12 Days Ukraine, Moldova and Romania Highlights Tour

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DAYS

DATES

All Years

DEPOSIT

US$50

PRICE FROM

St. Sophia Cathedral and Related Buildings (UNESCO) Kyiv Ukraine

Museum of Strategic Missile Forces, Ukraine

Privoz - the local market in Odesa Ukraine

Local lunch at the ethnic village of Moldova

Beautiful castles of Romania

Parliament Palace in Bucharest Romania

Tour includes

ACCOMMODATION

11 Nights

MEALS

11 Breakfasts
1 Local Lunch
2 Dinners

ENTRANCE TICKETS

as per the program

TRIP STAFF

Local Guides
Tour manager

GROUP SIZE

1-12 person

TRANSPORT

Comfortable air-conditioned minivan, during the tour

Day 1

Arrival in Kyiv

Day 2

Kyiv Sightseeing

Day 3

Kyiv Sightseeing

Day 4

Kyiv - Missile base - Odesa

Day 5

Odesa Sightseeing

Day 6

Odesa – Transnistria – Chisinau

Day 7

Chisinau – Cricova – Orhei Vechi

Day 8

Chisinau - Iasi

Day 9

Iasi - Brasov

Day 10

Brasov - Bucharest

Day 11

Bucharest Sightseeing

Day 12

Bucharest Departure

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival to Kyiv

Welcome to Kyiv. Arrival, meeting and transfer to a hotel. Check-in, free time for rest. Walk to a restaurant.
Welcome dinner (if you arrive on time), now you are a part of JC Travel team

Hotel – Ukraine Hotel
Included Meals – Welcome Dinner

Day 2

Kyiv Sightseeing

Our walking tour will start from exploring the ancient part of Kyiv city center.
Why Kyiv is so impressive? Because it combines the styles of different epochs. Walking along one street will lead you through the history of the city from the moment of foundation to the world nowadays.
Enjoy discovering churches and cathedrals, hear the stories about the life of locals, and explore hidden areas. Learn the history of modern Ukraine just from one central square and stroll along with the shortest and the widest main street in Europe!

TOP 10 PLACES TO SEE IN KYIV

Main attraction:
– Golden Gates
– St. Sophia Cathedral (UNESCO)
– St. Michael Golden-Domed Church
– Maidan Nezalezhnosti square

Local Experience:
– Local Oldest Bessarabskyi market

Optional tour:
– Local street Food Tour

Hotel – Ukraine Hotel
Included Meals – Breakfast

Day 3

Kyiv Sightseeing

Your tour by minivan will start with exploring one of the most important religious sites located on the hills right above the Dnipro river. You will be impressed with the beauty of this Orthodox monasteries complex, which is included to the UNESCO Heritage List. Then we are going to see the “iron woman” who protects Kyiv and Ukraine – the Motherland Mother statue and the complex.
Learn the history of Ukraine during the Second World War at the local museum and finish your tour by taking the ride on a metro – just as locals do!

Main attraction:
– Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
– WWII Museum
– the Motherland Statue complex
Local Experience:
– Take a metro ride from the deepest metro station in Europe to one of the most beautiful world’s metro station

Optional:
– Mezhyhirya Tour
– Pirogovo open-air museum

Hotel – Ukraine Hotel
Included Meals – Breakfast

Day 4

Kyiv - Missile base - Odesa

The great adventure begins today! We’re heading from Kyiv to Odesa by visiting a very unique place on the way.
This day you will get an experience you could never expect to get – visiting a Cold War-era nuclear missile base located in the middle of nowhere. The base today is a museum and you can experience a bit of what it was like to serve here. You’ll walk down a 150-meter long underground corridor and take a lift 12 floors down to the “Red” button of the Unified Launch Control Center. The guide will show you how the launch system work, take a chance, and press the button!

