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. Available as either an 11- or a 12-day itinerary.

Day 1 Odessa

Welcome to Odessa. We will 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 Odessa

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day 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 on your own-as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Or you can choose to attend either or both of these optional experiences: an afternoon tour of Jewish Odessa and an evening opera performance. Dine aboard and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Sevastopol

Enjoy a morning lecture on Ukraine as we sail on the Black Sea. This afternoon, arrive in Sevastopol, base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Tour the city center and see St. Vladimir Cathedral and Admiral Nakhimov Square. Explore a little more on your own, or join an optional archeological tour of the ancient Greek city of Chersonese, founded in the 6th century B.C. near today's Quarantine Bay and designated one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine. The evening is free, or you can attend the optional Black Sea Choir concert. Dine aboard. Dock overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Sevastopol

This morning's tour goes to the Tatar city of Bakhchisarai. Tour 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, explore Sevastopol, site of the famed "Charge of the Light Brigade," on your own-or take an optional tour to Balaklava to visit the Panorama Museum. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Yalta

Awaken this morning in Yalta and enjoy a morning tour. 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. Explore on your own this afternoon; or join an optional excursion-a wine-tasting excursion to Massandra, or the Nikita Botanical Garden featuring 20,000 species of plant life. Lunch and dinner are served aboard. Dock overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Yalta

Take the morning to further explore Yalta, or you may join an optional tour. Spend a delightful morning at the beautiful mid-19th-century Aloupka Palace and gardens, or visit one of Anton Chekhov's homes in Yalta, now a museum about the famous playwright. As we depart this afternoon, we gather to enjoy the majestic scenery of the Crimean peninsula. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Kherson

After a morning of scenic cruising, arrive in Kherson midafternoon. Here, board a small boat and cruise the narrow canals to Fishermen's Island with the beautiful Dnieper Delta landscape as your backdrop. Dinner is served as we depart. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Zaporozhye

After lunch, arrive in Zaporozhye, ancestral home of the Cossacks. Drive along Lenin Street; see the Lenin Monument, the city's dam and massive hydroelectric plant. Then visit the Cossack Museum of Khortitsa. Later, enjoy a special Cossack horsemanship show including folkloric music and dance. Depart early evening and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Dnepropetrovsk

After breakfast, tour Ukraine's third largest city, Dnepropetrovsk. Originally an old fortress settlement, Dnepropetrovsk has now become one of Ukraine's most important commercial cities. See the modern riverside skyline and some of the city's historic areas. This afternoon you can explore on your own-take advantage of free shuttle service around the downtown area to visit the History Museum, showcasing the area's fascinating past which goes back some 150,000 years. Lunch and dinner are served aboard; we depart very late this evening so feel free to take an evening stroll. (B, L, D)

Day 10 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. Participate in an onboard round-table discussion of Ukraine Today if you like. After lunch, stop in Kremenchuk for a guided city tour. Largely destroyed in World War II, the town has 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 11 Kiev

Cruise toward Kiev this morning. After lunch, 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, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Monastery of Caves, an extensive complex of churches and museums founded by monks in 1051. Enjoy dinner aboard and remain docked overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Kiev

After breakfast, disembark and we will take you to the airport for your return flight.* (B)

The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises.