ALUMNI COLLEGE IN THE UKRAINE ITINERARY

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1
Depart your gateway city for Kiev, Ukraine. (Flight provided for Air-Inclusive participants only.)

Day 2
Upon arrival, transfer by motor coach to the MS Dnieper Princess. (Transfer provided for Air Package participants only.) This evening, participate in a festive Captain's Welcome Reception and Dinner aboard the ship.

Day 3
Educational Focus: Ukrainian History.

Excursion: Kiev. Visit Vladimir Hill, where Prince Vladimir supervised the baptizing of all Kievans after he established Christianity as the state religion of Kiev Rus. Then, see the Golden Gate and St. Sophia Cathedral, founded by Prince Yaroslav the Wise.

Excursion: Caves Monastery. Explore the Caves Monastery, a complex of caves and tunnels that overlook the Dnieper River Valley.

Cultural Event: This evening, enjoy a private performance of the Ukrainian National Choir.

Day 4
Educational Focus: A Century of Change.

Excursion: Pirogovo.See authentic regional houses in the open-air Museum of Ukrainian Folk Architecture, Rural Life and Folk Art.

Excursion: Babi Yar. Visit a memorial to the Jewish victims of the September 1941 massacre. Also stop at the memorial honoring the Societ victims of Nazi-occupied Kiev.

Day 5
Educational Focus: Ukrainian Culture and Heritage. Enjoy a full-day celebration of Ukraine’s traditions. On board dance and music performances combine with menus of local specialties to provide an immersion into the Ukrainian culture.

Day 6
Educational Focus and Excursion: The Cossacks. In Zaporizhia, learn the story of the Cossacks, warrior horsemen who once dominated Ukraine. Visit the Cossack Glory Museum and attend an exciting Cossack Horsemanship Show.

Day 7
Excursion: The Dnieper River Delta. Explore Kherson in the Tavria region, then travel on a smaller boat to the delta. Visit a traditional fishing village and meet local residents in their homes.

Educational Focus: The Impact of Crimea.

Day 8
Excursion: Bakhchisarai and the Northern Crimea. After a tour of Sevastopol, travel a scenic route to Bakhchisarai. Its palace was the seat of the Giray Dynasty of the Crimean Khanate.

Cultural Event: Attend a concert by the Black Sea Naval Fleet Ensemble.

Day 9
Excursion: Yalta. The Crimean resort town of Yalta is referred to as the Nice of the Black Sea. Visit Livadia Palace, the former summer residence of Russia’s Romanov family and stately setting for the Yalta Conference.

Day 10
Educational Focus: Contemporary Ukraine and the Orange Revolution.

Excursion: Elegant Odessa. Experience the historic sites of Odessa, the Pearl of the Black Sea. Admire magnificent works of art at the Museum of Fine Art and see the grand Potemkin Steps.

Cultural Event: Attend an evening concert of classical music at the Odessa Theater of Opera and Ballet.

Day 11
Depart Odessa for Tulcea, Romania. Enjoy a day at leisure as you crusie the scenic coastline of the Black Sea.

Day 12
Discembark the ship and transfer by motor coach to the Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest.

Independent Exploration: Discover the treasures of Bucharest on your own.

This evening, enjoy a festive Romanian dinner and folkloric show.

Day 13
Excursion: Bucharest. A panoramic tour of Bucharest showcases the city’s many romantic squares and eclectic mix of architectural styles.

Tonight, attend a Farewell Reception.

Day 14
Transfer to the Bucharest airport for the return flight to your gateway city. (Transfer and flight provided for Air-Inclusive participants only.)