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 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, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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. In the late morning we 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. Lunch and dinner 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. Enjoy a special Cossack horsemanship show including folkloric music and dance. Depart during lunch; this afternoon, enjoy an interesting lecture on Ukraine's history and culture, plus a Ukrainian tea party. Cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Kherson

After a morning of scenic cruising and a Ukraine language lesson, 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

After lunch, arrive in Sevastopol, base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Tour the city center and see St. Vladimir Cathedral and Admiral Nakhimov Square. The rest of the afternoon is free, 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. Dine aboard and remain docked overnight; this evening you can attend an optional Black Sea Choir concert. (B, L, D)

Day 7 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, 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 and the submarine tunnels. (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 either to the Nikita Botanical Garden featuring 20,000 plant species, or to one of Anton Chekhov's homes in Yalta, now a museum about the famous playwright. Dine aboard; dock overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Yalta

Spend the morning further 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 afternoon. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Odessa

After breakfast, 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. Lunch aboard, then take the afternoon at leisure to further explore Odessa, or take an optional tour of Jewish 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)

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

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