CNUF 55th Anniversary Tour | 2020 August 5 – 15, 2020 | 11 Days, 10 Nights Kyiv – Chernivtsi - Carpathian Mountains - Lviv Sightseeing | Workshops | Cultural Experiences | Zabavas and International Ukrainian Dance & Culture Festival Day 1| Wednesday, August 5: Arrive in Kyiv (- / - / D) Welcome to Ukraine and its capital – Kyiv! This beautiful and historic city has played a key part in the past, present and future of this country. However, Kyiv is not just an old city of Golden Domes, exciting and historical museums and memorials. It’s also a cool, up-and-coming progressive city, fast paced in some aspects, as you would expect a capital to be, but in true Ukrainian style. Upon arrival, you will be met by your Cobblestone Tour Leader at the airport (look for the Cobblestone sign with your name) and transfered to your hotel in the heart of the city. After check-in and some free time to get settled in and rest after the flight (depending on your arrival time), we will take you on a brief city orientation, pointing out the nearest exchange offices, ATMs, shops, cafes, restaurants and sights. This evening we will have our welcome dinner in one of our favorite restaurants with traditional Ukrainian food. (Throughout the tour, you Cobblestone Tour Leader will coordinate all tour details and accompany you during all your included tours, activities and transfers. They will also be on call at all times in case you need any additional services, advice or assistance.) Day 2| Thursday, August 6: Kyiv (B / - / D) After breakfast in the hotel we’ll take you on a guided walking city tour, to introduce you to Kyiv, it’s fascinating history, architecture and traditions. You will see iconic sites like St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral, the Golden Gates, and St. Sophia’s Cathedral, which dates back to the 10th century! Travellers throughout Ukraine and abroad come to this Pilgrimage destination to see the 1000-year-old frescoes and mosaics. We visit St. Michael’s Cathedral, where you will surely be impressed with its sky blue exterior and glittering golden domes, which add a stunning layer to the cityscape. You will have some free time for lunch. Your Tour Leader will provide some tasty recommendations! In the afternoon, we will take you for shopping to Andriyivsky Uzviz (Descent). It is the winding street that’s home to the city’s artisans, craftsmen and vendors. You will have the opportunity to explore all kinds of items in their stalls, from souvenir trinkets to authentic costumes, and antique Soviet times’ memorabilia! In the evening, we have a special treat for you – a traditional Ukrainian Zabava (dinner & entertainment), where everyone will have a chance to learn some traditional central Ukrainian songs and dances from our special guests – Rozhanytsia Folk Band! Day 3 | Friday, August 7: Kyiv (B / L/ -) This day will start with a guided tour of the Holodomor Museum. It is a center of commemoration of millions of Ukrainians killed during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine in 1932 – 1933. We then will visit a real spiritual Mecca – the Kyiv Lavra Cave Monastery. Enjoy the walking guided tour there that also takes you down into the underground labyrinths filled with the ancient mummified monks – intriguing to say the least! We will transfer you back downtown to have lunch and then some free time before checking out of our hotel. Transfer to the train station, where you will travel like the locals on the overnight train to Chernivtsi. Train #118П Kyiv – Chernivtsi, depart at 8:05pm – arrive at 7:57am. Accommodation: Number of Nights: Tours & Museums: ‘Khreshchatyk’ Hotel or similar 2 Nights Kyiv City Tour https://www.hotel-khreschatyk.kiev.ua/en Andriyivskyi Descent Kyiv Pechersk Lavra 1 overnight train Kyiv - Chernivtsi Holodomor Museum Day 4 | Saturday, August 8: Chernivtsi (B / L/ -) Welcome to the city of Chernivtsi – the Capital of Bukovyna! It was historically a cosmopolitan community, dubbed “Little Vienna” and “Jerusalem upon the Prut”. This cosmopolitan and multicultural city is currently twinned with seven other cities around the world, and is considered one of Ukraine’s most important educational and architectural sites. Upon arrival in Chernivtsi, you will be transfered you to your hotel located in the heart of the city. Enjoy a delicious breakfast in the hotel, and take some free time to relax before we take you on a combined guided city tour (car and walking). You will visit the stunning Hogwarts-like University buildings, Theatre square and Bukovynian hall of fame, Turkish square, cathedrals and temples. You’ll see why many people fall in love with this beautiful city at first sight! We will have a group lunch and then the rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Explore this beautiful city by taking a walk along Olha Kobylyanska Street, a nice pedestrian street with many tasty cafes, street