Ukraine
Don’t let the recent and unfortunate turmoil in Ukraine deter you from visiting Europe’s completely off the radar, unspoiled destination. Nestled around Soviet-era apartment buildings is an organic history of the largest country entirely within Europe, with some of the most welcoming and hospitable people in the world. There is a lot of mystery and appeal locked inside the borders of Ukraine, and it is an unbelievable and unexpected travel adventure.
When asked my top three favorite places to travel, Ukraine always makes that list. Ukraine is one of my favorite destinations because of its uncommon architecture, yummy food and beer, endless activities, and affordability. Ukraine has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites! Not many people speak proficient English, but it gave me an opportunity to connect with locals in a much different way (yes, I made Ukrainian friends!) and to test my communication skills. I traveled to Ukraine during the beginning of the current crisis and I felt safe, having no problems whatsoever.
Getting There And Around
Citizens of the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada are not required to obtain a tourist visa when traveling to Ukraine if staying less than 90 days. Approved tourist visas are required for citizens of other countries, so it is best to check with Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs before planning your travel.
Many visitors arrive to Ukraine via Kiev’s Boryspil International Airport, which is located 20km outside of the city. Buses and taxis run 24hours from the airport and are both cheap and efficient.
International trains service Kiev, but keep in mind that Eurail and Inter-rail passes are not valid for travel inside Ukraine. Separate tickets must be purchased, printed and made available for train employees to validate. Transit visas may be required for some passengers traveling through Ukraine to other destinations.
Language
The official language is Ukrainian, although 18 other languages are recognized in Ukraine. The Ukrainian alphabet is Cyrillic. Many people in Kiev also speak Russian.
Hello – Хороший день (Khoroshyy denʹ)
Thank You – Дякую (Dyakuyu)
Money
The monetary unit in Ukraine is the hryvnia (UAH). Currency can be converted at the airport, banks, exchange desks, hotels and some shops. Your passport is needed to exchange currency. MasterCard and Visa credit cards are accepted at major hotels, shops, casinos and restaurants. I experienced no problems using my credit card when I was in Kiev, the capital city.
Housing
Like many things in Ukraine, housing is very inexpensive and cozy. Dorm rooms start at 200 UAH, but private rooms get more expensive. There is no preferred time to travel to Ukraine, so certain seasons will not bring more favorable prices. Kiev is the most expensive place to visit, but even here, accommodations are a bargain.
Food
Chicken Kiev really is a “thing” that originated in Ukraine, and it is absolutely delicious. I was elated to try the real thing. Due to the lack of Ukrainian menus translated into English, I often pointed at an item that was listed and hoped for the best. Luckily, every local dish I devoured was delectable and left me wanting more. Since I was unaware of the dishes I consumed, I took photos of all my meals and asked my Ukrainian friend to describe to the dishes. Borshch (Ukrainian-style soup), kovbasa (sausages), kotleta po-kyivsky (chicken Kiev), pechenya (roasted pork) and deruny (potato pancakes) are tasty Ukraine dishes to try while visiting this country.
Alcohol is cheap and consumed in large quantities in Ukraine. Lots of toasting is involved during afternoon business meetings.
Save Cash
Ukraine is one of the best places to travel in Europe, especially for travelers on a tight budget. Eating at local restaurants and choosing Ukrainian cuisine will keep the prices of food low. I received delicious and filling meals in Ukraine for as little as 60 UAH. Staying away from Independence Square in Kiev (or Kiev all together) will save a ton of money on food and drinks. Enormous bottles of beer can be purchased at markets for around 20 UAH, and it is perfectly acceptable to walk around Ukraine with an open container. Happy hours at pubs offer insanely great deals on liters of divine home-brewed beer, and it’s a great way to save money on partying while bonding with the locals.
In Your Bag
Even popular tourist attractions (including the Lavra Caves) still have squat toilets, and despite paying for using the bathroom, there is often no paper available. It is wise to keep some tissues handy, as well as hand sanitizer, when traveling around Ukraine.
For ladies, having a scarf in your purse is a must. I was chased and yelled at by a Ukrainian woman while visiting a religious attraction, and couldn’t figure out what she was so upset about (I don’t speak Ukrainian). I later found out that in some areas of religious sites, it is respectful for women to cover their hair. Keeping a scarf readily available will avoid offending the locals (sorry!).
Stay Fit
This vast country has many running, hiking and biking trails. With varying difficulty, running trails are between 15-60km, and hiking trails are between 7-190km long. Bike trails connect cities with small towns and are easy to follow. Kiev is easy to stay fit in, and jogging around Kiev is very scenic and well laid out.
There is no detectable radiation in the tap water of Ukraine, making it safe to consume. If you are still a little leery, sterile bottled water is available for purchase everywhere.
Stay Connected
Internet connection in Ukraine is well developed and continuing to grow. It is one of Europe’s better-connected countries, with public Wi-Fi widely available in cities (both free and paid). Wi-Fi connection is a little dodgy outside of the major cities, but SIM cards can be purchased for unlocked phones from street vendors and mobile carriers if you need to stay connected all the time. Most shop owners are happy to help set your mobile phone up with a purchased SIM card.