Footsteps of the Cossacks 2009 (11 Days starting from $2,899)

Footsteps of the Cossacks 2009

An 11-Day tour starting from $2,899

Length:	11 Days
Type:	Deluxe River Cruise
Category:	European River Cruise
Operator:	Viking
Tour Code:	VKFCOS2009

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About This Tour

A cruise along the Dnieper River is a journey of discovery: explore ancient cities, gaze upon grand monuments and encounter a vibrant culture rich in tradition. See how differing societies from the Vikings to the Tatars and the Cossacks have influenced the architecture and people of today’s Ukraine. Visit landmarks like Yalta’s famed White Palace and Odessa’s Potemkin Steps, learn about the country’s maritime history in Sevastopol, tour the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev, and immerse yourself in Cossack traditions in Zaporozhye.

What's Included
Itinerary
Dates & Prices
Sightseeing
Details

The price of this Viking River Cruises vacation includes:

• All meals
• Shore excursions
• 9 guided tours with tour headphones
• Entertainment and activities.

Day 1 Kiev
Arrive in Kiev, capital of Ukraine. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your ship.* After boarding, take free time to relax before dinner—or join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. (D)

Day 2 Kiev
Tour Kiev, one of Europe’s oldest cities, with a heritage of Viking, Cossack and Ukrainian peoples. Explore its historic buildings and monuments, and take a guided tour of the lovely domed St. Sophia Cathedral. After lunch aboard, tour the Monastery of Caves, an extensive complex of churches and museums founded by monks in 1051. Dinner aboard is followed by evening sailing along the peaceful Dnieper River. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Dnieper River & Kremenchuk
During this morning’s scenic cruising, take in the Dnieper’s landscape of rolling hills, ancient forest groves, historic villages and wide lakes. After lunch, stop in Kremenchuk for a guided city tour. Largely destroyed in World War II , this town has now been rebuilt as an important Ukraine industrial center with well-planned parks and squares and monuments of the city’s past. Dine aboard. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Zaporozhye
After breakfast, tour Zaporozhye, ancestral home of the Cossacks. Drive along Lenin Street; see the Lenin Monument, dam and the city’s massive hydroelectric plant. Then visit the Cossack Museum of Khortitsa. After lunch aboard, enjoy a special Cossack horsemanship show including folkloric music and dance. Early evening departure and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Kherson
After a morning of scenic cruising, arrive in Kherson. Here, board a small boat and cruise the narrow canals to Fishermen’s Island with the beautiful Dnieper Delta landscape as your backdrop. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Sevastopol
During breakfast, arrive in Sevastopol, base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Tour the city center and see St. Vladimir Cathedral and Admiral Nakhimov Square. The afternoon is free, or you can attend the optional Black Sea Choir concert. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dine aboard. Dock overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Sevastopol
This morning’s tour goes to the Tatar city of Bakhchisarai. Visit the Khan Palace, built in 1519, and see the many different architectural styles within the complex. Visit the courthouse, harem and mosques, then stroll the beautifully landscaped grounds. After lunch, enjoy free time to further explore Sevastopol, site of the famed “Charge of the Light Brigade,” or take an optional tour to Balaklava to visit the Panorama Museum. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Yalta
Enjoy a morning tour of Yalta. Travel along Lenin Embankment to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Livadia. Visit the White Palace, site of the 1945 Yalta Conference between Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill, and take a guided tour through official halls and private apartments of the czar’s family. Lunch aboard; this afternoon, explore at your leisure or choose an optional tour to the Nikita Botanical Garden featuring 50,000 plant species. Dine aboard; dock overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Yalta
Spend a full day exploring Yalta, or join one of the optional tours including the beautiful mid-19th-century Aloupka Palace and gardens or a wine-tasting excursion to Massandra. Depart this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Odessa
Cruise through lunch, then enjoy a half-day city tour of Odessa, an elegant city of terraced hills and landscaped parks. Travel along Primorski Boulevard to the Opera House and Potemkin Steps. You have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to further explore Odessa. Dinner aboard; tonight, join an optional evening opera performance. (B, L, D)

Day 11 Odessa
After breakfast, disembark and we take you to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey to include 3 nights in fabulous, historic Istanbul. (B)

To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301. Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
4/19/2009 - 4/29/2009	$2,399
4/29/2009 - 5/9/2009	$2,699
5/20/2009 - 5/30/2009	$2,699
5/31/2009 - 6/10/2009	$2,399
7/1/2009 - 7/11/2009	$2,599
7/10/2009 - 7/20/2009	$2,699
7/22/2009 - 8/1/2009	$2,599
8/12/2009 - 8/22/2009	$2,599
9/2/2009 - 9/12/2009	$2,399
9/23/2009 - 10/3/2009	$2,399

All tour prices are in U.S. dollars, per person, double occupancy in category F and include port charges. Limited singles are available, call for pricing. Other categories available, please call for pricing. Kiev to Odessa Apr 19; May 31 Odessa to Kiev Apr 29; May 20; Jun 10; Jul 1, 22; Aug 12; Sep 2, 23

• Old World Highlights: Cossack horsemanship show

• Culture Curriculum: Vikings in Europe, The Fall of Communism

• 10 guided tours

All tour prices are in U.S. dollars, per person, double occupancy in category F and include port charges. Limited singles are available, call for pricing. Other categories available, please call for pricing.

Kiev to Odessa
Apr 19; May 31

Odessa to Kiev
Apr 29; May 20; Jun 10; Jul 1, 22; Aug 12; Sep 2, 23

Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.