TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Female artisans: meet the women who have preserved crafts and folk customs for centuries

Community spirit: visit women’s organizations which support war widows in Kyiv and Lviv

Golden domes: explore the beautiful capital of Ukraine – Kyiv Wine Tasting: enjoy a winery tour and wine tasting at Shabo near

Odesa Magical Buildings: marvel at the stunning University of Chernivtsi,

a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Folk songs: dine with the wonderful Gerdan Ensemble and hear

them sing! Traditional arts: learn how women make traditional “lizhnyky” -

woolen blankets in the village of Yavoriv. Hutsul Wedding: attend a recreation of a traditional Hutsul

Wedding. Antique costumes: get a photoshoot in traditional costumes in the

village of Babyn. Quaint streets: Explore the quaint and beautiful city of Lviv Cobblestone Exclusives: Attend private concerts, cultural events,

and workshops exclusively for Cobblestone freeway travellers.

See Ukraine – from a woman’s perspective.

To truly see inside a country, you need to be able to see the culture from all perspectives. We created this

Women’s tour of Ukraine, so you can do exactly that. Meet the incredible, inspiring, strong women who hold

onto culture and preserve ancient traditions, in cosmopolitan cities to small villages. Take part in

exclusive experiences that are off-the-beaten-path of regular tours. Make connections with locals, be

immersed in culture, while also taking some down time to soak up the sights and smells of this beautiful country.

Our Women’s tours are Women only, and guided by women.

New & Improved – Ukraine for Women

The Destination Kyiv

Day 1 TOUR START DATE | Kyiv (-/-/D) Welcome to Ukraine and its beautiful capital – Kyiv. Upon arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Once you’ve checked in and freshened up, we will take you on a city orientation, and show you the nearest money exchange places, ATMs, best souvenir stores and local restaurants with the most delicious food!

Afterwards, you will be taken out for a traditional Kyiv Style Dinner at one of the best restaurants in town! Rest of the evening at your leisure

Day 2 | Kyiv (B/L/-) Your first impression of Kyiv is bound to be a surprise. Nowadays, Kyiv is not just a city of Golden Domes, exciting and historical museums and memorials, but it’s also a cool, up-and-coming progressive city. To introduce you to the city, we’ll take you on a walking city tour – you’ll visit Independence Square, better now known as Maidan, a history-changing place, where the Revolution of Dignity happened! You will be also taken through iconic sights like St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery and St. Sophia’s Cathedral, which dates back to the 10th century! After the city tour, we’ll stop for lunch in one of Kyiv’s many fantastic restaurants. Afterwards, enjoy a free afternoon. Treat yourself to a shopping at Andriyivsky Uzviz – a street that’s home to the city’s artisans, craftsmen and vendors – discover all kinds of items, from souvenir trinkets, to authentic costumes and war time memorabilia. Evening at your leisure, but your guide will offer all kinds of suggestions of where to go! Day 3 | Kyiv (B/L/-) This morning, we’ll visit the ‘Association of Wives and Mothers of Soldiers Participating in ATO’, which acts as a community organization to provide unity in grief for wives and mothers of soldiers killed in the war in Eastern Ukraine. We’ll visit their office in Kyiv, and meet with the director of this organization, and some of the wives and mothers of the soldiers, to learn more about their story. After, we’ll visit the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. Founded more than a thousand years ago and set on the hills above the Dnipro River, this monastery astonishes tourists with its gold-domed churches, ancient icons and underground labyrinths lined with mummified monks! Next, we’ll take you for lunch at a restaurant, in the style of a traditional Ukrainian house. After, we’ll head to the riverfront, to the Postal Square, near Kyiv’s River Port. Here we’ll take a Dnieper River cruise* on a comfortable boat and discover the major waterfront sights of Kyiv in a relaxing atmosphere. Take some free time to enjoy your last evening in the capital of Ukraine, as later on we will hop on an overnight train and travel to beautiful Odesa! *River cruise subject to availability

