One of the biggest countries in Eastern Europe, the Ukraine is situated between Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. It is a popular attraction place for tourists from surrounding countries, and is becoming increasingly attractive to citizens of Western Europe continent and North America.One of the main attractions for visitors is the countrys rich history, with more than 500 cities dating back over 900 years and a fascinating assortment of architecture influenced by its neighbours. Most tourists and backpackers begin in the historical capital city of Kiev, arguably one of the most lovely cities in Europe, where the ancient streets, striking architecture, stunning sights, and wealth of cultural and religious sights make it one of the most fascinating places to explore. The early capital of Old Rus is also enriched with monuments for example the grandiose St Sophias Cathedral, well known for its 11th century mosaics and frescoes, and the Cave Monastery, the holy centre of the early Orthodox Church. The other attraction for tourists is the natural beauty of the country, with areas like the Carpathian and Crimean mountain ranges, the Black Sea and Sea of Asov, and the Crimean peninsula, a popular tourist paradise with its warm climate, well known resorts, history, and old cities for example Sevastopol and Yalta. The Carpathian hills draw skiers and hikers year round, and the region is also popular for its restorative spas and historic sites. Gateway to the hills is the city of Lviv, one of the main cultural centres of the country and a delight to explore with its medieval old town and distinctive architecture. The harbour town of Odessa, known as the Pearl of the Black Sea, is an established tourist attraction place that also serves as the gateway to many of the well known Black Sea resorts, and is a fascinating city with a wonderful mixture of cultures and historical architecture. With things looking up for a country that is beginning to loosen its ties with Russia and forge new ones with the EU and NATO, Ukraine is a attraction place worth considering for its history and culture alone. Cruises on Europes longest river, the Dnieper River, from Kiev to the Black Sea coast is one of the most popular ways to tour the Ukraine, providing a discovery of Ukraines history, and its architecturally rich cities, while cruising the 1,370 mile long stretch of river (2,205km) on board ship. |
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