Welcome to Ukraine! Upon arrival in Lviv, you’ll be met at the airport by your Tour Leader and chauffeured to your hotel, located in the heart of the city center. Your Tour Leader will be with you throughout your entire trip – every step of the way. More than just a guide - they will be your personal travel host, along with your private driver and vehicle. Together, they’ll make sure you get where you need to go, and be available to stop when you need along the way. Not to mention, they’ll show you the best places to eat, and help you with all the small details, from using the bank machines to showing you where to find the best gifts at the market - and negotiating for the best price! They’ll share the best of Ukraine, tell you about its history, and show you the modern Ukraine. And if there are any problems, they will make sure everything gets worked out. You're in good hands! After check-in and some free time to freshen up, we will provide you with a city orientation, so you will know the closest exchange places, ATMs, and best souvenir and convenience stores. Later on, we will enjoy a delicious Welcome Dinner in one of our favorite restaurants with traditional Ukrainian food!

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation:

• Regular Season: Vintage Boutique Hotel

Today we’ll get to know this beautiful city a little bit better on a city tour... Lviv was considered the centre of the ancient historical region, Galicia. It has many names – Lemberg, the city of Lion, Lvov, – but under any name, Lviv has always been a city of love. The historic city centre, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with its antiquated buildings and cobblestoned streets, survived through Soviet and German occupations during the Second World War, and yet it still looks almost unharmed! Then, you'll get to know why Lviv is called the 'The City of coffee' by drinking fragrant coffee in one of the most unique coffee shops in the city. Learn about the history, listen to the legends and enjoy the aromas of fresh grinded coffee with a piece of cheesecake. Enjoy the afternoon on your own as you explore and get some shopping time in at the local souvenir market, where you'll be able to stock up embroidered shirts, handcrafted souvenirs and accessories and much more! Optional: Take a beer tour - you will be impressed with a wide range and taste variety of Lviv beer in the best breweries of the city! (Tours must be arranged in advance. Please call our Cobblestone Freeway Office to book your add-ons at least 60 days prior to tour start date)

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Regular Season: Vintage Boutique Hotel

Today we are leaving beautiful Lviv and heading to Ivano-Frankivsk. On the way, we will stop in ancient Halych. The city gave its name to the historic province of Galicia (Halychyna), to the Principality of Halych and to the Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia. The first ritten mention of Halych dates all the way back to 1138, so it's definitely worth visiting! We’ll stop for lunch. On our way we’ll also stop in the beautiful town of Rohatyn, which has a significant part in the history of Halychyna region. You will get to hear the fascinating story of a young Ukrainian girl who came from this ancient town, and made the whole world talk about her! Upon arrival in Ivano-Frankivsk, we’ll check you in at the hotel in the city centre and will show you around, so you know where to go dinner, where to exchange money and the nearest ATMs.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Regular Season: Nadiya

This morning we’ll take you on a city tour - it’s a good chance to enjoy a leisurely walk through the city, learning its history and visiting its main attractions. This charming city, with its parks, lush gardens, European-style houses and historical monuments, will make a great impression on you! The rest of the day is yours to enjoy: if you have any relatives in the area, your guide can help you arrange meeting them. Otherwise, you may explore this marvelous city on your own. Your Tour Leader will recommend places worth visiting and help you get there. In the evening, we’ll have a group dinner in one of the local restaurants!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Regular Season: Nadiya

In the morning, after breakfast and checkout, you’ll be setting off to the beautiful Carpathian Mountains! On our way, we will stop in the city of Kolomyya and visit the world’s Only Pysanka (Easter egg) museum to admire the art, and Hutsul Culture and Art Museum - the collection of costumes, tools and art will help you to imagine how ancient Hutsuls lived. Stop for lunch in a local restaurant before hitting the road again. Arrive in Kosiv – a relaxing picturesque town in the Carpathian Mountains, you’ll have some free time to relax. Optional: In the evening you may take some spa treatments, including relax in a purifying sauna, or a massage. Otherwise, go for a walk on the territory of the hotel, surrounded with views of the mountains!