SUGGESTED HOTEL: “Ibis” Hotel or similar https://www.accorhotels.com 2 nights

Overnight Train Kyiv-Odesa 1 night

The Destination Odesa

Day 4 | Odesa (B/L/-) Odesa – known as the Pearl of the Black Sea, is a blossoming, cosmopolitan city, and historic Black Sea Port. Immigrants from all over Europe were invited to make their fortune here when Odesa was founded in the late 18th century by Russia’s Catherine the Great, meaning that Odesa is one of the most multicultural cities in Ukraine –you will feel its unique vibe as you wander its eclectic streets stunning buildings, and the famous Potemkin steps which sweep down to the glistening Black Sea. Upon arrival, we’ll get you checked into your hotel, take some time to freshen up and grab some breakfast. Then we’ll enjoy a leisurely walk through the city, on a city tour! See the most prominent places around Odesa – including the Potemkin Steps, which create a fascinating illusion as you look out over the Black Sea, and Derybasivska Street, the bustling hub of the city. After, we’ll stop for lunch in one of the many delicious local restaurants. In the afternoon, take some time to explore, relax, or sunbathe by the sea… In the evening, we recommend you try out one of the many seafood restaurants in Odesa - your guide can help you chose one! The rest of the evening is at your leisure. Day 5 | Odesa (B/L/-) For those who enjoy delicious wines, today is your lucky day! Today, the small town of Shabo will open its doors to us... Shabo is home to its own winery and wine factory, where we will take a tour of the winery, and learn how they make their world famous products – from vineyard to factory shop! Shabo’s wine is famous around the world for its quality and exceptional taste – you’re lucky enough to be able to try some of their fabulous products at a wine tasting, with tips from a professional sommelier!

If you like it enough, you can even purchase some to take a taste of Odesa home!

After the tour we will return to Odesa, where you can enjoy a leisurely evening of rest and relaxation. OPTIONAL THINGS TO SEE & DO IN ODESA:

#1 Discover mysterious Odesa Catacombs on a tour

The catacombs are a large, winding labyrinth filled with hidden caves, located right under Odesa. Its

length is about 2500 km and it’s the largest underground labyrinth in the world!

#2 Enjoy different kinds of shopping

If you want to do authentic shopping – you should definitely pay a visit Pryvoz market, a visit card of Odesa. Alternatively, visit the Passage - a covered street of chic shops with impressive facades!

SUGGESTED HOTEL:

Ekaterina II’ Hotel or similar

http://hotel-ekaterina.com

2 nights

The Destination Chernivtsi

Day 6 | Chernivtsi (B/L/-) Chernivtsi – the Capital of Bukovyna - is a cosmopolitan and multicultural city is currently twinned with seven other cities around the world. It is also considered one of Ukraine’s most important educational and architectural sites, aswell as being the birthplace of Olha Kobylyanska, one of Ukraine’s first feminist writers. We’ll take a morning flight from Odesa to Chernivtsi. Check-in to your hotel and take some free time to freshen up. After, we’ll take a guided city tour – you’ll have a chance to learn about Chernivtsi’s fascinating multicultural history, and visit the most beautiful and notable sights the city has to offer. We’ll stop for lunch in one of our favourite restaurants. Take the rest of the afternoon to enjoy walking down the narrow cobblestone streets of Chernivtsi, down Olha Kobylyanska Street, which is lined with cafes, restaurants and bars with cosy terraces. Day 7 | Chernivtsi (B/-/D) This morning, we’ll enjoy a visit to the local University - the architectural ensemble of the main campus of the university, the Residence of Bukovynian and Dalmatian Metropolitans are included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These building are so beautiful, you’ll think they’re magical! After, we’ll drive to the village of Vashkivtsi. This village is known for its incredible craftswomen, who make beautiful, beaded, embroidered shirts. Meet these wonderful ladies, get to know about their craft and techniques, and about the styles and secrets of making these shirts. You can even have a try at beading yourself! Return to Chernivtsi, and enjoy some free time in the afternoon to relax and explore. In the evening, we have something special planned! We’ll have dinner at a local restaurant, where you’ll learn some of the fascinating culinary delights of the Bukovyna region. Not only that, you’ll be joined at dinner by the incredibly talented and famous Folk Ensemble ‘Gerdan’! Enjoy a performance of traditional folk songs, meet the singers, and by the end of the evening, we promise we’ll have you out of your seats and dancing! Day 8 | Kamianets Podilsky (B/L/-) Today we are taking you on a time travel - to the fortresses of Khotyn and Kamyanets-Podilskyi! You will get to see how the local princes and rulers lived hundreds of years ago. The different types of people that lived in Khotyn and Kamyanets-Podilskyi each brought their own culture and architecture, meaning that this place is steeped in history and culture. Learn the city’s history on a tour through the ancient fortress, the cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the City Hall Building and numerous other fortifications. Return to Chernivtsi in the evening.

