Folkdance

OnThe

Water

Itinerary

Ukraine Cruise

July 6 - 22, 2009

Kiev to Black Sea, Romania, Bulgaria plus 3 nights in Istanbul

aboard the MS Taras Shevchenko

Day 1   Mon   July 6 Fly overnight to Kiev

Depart on your overnight flight(s) to Kiev (with connecting flights in Europe depending on airline).
In-flight meals and beverage services are provided as per individual airline policy.

Day 2   Tues   July 7
(D incl.) Arrive Kiev Embarkation after 4 pm

Upon your arrival in Kiev, please proceed through customs. In the arrival hall you will be met by one of the cruise managers. Then transfer to the port for embarkation. A welcome cocktail and information meeting will either precede or follow dinner. Afterwards, enjoy your first night on your floating hotel. (Cruise only passengers with transfers on your own, however if they are desired may be purchased, make inquiry. on own - services begin with embarkation.)

Day 3   Wed   July 8
(B/L/D incl.) Kiev

After breakfast, depart on a city tour of the capital of the Ukraine, which is a tourist delight with is numerous monuments and unique architecture. Your tour will include a visit of St Sophia's Cathedral. The afternoon is free or you can join an optional excursion to Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra Tombs.

KIEV NOTE: The Ukranian capital's broad avenues lined with chestnut trees are steeped in history. When the streets of Paris were still dirt paths, Kiev had the Golden Gates, paved roads and an amazing rate of literacy among both men and women. St. Sofia's Cathederal echoes the past glory of Byzantium, while the Pecherskaya Lavra (Cave Monastery) recalls the deep asceticism of early Christianity.

Day 4   Thur   July 9
(B/L/D incl.) At sail Set Sail in Evening

As the ship glides silently down the Dnieper river, today's on board activities will focus on the Ukraine, a great way to get accustomed to your new surroundings and get a first hand introduction to this beautiful and newly democratic country.

Day 5   Fri   July 10
(B/L/D incl.) Zaporozhye

Site of the first Cossack state in the 15th century, this city "beyond the rapids" is a place of pilgrimage for thousand of tourists seeking to learn the history of the Cossack warriors. Today, enjoy a city tour. You might want to join the highly recommended optional Cossack show.

ZAPOROZHYE NOTE: Zaporozhye is the birthplace of the legendary Ukranian Cossacks, the mighty warriors who defended the empire's borders. In ancient times, Zaporozhye was a well-known stop along the Great Dnieper Way, part of the trade route from Constantinople to the Baltics. Here you will be treated to an exuberant display of Cossack horsemanship and swordplay, as well as the expansive hospitality of a traditional Cossack feast. National music, local wines and Cossack vodka are all part of this rousing celebration.

Day 6   Sat   July 11
(B/L/D incl.) Kherson

Kherson is a naval and river port which was founded in 1778. The city is situated at the mouth of the Dnieper and has a population of 300,000. Upon arrival, you will transfer to small boat for a trip to the Fishermen's Island. Enjoy your picnic lunch.

KHERSON NOTE: Kherson was originally built by the Russians as a garrison for the Cossacks, the fierce warriors who defended the Russian Empire's southern border against the marauding Tatars and Turks. Today, Kherson is the stepping off point for exploring the Dnieper delta, with its bountiful fowl, fauna, and wildlife.

Day 7   Sun   July 12
(B/L/D incl.) Sevastopol

Founded in 1778, Sevastopol today is a major seaport and is the industrial, scientific and cultural center of the Crimean region. This morning, enjoy a city tour of this interesting city.

SEVASTOPOL NOTE: Rich in history, Sevastopol has been inhabited since the 8th century BC. Yet for 70 years, it was closed to outsiders. You will be among the few Americans to see this gracious city, best known as the site of a fateful siege during the Crimean War. Today, Sevastopol is home to the powerful Black Sea fleet and the renowned Black Sea Fleet ensemble!

Day 8   Mon   July 13
(B/L/D incl.) Yalta

Welcome to Yalta! Your city tour includes the Great Livadia Palace with 120 luxurious rooms, built in 1913 in Italian Renaissance style, where the Yalta conference was held in 1945.

YALTA NOTE: The most elegant resort on the "Crimean Riviera," Yalta is situated between the Crimean Mountains and the Black Sea. Dramatic cliffs overlook azure water and the air is so fresh it seems alive. The Russian Imperial family loved relaxing in Yalta's lush setting, so Czar Nicholas II created the sparkling Livadia Palace for them. Livadia Palace was later the site of the historic Yalta Conference attended by Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt.

