Spring is the best time for traveling around the country and exploring Ukraine’s picturesque landscapes and little-known historical and urban areas. The Kyiv Post selected several options for those who just want to relax and also for those who want more physically active getaways.
Askania-Nova wildlife
The territory of more than 300 square kilometers of the untouched steppe of Askania-Nova biosphere reserve in Kherson Oblast becomes especially beautiful in May when the land is covered with green grass and herb flowering. The biosphere reserve is home for flamingos, peacocks, antelope, zebras and Przewalski’s horse – rare animals that cannot be seen anywhere else in Ukraine. Tourists are offered a local zoo visit or a dendrological park tour. However, a retro-photo safari tour where holidaymakers can take pictures of animals in their natural habitat is the most memorable excursion.
Location: The reserve is located in Askania-Nova village, Chaplynsk district, Kherson Oblast. Open daily from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Entrance fee is Hr 20. Guided tours cost Hr 25–200.
How to get there: Take a train from Kyiv to Kherson for Hr 132–647. Then take a bus from Kherson to Askania-Nova for Hr 80–120. Those who travel by car may take a road E95/95/05 from Kyiv to Kherson, then turn to road M14 to get to Askania-Nova.
Rafting
Active vacationers will definitely enjoy rafting in May along the Cheremosh and Southern Buh, two of Ukraine’s picturesque stormy rivers. Those brave enough can try mountain river of Cheremosh in the Carpathian Mountains and raft along the river’s most difficult rapids – Dzembronya, Didiv Likot, Bila Kobyla and Hachok. Some parts of the river are suitable also for beginning rafters. One can also ride on katamarans or kayaks along the Cheremosh River.
Lowland river of Southern Buh which is Ukraine’s second longest river fascinates with the natural scenery, cliffs and shoals. Southern Buh has the same difficult rapids as any other mountain river however its waters are much warmer compared to highland rivers.
How to get to Cheremosh River: Rafting on Cheremosh usually starts in Dzembronya village in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. To get there take a bus Ivano-Frankivsk–Verkhovyna for Hr 67 and then bus from Verkhovyna to Dzembronya village for Hr 20. The prices for rafting vary between Hr 150–450 per one person per tour.
How to get to Southern Buh River: Rafting on Southern Buh usually starts in Hrushivka village in the Pervomaysk district of Mykolayiv Oblast. It costs Hr 300–550 per tour per person. The bus from Mykolayiv to Pervomaysk will cost Hr 118. And then another bus from Pervomaysk to Hrushivka would be just Hr 5. Those who travel by car should take road M06 from Mykolayiv to Pervomaysk. Then take road T1504 from Pervomaysk to Hrushivka village.
Hetman capital
The green and quite Chyhyryn city in Cherkasy Oblast might be the best travel choice for those interested in Ukrainian history and especially in its Cossack period (15–18 centuries). Founded in the 16th century Chyhyryn used to be the first capital of the Cossack republic. As a residense of Ukrainian hetmans Chyhyryn was growing rapidly when by the mid-17th century its population reached nearly 50,000 while Kyiv’s population at the time barely reached over 10,000. During its long and dramatic history the city witnessed battles, sieges and destruction. Nowadays Chyhyryn is a small provincial settlement with 9,000 inhabits where only remnants of architectural buildings remind of its glorious past.
The restored baroque residence of Bohdan Khmelnytskyand the 17th century St. Petro and Pavlo church are among Chyhyryn’s most interesting landmarks which reproduce the spirit of the hetman epoch. Both buildings are perfect examples of so- called Ukrainian or Cossack baroque which has more restrained ornaments, simplified forms combined with national architecture traditions.
The small village of Subotiv 14 kilometers west of Chyhyryn can boast with the 360-year St. Illia Church, the place of tomb of Ukrainian hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky. The white stone church is built in the style of early Ukrainian baroque. The church with its two-meter thick walls was also constructed as a fortification building.
Location: Chyhyryn national preserve is located on 28 Hrushevskoho St., Chyhyryn, Cherkasy Oblast. It is open daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. The entrance fee to the local museums is Hr 5–10. Prices for guided tours vary between Hr 40–80.
How to get there: Take Kyiv –Cherkasy bus at 6 a.m., 7 a.m. or 8:20 a.m. from Kyiv Darnytsia bus station for Hr 184–200. The switch to Cherkasy–Chyhyryn bus at 7.55 a.m., 1.05 p.m. or 2.30 p.m. for Hr 45. From Chyhyryn take a bus to Subotiv at 2 p.m. for Hr 11. Those who travel by car should take road H08 from Kyiv to Chyhyryn. Then turn to road T2402 to go from Chyhyryn to Subotiv.
Military bases
Ukrainian industrial objects and military bases might impress not less than landscapes or architectural monuments. One of such stunning industrial objects is the museum of Strategic Missiles Troops in Pobuzke village of Kirovohrad Oblast. The museum which used to be a military base during the Soviet Union period is interesting with both its history and exhibits. In 1993 when Ukraine voluntarily renounced its third largest nuclear weapons stockpile in the world, the former military point of the strategic missiles launching was transformed into a museum. Nowadays its visitors can see samples of rocket engines, tankers for rocket fuel and a model nuclear warhead there.
Location: The museum of the Strategic Missiles Troops is located in Pobuzke village, Holovaniv district, Kirovohrad Oblast. Open daily from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Guided tours are Hr 50 for adults, Hr 10 for children.
How to get there: Take a bus Kyiv–Pobuzke for Hr 190. Those who travel by car from Kyiv should take road E95 and head towards Velyki Troyany village when they should turn to the left to road P06 to Pobuzke village.
