Ukraine is a place of natural beauty and rich history where you will find a captivating blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The historic monuments, awe-inspiring palaces and archaeological sites are among the main reasons why tourists travel to this destination. More than 500 of Ukraine’s cities date back some 900 years.

You can visit ornate palaces and castles where czars once spent their summers, while the Crimean coastline is the Ukrainian version of the French Riviera. The Carpathian Mountains poses as a mini Swiss Alps, while in the busting capital Kyiv, citizens flaunt gallant fashions and bold attitudes as they smoke, drink, dance and sing wherever and whenever they want. Outside the urban centres, the country is surprisingly lush with 17 per cent of its landscape draped in diverse forest.

Ukraine’s culture is heavily influenced by Christianity, which is expressed in the art, architecture and festivals throughout the country. The tradition of the Easter egg, known as pysanky, has extensive roots in Ukraine and is thousands of years old, preceding the arrival of Christianity. Gender roles also tend to be more traditional, with grandparents playing a significant role in raising children.
The country has a surprisingly rich history and is best expressed in the historical preservation of Lviv, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Between Kyiv and Lviv, visitors can absorb as much Slavic culture as they desire. Then proceed on over to the Black Sea town of Odessa to see how modern Ukrainians are living and socialising in the world today.

After a tumultuous past, Ukrain is successfully evolving toward democracy and making progress in expanding the freedoms and rights of its people. It makes a fabulous destination for the intrepid traveller in search of rich history and contact with vivacious people.