LAND OF THE SLAVIC BEGINNINGS BELARUS, UKRAINE & MOLDOVA September 16 to October 02, 2022 Led by Native Tour Leader & Local Guides Travel to some of the least explored parts of Europe on this two week journey visiting three beautiful countries: Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldo- va, which are considered some of the hidden gems of Europe. Starting with Belarus, discover it’s glorious and elegant capital - Minsk, repre- senting a stunning amalgam of Soviet-style/Communist architecture and amazing medieval churches. Experience the genuine Belarusian hospitality, and then travel to the fairytale castle at Mir and the 16th century town of Nyasvizh. Departing Belarus, head to Lviv – considered by many as one of the most elegant cities in Europe. In the nearby villages, you will discover some imposing old castles. Cross the border to the tiny nation of Moldova, with its vast underground wine cellars, ancient monasteries and the unique Republic of Transnistria, which officially doesn’t exist. Return to the Ukraine and end at the capital where you will visit some magical golden-domed monasteries and ca- thedrals dating back many centuries. This tour covers a truly intriguing region, full of surprises and imbued with a rich heritage that easily rivals better known parts of Europe, and best of all, it’s well off the tourist map. Ihab Zaki Managing Director, Spiekermann Travel Also visit Nyasvizh Palace, the historical residence of the Radzivills, Friday, September 16 which includes a museum within the Palace and a traditional En- Arrive in Minsk (BELARUS) glish landscaped park. After lunch, drive to Brest, a city bordered by Poland and then transfer to Hermitage Hotel or similar for check-in Upon arrival in Minsk (depending on your flight schedule), you’ll and overnight. (B,L,D) be met by your guide and transfer to the Monastyrski Hotel (or similar) for check-in and overnight. Monday, September 19 Note: Standard check in time at hotel is 3:00 pm. if you Brest - Minsk arrive on September 15; an extra hotel night has to be booked. You’ll spend some time exploring the city of Brest, which is con- sidered the traditional “western gate” of the country. Visit its UNES- Saturday, September 17 CO-listed enormous Fortress, with a history dating back to 1842 Minsk when it was built under the orders of Czar Nicholas I. After it was destroyed during WWII, the fortress was not rebuilt, but instead After breakfast at around 9:00am, you’ll begin a two-hour walking became a shrine to the terrible and heroic events that took place tour down the main avenues, Independence and Victory Ave- there. After lunch, transfer to Monastyrski Hotel or similar in Minsk nues. Along the way admire the architectural monuments that around 6:00 pm for check in and overnight. (B,L,D) date from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Continue to the Upper Town to see the City Hall, the temples and monasteries, and walk Tuesday, September 20 through the old small streets of Trinity Suburb. Visit the 17th Minsk - Lviv (UKRAINE) century Holy Spirit Cathedral, an orthodox church built in simple Baroque style. Next, take a small footbridge to the “Isle of Tears”, a Transfer to Minsk Airport for your one-hour flight toLviv , depart- memorial set up in 1988 to commemorate the Belarus soldiers who ing around 1:10 pm. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred died in the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980’s. In the center, there is to Reikartz Hotel or similar for check-in. After a late lunch, around a chapel that contains the moving figures of grieving mothers, sis- 4:00 pm, you’ll head out on a three-hour walking tour through ters and widows. Afterwards, head to see the Gates of Minsk, two medieval Lviv, founded in the 13th century and with a very Cen- towers that resemble an entrance to the city, along with the Victo- tral European feel, which is reflected in its architecture. The town ry Monument (Square), a major landmark of the city. Also visit the lost much of its gothic-style buildings during the 1527 and 1556 nearby National Library, the largest in Belarus. After lunch, drive to fires, but it still has a number of renaissances, baroque, and clas- the open-air museum of folk architecture, the Dudutki Museum, sic style structures. Wander Lviv’s lovely UNESCO-listed Old Town a symbol of Belarus and its culture. Head to the village for a visit that Square, surrounded by 16th - 18th century merchant dwellings. includes craft shops, a wooden church, a windmill (one of the best You’ll see many unique cathedrals, churches and a chapel with preserved in Belarus), taverns, a garden, and a small tannery mak- the “Sitting Christ” on top, the only one in Europe. Continue