Impressive Volyn’ A 3-day excursion around the magnificent castles and other sights of Volyn’ region

What can be more exciting spending your weekend admiring the glittering golden-domed cathedrals with a great history, walking near the majestic castles with their own fascinating legend each, viewing the picturesque sceneries from the hills over the neat towns of famous Volyn’. During the tour you’ll stroll along the streets of Volodymyr-Volynsky, see the big castles in , and the ruins of the smaller ones at Krements, Olyka and other towns and of course visit the oldest churches and monasteries of Volyn’ region.

Day 1, Lutsk – Volodymyr-Volynsky – Zymne – Lutsk (200 km)

Arrival to Lutsk. Leaving for the excursion. Volodymyr-Volynsky - the national historic-cultural reserve “The Ancient Volodymyr” - the 12th-century complex of the Assumption Cathedral (Uspinnya): the Cathedral, the belfry and walls with the gate; the 14th- century Vasylivska Church, the old centre of a town. Zymne – Zymnensky Svyatohirsky Monastery of Assumption for women – one of the oldest ones in built during the ruling of Volodymyr Velyky; Zymnivske Settlement – one of the earliest fortified settlements on the Slavonic lands during the period of the early Middle Ages. Returning to Lutsk. Accommodation at a hotel. Dinner.

Day 2, Lutsk – Olyka – Klevan – Peresopnytsya – Lutsk (160 km)

Breakfast. Leaving for the excursion. Lutsk – a 2-hour tour around the main city of the Volyn’ region (the outstanding 14th-century Lubart’s castle with its 13m-high brick walls and tall towers – a centrepiece of the old town, St. Peter’s and Paul’s Cathedral with the entrance to the city’s wide network of underground tunnels). Olyka - the medieval town renowned for its independent character (a walk across the 16th-century castle’s flower-filled yard reviewing the three-storied palace with its gates, corner citadels and castle moats; the beautiful St. Trinity Church, St. Peter’s and Paul’s Cathedral, Lutsk Gate decorated with brick ornamentation – the only survived fragment of the strong ancient city’s fortifications). Klevan – the 15th-century castle of Prince Chartoryysky on the bank of the river Stubla, the Church of the Holy Virgin Nativity and the Church of Annunciation. Peresopnytsya – the place where the Orthodox Holy Virgin Nativity Monastery used to be which played an important role in the history of Ukrainian literacy and culture (the place where the Peresopnytsky Gospel was created). Returning to Lutsk. Dinner.

Day 3, Lutsk - Dubno – Kremenets – Mezhyrich – – (240 km)

Breakfast. Leaving for the excursion. Dubno – the 15-18th-century castle of Princes Ostrozki consisting of two palaces surrounded by the defensive moat which had never been taken by enemies. Kremenets – a striking ruined 12th-century fortress atop the Castle Hill with an extremely picturesque town attached, the memorable ring of walls and gate tower which constitute a unique example of the Medieval fortification art; Mykolayivsky Cathedral. Mezhyrich - the Troyitsky Monastery-Stronghold (of the Trinity) surrounded by the massive wall and impressive four towers (one more tower was turned into the belfry) – one of the most outstanding architectural ensembles erected on the territory of Ukraine during the period of 15 – 20th centuries. Ostroh - the cradle of education and enlightenment in Ukraine, the place where the first complete edition of the Bible in Old Church Slavonic was printed and the well-known Ostroh Academy was established - visiting the castle of the Ostrozki princes and the Epiphany church. Arrival to Rivne. Leaving from the city.

*The organizer is entitled to the right to make the slight changes to the program without changing the general content of a trip.

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