In the spring, many are attracted by mysterious journeys, where you can enjoy moments of peace or active excursions. The stone walls of Zurich, Amsterdam and its tulip colors, Venice and its sea streets - penetrate the dreams of those seeking vivid impressions. The coral Maldives, American landscapes, Baikal with its secrets and depths attract travelers and those who want to visit them at least for a vacation. Even in their dreams, children see stone kingdoms of trolls, forest tales of elves, the omnipresent Robin Hood, Greek scenery of myths. However, it is not necessary to have a passport to get into colorful fairy-tale landscapes and feel like a hero of a mystical story.
The best time for a spring vacation is, of course, April. It is in April that spring is felt most vividly, this month brings beauty and freshness, accessible and understandable to every resident of our country. It is not so difficult to plan and spend bright April days in relaxation and enjoyment, and such a trip can be designed for any budget. The main thing is to determine where exactly you would like to spend a few pleasant days to fully enjoy and feel the spring awakening of nature. And it is easy to find such a place anywhere in Ukraine!
Ecotourism and necessary expenses for an April vacation
How much should a road traveler have in his wallet in April? You can travel around the country on a budget and in an exciting way, both alone and in a tourist group, together with a professional guide. If you decide to travel on your own, it would not hurt to think about some points of travel:
Transport. The cheapest way to travel around the country is by train. If you like comfort and want more freedom of movement, you should opt for a car and travel either alone or in a company of friends. The best option, which best balances price, comfort and freedom, is a trip by minibus with a large group.
Accommodation. If you are fond of ecotourism, then you will need full or partial tourist equipment. It can be rented for a while or bought, depending on how often you will enjoy such trips. It will be useful to you when traveling to national natural parks or reserves, if, of course, they provide accommodation for tourists. If you are a supporter of a more civilized, urban vacation, you can choose a hotel, hostel or rent an apartment, and it will cost quite inexpensively.
Food. The easiest way to solve this issue is with the help of dry semi-finished products (such as noodles, mashed potatoes and instant porridge), canned food, fast food and carbonated drinks. Or you can use improvised products that are easy and interesting to get as a result of rest, for example, if you like fishing, then a delicious lunch in the fresh air will be a great alternative to restaurant meals. It is good that the April weather is usually already conducive to such a rest. If you are traveling in search of new impressions and sensations, then you should try the local cuisine, especially if you plan your route yourself. The cost of set meals can be relatively low, and your stomach will be grateful to you for the variety and balance of fresh dishes.
Entrance fees. This is not an issue in natural parks, recreation in them is free. What can you not say about arboretum or ethno parks. The price of an entrance ticket varies for adults and children, and also depends on the price of excursion services.
And now, finally, the organizational issues have been resolved and you can safely set off on your April trip!
Southeastern Ukraine
Lazar Globa Gardens, Dnipropetrovsk
Once upon a time, in the 18th century, there lived in the territory that is now called Dnipropetrovsk, a Zaporizhian Cossack named Lazar, who was famous for his skills in growing gardens. During his life, he grew three beautiful gardens: one on Monastyrsky Island, the second opposite it on the bank of the Dnieper, and the third below, near the Polovytsya settlement, as it was called in those days. Today, his famous gardens are divided into two parks: one is Taras Shevchenko Park, the other is Lazar Globa Park. Today, these parks are considered masterpieces of landscape art.
They grow dozens of different species of shrubs, flowers and trees, among which there are very rare plants. When this beauty blooms in spring, the delicate fragrant greenery of plants and trees against the backdrop of the waterfall, which is located on Monastyrsky Island, creates the impression that all this is happening not on the Dnieper, but somewhere in the mysterious Mediterranean.
Khortytsia Island, Zaporizhia
Khortytsia is rightfully considered one of the seven wonders of Ukraine. It is a reserve, a historical monument and a natural masterpiece. The vegetation of the island is unique and bears little resemblance to the flora of the mainland steppe zone. On this island grow many plants that you will not find anywhere else, and their combination in itself is quite interesting and unique: feather grass steppes with their variety of herbs easily coexist with oak and coniferous forests, and there are also floodplain meadows.
The lucky ones who will be on the island in the spring will be lucky enough to see the first flowers of the famous dream grass, granite and oak tulip, Russian hazel grouse, colorful bramble and much more. An additional surprise will be that here, during one April day, you can see nearby those plants that are found throughout Ukraine at a distance of hundreds of kilometers.
Arboretum, Kropyvnytskyi
Ukrainian Holland - this is how you can call this arboretum with its kingdom of tulips. Fans of the beauty of the plant world from all over Ukraine love to relax in Kropyvnytskyi. In 2013, a record was set in this park - five hundred thousand tulips bloomed at the same time!