on to ing it a large crafts and trading center. The complex recreates the the Pharmacy Museum (the first pharmacy in Lviv) and see its life of a Belarusian county estate and here you’ll visit the Museum walls lined with old shelves stacked with little boxes, antique bot- of National Crafts to learn more about Belarussian crafts including tles, vessels, and scales and learn about the development of phar- pottery, woodcarving, blacksmithing, and cheese-making. Return macology in Lviv and in Europe from ancient to modern times. to the hotel for your overnight. (B,L,D) Return to the hotel for your overnight. (B,L,D) Sunday, September 18 Wednesday, September 21 Minsk - Mir - Brest Lviv Around 9:00 am, you’ll head to visit the 16th century Mir Castle You’ll head out around 9:00 am to continue your walking tour Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a perfect example around the Austrian and Polish influenced Lviv. You’ll learn about of Belarusian stone defensive architecture. Continue on to Nyasvizh its public, political, and cultural life, development of science, tech- to see the magnificent Catholic Cathedral of the Divine Body of nologies, trade, education, its dwellings, and traditions. Visit Lviv’s Christ built in 1593. The Cathedral is a famous family burial-vault State University, the oldest university in Lviv, and Lviv Polytechnics, the largest scientific university in Lviv. Next, visit Lychakiv Cemetery, for the historically influential Radzivills with its beautiful frescoes. where the most notable people from Ukraine are buried including Sunday, September 25 public and political leaders, military men, artists, etc. You’ll then Kamyanets Podilskyi - Chisinau (MOLDOVA) head over to Shevchenkivskyi Gay - the Museum of folk archi- tecture and rural life. The museum is one of the biggest open-air Around 8:00am, you’ll cross the border into Moldova in time for museums in Europe and here you will see traditional folk wood- lunch at Soroca. Afterwards, enjoy a tour of this vibrant little town, en architecture, artifacts from everyday life, and local arts. After situated on the right bank of River Dniester. The main highlight lunch, you’ll have some free time at your leisure to enjoy some of will be a visit to Soroca’s Fortress, built in the 15th century and the sites on your own then return to your hotel around 5:00 pm known for its well-preserved stronghold. It was of vital military im- for your overnight. (B,L,D) portance during the Pruth Campaign of Peter the Great in 1711. A unique feature of this medieval fortress is the curved walls, Thursday, September 22 thought to better resist projectiles. Next, you’ll see the Candle of Lviv - Frankivsk - Kolomeya - Chernivtsi Gratitude Monument, one of the best monuments in Moldova, built on the rocks over the Nistru River. The day ends in Chisi- Today’s drive will take you to Chernivtsi with stops along the way nau where you will be transferred to Jolly Alon Hotel or similar at beginning with the historic Ivano-Frankivsk. Enjoy a two-hour around 8:00 pm for check in and overnight. (B,L,D) walking tour of this 17th century city, often called a “small Lviv”. Here, you will see the Market Square and City Hall, stroll along Monday, September 26 the main pedestrian street known by locals as the “Hundred Chisinau (Cricova ) Meters Street”, see the Armenian Church and much more. You’ll then have lunch at a Galacian restaurant-museum owned by a You’ll being you morning with a city tour that takes you along Ste- local family where you can learn about Galacian life. Afterwards, phen the Great Boulevard to see the elegant administrative build- continue on to Kolomeya to visit the Hutsul Museum (or Pysan- ings including the Presidency, the Parliament, and the City Admin- ka - Easter Eggs Museum) to learn more about the history and istration. There are cultural centers, including the National Theatre culture of the Hutsul people. The drive ends at Chernivtsi around 7:00 pm where you will be transferred to Allure hotel or similar M. Eminescu, the Organ Hall, and Theatre of Opera and Ballet. for check-in, enjoy some free time at leisure and overnight at the Well-known architects and poets such as Bernardazzi, Sciusev, and hotel. (B,L,D) Pushkin gave Chisinau its unique character. Also visit the handicraft market and the National Museum of History of Moldova, one of Friday, September 23 the most important museums in Moldova featuring a nice collection Chernivtsi - Kamyanets - Podilskyi of Moldova’s national heritage from ancient times all the way to mod- ern times. After lunch, drive to the Cricova Winery for a tour and wine After breakfast, head out on a two-hour walking tour to explore tasting where you’ll try four different types of wine.