with a focus on EMC History
Host: Len Loeppky
May 21-June 7, 2012
ITINERARY
This is the proposed itinerary with all land travel in Ukraine by air-conditioned bus or deluxe train. Local, well informed, experienced, English-speaking guides will accompany the group during all local tours.
There will be opportunity to visit all the former Mennonite colonies in the Zaporazhye area. The Chortitza/Yazykovo, Borozenko and the Molotschana Colonies will be visited by the entire tour group. Other colonies in the surrounding area that are within one day driving distance that may be visited during the free day in Zaporazhye are: Bergthal Colony; Fuerstenland Colony; Sagradovka Colony; Schlactin/Bartov Colonies; Ignatyyeva; Memrik, as well as the city of Dnepropetrovsk. If you are interested in visiting these colonies we can make arrangements.
Day 1, Monday, May 21 - Departure from Winnipeg
Departure from Winnipeg for an overnight flight to Europe with the final destination being Kiev, Ukraine. Others may be leaving from other airports in Canada and meet the group in Western Europe or Kiev. Meals as provided by airlines.
Day 2, Tuesday, May 22 - Arrive in Kiev
Arrive in Kiev, Ukraine early PM. Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel. Room allocation and check-in – Double/single occupancy. Dinner and update on next day's activity in Kiev.
Day 3, Wednesday, May 23 - Day tour of Kiev
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B, L, D)
Day tour of Kiev area with a local English-speaking guide. Tour will focus on St Sofia Cathedral, St Michaels Cathedral, St Andrews Church & descent, Khreschatyk, Opera House, Golden Gate, Brotherhood Arch, Marinsky Palace and the open air museum on the outskirts of Kiev where we will have lunch.
Day tour of Kiev area with a local English-speaking guide. Tour will focus on St Sofia Cathedral, St Michaels Cathedral, St Andrews Church & descent, Khreschatyk, Opera House, Golden Gate, Brotherhood Arch, Marinsky Palace and the open air museum on the outskirts of Kiev where we will have lunch.
Day 4, Thursday, May 24 - Train to Dnepropetrovsk, Bus to Zaporazhye
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B, L, D)
Early check out and transfer to the railway station for the express luxury train to Dnepropetrovsk. Arrive in Dnepro for lunch followed by a brief overview city tour. Bus transfer to Zaporazhye followed by hotel check-in. Dinner and update on next day's activities. Please take advantage of strolling along the beautiful Lenin Street in Zaporazhye.
Early check out and transfer to the railway station for the express luxury train to Dnepropetrovsk. Arrive in Dnepro for lunch followed by a brief overview city tour. Bus transfer to Zaporazhye followed by hotel check-in. Dinner and update on next day's activities. Please take advantage of strolling along the beautiful Lenin Street in Zaporazhye.
Day 5, Friday, May 25 - Tours of Schonwiese, Chortitza, Rosenthal
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B, L)
Overview city tour followed by tours of Schonwiese, Chortitza, Rosenthal villages as well as the Island. Late afternoon free. Dinner is personal
Overview city tour followed by tours of Schonwiese, Chortitza, Rosenthal villages as well as the Island. Late afternoon free. Dinner is personal
Day 6, Saturday, May 26 - Tours of Chortitza Colony and Yazykova Colony
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B, D)
Today we will tour the rural villages of the Chortitza Colony as well as the villages of the Yazykova Colony. This will be a long day. Picnic lunch. Group Dinner
Today we will tour the rural villages of the Chortitza Colony as well as the villages of the Yazykova Colony. This will be a long day. Picnic lunch. Group Dinner
Day 7, Sunday, May 27 - Borozenko Colony
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B, D)
This will be a long but very interesting day. We will travel to the Borozenko Colony where we will have a church service. We will attempt to visit all the villages of the former colony. Picnic lunch. Group Dinner
This will be a long but very interesting day. We will travel to the Borozenko Colony where we will have a church service. We will attempt to visit all the villages of the former colony. Picnic lunch. Group Dinner
Day 8, Monday, May 28 - Molotschana Colony (West)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B, L)
Today's touring focuses on the western side of the Molotschana Colony with its many villages. Some of the highlights will be the restored Petershagen Church built in 1892, the restored Mädchen Schule in Halbstadt, and many other interesting stops where recent monuments have been erected. Lunch at the Mennonite Center in Halbstadt. Dinner personal
Today's touring focuses on the western side of the Molotschana Colony with its many villages. Some of the highlights will be the restored Petershagen Church built in 1892, the restored Mädchen Schule in Halbstadt, and many other interesting stops where recent monuments have been erected. Lunch at the Mennonite Center in Halbstadt. Dinner personal
Day 9, Tuesday, May 29 - Molotschana Colony (East)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B, L)
Today we will focus on the eastern side of the Molotschana Colony. At noon we will stop at the Sparrau village area for a local lunch and some briefing by a leader of the local co-op farm. Dinner Personal
Today we will focus on the eastern side of the Molotschana Colony. At noon we will stop at the Sparrau village area for a local lunch and some briefing by a leader of the local co-op farm. Dinner Personal
Day 10, Wednesday, May 30 - Free Day - Your Choice
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B)
This will be a free day and give you opportunity to visit colonies or villages that you are personally interested in. Please let me know what places you want to visit and I will make all the arrangements for a driver and guide. Others may want to spend the day in Zaporazhye visiting the Bible School, Senior's complex, archives, museum, shop or just relax. Side trips will be a personal expense. Lunch & Dinner personal. Possible River cruise/Cossack show
This will be a free day and give you opportunity to visit colonies or villages that you are personally interested in. Please let me know what places you want to visit and I will make all the arrangements for a driver and guide. Others may want to spend the day in Zaporazhye visiting the Bible School, Senior's complex, archives, museum, shop or just relax. Side trips will be a personal expense. Lunch & Dinner personal. Possible River cruise/Cossack show
Day 11, Thursday, May 31 - Journey to the Crimean
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B, D)
This morning we will begin our journey to the Crimean making numerous stops to enjoy the local scenery—poppy fields, etc. We will also stop in the Crimean area to view some Mennonite places. Upon arrival in Yalta we will have room allocation & hotel check-in followed by dinner. Please enjoy the beauty of the local area around the hotel and the boardwalk along the Black Sea. Lunch personal en-route.
