Kiev Pechersk Lavra - architectural masterpiece

   Kiev called the city of domes. In fact, the church architecture of Kiev captivates and lures. None of the pilgrims or just a tourist will not remain indifferent to its beauty and grandeur. 

   A special place among ecclesiastical architecture takes the Kiev Pechersk Lavra.

   The wonderful ensemble of the monastery, crowned with almost hundred-meter bell tower - it is an integral and significant part of the skyline of the city,that witnessed many generations.

   Kiev Pechersk Lavra is one of the first monasteries in Kiev Rus. Founded in 1051and to this day is a testament to the talent and effort of many people. The monastery became the center of Slavic Christianity, and a place of pilgrimage. 

Warm days are here!

   At last the winter is really gone!
   Easter holidays brought us warmth and beauty of true Spring. Our family does a little traveling around Ukraine these days - we are visiting Kherson. Soon we come back to Kiev - back to busy life in a big city. And soon you will see new interesting articles about Ukraine. And for now - enjoy some photos.

Euro 2012 in Ukraine!

    Today in Ukraine, everyone lives in anticipation of  Euro 2012. Some more, some less, but still waiting. There are only two months before the momentous event.

     Carrying out of Euro 2012 Poland and Ukraine will share. In Ukraine four cities are hosting soccer matches: Kiev, Lviv, Donetsk and Harkov.

    Olympic Stadium in Kiev is - one of the best stadiums where football matches will take place during Euro 2012. The first match on its field will be held on June 11 between the teams of Ukraine and Sweden. On the same day in Donetsk the team of England will perform against the team from France. Prior to that, in Kharkov, the Netherlands play against Denmark, in Lviv, Germany plays against Portugal. During the entire period of the Euro 2012 championship in Ukraine will be held 16 matches. One of which will be the Final.

Do I need a visa to travel to Ukraine?

     It is great if you decided to travel to Ukraine. But before packing your suitcases check out if you need visa to enter Ukraine. 

      All categories of visas are issued by diplomatic missions or consular offices of Ukraine in your country.

     To obtain a tourist visa required documents include travel vouchers and insurance, as well as hotel room or apartment re. For this purpose, we need to send the following copies of documents and data:
    • a copy of the passport;
    • the planned dates of stay in Ukraine;
    • choose a hotel or apartment.
      Visas for foreigners are dependent on the purpose of their trip to Ukraine, and presence of the prepared documents. Issured visas can be short-term, they are issued for a period less than six months and long-term, they are issued for a period from half a year to one year for single, double and multiple enterance, and there are collective visas. Validity of visas can be extended in Ukraine after arrival.
    If your country and Ukraine have international agreements on visa-free trips you enter Ukraine without a visa using the documents, valid for travel abroad. You should have an insurance policy, and properly issued invitation from the legal or physical persons in Ukraine, unless there are other conditions to enter Ukraine. 

    Find your country in the chart to see if you need visa (please in any casecontact Ukrainian embassy to check if any changes were applied) :

Open-air museums - area of history and culture.

     Ukraine is a very modern country. If you come to Kiev today - you will see that every one has a mobile phone or even two. Laptop, IPhone, Ipad - is not a nonsense here. Cars vary from cheap to expensive and rare items.  Skyscraperі are rising every day higher and higher. Except for the monuments of architecture that have survived to our days, remind us the ancient history of Kiev and about the impressive age of the city.

     But there is a simple way to travel back to past. Just go to one of the open-air museums or historical parks in Kiev or outside the city.  

    There are several places you can visit. Let me tell you about them.

    "Museum of Folk Architecture and Life in Ukraine," usually called "Pirogovo Museum". 

      It is an open-air museum. It can be described as Ukraine is in a nutshell, the historic landscape. 
    The museum is divided into historical regions displaying terrain and historical flavor. Here you can find more than 300 pieces of folk architecture and construction. Among them are traditional houses, windmills, workshops and even one of the oldest, but still existing authentic churches. 
     In Pirogovo you can not only enjoy nature and historic architecture but ride horses, play Ukrainian folk games, enjoy a delicious meal, take part in a festival. In summer and autumn, often confined to national holidays, festivals of Folk Arts are held. Blacksmiths, seamstresses, potters and other artisans demonstrate their skills. 
     If you want to enjoy the nature and the atmosphere of traditional Ukraine - Pirogovo is the place to go to. 
Website: www.pirogovo.com.ua - unfortunately not English version.