Yalta, Ukraine - Mediterranean Cruises

The Alupka Palace is locally known as the Vorontsov Palace, as it was built over a period of 23 years for Count Michael Vorontsov. Designed by the English architect, Edward Blore, whose previous credits include parts of Buckingham Palace and St James' Palace. The interior of the building is spectacular, holding great collections of paintings, ornaments and fine furniture. Outside a strikingly beautiful Lions Terrace leads down to the Italian park and the sea.

Stop at the Swallow's Nest for an impressive view of the beautiful building precariously clinging to the edge of the 130-foot-high Aurora cliff.

Visit the famous summer residence of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II in Livadia. The Palace was used for the 1945 Yalta Conference, attended by Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin to outline the future of post war Europe and adopt the guidelines for the foundation of the United Nations. Enjoy a guided tour of the White Hall, the Tsar's Gala Study and the headquarters of the United States President during the conference. View the private apartment of the Tsar's family on the upper floor, including the study of Nicholas II, the family dining room and the children's classroom, complete with original furniture and photos.


This tour will operate by coach and on foot. This tour involves approximately 2½ hours of walking including ten to twenty minutes from the coach park at the Livadia and Alupka Palaces. There are several steps at both palaces.

Visit the lavish White Palace, site of the famed Yalta Conference, and the building Tsar Nicholas II commissioned in 1911 as a summer residence. After the revolution, it became the first peasants' sanatorium in the country. You will see Roosevelt's quarters and the restored conference room where Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill met to decide on the future of Europe following WWII. Visit the apartments of the Tsar's family on the first floor, including the study of Nicholas II, the room of Alexandra Fyodorovna, the dining room and the children's classroom.

The highlight of this tour is a traditional Russian tea ceremony held in the Italian courtyard of the Palace. An assortment of Russian and Ukrainian delicacies will be served with the tea and the whole experience will be enhanced by the sounds of folkloric singing.


This tour will operate by coach and on foot. There is a walk of approximately ten minutes from the coach park at Livadia Palace and almost two hours' walking during the tour around the Palace. To avoid disappointment, it is advisable to pre-reserve this tour.

Your scenic drive will take you through the town of Yalta, past the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to St Archangel Mikhael Church, seated at the foot of Ai-Nicola Mountain. The church was built in 2006 on the site of the ancient Christian monastery. Admire this elegant five-dome church and stunning vistas over Greater Yalta and the Black Sea.

From the comfort of your coach, you will see the majestic Ai-Petri Mountain and splendid views of the coast. Enjoy a coffee or tea at a traditional Ukrainian café, before viewing the most striking sight of the Crimean coast, the Swallow's Nest. The 'Castle of Love' with its spires and towers balances courageously at the very edge of the 130 feet high Aurora cliff of Cape Ai-Todor, built to the design of architect Sherwood in 1912, it has become a true symbol of the Crimea. Enjoy some free time for souvenir shopping before your return drive to the ship.


This tour will operate by coach and on foot. This excursion involves approximately 30 minutes of walking over flat and even ground. Guests must be able to negotiate the steps of the coach and some steps at the café.

Begin your exploration of Yalta with a visit to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The onion-shaped domes of this beautifully-composed piece of neo-Byzantine architecture are etched on the city's skyline.

After a short drive you will arrive at the famous Livadia Palace for a visit to the ground floor. Built from white Inkerman stone for the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II in 1911, it is often referred to as the 'White Palace'. In 1945, Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill held their Yalta Conference here and your guide will show you the restored White Hall where the historic meeting was held. Before leaving the Palace, a short stop will be made for shopping.

Afterwards, visit a viewing platform for photographs of the spectacular Swallow's Nest, perching courageously at the very edge of the 40 metre high Aurora cliff of Cape Ai-Todor.