Main attraction:
– Missile forces museum

Local Experience:
– Press the “Red” button, which was supposed to launch the rockets!
– Talks with former military officers

Hotel – Milano Hotel
Included Meals – Breakfast

Day 5

Odesa Sightseeing

Welcome to Odesa – a pearl of Ukraine, on the coast of the Black Sea. This city is famous for its locals with a specific sense of humor, big local market with fresh fish, and the Seaport.
Our local tour guide will help you open the real soul of the city. You will visit small yards, where the residents hang up the bed linens from one balcony to another. You will get impressed with the architectural ensemble of the main age-old streets in the downtown.
Do not forget to take a photo of the famous Potemkin stairs. They are the main entrance to Primorsky Boulevard from the seaside from where you witness the fascinating view to the marine terminal and the seaport.

Main attraction:
– Opera House
– Derybasivska street
– Monument to Duke de Richelieu
– The Potemkin Stairs
– Vorontsov Palace

Local Experience:
– Visiting the house yards
– Visiting Privoz – the local market

Optional:
– Odesa Catacombs Tour
– Sea Boat Cruise
– Inside Opera House Tour

Hotel – Milano Hotel
Included Meals – Breakfast

Day 6

Odesa – Transnistria – Chisinau

On the way to Ukraine, you will visit the country that does not officially exist – Transnistria. A city tour of its capital Tiraspol would show the Soviet Union standards of life. Feel the atmosphere of this disputed territory, which has always been a battlefield between the major powers of the region. Be prepared for the unforgettable experience which will take you back in time.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the capital of Moldova – Chisinau. You will see both the historic and the modern faces of the city. Who Stephen the Great was and what did he do for the city? You will listen to the cultural, historical facts and legends, while we walk along the central part of the city. On Stephen the Great Boulevard there are many elegant administrative buildings. You will enjoy seeing the cultural centers of Chisinau and find out the input which well-known architects and poets such as Bernardazzi, Sciusev, and Pushkin gave to this city.

Main attraction:
– The Presidency, the Parliament and the City Administration
– National Theatre M. Eminescu
– The Organ Hall, Theatre of Opera and Ballet
– Ruins of Tiraspol Fortress
– Tank Monument

Local Experience:
– Visiting one of the biggest markets in Europe

Hotel – City Park Hotel
Included Meals – Breakfast

Day 7

Chisinau – Cricova – Orhei Vechi

Continue exploring the country and one of the main symbols of it – wine. Visiting the winery, learning the process of winemaking, discovering long wine cellars full with large barrels, observing the impressive vineyards – all this would make you inspired and impressed. Especially after the wine degustation! Do not forget to buy one bottle and bring it home for a special family dinner!
You will have a chance to discover the lifestyle of locals in Butucheni village where the lunch will be served. Discovering the secrets of the ancient cave monastery, observing the breath-taking view of the rocks and valleys which stretched along the Raut river will definitely bring you full satisfaction for this day!

Main attraction:
– Cricova Winery
– Orhei Vechi village
– Curchi monastery

Local Experience:
– Local lunch

Optional:
Jewish history of Chisinau

Hotel – City Park Hotel
Included Meals – Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8

Chisinau - Iasi

A new country is waiting for us! Today you will start discovering Romania.
Your destination for today is a small town Iasi which is one of the oldest cities in Romania. Today, Iasi is home to five universities. Over the past 500 years, history, culture, and religious life have molded the city’s unique character. Iasi boasts an impressive number of Orthodox churches, almost 100, most of them located in the so-called Golden Plateau. The oldest, the Princely Saint Nicholas Church, dates from the reign of Stephen the Great. The finest, however, is the 17th century St. Paraschiva Metropolitan Cathedral and Trei Ierarhi Church, the last a curious example of Byzantine art, erected in 1635-1639 by Vasile Lupu. The real highlight of the tour is visiting the Palace of Culture.

