You’ve booked your ticket to Ukraine, and you’re looking forward to meeting your Ukraine girl. As you wait for the day you board that plane, land in the Kyiv (Zhuliany) International Airport, and breathe Ukraine air, how do you pass the time? Surely, you don’t want to twiddle your thumbs all the way to your departure date. It’s time to map out which cities you should visit when you’re in Ukraine.
Ukraine, by the way, has 459 cities, as of January 1, 2010, according to Wikipedia. That’s an awful lot of cities to visit! However, there are five cities you must visit as you meet your future Ukrainian bride.
Think of your Ukraine trip as a way to kill at least two birds with one stone. You will get to travel to places you haven’t ever seen before, finally meet your future Ukraine bride, and get to know a culture so different from the melting pot that is the United States.
The capital of Ukraine is Kyiv/Kiev, and even if that’s the only place you’ll be staying in for the duration of your stay, this guy says that you’re all set. Your eyes, ears, and practically all your senses will be sated in Kiev alone. Yes, even your shopping sense gets a good workout in the Slavic nation’s capital. But you wouldn’t want to miss out on other beautiful cities in Ukraine. If you have to see just five cities/municipalities in your visit to Ukraine, these five are IT:
- Lviv. Lviv is the seat of European culture in Ukraine. The ballet, orchestra, and opera are all dying art forms in today’s wired world. But Lviv still has these as well as gorgeous architecture and cobbled roads. If you want decadent reminders of Europe’s glorious past, Lviv is the perfect place to visit.
- Yalta. This gorgeous Ukrainian coastal city may remind a cosmopolite of Carmel, California, the French Riviera, and the scenic cliff towns of Greece. Gorgeous and ornate buildings line the city, which may cause you to affirm literary great Anton Chekhov’s decision to hole up in this particular Ukrainian city. The sea views and the sunsets are enough reason to schedule a visit.
- Odessa. A lot of travel sites mention that Odessa is a city a Ukraine traveler MUST visit. One blog says that one should visit Odessa for its “particularly funny people,” not to mention the humorous street art. Another blog says that Odessa is a must-visit for its food, buildings, culture, and even catacombs. Either way, you won’t run out of things to do or explore in Odessa.
- Pyrohiv in Kiev. Pyrohiv is a small village south of Kiev, and its main draws are its houses. The houses in Pyrohiv are authentic relics of a rather distant past. With buildings dating back to 1742 still standing. If you want a blast from the fascinating past, Pyrohiv is the place to catch a glimpse of that.
- Pripyat and Chernobyl. We cannot stress it enough. You really should take a look at the towns that the explosion of Chernobyl burnt. It’s disturbing, haunting, but beautiful in its own way. For more information on Pripyat and Chernobyl tours, visit the link. And if you need a push why you should visit these two towns, this might convince you.
As gorgeous as your future Ukraine bride is the country where she came from. Prepare yourself to meet your future life partner, map out the places you should explore as you visit her, and don’t forget to squelch those jitters and simply have fun!
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If you find the logistics of traveling to Ukraine a little daunting, let us help you. We assist our clients in making travel arrangements to Ukraine.
Olga loves travelling and learning about different cultures. She enjoys taking photos, trying new foods, and spending time outdoors. A skilled writer, Olga is a language enthusiast as well. She enjoys meeting new people from around the world and trying out new recipes in her kitchen.
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