Well, it so happens that Ukraine is host to some of the oldest and legendary cities, including Kiev, Odessa, and Lviv, which have a unique history. But it also has been at the center-stage of tough times, including the disaster at Chernobyl. It is through such situations that sheer determination for restoration has come about, clearly inspiring and creating interest beyond its borders.

Let’s investigate the main reasons why so many tourists are coming to Ukraine.

1. The Rich History of Ukraine

I have long maintained that Ukraine’s vibrant history, is a crucial reason that attracts many tourists. Fortunately, I’m not very far from the truth. Although tragic at times, the history of Ukraine is also quite inspiring. Examples are the Holocaust-related world war II, the Chernobyl disaster, and other happenings that mark the catastrophic history of Ukraine. But there are also so many punctuations of triumph, making the country one of great success.

Let’s reflect. Chernobyl is home to various ghost towns such as Pripyat. This, of course, garners much interest from so many visitors from all over the world. But then again, typical Chernobyl tours always factor in a visit to the exclusion zone. This tourist circuit is quite popular, and still part of the itinerary for my clients.

2. Home to Seven Wonders of Ukraine

According to world heritage, Ukraine consists of some of the most marvelous landmarks. These include St. Sophia Cathedral, built in the 11th century. The Carpathian Mountains and forests remain a wonder to behold.

Another sensation is the Struve Geodetic Arc, which links Norway’s Hammerfest to Ukraine’s Black sea. Let’s not forget the monastery of caves founded by St. Antony and St. Theodosia in Kiev. The country also has the most astounding monastery and ancient cathedrals that ever existed, including St. Michaels.

3. Historic Towns

From Kiev, Odessa, Lviv to Crimea, visitors consider these locations as still primeval and virtually undiscovered by the outside world. And this is partially true. Some of the villages still maintain their original way of life. A perfect example is the Carpathian forest, where locals wear traditional clothes and stick to their ancient farming practice; it’s quite interesting to see.

Also, tourists coming here have a chance to buy woven crafts and sculptures, some made from the rare local wood.

Lviv is the cultural city of Ukraine and features some of the western architectural designs. Most tourists throng here to have a feel of the quaint old town with narrow streets and magnificent towering churches.

Kiev, on the other hand, is famed for some of the largest dome churches and architecture. This comes with a mix of never-ending nightlife, which is a magnet for the most significant number of travelers coming into the country.

4. Recreational Facilities

Tourism is such an essential aspect of human development in Ukraine. It’s for that reason that most of its services are moving from the government to the private sector. As such, companies and even private citizens are coming up with impressive infrastructure in terms of recreational
facilities.

As we speak, thousands of hotels, campsites, motels, and other types of tourism facilities are in existence. This, in effect, attracts more and more foreign guests because of the imminent possibilities that await them. Talk of the spas, health resorts, and mud therapy facilities within these tourism centers, then, you have both the seasoned and curious tourist making a line-up to visit.

5. Medical Tourism

I know it comes as a stagger, but great things are happening in Ukraine’s medical sector. The country has been gradually but surely dusting itself from the sorry state of its health systems of the Soviet era. Structures are now up and running so smoothly, thus attracting people from
other countries.

According to verified statistics, a sizable number of tourists are coming here for a wide range of medical services. Various health restorative services, such as dental, ophthalmology, and plastic surgery, among others, are entirely on-demand. Besides the high quality, most people think that these services are more affordable if you compare with other countries in Europe. Medicine in Ukraine is probably one of the first and most best services in this field, make sure to check them out!

6. Low Cost of Services

Ukraine is known for a wide range of advantages. This includes available and affordable
services. From transportation, food, medical care, and accommodation, costs for these services seem much lower than the rest of Europe and America. For example, eating out for most foreigners seems quite affordable. It’s a respite in a world punctuated by high inflation and high prices.

7. Best Locations

Did you also know that Ukraine has some of the mindboggling scenic views and magnificent landscape? That’s so true, and in the real sense, people have a knack for calm, greenery and beauty, which is in plenty here.

Whether you are visiting the countryside, or right within the cities, you are bombarded with spectacular backdrops and sites. Other aspects such as traditional Ukrainian village lifestyles, food, housing, and farming practices are always of great interest to the outsider.

Conclusion

There are so many advantages that tourists find in visiting Ukraine. The country is mostly safe, and concerns about radiation and political instability are unfounded. Then, Ukraine is host to some of the most magnificent backdrops and climates ideal for tourism-related activities.

Tourists have the opportune moments to savor the vibrant cities, grand monuments that have withstood time, breathtaking landscapes, and the attractive countryside. And not to forget, the country has the warmest, friendly and welcoming people. Finally, as your tour guide, I have a long list of the very best, and must-see places in Ukraine. Come and let’s see what awaits.