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Regular Season: Maetok Sokils'ke

In the morning – take a trip to the local Kosiv crafts bazaar. Once a week vendors and artisans from the area get together to buy and sell art supplies, embroidery, antique items, food and even animals! See all kinds of unique items made by local women - Easter eggs, jewelry boxes, spoons, pottery, embroidery, leather goods, and many other goods. Even if you don’t buy something (which is quite unlikely) – it’s a real experience! Next stop is a small Carpathian village, located higher up in the mountains, where inhabitants are passionate about preserving their ancestors’ traditions. You’ll be cordially invited to dinner at a Hutsul Family House! Learn traditional songs; watch the locals dancing, try rich, home-made Hutsul food made by the local women! Experience the famous Hutsul hospitality at its best! Return to the hotel, rest of the evening at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Regular Season: Maetok Sokils'ke

This morning, we’ll visit the village of Yavoriv, famous for its ‘lizhnyky’ – unique, hand woven woolen blankets. You’ll learn why only women make them, and how through the centuries this tradition has been preserved. You will even be able to try making some for yourself. Next, we will visit a traditional Hutsul house-fortress –Hutsul Grazhda. This is an impressive piece of architecture, preserved for centuries, and feels like you are stepping back in time as you step through its low wooden doors. Now conserved as a museum, it displays many artefacts representing the local way of life. It was here that the famous film “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” (a.k.a. ‘Wild Horses on Fire’) was filmed. After, we will visit a woodcarvers’ home, where he will show us some of his unique creations, tell us about his craft, and even give you a chance to try your hand at woodcarving! We’ll return to the hotel. Afternoon at your leisure.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Regular Season: Maetok Sokils'ke

Today we’ll head to the capital of Bukovyna, Chernivtsi! On our way, we’ll stop at the local village of Tulova. Here the locals are keen to welcome you into their village, to show you around, and show you their day-to-day life – you will feel like a part of this big family! Experience the famous Ukrainian hospitality at its best with a lunch with the villagers, made fresh from local ingredients! We’ll carry on to Chernivtsi. Upon arrival, we’ll settle you in your hotel. Evening at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Regular Season: Allure Inn

Welcome to Chernivtsi! 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. We’ll take you on a city tour to get to know this city better. Today we’ll head to one of the largest historical places in Chernivtsi - the 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 wandering its historic buildings, take some time to wander Chernivtsi’s picturesque streets - the rest of the day is yours for further exploration. That evening – time for something incredible – a performance by the incredible folk ensemble “Gerdan”. Traditional authentic Ukrainian clothing, stunning artistic skills combined with warm, joyful music and an unparalleled energy - this is what you have to look forward to! 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!

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Regular Season: Allure Inn

Today we are taking you on a time travel - to the fortresses of Khotyn and Kamyanets-Podilskyi! You will get to see how the local princes and rulers lived hundreds of years ago. The different types of people that lived in Khotyn and Kamyanets-Podilskyi 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.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Regular Season: Allure Inn

In the morning we’ll transfer to Ternopil. After check-in, take some time to refresh before we take you to one of our favourite restaurants for lunch. Borschiv is an ethnographic region in Podillia, near the western city of Ternopil. It is famous for its Borshchiv embroidery technique – a very dark colored floral pattern. This unique style of embroidery is much darker than other Ukrainian styles, which are usually full of colour. We’ll take you to the Museum of regional ethnography to see some. The great collection of decorative and applied arts is the subject of the museum’s pride. Aswell as folk costumes and embroidery, the museum includes examples of ceramics, textiles, leather and wooden exhibits. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Regular Season: Hotelʹ Ternopilʹ

This morning we’ll take a walking tour around the old city center. In the afternoon – enjoy some time at your leisure. You can take an optional tour to the small town of Pochaiv, known for the Pochaiv Lavra – the second largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Ukraine. A huge number of pilgrims and believers come here annually to listen to the sermons, touch the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary and plunge into the lake of St. Anna. Take advantage of the tour and feel the great power and energy of this place. (Tours must be arranged in advance. Please call our Cobblestone Freeway Office to book your add ons at least 60 days prior to tour start date)

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Regular Season: Hotelʹ Ternopilʹ

This morning we’ll transfer back to Lviv. After check-in and some time to freshen up, we’ll visit the Lychakiv Cemetery, a place where many famous Ukrainian writers, artists and other public figures have been buried, and their gravestones are a sight to behold! These stones are truly works of art, from intricate carvings to impressive mausoleums, this cemetery is an open air museum - one of the most grandiose and significant European necropolises. Take advantage of the many suggestions we have for you today! Enjoy a final afternoon in Lviv at your leisure, before coming back together for a final Farewell dinner in one of our favourite restaurants!

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Regular Season: Vintage Boutique Hotel

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! Ask us about our Tour Extension options. Combine this tour with our Central Ukraine Tour!

Meals: Breakfast