Main attraction:
– Palace of Culture
– The Princely Saint Nicholas Church
– St. Paraschiva Metropolitan Cathedral
– Trei Ierarhi Church

Hotel – Ramada Hotel
Included Meals – Breakfast

Day 9

Iasi - Brasov

Continue exploring Romania and drive to the next destination – Brasov town.
Gothic spires, medieval gateways, Soviet blocks and a huge Hollywood-style sign: Braşov’s skyline is instantly compelling. A number of medieval watchtowers still glower over the town. Between them sparkle baroque buildings and churches, while easygoing cafes line main square Piaţa Sfatului. Visible from here is forested Mt Tâmpa, sporting ‘Braşov’ in huge white letters.

Main attraction:
– The Black Church
– Catherina Gates
– The Black Tower
– Bastionul Graft

Hotel – Safrano Hotel
Included Meals – Breakfast

Day 10

Brasov - Bucharest

The real highlights of Romania – mountains and castles!
You will visit one of the most mysterious castles in the world – Bran Castle. Commonly known outside Romania as Dracula’s Castle (although it is one among several locations linked to the Dracula legend, including Poenari Castle and Hunyadi Castle), it is often erroneously referred to as the home of the title character in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
On the way to Bucharest, you will get impressed with the beauty of Peles Castle. This Neo-Renaissance castle, located in the Carpathian Mountains, was built between 1873 and 1914. Nowadays it gives its visitors awesome views and a great opportunity to make romantic photos.

Main attraction:
– Bran Castle
– Peles Castle

Hotel – Rembrandt Hotel
Included Meals – Breakfast

Day 11

Bucharest Sightseeing

Enjoy your tour in the capital of Romania – Bucharest. Communism and capitalism: two opposite ways of seeing the world that converge in Bucharest. Avant-garde buildings are mixed with monuments to the dictatorship creating a visual spectacle that does not go unnoticed.

With this premise, we begin our tour of the Romanian capital. After telling the history of the Parliament Palace, we will cross the river that passes through Bucharest to enter the old town. We will explain the legend about the birth of this place (unknown to many) in the most entertaining way possible: through a story that will connect directly with your personal feelings. We will continue through the old town, made entirely of stone, and we will arrive at the National Bank of Romania, the financial headquarters of the country and without a doubt a very interesting stop to discover better how the Romanian economy has worked throughout history.

Main attraction:
– Parliament Palace
– Stavropoleos
– Curtea Veche
– University Square

Hotel – Rembrandt Hotel
Included Meals – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12

Departure from Bucharest

Our great adventure is ending. It was a wonderful time together. See you next time in Ukraine, Moldova or Romania!

Included Meals – Breakfast

Dates

Departing

Finishing

Standard Package, TWN More... Feel the flexibility, more free time and enjoy independence while traveling in a small group. Discover the most unique and popular attractions in Ukraine on this tour.

Comfort Package, TWN More... Get personalized service, individual approach with the possibility to immerse deeper into the local live. This package includes an upscale hotel or boutique hotel with half board.

Departing

Kyiv

Finishing

Bucharest

Standard Package, TWN

Comfort Package, TWN

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Reviews

mitch s

2019-11-22

JC Travel arranged a two week tour of the Ukraine. They worked with us in establishing the itinerary, selecting hotels and arranged all transportation, guides and sights within the cities selected. Everything was most professional from knowledgeable guides, to excellent drivers, to hotel locations and all transport to and from hotels and airports. Julia, the owner, is personally involved in arranging all aspects of the tour and everything was well organized and ran like clockwork. Couldn't be more pleased and recommend highly.

Lynnarella

2019-11-10

We booked with JC Travel for a tour around Belarus Moldova and Ukraine for 11 nights and had the most wonderful trip. From the onset, Julia was extremely helpful and responsive via email. She was also so patient when I had an irrational number of questions (just FYI, Ukraine is completely safe to visit! And you are in good hands with JC travel). The booking process is easy and Julia managed to make a beautiful customised itinerary for us. She also helped us with the Ukrainian and Moldovan visas. The guides from JC travel were all wonderful and informative. We especially liked our guide and driver Alex who was nice and friendly! He never complained about the long drives or if I wanted to stop at additional places and was always early to pick us up. We hope we can visit Ukraine again, it’s such a lovely country and an underrated destination.

