Taste of Ukraine | 2020 Kyiv – Chernivtsi – Kosiv – Yaremche – Lviv

Taste of Ukraine | 2020

August 12-26, 2020 | 15 Days

If you are a food lover, take this chance to be introduced to the very best of traditional Ukrainian cuisine! On this tour, you will not just try the food, but feel the taste, and become part of it! We will dive into everything connected with Ukrainian food, and the culture and traditions of this fascinating country. Learn how to cook your own varenyky (dumplings), and other delicious dishes.

A portion of the proceeds if this tour will go towards “Help Us Help the Children” Charity

Kyiv – Chernivtsi – Kosiv – Yaremche – Lviv

Sightseeing | Workshops | Cultural Experiences | Zabavas

Day 1| Wednesday, August 12: Arrive in Kyiv (-/-/D)

Welcome to the Polissya region and its centre – Kyiv! The famous dishes of Ukrainian cuisine: borshch (beetroot soup) and potato pancakes are the iconic dishes of the Polissya region. Here, these dishes are not only a meal, but also a symbol of prosperity. Due to its geographical peculiarities, this region is quite diverse in both culture and cuisine. As for beverages, the Polissya is famous for kvass – a rich drink made from bread rye.

Welcome to Ukraine, and its beautiful capital Kyiv, where we will explore the best restaurants of Kyiv, and try some Kyiv specialties! Upon arrival, we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the very city center. Take some time to freshen up and unwind, as next we will provide you with a city orientation, so you know where the nearest exchange points, ATMs, best souvenir stores and restaurants are. Afterwards, we will treat you to a traditional Kyiv Style Dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in the city!

Day 2| Thursday, August 13: Kyiv (B/L/D) To introduce you to the city, we’ll take you on a city tour – you’ll visit Independence Square, better now known as Maidan: a place which changed history, where the Revolution of Dignity took place. We’ll also walk down the Khreshchatyk Street – a famous and well- trodden street, lined with shops, bars and cafes, where locals and tourists alike spend their days and evenings. Next up, you will be taken through iconic sights such as St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery and St. Sophia’s Cathedral, where you will see the icon of Saint Mary called ‘Oranta’, the mother and protector of Ukraine! Travellers from Ukraine and abroad come to this Pilgrimage site to see 1000 y.o. frescoes and mosaics. In the afternoon, we have a special treat – we will try the famous Chicken Kyiv and Kyiv Cake, which are the calling cards of this beautiful city!

Then treat yourself to shopping at Andriivsky Uzviz – a street that’s home to the city’s artisans, artisans and vendors – explore items starting from souvenir trinkets, to authentic costumes and war time memorabilia.

For dinner, you will be invited to a Ukrainian restaurant, to treat yourself to the delicacies of rich Ukrainian cuisine. http://www.opanas.ua/en/

Day 3| Friday, August 14: Kyiv (B/L/D) In the morning, visit a true Mecca for Christians – the famous Kyiv Pechersk Monastery: a powerful spiritual landmark and the most honored Orthodox Church in Eastern Europe. After the excursion, we’ll treat you to lunch in a traditional Ukrainian restaurant.

After we will visit the Holodomor museum devoted to one of the most terrible crimes against the Ukrainian nation – famine. Take a walk through the WWII Patriotic open-air Museum territory, home to examples of socialist architecture, a collection of battle machinery, and gives an unmatched view of the city, from the Motherland Monument and the observation deck.

Return downtown, and get ready for the first Zabava (Ukrainian Party) with an amazing folk ensemble and of course all the quintessential aspects of Ukrainian cuisine in ‘Taras’ restaurant. http://restoran-taras.com.ua/en/

Day 4| Saturday, August 15: Kyiv (B/L/D) In the morning, you will have some adventures waiting for you! Believe it or not, but today we will take you back in time, traveling to Mamaeva Sloboda! This is an Open-air Museum that replicates a traditional Kozak settlement of the 17th and 18th centuries, right in the heart of Kyiv. Here, you will not just listen to the stories of brave Kozaks and their heroic battles, but see the real weapons, clothes, and houses with hay rooves! See the various breeds of farm animals, which people kept to pull wagons carrying salt.

