Odessa, Ukraine - Mediterranean Cruises

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 photograph opportunity before you return to the ship.


This tour will operate by coach and on foot. This tour is predominantly by coach with short periods of walking over paved flat surfaces. There are ten steps to negotiate at the Uspensky Cathedral and at the obelisk in Shevchenko Park. Modest dress is required for visiting the Cathedral and ladies are advised to wear a head covering.

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 2414 kilometres 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 will see the resistance headquarters and the museum, founded in the post war years to commemorate the heroic deeds of the city defenders. During your return drive you will make a short photograph stop at Shevchenko Park and the Alley of Glory with the 70 foot high Monument to the Unknown Sailor, commemorating the defenders of Odessa in World War II.


This tour will operate by coach and on foot. This tour involves approximately 1½ hours of walking over even, but rough earth surfaces. There are ten steps down to the entrance of the catacombs and 70 winding steps up to the exit.The temperature inside the catacombs can be chilly therefore a light jacket is recommended.

Founded at the end of the 18th century, by the order of Catherine the Great and originally as a seaport, Odessa is abundant with elegent architecture.

A short drive along the coast will bring you to Tolstoy Mansion, once home to Count Mikhail Tolstoy, cousin to the great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. Immerse yourself in the refined glamour of the 19th century aristocratic lifestyle. The mansion has retained its original appearance and has preserved the ornate furniture, marble and porcelain fireplaces and decorative wooden paneling.

Stroll along the shaded promenade, where many of the wealthy merchants and factory-owners of the early 19th century built their private residences. Enjoy a short music recital in the lavishly decorated Golden Hall at Gagarin Mansion, built for Prince Dmitry Gagarin. Today it houses the great masters of Russian literature, as the Russian and Ukrainian Literature Museum.

Having become acustom to the luxurious lifestyle of a bygone era, luncheon will be served in palatial splendour at Restaurant Aleksandrovsky, a richly decorated and exuberant mansion. Enjoy some city highlights en route to Count Pototsky's mansion. The mansion is now the Fine Arts Museum, boasting icons dating from the 16th century. Before returning to the ship enjoy some free time to browse among the handicraft stalls near the Cathedral.


This tour will operate by coach and on foot. There is approximately 3½ hours’ walking on this tour with several steps to negotiate. Flat comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Your walk begins from Primorsky Boulevard, where from the top of the Potemkin Steps, you will 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.


This tour will operate by coach and on foot. This tour involves approximately three hours of walking. US dollars/Euros are accepted for any purchases made at the craft stalls.

A short drive will allow you to sit back and soak up 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.

Gain an insight into the production of Odessa ‘champagne’, from the blending process to the finished product. Take the opportunity to sample seven 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.



This tour will operate by coach and on foot. There are 30 steps to be negotiated at the wine tasting hall. The tour involves approximately 1½ hours of walking on flat, paved surfaces. Local currency (Hryvnia) will be required to purchase any wine and this will have to be obtained in Yalta the day before.

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 five 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.


This tour will operate by coach and on foot. This tour involves approximately two hours of walking over paved and cobbled surfaces with some steps. US Dollars/Euros are accepted for purchases.

Sit back, relax and admire the sights as you drive to Primorsky Boulevard where the first Jewish burial stone, dating back to the 1770's was found on the site of Vorontsov’s Palace, during its construction.

Continue your drive to Yevreyskaya Street, or 'Jewish Street' where the Central Synagogue stands. Built in Romanesque style and completed in 1857, this is one of the oldest synagogues in Odessa. During the communist period the Synagogue functioned as a gym and was returned to the Jewish community in the 1990's. Sample some traditional Odessa snacks and refreshments, at one of the local restaurants, accompanied by a short folkloric performance.

Visit the Holocaust Memorial, located on Prokhorovska Square. The Alley of the Pious and the Memorial Stone bear the names of those who rescued the Jewish during the World War II occupation. Continue your panoramic drive, passing the Jewish hospital and the former Jewish residential area 'Moldovanka'. The Museum of Jewish Heritage will provide an insight into the local Jewish history.

Before returning to the ship enjoy a little free time browsing among the souvenirs on Sobornaya Square or adjacent Deribassovskaya street, the main commercial centre of the city.


This tour will operate by coach and on foot. This tour involves some walking over flat and cobbled surfaces. There are several steps to negotiate at the Central Synagogue and Museum of Jewish Heritage. Photography may be restricted during services at the Central Synagogue. Modest dress is required when entering the Synagogue and it is recommended that ladies wear a headscarf or head covering.

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 will pass by the Potemkin Steps and drive through the city centre.


This tour will operate by coach and on foot. An official guide will not accompany your tour. You will be escorted to and from the pier by the English-speaking host from each home. Guests are advised that there are normally 20 - 40 steps leading to the apartments visited and that the lifts to upper floors may not be operational.