Nancy F

2019-11-06

We were in Ukraine for nine days as part of an international environmental education exchange, conducting seminars and meeting with colleagues in Kyiv, Kamianets-Podilsky, and Lviv. JC Travel handled our transfers from Kyiv to K-P, and then on to Lviv. Communication with Julia and Lina was excellent, which made planning easy. Our drivers were prompt and navigated the lengthy drives (often on rural highways) with great skill; the Mercedes minivans were perfect for our group of three travelers. When we noticed areas of special interest along the routes, the drivers were patient about detouring briefly to let us look around. They also were great about allowing for rest stops and knew good places for lunch. On our second leg, from K-P to Lviv, Julia kindly provided for a stop in my grandfather’s home village, just outside Lviv. The driver helped us locate the remains of the Jewish cemetery in the town. As requested, Julia provided Russian-speaking drivers for ease of communication. Regarding payment, we paid the first installment by bank card, and the remainder in cash (US$) once we arrived in Kyiv. Julia’s assistant, Lina, picked up the second payment in person, in a convenient location. All in all, we commend JC Travel for excellent service and a high level of professionalism. We rode in comfort, arrived at our destinations on schedule, and felt safe at all times.

Mike

2019-09-26

Both my mother and father hail from Western Ukraine. They grew up in different villages about 120 kilometres apart near Lviv, Ukraine although they met and married in Canada. They are both gone now but it has always been my dream to go to Ukraine to the villages where they lived and to take my wife and grown kids along so we could experience it together. Our friends and family were worried that we were taking a chance going to Ukraine right now as there is conflict in the eastern part of the country. We can tell them now that Western Ukraine is safe and very tourism friendly -- especially in the larger cities. The infrastructure is in place with the exception of small villages. The small village folks are friendly but you really need the language skills and driving skills to access them. Enter JC Travel Ukraine! We were able to put together a custom tour with JC Travel Ukraine for just the 4 of us. We could not have been happier to do so. From the first email contact to the end of our tour, we had nothing but smiles and thumbs-up! Our tour was loosely based on their Fantastic Western Ukraine offering but we customized it to our liking. Probably 50 emails back and forth with owner Julia Kulik got us to exactly the destinations we wanted including an extension to Odessa. She helped us pick hotels, sights and even figured out how to fit in the local villages we wanted to visit on a tight time schedule. You can see recent reviews for them here on Tripadvisor. We had to admit we were suspicious of only "Excellent" reviews for them (been doing the review analysis for travel companies for quite a few years and someone always complains, right) but after having dealt with them we now understand that they are just that "Excellent"! Before we left Canada, we received a WhatsApp group invite from Lina at JC Travel who would be our first line of contact from start to finish on our tour. She was responsive at all hours of the day and really was a touch-point we appreciated the whole time we were there. We started out with tour manager and guide, Stacy Lazo who was with us in Kiev through to Lviv. Stacy was not just knowledgeable about what we were seeing and doing (I'm sure lots of guides know "the facts"), she quickly figured out our preferences and personalized our tour with places and information just for us. It was apparent from our first day in Kiev where she shared with us her personal connections to the terrible tragedies of the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution, that she loves her country and treasures it’s independence. We met our driver Sergei the next day who took us to Kamianets-Podilsky where Stacy introduced us to Max, our city guide. Max literally took us back in history with his stories of the city and fortress in Kamianets-Podilsky and, the next day, the Khotyn fortress. Not only is Max knowledgeable but he is personally just one of the funniest and nicest guys ever. He knew how to bring ancient history to life for us. From there, we arrived in the breathtaking Carpathian Mountains and the lovely Koruna resort. The next day Sergei was somehow able to navigate his van through the challenging roads up the mountains so we could visit two Hutsul homes. The first was to visit a lovely woman named Helinka