After, we’ll return downtown, where you will have some spare time for individual exploration! Then, check-out and dinner at a restaurant with a Cossack vibe and themed food, called ‘Taras Bulba’ https://tarasbulba.kiev.ua/

In the evening, we will catch a plane to Chernivtsi. Departure time from Kyiv: 8:25pm Arrival time in Chernivtsi: 21:40pm

Accommodation: Number of Nights: Highlights: Tours & Museums: ‘Ukraine’ Hotel or similar 3 Nights Kyiv Cake & Chicken Kyiv Mamaeva Sloboda http://ukraine-hotel.kiev.ua/en/ Zabava Kyiv City Tour Shopping at Andriivsky St. Sophia’s Cathedrals Uzviz

Day 5| Sunday, August 16: Chernivtsi (B/L/D)

The Bukovyna region is a multicultural cradle, where

different nationalities such as Ukrainians, Moldavians,

Romanians, Jews and many others have mixed and brought

new recipes into the culinary diversity of Ukraine.

In the morning, you will explore Chernivtsi, a beautiful multicultural city, and the homeland for many Ukrainians who immigrated to Canada! We will take you on a guided walking city tour – you’ll have a chance to learn about Chernivtsi’s fascinating history, and visit the most beautiful and notable sights the city has to offer.

One must-visit place is the local Hogwarts-like University – the architectural ensemble of the main campus of the university, the Residence of Bukovynian and Dalmatian Metropolitans are included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

After our tours, we will treat you to a delicious lunch in ‘Hopachok’ restaurant, with traditional Bukovynian cuisine! Take a culinary workshop – you will be taught how to cook a traditional Bukovynian meal. Curious to know which one? It will be a surprise! https://www.facebook.com/gopachok/

After the workshop, get ready for a Show by the incredibly talented and famous Folk Ensemble Gerdan. Their arrangements of well–known and ancient Ukrainian songs will amaze you.

Day 6| Monday, August 17: Chernivtsi – Kamianets-Podilsky – Chernivtsi (B/L/D) We are taking you on a time travel today! Not literally, of course, but you will get to see how the local princes and rulers lived as you visit the fortress of Kamianets-Podislky! The different peoples and cultures that lived in Kamianets-Podilsky each brought their own culture and architectural influence. We’ll learn the city’s history on a city tour through the most famous tourist attractions, visit the ancient fortress, the cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the City Hall building and numerous fortifications. For lunch, we will treat you to a proper Kozak meal, called ‘Kulish’ in the territory of the fortress! Cossack warriors used to cook this unique dish, as it was rich, easy to cook and could fill them with strength before battles! After, return to Chernivtsi, and have some free time to rest, go shopping and enjoy the city. For dinner, we will go to a restaurant called ‘The Wheel’. https://www.kolesoetnorestoran

Accommodation: Number of Nights: Highlights: Tours & Museums: ‘Allure Inn’ Hotel or similar 3 Nights Culinary workshops Chernivtsi City Tour http://www.allureinn.com/en/ Gerdan Ensemble University Tour Kamyanets-Podilskyi Castle

Day 7| Tuesday, August 18: Chernivtsi – Tulova – Kosiv (B/L/D) In the morning, we will travel to the village of Tulova to take lessons in cooking banosh (cornmeal) and how to make the best homebrew moonshine from the locals themselves! After a delicious lunch, we will travel up to the Carpathian Mountains – enjoy amazing landscapes from the bus windows! Upon arrival, we will check-in and then have a rest at the hotel. Once we arrive in the hotel, enjoy your evening relaxing in the sauna or swimming pool (OPTIONAL)

Day 8| Wednesday, August 19: Carpathian Mountains (B/L/D)

Visit a local craft market in the morning – where local craftsmen skillfully produce and sell Easter eggs, jewelry boxes, spoons, pottery, embroidery, leather goods, dried and canned mushrooms, berries, and many other goods.

Take a trip to the village of Yavoriv, famous for its unique lizhnyky – woolen blankets. You’ll see how they’re made by craftsmen, and will be able to buy some to warm yourself during cold winters!

