Beyond your dreams. Destınatıon. Ukraıne

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2 Destınatıon Ukraıne

3 Ukraıne The center of Slavic culture, independent Ukraine is a burgeoning and alternative destination. With proud people that are definitely unlike Russians, its unique history stands head and shoulders above the rest of the region. Kiev is the glowing capital, but the expansive interior and Black Sea coast are other main draws. Most people come to Ukraine for Kiev. It has most of the important sites and landmarks and is a place of incredible domed churches and vast squares. St Sophia Cathedral and the Caves Monastery are in all the glossy brochures, plus the city boasts great museums, an intriguing historic district, river tours, and beaches. Riding the cliffside Funicular railway is a must, and the best shopping for Soviet memorabilia and the latest fashions can be found here, as well.

4 H o w t o get there? Boryspil International Airport: Located in Kiev, Boryspil is the main gateway to the Ukraine. The fourterminal airport handles six million passengers a year and is served by many major carriers Odessa International Airport: Serving the Black Sea resort town of Odessa, Odessa International Airport to the west has daily direct flights from many European cities.

5 What to do ın Ukraıne? The Ukraine is not the most accessible place to enjoy traditional outdoor activities such as hiking and swimming, but there are beautiful regions and there is potential. The hiking in the national parks can be fantastic, but you need to equip yourself with good maps or go with a local guide. Ogle at the St Sophia Cathedral and the Caves Monastery in Kiev Ride the breathtaking Kiev Funicular between the Upper and Lower towns Lazie on Arcadia Beach in Odessa and admire its boulevard of beauties Climb the slag heaps of the industrial town of Donetsk Take in the Renaissance and Baroque architecture of Lviv s UNESCO World Heritage old town Check out where a WWII president, prime minister, and dictator met at the cliff-top Livadia Palace in Yalta Ski and hike in the Carpathian Mountains Celebrate with the locals in the capital on Kiev Day

6 St Sophıa Cathedral This UNESCO World Heritage site in the Ukraine hails from the early 11th century and is within walking distance of Kiev s downtown. Visitors can spend hours gaping at the green and gold domes, though the real draw is inside. The church is loaded with frescoes and mosaics, some of which date back several hundred years, most notably the Orans. Be sure to check out the gatehouse and museum, as well.

7 Caves Monastery Known locally as Kiev Pechersk Lavra, the golden domes of the Caves Monastery in Kiev sit high over the town and river. The main church of the site in itself is worthy of a trip, though the real draw lies underneath, in the catacombs. They feature mummified monks and interesting relics, which visitors can see by candlelight. Especially tall guests and those that are claustrophobic may want to skip this one as the tunnels are stout, narrow and one-way only.

8 Museum of the Great Patrıotıc War A gigantic complex on the right bank of Kiev, this vast museum marks Ukraine s liberation from the Nazis. Some of the exhibits may be a little disturbing (like mitts made from human skin), but the collections are extensive and impressive. There s a lot of military paraphernalia on site, but the main attraction for many is the gargantuan Motherland Statue. This huge figure, comically known as Tin Tits, has an observation platform with unbeatable views.

9 Andrew s Descent Lying amongst the steep Podil district, Andriyivsky Uzviz is one of Kiev s most popular streets for its stalls, cafés, and galleries, and, although touristy, is the place to pick up Ukraine souvenirs. The weekend Zhyvopysna-aleya market is a good time to shop, while sightseers can take in St Andrew s Church, near the top, and the Museum of One Street, at the bottom.

10 Kyevo-Pecherska Lavra Tourists and Orthodox pilgrims alike flock to the Lavra. Set on 28 hectares of grassy hills above the Dnipro River, the monastery's cluster of gold-domed churches is a feast for the eyes, the hoard of Scythian gold rivals that of the Hermitage in St Petersburg, and the underground labyrinths lined with mummified monks are exotic and intriguing. That's from a tourist's perspective, but for pilgrims this is simply the holiest ground in three East Slavic countries Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.

11 Lvıv A UNESCO World Heritage site for its rococo architecture, the Old Town of the western city of Lviv is the main attraction. The downtown square retains its stunning Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings as it avoided destruction in WWII. The Latin Cathedral is one of the main sites and, in typical Ukraine style, visitors will notice beautiful churches seemingly at every turn, plus many noteworthy museums. The Museum of Popular Architecture & Life is especially interesting.

12 Lychakıv Cemetery This is the Père Lachaise of Eastern Europe, with the same sort of overgrown grounds and Gothic aura as the famous Parisian necropolis (but containing less-well-known people). Laid out in the late 18th century, it's packed full of western Ukraine's great and good. Pride of place goes to the grave of revered nationalist poet Ivan Franko.

13 Odessa Though perhaps not the most impressive town on the Black Sea, Odessa is worth a visit for those in the region in summer as it has the best beaches and standout museums. Arcadia Beach has nice sands and is loaded with leggy, bronzing Ukrainian women and pumping nightclubs. The main boulevard is good for cafés and impressive sanatoriums. The Archeology Museum is one of the top in Ukraine, while the Opera & Ballet Theater is one of the most photographed landmarks on the Potemkin Stairway.

14 Bul Prymorsky Sooner or later everyone gravitates to this tree-lined pedestrian zone with replica 19th-century gas lamps, park benches and more photographers armed with a small zoo of animals with which to have your photo taken. At the boulevard's eastern end, you'll spot the pink-and-white colonnaded City Hall, originally the stock exchange and later the Regional Soviet Headquarters. The cannon here is a war trophy captured from the British during the Crimean War. In the square in front of City Hall is Odesa's most photographed monument, the Pushkin statue.

15 Crımea Yalta is the main destination of the peninsula of Crimea, straddling the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. The resort spa town in the south has beaches, wide promenades, cliffs, and palaces. Communist leaders would head here for some R&R, and this is the place where Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met in 1945 at nearby Livadia Palace for their famous discussions. There are vineyards to tour and the Crimean Mountains to climb, plus visitors can enjoy Ukraine s best weather.

16 Chernobyl Not everyone s idea of a good time, the site of the world s worst nuclear disaster in 1986 at nearby Prypiat makes for an eye-opening daytrip from capital of Kiev. Visitors cannot enter the actual power plant, but tours explore the grounds and there is even an amusement park on site.

17 Ukraınıan Cuısıne One of the most enjoyable part of travelling is a possibility get to know better the local food. Ukrainian cuisine is incredibly diverse, and every region has its own specialties. However, some dishes have made Ukrainian cuisine famous in the culinary world. From the borsch to the Chicken Kiev here are seven mouthwatering dishes you should try when visiting Ukraine. Borsch, Vareniki, Salo, Holubtsy, Chicken Kiev, Deruny