Day 9   Tues   July 14
(B/L/D incl.) Yalta

Spend the morning at leisure. Stroll down the local promenade for some shopping or souvenir hunting. In the afternoon, enjoy the passing vista, as you sail to Odessa.

Day 10   Wed   July 15
(B/L/D incl.) Odessa

Also known as the "Pearl of the Black Sea", Odessa is a modern city and a major seaside resort which rises in tiers above a gently curving bay. Your city tour will feature all major attractions of this fascinating city.

ODESSA NOTE: A Mediterranean climate and a picturesque setting on the Black Sea have drawn the rich and famous to Odessa for centuries. The city's most famous mayor, the French Duc de Richelieu, transformed Odessa into a thriving center of commerce and culture. To this day Odessa remains a cosmopolitan city with a world-famous opera house and a bustling port. Tree-lined promenades and classical buildings painted in pastel hues evoke another era.

Day 11   Thur   July 16
(B/L/D incl.) Odessa

Today, enjoy a full free day at leisure or join an optional excursion.

Day 12   Fri   July 17
(B/L/D incl.) Tulcea, Romania

Enjoy the scenic passing countryside as you sail onto Tulcea this morning. Upon arrival, depart on a self guided walking tour.

TULCEA NOTE: This ancient Black Sea shipping port was first documented 400 BC as it stood on the crossroads of the east and the west. Romans, Bulgarians, Turks and finally Romanians ruled this city of approximately 100,000 inhabitants as of today. The city is best known as the gateway to the Danube Delta, a nature wonderland protected by USESCO.

Day 13   Sat   July 18
(B/L/D incl.) Tulcea

Today, enjoy a boat trip along the Danube Delta.

Day 14   Sun   July 19
(B/L/D incl.) Nessebar, Bulgaria - Disembarkation

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Nessebar. After lunch on board, bid your crew farewell as you disembark and board your bus to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, go to visit St. Sophia as tomorrow, Monday, is a closed day for St. Sophia. Then check in to your hotel for dinner and stay.

NESSEBAR NOTE: This old Greek fortification town on the Black Sea, and a UNESCO designated city, is resplendent with historical monuments, a rich history and today is one of Bulgaria's most popular Black Sea resorts boasting of more than 100 hotels and lodgings, beautiful beaches and a gorgeous, pedestrian friendly Old Town full of restaurants and cafes. Walking tour and the end of the cruise portion of the Black Sea itinerary.

Day 15   Mon   July 20
(B/L/D incl.) Istanbul, Turkey

In the morning depart from the hotel for the full day sightseeing. Visit the Hippodrome area, the remnant of an arena built in the reign of Septimus Severus. From here proceed to the 17th century Blue Mosque, so called due to its more than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles that adorn the interior walls. After this visit walk down into the Basilica Underground Cistern, a mystic atmosphere carried by 336 columns. Then get ready to discover the Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 15th to 19th centuries. At the end of the tour visit the world famous Grand Bazaar area and then return to your hotel. *** Upon returning to hotel there will be an evening folklore program: A Turkish Folklore group will come and perfom folk dancing at the Meeting room of the hotel and you will have also the chance of dancing with them . There will be folk dancers and their musicians to accompany them. After this program the dinner is free tonight.

ISTANBUL NOTE: Nested across the Bosphorous and residing on two continents—Europe and Asia—this world-renowned metropolis will impress you with its history, its sounds, smells amd pulsating day and night life incomparable to any other in the world. Home to the Blue Mosque, Haga Sophia and the Topkapi Museum to name a few.

Day 16   Tues   July 21
(B incl.) Istanbul, Turkey

In the morning depart from the hotel and visit the Spice Bazaar, near the Galata Bridge just by the entrance of Golden Horn. Then embark on a private boat for a memorable cruise along the straits of Bosphorus, see many fascinating pavilions, palaces and classical wooden Turkish houses by the water. Disembark at Sarýyer and then cross to Asiatic side of Istanbul and visit Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of Ottoman sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens. Then drive up to Nakkaþtepe Hill for a panoramic view of Istanbul and then return to your hotel. Optional evening folklore performance or (Whirling Dervishes) TBA

Day 17   Wed   July 22
(B incl.) Istanbul - Home

Today, check-out of your hotel and transfer to International Ataturk Airport for your flight back home. (Connecting flights in Europe depending on airline used).
In-flight meals and beverage services are provided as per individual airline policy.

* Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to changing weather and other local conditions.

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