Here, in the Carpathians, you will realize that for Hutsuls a meal is not Next stop – the village of Bukovets, just a way to tame hunger but also to socialize. Sharing a meal is located higher up in the mountains, considered an important social gathering! where the locals have preserved The variety of dishes in the mountains is endless… However, fresh and continue to preserve the mushrooms find their way in any hot dish as well as traditional salo, traditions of their ancestors up until most often served as pork lard. present day! On the way, your guide will tell you some exciting stories and legends about this area to make you fall in love with the Carpathian Mountains! You will be cordially invited for lunch with a local Hutsul family! Learn traditional songs; try rich and natural homemade Hutsul food! Experience the famous Hutsul hospitality at its best! Here, you will have another cooking workshop. Today you will be cooking cabbage rolls (holubtsi)! The host will reveal the secrets of true Hutsul holubtsi (cabbage rolls). Dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Accommodation: Number of Nights: Highlights: ‘Mayetok Sokilske’ Hotel or 2 Nights Hutsul family visit similar Kosiv crafts bazaar http://sokilske.com.ua/ Woolen blankets workshop Culinary workshop

Day 9| Thursday, August 20: Carpathian Mountains – Yaremche (B/L/D) In the morning, we will visit a private ethno gallery in the village of Babyn, housing traditional costumes from different regions of Hutsulshchyna – try them on, take lots of pictures and feel as though you have stepped back in time!The next stop will be in Kryvorivnya - take a deep breath of the fresh air and enjoy the stunning views around you. Here, you will see a wooden Hutsul church that dates to the 18th century, and a Hutsul House- Museum, or grazhda, which has many artifacts which represent the local way of life from years gone by. After, lunch in Hutsul style restaurant! We will keep surprising you with the variety of Hutsul cuisine! Afterwards, we will head to Yaremche, a picturesque town on the Prut River that starts high up in the mountains. Here, we will check you into your hotel, situated up in the mountains and close to a waterfall and locals crafts market. In the evening, have dinner in the hotel restaurant!

Day 10| Friday, August 21: Yaremche (B/L/D) After breakfast, we’ll continue exploring the beautiful Carpathian Mountains. Go shopping at Yaremche bazaar, where artisans and vendors from around the area sell the best arts and crafts. We hope there is room in your suitcase not just for fond memories! Relax on the banks of the Prut River, and enjoy the view of the Probiy waterfall and the beautiful scenery of the town. Then, lunch in one of the restaurants in this Carpathian city. Afterwards, visit a unique rock complex, named after legendary Ukrainian Robin Hood - Oleksa Dovbush. These rocks are afortress of the 10th century. According to the legends, in 17-18th centuries here lived camps of freedom-loving Carpathian highwaymen, and the platoons of Oleksa Dovbush. They used the caves as a treasury for their goods, captured from moguls and moneylenders. For dinner, you will be taken to a Hutsul style restaurant called ‘Kolyba’.

Accommodation: Number of Nights: Highlights: ‘Karpatski Zori’ Hotel or 2 Nights Babyn gallery similar Hutsul church http://karpatskizori.com/ Hutsul House-Museum Yaremche Crafts Market

Day 11|Saturday, August 22: Yaremche – Kolomyya – Lviv (B/L/D) In the morning, we will travel to the center of the Pokuttya region- Kolomyya. Optionally: Admire unique and rich historical, artistic and ethnographic legacy of these lands visiting the world’s only Pysanka Museum and National Museum of Hutsulshchyna and Pokuttya Folk Art. Then explore local arts & crafts in numerous souvenir & antique stores of the town. Lunch in Kolomyya before hitting the road again.

Welcome to Lviv, the centre of the Galicia region and a city with a charming medieval atmosphere, delicious coffee, chocolate, beer and of course, food! Galicia has long been known as a multinational region – Ukrainians, Poles, Jews, and Armenians all lived here. During the time that all these nationalities co-existed with each other, it led to the exchange of knowledge, including that of cuisine. Due to this, we now have a unique Galician cuisine, which you will have a chance to explore on your gastronomic tour!

Upon arrival, we will transfer you to the hotel in the very city centre. Take some time to freshen up and unwind, before we treat you to traditional Lviv liquors and dinner. This unusual liquor place will surprise you with its variety of homemade drink flavours - horseradish, honey, blueberry, cranberry liquors, and many others! Then we will head to the "The most expensive Galician restaurant" for our welcome dinner. The concept of this venue is the mysterious Masonic society that occupies an apartment in this old building. https://www.fest.lviv.ua

Day 12| Sunday, August 23: Lviv (B/L/D) After breakfast, enjoy a brief City tour on a retro train. Then taste the amazing Lviv coffee, prepared in a special way in the Lviv coffee mine! https://www.fest.lviv.ua/en/ Take a walking city tour, and get acquainted with the rich culture and culinary history of the city. Next, take a cooking workshop at ‘Sil’’ culinary studio. This is in itself a workshop, where you will learn how to cook traditional Ukrainian food, but most of all it is an experience, which you will keep as a memory of beautiful Lviv. Then, enjoy a lunch of the food that you have cooked yourself!

