UKRAINE

Ukraine is one of the largest country in Eastern Europe and it is situated between Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. It is a popular destination for tourists from surrounding countries, and is becoming increasingly attractive to citizens of Western Europe and North America.

One of the main attractions for visitors is the country's rich history, with more than 500 cities dating back over 900 years and a fascinating assortment of architecture influenced by its neighbors. Most travelers begin in the historical capital city of Kiev, arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, where the ancient streets, striking architecture, stunning scenery, and wealth of cultural and religious sights make it one of the most fascinating places to explore. The early capital of Old Rus is also enriched with monuments such as the grandiose St Sophia's Cathedral, famous for its 11th-century mosaics and frescoes, and the Cave Monastery, the holy center of the early Orthodox Church.

The other attraction for tourists is the natural beauty of the country, with areas like the Carpathian and Crimean mountain ranges, the Black Sea and Sea of Asov, and the Crimean peninsula, a popular tourist haven with its warm climate, famous resorts, history, and old cities such as Sevastopol and Yalta. The Carpathian Mountains draw skiers and hikers year-round, and the region is also popular for its restorative spas and historic sites. Gateway to the mountains is the city of Lviv, one of the main cultural centers of the country and a delight to explore with its medieval old town and distinctive architecture. The harbor town of Odessa, known as the 'Pearl of the Black Sea', is an established tourist destination that also serves as the gateway to many of the famous Black Sea resorts, and is a fascinating city with a wonderful mixture of cultures and historical architecture.

With things looking up for a country that is beginning to loosen its ties with Russia and forge new ones with the EU and NATO, Ukraine is a destination worth considering for its history and culture alone. Cruises on Europe's longest river, the Dnieper River, from Kiev to the Black Sea coast is one of the most popular ways to tour the Ukraine, providing a discovery of Ukraine's history, and its architecturally rich cities, while cruising the 1,370 mile-long stretch of river (2,205km) on board ship.

CLIMATE IN UKRAINE

The climate is temperate continental, characterized by plenty of rain and cloudy autumns and winters. The southern Crimean coast experiences a Mediterranean climate. There are regular snowfalls in winter (between October and April) with average temperatures of 17-35°F (-8 to 2°C), with colder temperatures inland. While winters are long and cold, summers are short and can get very hot, especially in the south, with average temperatures of 64-81° F (18-27°C). Rainfall occurs in the form of thundershowers and the occasional downpour; rainfall is highest in the west and north of the country.

VISA INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS

Applicants for tourist visas require a letter of confirmation from a hotel or tour company; for business visas a letter of invitation from a company or organization in the Ukraine is required. Citizens of the US, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Slovakia and Turkey do not need invitation letters to obtain a visa. On arrival, all foreign nationals must fill in an Immigration Card, to be presented when entering and leaving the country. EU citizens do not require a tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Americans: US nationals require a passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
UK nationals: UK nationals require a passport, but no visa is required for a tourist stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Canadians: Canadians require a passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Australians: Australians require a visa and a passport to enter the Ukraine.
South Africans: South Africans require a visa and a passport to enter the Ukraine.
Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport, but no visa is required for a tourist stay of up to 90 days.
New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a visa and a passport to enter the Ukraine.

St Sophia Cathedral
City/Region: Kiev
Dating back to the 11th century, the exquisite green- and gold-domed St Sophia Cathedral was an important center for Soviet Rus. It has been damaged and repaired over the years, and today is a blend of architectural styles from nine different centuries. Perhaps one of the most striking aspects of the Cathedral is its impressive collection of Byzantine mosaics and frescoes that date back to its inception. The Cathedral also serves as a living text; hundreds of pieces of graffiti relating political and historical events spanning the centuries can still be seen today.

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Caves Monastery)
City/Region: Kiev
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (the Caves Monastery) is a fascinating living piece of history dating back to 1051. The Venerable Anthony, a devout monk, settled in a cave on the western bank of the Dnieper River. He was soon joined by his followers and their numbers swiftly began to outgrow the caves. Prince Izyaslav and other Kievan aristocracy were frequent visitors to the Venerable Anthony and donated money to build a church and aboveground monastery. Since that period, the Monastery has continued to grow and is still active today, serving as an important center of Orthodox Christianity and reflecting a fascinating way of life.

Great Patriotic War Museum
City/Region: Kiev
Dominated by the enormous, towering statue of the Motherland (looking like the sword-wielding sister of the Statue Of Liberty) above it, the Great Patriotic War Museum houses a fascinating collection of World War II artifacts in a Soviet-built building. Decommissioned tanks sit outside the museum, symbolically painted with flowers and nearby, another interesting statue entitled 'To the Fallen' serves as a memorial to all those who fought and died in the war. Although most of the museum notes are in either Russian or Ukrainian, they are well laid out and the displays are fascinating.