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Legend says that the picturesque town of Kiev was established in the late 5th century, but the exact facts are obscure even to modern historians. The oldest city in Eastern Europe and one of the most fundamental in the development of the Slavic civilization is Kiev. Kiev did not reach prominence until the 11th Century with the reign of Prince Vladimir and the subsequent rule of his son, Yaroslav the Wise, who also ordered the construction of the magnificent St. Sophia Cathedral – a UNESCO Heritage monument. A city known for its historic churches, Kiev also has gorgeous synagogues and a deep Jewish heritage.
A region believed to be originally inhabited by the ancient Cimmerians, the Crimean Peninsula was later settled by the Greeks, the Genovese, the Tatars, the Germans, and the Soviets, to name just a few, before finally becoming part of Ukraine. Today’s Crimea, known as the Russian Riviera, is home to the region’s most visited seaside resorts and beaches.
The ruins of the ancient Greek colony of Chersonesos are located on the Black Sea shore just outside of Sevastopol and prove that the peninsula’s strategic commercial location was appreciated even some 2,500 years ago. In Bakhchisaray, one can visit the 16th-century palace - the only remaining residence of the Crimean Khans. World War II history buffs will enjoy visiting Livadia Palace where Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt met in February, 1945 to discuss the post-war spheres of political influence. Livadia is just as well known as the favorite vacation residence of Nicholas II and Alexandra - the last Russian Imperial family.
In Depth
Prior to the Second World War, there were some 150,000 Jews living in Kiev, who made up 20% of its population. The city's Central Synagogue was built in the late 19th century in the very heart of Kiev near the popular Bessarabian market. It was closed by the Soviet regime and only returned to Jewish ownership in the 1990's, when it was fully renovated and now features crystal chandeliers hanging from the vaulted ceilings. Kiev's Jewish history requires at least a full day to explore.
Before becoming Russian tsars' personal hunting lodge, Massandra belonged to Prince Vorontsov, who was fascinated by the picturesque setting and engaged a team of French architects to design for him a chateau in the Louis XIII style. After the October Revolution, the Soviet government used the palace as a summer residence for Stalin. You also won't want to miss a VIP tour of the tsars' wine cellars- one of the greatest wine collection in the world.
All private travel is customized based on your specific interests, travel dates, included experiences, entrance fees and hotel choices. Sample pricing is listed in the back of our brochure, but the exact prices vary according to travel dates.
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