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Experience the unique and ancient traditions of Malanka!

Celebrate Malanka in Ukraine this year, celebrate Ukrainian New Years with us! Amongst unique and ancient traditions, where the festive customs have remained unchanged for centuries - we guarantee you will see things you have never seen before, and will never see again! Celebrate a traditional Ukrainian Christmas in the wintery Carpathian Mountains, before marvelling at the colourful spectacle of the Malanka Festival in Chernivtsi. Learn Ukrainian traditions, see the stunning, colourful costumes, and experience the local people at their most festive – on this tour, you will see into the heart of this country and its vibrant culture. You’ll be taking home some amazing, colourful memories from this tour – other New Year’s celebrations just don’t compare!

Trip Details

15 days/14 nights | Lviv to Lviv

Tour Style: Signature

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Itinerary

Day
1-2
Lviv is a dreamy city whose charm grows at Christmas time. Experience winter in one of Ukraine’s most beautiful cities. Skate on the ice rink in the main square, and drink mulled wine while exploring the cobblestone streets under twinkling lights. Visit the lively Christmas Markets to sample Ukrainian donuts, pick up local delicacies, or shop for handmade gifts.
Day
3-9
Hutsulschyna is a wondrous place, full of colour and quirks, rich in customs and tradition. You’ll get to see the Ukrainian Christmas locals have celebrated for centuries. Experience a traditional Christmas Eve Dinner with all the trimmings and celebrate Christmas Day: a symphony of colour and carols! Enjoy the best the Carpathians have to offer: skiing, sledding, or hiking in the mountains overlooking views of snow-covered valleys. Finally, take part in a Hutsul Zabava at one of the homes in the village. We finish this leg of the journey with a visit to the Yaremche Bazaar. The locals sell a number of things from antiques, to handmade blouses, carved wooden eggs and delicate jewellery!
Day
10
Welcome to Tulova: a small, authentic village, where the locals are excited to welcome you into their village, show you their culture and day-to-day life. Here, we’ll learn how to make our own traditional dishes of ‘borsch’ and ‘pyrohy.’ We’ll learn some carols, and experience Christmas in true Ukrainian style!
Day
11-13
Chernivtsi is the capital of the Bukovyna region, and is considered to be one of Ukraine’s most important educational and architectural sites. Its spectacular university is an ancient, magical collection of buildings, which take you back through time as you step through its doors. Then we get to the highlight of our tour… we celebrate the Ukrainian New Year, or ‘Malanka.’ See the amazing unique parade, which starts in the village of Krasnolisk, and proceeds through the centre of Chernivtsi! This is a hypnotic feast for the senses; a whirlwind of colours, song and tradition. We will watch the festivities, admire the handmade costumes and pageantry in the city centre!
Day
14-15
We will return to beautiful Lviv for the last few days of exploring, sightseeing, and souvenir shopping at the Christmas Markets, before one last Zabava to end your trip with a bang!
map - Experience the unique and ancient traditions of Malanka!

Highlights

Festive Parade: experience a unique and colourful Malanka parade in Krasnolisk and Chernivtsi – a feast for all your senses!
Christmas Markets: shop on the stunning seasonal markets in Lviv
Rich Traditions: celebrate Ukrainian ChristmasEve in a remote Carpathian Village with a Hutsul family
Ancient Customs: join Ukrainian Christmas Day celebrations in Kryvorivnya
Snowy Slopes: visit the biggest ski resort in Eastern Europe - Bukovel
Magical Buildings: marvel at the stunning University of Chernivtsi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Village visit: meet locals and learn to make ‘varenyky’ in the authentic Ukrainian village of Tulova
Cobblestone Exclusives: Attend private concerts, cultural events, and workshops exclusively for Cobblestone freeway travellers.

Our Signature Tours Include:

5 Star Transportation
Hand Selected Class Hotels
Two Meals per Day
All Entrance Fees

The Cobblestone Experience always includes:

Small Groups

16 people maximum. Sometimes fewer, but there’s never more. This allows for more intimate experiences and flexibility while on tour.

Village Visits

Learn about a country from its people. We get away from tourist traps and into the places where authentic life takes place.

Folk Performances

The best local folk performers playing for you. We ensure you have an intimate experience with local artists so you can live the culture.

Artisan Demonstrations

Participate or sit back and soak it up: learn traditions from the people who keep them alive.

Traditional Cuisine

Food is a central part of our journey, so we carefully choose each restaurant to ensure you get a variety of delicious local eats and great service.

Pacing

Time to breathe, digest and soak up the atmosphere. Ample opportunity to experience a place before moving to our next adventure.

Bespoke Tours

Choose this Sample Itinerary and book it now, or design this tours to suit you!

Your tour – your way! Let us customize this tour for you. Contact us to get started.

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