Along Soviet Fringes

14 days
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4.8/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Russia’s shadow still looms over present-day Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova, though each has begun to find its own path after breaking with the Soviet Union. Often overlooked by travellers, these lands boast distinct cultures, complex and fascinating histories, unspoiled landscapes and warm hospitality. Experience Minsk's easy charm and the UNESCO listed Mir Ca...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Explore Minsk
    • Visit Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park
    • Visit Museum of Nature and the Brest Museum of Railway Equipment
    • History at the Museum of Strategic Missile Forces

What's this trip about?

    Russia’s shadow still looms over present-day Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova, though each has begun to find its own path after breaking with the Soviet Union. Often overlooked by travellers, these lands boast distinct cultures, complex and fascinating histories, unspoiled landscapes and warm hospitality. Experience Minsk's easy charm and the UNESCO listed Mir Castle in Belarus. Explore the contrasting historic cities of Lviv and Kiev and the controversial Chernobyl in Ukraine. Finally sample Moldova's finest wines and discover the break-away Soviet sub-state of Transnistria in Moldova.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityMinsk
End CityTransnistria

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Ukraine

Attractions

  • Chisinau
  • Minsk

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Nature
  • Wine Tasting

Trip includes

    • Arrival & departure transfers
    • Ground transport with driver
    • Accommodation
    • Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan)
    • English-speaking guides
    • Entrance fees to sites & parks

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Minsk (Belarus)

On arrival at Minsk airport, you will be met by your local guide and later transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Minsk.

Overnight in Hotel Minsk, Minsk

Day 2: Minsk

Meals: Breakfast

Spend the morning sightseeing in Minsk, where you will see Independence Avenue and the Holy Spirit Cathedral. Later, visit the local Komarovka Market to sample local Soviet cuisine and make an excursion to the open-air Museum of Folk Architectu...

Day 3: Minsk - Poleskije Tradicii – Brest

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Begin the day with a tour of Neswizh Palace. Continue on to Poleskije Tradicii. On arrival, explore the farmstead and speak with locals and have lunch. Continue to Brest and check-in to the hotel on arrival. Overnight in Brest...

Day 4: Brest - Belovezhskaya Pushcha – Brest

Meals: Breakfast

This morning you will have a city tour of Brest, including the Brest Fortress before heading to Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, visit the Museum of Nature and the Brest Museum of Railway Equipment. Overnight in Brest.

Overnight in H...

Day 5: Brest - Mir - Minsk – Kiev

Meals: Breakfast

This morning you will be transferred to Mir, a small town to the south-west of Minsk. You will visit the Mir Castle, an impressive architectural monument included on the list of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO,  before carrying on to Minsk. Y...

Day 6: Kiev

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast you will have a full day city tour on Kiev. During your tour you will visit St. Sophia Cathedral and Monastery Complex, St. Andrew's Church, The Golden Gates of Kiev and the famous Museum of the Great Patriotic War. Overnight in...

Day 7: - Chernobyl - Pripyat – Kiev

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Take a day trip to Chernobyl and visit the Nuclear Power Station. Later, make a stop off at the town of ghost town of Pripyat. Transfer back to your hotel in Kiev. Overnight in Kiev.

Overnight in Khreshatyk Hotel , Kiev

Day 8: Kiev – Mezhygirya

Meals: Breakfast

Begin the day with a tour of Mezhygirya Palace. Later, travel on to the Ukrainian Village Ethnographical Museum Complex. Overnight stay here.

Overnight in Ukrainian Village Ethnographical Museum Complex, Kiev

Mezhihiriya Palace (a...

Day 9: Kiev – Odessa

Meals: Breakfast

Make your way to Odessa, stopping en route to spend the day at the Museum of Strategic Missile Forces. Continue your journey and check into your hotel upon arrival. Overnight in Odessa.

Overnight in Alexandrovsky Hotel, Odessa

The...

Day 10: Odessa

Meals: Breakfast

Spend the day touring the city of Odessa, highlights will include the Potemkin Stairs, Odessa Opera House and the Fine Art Museum. Later, visit the Odessa Catacombs. Overnight in Odessa.

Overnight in Alexandrovsky Hotel, Odessa

Od...

Day 11: Odessa - Puracari - Chisinau (Moldova)

Meals: Breakfast

Travel to the Purarci estate, where you will take a tour and have the opportunity to sample the wine. Later, depart for a tour of Chisinau. Overnight in Chisinau.

Overnight in Regency Hotel, Chisinau

Chisinau (pronounced 'kish-i-n...

