Itinerary Include flights Expand all Day 1 Fly to Chisinau. Fly to Chisinau, transfer to hotel.Klassik Hotel or similar Day 2 Walking tour of Chisinau. Visit Ohrei Monastery. This morning we set out on foot from our hotel for a walking tour of the Moldovan capital. Although the city dates back to 1420, a huge earthquake in 1940 destroyed most of the historic centre, while WWII accounted for most of what was left. Chisinau was then rebuilt in a Soviet-style, leaving a city dominated by Brutalist buildings, but there are some quirky gems including the now abandoned Winter Circus, Triumphal Arch and the bell tower of the Nativity Cathedral. The central market is another highlight. First opened in 1825, it has been the centre of life in the city ever since. It's worth braving the crowds for lovely fresh fruit, nuts and wine. Heading out of the city we stop for a traditional home-cooked lunch in a small farmstead. From here we visit the beautiful, isolated hilltop Orhei Monastery dating back to the 14th century. Our final stop before returning to Chisinau is the Milestii Mici Winery, home to the largest wine cellar in the world. Here we will drive down into the cellar in the tour bus, past hundreds of barrels of the ‘holy drink’ as it’s known locally. We will try several varieties of wine and learn about the fascinating history of oenology in this far corner of Europe.Klassik Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Day 3 Full day excursion to Transnistria; transfer to Odessa. Our destination for today is one of Eastern Europe's strangest. Transnistria is a self-declared republic occupying a narrow strip of land in the east of Moldova. A microstate, it is officially only recognised by the people who live there. Yet they have their own currency, postal service and border force. The region harks back to the days of the USSR and is staunchly pro-Russian, although it gets little financial support in return. There are photo-worthy busts of Lenin all over the city. No trip to Moldova is complete without seeing Transnistria.In the late afternoon we transfer to Odessa on Ukraine's Black Sea Coast. Journey time is about 2 hours however the border crossing between Moldova and Ukraine may take some time. Hotel Alexandrovsky or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Full day in Odessa; morning city tour. This morning we wake up in Odessa, Ukraine’s third largest city, on the Black Sea coast. A warm water port, Odessa has had a short but turbulent history. When founded in the 18th century Russia's Catherine the Great invited immigrants from across Europe to come and make their fortune in Odessa, thus creating a thriving multicultural city of Jews, Turks, Armenians, Italians, Germans and Poles. With the outbreak of WWII this population diversity would sadly be its downfall. In more recent times the city has had its problems especially during the 2014 revolution, but now the city is booming once again. Its beautiful tree-lined avenues and seaside boulevards are a perfect place to relax and see a different side to Ukraine. The ornate opera house and Potemkin Steps are architectural must-sees. After a city tour, we enjoy free time, before boarding the overnight sleeper train to Lviv. Sleeper train Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Arrive Lviv, guided walking tour. We arrive early into Ukraine's cultural capital Lviv, stopping at our hotel for breakfast and to store our luggage. We will try to secure a number of of day rooms so you can freshen up but please note this is not always possible. We then head out for a morning walking tour of this beautiful city, before enjoying free time in the afternoon. We recommend climbing the clock tower of the town hall for a panoramic view of the old town. Lviv's UNESCO listed old town easily competes with the likes of Krakow and Vilnius in terms of charm and history. It's full of colourful townhouses, fine churches, cobbled streets and cosy cafés. Ukrainian cultural identity is stronger here than anywhere else in the country, but with a wonderful mix of Polish, Jewish, Hungarian and even Armenian history thrown into the mix. Lviv really is a delight and surprisingly untouched by mass tourism. Modern Art Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Transfer to Kyiv by train; free evening. This morning we board the train to Kyiv (journey time 8hrs approx.), Ukraine's mighty capital city and home to over 2.5 million people. The Ukrainian capital seems to have hardly left the news in recent years, sadly for all the wrong reasons, but its citizens are made of strong stuff and are keen to show their beautiful city to the world. There will be some free time in the evening to enjoy the city or take dinner on the capital's most famous street, Khreshchatyk. Ukraine Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Morning tour of Kyiv; free time in the afternoon. This morning we enjoy a walking tour of Kyiv's main sights, including Maiden Square, the site of the revolutions of 2004 and 2013. As well as St. Sofia Cathedral and the Monastery of St. Michael Archangel. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy this fascinating city at your leisure. You may choose to visit the Pechersk Lavra Monastery with its complex of caves housing mummified nuns. While the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War gives you a macabre, Soviet perspective, it also offers great views of the city. Ukraine Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Fly London / Optional day tour to Chernobyl Those on the group flight will transfer back to Kyiv Airport. Alternatively, you may choose to stay another day for a guided tour of Chernobyl and the abandoned town of Pripyat. One of the most well-known events in Soviet history occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, 130km north of Kyiv in April 1986. Here reactor No.4 exploded, spreading lethal radiation, first over the town of Pripyat and later large swathes of Europe. Many see this event as the beginning of the end of support for the USSR in Ukraine. This tour takes you to the heart of the exclusion zone; you will see the power station and the abandoned town of Pripyat, frozen in time, like a scene from an apocalyptic future. Our expert guide will lead you safely through the area and tell the story of one of recent history’s most notorious disasters. This is a long day leaving the hotel at about 08:30 and returning to Kyiv at about 20:30, but certainly worth staying in Ukraine another day for. (Details and prices are in the Money Matters section of the trip notes). Ukraine Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast
Moldova UK passport holders do not need visas for this trip. Other nationalities should check with the relevant embassies.
