Best of Ukraine

Citizens of US, Canada, EU, Japan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Principality of Andorra, Vatican (The Holly See), the Principality of Monaco, the Republic of Iceland, the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of San Marino do not need a visa to enter Ukraine if the period of their stay does not exceed 90 days.

For all those, who enter Ukraine with the purpose of employment, permanent residency, study and work at the diplomatic missions in Ukraine or with any other purpose if they are going to stay in Ukraine for more than 90 days, visas are required.

Be aware, that either upon arrival or while on board you will be asked to fill in the Immigration Card, one part of which they'll take at the customs and another part you'll have to keep during your stay in Ukraine.

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Ukrainian language (ukrayins’ka mova) is the official language of Ukraine. It is one of the East Slavic languages like Russian and Belorussian. These languages use the Cyrillic alphabeth. Ukrainian language is currently emerging from a long period of decline. But it is mostly prevalent in Western Ukraine (where it undergone some Polish influence).
In Kiev (Kyiv), both languages Ukrainian and Russian are spoken. Actually, this is a notable shift from the recent past when the city was primarily Russian speaking. The shift is caused, largely, by an influx of migrants from the western regions of Ukraine but also by some Kievans' turning to use the language they speak at home more widely in everyday matters. In northern and central Ukraine, Russian is the language of the urban population, while in rural areas Ukrainian or a mix of Ukrainian and Russian (called "surzhik") is much more common. This is also true of much of the south and the east. But you can hardly find anybody speaking Ukrainian in Crimea.
It'll be wise to learn at least several Ukrainian or Russian travel words and phrases.

Remember: English pronoun "You" translates into Ukrainian in two ways: "Vy" as a polite form and "Ty" - familiar.

Ukrainian Currency is called Hryvnia (UAH), which was introduced on the 2nd of September 1996. One Hryvnia equals 100 kopiykas. There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Hryvnia bills.

You can change money at the airport but the rate is not as good as in town. However you will need to have some local currency to get you to your Hotel. You should be able to get by changing $20 or $30 at the airport, then the bulk of your monetary needs at a local money exchange point or at the bank later in town. Don’t change money with strangers on the street!! You will probably be tricked into losing your money and it’s ILLEGAL!!

Banks in Ukraine are normaly open to the Public Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 5 p.m., and on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. Please note however that the Cashier's will close their windows an hour earlier. They will also close for lunch from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. ATM machines are a safer option at or near the Bank, or at large shopping centers. It's better to avoid using ATM's at the local "bazar" (market) areas or next to little street kiosks and stores.

Kiev or Kyiv... One of the greatest cities in Europe. Honore de Balzac, the famous French novelist, wrote: "Petersburg is a young city, Moscow is an ancient city, but Kyiv is the eternal city. It is a Northern Rome."

There are a lot of places you wouldn't want to miss in Kiev.
For example, Khreschatik Street is Kiev's, most famous "strip"and one of the cities most congested during the week.. It is a wide boulevard shadowed by an elegent array of ancient chestnut trees that add a warmness to Kiev's splendid architecture. The street includes three squares: Besarabs'ka, Maidan Nezalezhnosti and Yevropeis'ka (European). The area includes many shops, international boutiques, banks, luxurious restaurants, cafes, hotels and various governmental buildings.

With many administrative buildings, fine shops, theatres, cinemas, hotels and restaurants, the street became one of the very best streets of the city, the so called "Grand Avenue" of Kiev.

Today's modern Khreschatik remains one of Kiev's major attractions. Kievians adore this street, as well do guests to Kyiv who look forward to a stroll down Kiev's finest avenue, taking in all of it's charming atmosphere.

On the weekends Khreschatik Street is closed to traffic, so one may be able to enjoy the many different side-shows, street music, and various entertainers all competing for your attention.

There are a lot to see in Kiev and Ukraine. Kiev Sightseeing is "not to miss" part during your trip to Ukraine. “The city of 200 churches”, “the city of golden domes” and “the Jerusalem of the lands of Rus” – These were words that foreign merchants used to describe the glory and splendor of Kyiv in eastern and western lands.

If you are in Ukraine you can listen to Ukrainian music and bands at several places: Art Club 44, Khreschatik Street, 44, Docker Pub, Bohatyrs'ka 9, Metro Heroiv Dnipra or at Kvartira Baboon, Khoriva 1/2, Podil district
During 70 years of Soviet Union Ukrainian musicians has been fighting for their right to rock. Ukraine was a leader in the fight of free-minded people and dissidents. Oppression was such that the smallest step toward an opposite viewpoint was punished very severely, seemingly even more severely than in Moscow. So was can say that Ukrainian rock is a pure art form of creative, openhearted people. Just for your information you can listen to couple tunes here: Ukrainian music