You will be glad you have chosen our tour guide business as there is no other way to get the full effect of a city than to have a local professional tour guide show you points of interest and cool sites all over not just the city limits, but also the surrounding area. Below we will talk about some of these settings in a more general sense. In other related posts we will go into greater detail. So be prepared to give your senses a taste of something wonderful and exilerating when reading the next few paragraphs. Then it will be time to contact us and begin an adventure you will never forget.
Odessa sets in the very interesting Southern part of Ukraine along the Black Sea coast and has a population of a little over one million people. Founded in the late 18th century as a Russian naval fortress, its welcoming population has people from many nations and a diversity of customs. The city has many great beaches including Arcadia which is very popular for both the locals and tourists alike. Odessa is one of those unique places, a place where the culture and beauty is in the air. With world class architecture everywhere you look.
Odessa Operahouse
The Odessa Operahouse is a very beautiful and historic building. When inside one can feel the ombiance of operas performed over its many years of existance. The Odessa Operahouse is highly recommended for anyone that wishes to visit a cultural center of the city. Don’t worry about not knowing the local language because this does not hinder your experience if choosing to attend an opera.
Deribasovskaya Street
Deribasovskaya street is considered the beating heart of Odessa’s old town. Just a short walking distance from most of the cities interesting landmarks, courtyards, hidden gems, or even beaches for that matter. Street performers will keep you entertained along with many choices of local bars and restaurants featuring local foods only found in Odessa. Or if you prefer International cuisine this lively street has it all. All over Deribasovskaya street you can explore wonderful little squares and monuments. The characteristics of Deribasovskaya street is definitely worth a walk down during the day and at night in order to get the full sense of daily life from sunrise to after dark.
Summertime nights especially brings out the beauty of Deribasovskaya in this historic seaport city. Wander along the many other streets off the beaten path in Odessa and discover all it has to offer. Our professional private local tour guide will fill your mind with wonderful legends of the past and other interesting facts sure to last a lifetime.
The Monument to Catherine the Great
The monument to Catherine the Great is a city attraction that you must visit. To build a monument to the Founders of the city was offered in 1890 at a meeting of City council on the subject of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Odessa. The legend has it that she gave this name to Odessa. In the monument Catherine the Great holds a scroll with the words written on it that reads: “Let the city and port be.”
Potemkin Stairs
Potemkin Stairs were designed in 1825 by Italian architect Francesco Boffo in collaboration with Avraam I. Melnikov, an architect from St. Petersburg, the staircase was built in 1841 under the supervision of the English engineer John Upton. Made famous in the film “The Battleship Potemkin”, the 4th sequence in the film depicts a massacre of umarned citizens on a giant stairs known as Potemkin Stairs. To connect the beautiful seashore with the central part of the city, over a period of four years 200 steps were built forming a 142 meters long walk to serve as a formal entrance to the city of Odessa. The stairs were precisely designed for when standing at the very bottom and looking upwards, all you could see is an endless walk up an endless set of steps which makes them look a lot longer than what they actually are. Upon reaching the top, anyone climbing the staircase is greeted by the Duke de Richelieu Monument, a statue in the Duke’s image, cast in bronze and built in 1828 to commemorate Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu, the first elected governor of Odessa.
Akkerman Fortress
A must visit about an hour and one half drive from Odessa is to the biggest fortress in all of Ukraine – Akkerman Fortress, which was first built in the Middle Ages and is preserved in excellent condition even today. You will walk along its defensive walls, which are a very solid 12 meters high and 5 meters wide, also admire the Dniester estuary through the loopholes. Visit the underground Church of St. John the New, and check out other original monuments of the 14th-15th centuries.
Prepare to fall in love with Eastern Europe. Contact us today and begin your journey to Odessa the Pearl of the Black Sea!