Ukraine UK passport holders do not need visas for this trip. Other nationalities should check with the relevant embassies.
Hotels & sleeper train 2 nights comfortable 3-star hotel, 4 nights standard hotel all with en suite bathrooms and 1 night sleeper train. All accommodation is based on twin-share. Wi-Fi is now free in all hotels but is sometimes unreliable. We use 2nd class compartments (4 berths) on the overnight sleeper train. Linen is provided. Please note that there may be other passengers, not with Exodus, travelling in the compartment with you. 1st class compartments (2 berths) can be requested up to 4 weeks before departure yet these are expensive and generally do not offer any extra comfort. Single supplement from £190 not including the night on the train.
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Reviewed September 2019 Phil Clarke Trip: Europe's Frontier: Moldova & Ukraine Review Positives. Good itinerary. Hotels in good central locations. Good balance between group activities and free time. Well informed local guides. Room for improvement. Book sleeper train earlier so that group can be together rather in scattered top bunks. Update meal cost guide which is mulch too low. Warn of obligatory dress code for Chernobyl extension. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Inspirational is a strange choice of words. Most memorable was Chernobyl. What did you think of your group leader? Excellent Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take more cash than trip notes guide suggests. Take closed shoes, long sleeves and long trousers for Chernobyl. Be aware that the top sleeper bunks are quite hard to climb into.
Reviewed September 2019 John Sharp Trip: Europe's Frontier: Moldova & Ukraine Amazing An amazing trip to some of the least visited areas of Europe. An interesting visit to Moldova including a monastery, a farmhouse lunch and the largest underground winery in the world complete with wine tasting and music. The unrecognised country of Transistria was a return to the Soviet era. Onto Ukraine and Odessa with its vibrant culture and the magnificent opera house. OK the night sleeper train was not the most enjoyable part of the trip but Lviv was worth it with its churches, bars and restaurants. Kiev is an amazing city with so much to do. Some great restaurants and bars. The churches are amazing and the War Museum is worth a visit. The memorial to the revolution of 2014 provide a poignant note. The trip to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone was both fascinating and sobering with it’s visits to the abandoned villages, the reactor site, Piryat and the Duga. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The memorial in Independence Square to those who gave their lives in the Revolution of Dignaty. What did you think of your group leader? Marta was amazing with her enthusiasm and helpful advice throughout the trip. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Described as leisurely/moderate but I found this trip as full on especially if you decide to do some exploring on your own.
Reviewed August 2019 Derek Gott Trip: Europe's Frontier: Moldova & Ukraine My first visit to Moldova and Ukraine We saw a lot of interesting sights though the itinerary did seem a bit rushed early on. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The guided tour of Lviv. What did you think of your group leader? She was very patient and helpful . Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared for the Summer heat. The temperature in Chisinau was 34c. The pavements there were in poor condition. Drink plenty of water everywhere. Is there anything else you would like to add? I felt safe everwhere even in Transnistria.
Reviewed July 2019 Rachel Nockels Trip: Europe's Frontier: Moldova & Ukraine Moldova & Ukraine An amazing insight into two lesser visited countries, each very different but unusual especially Transnistria. The state winery in Moldova was staggering in size but the wine not so good. The cities of Odessa, Lviv and Kiev were amazing and interesting. Could have stayed in each city for multiple days. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The trip to the Chernobyl exclusion zone, very interesting but sobering What did you think of your group leader? Mike was excellent, always kept us up to date with the days plans and any items such as scarves that were needed. Very easy going but highly organised Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take US dollars or euros as cannot get currency outside each country. Also if going to Chernobyl you must wear long pants and a long sleeved top plus closed shoes.