Enjoy a soft drink, tea or coffee at one of the local café during the tour.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. This tour involves approximately 1½ hours of walking including ten minutes from the coach park at Livadia Palace and 15 minutes at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. There are several steps to be negotiated in the Palace and at the Cathedral. Photography is not permitted inside the Cathedral. Modest dress is required for the visit; shorts and sportswear are not permitted and a head covering should be worn. The order of visits may vary. Please be aware that there are usually steps to negotiate when using any public facilities.

Arriving in Sevastopol, visit the Panorama, a circular building constructed for the monumental painting 'The Defence of Sevastopol' depicting the battle on Malakhov Hill during the Crimean War in 1855. Your panoramic city drive will take you past Primorsky Park, the monument to Admiral Nakhimov and ceremonial gate of the Count's Pier.

Next, pause on Sapoune Heights, where Lord Raglan observed the Battle of Balaklava on 25th October 1854. The complete panorama of the 'Valley of Death' will unfold before you from the top of the hill where the events of the Charge of the Light Brigade took place.

Enjoy a Crimean-style luncheon in one of the local restaurants in Balaklava and then some free time to explore the seaside promenade. Balaklava was a secret Soviet Naval base and the main base for British troops in the Crimean War. You will have the unique opportunity to visit the underground gallery, where the submarines of the Soviet navy were based.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. This tour involves approximately three hours of walking over flat and uneven walkways with steps at the Panorama. The order of attractions visited may vary. The drive to Sevastopol will take approximately 1½ hours by highway. It is advisable to carry warm clothing for the visit to the underground gallery.

Drive along the spectacular Crimean coastline, in the direction of Alupka, to the Palace of Count Vorontsov. Designed by the English architect, Edward Blore, the northern façade embodies typical features of English Tudor style and the southern façade displays oriental decoration and resembles the famous Alhambra in Grenada. A strikingly beautiful Lions Terrace leads down to the Italian park and the sea. It is hard to imagine a more romantic place than the Alupka Palace with its exquisite and lavish decor and extensive collection of arts and paintings.

View the Swallow's Nest perching courageously at the edge of the 39 metre high Aurora cliff of Cape Ai-Todor. Have your camera at the ready to take an unforgettable shot of your visit.

Enjoy a Ukrainian-style luncheon at one of the leading restaurants in Yalta while the popular ‘Tauria’ folkloric ensemble will perform for you.

Visit the famous summer residence of the last Russian Emperor, Nicholas II, in Livadia. Built in 1911, this palace of the imperial family is often referred to as the White Palace. It was the historic place where Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin outlined the future of post war Europe and adopted the guidelines for the foundation of the United Nations.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. This excursion involves approximately 2½ hours of walking including 10 to 20 minutes from the coach park at the Livadia and Alupka Palaces. There are several steps at the Alupka and Livadia Palaces.

Travel by coach to Upper Massandra where you will switch to minivan to go up to Massandra Palace. At the end of the 19th century, the Russian Tsar Alexander III commissioned modern architects and craftsmen to build his new summer mansion. Twenty years later this beautiful palace, an architectural miracle of southern Crimea, appeared on the slopes of the Crimean Mountains. Massandra became a summer dacha for high officials of the Soviet Union and was closed for public visits until it opened as a museum of fine arts.

Visit Livadia Palace, the summer residence of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II. Built in 1911 from white Inkerman stone this palace of the imperial family is often referred to as the White Palace, and was where the Yalta Conference took place in 1945. During a guided visit you will see the White Hall, the Tsar's Gala Study and the headquarters of President Roosevelt during the conference. View the private apartment of the Tsar's family on the upper floor including the study of Nicholas II, the family dining room and the children's classroom.

On the Palace's Italian patio, enjoy a glass of local port wine, a favourite drink of the Russian Tsar and listen to the classical concert performed by the musicians of the local Philharmonic Society.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. This excursion involves approximately two hours of walking including ten minutes from the coach park at Livadia Palace. There are several steps at both palaces.