Afterwards, we suggest shopping at the local souvenir market, where you will be able to stock up on embroidered shirts, handcrafted souvenirs, accessories and much more! Your guide will also point out bookstores, where you will find some treasures for yourself – culinary books with Galician recipes!

This evening, you will have dinner in the most famous Lviv restaurant – Baczewskis; a place that celebrates the history of a wealthy family of philanthropists and biggest foodies of their time - the Baczewski family. http://kumpelgroup.com/baczewski/

Day 13| Monday, August 24: Lviv (B/L/D) Lviv has some of the best chocolate in Europe, alongside the chocolate ‘capitals’ of Belgium and Switzerland. Have you ever tried making chocolates yourself? You will have a chance to see if you are any good, at the Lviv Handmade Chocolate Factory! After the workshop we will visit Shevchenkivsky Hai, an Open-air Museum that recreates a traditional atmosphere and households of villages from different regions of Western Ukraine. Then we will treat you to a delicious lunch. In the evening, we will have a ‘Zabava’ (a traditional Ukrainian party), which will be in a cozy two-story restaurant – "Trout, Bread and Wine" known for its baked Carpathian trout along with fragrant fresh baguette and wine. Have a go at playing a kind of Carpathian trumpet the ‘surma!’ https://www.fest.lviv.ua/en/

Day 14| Tuesday, August 25: Lviv (B/L/D) Another day means more adventures! In the morning, you will have time for individual exploration! Later on, we will take you for lunch before an excursion around the famous Lychakiv cemetery, a place where famous Ukrainian writers, politicians and public figures are buried. Afterwards, return downtown, where you will have more free time to enjoy the narrow cobblestoned streets of Lviv.

This evening, you will have a beer tour to the most famous Lviv brewery, and a final dinner.

Day 15| Wednesday, August 26: Lviv (B/L/D) After some free time to stock up on souvenirs, we will transfer you to the airport where, sadly, it is time to go back home or continue to new exciting destinations.

Accommodation: Number of Nights: Highlights: Tours & Museums: ‘Vintage’ Hotel or similar 4 Nights Chocolate Shevchenkivskyi Hai http://vintagehotel.com.ua/en/ workshop Lychakiv Cemetery Culinary workshop City Centre tour Beer tour Zabava

Thank you for travelling with Cobblestone Freeway!

THERE IS SO MUCH INCLUDED: NOT INCLUDED: SERVICES:  Alcoholic Drinks  Airport Transfers  Airport transfers, if you’re not travelling with  Fully Escorted tour from beginning to end! the group  Tour coordination  Laundry & Telephone Services  Culinary workshops  Tours & Attractions not included in the  Entrance fees itinerary or marked Optional  Tips for guides / drivers/ maids ACCOMMODATIONS:  Travel Insurance 14 nights in comfortable character rich 3 & 4 star  Personal Expenses hotels and quality villas.

MEALS:  All meals included

TOURS, TRANSPORTATION & GUIDES:  Tours and Events included in the itinerary  All land transportation  Flight PS41 Kyiv – Chernivtsi on Day 4  Experienced guides throughout the tour  Cobblestone Freeway t-shirt

HOTELS: City Hotel Check in Check out Nights Kyiv ‘Ukraine’ Hotel or similar August 12 August 15 3 http://ukraine-hotel.kiev.ua/en/ ‘Allure Inn’ Hotel or similar Chernivtsi August 15 August 18 3 http://www.allureinn.com/en/ ‘Mayetok Sokilske’ Hotel or similar Kosiv August 18 August 20 2 http://sokilske.com.ua/ ‘Karpatski Zori’ Hotel or similar Yaremche August 20 August 22 2 http://karpatskizori.com/ ‘Vintage’ Hotel or similar Lviv August 22 August 26 4 http://vintagehotel.com.ua/en/

On our Cobblestone Freeway Tour, enjoy:

Delicious, hand chosen local food, and more Enjoy exclusive workshops in local cuisine inclusions than most other tour operators

Enjoy exclusive Folk dance/ You will be escorted by a full-time music performances Cobblestone Freeway Tour leader

Plus!

