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Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova
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. Time slowed drastically here after the devastation of WWII, but these beautiful countries are emerging from the shadows. 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. In Brest, admire the massive stone Brest Fortress, built by Czar Nicholas I in the mid-1800s and nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. Belarus today is a fascinating glimpse into the socialist past. Days 4-5: Lviv Crossing the Ukrainian border, arrive in Lviv, founded in the 13th century. Wander its UNESCO-listed Old Town Square, surrounded by 16th-18th century merchant dwellings. Days 6-7: Simferopol, Yalta 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. Days 8-11: Kiev 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. Stroll and shop on the cobbled descent down Andreevsky Street, filled with galleries, shops, cafes and artists' studios. Days 12-13: Odessa Drop in to Odessa, renowned international seaport for hundreds of years, and climb its famous and much-filmed Potemkin Steps. Days 14-16 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 wines. Embark on an optional visit to the Trans-Dniester region, a narrow strip of land bordering Ukraine where separatists have declared a disputed independence. Trip Details
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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 - Click to Enlarge
Suggested Extensions
Combine this tour with Kaliningrad & the Baltics or Ancient Russian Towns & Villages.« View a Printer-Friendly PDF of this information
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