Make sure to contact best tour guide in Kiev for your city and nightlife tour!

See you in Kiev

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Well, worry not, luckily for you there are methods, schedules, and itineraries being created by the day for most countries around the world. I have decided to make one for my varied, beautiful, and fun-filled country of Ukraine.

With 7 UNESCO world heritage sites and a plethora of tourist sights and destinations to see (not to mention a wonderfully welcoming and rich culture to witness,) it wasn’t an easy task.

However, we’ve succeeded in creating what we believe to be a short yet enjoyable trip to Ukraine so you can get the most out of every minute.

So, let’s begin in one of the most western situated cities of Ukraine – Lviv.

Lviv

A greatly underrated city, Lviv is a match for many of Europe’s more well-known cities.

Having escaped largely unscathed from WWII, the city has maintained its classic and nostalgic architecture, with every building telling its own history.

Lviv has also kept the relatively cozy and small feeling of a pre-war city, making our job of traversing it in one day that bit easier.

To really get the most out of your trip, why not join the famous walking tour that departs from the Market/Rynok square. It’s completely free and no-strings-attached.

You’ll get your bearings on the city from this tour that finishes at the Lviv Opera House, a wonder of architecture and considered to be the main point of the city.

From here, it becomes much easier to branch out into other parts of the city. After taking in the beauty of the opera house, it is a one road journey to another masterpiece – the Armenian Cathedral.

Luckily for us, we can find the pharmacy museum nearby!

In fact, this popular and must-see museum is simply one street away from the Armenian Cathedral.

After a gander around the fascinating museum, the beautiful, Baroque Dominican Cathedral.

Only a hop, skip and a jump away is Town Hall’s observation deck that can truly give you the opportunity to see the most of Lviv from its great heights!

From here, access by foot to many of Lviv’s most spectacular tourist destinations such as the City Arsenal and the Latin Cathedral is possible.

So, take a walk through the winding streets and be sure to pop into one of Lviv’s famous coffee shops to give yourself an energy boost for your action-packed day!

Chernivtsi

Maybe you’ve decided to take a trip to the breath-taking Carpathian mountains and after basking in nature and awe-inspiring sights, you’re ready to enter back into the hustle and bustle of city life.

To get yourself eased back in, Chernivtsi is the perfect cozy and homely city just for you! Located just north-east of the Carpathians, the journey can be easily made by bus.

Upon arriving in Chernivtsi, you’ll find a laid-back and calming atmosphere that’s perfect for taking a breather.

I recommend that you hire a personal tour guide to get the most out of this city in the least time.

You’ll be led through the amazingly colourful streets from the Opera Square to the Holy Spirit Orthodox Cathedral, locally known as the pink church.

You’ll even get to see one of Ukraine’s many UNESCO world heritage sites at Chernivtsi University.

Bes sure to then climb to the top of the Chernivtsi city hall which offers a spectacular panorama of the entire city.

To truly unwind and get the most out of your trip to Chernivtsi, it’s highly recommended that you simply take a leisurely stroll through its streets coming into the evening.

Chernivtsi’s streets are a highly unique mixture of Slavic and Austro-Hungarian influences – not to be missed!

Odessa

Where to next? To Odessa of course!

You really can’t miss this seaside city when exploring Ukraine. And what’s more, getting there from Chernivtsi won’t be a problem.

Hop on the last bus from Chernivtsi to Khmelnytsky, leaving at 21:00 Chernivtsi and arriving in Khmelnytsky at 00:30.

Get yourself on the 01:20 train from  Khmelnytsky that arrives in Odessa at 08:50 and you’ll be ready to go exploring again! (If you’ve availed of your train time for sleeping that is.) You’ll find yourself welcomed into a calm yet vibrant city, composed of both historical and modern aspects – they don’t call it the pearl of the black sea for nothing.

 So, where to get started?

Consider using The Odessa Opera House, known as the second-largest opera house in the world, as your starting line.

Nearby, you will find the majestic and ceremonious Potemkin stairs. With 192 steps in total, you might break a sweat but the terrific view is worth it in the end.

Just a short walk away you’ll then find yourself on Deribasivska Street. Considered the beating heart of Odessa, it’s not to be missed and it won’t eat into your time too much!

Take this opportunity to sit down for a nice meal out on the many terraces and then pop into the Odessa passage just off the main street.

To end your long day of sightseeing, only a short walk away is the beautiful monument to the founders of Odessa.

Kiev

And last but not least Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine and your grand finale.

Leaving Kiev for last is highly recommended as you may wish to extend your stay upon arrival to explore the ancient city in-depth and also due to the ease at which a flight can be caught to all corners of the world from this beautiful city.

