While Ukraine is not on everyone’s list of top destinations to visit, it certainly deserves some respect as an interesting destination for the budget and adventure traveler. Increasingly, there are also some luxury destinations to visit, especially in the Crimea, where prices remain high. River cruises along the Dneiper river and skiing holidays in the Carpathian mountains can also be relatively expensive.

1. Don’t miss the chance to see Ukraine’s capital as architecture and history are matched by lots of interesting stories and people. Having been largely destroyed by German bombs, Kiev was rebuilt and proudly reworked as a city fit for heroes. There are many interesting places to visit for lovers of Eastern European architecture and also fine art and crafts.

As a foreign tourist, there is plenty else to entertain you. Most Kievites are genuinely interested in foreigners, which is partly due to the long years of isolation behind the Iron Curtain. Bubbling with interest, you will find it hard not to get sucked in to a conversation about British pop or something as simple as the reason for your visit. People here find it genuinely puzzling, why people visit Kiev. It’s great fun telling them why. The most difficult thing about visiting Kiev is the language. You will almost certainly, need a translator at some point to help you organise your stay. Don’t hesitate to contact us.

A week in Kiev, will allow you to cover most of the bases. Allow two or three days for the culture and then spend the rest of the time appreciating the originality of the place. Dip into the local cuisine, Vareniki (ravioli type boiled parcels containing either fruit (apple or cherries) or something savoury (cabbage, potato, meat or mushrooms), Sashlik (skewered meat cooked on a wood fire) and Kotleti (which are frisoles made of meat or even fish). Increasingly, you also have the choice of continental style Konditorei, selling delicious chocolate and fruit concoctions.

2. Lviv is a fantastically quaint gem of a city, with strong Austrian and Polish influences. There are also strong Jewish, and Armenian influences, so keep a look out for these. The best time to go is the Summer, when the trees are in bloom, as this is a small green city. The Konditorei and restaurants are excellent value and good quality. The architecture is spectacular. You will find the unexpected and the charming around every corner. You can rent an apartment on the beautiful central square for around $50 per night.

There is a clubby atmosphere in the small and quaint centre. There is also a strong sense of the Austro-Hungarian empire days in the architecture, which will ring true for anyone who has been through the well-trodden tourist routes of central and eastern europe.

3. A Fantastic Skiing Destination – don’t forget that the Carpathian mountains are nearby, so if you are interested in mountain scenery and a totally refreshing brand of hospitality, don’t miss out. In the winter, the nationally famous resorts of Buchavel and Truscavets, offer an interesting alternative to mid-budget skiiing in places like Romania, Poland , Andora, Slovenia and Italy.

4. Beach holidays in Odessa – is the destination par excellence, for a fascinating beach holiday with a strong hint of Russian Summer glamour, high-living Italian fashion, and the faded grandeur of the former U.S.S.R. Also a really great place to eat out, Odessa is said to be the most european city in Ukraine. It also has a destinctively Jewish, as well as Russian-speaking character, which is slightly at odds with the rest of the Ukrainian west. Not far away, is the Crimean peninsula with its fantastic mountains and coastal scenery. Sevastopol, Simferopol and Yalta are the main towns to head for in Crimea. Prices can be ferocious in Crimea. Think Moscow beside the sea.

Chernivtsi and Ivano Frankovsk are equally charming, but on a smaller scale. If someone invites you to these places snap up the chance. I have been reliable informed that Chernivtsi is just as interesting as Lviv, and Ivano Frankovsk is a charming city nestled in the foothills of the Carpathians and withing shooting distance of some really interesting walks, adventures and rides.

Uman is a national park on the main road between Kiev and Odessa. It’s popular with Ukrainians and well worth a visit.

5. Fishermen dream about catching a big catfish – there are some super opportunities in Ukraine for catching the prized catfish species. These monsters of the river are a bit of a legend here in Ukraine as they reach huge sizes and have even been known to take a liking to human flesh. Fishing for catfish is possible on a number of rivers in Ukraine including, the Dneiper, Dneister and Danube.

6. Go for a cruise in Ukraine – cruises are available from mid-May along the river Dneiper. One of the best routes to take is from Kiev to Odessa, stopping off to see some wonderful scenery in Crimea. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience Ukraine at its best. Sevastopol and Yalta, on the route are also really worth a visit.

Bestguestguide.com can arrange a 12 day river cruises for you at a competitive price of $1500. Personal tours in Kiev and Odessa, at the beginning and end of the trip are also available.

7. There are some really interesting activities to do on and around the fantastic Danube river delta. These activities include, bird-watching, photography and playing around in boats. It really is a nature-lovers paradise. Rare species of bird include the Dalmatian pelican, the white-tailed sea eagle, the white-eyed Pochard, and the Pygmy Cormorant. There are interesting local places like the village of Vilkovo, where people travel around by rowing boat. It is often called the Venice of Ukraine.

These are just some of the unique activities you can do in Ukraine. Stay tuned by looking out for new content on our pages…

To learn more about holidays in Ukraine, visit Neil Paton’s site on how to choose the best holiday itenerary for your needs.

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