Entrance to the park is free, but the attractions will be available for tickets (the price is almost symbolic). Here, in the park, you can admire tulips and daffodils. In general, Kropyvnytskyi is also called the capital of marigolds.
Kinburn Spit, Mykolaiv Region
The Kinburn Peninsula, or Kinburn Spit (although only the westernmost part is actually a spit), will delight anyone who decides to spend time here. A vacation here in April is especially magical, in this charming corner of the country, a real natural wonder in the Mykolaiv region. It is here that two natural parks are located - the Sviatoslav White Coast National Park and the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve. Only on the spit can you admire the special beauty of wild orchids, which crown the stunning flora of Kinburn. The peninsula has the largest area of orchids in all of Europe.
This place is also a favorite for ecotourism fans: the Black Sea, sunrises and sunsets that amaze with their diversity and riot of colors, salt lakes (also called "pink") - how can you not fall in love with this natural fairy tale!
Danube Biosphere Reserve, Odesa region
To fully immerse yourself in the unique color of native nature, it is worth going to the Danube Delta in April. It is not far from the city of Vylkove (it is often called the Ukrainian Venice), famous for its monument "Zero Kilometer". Near the Romanian border, there is the Ukrainian Danube Biosphere Reserve. Spring in April is in full swing here: the beginning of May in this territory, in the south, is already considered summer.
The colorful grasses above the Danube, the rare fish that live in this river, birds, insects – all this makes up the face of this territory, is a kind of calling card of this region. Here you can see pelicans on the streets, – the locals joke, – everything is so intertwined and interconnected. And if this unity is not enough – you can wander into the sea buckthorn thickets of the local forestry "Lisky".
Krasnokut miracles, Kharkiv region
The word "red" has long meant not so much color as beauty. And the corner was called the village of Slobodsk, which is now called Krasnokutsk, the central place of the Krasnokutsk district. The name itself implies the perception of the local nature as beautiful, picturesque, and if you choose this particular destination for recreation, you will be able to see for yourself the truth of the name. In this place are the Krasnokutsky Arboretum and the Slobozhansky National Nature Park, where they collide, creating stunningly beautiful corners of nature.
The local arboretum contains terraces, alleys, ponds, springs of healing water, monastery caves, an island of love, plants and trees from different, sometimes completely incompatible, corners of the world have taken root here. You can get to the park territory for free, excursions will cost a symbolic amount of 10-20 hryvnias. And right next to it you can see another interesting sight - the famous "singing" terraces.
Dzharylgach Island, Kherson region
If you want to spend time alone with yourself and nature, to relax from the hustle and bustle of civilization, you simply must discover this island in your travels. It is the largest in the Black Sea, and is especially beautiful in spring.
In 2009, the natural wonders of this island were made into the Dzharylgach National Nature Park, whose history is closely intertwined with many ancient Greek myths, and the land of the island is covered with dense mysterious forests.
In an effort to draw parallels between existing natural wonders, people called Dzharylgach the Ukrainian Maldives. Here you can freely see dolphins, and moreover, swim with them in the sea. The sun creates beautiful landscapes here, shining through the trees, creating shadows on the rocks, deer, mouflons, and fallow deer live in the savannah.
Sometimes even safaris are organized on the island. This island brings great joy to fishing enthusiasts - there are rich waters here. If all this is still not enough for you, you can, in an effort to explore the Kherson region more fully and deeply, visit the Askania-Nova reserve or Byryuchy Island. In spring, the steppe in these places is more colorful than ever.
Northern and Central Ukraine
Ichnia National Park, Chernihiv Oblast
It is better to start discovering the Ukrainian Dnieper region with a trip to Ichnya, and April is the most wonderful month for this acquaintance. Ichnya National Nature Park offers its specially developed routes for getting acquainted with the ecology of the area for this purpose. There are two routes - "In the Ichenka Valley" and "Garden". The spring meadows of Chernihiv region resemble bright batik, and in the forests you can enjoy the fresh coolness and fragrant air.
The kingdoms of forests and rivers of Ichny have a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Here you can find specially equipped places for bonfires, stops that allow not only to rest, but also to see the largest possible number of representatives of flora and fauna during the parking lot. Modular houses allow you to make your vacation longer.
Arboretum "Olexandria", Kyiv region
The second half of April in this arboretum is especially attractive for many nature lovers. At this time, forest flowers are actively blooming, and the fragrant garden of magnolias and blooming lilacs will remain in the memory for a long time. This park very successfully combines natural and architectural wonders. At one time, its planning was similar to the best examples of European park art and was created according to its principles and laws.
