Ukraine Vacation: Five Destinations To Visit On Your Ukraine Trip

Travel to Ukraine has grown tremendously over the last several years. It is no wonder with the vast number of historical and cultural attractions that the country has to offer. The are many places to go but the five cities below are definitely popular Ukraine destinations.

Kyiv

Formally known as Kiev, Kyiv is usually the first place travelers think of when planning a vacation to Ukraine. Kiev is the capital and largest city of Ukraine. It was named after its founders, the Kyi brothers.

The city offers a wide variety of attractions for tourists. Football fans might take in a game at one of the many professional or amateur footbal clubs. Basketball and ice hockey are also popular sports.

Some of the most frequented attractions are noteworthy religious and historical architectural structures such as St. Sophia Cathedral, St. Michael's Cathedral and Maryinsky Palace among others.

Other popular attractions include two botanical gardens, the World War II Museum, Venetsianskyi (or Hidropark), Victory Park, Independence Square and Kiev's farmer markets, especially Besarabsky Market.

Kharkov

Kharkov, also known as Kharkiv, is the second largest city in Ukraine. It has a population of nearly 1.5 million. The city is located in the northeast of the country. People living in Kharkiv are known as Kharkivites.

The city boasts more than 100 parks. Besides the natural beauty at the parks, you can visit Constitution Square. There are many old buildings and shops to visit.

Other attractions that should be on your list in Kharkov include the Kharkiv Historical Museusm, the Mirror Stream fountain, Maestro Gallery, Kharkov Synagogue and the Kharkiv Champagne and Wine Factory.

Odessa

Odessa is located on the shore of the Black Sea. It is the fourth largest city in Ukraine with a population over 1 million.

One of the principal attractions in the city is the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater. The present buiding was constructed in boroque style of architecture. It replaced the original opera house which was destroyed by fire in 1873. The acoustics in the building are phenominal and the presentations exceptional.

There are several palaces which draw many tourist including the Tolstoy Palace and the Voronstov Palace. Others have been transformed into museums such as the Potocki Palace which is now the Fine Arts Museum.

Another important attraction is the Odessa Numismatics Museum. There are two branches of the museum. The one located in the center of Odessa has exhibitions of ancient and medieval coins as well as both old and modern banknotes. The second branch displays modern coins of Ukraine.

Donetsk

The origin of Donetsk dates back to 1869 when a Welsh businessman named John Hughes opened a steel plant and several coal mines in the region. It remains today an important industrial center for Ukraine, especially for steel and coal.

Nearly half the population of Donetsk is Russian while another 46.65% is Ukranian. Other nationalities represented include Belarusians, Greeks, Jews, Tatars, and Armenians just to name a few.

Football is the most popular sport. The city has three professional football clubs. In fact, several matches of the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship will be played in Donetsk including a Quarter-Final and Semi-Final matches.

Vinnitsa

Vinnitsa, also Vinnytsia, is located in central Ukraine on the banks of the Southern Buh River. The city has a population of aproximately 350,000.

There are many attractions for tourists to visit in the city. Most are within walking distance of one another.

Museums include the Vinnytsa Art Museum and the Vinnytsa Nature and History Museum. Also downtown, you can visit the Polish Catholic Church and the Vinnytsa Orthodox Cathedral.

Before visiting more distant attractions, you might enjoy a stop at Gorky Park. You can rest and enjoy nature, watch a chess match and experience some local food.

If outdoor activities interest you, then take the Bugh Riveboat Cruise. It cruise goes upriver to Sabarov Park in 35 minutes. You can desembark for a picnic lunch or pick up some food at one of the nearby kiosks. You can leave the park on foot or return on the riverboat.

Visit one or all of these Ukraine tours and you are sure to return from Ukraine with pleasant memories and a strong desire to return.