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One of the largest countries in Eastern
Europe, the Ukraine 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 neighbours. Most travellers 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
centre of the early Orthodox Church.
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The
climate is temperate continental, characterised 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.
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The striking Ukrainian capital of Kiev (or Kyiv) is one
of Eastern Europe's oldest cities and its fortunes have risen and fallen with
the tides of history. The city, once capital of Old Rus, is believed to date
back to the 5th century and was a key player in the expansion of the medieval
East Slavic nation, as well as serving as a major centre for trade between the
Mediterranean and the Baltic.
By the 1200s, Kiev was one of the world's largest cities,
but fell foul to invading Mongols in 1240, really only recovering
in the 19th century during the Russian Revolution. Much of
the city and its treasures were again damaged during World
War II, but Kiev still boasts a rich cultural heritage and
a range of spectacular attractions.
A plethora of museums, theatres, opera houses, historical
buildings and gardens are to be found, laid out on either side
of the picturesque Dnieper River. The western bank is home
to the older part of the city and was, pre-urbanisation, characterised
by its forested hills, as well as steep ravines and winding
rivers, which serve as ice-rinks in winter. Watched over by
a statue of the historic protector of Kiev, Michael Archangel,
the city also boasts a successful blend of the old and the
new. Modern buildings nestle against historical gems and cultural
wonders rub shoulders with trendy, buzzing nightclubs, bars
and restaurants.
Any
visit to the Ukraine is bound to start with an exploration
of its capital, and visitors will need to ensure they give
themselves ample time to explore all it has to offer. From
the Golden Gate of Kiev, built in 1037, to a funicular ride
up the steep western bank, Kiev has something for all tastes
and certainly will not disappoint.
KIEV TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
St Sophia Cathedral
Dating back to the 11th century, the exquisite green- and gold-domed
St Sophia Cathedral was an important centre 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.Address: 24 Vladimirskaya Street
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Caves Monastery)
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 centre
of Orthodox Christianity and reflecting a fascinating way of
life.Address: 25 Sichnevogo Povstannya Street; Telephone: (0)44
254 2257; Admission: Entrance to
caves is free
Great Patriotic War Museum
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 artefacts 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.Address: 44 Sichnevogo Povstannya;
Opening time: Closed Mondays
CONTACTS:
Lastly and I hope you don't need it, but should
you require consular help - here are the details
Ukraine Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 349 2920.
Ukraine Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7727 6312.
Ukraine Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 230 8015.
Ukraine Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6230 5789.
Ukraine Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 1946.
Ukraine Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 668 8601
United States Embassy, Kiev: +380 (44) 490 4000.
British Embassy, Kiev: +380 (44) 490 3660.
Canadian Embassy, Kiev: +380 (44) 590 3100.
Australian Consulate, Kiev: +380 (44) 246 4223.
South African Embassy, Kiev: +380 (44) 227 7172.
Honorary Consul of Ireland, Kiev: +380 (44) 279 2159
New Zealand Embassy, Moscow, Russia (also responsible for the
Ukraine): +7 495 956 3579.
Emergencies: 02 (Police); 03 (Medical)
Boryspil State
International Airport (KBP)
Location: The airport is situated 25 miles (40km) from Kiev.
Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between March and October).
Contacts: Tel: +380 (44) 490 4777. Transfer to the city: Atass
buses provide a service from the airport to the centre of Kiev.
Taxi desks are situated near the main entrance of Terminal
B. Car rental: Inter Avia and ITC provide car rentals at the
airport. Facilities: There are banks, currency exchange and
ATMs throughout the airport. A variety of shops and duty free
stores are available, and there are several cafes, restaurants
and bars. Other facilities include luggage packing, left luggage,
a travel agency, a business conference hall with fax and computer
facilities, and special services for the handicapped. Parking:
Short and long term parking is available. Airport hotels: Departure
tax: None. Website: www.airport-borispol.kiev.ua