This morning we will begin our journey to the Crimean making numerous stops to enjoy the local scenery—poppy fields, etc. We will also stop in the Crimean area to view some Mennonite places. Upon arrival in Yalta we will have room allocation & hotel check-in followed by dinner. Please enjoy the beauty of the local area around the hotel and the boardwalk along the Black Sea. Lunch personal en-route.
Day 12, Friday, June 1 - Yalta Tour
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B, L)
Overview tour of Yalta with a special focus on Lavadia Palace, promenade, Massandra Palace, Alupka Palace and other sights. Later in the afternoon we will have time to visit places like Mt. Petro and enjoy the local Tartar flavor, visit the Swallow's Nest, shop, or just relax on the Black Sea. Dinner personal
Overview tour of Yalta with a special focus on Lavadia Palace, promenade, Massandra Palace, Alupka Palace and other sights. Later in the afternoon we will have time to visit places like Mt. Petro and enjoy the local Tartar flavor, visit the Swallow's Nest, shop, or just relax on the Black Sea. Dinner personal
Day 13, Saturday, June 2 - Sevestopol
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B, L)
Today we will enjoy the gorgeous scenery along the coastal area as well as travel to the seaport of Sevestopol. After lunch at the famous seaport we will retrace our steps back to Yalta where you can relax and enjoy the sea. Dinner personal
Today we will enjoy the gorgeous scenery along the coastal area as well as travel to the seaport of Sevestopol. After lunch at the famous seaport we will retrace our steps back to Yalta where you can relax and enjoy the sea. Dinner personal
Day 14, Sunday, June 3 - Depart for Odessa
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B, D)
This morning we will depart for Odessa, "the plum of the Black Sea". This will be an all-day trip with a brief stop for a personal lunch in Kherson and early evening arrival in Odessa.
This morning we will depart for Odessa, "the plum of the Black Sea". This will be an all-day trip with a brief stop for a personal lunch in Kherson and early evening arrival in Odessa.
Day 15, Monday, June 4 - Tour of Odessa
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B, L)
Today we will enjoy an all-day guided tour of Odessa and the surrounding area. We will visit the catacombs, Potemkin Stairway, Opera House, Uspensky Monastery, scenic parks, and lovely promenades. You will also have opportunity to visit a performance at the opera house if an event is scheduled.
Today we will enjoy an all-day guided tour of Odessa and the surrounding area. We will visit the catacombs, Potemkin Stairway, Opera House, Uspensky Monastery, scenic parks, and lovely promenades. You will also have opportunity to visit a performance at the opera house if an event is scheduled.
Day 16, Tuesday, June 5 - Free Day in Odessa
Buffet breakfast at the hotel (B)
This will be a free day in Odessa to enjoy the beauty of the seaport city, shop, visit the archives or just relax. Lunch/dinner personal
This will be a free day in Odessa to enjoy the beauty of the seaport city, shop, visit the archives or just relax. Lunch/dinner personal
Day 17, Wednesday, June 6 - Flight to Vienna
Buffet breakfast at the hotel after which you will have time to leisurely pack your suitcases and transfer to the airport at noon for our short flight to Vienna where we will overnight. Meals en-route as prescribed by airlines or personal.
Day 18, Thursday, June 7 - Depart for Canada
After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our 11:20 AM flight to Canada.
For more tour details please call tour host:
Len Loeppky at 1-204-326-2613
14 Springwood Bay
Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada
R5G 2E8
Email: aloeppky@mymts.net