Odessa, Ukraine

Commonly known as the “pearl of the Black Sea,” Odessa is a major tourism center and seaport in Ukraine. Visit the striking Potemkin Stairs, the formal entrance to the city and the best-known symbol of Odessa. The city was founded in the 1700s by the Russian Empress Catherine the Great and later became an important port for the Soviet Union. Today, the city of Odessa is best known as a beautiful summer escape with sandy beaches and a captivating history. Guests can admire the unique mixture of architecture, which has more Mediterranean influence than Russian, providing a stark contrast with the architecture in other major cities in Ukraine.