Since April 15, the entrance to the park has been open and accessible to all from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. A ticket, both for adults and children, is purchased for a very reasonable fee, excursions are paid additionally. The park can also offer a visit to the museum, located right here, on the territory of the park, and in addition, visitors may be interested in a rope park or a zoo - for an additional fee you can walk there. And you can also hold a wedding ceremony here - and this event will be remembered by the newlyweds forever not only for its importance, but also for the feelings of natural beauty and power.
Rock "Chatsky's Head", Zhytomyr
However, not all vacationers are fanatical supporters of ecotourism and free recreation. There are also those who prefer comfortable urban conditions. For such people, there is an opportunity to meet spring near the rock "Chatsky's Head", which is located in Zhytomyr. This rock is a granite monolith that looks very picturesque, from the side you can guess a man's profile - hence the name.
This rock is located on the left bank of the Teterev River, at an altitude of 30 m above the level of the Zhytomyr Reservoir. Around the Zhytomyr Canyon, which is located here, the blooming nature of Polissya abounds. It is difficult for a person, seeing this beauty for the first time, to remember that all these landscapes are still within the city limits.
Landscape Park "Kremenchuk Plavni", Poltava region
Kremenchuk Plains are the nature of the Middle Dnieper Region, which is brightly represented by rare flowering plants and stunning landscapes. The city of Kremenchuk itself seems to be cut in half by the Dnieper, and both parts actively live a civilized life, while at the same time not shying away from nature. The regional landscape park "Kremenchuk Plains" is located here.
Reserves in Kremenchuk are located on the mainland and on the island. For example, on the island of Shalamay there is a granite lake, the age of granites is 2.7 billion years. The name of the island of Fantasy speaks for itself. In this park, experts have developed ecological routes that allow you to enjoy and fully appreciate the beauty of these places.
Dniester Canyon, Vinnytsia region
The Dniester Canyon is included in the rating of the seven natural wonders of Ukraine, moreover, it occupies an honorable place in it. This phenomenon unites several regions: Vinnytsia, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi and Chernivtsi.
Local rocks are a huge number of years old – from 350 million to 400 million. The Dniester provides a great opportunity to enjoy waterfalls, of which there are many. The most notable among them is the cascade near Khmeleva Podilska, as well as the large Dzhuryn waterfall. Here you can relax in the forest thickets, in the cool freshness of the trees, you can drink healing water from the springs, admire the early flowers, of which there are incredibly many here: adenium, ash, somniferum, primrose, almond. They densely cover the slopes. This picture is remembered for a long time by those who decided to meet spring in these parts.
Mikhailovskaya virgin forest reserve
In the north of Ukraine, the question "Where to go for a vacation?" is answered simply: "To the steppe nature reserve "Mykhailivska Tsilyna"". It is located in the west of the Lebedynsky district of the Sumy region. In the Ukrainian steppe, spring beauty is most clearly manifested, although, it would seem, this is quite unusual for the northern regions. But these places destroy the usual stereotypes. In the spring, daisies, cornflowers, delphiniums, flax, bluebells, astragalus, primrose, feather grass are woven into the steppe abundance in the Sumy region, and this long list can be continued. The steppes change dramatically with the appearance of herbs and flowers, and this carpet changes its colors from month to month.
Arboretum "Sofiivka", Cherkasy region
This park is called a garden-poem, and quite deservedly so. In spring, this poem is even more majestic and vivid than at any other time of the year. Perhaps there are no plants, flowers or trees that would not be in this park. Tulip trees, cherry blossoms, apple trees, pears, chestnuts, pink rhododendron, lilac, a large rose garden, marsh iris - this list is endless. You can watch and enjoy this aroma forever. Therefore, spring Sofiyivka is a paradise for lovers of nature, fragrant flowers and picturesque landscapes.
The flora, no matter how bright it is, is not the only value of the park: throughout the territory there are many different sculptures, architectural structures, just stones, and a lot of water. The park has been open since April 12, the entrance fee is small, excursions are usually paid separately.
Western Ukraine
National Nature Park "Podilskyi Tovtry", Khmelnytskyi region
Podilskie Tovtry combines the Chemerovetsky, Horodotsky, and Kamianets-Podilskyi districts of Khmelnytskyi Oblast. They also include the Tovtrovy Ridge - the Medobory nature reserve.
This area is also called Podolsk Switzerland. It stretches over the Zbruch and Dniester rivers, resembling the Ukrainian analogue of a reef. Green hills covered with flowers, Medoborsky primroses made Podolsk Tovtry one of the seven wonders of the world.
