Ukraine tours & holidays

Ukraine, like many of its Eastern European counterparts, boasts a temperate climate that delivers hot summers, mild autumns and icy winters. With the warm summer sending locals and tourists to the Crimea and the Black Sea coast, many theatres and attractions close down or become quite crowded. For those seeking to avoid the crowds, spring (or early autumn) can be an excellent time to visit Ukraine, as the weather is normally quite pleasant and the scenery at its most spectacular. 

Winters can be bitterly cold, with temperatures reaching as low as -25C; however, ample snow provides excellent skiing in the Carpathian Mountains.

Centuries old and yet only newly formed as a country (it became independent from Russia in 1991), Ukraine is brought together by tradition but in many ways is still establishing its national identity. Travelling here, you will notice the lasting resilience of the people and preserved culture across both Russian and Ukrainian speakers, from the cities to the mountains. A large gap exists between the working class and the country’s elite, and poverty is widespread. 

Ukrainians are very proud of their heritage, evident in the enduring popularity of events like Sorochinsky Yarmarok (a large folk festival) and local folk music celebrations. Age-old traditions are also highly valued. Painted Easter eggs (pysanky), for instance, are a Ukrainian practice dating back more than one thousand years. 

For years, Ukraine was called ‘the breadbasket of Europe’ because of its dark, rich soil, which allowed the cultivation of a wide range of crops. Cooking traditions stem from a practical desire to warm the belly during cold winters rather than splash out with fancy gastronomy. Dishes are mild but hearty, and tend to centre on grains, potatoes, cabbage, beets, mushrooms, pork and fish. Russian, Polish, Austrian, Jewish and Hungarian influences have also notably shaped Ukrainian cuisine.

Things to try in Ukraine

1. Borscht

Locals will proudly tell you that borscht is not Russian or Polish – it’s Ukrainian. Tonnes of variations exist, but all versions of borscht contain beetroot, which gives this soup its distinct red colour. It can be eaten hot or cold, but is almost always served with a dollop of sour cream. Vegetarians take note: even ‘vegetarian’ versions are usually made with beef stock. 

2. Golubtsi (cabbage rolls)

Take seasoned rice and meat, stew it in a tomato and sour cream sauce, then roll it in cabbage leaves to make this popular snack. 

3. Varenyky (perogis)

These half-moon shaped dumplings can be filled with almost anything and are usually topped with sour cream, fried onions or honey.

4. Salo

Those partial to rich meats can try salo (cured pig fat), a national dish in Ukraine. Historically eaten as a cheaper alternative to meat, many believe regular consumption of salo will lead to a long and healthy life (whether nutritionists agree may be another story). It can be smoked or lightly seasoned with garlic, paprika or black pepper.

5. Chicken Kiev

Does this famous dish actually originate from Ukraine’s capital? Nobody really knows. Some argue it has Russian or French origins. At any rate the tasty dish, made with pounded chicken and stuffed with garlic butter, is often served on the bone in Kyiv (Kiev).

Bordering Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Russia, as well as the Black Sea, Ukraine has always held somewhat of a strategic position in continental Europe. It's divided in half by the Dnieper River, an important trading artery and the site of many dams and hydroelectric stations. 

As the second largest country in Europe, Ukraine boasts an incredible variety of landscapes, many of which change complexion dramatically with the seasons. To the west lie the Carpathian Mountains, which include the country's highest peak, Mt Hoverla (2,061 m). To the south is the Black Sea coast, the port town of Odessa and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. This popular holiday spot is renowned for its Mediterranean climate and unique landscapes that include limestone plateaux and volcanic rock formations.

Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, is located in the north on the banks of the Dnieper River. The country's north is renowned for its dense forests, while the central region consists of mainly open fields and plains.