Reviewed May 2019 Carl Thomas Trip: Europe's Frontier: Moldova & Ukraine excellent trip to two lesser visited countries Overall, this is a great trip to two of the least visited countries in Europe. You see so much, from the quirky Moldova, where it was like going back in time to the 70's & 80's to the vibrant Ukraine which has a great vibe and atmosphere to the country. The trip itself went almost without a hitch and couldnt be faulted. The hotels on the whole were great, but the one in Kiev was slightly of a lesser quality than the others. One downside to this was the customer services when booking this tour. This is the first time I have travelled with Exodus, and from the time they didnt want to book me (and others it turned out) into a single room, to transfers, you got the feeling that they put money before customers Luckily the trip far outweighted these issues What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? It had to be the additional trip to Chernobyl, which people should book. Its sad, powerful and a sad indictment on how humans are dealing with the world. It was an amazing and fascinating day and would recommend this to everyone who books this day trip What did you think of your group leader? Overall he was very good, and pretty unflapable. He was very helpful and attentive to everyones needs. Being a true vegetarian, I do wish he had offered help to me when ordering from menus in restaurants which was a struggle at times Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Cash machines were everywhere so worrying about bringing cash shouldnt be a problem, but Moldova and Ukraine currencies are closed and wont be able to change the currencies at home Is there anything else you would like to add? The city tour of Kiev was a 3 hour walking tour. However, the city is quite spreadout and a walking tour only covered a small part of this fascinating city. The better option would have been to have a bus tour that included the major sights outside the centre allowing the group to see more
Reviewed May 2019 John Bagshaw Trip: Europe's Frontier: Moldova & Ukraine Eastern Europe Interesting trip including unusual destinations in Moldova and especially Transnistria. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? All of the trip was enjoyable but perhaps without any stand-out moments. Transnistria, not an obvious attraction when booking proved to be one of the highlights. Eating an incredibly good value lunch in a workers canteen above a furniture shop next to a bust of Lenin was certainly memorable. Lviv and Kiev were both interesting and attractive cities without the tourist hordes of the more commonly visited Eastern European cities. What did you think of your group leader? Nir was a very likeable guy with obvious organisational skills. I thought the sheet he gave out at the welcome meeting, detailing key times for the week was a very good idea. On the odd occasion when there was a small problem the support provided could probably have been better. His inability to read cyrillic ws a drawback.
Reviewed October 2018 Richard Richard Trip: Europe's Frontier: Moldova & Ukraine Europe's Frontier_ Moldova & Ukraine Excellent varied trip, a bit late in the season for Odessa with the cooling weather. But all other destinations were great. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Chenobyl seeing the unfinished reactor 5 for the first time. What did you think of your group leader? The group leader was excellent and very helpful. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Transnistria to Ukraine border crossing was long due to customs officials being awkward.
Reviewed July 2018 Kate Barnes Trip: Europe's Frontier: Moldova & Ukraine Excellent trip to interesting countries A very interesting trip through some less visited parts of Europe What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Trip to Chernobyl definitely sobering. What did you think of your group leader? Excellent. Simultaneously laid back and highly organised. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? It's a busy trip with lots to do. Not much free time but enough to get the feel of each place. Take insect repellent for Chernobyl!
Reviewed August 2017 Hannah Marder Trip: Europe's Frontier: Moldova & Ukraine Excellent trip This is a fantastic trip which packs a lot into a week and visits two lesser known but fascinating countries. The itinerary works well, and you are kept busy without being too rushed. The group I travelled with were a pleasure to be with and we had a great time. Our tour leader was excellent. The hotels and transport were a very high standard. I couldn't have asked for a better holiday. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Kiev was the highlight, a stunning city full of beautiful monuments. The hotel is located overlooking Independence Square. If you visit in August you might see preparations for the independence day on 24th August, which we were lucky enough to. I particularly loved St Michael's Church of the Golden Domes, which is beautiful inside and out, and Landscape Alley which is a Gaudi-esque children's playground. Pechersk Lavra monastery is also well worth a visit. I also really enjoyed the winery tour in Moldova even though I don't like wine much! What did you think of your group leader? Our tour leader, Agata, was exceptional and one of the best I've ever travelled with. She always went the extra mile, and was really caring and looked after us very well without being overpowering. She was good fun, and good at spending time with everyone in the group and looking after us all equally. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Transnistria has its own currency, but you don't need to change very much as prices are low and its completely closed so you can't change it back. Your leader will advise you. But bear this in mind when budgeting for your days in Moldova - you only need cash for the first evening and one full day. Moldova has high quality and unbelievably cheap wine so if you enjoy wine, make sure you have space in your suitcase to bring back a bottle or two. That said, I strongly advise travelling light - I travelled hand luggage only and was very grateful. There's a lot of getting on and off trains and moving around stations that don't have lifts, so a medium backpack is the best thing to bring. You don't really need lots of stuff as it's a short trip with no special equipment. Bring good shoes as there's a lot of walking in cities and on cobblestones. The group flights depart very early from Heathrow, if that's likely to be a problem for you, book on the phone so you can discuss flight options and decide if you want to book your own. It's possible to fly direct, although it may cost more. Remember to bring a scarf for the churches (women). Don't be put off by the train journeys, it's a busy trip and the time to just sit is welcome, they're also nice trains. If you visit Chernobyl, you will only get an evening and few hours in the morning in Kiev (if you're on the group flights) and Kiev is amazing, so do consider carefully which you'd prefer to do or think about staying longer. Is there anything else you would like to add? This is a new trip (I travelled on the second departure) and I hope it becomes a regular Exodus offering so others can enjoy it too. I hope that when travellers catch on to what nice things there are to see and do in these countries - as good or better than many other well known European destinations, but without the crowds - they will want to come too.
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