musicians and old buildings. As always, your Tour Leader will offer suggestions places to visit and restaurant suggestions for dinner. Day 5 | Sunday, August 9: Chernivtsi – Kamianets-Podilskyi – Chernivtsi (B / -/ D) We’re taking you on a time travel today! Not literally, of course, but you’ll get to see how the local princes and rulers lived when you visit the fortress of Kamianets-Podilsky. After the castle visit you will have time for lunch in one of the local restaurants suggested by your Tour Leader. Upon our return to Chernivtsi, we have a special treat arranged for you – a private performance of a local vocal folk ensemble! A very lively and memorable show. Then to complete this perfect day – a Bukovynian-style Zabava (dinner & performance). Accommodation: Number of Nights: Highlights: Tours & Museums: ‘Bukovyna’ Hotel or 2 Nights Zabava Chernivtsi City + University Tour similar Folk band performance Kamianets-Podilsky Fortress http://bukovyna- hotel.com/en/ Day 6 | Monday, August 10: Chernivtsi –Tulova - Carpathian Mountains (B / L/ -) The beautiful Carpathian Mountains are home to sweeping green forests, flowing rivers and breathtaking waterfalls – it’s hard not to feel at-one with nature when you breathe in the fresh mountain air… This is the land of the Hutsuls, Boykos, Lemkos and other native ethnical groups whose colorful folk culture is laced through thin villages stretching along wide valley floors. In the morning after breakfast – set off to the Carpathian Mountains, the land of Hutsuls, and our authentic trip experience comes through in perfect style with an authentic village visit! We arrive in the quaint village of Tulova – a visit to their church, a walk around the village, and a chance to visit with the locals. This visit culimnates with a Tulova-style Zabava (lunch & entertainment) where you will learn songs & dances from the villagers and be welcomed and embraced like family! Afterwards, we’ll drive deeper into the mountains to arrive in Kosiv and check into our beautifully located mountain hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. You may choose to relax at the sauna or swimming pool, spend some time with the locals, or just enjoy the stunning view of the mountains. Day 7 | Tuesday, August 11: Carpathian Mountains (B / L/ -) After breakfast at the hotel, some free time, we head out to keep on exploring the beautiful region of Hutsulshchyna and all that it has to offer. We visit a uniquely located beautiful ancient wooden church and adjoining cemetery in the village of Pistyn. Don’t forget to ask what the pulley system over the river is used for! We then will enjoy the best of traditional Hutsul cuisine at a local restaurant overlooking the river in the village of Sheshory. Take a short walk to visit the picturesque local waterfalls and maybe even dip your feet in the water. We return to your hotel and the you’ll have the remainder of the day to relax at the hotel. You may choose to participate an optional workshop to try your hand at woodcarving or pottery to create a souvenir to take home. (*These activities are optional and not included in the price of the tour and can be booked with your Tour Leader once on tour). Day 8 | Wednesday, August 12: Carpathian Mountains (B / L/ -) After breakfast in the hotel, we will enjoy visiting the local Kosiv mini bazar, where local craftsmen skillfully produce Easter eggs, jewelry boxes, spoons, pottery, embroidery, leather goods, and many other goods. Make sure you leave enough room in your suitcases! We will head up into the mountains and stop to see and learn how traditional local wool blankets, ‘lizhnyky’, are made, and the craftsmen will reveal the secrets behind the different designs and methods. Continuing our drive high up into the mountains to the village of Bukovets. Along the way, your guide will tell you exciting stories and legends about this area that will make you fall in love with the Carpathians even more! In Bukovets - another Cobblestone Freeway exclusive awaits! You’ll be cordially invited to a traditional Hutsul House. Get together with a local family, experience some local traditions, a delicious home cooked meal and a community that will welcome you like family. We’re sure you’ve never been to a Zabava like this! We return to the hotel and the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy. Accommodation: Number of Nights: Highlights: Tours & Museums: ‘Sokilske’ Hotel or similar 3 Nights Tulova-style Zabava Pysanka & Hutsulshchyna http://sokilske.com.ua/en/ Kosiv mini market Museums Hutsul Wedding Pistyn Church Lizhnyky workshop Day 9 | Thursday, August 13: Carpathian Mountains – Lviv (B / L/ -) Breakfast at the hotel and then it’s time to say goodbye to mesmerizing Carpathian Mountains and move on to another destination on our itinerary – the city of Lviv! On our way, we will visit a quaint little town called Kolomyia, the centre of Pokuttia.