Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Ukraine’s south offers a great variety of places to enjoy the sun and the sea, for instance the beach in Sevastopol. UNIAN If you decided to spend your summer vacation in Ukraine, you have two basic options – go south or go west.

In the first case, you’ll get the sea, sun and mountains. In the second, you’ll get lots of mountains to climb, complete with cold rivers and similarly cool summer weather.

But, in both cases, you’re sure to find lots of adventures if you’re willing to look for them.

To make your trips especially thrilling, we’ve listed definite must-see places and sights, some of which are very famous while others are lesser-known. Let's start with the south and in the next issue, we’ll head west.


Weekend in Odesa

Due to its proximity to Kyiv (an overnight trip by train), a multitude of entertainment and a unique atmosphere, Odesa is a highly popular destination for Kyivans, especially when it comes to weekend breaks in summer.

Here you can rent a flat in the very center for about $60 (there are cheaper options of course), spend your days at the beach and your nights at the open-air clubs on the seashore. But, of course, there is much more to do in Odesa than that.

As a port city, Odesa has been an amazing blend of cultures and nationalities for a long time. English can be heard almost on every corner, so you’ll feel less like a foreigner there than you may in Kyiv.

Naturally, the main sea station is also one of the main attractions as it is always full of giant ships from faraway lands. Besides, you can also go on short sea cruises (Hr 45 for 40 minutes) along the gulf and the Lanzheron beach from the port.

The legendary Potyomkin Stairs are right across from the port. Film director Sergei Eisenstein immortalized them in his world-famous movie “Battleship Potemkin.” Odesa founder Duke Richelieu proudly stands at the top of the stairs.

If you’re too tired or lazy to climb some 200 steps to go back into town, just take the funicular. Once you reach the top, you’ll find yourself on Primorskiy Bulvar, which will take you to the Opera House and the famous Derybasivska Street with its many restaurants and cafes. The street is properly lit and thus well-suited for taking walks in the late hours

Before you leave Odesa, you might want to take something to remind you of the trip.

For souvenir shopping, head to the area next to Cathedral and Soborna Square. It’s pretty much like Kyiv’s Andriyivkiy Uzviz, though many items are often handmade of natural materials such as shells and other sea objects.

Traditional seaside entertainment is offered at Nemo Dolphinarium (nemo.od.ua) – great fun for children and grown-ups alike.

Seated in a giant pavilion for 900 viewrs, you’ll be treated to a magnificent show in which skilled animal trainers perform incredible tricks with their smart seals and dolphins. After the show you can visit Oceanarium, displaying lots of aquariums with the most exotic fish you’ve ever seen. The regular show will cost you Hr 80 and the admission fee to Oceanarium is Hr 30. You can also make a closer acquaintance with the dolphins and even have a short swim with them for an additional $100.

Odesa is also famous for its catacombs. The total area of the underground passages under the city is roughly 2,500 square kilometers. Most of them are former quarries. The shell rock extracted from them was the main building material for the city since the mid-19th century. Later such active digging caused many building to collapse, and mining was taken outside the city. During World War II, the catacombs served as hiding places for partisans. Among the catacombs open for visitors are the ones in Nerubayske village, a one-hour drive away from Odesa. Catacomb tours are organized by the Museum of Partisan Glory company (8-048-725-2874, 725-2000).

The most exotic place in the Odesa area, however, is Ukrainian Venice – Vilkovo. This small town is located in the Danube delta and a part of it is flooded with water. The streets here are canals, and citizens move around on “gondolas” and motor boats. To get there you’ll have to spend three to four hours on the road.


Crimean holiday

There is a variety of choices when it comes to vacationing in Crimea. But there is a list of things you simply have to try and places you must visit.

For instance, Yalta’s private Skazka Zoo, www.yaltazoo.org, Hr 50 for adults, Hr 25 for kids under 10 years old, is the only place in the Commonwealth of Independent States keeping white lions. Also there you’ll find Himalaya bear, camel, cheetah, griffin, chimpanzee and other animals as well as various exotic fish and sea creatures. Moreover, unlike in a regular state-owned zoo, at Skazka you are allowed to feed and pet all animals except vultures.

Another great place for family fun is Goluboy Zaliv in Simeiz (www.simeiz-aquapark.com) – the only aquatic park in Crimea functioning on sea water and offering joy rides with a view of the mountains. Tickets are Hr 150-180 for adults, Hr 90-120 for children.

One of the top popular tourist sites in Crimea is The Khan's Palace in Bakhchisaray, 30 kilometers from Simferopol. The palace admits visitors and you can get a tour and hear its exotic tales for Hr 40. Uspenskiy cave monastery placed in the same town is still functioning, but you can explore certain parts of it. Another oriental culture monument is Han-Dzhami in Yevpatoria, the only multi-cupola mosque in Europe.

Chufut-Kale (2,5 kilometers from Bakhchisaray), a fortress-city in the mountain, was founded in the Middle Ages and is now mostly destroyed, but many of the cave-houses carved out in the rock still stand. Originally it was populated by Karaims – the worshippers of the religion that combines Judaism, Isam and Christianity. The religion still has its followers, but Chufut Kale stands empty since the end of 19th century. Monastery Rock in Inkerman is another great place for cave exploring. There are 200 big caves in it and the magnificent ruins of Kalamity fortress.

If you’re looking for more chilling thrills, head to the Ghost Valley filled with natural sculptures that resemble monsters. It looks especially gruesome in the dark. To reach it, go from Alushta to Luchistoye village, cross the bridge over Demerdzhy river, turn towards Demerdzhy mountain, and walk past the ruins of Funa fortress.

