About the county

Ukraine which is located in Eastern Europe is one of the largest country in that region of Europe bordering Russia in the northeast, Belarus in the north, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary in the west, Romania and Moldova in the southwest and also Black Sea and Sea of Azov in the south. It is a popular tourist destination especially for tourists from Western Europe and North America. The main selling point is the rich historical character of the country with as many five hundred cities dating back as early as nine hundred years. Visitors are spellbound by the architectural beauty of Ukraine. Kiev is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine where most travelers begin their journey.

Population & Languages

Ukraine has a population of roughly 46.7 million and the official language is Ukrainian. The other languages spoken here are Russian, Romanian, Polish and Hungarian.

Electricity

Voltage – 220 volts, Frequency – 50Hz. Standard European Round pin attachment plug

Geographic Location

Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe bordering Russia in the northeast, Belarus in the north, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary in the west, Romania and Moldova in the southwest and also Black Sea and Sea of Azov in the south. The strategic location of Ukraine between Asia and Europe made it a transportation hub in the region.

Local Customs

Ukrainians are warm hearted and welcoming people. Casual dressing is mostly worn here though it will be a good idea to wear smartly for theatres. Small gifts are appreciated. Tipping is not very common; service is usually included in fine restaurants and hotel bills.

Places to see
St Sophia Cathedral ? As old as nine centuries, it is one of the architectural marvels of Ukraine.
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Caves Monastery) ? These caves are as old as one millennium and dating back to 11th century.
Great Patriotic War Museum
Statue of the Motherland, Kiev

Travel

By Air ? The national airline of Ukraine is Ukrainian International Airlines. In collaboration with Aer Fi Group and Austrian Airline it links Kyiv to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Rome, Rotterdam, Vienna and Zurich. There is one more airline in Ukraine called Air Ukraine which serves relatively less number of European cities. Lviv is also connected to New York, Warsaw and Washington. It is connected to Turkey through Simferopol and to UK through IvanoFrankivsk. The major airport is Boryspil State International Airport (KBP) which is located twenty five miles from Kiev.

By Sea ? The primary ports of Ukraine are Izmail and Odessa which are situated on the River Danube. The ferry services connect Ukraine with Russia and Georgia. They also connect various cities on the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Sevastopol is the port which connects Istanbul, Turkey.

By Rail ? Ukraine has approximately 14,000 miles of railway tracks linking most towns and cities. Kyiv and Lviv are the main stations which connect with Moscow on a daily basis. Ukraine also has direct lines to Berlin (Germany), Budapest (Hungary), Warsaw (Poland) and Bucharest (Romania).

By Road ? Ukraine has an extensive network of roads with approximately 107,000 mile of road network out of which nearly 18,000 mile is main or national roads.

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 gm tobacco
2. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine or 32 liter beer
3. Goods for personal use with a combined value of ?200

Prohibited Items
Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

The Caribbean is famous for its collection of small islands, warm climate, wonderful hotel resorts, and amazing beaches. The atmosphere created by in the Caribbean is ideal for those looking to get married, honeymooners, or just couples looking to get away. While the Caribbean may appeal to those looking for romance, it is also a great area to vacation with your family.

As with any other area of the world, selecting a Caribbean vacation destination can be a difficult task. In the Caribbean there are so many vacation destinations to choose from and they are all similar, in one way or another. If you experience difficulty narrowing your search down to just one destination, you are encouraged to review some of the most popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean. Below is an overview of five popular Caribbean destinations that attract beachgoers from all around the world.

The Turks & Caicos Island is located in Atlantic Ocean. The two islands are not far from the Bahamas. These Caribbean islands are most noted for their beautiful beaches and underwater adventures. The ocean water, near the Turks & Caicos Island, is home to large coral reefs. These reefs bring in tourists from all around the world. Aside from traditional beach activities, you can enjoy fishing, diving, and snorkeling.

St. John is located in Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. Many claim that the St. John beaches are the best in all of the Caribbean. St. John visitors are encouraged to visit Trunk Bay. Trunk Bay is owned and protected by the United States National Park Service. Aside from traditional beachfront activities, Trunk Bay is well known for their snorkeling tours. Trained, underwater guides and markers make the Turk Bay snorkeling adventure one of the best in the world.

Canouan Island is located in the Grenadines, which can also be found in the Caribbean. Canouan Island comes highly recommend from beach lovers. Beach activities include wind surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and sailing. Canouan Island is most well known for its private and intimate settings. While many beaches in and around the Caribbean fill up each year with tourist, Canouan Island is still relatively undiscovered.

