Odessa

Your walk begins from Primorsky Boulevard, where from the top of the Potemkin Steps, you’ll head west to Vorontsov Palace. A short walk along the ‘Mother-in-Law’ footbridge takes you to the ‘Nook of Old Odessa’. This exquisite tiny bridge and Shah’s Palace will allow you to become acquainted with the remarkable art of Odessa’s architecture.

Walk along Gogol Street past St Peter’s Catholic Church to the tree-filled City Garden, where you can relax over refreshments provided in one of the local cafés. At Sobornaya Square, view the impressive Preobrazhensky Cathedral and enjoy some free time to browse for souvenirs.

No walking tour of Odessa would be complete without a stop to view the exterior of the famous and elaborate Opera and Ballet Theatre. Finally, walk past the Museum of Maritime History and Pushkin statue, where your coach will be waiting for your return drive.

The people of Odessa are proud of their city and are keen to share it with you. Enjoy the company of some of Odessa’s residents, who have generously invited you into their homes. As you step ashore, your host will be waiting to accompany you to the apartment where they live, and share with you their personal anecdotes. The Ukraine has undergone some remarkable changes throughout the last decade and the conversation will be interesting for all involved.

Enjoy true Ukrainian hospitality in the home as you chat about your different life-styles over a glass of local wine, tea, homemade pastries and fruit.

The homes visited on this tour are of varying distances from the port: en route you’ll pass by the Potemkin Steps and drive through the city centre.

Your scenic drive takes you to the imposing square of Catherine the Great and the popular Primorsky Boulevard, where you can enjoy a stroll from the top of the famous Potemkin Staircase. At the eastern end of the Boulevard stands the Pushkin Statue and opposite the statue is the imposing white colonnaded Odessa City Hall. After viewing the exterior of the famous Opera House, re-board your coach for a drive around the city.

Pass by Kulikovo Pole, the main official square of Odessa, where military parades and public celebrations took place. Nearby, you can enjoy the best views of the Neo-Byzantine Panteleimonovsky Church with its 5 onion-shaped, silver domes and pointed bell tower. Pass the resort area to Shevchenko Park, located not far from downtown. The highlight of the Park is the Alley of Glory with the 70 foot high Monument to the Unknown Sailor, commemorating the defenders of Odessa in World War II.

The return drive to the city centre takes you to Sobornaya Square to view the impressive Preobrazhensky Cathedral, and enjoy free time to browse for souvenirs amongst the street vendors. Take a leisurely stroll along the nearby pedestrian street, Deribassovskaya, where the tree-filled City Garden is located.

During your picturesque drive, take in the highlights of the city, including the imposing square of Catherine the Great. After a short photo stop view the famous Potemkin Steps and enjoy a stroll along the popular seaside promenade of the Primorsky Boulevard. View the impressive Pushkin Monument located opposite the Odessa City Hall. Nearby, you’ll find the cannon salvaged from the British frigate ‘Tiger’, recalling the events of the Crimean War. Pass by the Maritime and the Archaeological Museums, the oldest in the Ukraine, and reach the most famous and elaborate building of the city - the Opera House.

The sparkling wine plant is located in the picturesque area of Frantsuzkiy Boulevard, founded 100 years ago by Henry Roederer, a German businessman. The first production of Odessa sparkling wine was in 1899, and it is highly regarded for its tender delicate bouquet, harmonic and refreshing taste.

During a tour of the wine plant, gain an insight into the production of Odessa ‘champagne’, from the blending process to the finished product. Take the opportunity to sample 10 sparkling wines in the tasting hall and, if your taste buds are aroused, perhaps purchase a bottle.

Before returning to the ship, enjoy some free time for shopping at Sobornaya Square, where you can browse the handicraft stalls.

Your panoramic drive traverses through Odessa’s downtown taking you past the scenic countryside, small farms, orchards and vineyards. Your destination is the village of Nerubaiskoye, where, in the catacombs the Museum of Partisan Glory of WWII is located.

The catacombs run for over 1,500 miles under Odessa and its vicinity. They were formed when the foundation of the city was laid. The sandstone on which Odessa stands was quarried out from below the ground for the construction of the city, thus an intricate labyrinth of underground corridors was formed. Smugglers, revolutionaries and everyone who required escape used it from time to time. The catacombs served their key role during the city’s occupation by the Nazis when they became a command post of the Resistance and sheltered a group of partisans.

During a guided visit of a section of the catacombs, you’ll see the resistance headquarters and the museum, founded in the post war years to commemorate the heroic deeds of the city defenders. During your scenic drive back to the city, you’ll make a photo stop at the War Museum, displaying an open air assortment of weapons used during the defence of Odessa in WWII.

A scenic drive will take you into the city of Odessa and to the beautiful Primorsky Boulevard where maple, lime and horse chestnut trees line this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Keep your camera to hand to photograph the famous statue of Catherine the Great before you stop and gaze down the famous Potemkin Steps. Drive to the impressive Opera House to embark on a short stroll to Dumskaya Square where your route is filled with photo opportunities of the Archaeological Museum, City Hall, the Pushkin monument and the cannon salvaged from the British frigate “Tiger” recalling the events of the Crimean War.

The Uspensky (Assumption) Orthodox Cathedral containing the remains of the apostle St Andrew is a highlight of this tour, and here you will have the chance to view ancient icons and the impressive 184 foot high bell tower.

Refreshments will be served at local café before you continue to Shevchenko Park. Bordered to the south by the Black Sea and set amongst the lush greenery of one of Odessa’s most famous parks is the Alley of Glory. Here a red granite obelisk and eternal fire commemorate the heroes of World War II. Enjoy the scenery and photo opportunity before you return to the ship.