Every year, when planning a vacation, most Ukrainians worry about choosing a vacation spot. Sometimes it is almost impossible to make a decision. Enjoy the mountain expanses or the melodious sound of the sea? Or maybe you can not choose one single place, but spend your vacation traveling from the West of the country to its South?
We suggest you immerse yourself in such a journey with us. Perhaps our description will help you create your own route for an inexpensive, interesting and memorable vacation in the vastness of your native country. The described route is designed for approximately 10-15 days and is based on your own journey, so some judgments may be subjective.
Lviv coffee shops or colorful bars - which is more interesting?
It would seem, what is the point of the city of Leo here? After all, a journey through the mountains and sea resorts is planned. But to get to the mountains, you first need to get to Lviv. Well, having come to such a colorful and interesting city, not staying in it for at least a day is a real crime. Of course, if you plan to spend as much time as possible contemplating the mountain landscapes, then we do not recommend staying in Lviv for a long time, but even in a day or two you can see a lot of interesting and unique things. There is certainly something to see in the city of Leo, but not everyone likes to go to museums and countless excursions, so you can choose an alternative option and walk through cozy cafes, themed bars and cafes, and still have time to admire the Lviv landscapes from the height of the Town Hall and walk around the city center.
As for the choice of establishments to visit here, everyone will be able to choose to their taste, because on the tourist's path there are cozy coffee shops that beckon with the aromas of coffee and delicious pastries, and the "Chocolate Workshop", where you can not only enjoy chocolate, but also contemplate the process of creating some chocolate masterpieces, and buy a chocolate souvenir for yourself and your loved ones. And the colorful "Kryivka", or the exciting and spicy cafe "Masoch", or "House of Legends" will not only treat you with delicious dishes and traditional drinks, but also greatly lift your mood with their humor and atmosphere.
So the most economical option to start your trip is to get to Lviv by train, stay in a hostel, and spend an unforgettable day or two in the old and romantic Lviv. And, filled with energy from the attractions of this city, we recommend heading to the next point on the route.
Carpathian tram
A ride on a narrow-gauge mountain tram that travels through the Carpathian expanses will simply take your breath away from contemplating the beauty of Ukrainian nature and mountain color, and will remain in your memory for a long time, causing incredible admiration. Riding this tram (it departs from the village of Vyhoda), you can see both turbulent rocky mountain rivers and bright overflows of grass and flowers and pastures. And the narrow wooden bridges over which the tram travels will simply take your breath away, especially when carts and cars pass by the tram. The journey itself lasts about four hours, during which there are many stops and interesting events. Along the way, you will come across musicians, an "uncle" with a gun, and the opportunity to have a snack and buy souvenirs.
This tram operates daily in the summer, and has two departures from 11:00 to 15:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00. It can also be booked for the whole day, for a wedding or any other celebration. The tram has covered and open cars.
Regarding prices and how to get there, there are several options:
- Travel from Lviv to Vyhoda by bus, exploring the beauty of the Carpathian rivers (the trip will cost approximately 70 UAH) and buy a tram ticket directly on the spot.
- Book an excursion from Lviv itself. This is what most tourists do, the cost of this option ranges from 300-400 UAH and includes visits to other places.
It is worth noting that housing in the village is not very good, so we recommend staying in the district center of Dolyna. Getting from Dolyna to Vyhoda is easy and inexpensive by taxi.
Important! When buying flowers through tour agencies, they usually offer open carriages, while if you buy a ticket on the spot, they mostly offer closed ones. Of course, it is better to choose open carriages, and the best places for contemplation are in front, as they say, on the "nose" of the tram.
Verkhovyna, or Where do the shadows of forgotten ancestors dwell?
We chose Verkhovyna as the next point of our tourist route. This is where Sergei Parajanov's cult film "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors" was filmed. These lands are not just beautiful, they are incredible. Here you can see some of the most picturesque Carpathian landscapes, from here it is easy to get to the mountains to climb them, here you can walk for hours, spend unforgettable moments riding horses and visit several interesting museums.
Although Verkhovyna is not a big town, you can find accommodation here without any problems. There is also a market where you can buy “forest treasures” (mushrooms, berries, etc.) and souvenirs. There is also a supermarket in the town – so there will be no problems with provisions.
From Verkhovyna you can go to the mountains. To climb Hoverla, you need to get to the Zaroslyak tourist base, which is a 20-minute drive from the town (it is advisable to go either by your own transport or with a tour, because the distance from the highway to the base is about 90 kilometers).
Or you can choose a lesser-known mountain called "White Mare", which can be reached on foot. The road to this mountain starts near the hospital and goes uphill to the chapel. After the chapel, turn right and continue along the field path. We advise you not to rush when climbing the mountain, but to fully enjoy the beauty of the views that open up.
Climbing up, you can meet individual houses among fragrant herbs and flowers. It seems that this microworld is far from civilization: local residents say that they go to the city once or twice a month, mostly for shopping, children from these families study in boarding schools and are home only on weekends. Almost every such yard has cows or goats, so most of the products here are produced independently. Climbing up the mountain, you can also buy Carpathian delicacies, freshly baked bread and cheese with fruit.
On the way to the meadow, you will come across a spring with cool and tasty water, which locals consider useful and healing. And then - a mysterious forest rich in berries and mushrooms.
From the top, a fantastically beautiful view of the valleys and the blue of the distant mountains opens up.
