DESCRIPTION OF EXCURSION: including routing and stops provided
210 years ago an exclusive necklace of the Black Sea Northern Seashore was decorated with its precious pearl - Odessa (after the ancient Greek colony Odessos, which was believed to be in the vicinity). The city today is a large sea port, a major commercial, cultural, scientific centre of Ukraine.
Departing from the hotel, You will drive to Primorsky Boulevard, the city's popular promenade, and begin Your strolling tour for a close inspection of Odessa's most cherished buildings and monuments: Potemkinskaya Steps, monument to Duke de Richelieu, monument to Alexander Pushkin, City Hall, as well as magnificent Opera & Ballet House. Completed in 1887, the baroque style building of the theatre was designed by the architects, responsible for die Vienna House and the Dresden Court Theatre, both of which it resembles. Not far from the Boulevard located the Odessa Archeological Museum. Founded in 1825 it is one of the oldest in Russia. Odessa Archaeological Museum, one of the oldest in Ukraine, was founded in 1825. There are more than 160.000 exhibits. They are the basis of one of the largest collection of information sources about ancient history of Northern Black Sea region. The museum possesses rich collection of archeological relics of primitive and classical culture, relics of Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome, besides there is a large and valuable collection of coins and medals. The best antique sculptures are exhibited in the vestibule of the building, specially built for the museum in 1883.
The genuine, unique pieces of art made of precious metals are represented in "The Golden Treasure". The oldest of them belong to the beginning of the second millennium B.C. The adornments and articles of Slavic craftsmen from the Scythian and Sarmatian burial grounds, the medieval funerals of nomads, attract your attention. The collection of Egypt antiquities is the third most valuable in the former USSR. Wooden and stone sarcophagi, funeral inventory, stone slabs and fragments of papyrus with hieroglyphics are represented there.
In number and value of its archaeological relics of the Nothern Black Sea region, classical Hellenistic period and Cichloids culture the museum occupies one of the leading places among the best museums of Europe. Taking into account that fact some years ago the museum has got an essential donation from a Greek man living on Cyprus and its exposition has been renovated. From the Museum Your drive continues along the city to stop at the main 5-domed Cathedral of the Odessa-Izmail Diocese, the Uspensky (Our Lady Assumption) Cathedral .)
Following Your strolling tour You will drive along Richileuvskaya street, one of the major thoroughfares, connecting the old historical centre with the Railway terminal. You will make a photostop at the Kulikovo Pole (former October Revolution Square and typically with the monument to V.I Lenin). Your eye is also attracted here by the perspective view of the 5 onion-shaped cupola of St. Panteleimon the Healer Cathedral. The tourist bus will go further into the city along Taras Shevchenko avenue through the city area. Which uprose after the World War П, pass by the Victory Monument. Drive along the French Boulevard then, to see part of resort area towards Shevchenko park for a photo stop (comfortstop) , then continue with Shevchenko park. Named after Ukrainian poet and patriot, a park offers a pleasant view on the Black Sea nearby the Unknown Sailors' Obelisk (World War II); has its own bathing beach and an open-air theatre. After the park You will reboard the coach and return to the Deribassovskaya souvenir market. Walking along the main street of Odessa You are welcome for a lunch in a typical "Ukrainian Village" Restaurant in the center of the city, where You will rest a bit. Then back to the hotel.
