Kyiv

The city of Kyiv, Ukraine`s capital, was founded over 1500 years ago.  This is a holy land, which the Orthodox Christians call a second Jerusalem.  Kyiv was one of the foremost religious centres of the Russian Empire and several noteworthy old church buildings survive.  The most famous of these is the Cathedral of Saint Sofia (also known as the Hagia Sofia of Kyiv; founded in the early 11^th century, largely rebuilt 17^th – 18^th century; now a museum); the oldest Cathedral in Ukraine, it is noted for its frescoes and mosaics.  The large Lavra Cave monastery (founded early 11^th century), known for its catacombs, is one of the most sacred edifices of the Russian Orthodox Church.  Other striking religious structures in the city include the baroque-style Church of Saint Andrew (18^th century) and the Cathedral of Saint Vladimir (late 19^th century).  Also of interest are the rebuilt ruins of the Golden Gate (11^th century), once the main entrance to the city. 

Best places to see:

• Sophia Cathedral, UNESCO Heritage;
• Kyiv Lavra (Cave Monastery), UNESCO Heritage, including the Golden Treasury Museum and the Museum of Microminiatures;
• Khreschatyk Street  and Independence Square;
• Presidential Administration and Supreme Rada;
• Andriyivskyi Uzviz (descent)  and Podil district;
• Pirogovo village - national open air museum of folk customs and tradition;
• National Opera House (Ballet or Opera);
• Dnipro river cruise;

Where to stay: 5* InterContinental, Hayatt, Opera, Premier Palace

4*  Vozdvizhensky, Riviera in Podil, Radisson

3*  Lybid, Rus

Lviv

The capital of western Ukraine is the fabulous city of Lviv. It is a veritable history museum of the Austrian Hungarian Empire.  Lviv was founded in about 1256 and soon became an important commercial centre.  Captured by the Poles in 1340, the city remained under Polish rule for most of the period until 1772, when it passed to Austria and became the capital of the province of Galicia.  In 1945 Lviv was ceded by Poland to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and became part of Ukrainian SSR.  When Ukraine became independent in 1991, the name Lviv was restored.  For a long time a leading cultural centre, Lviv is the site of Ivan Franko University (1661) and a number of theatres and museums.  It is the seat of Roman Catholic, Ukrainian Orthodox, and Armenian Orthodox archbishops and has two churches dating from the 14^th century.

 Best places to see :

• Old city of Lviv, UNESCO heritage;
• Lviv Opera House;
• Uzhan National Park;
• Arsenal Museum, the only museum of weapons in Ukraine.  The collection of "Winged hussars" (16th century) is one of the richest in Europe;
• Vernisazh, open-air souvenir market;
• Open Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Village Life Style;
• Olesky Castle;
• Lychakiv Cemetery Reserves.

Where to stay: 5* Leopolis

4* Citadel-Inn, Opera

3* Wienn

Odessa

  Odessa is the largest port on the coast of the Black Sea in the South of Ukraine. It is a major industrial, cultural, scientific centre and health resort of high countrywide meaning. Odessa is the "capital of sense of humour" of Ukraine.  Odessa itself was founded in 1794 as a Russian naval fortress on territory annexed from Turkey in 1792.  By the early 19^th century the Russian settlement had become an important grain-exporting port.  During the Crimean War (1853-56), Odessa was bombarded by joint French and British naval forces.  In 1905 the city was the site of a workers’ uprising, supported by the crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin.  Odessa suffered heavy damage during World War II, when it was occupied from 1941 to 1944 by German and Romanian forces; many civilians were killed by the occupying armies.

Best places to see in Odessa:

• Potemkin Steps;
• The monument of Duke Richelieu;
• Deribasovskaya Street, one of Odessa’s main pedestrian thoroughfares, which is lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops;
•  Fine Arts Museum with a museum’s historian, including a tour of the underground Grotto in the Catacombs under the museum (once visited by the Russian tsars);
• Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre;
• Arkadia Resort;
• Sea cruises;
• Privoz Market.

Where to stay:  4* Mozart, Londonska, Arcadia Plaza, Continental

 Carpathian Mountains

The land of the Carpathian Mountains is shrouded in legends.  Ancient castles of this scenic province remember the stormy history of this land.  Spa and sky resort, different culture and ethnic variety attract visitors to the most western land of Ukraine.  Pure natural beauty, clean lakes, mountain rivers and waterfalls add charm to the carpathians.

The best places to see:

• Museum of Painted Easter Eggs, Pysanka;
• Museum of Gutsulshchina and Pokuttya;
• St.Illia’s wooden church;
• Hutsul Market;
• “Center of Europe point” (Rakhiv);
• Kolyba Museum;
• Strookivska Church (Yasinya);
• Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, XVIIth cent. (Vorohta).

Where to stay: Lavanda Country Club

Crimea 

The South of Ukraine, the Crimean peninsula is full of attractions dated back to the Ancient history.  Many cities and towns here were found as stopovers on the great Silk Road.  This is the only place where you still see the ruins of Ancient Hellenic cities, Genoese fortresses, monuments of Ottoman Empire and gorgeous palaces of Russian Tsars.  The breathtaking beautiful land is as good as it is.  Mountains and Black sea coast make it a unique summer health resort.  The stunning scenery of Crimea will make your trip an unforgettable experience.

The best places to see :

• Livadia Palace and park;
• Vorontsov Palace;
• Bakhchisaray and the Khan’s Palace;
• Swallow`s Nest observation platform (Lastochkino Gnezdo);
• Massandra Winery;
• The Black Sea Navy Museum  in Sevastopol;
• Balaklava museum;
• Nikita Botanical Garden;
• Chufut-Cale cave city;
• Chersonesus, former centre of the ancient and medieval world (2500 years old).

Where to stay: 5* Oreanda,

                       3* Yalta Intourist