You will get a lot of opportunities to get to know more about Ukrainian culture, its history & traditions being in Ukraine & studying Russian or Ukrainian languages. To reach that goal we offer different kinds of cultural programs, like excursions within the city & in other Ukrainian historical cities, visiting theatres, exhibitions, musiums, etc. Below please find some of the examples of the excursions that we will be happy to organize for you in your free of classes time. We can also arrange other cultural programs if you request those in advance.When you fill out "Application form for Russian\Ukrainian studies", please make sure to specify the excursion's code & its preferable date & we'll include it into the program of your stay in Kiev. (Please note that there are days of the week when some of the excursions can't be arranged on. That's why choosing the date of an excursion please check the possibility to arrange it on a certain day. You can find in the description the information about the days when the excursions are not possible)

You can also rent a car with an English speaking driver to visit some cities or in business purposes.

City tour (Duration: 3 hours)* [ID# K-01]
Kiev is one of the most ancient and beautiful cities of Ukraine and Europe. During our excursion you will plunge into the atmosphere of a certain historic epoch, learn about the monuments, life and activity of the famous people, who devoted their lives to policy, science, art, defence of the country, etc.
The first settlement on the territory of modern Kyiv is so-called Kyrylivska settlement, which had appeared in late Palaeolithic period more than 20 thousand years ago.
You will visit our famous historical places, churches, streets and parks, and the most amazing places of the city, such Validimirska Hill, the Kreshchatyk Park, the City Garden and the Mariyinsky Park

St. Sofia's Cathedral (Duration: 2 hours) * [ID# K-02]

The oldest survived monuments of Kyivan Rus', entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. One of the biggest Christian temples of its time was built c. 1037 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise in honor of Sophia - the Divine Wisdom. In the 11th - 20th cent., Sophia's Cathedral was the main temple of the Kyiv Metropolitanate. Its architectural composition resembles the image of the City of God - Celestial Jerusalem. In 1685-1707, the Cathedral was overhauled in the Baroque style.
Its interiors are of particular interest. Out of 640 sq.m of Old Rus' mosaics, 260 sq.m have survived; the composition is centered around the image of Christ the Pantocrator on the main cupola. The Virgin Orans mosaic, the Eucharist and the Church Fathers images are well preserved. Some 3.000 sq.m of frescos have survived as well. The Cathedral contains the sarcophagus of Yaroslav the Wise.
The present ensemble of St. Sophia's churchyard was generally formed in the 17th-18th cent. From 1630s till 1786, the courtyard housed a monastery bearing the same name. In 1934, the territory of St. Sophia's Cathedral got the status of a preserve, the divine service ceased.

Mariyinskiy Palace and Park (Duration: 2 hours) * [ID# K-03]

Mariyinski Palace was built as the royal residence by order of Queen Elizabeth in 1752. It was built in baroque style by architect Rastrelli.
During its history the palace served as the residence for high guests, and currently it is used for high-level government ceremonies. The most impressive part of the palace is the south facade with statues of Charity and Justice. During excursion you will walk through the famous rooms and halls of the palace, including those that are usually closed for regular visitors.

Ancient Kiev (Duration: 3 hours) * [ID# K-04]

Cathedrals of Kiev (Duration: 4 hours) * [ID# K-05]

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Duration: 4 hours) * [ID# K-06]
Kyiv-Pecherska Lavra (Dormition Monastery)
Sichnevoho Povstannya St., 21-25
The oldest monastery in Rus' (11th cent.) existing nowadays. It was founded by St. Anthony and one of his disciples, St. Theodosius. The cloister was laid down as a cave monastery, in a subsurface complex on the territory of the present Far Caves C. 1062, the first ground structure appeared. After 1070s, the Monastery center moved to the Upper Lavra. The main temple of the cloister - Dormition Cathedral - and other structures were built there.
Since the 12th cent., the Monastery was called Lavra.The Greek word "Lavra" means "street, village". This word is used for big and populous monasteries. The names of chronicles Nestor, icon-painter Alipiy, healer Ahapit, epic Illya of Murom, enlightener Petro (Mohyla), historian Innokentiy Hizel' and many others are connected with this cloister. The main sacred object of the Monasery is the incorruptible relics of the venerable fathers resting in the Near and Far Caves.
The Lavra structures were ruined many times: during the Mongol invasion in 1240, the raid of Crimean Khan Mendly Giray in 1482, in 1718, when a terrible fire swept over the Upper Lavra, and during the Nazy Occupation. In the Soviet time, the authorities twice (in 1930 and 1961) drove monks out of this Orthodox sanctuary, but the Monastery rose again (in 1941 and 1988). Now, the Kyiv-Pechersk Preserve and the Monastery coexist on the Lavra's territory. In 1990, the architectural ensemble of the Kyiv-Pechers'k Lavra was entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
During excursion you will also visit the working Cathedrals and churches, museum, and will hear the history of Lavra

Pirogovo Village Museum (Duration: 4 hours) * [ID# U-01]
Pirogovo Village was founded in reserved area of people's culture, and is very popular now. It is 150 hectares of natural where the culture and life style of different regions of Ukraine is reproduced.
The museum gives bright picture of how people have been living in 16 to 20th century. Museum incorporates 300 authentic houses, peasant's houses, churches, mills, auxiliary constructions to exhibit work-tools, peasantry's dresses, consuming things, which are collected in number of 80 000 pieces

* Rates include:

• Transportation;
• Excursion (English guide);
• Entrance tickets;

Vehicle rental and English speaking driver per hour within city limits * [ID# C-01]

Vehicle rental and English speaking driver for the day within city limits (8 hours) * [ID# C-02]

* The price is per vehicle, not per person.

Back to Russian \ Ukrainian language study page