Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
bother much with any of these. The few occasions on which they are likely to dust
off their folk costumes include dances and weddings. For the former, men wear
baggy trousers and women floral hair arrangements. For the latter, guests deck
trees with paper flowers and ribbons, eat special flatbreads and consume lots of
vodka.
Hutsul souvenirs are touted throughout the region, particularly in Yaremche. To
be sure you are getting the real deal, get hold of a copy of the superb Art Palette of
the Prykarpattyacatalogue (available free from the tourist office in Ivano-
Frankivsk) which lists individual artists and craftsmen and where to find them.
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Sheshory
3478 / POP 2000
Sheshory is a Hutsul valley village stretched endlessly along the fast-flowing Pystynka
River. In fact, it's the river that's the main attraction here, with many opportunities for
wading and plunging in the heat of summer. The most dramatic water features are the
waterfalls
, a loud and impressive sight after rain.
Sheshory used to hold an annual ethnic music festival, but that has since gone walk-
about. The only other attraction is the verdant peace and tranquillity of the surrounding
hills and mountains. Sheshory is a good base for some easy walks up onto the
polonyny
(summer pastures) where the Hutsuls make their cheese and herd cattle. Ask around in
Kolomyya if you a need a guide to help you navigate the trails.
It is possible to stay in Sheshory, as many of the villagers rent out their rooms; check
out
www.karpaty.info
for the latest offerings. Overhanging the river and regarded as one
of the best places to eat in these parts,
Arkan
(vul Shevchenka 91;
11am-11pm)
is celeb-
rated for its authentic Hutsul cuisine and live Carpathian music.
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Verkhovyna
03432 / POP 5400
Among the villages in the Ukrainian Carpathians, Verkhovyna is probably the most gor-
geously located (alongside tiny neighbour Kryvorivnya). It sits on a wide valley floor
ringed by mountains; Mt Smotrych is just one peak visible from here.
