As one of the largest countries in continental Europe, the Ukraine is currently turning into a hot holiday destination filled with an exciting offering of Slavic history and tradition. There’s a lot to see as it takes on a brand new, modern identity while remaining deeply proud of its past. Here are some highlights.
UNESCO sites of Kiev
There are many incredible historic sites in the city of Kiev and you’ll probably want to explore as many as possible during your stay. Two of the most popular are Saint Sophia Cathedral and the Pechersk Lavra Monastery, with its catacombs and mummified saints dating back almost 1000 years. Ask our travel specialists about arranging a special tour of Kiev’s UNESCO sites as part of your holiday.
Ruins of Ancient City of Khersones
The ancient city of Khersones, or what is left of it, is located on the picturesque shore of the Black Sea, outside Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine. Our travel specialists can help you arrange accommodation close to what’s been called the Ukrainian Pompeii. You can wander around as part of a visit to the National Historical-Archaeological Museum and marvel at the 1935 Basilica – the most famous basilica excavated in Chersonesus.
Castle and historic centre of Kamianets-Podilskyi
Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle is a pretty open-air museum and one of the oldest places in the Ukraine. Its history dates back over a thousand years and borders both Christian and Muslim cultures. Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle is a former Polish castle, located in the picturesque historic city of Kamianets-Podilskyi. It was initially built as a fortress and now you can soak up a taste of history as you wander around the military garrisons.
Bagçesaray Palace of the Crimean Khans
As an astoundingly compact architectural ensemble of 17 buildings and nine inner closed courtyards in the town of Bakhchysarai, Crimea, the Bagçesaray Palace of the Crimean Khans makes a great cultural day out on your holiday to the Ukraine.
The decoration of the Bagçesaray Palace of the Crimean Khans represents various colourful architectural and art styles that were popular in the Crimean Khanate back in the 15th to 18th centuries. You can experience what it must have been like as a monarch of the Crimean Khanate, visiting a mosque, harem, fountains, basins, gardens, parks and closed inner courtyards.
Go hiking in Balaklava
Balaklava is changing quickly from its role as a working port and secret submarine base for the Soviets to a great hiking destination. The dramatic coastline with its array of period houses on the waterfront makes for long, attractive walks, and the complex maze of tunnels below ground in the hillsides add an exciting touch of mystery. Ask our travel specialists about tours and holidays in Balaklava.
Get down to a cave town: Chufut-Kale
If you really want to get your explorer’s hat on in the Ukraine, head to Chufut-Kale, one of the best preserved cave towns close to Bakhchysarai and a national monument of Crimean Karaite culture. Relatively inaccessible, our travel experts can arrange a tour, but once you’re there you’ll be amazed by the ancient home of late Sarmatian tribes from the 6th century.
For advice and information on booking your holiday to the Ukraine, contact our expert travel specialists today.
