More Than Just Beautiful Girls: Visiting Amazing Ukraine

During the last 10 years Eastern-European tourism has become more and more popular. Poland, Hungary, Monte-Negro and Czech Republic welcome millions of tourists each year, attracted for their mild climate, beautiful old cities and friendly atmosphere. If you have already enjoyed your best beers in Prague and delicious Hungarian food, lingered by beautiful Warsaw churches and spent an unforgettable week and Montenegro's golden beaches, there is one more place you should go to. Visit Ukraine.

The biggest Eastern-European country, Ukraine is situated to the East of Poland, between Russian Federation and the Black Sea coast. Its area is about 603,700 square kilometres (233,100 sq miles), with a population of about 48 million people (about as big as France). It is one of the former Soviet Union republics, now a part of The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

The official currency in Ukraine is called hryvna (UAH), but US dollars and euro are widely used there. To change your dollars or euro to the local currency use one of plenty little exchange points, usually situated on every street. You can also use an ATM to get local cash, or just pay with your bank card in most of the hotels and restaurants (not suitable for little villages, though!).

Ukraine is a secular state, which means that the country does not have an official religion. Most of the population are orthodox Christians; you can meet more catholics in the Western regions. Ukrainians are highly tolerant to other religions, and you can often see a mosque standing next to an Orthodox Church, with Hare Krishna followers happily parading between both temples.

Ukraine is bilingual, fusing together Ukrainian and Russian speakers. The official state language is Ukrainian, but most of the population speaks Russian as well, especially on the east and south of the country. Having the same origin, both languages sound quite similar for a foreigner. But don't worry, may people in Ukraine speak English, too, especially in big cities. City restaurants often have English menu, and hotel and restaurant staff usually can speak English, German or French.

Ukraine is really foreigner-friendly! You do not normally even need a visa to go to Ukraine. Some years ago the country implemented the visa-free regime for most of the world states, so if you are a citizen of USA or EU, there is no need to go to an embassy or pay on the border. You can stay in Ukraine for 90 days without any additional permission, and then you have to leave for at least another 90 days before coming back.

Of course, everyone will tell you that Ukraine is mostly famous for its beautiful women. That is true. However, that is not all! Ukraine is also famous for its sportsmen. Ukraine has given Europe the world famous football striker Andriy Shevchenko, one of the highest scorers in the history of European football. The Klitschko Brothers, heavyweight boxers, are also quite prominent.

Ukraine is often associated with the Orange Revolution. In November 2004 - January 2005 a series of political events and civil movements took part there, aimed against electoral fraud in Ukrainian presidential elections 2004. Its name the Orange Revolution has got from the color the participants chose as the symbol of the movement; they were wearing orange T-shirts, waving orange flags, and even giving free oranges to everyone.

In the darker past, far back in 1986, Ukraine became infamous to the world because of the Chernobyl tragedy, when a huge explosion in a Ukrainian Nuclear Power Station led to a global ecological emergency. This disaster is considered to be the biggest in the history of atomic energy. In the last five years or so the still radioactive Chernobyl area is becoming a desirable destination for extreme travelers. If you want to try your fortune and experience the spooky, and still dangerous, atmosphere of a ghost city, then take a risk and go to Pripyat. It is the nearest city to the former power plant, full of empty buildings, mutated animals and unbearable silence of death.

Usually foreign tourists visiting Ukraine go to Kiev, Odessa, Lviv or Yalta. Kiev is the capital of the country and its biggest city. Being more than 1500 years old, Kiev is full of amazingly beautiful buildings, ancient churches and interesting museums. In spring its lovely curved old streets are all covered with blossoming chestnut trees, glowing like white candles in the dark. Indeed, spring is the best time to visit Kiev.

Maybe the most popular city to visit (and definitely the best place to have fun) in Ukraine is Odessa. With its amazing old buildings, constructed in the 19-th century by French and Italian architects, and one of the most beautiful opera houses in Europe, Odessa will be a real treasure for those who enjoy city walks. Add a booming night life in open-air clubs on the seaside, and plenty of cosy street cafes) with delicious cuisine (and really cheap spirits!), and you will get the best option for an adventurous summer holiday.

Another beautiful old city to visit is Lviv. About 750 years old, Lviv is situated close to the Polish border and because of its location is often the first Ukrainian city European tourists go to. The city with rich architectural traditions, with the spirit of history blowing though its narrow streets, Lviv is impressive and memorable. Go there to enjoy traditional western Ukrainian cuisine in little street restaurants, the cooling darkness of ancient churches and happy noise of busy city markets.

If you are looking for a romantic holiday on the Black Sea coast with your beloved, try Yalta. Yalta is a little town on the far south of Ukraine, in Crimea. Surrounded by Crimea Mountains, the city has the best climate in the country, and of course, the best beaches, plenty of comfortable private hotels and nights which are really dark and full of stars (ideal for those in love).

But of course, those four destinations are not everything you should see and experience in the country!

Ukraine is big, beautiful and really welcoming to everyone. A picture paints a thousand words, so just go there and see it all with your own eyes. You will never regret it!