Ukraine 1963, 1965

SSSR-63 - At that time Russia, Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine were part of the Soviet Union 1963 Date of the trip: July 13 - Aug 5, 1963 ITINERARY: This trip started on July 13 by a train ride 2,544 km long from Prague (Czechoslovakia) to Moscow. Along the way it crossed Slovakia, which was part of Czechoslovakia that time, and Ukraine with Ruthenia (Ruthenia was part of Czechoslovakia between WWI and WWII). The train stopped in Moscow, RUSSIA, in mid day of July 15. After 2.5 day sightseeing the city, we boarded a plane and left Moscow for Jerevan, ARMENIA on July 18. Until July 22 we were sightseeing this country from Jerevan, the capital, to Lake Sevan and visited several monasteries. On July 22 we took a train from Jerevan through western part of Armenia and through Georgia and after more than 27 hours we reached Soci in RUSSIA on the shore of Black Sea. Here we spent 7 days in a youth center with young people from various countries from East and West. We also took a bus trip to Lake Rica in GEORGIA in its autonomous part Abchasia. We crossed Chosta a favorite place for Stalin’s vacations and Gagra place which favored Khruscev both in Abchasia. Late on July 30 we got on a train for a 1.5 day journey to Kiev in UKRAINE. We got there early on Aug 1. Until Aug 3 we were sightseeing the city. Very late that last day we left Kiev on train on our return via Ruthenia and Slovakia for Prague (Czechoslovakia), where early in the morning on Aug 5. Travel office: I traveled with a youth group, but there were people with us into their 40tieth. Who took part: 35 members in the group incl. our Czech leader Vladimir T., my childhood friend Frank Z. (Aramis), a Russian leader and local guides. ----------------------------------------------------------------- SSSR-65 - Central Asia (that time all these countries were part of Soviet Union) Date of travel: Jul 26 - Aug 17, 1965 ITINERARY: On Jul 26 by train 2,544 km from Prague to Moscow, RUSSIA where on Jul 28. Total of 2.5 days sightseeing of the city. Late on Jul 30 flight from Moscow to Alma Ata (now Almati) that time the capital of KAZAKHSTAN. Two days sightseeing the city and the mountains in the vicinity. Late at night Aug 1 flight from Alma Ata to Tashkent the capital of UZBEKISTAN. Then 6 days in this country sightseeing Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand. In the afternoon of Aug 7 flight from Tashkent to Dushambe the capital of TAJIKISTAN. A day trip in the mountains. In the morning on Aug 9 flight from Dushambe back to Tashkent visiting a state farm and an entertainment park. In the afternoon Aug 10 flight from Tashkent to Tbilisi the capital of GEORGIA. The sightseeing of the city and late at night departure by train to Batumi on the shore of the Black Sea where 2 days (seeing among others tea plantations and swimming in the Black Sea). At midnight on Aug 12 departure by train from Batumi back to Tbilisi. Here a bus tour outside the city to see early Christian churches. In the morning on Aug 14 flight from Tbilisi do Odessa in UKRAINE where 2 days sightseeing. Then overnight train to Lvov for a sightseeing tour. Later in the afternoon boarding a train and through Ruthenia (Ruthenia was a part of Czechoslovakia between WWI and WWII, now it is part of Ukraine) and Slovakia (Slovakia was part of Czechoslovakia until the end of 1992) back to Prague where in mid morning Aug 17. Travel office: Cedok (that time the only Czechoslovakian government travel office) Who took part: About 30 Czechoslovakian tourists, tour leader from Cedok, Russian leader and some local guides