Places to see around Kiev

[Viking456]

I am trying to persuade some friends to come to Kiev during the holidays and they seem a bit interested but they'd like to know what things can be seen or done around Kiev. One of the guys wants to go see Chernobyl so that is one thing to see not that far from Kiev, but what else is there? They seem interested to try out beers and beverages but do not want to sit at bars all day, a beer tasting event or similar might be another thing they might be interested in.


Preferably it should be possible to reach the target in a day trip from Kiev but maybe a two day trip might be possible as well. We would stay one or two weeks.

[calmissile]

You certainly would not want to be in Kiev now.  My gal told me this morning that their is snow up to her butt, the police have shut down all transportation including trolleys, buses, and the trains.  Also the stores have empty shelves and no bread is available.  It sounds like it will be a while for the city to dig out of the snowstorm.

You did not mention which holidays they were thinking of, but spring and summer would be a much better time to go.  Also, we have no idea what you friends interests are other than beer drinking.

If your friends are history buffs, there are many WWII memorials and parks to visit.  There is also an excellent Air Museum worth visiting.

My favorite city to visit so far is Sevastopol at the southern tip of Crimea.  If your friends are up to taking an overnight train ride, you can take the train from Kiev to Sevastopol and spend a few days down there.  There are many, many things to enjoy in Sevastopol including cold war submarine pens inside a mountain as well as ancient ruins nearby that you can walk through.

If they wish, they can read my last trip report and see the photos and get some ideas as to what they might enjoy.       http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=15123.0

[lordtiberius]

I was there last week and in December.  Betsy confirms that all the transportation has also been shut down due to snow.  It was not bad last week.  The snow didn't stick but it rained quit a bit and it did get slippery.

I attached some pictures.  The sights are worth seeing.  I especially enjoy seeing the 9th century churches and the pre-Revolutionary architecture.  Also put aside some money to buy a lot of Soviet souvenirs.  I know shopping is a girl thing but look at it this.  You can knock out a lot Christmas shopping and have your December free. 

I would avoid clubs unless you are a club guy.  There are a TON of expat bars in and around Kreshchatyk.  A lot of old hands stay close to the Pinchuk Art Centre where there are a lot of bars and restaurants.  College girls like Westerners because they can try out their English.

You can have a lot of fun but remember it is still a dangerous place and very brutal to the very stupid.

Hope you have a blast!

[Dogrunner1]

I am trying to persuade some friends to come to Kiev during the holidays and they seem a bit interested but they'd like to know what things can be seen or done around Kiev. One of the guys wants to go see Chernobyl so that is one thing to see not that far from Kiev, but what else is there? They seem interested to try out beers and beverages but do not want to sit at bars all day, a beer tasting event or similar might be another thing they might be interested in.


Preferably it should be possible to reach the target in a day trip from Kiev but maybe a two day trip might be possible as well. We would stay one or two weeks.

Hello All

Viking - what's the purpose of your visit, holiday (bit of fun) or to meet a future wife?

[ML]

Betsy confirms that all the transportation has also been shut down due to snow. 

My Gal tells me of the joke circulating in Kyiv, which has over a meter of snow:

Traffic police advise everyone with a vehicle to stay off the roads.

The only persons following that advice are those who operate the snow plowing and snow removal equipment.

[Viking456]

We will go somewhere early June to august probably.


My friends have general interests. They are interested in completely normal things such as nuclear disaster sites and old concentration camps (they are OK despite that).


I would probably stay one extra week in Kiev by myself and date some women and if I am lucky I'd meet someone to be together with. I'd try to find the women using dating sites prior to the trip.

[Dogrunner1]

We will go somewhere early June to august probably.


My friends have general interests. They are interested in completely normal things such as nuclear disaster sites and old concentration camps (they are OK despite that).


I would probably stay one extra week in Kiev by myself and date some women and if I am lucky I'd meet someone to be together with. I'd try to find the women using dating sites prior to the trip.

In that case I would certainly recommend visiting Odessa, an evening in Ibiza Nightclub is something I'd highly advise, little pricey but why not you're on holiday! The amount of beauties on show is quite astonishing, you can practice some pick up lines for when you are on your own. And get yourself a table, costs around 2000 or $150 roughly, but you'll spend that easily on drinks anyhow, ladies like a table 

A flight between Kiev and Odessa is around $90.

Kiev has a great spot next to the River which I would highly recommend during the day, take your swimming  shorts, smart beach towel and sunglasses, relax and enjoy the views.

Might be worth spending a couple of days on the Bakkara Accord Hotel, it's a boat on the river, ideal spot in the summer. Upgrade the room and get a river view, money very well spent.

There are many a night spot worth visiting in Kiev, as I'm sure other cities. Need some night spots to visit let me know, as for points of interest suggest you get a travel guide book and see what takes your fancy.

[mendeleyev]

LT, nice photos. Hope your trip was good.

[lordtiberius]

LT, nice photos. Hope your trip was good.

Sir, it was real good.  I met her parents - wonderful, strong and noble people.  The kind of people that Tolstoy wrote about that have been living there since the dawn of time.  Her father showed me his album of his conscripted service in Turkmenistan during the Iran-Iraq War on the Persian Border.  Her mother is a great cook and we ate and ate and ate and drank and drank and drank. 

I did finally get to walk Andrew's Ascent and go to mass at the Catholic church in Kiev.  And I saw the monument to Princess Olga.  Whenever I doubt the direction of the country and the sinister evil of the politicos, I just look at those statues, those churches and architecture.  If these stones can endure, the people will too. 

Some pictures of me and my old women can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/universal.empire

Maybe things will get better now that we have John Kerry as top diplomat!

[lordtiberius]

I made a video of my last trip.  Hope you enjoy:

[lordtiberius]

I posted a review of the place I stayed.  The apartment is nice and affordable place in the Podil district of Kiev, Ukraine.

http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/478860

[mendeleyev]

LT, nice review.  We'd be surprised at how many Eastern European homes don't have beds.  My first apartment many years ago had a bed and I thought it to be expected but did not encounter a genuine space consuming bed until years later.  We have them now in our home outside Moscow but space isn't an issue like it is in so many apartments.

This apartment looks well maintained and comfortable except for the microwave being on top of the холодильник.  Then again microwaves are sometimes viewed as a health hazard in some former FSU homes so perhaps they aren't used as frequently as in the West and the location may not matter.

[ML]

I would think it was a little uncomfortable to use the stool in the bathroom also      

Probably have to try side-saddle.

[lordtiberius]

LT, nice review.  We'd be surprised at how many Eastern European homes don't have beds.  My first apartment many years ago had a bed and I thought it to be expected but did not encounter a genuine space consuming bed until years later.  We have them now in our home outside Moscow but space isn't an issue like it is in so many apartments.

This apartment looks well maintained and comfortable except for the microwave being on top of the холодильник.  Then again microwaves are sometimes viewed as a health hazard in some former FSU homes so perhaps they aren't used as frequently as in the West and the location may not matter.

Sir, it was a nice place to stay and me and the future Mrs. Lord liked it.  You couldn't beat the price.  I took home a lot of Soviet memorabilia.  I saw a couple of sports jerseys of Russia and Ukraine I wanted for my nephews.  The street vendor was asking too much and I did not have any enough quid to give him a serious counter offer.  I love the people, history and the architecture.