Saki resort in the northwestern part of Crimea is known as a great place to rejuvenate your body and mind with its natural healing muds, mineral water baths and very healthy air.


Extreme sports and nude beaches

You might avoid trolleybuses in Kyiv, especially in summer – crowded, slow and, overall, annoying. But you should still check this one out: The world’s longest trolleybus tour, going from Simferopol to Alushta through Yalta. The journey is two hours long, but you’ll ride past many picturesque sights with plenty of time to take pictures.

In Sevastopol you can go on a sea cruise (www.sevmortour.com.ua) in the north gulf for Hr 35 or rent a sailing yacht for Hr 400 per hour.

If you’re a fan of underwater activities, take a diving course and get an international diver’s certificate at the Black Sea Diver school (www.blackseadivers.com.ua) in Sevastopol. ScubaDiver course is 140 euros, Divemaster is 580 euros. The first dive with an instructor will cost you 40 euros. Those who complete the course successfully can take underwater tours to sunken ships and go for a diving safari in Balaklava and Khersones.

Great entertainment for those who want to fly is in Koktebel, on Klementyeva mountain.

It’s a historically popular place for air gliding. Many famous aircraft designers learned to fly here.

Skif Paragliding company (www.paraskif.com) offers flights with an instructor: Hr 500 for a flight on a glider, Hr 400-500 for moto-hang-glider and Hr 200 for hang-glider.

If you’re a fan of nudist beaches, Crimea is definitely your place. Nudists had their special spots even in Soviet times, and now there are many more of them. Still, they are mostly located in secluded areas, which are a bit tricky to reach, thus most nude enthusiasts prefer to stay right next to their chosen beach.

Laspi Bay, surrounded by picturesque forests, is well-suited for camping as well as nude sunbathing without fear of being disturbed by other curious tourists. To get there, you’ll need to walk from Children’s Camp Laspi or Sevastopol-Yalta road. Bays by the Koshka mountain, not far from Simeiz, can be reached by a mountain track going off the Simeis-Katsiveli road. Holubovskiye Rocks about 4 kilometers from Alushta beach, in the direction of Yalta, are popular both among nudists, and those who enjoy underwater fishing. In Koktebel, take a walk along the quay towards Sudak, and you’ll find a proper nudist village, where they even hold naked beauty contests and a fun festival “Neptune Day” in mid-August. Lisya Bay, about 3 kilometers from Solnechnaya Valley in the direction of Feodosiya, gathers the biggest nudist community in Crimea (about 1,000 people). They are mostly young hipsters who don’t mind camping in tents. Nudists here have their own food market, a cafe and a hotel (for those who can afford it).


Food and wine

With the variety of cuisines offered in the city’s central streets, Odesa is quite a restaurant heaven. Since Odesa is known for its large Jewish community, you can find a number of places serving Jewish cuisine, including kosher Hevron (30 Rishelyivska, 8-048-715-0374) and Rozmarin (46A Malaya Arnautskaya, 8-048-234-46-44). Besides that, Turkish restaurants can be found every step of the way – a much bigger selection than in Kyiv.

Among the whole lot of Odesa eateries, there are some top-recommended places.

For instance, Kompot (20 Derybasivska, 8-048-728-7775) is a very reasonably priced spot with a cozy patio, quick service and quality European food.

Similarly delightful Gogol Mogol (2 Nekrasova, 8-048-784-5348) is designed in retro Odesa style.

Located wall-to-wall with Kompot is Steak House. Meat and Wine (20 Derybasivska, 8-048-234-8782). Its name says it all – professionally-cooked steaks and one of the best wine charts in town await you there.

Pivnoy Sad (6 Havanna, 8-048-777-8888) constantly offers four kinds of home-brewed draught beer and various snacks, as well as live piano music. Another very attractive spot is Dacha (85 Frantsuskiy Boulevard, 8-048-714-3119) that resembles a family country-house with a variety of common everyday items, some of them modern, others truly vintage.

Finally, if you like your own home-cooked fresh fish, go shopping to Privoz market a few steps away from the main train station. Here you’ll find an amazing selection of sea fish, including rare kinds. Wine lovers should visit Shabo winery located in the village of the same name (75 kilometers from Odesa) and its Wine Culture Center, where you can learn about the history of wine and of course taste its various kinds.

In Kyiv, chebureki (fried meat pies) are widely associated with the worst kind of junk food. They are cooked in the street in unsanitary conditions, extremely greasy, and the origins of the meat are unknown.

But in Crimea, you simply have to visit Krymskiye Chebureki, located in front of Han’s Palace in Bakhchisaray. Well-known since the Soviet times, the eatery offers fantastic cheburecks for Hr 18 per portion of six pieces.

Yevpatoria’s cafe Karaman (68 Karamiska, 8-065-69-33-035) is the only eatery in Crimea serving Karaim cuisine for an average price of Hr 30. Georgian restaurant Mziuri located in Sevastopol’s hotel Atlantika (22 Stalinhrada, 8-0692-41-12-19) is the official rest stop for sailors between voyages. It will literally take you back in time to the 1980s.

One of the major wine-tasting destinations in Crimea is Solnechnogorskoye village in Alushta area. There you’ll find the wine-tasting hall Grot Sedmoye Nebo (8 Kotsibinskoho, 8-065-60-233-79). This museum offers wines from all winery regions of Crimea – about 200 brands altogether. You can both taste it and buy it much cheaper than in Kyiv.