There are countries that probably do not come to mind directly as a travel destination for most of us. Such a country is also the multi-faceted Ukraine. Some of you may have visited the country during the 2012 European Championship, after all, the Ukraine, along with Poland, was the host of the tournament at that time. What you get on a trip through the Ukraine is breathtaking: untouched nature, criss-crossed by raging rivers, historic towns amidst magnificent wine-growing regions, impressive Carpathians, subtropical areas and even a desert – that is Ukraine!
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Ukraine
603,000 km² in fast-forward
A country as big as Ukraine has a lot to offer. To get you up to speed on Ukraine, I have summarized everything you need to know about Ukraine for you:
•Ukraine has been independent since 1991, previously it was part of the Soviet Union. In 2013, a year after the European Championships in Ukraine, fierce citizen protests, the Euromaidan, destabilized the country and culminated in the annexation of Crimea through Russia.
•The capital of Ukraine is Kiev, over 2.9 million people live here.
•Ukraine is the largest state whose borders lie entirely in Europe. Even though only half as many people live here, Ukraine is almost twice as big as Germany.
•In the southwest, the country borders the Black Sea. Here you can expect some subtropical conditions, so even wine is grown.
•Ukraine is crisscrossed by the Carpathians, a high mountain area. We often use the phrase “somewhere in the Carpathians” when we want to point out that the place is secluded and far away.
•In the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine, you will find a special feature – the last real virgin forests of Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
•Animals such as ostriches, peacocks, monkeys, wolves and bears live in the country’s 18 national parks. Yes, you read that right: monkeys! You can even meet dolphins and whales on the coast.
Is it safe to travel to Ukraine?
Ukraine is undoubtedly worth a visit! But is it actually dangerous to spend your holidays in the second largest country in Europe? Of course, I cannot tell you with certainty when and where you can spend a safe and secure stay, but I have some tips on how to travel carefully and not to miss the beauty of this land:
Which places are allowed and which are not, is roughly subdivide. Here are the most important information:
•You should definitely avoid the peninsula of Crimea, although a journey over the Ukrainian border is currently not possible anyway. Learn more about these and other stark limits.
•Non-government controlled areas such as the Luhansk region and Donetsk are still characterized by armed conflict and should also be avoided by you.
•Kiev or the southern port city of Odessa are always worth seeing and can be traveled by you.
Basically, crime in Ukraine is not necessarily higher than elsewhere in Europe, but you should take a few tips to heart:
•Do not carry valuables too obviously with you and take care of them.
•Do not have too much money with you.
•Special care should be taken in public transport or train stations.
•Always be wary of KO drops in bars and keep an eye on your drink.
•Avoid the poorer areas and especially not at night in remote locations or alone on the road.
The Federal Foreign Office has currently issued a partial travel warning, which does not mean that you can not travel to Ukraine at all. You can inform yourself on the appropriate page about the current situation and the endangered areas.
The highlights of the country
Enough of the facts, pictures finally say more than a thousand words. So I’ll show you a few highlights of the country – Curtain up and set the stage for the incredible Ukraine!
Kiev, Ukraine
The capital of Ukraine, Kiev, is the cultural center of the country. A multitude of museums, churches, synagogues, boulevards and monuments bear witness to the great history of this city. A special eye-catcher is the 62 meter high mother-home statue, which seems to dominate the skyline of Kiev. Colorful houses and magnificent buildings await you here as well as large squares and spacious parks. Especially worth seeing is the St. Andrew’s Church, located on the city’s oldest street and the Kiev Cave Monastery, a monastery complex in southern Kiev.
The old city – Lviv, Ukraine
The city of Lviv or Lviv in western Ukraine is characterized by the coexistence of different peoples. Poles, Russians, Germans, Armenians and Ukrainians have been living here for decades. As colorful as the inhabitants is the old town of Lviv, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1998 due to its fusion of different architectural styles. By the way, the German national team defeated Portugal 1-0 in Lviv in 2012. Was anyone of you there?
Odessa, Ukaine
The port city – Odessa is located in southern Ukraine and, like Kiev, boasts many historic buildings, including its landmark, the Odessa Opera House. After a stroll along the illuminated Primorsky Boulevard, you will notice the magic of this historic city. Splendid, colorful and a bit pretentious, that is Odessa.
The catacombs of Odessa
That Odessa also has a dark, almost scary side, show the legends that entwine around the catacombs of the city. Similar to Paris, Odessa also has an opaque system of tunnels under the city that is several thousand kilometers long. In the dark corridors and winding paths have some daredevils – or better tired of life – strayed, the daylight saw many of them no longer. Even the corpses of seekers after the exit cannot even be recovered, so complex is the system of the Odessa catacombs. Caught under the city, a real nightmare. Those looking for a less dangerous thrill can take part in a guided and safe tour of the Odessa catacombs.
Pripyat
Ghost Town Pripyat
The city of Pripyat, which was built for the employees of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, has been uninhabited since the nuclear disaster in 1986. There is an eerie atmosphere here, because, since the city had to be cleared from now on, the backdrop of the city looks as if life has been breathed from one moment to the other. Books, clothes, toys – everything is in the dilapidated buildings of the city. An old, now rusty Ferris wheel testifies to better times. Since 2011, the ghost town of Pripyat and the area around Chernobyl have been officially visited by tourists. A trip that reminds us never to underestimate the dangers of nuclear power! That is what UNESCO thinks, too, because Pripyat is a hot candidate for one of their lists.
Chernobyl comes alive again
Not only the neighboring ghost town has become a destination for many tourists, despite the catastrophe, that has taken place over 30 years ago, but also the site of the nuclear power plant itself. 4.300m² exclusion zone around the power plant – except that it does not seem like a restricted zone. Every day people are on the grounds – and for different reasons. Workers who are working to build a new protective cover and take care of the removal of radioactive waste, animals that have chosen parts of the terrain as their new home, and between all the already crazy hustle and bustle – numerous tourists. For some time, Chernobyl tours which gives you the opportunity to explore the impressive area. Is that dangerous? Well, over 8,000 people a year do not seem to believe that because so many visitors have been there lately. That such a place is harmless, I might not say, but who is once in an area with high radiation is exposed to no danger. Are you brave enough to visit Chernobyl?
The Ukraine is a natural beauty with small blemishes, wild and spacious. Could you imagine to make a round trip through this beautiful country or to visit the capital Kiev?
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