Built in the eighteenth century by Catherine II who wanted to create a Ukrainian equivalent of St. Petersburg, Odessa has always been synonymous with Slavonic elegance.
Tinged with a Mediterranean warmth, this port city is however one of the Black Sea's most important ports. Like Marseille in France, Odessa is a city that has fallen in love with freedom, culture, and a sense of sharing. Anyone who strolls through its streets bathed in sunlight feels themselves captured by a desire to escape, a longing to go and encounter its people and its traditions. In this case, a walk along one of its sandy beaches will be just the ticket, including the most famous and the most happy-go-lucky: Arcadia Beach. Some relaxation on the Black Sea and its peaceful waters will win over every visitor's heart with its chant of ocean waves and children's laughter.
Along with this relaxation, Odessa also offers an amazing artistic heritage, a strong cultural heritage and a wonderful way of life. Whether you decide to climb the famous and grandiose Potemkin stairs or stroll around the Pushkin district and admire its architectural elegance, the charm of an entire nation can be discovered in its center.
And should Odessa be able to absolutely enchant its visitors, this well and truly happens on a visit to its Archaeological Museum. A true pioneer of the Tzars and the USSR, this Ukrainian institution is truly a living memory of the Black Sea, with its relics dating from the 8th century B.C.
A meander through the streets with their neo-Florentine style facades brings you back to reality and to the present day where you'll discover a certain gastronomy, like the traditional varenykys, delightful Ukrainian dumplings!
