Ukraine

Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe with a distinctive culture, splendid Cathedrals and Orthodox Churches as well as Castles, woodland hills and Black Sea Beaches. The capital of Kyiv is home to some of the nicest Soviet architecture, golden domed Churches and Monasteries. This modern city has plenty to appreciate from a charming café culture to the Opera or Theatre.

Lviv has become a tourist draw card in recent times with an array of museums, art galleries, monuments and archaeological discoveries that date back to the 5th Century. This is a city waiting to be explored.

Located on the Dnieper River in central Ukraine is the city of Dnipro. This lively city surprises its visitors with sites including the Art Museum and the D.I. Yavornytsky National History Museum, which explores archaeology and Cossack history. There is also the Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine Museum, which is part of the Menorah Centre, a Jewish cultural and business complex.

One of the biggest tourist draw cards in recent years has been a visit to Chernobyl, the site of the infamous nuclear disaster that led to the premature deaths of thousands of people in 1986. After the recent HBO documentary, revisiting the Chernobyl exclusion zone, which is still an eerie ghost town, visitors are now flocking to see the destruction for themselves. Here you will find demolished buildings and abandoned possessions from the very people who just managed to escape with their lives. Guided tours are available, which will give you the chance to learn about this terrible tragedy first hand.

The Kamianets-Podilskyi Fortress is one of the most famous places to visit when in the Ukraine. Towering over the Smotrych River, the fairytale fortress is truly magnificent and one of the most picturesque in all of Eastern Europe! While here explore the cobbled streets of the well preserved medieval Old Town lined with its pretty pastel coloured houses and admire the excellent street art that tells the tale of the city.

Odessa often referred to as the “Pearl of the Black Sea”, is another modern city with striking Art Nouveau architecture. It is a place to come and relax as it has magnificent beaches as well as museums, cafés, a lively nightlife scene, great wineries and shopping.

Sitting at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains is Chernivtsi, which dates back to the Neolithic era. They call this place “Little Vienna” due to it having a similar architecture to the Austrian city with cobblestone streets that are lined with cafés, Baroque buildings, parks and shops.

Located on the banks of the Desna River, Chernihiv is one of the oldest cities in Ukraine. The city has beautiful medieval architecture, predominantly the Catherine’s Church with its golden cupolas and 11th Century five domed Transfiguration Cathedral. For those beer lovers, Chernihiv is the home to the most famous Ukrainian beer, known as the Cherninihivske. Other places to visit include the two ancient cave monasteries on the outskirts of the city and the 18th Century Kachanivka Palace with its beautiful gardens and lake.

The mountain town of Rakhiv is hidden within the lush Carpathian forests. It is the perfect playground for both hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers. Enjoy the stunning natural scenery, picturesque slopes and swinging footbridges that lead across the Tysa River. For even more serenity, head to Dilove village where you can enjoy the great outdoors.

Situated on the banks of the Umanka River in central Ukraine is the city of Uman, it offers a relaxed atmosphere between the two major cities of Kyiv and Odessa. The city is a major centre for gardening research with many green spaces, great museums, WWII monuments and colourful architecture. It is most famous for the tragic 1700’s Haidamak rebellions, today it is a popular pilgrimage site for Hasidic Jews. Visit the tomb of Rabbi Nachman, Sofiyivka Park and the Obelisk in the centre of town or watch the Pearl of Love fountain show.