Ukraine

[Prawn_86]

Since we have a new Ukranian member thought i would start this thread :)

Form Wiki:

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east; Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; Romania and Moldova to the southwest; and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south. The city of Kiev is both the capital and the largest city of Ukraine.

[jimmyred]

I'd love to hear some ukranian experiences. I was in Poland a little while ago and was devastated we never made it over to Ukraine. Chernobyl and Pipyrat would be incredible

[Pilot]

Since we have a new Ukranian member thought i would start this thread :)

Form Wiki:

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east; Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; Romania and Moldova to the southwest; and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south. The city of Kiev is both the capital and the largest city of Ukraine.
Hi. I am from Ukraine Odessa. Ask questions and I will satisfy your curiosity.

[buddinghealth]

My partner's family is originally from the Ukraine and one day I would really like to go and visit - any tips or recommendations would be welcome. I find eastern europe culture really interesting

[Pilot]

My partner's family is originally from the Ukraine and one day I would really like to go and visit - any tips or recommendations would be welcome. I find eastern europe culture really interesting
Hi! Yes you are right. The culture is ancient and there are many places of interest throughout the Ukraine. I am from Odessa. I have visited just a few cities e.g. Lvov and Kiev. Beautiful and breath taking. Odessa is rather "young" city. It has only 200 years history which is still full of curious stories and exciting details. The thing that it was founded by Russian Empress and built by French Governors makes you wonder of what kind of architecture would it be. Yes I love my city.

[Traveller]

Odessa has very beautiful parts. It surprised me when i got there. The opera house looks great, the Potemkin steps are spectacular, harour was not pretty buts its largely a working area. And Arcadia beach has to be seen to be believed (weird nightclub / beach resort area)

[hotbmw]

Guys, i am a frequent traveler to Ukraine and have a small business there now.
I first passed through this country 4 years ago whilst holidaying through Europe and i instantly fell in love with this country. My European trip halted here and i spent the rest of my 6 weeks just in Ukraine.

No one really knows anything about Ukraine.
It has deep history. Amazing architecture. Great food. And the best women on the planet.

Kiev (the capital) is huge and alive, anything can be done or found in Kiev.

Odessa is a great city to visit especially in the summer time. It has great beaches, great nightlife (some of the best clubs in the world, they are by the beach, some open air).

Lviv is a beautiful city on the west. Many refer to it as Little Prague, it has amazing architecture. Quite cheap.

Chernivtsi, an amazing city with beautiful architecture.

Crimea, on the black sea. Has crystal clear waters and amazing picturesque scenes of mountains in the background. Not many high rises so its still a bit untouched, more natural.

Many more places to mention but i would be here all day :)

I now live in Ukraine about 4 to 5 months of each year, avoiding their winter and Australia's also :)

If anyone needs any help or advice from an australian perspective fire away. Im more than happy to help. Some tips, advice, apartment recommendations etc.

Every foreigner i have met in Ukraine falls in love with the country. There is something special about this place :)

I have just purchased a small apartment in Kiev with my girlfriend of 3 years there so if anyone needs any tips for this also, again fire away.

Regards, Rob

[hotbmw]

Odessa has very beautiful parts. It surprised me when i got there. The opera house looks great, the Potemkin steps are spectacular, harour was not pretty buts its largely a working area. And Arcadia beach has to be seen to be believed (weird nightclub / beach resort area)

Yes, Odessa is a special place, especially in the summer time.
I believe the Opera house is the 2nd oldest in all of Europe if i am not mistaken. It is beautiful.

The clubs in Odessa are the best in all of Ukraine and probably the best i have ever seen. Club Itaka and Ibiza are my favourites.

[Prawn_86]

Hi Rob,

Welcome to ATF :)

Ukraine isn't something that typically comes to mind when people are thinking of a Euro holiday. Its these sort of countries I would personally love to go and see.

What currency do they use? And what are the basic prices like there? Food, beer etc

Feel free to post some pics in the photo thread (http://www.aussietravellersforum.com.au/forums/showthread.php?t=38), or learn how to create your own individual gallery here... (http://www.aussietravellersforum.com.au/forums/showthread.php?t=159)

[hotbmw]

The National currency is the Grivna. In general 8 grivnas = $1 USD.

USD$ and Euros are widely accepted there.
In fact apartment prices are quotes in USD$.

Prices are fairly cheap.
Their beer is as good as any other country, 1 Litre bottle of beer purchased from the supermarket is about $1.
A loaf of bread is about 50cents (there is cheaper but the ones i buy are this).
A 750ml bottle of premium vodka is about $6 :)
A metro ride (subway) is 20 cents. This can take you from 1 side of Kiev to the other (a 40+ minute ride).
1kg of chicken breast is about $5
The list goes on, its cheap if you be sensible. They make amazing sweets and chocolates as good as anything in Australia at a fraction of the cost.

I highly recommend you visit Ukraine

[travelee]

There are a lot of places of interests in Ukraine. I like traveling to Kiev very much as it is the capital and the city of churches. You can have the great possibility to have a rest soul.

[travelee]

in spite of the government's problems in Ukraine, people are very kind and a lot of visitors of Ukraine have the feedback that Ukraine is the country rich with nature and has the strong history which is very respected by the citizens.

[Traveller]

The National currency is the Grivna. In general 8 grivnas = $1 USD.

Just make sure that you change your Grivna before leaving Ukraine as it is very difficult to change it elsewhere (and impossible in Australia).


