Kiev to the Black Sea

The capital of Ukraine and one of Europe’s oldest cities, Kiev has a rich heritage of Viking and Cossack peoples.

From the 9th century on, Kiev was the main Dnieper River trade center on the route from Scandinavia to the Black Sea and Constantinople.

The old section of Kiev retains many historic buildings and monuments, including the dramatic domed St. Sophia Cathedral.

Settled by Cossacks in the 16th and 17th centuries, Kremenchug, like much of Ukraine, came under Polish influence early on, despite construction of its fortress in 1590.

Dnipro was once known as Ekaterinoslav, after Catherine the Great officially laid a foundation stone at her namesake cathedral.

More than 200 years old, Zaporozhye stretches across both sides of the Dnieper River.

Kherson lies where the Dnieper Delta empties into the Black Sea.

A historically important port, the “Pearl of the Black Sea” was built on the site of an ancient Greek colony, Odessos.

Odessa draws its rich history from the many cultures that settled here, including the Crimean Tatars, Turks, Russians and Germans.

Odessa is a lively metropolis with many parks, tree-lined boulevards and beach resorts.

With its many parks, tree-lined boulevards and beach resorts, Odessa has a Mediterranean feel.