SUGGESTED HOTEL:

Central Magnat’ Hotel or similar

https://central-magnat-cinema

3 nights

The Destination Carpathian Mountains

yiv Day 9 | Carpathian Mountains (B/L/-) Today we will leave Chernivtsi to set off for the city of Kosiv, a cradle of Hutsul culture and pristine landscapes, located high up in the Carpathian Mountains. Enjoy the ride, passing through the local towns and villages, observing local rural life, taking pictures of the stork nests - if you’re lucky you might get the chance to get stuck in cow traffic jam! After arriving in Kosiv and checking in, you’ll have some free time to relax and freshen up. In the afternoon, we’ll travel to the Kosiv Ceramic Factory. Kosiv Ceramics are tradition, which arose in the 18th century - they use a unique blend of colors and techniques to create an instantly recognizable style. Visit a family ceramics studio, where a local family, preserves the ancient tradition of hand-painted Kosiv ceramics. Watch as these incredible artisans reveal some of their trade secrets, and demonstrate their skills, give you a pottery workshop! Enjoy a free evening to relax, looking out onto views of the Carpathian Mountains. Take some optional Spa treatments, relaxing in a traditional sauna, or a massage; or take a walk on the territory of the hotel surrounded by beautiful mountains! Day 10 | Carpathian Mountains (B/L/-) In the morning – take a trip to the local Kosiv crafts bazaar. Once a week vendors and artisans from the area get together to buy and sell art supplies, embroidery, antique items, food and even animals! See all kinds of unique items made by local women - Easter eggs, jewelry boxes, spoons, pottery, embroidery, leather goods, and many other goods. Even if you don’t buy something (which is quite unlikely) – it’s a real experience! Next stop is a small Carpathian village, located higher up in the mountains, where inhabitants are passionate about preserving their ancestors’ traditions. You’ll be cordially invited to see a traditional Hutsul wedding! See the intricate, handmade costumes and learn the rich traditions which surround this important rite. Learn traditional songs; watch the locals dancing, try rich, home-made Hutsul food made by the local women! Experience the famous Hutsul hospitality at its best! Return to the hotel, rest of the evening at your leisure. Day 11 | Carpathian Mountains (B/L/-) Today we will travel to the village of Babyn. Here you’ll meet local collector, Bohdan, who has been collecting antique clothing from the Hutsul region since he was 14 years old! Today he has an incredible collection, and recreates pieces to preserve these pieces of history. You will have the chance to try on traditional Hutsul costumes, learn how women would dress themselves in the Old World, and how each village differed in style. Photoshoot in the costumes included. Afterwards, we’ll visit the village of Yavoriv, famous for its ‘lizhnyky’ – unique, hand woven woolen blankets. You’ll learn why only women make them, and how through the centuries this tradition has been preserved. You will even be able to try making some for yourself. Blankets are available to buy – take one home to stay warm in the cold winters! Enjoy a free evening at your own leisure.

SUGGESTED HOTEL:

