Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Welcome to
Ukraine
Big, diverse and largely undiscovered, Ukraine is one of
Europe's last genuine travel frontiers, a poor nation rich in
colourful tradition, warm-hearted people and off-the-map
experiences.
Big & Diverse
Ukraine is big. In fact it's Europe's biggest country (not counting Russia, which isn't en-
tirely in Europe) and packs a lot of diversity into its borders. You can be clambering
around the Carpathians in search of Hutsul festivities, sipping Eastern Europe's best cof-
fee in sophisticated Lviv and partying on a subtropical Crimean beach all in a few days.
Ukrainians are also a diverse crowd; from the wired sophisticates of Kyiv's business quar-
ters to the Donbas miner, the Crimean Tatar cook and the Hungarian-speaking bus drivers
of Uzhhorod, few countries boast such a mixed population.
Hospitable Hosts
Despite their often glum reticence and initial distrust of strangers, the Euro 2012 football
championships proved what travellers to the country have known for years - that Ukraini-
ans are, when given the chance, one of Europe's most open and hospitable people. Break
down that reserve and you'll soon be slurping
borshch
in someone's Soviet-era kitchen,
listening to a fellow train passenger's life story or being taken on an impromptu tour of a
town's sights by the guy you asked for directions.
Outdoor Fun
A diverse landscape obviously throws up a whole bunch of outdoorsy activities. How
about cave exploring, hiking or beach fun in Crimea, mountain biking or hill walking in
the Carpathians, bird spotting in the Danube Delta or water sports on the Kyiv Sea? But if
the idea of burning calories on hill and wave has you fleeing for the sofa, rest assured that
most Ukrainians have never tried any of the above, but love nothing more than wandering
their country's vast forests, foraging for berries and mushrooms or picnicking by a mean-
dering river. So why not join them?