who has an embroidery museum. She dressed us in traditional Ukrainian costumes and explained the significance of their designs. Then we were off to visit Mykola who is a wonderful musician and has a traditional Ukranian musical instrument museum. He is knowledgeable and funny and he and his wife fed us one of the best Ukranian meals we have ever had. He also drives a mean Soviet-era jeep up the mountain to his house and back down again. Before we went, we thought these visits would be kind of awkward the way some tours are to “authentic village life”. Not so – Helinka and Mykola and his wife made us feel welcomed and comfortable. Good choices, JC Travel. We were sad to say goodbye to Stacy and Sergei in Lviv. We traded contact information and thought how lucky we were to have been guided by these wonderful people. The next morning, we met our Lviv guide, Julia Kardash. Of course we were impressed and loved her guiding in Lviv. The city is as beautiful and cosmopolitan as any other European city we have visited. However, where Julia really showed her stuff was the next day when we piled in with driver Maxim to go to the family villages of Budyliv (for my father) and Zhovtantsi (for my mother). We had had no real contacts in either of those places – family members who could have provided names were long deceased – so we thought a visit to the local church and cemetery and some pictures were all we could expect. Well, Julia worked miracles! In those villages, she acted as our personal family heritage guide and interpreter. We will forever be in debt to her for her determination in making the connections required to uncover long-lost relatives in places we never would have reached on our own. In Budyliv, she and the local babushka ladies helped find my aunt’s husband – who just happened to be the oldest man in the village -- and his family. It was a surprising and touching meeting. Julia arranged contact information for extended family who could speak English that we could contact after the trip. Then in Zhovtantsi, she got the name of the parish priest of the church where my grandparents were married and my mom and her siblings were baptised. That parish priest gave us a wonderful tour of the church and has promised to find records we never thought we would have access to. We have people now that we are already in contact with in the hopes of building a family tree with new-found family members. Julia went over-and-above her role as guide that day. After an exhausting day, Julia hugged us goodbye and Maxim took us to the train station for the overnight train to Odessa that had been perfectly pre-arranged by Julia (Kulik). Everything went off without a hitch. After a transfer to a lovely hotel in downtown Odessa, we met the next morning with Natalia. Believe me when I say that she was dealing with 4 very exhausted tourists that day. She pulled it all off beautifully! Odessa is a beautiful city with lots to see and she was able to wonderfully tailor our experience to our tired feet and minds. She left us with wonderful restaurant suggestions and a walking map to the beach. Just what we needed. All these guides are self-employed and contract to JC Travel Ukraine on a tour-by-tour basis and you would be fortunate to have them guide you through this beautiful and friendly country. Julia really knows how to find and retain only the best guides and drivers for her clients. So, you can see why we give an excellent rating to Julia Kulik and her team at JC Travel Ukraine. We have already recommended them to friends. Thanks for filling our Bucket List, JC Travel Ukraine.

Connie D.

2019-09-24

I contacted JC Travel looking for a custom visit for a group of 3. We wanted to visit Lviv, Kiev and Odessa. They responded immediately and provided a great itinerary. All transportation was arranged - pick up and drop-offs and train rides between Lviv and Kiev and Kiev to Odessa. Our hotels were superior establishments located near town centers making it easy to walk to restaurants, markets and shops. They arranged for rooms that accommodated the 3 of us. In Lviv, we stayed in the old town and had a 3 hour walking tour of the historic center. Perfect. Kiev is a wonderful and beautiful city and we enjoyed half day walking and driving tours each day as there's a lot to see. Our visit to the reconstructed old village of Pirogovo was wonderful. The full day tour to Chernobyl was fascinating. We found Odessa a very pleasant and charming city. All the tour guides in each city were highly engaging and knowledgeable. Overall, we had a wonderful and memorable visit. I highly recommend JC Travel.

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