What is the "best" part of Ukraine?

[BrianW]

Say you are just a tourist, what's the best part of Ukraine? The most interesting, relaxing, etc. Thanks.

[Simoni]

For relaxing, it's definitely the Black Sea.  In terms of city life, I like Dnep and Kiev. Kiev for its churches, Dnepr for the river walk.  In terms of beautiful girls, ditto on the last two cities.

[Simoni]

In terms of the Black Sea, I'd recommend getting away from the tourist spots and finding a cabin on the shore.  We did, and spent two very relaxing weeks there.  But beware-- no sandy beach!  Instead, sharp stones.  But the reward is crystal clear, beautiful water.

[Sculpto]

What about Lviv?

[Simoni]

Don't know--never made it there.  But the wife says "it's in Western Ukraine and is very beautiful. It's the home of our President and has incredible architecture.  It would be a very nice place for an excursion."

"But it is not modern like Dnepr."

[Simoni]

One of the best parts of vacationing on the Black Sea is the water taxi's. These boats take you from crowded Yalta to points up the coast, giving you a very beautiful, scenic voyage.

[Sculpto]

Mangup.. hang out with cave dwelling hippies...

http://www.tryukraine.com/photos/crimea/mangup.shtml

[Simoni]

I explored some mighty fine caves there...

[Sculpto]

love the last foto Simoni

[Simoni]

Yeah, it was really cool looking.

There was ice down there in the middle of July!

In the old days, the royal family sent servants down into the caves to bring them ice :-)

[Taz]

I love Crimea but I avoid staying in Yalta. I love the coast of the Black Sea. Go see Bachisarai, Xersones and Alushta, Alupta, Fedosia to name a few places.

For big cities I like Dnepr better than the other big ones. L'viv (L'vov) is very pretty too but I can't stay there very long. It gets a wee bit boring. I also like parts of Odessa but more of a tourist trap in many ways (like Yalta). Go to the Carpathian Mountains. Beautiful up there. I'll likely retire when all is said and done in Crimea or possibly Turkey.

[Ooooops]

I agree with Taz for the most part, but I still like Lviv - it's more European than most of Ukrainian cities and very beautiful.

[JR]

You are all.....WRONG! The best part of the Ukraine is the women

[Taz]

Nah... the women are the souvenirs that you get to take home after a wonderful visit to Ukraine! 

[JR]

Nah... the women are the souvenirs that you get to take home after a wonderful visit to Ukraine! 

You spoke in the plural...so you're into polygamy huh?

[Taz]

I just need ear muffs for the cold winters here...   

[ECOCKS]

For the sightseeing tourist I would have to say the top three would be Kyiv, Lviv and the Crimean Coast. I'm not a beach person but when I go I prefer sand so we went to Bulgaria for beach vacation.

The Crimean Coast is beautiful in some rugged spots and has a scattering of fortresses, old and new. The restaurants are a tossup unless you find someone to give you reliable and recent recommendations. The service, by and large, sucks and Russians are not always the best population to vacation among. In many areas of Turkey and Egypt Russian groups are discouraged if not out and out banned. OTOH, those palaces and fortresses, as well as the history around Balaclava and Sudak is impressive. Even the black, rocky beaches are enough of a novelty to interest some folks. There are some interesting nature parks and preserves down there although facilities are not up to even European standards so be prepared to rough it a bit.

Western Ukraine around Lviv has a couple of dozen churches, fortresses and other historic locations worth a visit, a definite must if you're into history, art, miltary and architectural stuff. Lviv does have a bit more European flavor in its atmosphere especially in its architecture but the restaurants and Western European feeling are nothing when compared to Prague, Vienna or even Krakow.

As for Kyiv, they have beaches (sandy ones along the river), churches, museums, easy public transport, some almost interesting shopping, some upscale restaurants and clubs and some excellent contrasts in the old and the new FSU environments.

[ScottinCrimea]

For sheer variety of geography, historical sites, nature and places to relax or to recreate, Crimea wins hands down.  I agree to stay away from Yalta and Alushta other than a day excursion or two, but there are many less commercialized beach locations that are fantastic.  As far as the rocky beaches, you can find sandy ones if you know where to look, typically on the far northwest coast or to the southeast in places such as Sudak and eastward.  You can see some great mountain scenery in the Grand Canyon of Crimea on the landward side of Ai Petri.

No better sightseeing than on the beaches of Crimea in the summer.   

[Boethius]

Don't know--never made it there.  But the wife says "it's in Western Ukraine and is very beautiful. It's the home of our President and has incredible architecture.  It would be a very nice place for an excursion."

"But it is not modern like Dnepr."

Yushchenko is from northeastern Ukraine (Sumy), not Lviv.  But, he has a dacha in the Carpathians.

[Sculpto]

I wanted to go here but didn't get the chance

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[Sculpto]

haha I shouldnt have started looking.. IM not gonna get any work done now. 

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[Sculpto]

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don't get too excited guys.. topless girls

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[Mars]

  I agree to stay away from Yalta and Alushta other than a day excursion or two,

I disagree.  Yalta is a great place to spend a week or more.  But not for the beaches or water.  The reason to go is the numerous palaces, parks, gardens and mountain trips there or nearby.  Even the Massandra Winery tour and tasting makes for a great afternoon.  Also take some boat trips; like to Swallows Nest.

And you can also spend a week or more in Sevastopol visiting all the nearby sites like Khersones, Panorama, Diorama, Balaclava, Submarine base, Bachisari, Valley of Death (Crimean war), etc.

[Sculpto]

here are three travel vids.. sorry embedding not allowed

[kryten41]

I've had quite a nice time in Yalta, but I tend to enjoy touristy places.  The public beaches are cobblestone and very crowded, but some of the hotels have private beaches which are much less crowded (though still cobblestone).  The water was great too. There are a lot of excursions to go on also.  If you are into history, you can tour Livadia Palace where the Yalta conference took place.  Also, the best shashlik can be had at the outside restaurant at the Yalta Hotel; I don't know the name of it, but it is outside and has a fountain in the middle; follow your nose.