Day 2

Breakfast at the hotel.

A visit to Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Kiev Cave Monastery), a unique monastery complex, which is included in the UNESCO world heritage list. Originating in 1051, when a monk, Antoniy, had settled in a hill slope cave, the monastery played a very important role in Ukrainian cultura; development — the first printing-house was established here, many famous chroniclers, writers, scientists, painters, doctors lived and worked. In 1113 Chronicler Nestor wrote his ‘Tale of Bygone Years’ (Povest vremennyh let) — the main source of knowledge about the times of Kievan Rus. After a great fire of 1718, the restoration of damaged buildings and the construction of new ones began. The Holy Dormition Cathedral and Troitskaya Church got their present-day baroque style and the monastery territory was surrounded by stone walls. In the middle of the 18^th century the unique architectural ensemble of the Lavra had been formed. Preserved for the most part, Kiev-Pechersk Lavra became the largest monastery on the territory of former Kievan Rus, its total area was almost 30 hectares. The Lavra caves are a system of underground passages, divided into two parts — Far and Near Caves – first mentioned in 1051. At first the caves were occupied by the monks who lived there, later they were used for the remains of settlers of the monastery. In particular there are remains of Chronicle Nestor the author of the Story of Bygone Years and the preserved remains of imperishable Lavra saints. ( 4.5 – 5 hrs tour)

Day 3 

Breakfast at the hotel.
Today at leisure or you may pre-book optional sightseeing (not included).
We suggest either the Chornobyl Museum in Kiev or St Sofia Cathedral.

Day 4

After breakfast at the hotel spend some free time in the morning for shopping or revisiting one of Kiev’s many museums.
Check out today is mid morning so leave your luggage at the hotel and spend the day in beautiful Kiev. At 18:00 hrs our driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the Kiev railway station for train number 143K, overnight train to Lviv, capital of western Ukraine. The Old Town of Lviv is a recognized World Heritage Site and has been preserved almost intact.
Overnight on the train.

Day 5

Arrival in Lviv is at 06.10 hrs where our driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel to leave your luggage until check in (2 nights) and for breakfast at the hotel.

Today we include a half day walking tour of Lviv, which is an orientation tour of this charming city with its elegant Opera and Ballet Theatre, numerous Catholic and Orthodox churches, Jewish quarter, ancient Armenian Cathedral, the beautiful Boim Chapel and we visit the oldest functioning Pharmacy Museum in the city, which occupies a 16th century building on the Market Square. – the hub of Lviv life from the 14th to 21st centuries. Today it is the best preserved medieval market square in Ukraine. (3 hours tour)

Day 6

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we include a visit to the Open Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural life “Shevchenkivsky Hay”. This tour includes transportation and is accompanied by an English speaking guide.

The exhibition contains real 16-20th century buildings, preserved and arranged into several small villages with 15-20 buildings in each. One may observe relics of folk architecture complete with many household objects – dwellings, household-production buildings such as the mill, the smithy, the fuller, the windmill and tartak etc. The museum is proud of its 6 churches, amongst which, the oldest, Nicholas’ Church, dates back to 1763.