Day 12: Chisinau - Cricova - Orhei – Chisinau

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Begin the day with an excursion to Cricova Winery and enjoy a wine tasting. Continue on to Old Orhei Open Air Museum. End the day with a folk show and dinner in Trebujeni village. Overnight in Chisinau.

Overnight in Regency Ho...

Day 13: Chisinau - Transnistria – Chisinau

Meals: Breakfast

Depart to Transnistria. Spend the day touring Tiraspol and visiting Tighina Fortress. Overnight in Chisinau.

Overnight in Regency Hotel, Chisinau

The 16th-century Tighina Fortress used to be one of Moldova's most powerful fortress...

Day 14: Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or onward destination.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,995
Price per day$214
Single supplement (single occupancy)$395
Last Updated: 5/9/2019

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Travel The Unknown.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Travel The Unknown Reviews & Ratings

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Apr 2017

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Fun and added greatly to our enjoyment of both places

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Travel The Unknown was founded in 2008 to offer exciting small group and tailormade tours to destinations less readily available by mainstream tour operators.

Why should I choose Travel The Unknown?

Small group tours (maximum of 12 people)

Extensive range of tailormade tour options

Intimate personal knowledge of destinations

Passionate guides with local knowledge & expertise

Personalised service and excellent customer satisfaction

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Background: who are we?

We were both bitten by the travel bug back in 1996 whilst we were based in Germany as exchange students. Since then, we have travelled to over 70 countries being particularly drawn to remote places where local customs and cultures had not been impacted by tourism.

Due to the difficulty with arranging logistics and, in some cases, permits, it was clear that the majority of tour operators stay away from such remote destinations. Hence Travel The Unknown was born with the aim of helping you to discover these unspoilt hideaways in some of the most off the beaten track locations on Earth.

We are aware of the environmental downside of larger tour groups. For this reason we consciously keep our ecological and cultural footprint as small as possible. By operating in smaller groups, we can deliver the benefits of tourism without the negative aspects of mass tourism. We make use of locally owned accommodation, eateries and vehicles as well as supporting local community projects; this way locals will always benefit directly from our tours.

As a team, we have personally crafted each one of our tours, and take great pride in ensuring that our strict standards are adhered to. By sourcing the most professional and friendly guides available with a strong local knowledge, you are sure to have the trip of a lifetime.

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Logistics

Accommodation

,Hotel Minsk Minsk (2 nights) Hotel Minsk is near to many of the cities sights, including the Belarusian National Arts Museum. The hotel has been decorated in a contemporary style. The spacious bedrooms are fitted with modern amenities to allow for a comfortable stay. The hotel has 2 restaurants that serve a combination of local, national and international dishes. Other faciitilites include a fitness suite, spa and hotel bar. Hermitage Hotel Brest (2 nights) Hermitage Hotel is situated in the heart of Brest. The bedrooms are decorated in classical Belarusian style, with Slavic ceiling paintings and authentic furniture. Guests are invited to use the hotel facilities, which includes a spa, fitness centre and restaurant. Khreshatyk Hotel Kiev (3 nights) Khreshatyk Hotel is situated in the centre of the city of Kiev. The hotel is decorated in an elegant Ukrainian style. Each bedroom provides guests with access to modern facilities that include satellite television, wifi and air-conditioning. There is a choice of 6 restaurants, bars and cafes which each serve a variety of national and international dishes. Guests are also welcomed to make use of the hotel spa, swimming pool, salon and fitness suite during their stay. Ukrainian Village Ethnographical Museum Complex Kiev (1 night) The Ukrainian Village Ethnographical Museum Complex introduces visitors to the culture and everyday lives of Ukrainians through the 18th and 19th centuries. Situated in a rural location, the authentic lodges allow guests to experience this first hand whilst also having access to modern amenities for a comfortable stay. Alexandrovsky Hotel Odessa (2 nights) Alexandrovsky Hotel is located at the heart of the historical centre of Odessa. The hotel lies near to many sights including City Garden and the Potemkin Steps. Alexandrovsky is equipped with modern comforts required for a relaxing stay. The spacious bedrooms are tastefully decorated. Cellini Restaurant is named after the famous Italian sculptor and is decorated in a traditional Italian style, serving Mediterranean dishes and wines to guests. Regency Hotel Chisinau (3 nights) Regency Hotel is a modern hotel in the centre of the old city of Chisinau. The comfortable and spacious bedrooms are fitted with satellite television and access to wifi. The Regency on-site restaurant is decorated in a classic style and serves Italian cuisine.
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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
travel14-AloSovTra

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