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| GUIDE BOOKS ON UKRAINE |
UKRAINE - THE BRADT TRAVEL GUIDE 328 pgs (by Andrew Evans): www.bradtguides.com
About the author: Andrew Evans has lived, worked and wandered in Ukraine as a missionary , consultant,
academic, NATO analyst, and travel writer. He completed his postgraduate work in Russian and East European
studies at Oxford University, where he wrote and lectured on Ukrainian politics, history and culture. His book:
Ukraine: The Bradt Travel Guide is the most comprehensive, travel guide book printed about Ukraine.
UKRAINE - Lonely Planet 218 pgs (by Sarah Johnston): www.lonelyplanet.com
About the author: Sarah Johnstone had her first brush with the USSR and Russian lessons at the age of eight in
the bizarre setting of a Soviet cruise ship sailing from her native Australia. She was a latecomer to independent
Ukraine, venturing there for the first time as a journalist at the end of the 1990"s. The place got her hooked - she
had to come back and did so repeatedly, most recently to write this guide. Before signing with Lonely Planet, 10
books ago in 2002, London-based-Sarah worked (to mention a few) at Reuters and Business Traveller.
FROMMERS - Europe Guide: www.frommers.com/articles
"It Would Be a Crimea not to Go to The Ukraine"
By Charis Atlas Heelan
May 31, 2005
Bazhanyy, pryyemnyy, vitaty-laskavo prosymo -- these are just a few of the ways that the people of Ukraine say Welcome!
Now that the elections and the ensuing controversies are over, a visit to Ukraine may be just what you're looking for. You won't need too many Hryvnias (the official currency of Ukraine) to enjoy a memorable trip to this newly emerging "it spot" European destination. Ukraine is actually Europe's second largest country, so don't expect to see it all in one short trip. The relative newness of the Ukrainian tourism industry to westerners means that many tours are provided by locally-based operators, rather than some of the larger international tour companies. Some US and Canadian-based companies will only run tours if a large enough group is put together. Unfortunately, Ukraine also seems to be picking up where Russian bride tours left off so beware of tour companies promising to introduce you to Ukrainian beauties.
Although it is a politically young country, the architectural and historical legacies of Ukraine's position in the former Soviet Union and Poland are prolific. Highlights of this beautiful nation include its capital, cosmopolitan Kiev (yes, that famous garlic-filled chicken cutlet does have a home), the resort area of Yalta -- where czars once took their summer vacations in ornate palaces and castles (and where Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt carved up Europe after World War II), the Crimean coastline (Sevastopol, and Balaclava) -- the Ukrainian version of the French Riviera, the Carpathian Mountains -- a mini Swiss Alps, Odessa -- the Black Sea's major port city and Lvov -- a city of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Italianate and Neoclassical architectural masterpieces.
Scope Travel (tel. 800/242-7267; www.scopetravel.com) is the largest US-based Ukraine travel specialist. They have a wide variety of escorted tours departing throughout the year. Their "Best of Ukraine Tour" is a 15-day all-inclusive first class tour that includes round-trip airfare via Aerosvit Ukrainian Airlines from New York, two nights in Odessa, three-nights in Kiev, five-nights in Lvov and four-nights in Yalta, visits to Bakhchysaray, Chersonesus and Sevastopol, most meals, transportation and a bilingual guide. The price for the July 21, 2005 departure starts at $2,950. The September 23 to Oct 2, 2005 "Ukraine Budget Tour" is a 10-day package that includes round-trip airfare on Czech Airlines from Newark, five-nights in Lvov, three-nights Kiev, daily breakfasts, farewell dinner, sightseeing per itinerary, a bilingual guide and all entrance fees for $1,490 plus taxes. Scope also runs several multi-country tours featuring combinations of Ukraine with Finland, Poland, Russia and Hungary.
You may wish to consider visiting one of the dozens of thermal spas (or as the locals refer to them -- sanatoriums) whilst in Ukraine. The healing powers of these spas have been famous for centuries and you will be enjoying the warm waters in some of the most picturesque locations in the country.
Trouskavets is a well-known spa area located in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, some 60 miles from the city of Lvov. The spa area is known for its mineral waters that have a curing effect on gastric, metabolic and urological diseases, gall bladders and diabetes. There are several locations in this area -- the most popular treatments are at Naftusya, Mariya, Yuzia, Sophia and Bronyslava. The waters at Resort Morshyn, located in Prikarpattya, are believed to make radical improvements to a person's general immune system, partly due to the diuretic and laxative nature of the mineral water. The resort, which is over 125 years old is situated about 55 miles from Lvov and is accessible from the Strui Lvov railway station.
In the Transcarpathia region, there are over 300 mineral water springs located among the forests, vineyards and mountains of this historic area. Spa towns like Yesentuki, Borzhomi and Arzni offer resort treatment centers, but unfortunately there are no websites to assist you in planning (unless you speak Ukrainian). Don't expect US-style luxury but do expect serious health-restoring properties and an authentic Eastern European spa experience.
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