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I've just returned from a short visit to Ukraine - Kiev (2 days) and Crimea (3 days), travelling by overnight trains. If you want to chill out in Crimea, stay at Bakhchysaray from where Sevastopol is about 1.5 hours by bus or train. I did briefly stop in Odesa (another overnight train from Simferopol), but alas I needed to move on to Chisinau.

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it depends on which things you are interested in ukraine. architecture? nature? people? party? sex tourism? museums? churches? historical places? pagan? soviet legacy? For example, if you are interested in museums there are some interesting museums near Kyiv like ethnographic open air museum in Pirogovo (20 min from Kyiv) http://ua-traveling.com/en/article/pirogovo http://www.go2kiev.com/view/pirogovo.html or Trypillya culture museum in Trypillya (30 min from Kyiv) http://www.trypillya.kiev.ua/index.php?lang=en http://kampot.org.ua/imag/ukraine/trupila/2445129_da0e35a7.jpg http://kampot.org.ua/imag/ukraine/trupila/2445139_355c8346.jpg http://kampot.org.ua/imag/ukraine/trupila/2445138_b2fa4805.jpg

Edited by: ShimonZadarman

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I am mostly interested in people, historical places, soviet legacy and a party won't hurt.

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thanks a lot for your help :)

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Эта пять! LOL )))

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if you go to places with less tourists, it is easier to get into contact with people. If you don't speak Russian, it is a good idea to go to a university or other places where you are likely to find people that speak English. in Forums like couchsurfing and hospitalityclub you can find local people that want to meet with travelers. It could also be interesting to see both Western and Eastern Ukraine and get an impression about the differences. An invitation to a dacha would probably be interesting for you;)


In addition to Kharkov, Pripyat (Chernobyl excurtion) is like a time machine exploring an abandoned Soviet provincial town.


Lviv old town is a winner. If you want to party you will have to start early though as things are rather quite and close rather early. I agree that Chernivtsi.

I also think that the advice to move on to see Moldova is a really great advice. Chisinau is probably the only European capitol that you stand a fair chance to see meet a cow on the street. Or what about 5 liters of home made wine for a dollar or so (remember to bring your own can:). Transdnistria, the countryside and excurtions to wineyards and monastries are some other highlights. It is easy to include from Odessa or from Lviv/Chernivtsi.

I enjoyed these books on Ukraine:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Ukrainians-Unexpected-Nation-Edition/dp/0300154763/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335279342&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Borderland-Journey-through-History-Ukraine/dp/0813337925/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1335279495&sr=8-3

have a great trip!

J

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thanks for the help

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Some more info and photos of Crimea http://www.facebook.com/Travel.in.Crimea . There are a lot of ancient and medieval historical places in it too.

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So far ShimonZadarman's posts have been the most descriptive and helpful I guess. Kudos there.

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Agree with sibmedwed - don't forget Kamyanets-Podilsky; we've just finished our stay here and had a brilliant time - the fortress and surrounding canyon and old town are all absolutely stunning!

It's not the easiest to get around but luckily we've had loads of help from the staff at our neat hostel - Palmira Hotel - who have been great. They've just spent half an hour with us helping to book a stopover hotel in Khmelnytskyi on our way to Odesa too.

Do pay a visit :)

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Hey guys, I will be going to Kamyanets-Podilsky for work this Monday and I'm curious about the nightlife? Is there anything to do after work to meet some locals and have a few drinks? I will only be there for 6 days so I would like to make the most of my free time. Thanks!

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Kiev is naturally a must see. I really enjoyed , Kiev Pechersk Lavra , and the Pinchuk Art Center. Enjoy. Cheerio! Julie O.