After your delicious morning coffee, it’s best to head over to the Saint Sophia’s Cathedral.

One of the city’s finest landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s best to get here early before the hordes of tourists show up and slow you down.

A short walk away down Proyizd Volodymyrsky will lead you to the beautiful St Michael’s gold-domed monastery.

From here, the Zhytniy market, where you can soak up the true local culture of Kiev while testing the local cuisine, isn’t far.

After lunch, you can take a stroll down to the Chernobyl museum and if museums aren’t your thing, why not explore Kyevo-Pecherska Lavra?

This pilgrimage site for people of the Orthodox faith is glorious in its uniqueness and beauty.

To follow up, get a true taste of Ukraine’s history by visiting the Motherland monument. And if your feet weren’t hurting enough after all that walking, finish your day off with a bang and dance your way into the cities famous nightlife.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your flights and explore all that Ukraine has to offer.

You’re never too busy to explore and as we’ve seen – you can get a taste of Ukraine within days!

I hope this guide has given you some ideas for your trip to Ukraine! I can’t wait to welcome you!

Make sure to contact best tour guide in Kiev for your city and nightlife tour!

See you in Kiev

The post How To Get The Most Out Of Your Short Trip To Ukraine appeared first on Kiev Tour Guide | Private Tour Guide in Kiev.

Ukraine is a hidden gem, tucked away in Eastern Europe and with so much to offer any tourist that sets foot on its beautiful land.

However, with its varied weather seeing Ukraine witness all four seasons in equal fervor – it can often be difficult to know exactly where to go and when to go. Of course, with its spectacular variety of cities, nearby landscapes, and beaches.

You’ll never be at a loss for the perfect place to travel to! Just in case, here are a few guidelines to help you along the way!

When is the best time to visit Ukraine in general?

To be quite frank, it’s swelteringly hot in Ukraine during the summer months. Therefore, unlike some other European countries, it’s recommended that you plan your visit for the months just before or after Summer.

Of course, Summer is still a perfectly wonderful and viable time to visit Ukraine but make sure you’re prepared!

Conversely, Spring is considered the optimal time to explore Ukraine and experience all it has to offer.

With a lower influx of tourists to you’ll even get to witness the breathtaking spring blossom in the Carpathians. But what about each city?

Being the second largest country in Europe, it’s no surprise that Ukraine’s cities are so diverse.

Let’s take a look at the best time of the year to visit a few of the main cities of Ukraine.

When is the best time to visit Kiev?

To simply put it, May is the best time to visit Kiev.

You’ll get to experience the blossoming of all that’s new in this ancient city, not to mention a chance to see the famous lilac collection in the botanical gardens of Kiev.

The average temperature in Kiev is bearable with a range from 10^oC – 21^oC (50°F – 70°F).

Don’t be afraid to aim for the Autumn months either.

You’ll find that you’re surrounded by a colorful array of festivals and more locals than tourists – making this the perfect time to soak up the culture of the beautiful city.

Not to mention that prices will be lower!

When is the best time to visit Lviv?

Once again Lviv is a city that will be packed to the brim of tourists during the Summer months, but you’ll find that many people still prefer the summer months in Lviv.

Surely that’s a testament to its beauty during this time. Many tourists comment on the airy and light feeling of the city during this season.

You can imagine that the city’s relatively cool average summer temperature range of 11^oC – 24^oC (52°F – 75°F) also helps to make this the perfect season to visit Lviv in.

When is the best time to visit Odessa?

Odessa is the perfect city to hide away in during those Scorchingly hot Summer months. Average temperature range in Odessa during this time would be 21°C – 35°C (70°F – 95°F). With humidity reaching 80%!

However, if you’re not a big fan of packed beaches – you may prefer this city during the months on either end of Summer.

Either way, situated so close to the black sea, Odessa experiences colder temperatures during the Summer months making it a perfect place to cool down.

And not to forget springtime here where a trip to the magnificent Carpathians would be in order!

But if all this just isn’t tickling your fancy – try September. Here’s where you will witness Odessa at its calmest. There won’t be the hustle and bustle of tourists, the kids will have returned to school, and the temperatures are delightfully cool.

Advantages of visiting Ukraine during low season

The prospect of visiting Ukraine during the low season of Nov-April can seem a daunting one for most people.

With temperatures often dropping well below 0°C, it’s recommended that you choose your destination wisely.

The Carpathians are highly recommended during this time due to skiing season but if you’re looking for fun elsewhere Kiev is your best bet.

You’ll find that despite the plummeting temperatures outdoors, the nightlife scene is only warming up!