‘Maetok Sokilske’ Hotel or similar

http://sokilske.com.ua/en/

3 nights

The Destination Lviv

Day 12 | Lviv (B/L/-) After breakfast, we’ll check out, before setting off for Lviv. On the way we will visit quaint little town called Kolomyia. Here you will visit the world’s only Pysanka (Easter Egg) Museum, and Hutsul Culture and Art Museum - the collection of costumes, tools and art will help you to imagine how ancient Hutsuls lived. We’ll stop for lunch in a local restaurant. Arriving in Lviv in the afternoon, we’ll check you in, then the evening is yours to relax and unwind. Day 13 | Lviv (B/L/-) This morning, discover the beautiful and historic city of Lviv with a city tour on a retro train. Spend your time exploring this picturesque city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see some of Lviv’s most famous attractions! Enjoy Lviv's enigmatic atmosphere, its rich music and culinary scenes. We'll make you completely fall in love with this city! After we’ll have lunch in one of our favorite local restaurants. Next, visit an ethno gallery of unique Ukrainian embroidery. Roksolana Shymchuk, is a designer of unique jewellery, in the Ukrainian ethnic style, but is also a collector of authentic antique Ukrainian clothes, and owner of the gallery. She knows the story behind every blouse in her collection – learn their stories, and hear how women would embroider messages of dissent in times of deep suppression. Afterwards, you have a free afternoon. We suggest visiting the local souvenir market, where you'll be able to buy unique embroidered shirts, handcrafted souvenirs, pieces of art, and much more! Or choose from one of our many optional activities. Day 14 | Lviv (B/L/-) Today we’ll go to Stoyaniv village to visit the ‘Maple Leaf Centre’. This was established as a safe house, to save teenage girls from human trafficking. It is a place committed to healing, and helping the girls gain life skills that will enable them to live independently someday. Lunch in the village nearby. Return to Lviv in the afternoon, evening at your leisure! Day 15 | Lviv (B/-/D) Today we’ll meet with the ‘Sad Flower’/ (‘Сумна квітка’), UNESCO recognized organization for Ukrainian widows of the soldiers, who gave their lives in the war in Eastern Ukraine. The representatives of the organization help to source funding for women struggling upon being widowed, and also organize regular events for the women. See their workshop, where they create camouflage nets to send to the war in the East, and join them in the process! Enjoy a final afternoon in Lviv at your leisure, before coming back together for a final Farewell dinner in one of our favourite restaurants! Day 16 TOUR END DATE | Lviv (B/-/-) After a free morning to stock up on souvenirs we will transfer you to the airport where, sadly, we will have to say our goodbyes!

SUGGESTED HOTEL:

‘Lviv’ Hotel or similar

http://www.hotel-lviv.com.ua/en

4 nights

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Options while in Kyiv

Learn more about Ukraine’s complicated past at the WW2

Memorial and Museum.

Marvel at the picturesque Tunnel of Love!

Visit the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

and abandoned town of Prypiat.

Visit poet Taras Shevchenko's

Burial Place in Kaniv.

Be a Kozak for a day at the Mamajeva

Sloboda Kozak Village!

Visit Mezhehiria - the Museum of Corruption.

Contact us to arrange your tour add-on today! *not included in tour price.

Options while in Lviv

Taste the best varieties of local beer and learn its long history in

Lvivarnya Beer Museum.

Visit the weapon museum located in the former City Arsenal

Climb the High Castle Hill to get scenic panoramic view of the city!

Contact us to arrange your tour add-on today! *not included in tour price.

Take a tour of Lviv’s castles on a day tour!

Take a Ukrainian Cookery Class!

Explore the outdoor museum – Shevchenkivsky Hai.

Tour Details

SUGGESTED INCLUSIONS:

Airport Transfers

All land transportation

Escorted tour with full time Tour

Leader

Tour in English

2 meals a day

14 nights in hand-Selected hotels

1 Overnight Train ride Kyiv-Odesa

1 Flight Odesa-Chernivtsi

All Events included in the Itinerary

Internet in hotels when possible

Interaction with local artists,

craftsmen, and performers

Special events exclusively for

Cobblestone travellers

NOT INCLUDED:

Extra days before/after the tour

Events and Services not included in the

itinerary or marked as Optional

Alcoholic beverages

Meals not listed in Itinerary

Flights not listed in Itinerary

Tips for guides / drivers/ maids

Travel Insurance

Laundry & Telephone Services

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS:

Extend your trip

Upgrade your room / Get a single room

Do a side trip – visit Family

Ukrainian Family History researched with our Genealogy service

On our Cobblestone Freeway Tour, enjoy:

You will be escorted by a full-time Cobblestone Freeway Tour Leader

Enjoy exclusive Folk dance/ music performances

Delicious, hand chosen local food, and more inclusions than most other tour operators

UKRAINE FOR WOMEN 16 Days / 15 Nights

BESPOKE TOUR

Your tour – your way! Let us customize this tour for you. Contact us to get started.