Next Trip to Ukraine

[AkMike]

My lovely wife and I are going to return to Ukraine 4-9 and return 5-11.
 But we're going to lead a "tour" of family and friends from the US around Ukraine from Kiev south to the Krim area  for 2 weeks.
 My Aunt and Uncle are in they're mid to late 70's and active so they should do well. 2 cousins and their spouses are coming as well as 2 of our friends from here in Ak.
 Kiev, Cherkassy, Simferpol, Stevastopol and Yalta will be the major stops.
 This should be interesting...

 Has anyone ever tried to show off the FSU to any of their family? How'd it go?
 Suggestions?

[Kuna]

AkMike,

Sounds like a great trip... I hope everyone are adventurous because there are so many great experiences - as you know!  ;-)

Interesting that you'd include Cherkassy in your trip...  I'm guessing you must have family there???

Kuna

[Gator]

AKMike,

How interesting!  Ukraine will be a remarkable contrast with Alaska so if your group is adventurous, as Kuna said, they will have a good time.   People pay a lot of money for guided tours to the FSU, so your group is getting a bargain and a better guide.

Much depends upon the individual personalities and the group dynamics.  How you sort that out will be interesting. 

My 18-yo son accompanied me to Moscow.  His favorite time was playing with my fiancee's children.  We toured a few areas in and around Moscow; however, coming from Florida he complained about the cold weather even though it was April.  As is his nature, a year later he talks fondly about the remarkable times in Russia including some things I thought he disliked.

There is so much to see between Kiev and the Crimea.  I could easily spend a week in the Yalta area alone and do something different each day.  You will there in spring time with the trees blooming, so the countryside will be lovely.  However, the nature experience will be disappointing compared to Alaska.

Will you rent a travel van?  That will give you much more flexibility.  The roads are not bad, and some are rather good such as between Kiev and Odessa.

Somehow try to arrange an authentic banya experience, eat most lunches as a picnic, mingle with the Ukrainian people when they are partying, etc.

 

[ScottinCrimea]

Really not much to see and do in Simferopol for tourists, but I would highly recommend a side trip to Bakchysaray where there's a Sultan's palace built in the 16th century and monasteries built into caves in the cliffs.  Here's a link to some photos of tha palace complex.  http://www.galenfrysinger.com/tatar_khanate_crimea.htm.

[AkMike]

Kuna,
Cherkassy is where my wife is from and it'll be a good place for the elders to rest up and get used to the Ukrainian ways for a day or 2. They'll also get to meet some of our friends there.

 We'll be taling trains and rent busses at the different locations. I WILL NOT drive there.
 We already plan on going native as  much as possible but a banya might be interesting for them too. There is a wonderful one with a great restraunt in Cherkassy
 Right on Scott! I'll ask Tanya abouty a trip to Bakchysaray. Simferpol is just the end of our train leg of the trip. From there we'll spend several days in Yalta and Stevastopol with side trips to Belakalava and Horgadah. There's so much to see and do there that this trip is just the whet their appitite for Ukraine. After this we'll see. They're used to their creature comforts in Fla.....
 We'll spend about a week in Kiev area so they can meet my step son and his small family. They even get to meet my grandson! I can't wait to see him again either..

[Kuna]

AkMike...

Sounds great... only one thing comes to mind when I think of taking a big family to Cherkassy.... Sashlik in that big park on the fringe of the Dnepr...  I was there in winter but I can only imagine how wonderful it'd be with the smell of sashlik in the air.   

Have a great trip... it'd be awesome to see photos on your return!

Kuna

[AkMike]

I'll try to take lot'sa pics!
  Eventually we hope to spend summers in the Cherkassy area and winters here in Alaska. I enjoy "her" town but I've only been there once in the spring  and a week in the summer when I went to bring her 'home' til now. The rest have been during the winter when I'm off work.
 There's alot of our friends there and more of that area to explore! 
   I like it!

[2tallbill]

Hey Mike I am soooooooo..........envious!!!! (JK)

Have a fantastic time

Udachi!!! (good luck)

Bill

[AkMike]

Hey Bill,
 Why the (J/K)?? If I can pull it off I'll have the best of both worlds..
 Ukraine in the summer (Think teeny weenie bikini's and Ukrainian chicks)
 And Ak and sledding in the winters!

 Life is Good!