What’s more, is the lower prices on anything from cuisine to accommodation. The snowfall also accentuates the beauty of the domes and various landmarks of the city.

Don’t worry about the cold, as long as you dress proper! Just read What to Wear in Kiev During Winter, and you will stay warm.

So, if you’re looking for an economical yet fun-filled trip, low-season is the time for you!

There you have it!

Ukraine has something for everything, all that’s left for you is to decide what’s more your style and book your flights!

And of course, a reliable friendly tour guide to show you around Kiev!

So make sure to book your private tour.

See you in Kiev

The post These Are The Best Times To Visit Ukraine (And I Will Tell You Why!) appeared first on Kiev Tour Guide | Private Tour Guide in Kiev.

In southern Ukraine you come across a port on the Black Sea and that is Odessa. It, indeed, is an awesome tourist destination. Ones who visit it for once fall in love with it forever.

Such is the nature of its natural, inherent unique beauty. Frankly speaking Odessa could very well be called beautiful unreservedly.

You feel freer in Odessa and this wins our hearts and feel bound to it, magically, as it were.

You also feel amused and get the sensation that immediately you too become sort of an immovable fixture there bewitched to the very marrow of your bones by its unheard of charm.

Why is it so?

Not only by its beauty that you are bound to it, but also by the nature of the citizens of Odessa. If you are into sense of humour and hospitality in its truest form nowhere else would you find it but in the people of Odessa. Hospitality coupled with their sense of humour wins your heart.

As a traveller with first hand experience to this tourist attraction I can give you more than a genuine assurance.

The city with good natured people and its numerous palaces, monuments and theatres find itself called unique among many tourist attractions in the world.

Its cafes with conducive vibes, its pubs and restaurants which pull you towards them as if there is some sort of magnetic effect in them add more importance to Odessa as a tourists’ paradise.

Oh what’s more?

The sea and its beaches teeming with belles in bikinis, sunbathing, swimming, chatting with friends and engaged in various enjoyable activities make much of the beauty of Odessa.

There are huge rocks adding to the beauty of the beach and the very landscape with tourist infrastructure is enthralling. Dear me! Here, you behold the marvel of nature in its purest form and aspect.

Pryvoz Market

With all anticipation for its pleasurable feelings you could start your tour with a visit to its renowned market Privoz. You feel the real form and aspect of Odessa here.

In this market you can bargain. This looks as if it is a characteristic of Privoz. Tasty breakfast could be enjoyed.

You should always try to buy fresh fruit and fresh seafood. If a question is raised if the fish is fresh their answer comes in a jovial way as ‘oh yeah, its just from the sea’.

That is to say, your attempt to try seafood here in this market is really worth and rewarding. It is because you get the freshest and the best seafood.

Deribasovskaya Street

Once you finish visiting Privoz why not walk in the centre of Odessa. Oh yes, walk along the famous pedestrian street Deribasovskaya. Walk around slowly.

It is to enjoy the beauty of buildings of the passage, the city garden, the shop of Utyosov and the famous ‘twelfth chair’.

Odessa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater

From there proceed to the Opera House. It enjoys a prominent place as one among the most beautiful ones in the whole of Europe.

Look for information about its latest performances, go there and get an unimaginable kind of delight from there.

This Opera House in Odessa has a long history as it was built in 1887 by architects Fellner and Helmer in the style of Viennese baroque.

In fact, the architecture of this auditorium is in the style of the late French rococo.

Potemkin Stairs

After enjoying the unique architecture of the theatre make sure you go to Potemkin Stairs which is situated very closeby.

It is called a ladder to sky not for no reason. Yes, it is an unmatchable structure for tourism two reasons.

The reason one is that it enjoys its place as the largest in Ukraine.

The reason two is when viewed from to the bottom it does not narrow as it usually is the case that comes as the law of optics.

At Potemkin Stains you will find a monument built in honor of the famous Duke de Richelieu, the founder of Odessa.

You should make sure that you take a picture at the monument.

After climbing Potemkin stairs go down to the seaport. Here you can make a boat trip if you choose to do so.

Arcadia Beach

Arcadia is the most well known beach in Odessa. It is nestled in Primovsky district near the park. It is deservedly one of the chief charming locations in the city.

Many a good restaurant and nightclubs are on the beach. Its nightlife is also breathtaking. You can find bars, cafes and discos located closeby with such precision of nearness to each other.

You may pick and choose one of the clubs of your liking and enjoy to your heart’s content till daybreak. You could also visit each of the clubs. Here is a hint for you.

Ithaca and Ibiza are known to be the most sought after clubs in Odessa.

Visit Odessa and experience one marvel. Oh yes, it is that you will yearn to visit it again. It is true. Take my word for it.

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