Tips for comfortable mountain climbing:
- stock up on enough water,
- wear only comfortable and sturdy shoes,
- wear light, spacious and comfortable clothing that will not be too tight, but will reliably protect from sunlight,
- be sure to wear a hat,
- use sunscreen cosmetics.
You can also walk across the suspension bridge across the river in Verkhovyna. It's a real attraction and balance training.
The Lost World of Kryvorivny
Not far from Verkhovyna is the village of Kryvorivnya, where the Ukrainian intelligentsia has long loved to relax. It was here that Ivan Franko lived in the summer. When you get to this place, it seems that you have found yourself in an extraordinary and strange magical world. The feeling is as if you are in a green ring of mountains, in the middle of which flows a clean, sung river - Cheremosh.
Sometimes it seems that the idea to create a jacuzzi arose after visiting the Black Cheremosh. The water in the river heats up well during the day, and by the evening it becomes warm like steamed milk, and the rapid flow of the river boils and foams, colliding with stone blocks on its way. You can try swimming in this place, but it is worth remembering that the current is very strong and you need to hold on tightly to the stones so as not to fall with the current and not get injured. You can also have fun rafting on the Cheremosh.
Near the village, you can climb Mount Dovbushanka, or it is also called Sinitsa. On the way to the top, you will come across a few abandoned houses that still remind you of what Ukrainian life was like a few centuries ago.
Once you reach the top, you have one desire - to pitch a tent and stay here as long as possible, to enjoy the aroma of mountain flowers and herbs, listen to the sonorous babbling of a spring, and admire the fluffy clouds.
You can walk a little further and see a unique and practically sacred place for local residents - Dovbush's granaries. These are two connected rocks that form a deep gorge.
We would like to note that the ancient flavor of the Hutsul region is gradually being replaced by modern buildings and technologies, and is slowly disappearing. So don't miss the opportunity to join these unique and native species and landscapes.
Kosiv – souvenir market
The city of Kosiv is home to one of the most famous and colorful markets for Ukrainian souvenirs and Ukrainian arts and crafts. Unfortunately, the market is open only on Saturdays, but there are many shops with all kinds of goods in the town. Also, in Kosiv you can enjoy dishes cooked in a real oven according to ancient recipes.
You can get to the city by bus from Verkhovyna, the journey will take about an hour and a half, but you should be prepared that the trip will not be entirely comfortable.
The way to the South through Ivano-Frankivsk
While waiting for your transport to the next point of the route, you can take a walk through the center of Frankivsk, visit the City Hall, treat yourself to a delicious pizza with porcini mushrooms - such pizza is prepared only here, taste delicious Boykovo beer or various desserts made from blueberries or carrots. And then head further, to Zalizny Port, towards new impressions.
Iron Port
Once in the Iron Port, you may feel confused and a little disappointed by the gloom and some neglect of the old buildings. The contrast between the conditions and prices of Western Ukraine will also become apparent, but all these troubles are leveled out on the embankment. When you first get here, it seems that Koktebel, Alushta and Sudak have strangely mixed together. Here you have the opportunity to taste the delicacies of the sea, and the opportunity to relax on the attractions, and in the evening enjoy the vivid impressions of foam parties, dancing and loud music.
There is also a mini-aquapark and the opportunity to ride a banana boat in the Iron Port.
The beaches are usually very crowded, and if you don't really like just lying in the sun, you can walk along the coast to the Black Sea Reserve, or in the other direction - to wild beaches with isolated tents. Enjoying the sea views, the sound of the waves and the sea breeze, you can't get to the Reserve from the Port side, but despite this, the walk will be bright and interesting.
From Zalizny Port, excursions are regularly taken to Askania-Nova, to Geyser or to Dzharylgach Island. It is practically impossible to get to the island on your own. There is a motor ship from Skadovsk, but unfortunately there is no direct minibus or other transport, so you need to use the services of excursion bureaus. You can also use yachts and go to the island on them, but the price for such a trip will be higher, and the stay time will be shorter, compared to a motor ship.
Dzharylgach is a deserted island with a comfortable and equipped beach, there is a place to relax and have a bite to eat, but it is somehow illogical to get to a deserted island and stay on a crowded beach. So you can go along the coast and get into the real kingdom of birds and small islands. Time flies when contemplating and enjoying the island, so we recommend using a motor ship and being able to stay on the island all day.
Three or four days on the sea coast float by unnoticed and it is time to return home. The easiest way to get to any part of Ukraine from Kherson, and to Kherson from Zalizny Port is by bus. The system of transporting vacationers is interesting and convenient. Almost on every corner there is a ticket office where you can buy a ticket to Kherson and the bus will pick you up right at this ticket office.
Kherson
Once you reach Kherson and are waiting for your train or bus, you can stroll around the city, visit the embankment, buy tomatoes and eggplants, and feel the spirit of a real port city. Stroll through the parks or visit the Remains of the Kherson Fortress. Fortunately, all these places are nearby, so two hours will be enough to see Kherson.
Advantages and disadvantages of vacationing in the West and South of the country
Finally, I would like to note that the contrast between the chic and colorful West and the maritime South is certainly felt. This is noticeable in prices, living conditions, food, and travel. In Western Ukraine, prices are lower, and conditions are sometimes many times better, but transport is worse.
Of course, you can choose a different route and get completely different impressions and memories, but a vacation at sea or in the mountains will fill you with energy and new plans. It will allow you to see new places and experience the beauty of your country from a different perspective each time.
Based on materials from igotoworld.com.
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