Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova
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"A very impressive tour. Moldova was my favorite part - walking through little villages with our outstanding local guide. The meals were better than expected and our MIR tour manager was very good."
Philip D. Arben
East Lansing, MI
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Traverse a little-known region that has changed hands from its earliest history. Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova are three of the least-frequented and least familiar countries in Europe.
Days 1-3: Minsk, Brest
Begin in Minsk, capital of Belarus. Nearly half of its population perished during WWII, and the post-war recovery process emphasized Stalinist apartment blocks and factories. Belarus today is a fascinating glimpse into the socialist past.
Days 4-8: Lviv, Kiev
Crossing the Ukrainian border, arrive in Lviv, its Old Town square a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fly over the rich farmland once known as the "breadbasket of the Soviet Union" to the capital, Kiev. Visit some of Ukraine's most important sites, including St. Sophia Cathedral and the Caves Monastery.
Days 9-13: Simferopol, Yalta, Odessa
On the sunny Black Sea coast, visit Yalta, the lush Crimean resort where luminaries like Pushkin and Chekhov summered. At the seaside Livadia Palace, trace the steps of Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin, who decided the fate of post-war Europe here. Drop in to Odessa, renowned international seaport for hundreds of years and climb its famous and much-filmed Potemkin Steps.
Days 14-16: Chisinau
Next is Chisinau, capital of Moldova, still struggling to position itself in the post-Soviet world. Explore its ancient monasteries and small villages and sample its deep red wine. Embark on an
optional visit to the Transdniester region, a narrow strip of land bordering Ukraine where separatists have declared a disputed independence.
Trip Details
| Length of Trip: |
16 Days |
| Departures in 2008: |
2 |
| Dates: |
May 16-31 |
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August 15-30 |
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| Land Tour Cost |
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| 5-16 travelers |
$6,295 |
| Single Supplement |
$1,495 |
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MIR Signature Features
- Wander the streets of Minsk where
the legacy of World War II has left
countless memorials
- Climb Odessa’s Potemkin Steps, made
famous by 1920s director Sergei Eisenstein
in The Battleship Potemkin
- Enjoy a Moldovan wine-tasting, and
discover one of the best-kept secrets
of Eastern Europe
Map
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| Days 1-2: |
Minsk |
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| Day 3: |
drive to Brest |
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| Day 4: |
drive to Lviv |
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| Day 5: |
Lviv |
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| Days 6: |
fly to Kiev |
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| Day 7-8: |
Kiev |
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| Days 9: |
fly to Simferopol, drive to Yalta |
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| Day 10-11: |
Yalta |
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| Day 12: |
drive to Odessa |
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| Day 13: |
Odessa |
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| Day 14: |
drive to Chisinau |
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| Day 15-16: |
Chisinau |
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Suggested Extensions
Combine this tour with Kaliningrad & the Baltics or Ancient Russian Towns & Villages.
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