Every time you travel with us you get a stamp in your Cobblestone Freeway passport.

Once your passport is full - you are entitled to a free trip with us!

Options while in Kyiv

Visit the Chernobyl Exclusion Take a river cruise down the Visit poet Taras Shevchenko's Zone and abandoned town of Dnipro River. Burial Place in Kaniv. Prypiat.

Marvel at the picturesque Visit Mezhehiria - the Museum Step back in time at the Perohiv Tunnel of Love! of Corruption. Open Air Architecture Museum.

Options while in Lviv

Enjoy a city tour showing you Visit the High Castle Hill to get scenic Visit the weapon museum located around tourist-worthy sights. panoramic view of the city! in the former City Arsenal.

Join mysterious Lviv Night See a Performance at the Take a tour of Lviv’s castles on Guard tour to hear the eerie beautiful Lviv Opera House. a day tour! legends of the city!

Moving Forward on the Cobblestone Freeway with your Custom Specialty tour is easy:

Review your Specialty Group Booking Agreement and get ready to get your tour to go! Easy!

Share this online registration link with all your contacts who wish to experience this culinary tour!

https://cobblestonefreewaytours.wufoo.com/forms/registration-form-taste-of-ukraine/

LAND PACKAGE PRICE:

$ 3835 USD per person The price is based on a minimum of 20 - 29 travelers, double occupancy*

$ 3469 USD per person The price is based on 30 -39 travelers, double occupancy*

$ 3270 USD per person The price is based on 40 or more travelers, double occupancy*

Single Supplement: $ 565 USD

A portion of the proceeds of this tour will go towards supporting – “Help Us Help the Children” Charity

* Price is based on registered bookings received by Cobblestone Freeway Tours (CFT) by your Group Deposit Date of by January 31, 2020**

** We welcome booking requests made after your Group Deposit Date. Price and availability will need to be verified for those booking after this date and price may increase.

PAYMENTS & PAYMENT POLICY: PAYMENT SCHEDULE Please make payments to Cobblestone Freeway Tours Ltd. according to the following dates: DEPOSIT prior to JANUARY 31, 2020 (or when tour sells out) of $500 USD per person done online with registration link. FINAL PAYMENT due by MAY 10, 2020

NOTE: All payments must be made in USD or CAD equivalent (based on the currency exchange rate on day of payment). Please make payments out to COBBLESTONE FREEWAY TOURS LTD in the form of Cheque, Money Order, Bank Draft. Credit card payments can be called into our office or made online at www.cobblestonefreeway.ca/payment or call our Edmonton office during business hours. (Visa or MasterCard)

LATE PAYMENT A Late Payment Fee will apply if payment is made more than 7 days after final payment due date.  Payments received 7 -30 days after final due date – $500 USD administration fee will apply  Payments received more than 30 days after final due date - the tour may be considered cancelled and cancellation terms will apply

TOUR ITINERARY CHANGE POLICY Changes in your custom tour made after first deposited passenger will need to be repriced and may result in price increase.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellation notice must be in writing to Cobblestone Freeway Tours Ltd.  Cancellation between 179 and 90 days – $500 USD per person cancellation fee will apply.  Cancellation between 89 and 60 days prior to departure - cancellation fee of 50% of land tour cost will apply.  Cancellation between 59 and 30 days prior to departure - cancellation fee of 75% of land tour cost will apply.  Cancellation within 29 days of departure or no-show - 100% of the tour cost is non-refundable.

NOTE: While on tour, any unused services such as: transfers, sightseeing, meals, hotel accommodations, entrance fees, or any other services listed in the tour itinerary are non-refundable and non-transferable.

FLIGHTS: Flights are not included in our land prices. They may be purchased through a travel agency recommended by Cobblestone Freeway Tours, Ltd or a travel agency of your choice. You may decide to arrange for all passengers to travel together. Please contact us to receive more information.

TRAVEL INSURANCE NOTICE: Travel insurance is not included in the tour price. Cobblestone Freeway Tours Ltd. strongly recommends the purchase of a comprehensive travel insurance package, which covers health, luggage and trip cancellation. Please consult a licensed travel consultant to purchase your Travel Insurance. Please note that we cannot accept responsibility for any losses or expenses, which you or any member of your party may incur as a result of failing to secure adequate coverage.