Prices are fairly cheap.
Their beer is as good as any other country, 1 Litre bottle of beer purchased from the supermarket is about $1.
A loaf of bread is about 50cents (there is cheaper but the ones i buy are this).
A 750ml bottle of premium vodka is about $6 :)
A metro ride (subway) is 20 cents. This can take you from 1 side of Kiev to the other (a 40+ minute ride).
1kg of chicken breast is about $5
The list goes on, its cheap if you be sensible. They make amazing sweets and chocolates as good as anything in Australia at a fraction of the cost.

Supermarket and local stuff is cheap but anything marketed at tourists is on par with western europe. I actually found it much cheaper to be a tourist in Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic.

Still a great country though :)

[travelee]

Traveller, I am glad to hear that you still love Ukraine in spite of the high prices.:)

[hotbmw]

Just make sure that you change your Grivna before leaving Ukraine as it is very difficult to change it elsewhere (and impossible in Australia).



Supermarket and local stuff is cheap but anything marketed at tourists is on par with western europe. I actually found it much cheaper to be a tourist in Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic.

Still a great country though :)

Hey.
Yes sure, in the city centre you can pay the same kind of prices in Germany. But if you do your homework or if you spend enough time there you know where to go to buy things. Ashan (french supermarket) is very cheap.
But yes it can be expensive but it also can be cheap. I choose the cheap :P

[kelvin]

Hi everybody!
I am Ukrainian. I think that my country has much more that cheap bear and vodka. For example, good people. People is the greatest wealth.
It's worth to visit. 100%!
Places: Lviv, Odessa, Carpathians, Kiev.

[Prawn_86]

Hi everybody!
I am Ukrainian. I think that my country has much more that cheap bear and vodka. For example, good people. People is the greatest wealth.
It's worth to visit. 100%!
Places: Lviv, Odessa, Carpathians, Kiev.
Hi Kelvin,

Welcome to ATF :)

Where in Ukraine do you live? And what would be the top 3 'non tourist' things you would suggest to do while in Ukraine?

[grata]

Since we have a new Ukranian member thought i would start this thread :)

Form Wiki:

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east; Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; Romania and Moldova to the southwest; and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south. The city of Kiev is both the capital and the largest city of Ukraine.

Hello!!! I'm from Ukraine, Kiev :)

[den_fcdk]

)) Nice to see here Ukraine-subject! ))
I think people in Australia know little about Ukraine! Let s change it! )
P.S. Hello to Odessa from Kyiv! )

[gratakiev]

the best places to visit in Ukraine
1. Chernobyl - the abandoned city about 100 km from Kyiv.
2. Lviv - old medieval city very similar to Prague and Krakow and other western Ukrainian towns build in old european style.
3. Crimea - peninsula in the south with plenty of palaces including unique Bakhchsaraj Khan's Palace and Khersonesos - the ancient greek city ruins.
Odessa, Kyiv, Kharkiv and other megapolices are not very intresting, usually overcrowded, full of traffic jams and noise. Ukraine is huge country with bad roads and slow trains, expensive hotels and cheap and usually quality food.
Beware of police- this low-paid service are looking to get money from foreigners in any way. But other people are very helpful and friendly.
Ukraine sink in corruption and contradictions between European West and Soviet East (located close to Russia)

[den_fcdk]

??? you don t find Kyiv & Odesa interesting??
I think Kyiv - is the first place to visit in Ukraine! The capital with great history (city that is about 1500 years old!!!), lots of interesting places and beautyful locations!
I am really sure that Kyiv is one of the most "uncovered by tourists" european capitals.
My advice for travellers:
1. Kyiv.
2. Lviv+Carpathian mountains.
3. Crimean Peninsula (Yalta etc.).

[den_fcdk]

:) I m very glad you liked it!
I just love visiting "the capital of Western Ukraine"! :)

[mark147]

We have planed a tour to Ukraine because some one has suggest about their places but we are still confusion where to stay and hence we are looking some affordable accommodation places to stay near Kiev city. Suggest us where to stay and how much will have to pay

[den_fcdk]

We have planed a tour to Ukraine because some one has suggest about their places but we are still confusion where to stay and hence we are looking some affordable accommodation places to stay near Kiev city. Suggest us where to stay and how much will have to pay

You really want to stay "near Kyiv"? Why not in the city? The prices are not so high in some hotels. Or you can rent an appartment.
I live in Kyiv and I can tell you that one-bedroom appartment in the down-town is about 60-65 USD/night.
In other city-districts it is possible to rent nice flat for 50 USD.
Hotel rooms in the centre (for 2 persons) - about 150 USD/night.
But if you want to stay outside the city - there are other offers.
Can you tell me what do you plan exactly?
I d like to help you!

[den_fcdk]

Hello to Romania! )
What are you interested in?
I can strongly recommend you to visit Kyiv - the capital, Lviv - historical & cultural centre in the Western Ukraine or go to the Crimean Peninsula if you want some sea-vacation (towns to stay in: Yalta, Sudak, Feodosia...).
If you have more specific questions - be my guest!

[den_fcdk]

Hey, guys!
Take a look here:
www.openkyiv.com
We just launched it & I hope it has some useful info for those who likes football OR/& wants to visit Kyiv & Ukraine!
:)

[EvansJasmine]

I have never been to Ukraine either, but it seems like a very interesting country! A lot of churches and medieval castles, it must be very interesting. ;)