Bereznivskyi Arboretum, Rivne region
In the city of Berezne (Rivne region) there is one of the youngest arboretums in Europe. In this park you can find the nature of several continents: it is divided into different sections, such as "America", "Caucasus", "Far East", "Central Asia", "Siberia", "Crimea", "Carpathians", etc. Spring in this arboretum amazes with a cascade of ponds, blooming lilacs, birch groves, jasmine gardens, rose gardens... You can go on and on.
This area is a real natural gem, and students of the local forestry college also do their internship here, as it serves as a scientific base for Western Polissya. In the park you can see the island of love, which is a special decoration of the park.
Flowering route, Transcarpathia
In April, Transcarpathia delights with sakura blossoms in Uzhhorod, Mukachevo magnolias, and a valley of daffodils near Khust. And the Shipot waterfall at this time is more full and expressive than ever - spring adorns it.
You can visit the valley of daffodils during your vacation, it will cost very little, and the pleasure of such a visit will be limitless. You can walk through the Transcarpathian Museum of Folk Architecture and Life, where everything is very lush and blooms abundantly in spring. This is one of the most fragrant places in Uzhgorod. You can enjoy the Strong Shipot and magnolias above Latoritsa absolutely free of charge.
Shevchenko Grove, Lviv
You can be alone with nature in the city center, for example, in Lviv. You can do this by heading to the Museum of Folk Architecture and Life “Shevchenko Grove”. Chernecha Mountain and its grove will greet you with spring flowering trees and reveal grasses that carpet the ground. And it will become clear that it is time to prepare for Easter – because these preparations have already begun here. The ethnopark is open every day, the entrance fee is quite inexpensive and is available to everyone.
Tulip Valley, Mamayev Kurgan
The village of Mamaivtsi, located in the Kitsman district of the Chernivtsi region, is famous for its tulip valley, which makes it look like Holland. The area of the valley is about one hectare, where more than 60 varieties of Dutch tulips grow, diverse in shape and color. The range is from white or orange to dark red tones.
Mamayevka especially attracts tourists in the spring, when blooming tulips allow you to create beautiful photo shoots. Those who have already visited this valley at least once, then almost every spring strive to get here again. And those who want to grow such beauty in their garden or summer cottages can buy tulip bulbs here.
Lake Svityaz, Volyn
In Volyn Polissya is located Shatsk National Nature Park, and it in turn is famous for Lake Svityaz. This is one of the deepest lakes in Ukraine, one of our Ukrainian natural wonders. This lake is fed by artesian springs. It arose during the period when the continental glacier retreated, it is over 10 thousand years old. This explains the uniqueness of its nature, its plant world, and in spring it is seen even more brightly.
The purity of its waters allows the lake to be the second Baikal, but ours - Ukrainian. In the spring, the lake attracts nature lovers and avid fishermen. And the water in the lake itself is healing, capable of healing wounds, due to the fact that it contains silver, iodine, and most interestingly, glycerin.
Cave complex "Dovbush Rocks", Ivano-Frankivsk region
Historically, these rocks were called Bubnyshche - because they are located near the villages of Bubnyshche and Polyanytsia, which are in the Hutsul region (Ivano-Frankivsk region) and the village of Trukhaniv (Zalomy tract, Lviv region). The rocks are over 70 million years old. Their shape and number seem to transport tourists to the stone kingdom, which is what many travelers call these places.
The rocks are much talked about in legends and tales about the treasures of Oleksa Dovbush, the Ukrainian Robin Hood. According to legends, Dovbush's opryshki hid in these rocks in the 18th century. This cave complex is surrounded by natural treasures. Spring transforms the Hutsul region into a kingdom of lush herbs and trees.
Zarvanytsia, Ternopil region
The nature of the Ternopil region is most vividly expressed in Zarvanytsia, it is here that the Easter mood simply dissipates in the air, combining with natural spring aromas. Springs, rivers, flowers, herbs... In addition, nearby is the Mariyskyi Spiritual Center, hidden in the depths of the forest. These places serve as a place of spiritual purification, unity of the natural and material world for pilgrims and many travelers. Above the Strypa River is the Zarvanytsia Regional Landscape Park. The local nature is forest-steppe, many rare and endangered plants and herbs grow here. If you set a goal, here you can find the Eiffel saffron, spring adenium, forest anemone, forest lily and many other rare plants listed in the Red Book.
It is difficult to close the list of these rare and rich places of Ukraine, I want to replenish it again and again. And you don’t need to go somewhere far or prepare for the trip for too long, everything can be much closer and easier than it seems to us in the everyday hustle and bustle. The arrival of April calls forward, to open new horizons and enjoy new impressions!
Based on materials from igotoworld.com
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