The tagline for Jamaica is “no wonder hearts beat faster in Jamaica.” This tourist slogan is accurate in more ways than one. Jamaica is home to wonderful beaches, including Seven Mile Beach. While Jamaica has a number of beach resorts that are so beautiful it is often hard to describe, they are most well-known for their music and fun offshore activities. Vacationers visiting Jamaica will not leave the island unsatisfied.

The Cayman Islands is another popular summer vacation destination in the Caribbean. All three islands, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac are home to a number of popular beaches, the most popular Being Seven Mile Beach. Seven Mile Beach is located on the Grand Cayman Island. All three islands offer numerous on and offshore activities. With Seven Mile Beach being one of the most well-known beaches in the Caribbean, it is often packed with travelers. Vacationers looking for more intimate settings in the Cayman Islands often vacation at one of the two smaller islands. Of course, you could always visit all three if you wish to.

Millions of tourists flock the Caribbean for their summer vacations. If you have yet to visit the Caribbean area, you are encouraged to get down there and see what you have been missing. Whether you choose to vacation at one of the above mentioned Caribbean destinations or you select another, you are sure to have a vacation that will be impossible to forget.

This year a large number of couples and families intend to take a summer vacation. Summer vacations are popular. In fact, they are so popular that it is likely that you are interested in taking one. When it comes to booking a summer vacation, there are a number of ways that you can make your reservations.

Before making summer vacation reservations, you will have to select a summer vacation destination. Without a destination in mind, it is impossible to make reservations. When selecting a summer vacation destination, it is important that you consider a number of factors. These factors should include whether you are traveling with children, the age of your children, and the cost of travel. Keeping these factors in mind will enable you to select the summer vacation destination that will best fit your needs.

After you have selected a summer vacation destination, you can begin to make reservations. A large number of amusement parks, campgrounds, and hotels in the United States do not require reservations. Despite the fact that reservations may not be required, it is still advised that you make them. Popular summer vacation “hotspots,” quickly fill up with vacationing tourists. Without the proper reservations, you may be left without the necessary accommodations.

When it comes to booking a summer vacation, a large number of travelers use the assistance of a travel agent. Travel agents are individuals who specialize in researching and arranging vacations for their clients. Travel agents are popular because they allow clients to spend more time completing their daily activities, instead of having to research and plan a summer vacation.

If given the opportunity most families would prefer to use the services of a travel agent. Unfortunately, services of a travel agent do not come free. If you are interested in planning a summer vacation, on a budget, you may want to consider making your own reservations. In a few simple minutes, you could easily make reservations online or over the phone. Not only should your reservations include hotel accommodations, but travel accommodations as well.

Aside from car travel, air travel is one of the most preferred methods of travel for arriving at summer vacation destinations. If you are interested in booking your airline reservations online, you need to find the online website of the airline you wish to fly with. Popular airlines include, but are not limited to, Delta, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. Each of these airlines has an online website that should allow the online booking of reservations.

Unless you are camping outdoors, it is likely that you will need to reserve a hotel room. Unless you plan on staying at smaller resort, you should be able to make online reservations. Most of the well known hotel chains, including Holiday Inn, Hampton Inns, Super 8, and Motel 6, have online websites. Specialty resorts that are located in popular summer vacation destinations, including California or Florida, are likely to also allow online booking.

When it comes to overnight stays, most individuals would prefer to stay at a hotel, but not everyone. A large number of families enjoy vacations that are centered on the outdoors. These vacations often involve camping outdoors. Even if you plan on vacationing at a state park or a public campground, you are still urged to make a reservation. Public campgrounds and state parks are often limited on the amount of camping space they have. Making a reservation will ensure that you are guaranteed a place to set up your tent or park your RV trailer.

To book a popular vacation destination, but at a discount, you may want to looking the services offered by online travel websites. These websites tend to offer discounts on popular hotels, airlines, and restaurants all around the world. The only downside to using the services offered by an online discount travel website is that they tend to focus only on popular summer vacation destinations. If you are looking to vacation at an unknown resort, you may be unable to use the services of a discount travel website.

Whether you choose to use the services of a discount travel website, a professional travel agent, or you intend you make your own vacation reservations, you are encouraged to take the appropriate steps. Anticipating room at the hottest summer vacation destinations is a costly mistake that could possibly ruin your vacation. Don’t make that mistake; book your reservations ahead of time.