Swiss International Airlines just started to fly Zurich – Kiev, so we got a deal for a long weekend getaway. We came with little knowledge and no expectations and left wondering why it is not yet a booming tourist destination.
Here are reasons why we thought it is a perfect travel destination for a European getaway.
1. Accessible
Ukraine is super accessible from Central Europe. It will take you just 2-3 hours to fly in.
2. Super Affordable
A meal for 2 people in a seriously hip restaurant barely costs more than 400-500 hryvna or 13-20EUR. The quality of food is superb and some of the inventive restaurants would fit in just fine in New York or London.
3. Well developed
Despite prejudices we had, the infrastructure is really well developed. The streets connecting the main cities are good and better than in some Italian or French cities. The train infrastructure was reliable for us and over-night trains were great options to get from A to B.
4. Delicious food
The country has one of the largest areas of black soil which is perfect for agriculture. It produces grains, nuts, sunflower oil, beets and you will find Austrian, Turkish and Russian influences.
Particularly enjoyable are pancakes made from local cottage cheese, borsh with sour cream or of course dumplings.
5. Architecture
With Austrian, Turkish and Russian influences you will find Soviet style monuments as well as tree-lined cobbled streets with trams and “Gründerzeit” houses.
In particular the city of Lviv appears to the visitor almost like a time capsule where you seem to be walking in 20th century Vienna.
6. Unique Shopping
You can avoid the chains that dominate every city in the world these days. Instead of finding a Starbucks, H&M or Mango at every corner you can enjoy small coffee places and you will find all sorts of small shops and local brands for clothes giving the shopping streets character.
7. Pre Western Tourism
But may be most importantly, travelling in Ukraine still feels unique, original and you feel actually welcome.
On our paths through Ukraine we had the chance to speak a bit longer to only a few people: guides and staff at our hotels. And for many of them we were the first people who had come from Switzerland.
Usually we find Swiss people wherever we go. On this trip it was almost a shock when we finally heard people admiring the “Bienenhüsli”, Swiss word for apiary, in the folks museum in Lviv. Most tourists were from Poland with a few Canadians and Americans, some Belarussians, a German or a Brit here or there. May be there are still too many associations with Chernobyl or the Krim conflict; but Ukraine has definitely not made it on the travel map for the majority of Western Europeans.
Local people were always extremely helpful, honestly happy to meet you and curious about your country. You felt really welcome and wanted as a traveller.
Finding the new Ukrainian identity
To our surprise locals also
- seemed desperate to praise their country and sights and educate you about the possibilities (“Opera is very good like in Europe and it is very cheap” )
- seemed apologetic for everything that may not be working perfectly, although not sure why (“Yes, the street here is good, but in the countryside it is not. But this is the reality of our country.”)
Is it just because they so desperately want to move closer to Europe seeking security and stability with Russia being so close?
Is it their identity journey to find themselves after long Soviet regime, rediscovering culture and religion?
We definitely hope they learn to appreciate their own fascinating heritage and how to market it hopefully without destroying it or just turning into a stag party hub with cheap alcohol…
Travel Traction 