Land of Castles Castles…These mighty buildings used to play an essential role in a defense of the country. Being connected with noble families, people’s fortunes and legends they give us a strong feeling of romance. The most of them are situated in the Western Ukraine. Together with architecture of the monasteries and churches, surrounded by picturesque Ukrainian nature these sites will definitely draw your attention. We suggest a 6-day fascinating tour to the most interesting sights of the Western part of Ukraine experiencing the cosy Central European atmosphere of Lviv, walking at the beautiful Ternopil’s lake, admiring the ornate golden domes of Pochayiv Monastery, and of course visiting a number of the most impressive castles and palaces. Day 1, Lviv Meeting at the airport in Lviv. Transfer to a hotel. Accommodation at the hotel. Welcome dinner. Meeting with a guide and a short presentation of a tour. Day 2, Lviv Breakfast. Lviv – a 3-hour tour around one of the main cultural centres of Ukraine – the Assumption Church (Uspinnya) and Three Saints Chapel, the Dominican Cathedral, the Rynok Square – the heart of the city (Renaissance period), the City Hall (Ratusha), the Latin Cathedral with the Chapel, the ancient Armenian quarter and the Armenian Cathedral, the Liberty avenue (Prospekt Svobody), the Opera House, Town Arsenal – a part of the city’s original fortification system. Free time or visiting museums, exhibitions, famous cafes, theatres, clubs, discos optionally. Dinner. Day 3, Lviv - Olesko – Pidhirtsi – Zolochiv – Ternopil (200 km) Breakfast. Olesko – the 18th-century French chateau-style Olesko castle standing on top of a hill surrounded by a dense swamp - the unique historical and architectural monument. Lunch (optionally, “Grydnycya” Restaurant) Pidhirtsi Palace and Park complex – the impressive architectural monument of the late Renaissance period designed in the characteristic “palazzo in fortezza” style - the Palace, the Cathedral of St. Jozef and Exaltation (Vozdvyzhennya). Zolochiv Castle (17th century) – a former residence of the Sobieski noble family situated on a hill at the confluence of two small rivers (the Big Palace, the Chinese Palace, bastions and towers). Arrival to Ternopil. Accommodation at a hotel. Dinner. Day 4, Ternopil – Pochaiv – Kremenets – Vyshnevets – Ternopil (180 km) Breakfast. Leaving for the excursion. Ternopil walking city-tour – the city center, the castle, the Church upon the Lake (Nadstavna Church), visiting of the Holy Virgin Nativity Church (Rizdva Bohorodytsi, 17thcentury, with the miraculous icon of Ternopil Holy Virgin); the Dominican Monastery. Pochayiv Lavra - one of the largest orthodox centers, architectural complex of the 16 – 19th centuries with the baroque Assumption Cathedral (Uspinnya), famous for its miraculous icon and the Pochayiv Holy Virgin ichnogram on the stone. 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. Vyshnevets – the palace complex of Vyshnevetski princes – an outstanding 17th-century architectural and historical monument – situated on the steep river bank; the Church of Ascension. Returning to Ternopil. Dinner. Day 5, Ternopil – Berezhany – Rohatyn – Svirzh – Lviv (180 km) Breakfast. Berezhany – the Sieniawski castle complex located on an islet down the river; Saint Trinity Castle Chapel, the City Hall. Rohatyn – the monument to Nastya Lisovska (famous Roksolana), Holy Virgin Nativity Church, Mykolayivska Church with the amazing panorama view of a town. Svirzh – the stone castle surrounded by a pond and an old park, located in the fringe of the village on a high rocky hill, towering over the valley; the Svirzh defense post which is the unique example of Renaissance fortification architecture in Halychyna. Journey to Lviv. Accommodation at a hotel. Dinner. Day 6, Lviv Breakfast. Free time. Transfer to the airport. Leaving Lviv. *The organizer is entitled to the right to make the slight changes to the program without changing the general content of a trip. www.terraincognita.info [email protected] UKRAINE, Kyiv, Mala Zhytomyrska str., 16/3, of.4 Tel. +380443616801, Fax +380672313200, Mob. +380982259997 .