A trip to Ukraine would not be complete if you do not feel culture of Ukraine. Ukrainians are unmatched in my experience in their hospitality. My opinions and observations are limited to our experiences primarily in Kharkiv, which is the 2nd largest city, and Kyiv, which is the capital and cosmopolitan. I loved this city. Marmaris

Ukraine has been an amazing country to visit, though it can sometimes be difficult to navigate. Customer service was one of the biggest challenges for me, as I have been used to an ethic that says the customer is always right and this doesn't funtion the same way in Urkaine. I loved the people that I got to know. Ukrainians are unmatched in my experience in their hospitality. The museums and historical sites and landmarks are astounding. The best part is it's all affordable and the public transportation (especially the trains) are amazingly efficient. Over-all I'm very pleased in my experiences of the country, but in my first visit would have appreciated recieving help in dealing with making travel arrangements and approaching/communicating with various bureaucrats and cashier/clerk people. However, I didn't arrange my trip through this or any travel site for that matter, so that might have made a difference.

Dear Irina and Katya,

This is a quick note to thank you for all your hard work and kindess and professionalism. Before my trip you helped me plan where to go and what to see and helped me with arrangents getting that fantastic apartment in Sevastopol, arranged for a great driver in Igor and well, everything was great!  I especially want to thank Katya for the excellent interpreting services, being a knowledgeable guide about the many sites we saw, taking care for my safety (I was pleasantly surprised to find I have a 20-something year old mother), and just generally looking our for my best interest every momment I was with her.  I have memories from my first trip to Ukraine that I will forever cherish in large part because of Katya and her hard work.  --Kurt, Denver, CO.  USA

This blog is a journal of our experiences here in Ukraine. We are trying to report what we see here. We have not yet had the chance to travel around Ukraine much, so our opinions and observations are limited to our experiences primarily in Kharkiv, which is the 2nd largest city, and Kyiv, which is the capital and cosmopolitan. We recognize that our observations are limited to these locales and by our very rudimentary Russian/Ukrainian language skills. If we make mistakes due to language challenges, we beg your forgiveness. It is important to note that we love Ukraine and Ukrainians. We are very happy to be here with all the challenges and thrills that accompany this experience.

I visited Kharkov a month ago, and was amazed to see such a modern, young and dynamic city. I socialized mostly with younger people - students or recent university graduates. It was a great time. There are hundreds of thousands of students in Kharkov; they kept telling me with pride that Kharkov is the intellectual capital if Ukraine, and I agree this must be so.
I made many great friends, and I am planning to return in a few months.

I had the great pleasure of visiting Lugansk and Kiev last year. I went mainly to meet a girl that I had been communicating with for about 6 months, unfortunately we no longer communicate with each other but I still have a strong resolve to meet and marry a Ukrainian girl one day.

I must say I loved your brilliant country. I was reminded in so many ways of the 1960's in England where I was brought up. Although your citizens are relatively poor they do have a good life style. Your women are so feminine, good looking and intelligent.

I stayed in an apartment in Lugansk which was comfortable and very cheap, in fact everything seemed so cheap. I have my own business that I can work from anywhere as long as I have computer and broadband access. I am seriously considering moving to your country in the future.

I have been to Ukraine 4 times. I visited different areas each time and my impressions were not the same. The nicest time I had was in Sevastopol (Crimea). I enjoyed the combination of European and Tatar (Turkish) cultures. But the most exciting are people in Ukraine. During my very first time there I met a few friends who are my best friends now. I spend much time with them each time I return now.

The services and hotels were better in larger cities, but even in small cities they were OK. I would advise the first timers to hire interpreters in each city. This person will become your guide about their country, so you can see Ukraine with the eyes they see it. Most of Ukrainians are very proud of their national ancestry, especially in the Western Ukraine.

I also enjoyed the foods. Try vreniki and smetana when you visit Ukraine, and you'll taste it's national flavour. T.H.

My friend and I have just returned from a 3 day trip to Kiev. The city is beautiful and we had a wonderful experience. Even though the we only had two full days for sighseeing, Irina Timchenko had planned an itinerary that was both interesting and informative. Nicolay Zakharchuk was our guide/interpreter. HE IS EXCELLENT. He conveyed his love and pride for the Ukraine with attention to detail and an easy pleasant manner. We enjoyed hearing about the history of the region and came away with a respect for the people and customs. From the Security Guard at Kiev-Pechersk Lavra who took us for a special "behind the scenes" view of the restoration process in an area not open to the public, to the ladies in the Ukrainian Craft museum who wanted to make sure that each detail of the exhibits were explained thoroughly, we felt like special guests.

I can certainly recommend the services of Irina in coordinating and planning, but, Nikolay made the city come alive for us. Thank you Nick..

I've been In Kyiv last august for a medical-students exchange program. My flat was in an old communist building next to the last stop of the green line of the metro, Dorogozhicky. I can say I had a real experience of what is Ukrainian life,especially for the less rich people.I enjoyed a lot my time, I discovered Kyiv is an incredible city, especially the old part, the Andrivisky street and also the old area in front of Kreschiatyk street.In general it is city full history in every corner,and also my flat, the typical URSS building was part of this history.The people is trying to exit from the URSS period, event hought the presence of communism is still sorrounding the ambience,and the life sometimeBUt I could see they are doing the best, and in the end this is also part of their life and personal history. They have been terribly hurt by that experience, it is enough to say that almost 7 millions of ukrainian died in the 20th century because of communism, and you can feel it by walking around.

We spent three hours this afternoon showing my mother some of our many Ukraine photographs on the computer and recounting our wonderful trip.  It is the longest vacation I have had in my adult life and, without a doubt, the best.  I keep rethinking the multitude of experiences we had:

- old friends visited;

- new friends made;

- sights seen, both expected ones and surprises;

- the music, laughter and voices of people;

the fascinating faces....little children in play, old people on the streets or working in the fields, teenagers sitting with their friends, business people and laborers walking on the streets or sitting on buses on the way to work;

- and tastes enjoyed!

I love to travel and am anxious to see so many places, but Ukraine has a special hold on my heart and it always will.  As anxious as I am to see new places, I am equally anxious to return to see even more of Ukraine and have the opportunity to watch its growth and progress.  While America has long been considered the "land of opportunity" Ukraine could be called the same.  Please don't ever forget that you are also living in the land of opportunity.