor and traditional clothing – you can buy anything and everything here. The Hutsuls joke, that you can even “buy Hell” at this market!

After a morning of shopping, we will pay a visit to the village of Sheshory. Sheshory is a picturesque Hutsul village, located in the Carpathians on the banks of the Pistinka river. Sheshory has been home to many masters of folk art, therefore much of the traditional Hutsul folklore, music and handicrafts have been preserved here. Nowadays the village actively takes part in developing green tourism. Here we will have a lunch at the restaurant on the shore of the picturesque Pistinka river. Relax, and take in the view.

After lunch, take some time to explore the city!  Either to enjoy a home cooked meal prepared by the owners of the hotel, or walk around the town, or perhaps relax in the sauna!

After breakfast, time to check out, before setting off for Lviv. Option in the morning to visit a local historic Church for Mass.

On the way we will visit quaint little town called Kolomyya. You’ll visit the world’s only Pysanka Museum, and Hutsul Culture and Art Museum, explore local arts & crafts in souvenir & antiques stores. Lunch in Kolomeyya before hitting the road again.

Arriving in Lviv, we’ll get you checked in, and take you out for a walk around this beautiful medieval city. To finish the day – we’ll enjoy a delicious meal in one of the many local restaurants

Explore this stunning 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! Walk around old cobblestone streets, taste the best coffee and beer Ukraine has to offer, hide in small authentic cafes and visit the World’s Only Coffee Mine. Lviv truly is a city of a laid-back, café culture where you can pick a spot, relax, and watch the world go by…

We strongly suggest you visit the Lviv Opera House – either for a show or simply to see the stunning interiors!

Naturally, all the main “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 an open-top bus, where you’ll get to visit the famous Lychakiv cemetery, the stunning train station, incredible cathedrals and more.

Afterwards, you have free time to explore the city! We suggest you to visit the local souvenir market at Vernisage, the High Castle mountain, where you can get a bird’s eye view of the city, or the Grand Opera House. You can also visit the ancient weapon museum located in the former City Arsenal, admire antique artwork in The Andrey Sheptytsky National Museum, or view a unique and remarkable collection of traditional objects of national culture and folk arts and crafts in Lviv’s Ethnographical Museum.

Then in the evening, a Zabava and Farewell Dinner of the finest traditional food in one of our favourite Restaurants, with live folk music to sing and dance the night away to!

Sadly, your trip will come to an end here.  After breakfast, the car will be waiting to take you directly to the airport. Thank you for traveling with Next Stop Ukraine – we hope your trip was an enjoyable, memorable occasion, and we will see you again soon!