This voyage can truly be described as a journey through history. Beginning in the city of Kiev we navigate the mighty Dnieper River as we make our way to the delta of the river and enter the Black Sea. Our ports of call include Odessa, founded by Catherine the Great, and the Crimean port of Sevastapol, which was closed to the West until recent times.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Depart from London Heathrow to Kiev and transfer to M.S. Viking Lavrinenkov. Kiev is one of the oldest cities in Europe and from the ninth century onwards it was the centre of trade on the Dnieper River route from Scandinavia to the Black Sea and on to Constantinople, now Istanbul.

Day 2 – The old section of Kiev retains many of its most historical buildings and monuments including the domed St. Sophia Cathedral. This morning there will be a sightseeing tour of Kiev by coach and on foot. After lunch there will be a visit to the Monastery of the Caves which is actually a complex of domed churches and museums surrounded by 17th-century houses. The ship departs Kiev at 18.00 hrs.

Day 3 – Today is spent cruising along the Dnieper River with its gently rolling hills dotted with forest groves, villages, wide lakes and reservoirs.

Day 4 – The ship arrives in Dnepropetrovsk at 01.00 hrs. The old fortress settlement of Dnepropetrovsk is today one of Ukraine's most important commercial cities. The History Museum, housed in a beautiful old building, showcases the fascinating history of this country. The ship departs at 13.00 hrs.

Day 5 – Arrive at 10.00 hrs in Nova Kachovka, home to the 18th-century Korsun Monastery, this afternoon. This small town offers a wonderful riverside promenade. Enjoy a walking tour and a folklore performance in the Palace of Culture before the ship sails at midday.

Day 6 – This morning the ship reaches Odessa, gateway to the Black Sea's seaside resorts and known as the Pearl of the Black Sea. There will be a walking and coach tour of the city today revealing the panoramic views and historic buildings including the Opera House. The ship departs at 22.00 hrs.

Day 7 – The ship arrives in Sevastopol at 14.00 hrs where there will be a city tour. The ship remains moored in Sevastopol overnight.

Day 8 – The harbour city of Sevastopol is a treasure trove of architectural gems including the Byzantine St. Vladimir Cathedral set high on a hill above the city. This morning there will be a Bachtischisarai excursion including a visit to the Khan Palace built in 1519 which is a fantastic example of Tartar-Muslim architecture. The ship departs at 18.00 hrs. and arrives in Yalta at midnight.

Day 9 – Arrive Yalta at 09.00 hrs. for a city tour including a visit to the White Palace. The ship is moored in Yalta overnight.

Day 10 – You have an opportunity to discover Yalta today as the ship does not depart until 17.00 hrs.

Day 11 – Arrive in Kherson at 17.00 hrs from where there will be an excursion to Fisherman's Island. Board small boats to discover the beautiful landscape of the Dnieper Delta as you sail through the narrow canals. Depart Kherson 19.00 hrs.

Day 12 – The ancestral home of the legendary Cossacks, Saporoshje, is our next port of call where arrival will be after breakfast. There will be a city tour and hydroelectric plant visit this morning. This afternoon there will be a Cossack show before the ship departs at 17.00 hrs.

Day 13 – A day of scenic cruising along the river affords time to reflect on the beauty and heritage of the Ukraine.

Day 14 – The ship arrives in Kiev at 10.00 hrs. There will be an excursion to Pirogovo Village today which is an open-air museum featuring more than 200 wooden buildings brought from all over the Ukraine. The buildings range from churches and windmills to typical thatched peasant cottages, taverns and farmhouses.

Day 15 – Disembark the ship this morning and transfer to Kiev airport for the return flight to London Heathrow.

From Kiev to the Crimea Cruise

Departure Dates and Prices:

	Apr 22, Oct 07	May 06, 20	Sept 09, 23	Jun 17, Jul 15, Aug 12
Suite	£3695	£3845	£3945	£3995
Cat. AX	£3095	£3245	£3345	£3395
Cat. BX	£2695	£2845	£2945	£2995
Cat. C	£2145	£2295	£2395	£2445
Cat. CS Single	£2145	£2295	£2395	£2445
Cat. D	£2045	£2195	£2295	£2345
Cat. E	£1945	£2095	£2195	£2245
Cat. F	£1895	£2045	£2145	£2195
Cat. F Sole Use	£2495	£2695	£2795	£2895

Prices per person based on double occupancy

MS Viking Lavrinenkov

Built in 1988 this ship has 103 cabins which accommodate 199 passengers. Facilities on board include two restaurants, two bars, library, sauna, gift shop and sundeck. There is also a ship's doctor and a hairdresser on board. Suites on the upper deck are approximately 29 square metres and have twin beds. The A and B Deluxe cabins on the upper and middle decks are 19 square metres and have two twin beds and 2 picture windows. Standard cabins (C, D, E, & F) are 8.5 square metres with two beds and picture window. Single cabins on the Upper Deck are approximately 7 square metres and have bed settee and picture window. All cabins have shower, wc, air-conditioning and fridge.

A Deck Plan is available on request.

Price Includes:  British Airways return economy scheduled flights between London Heathrow and Kiev, 14 nights full board accommodation on board the MS Viking Lavrinenkov, transfers as stated.

Shore excursions Included: City tour Kiev, Cave Monastery tour, Tour of Dnepopetrovsk, Novaja Kachovka walking tour and folklore concert, City tour Sevastopol, City tour of Yalta and visit to the White Palace, City tour Odessa, Fisherman's Island visit, City tour Saporoshje, Cossack Rodeo in Saporoshje, Pirogovo Village near Kiev.

Not included: Travel insurance, gratuities.

Ukraine Visa : There is no requirement at the present time for UK citizens to have visas to enter Ukraine. Should this situation change, passengers will be advised accordingly. The visa cost will be approximately £85 per person which can be arranged through our office.

This cruise is operated on our behalf by Travel Renaissance Holidays Ltd ATOL3124