Overview
Ukraine is one of the oldest countries in Europe. No one would ever guess that a country that has been marred by political violence for so long could be so beautiful, but it is. The Ukraine enjoys the great Carpathian Mountains (home of such infamous and legendary characters as Vlad Dracul (Dracula) and Countess Elizabeth Bathory), the Black Sea, the Central Plains and the Crimean Peninsula. The area is a popular Russian holiday destination and region. The Ukraine is also home to some of the most beautiful cities in Europe including Kyiv, Lviv and Odessa.

Historical landmarks, ancient architecture, glorious landscapes, waterways and driving routes will keep you busy for days. For example, Kyiv, the capitol of the Ukraine, is where both the Kyiv Rus state and the Russian state originated. There are examples of both Renaissance and Baroque architecture throughout Lviv, which happens to be one of the oldest cities in continental Europe and the largest Opera house in the world can be found in Odessa.

Ukraine Basics

• Currency: Hryvnya
• Language: Ukrainian
• Climate: Temperate with cold, snowy winters and warm summers.
• Capitol: Kyiv

Electrical
220 volts. Travelers are cautioned to purchase a converter to operate small appliances and laptop computers for use in Ukraine. Adapter plugs will be needed for plugging appliances into standard European sockets.

Visa Requirements
Check with your local Ukrainian embassy or consulate to determine exact requirements regarding visas and passports for travel into Ukraine. Americans can stay in Ukraine for up to 90 days without a tourist visa. Passports are required to have at least 90 days validity following expected departure date from Ukraine, though it's recommended you have at least 6 months of validity on your passport before traveling to any foreign destination.

Countries that may visit Ukraine without a visa for up to 90 days also include:

• Austria
• Canada
• France
• Japan
• Spain
• Russia
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Tajikistan

Money
Credit cards are not commonly accepted by vendors in Ukraine. Travelers are advised to convert their cash denominations to the local Hryvnya. Be advised that if you take more than US $1,000 US to Ukraine, you'll need to fill out a customs form, with a limit of US $10,000. Travelers checks are not generally accepted, but if you take them, have them made out to U.S. dollars and convert at local banks as needed.

Airlines in Ukraine
The major international airport in Ukraine is Boryspil International Airport, though several others accept international flights. Some of the most common airlines servicing Ukraine include:

• Ukraine International Airlines
• Aerosvit airlines
• Aeroflot
• Air France
• British Airways
• Delta
• Lufthansa
• Royal Jordanian
• Turkish airlines

Ukraine Country Dialing Code
You may need to dial an exit country code before dialing Ukraine. For example, the exit country code for the U.S. is 011. The country dialing code for Ukraine is 380. So, for example, an American calling a city in Ukraine needs to dial:
[011] + 380 + [city code] + [telephone number]

Embassies in Ukraine
Embassy of the USA in Kiev, Ukraine
10 Yuriya Kotsiubynskoho
Kiev, Ukraine 04053
Country Code: 380
City Code: 44
tel: 490 - 4000
fax: (8 044) 490 - 4085, 244 - 7350 
e-mail: webmaster@usEmbassy.kiev.ua
www.usemb.kiev.ua
hours: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 18.00

Embassy of the United Kingdom in Kiev, Ukraine
9 Desyatinna Street
Kiev, Ukraine 01025
tel: (+380 44) 490 - 3660
fax: (+380 44) 490 - 3662
hours: Monday to Thursday: 9.00 - 13.00, 14.00 - 17.30; Friday: 9.00 - 13.00, 14.00 - 16.00

Embassy of Argentina in Kiev, Ukraine
36 I. Franka Street
Kiev, Ukraine 01901
tel: (8 044) 238 - 6922, 490 - 2516
fax: (8 044) 238 - 6922
e-mail: argemb@ukrpack.net
www.argamb.ukrpack.net
hours: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 13.00, 13.30 - 17.00

Embassy of Austrian Republic in Kiev, Ukraine
33 Ivan Franko Street
Kiev, Ukraine 01030 p.o. box 209/8
tel: (8 044) 244 - 3943, 244 - 3942, 289 - 5759
fax: (8 044) 230 - 2352, 289 - 5759
e-mail: kiew-ob@bmaa.gv.at
hours: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 17.00 
 
Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan  in Kiev, Ukraine
24 Glybochistka Street
Kiev, Ukraine 04050
tel: (8 044) 244 - 6940, 484 - 6940
fax: (8 044) 230 - 6946, 484 - 6932
e-mail: admin@azembass.kiev.ua
hours: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 18.00
   
Embassy of Canada in Kiev, Ukraine
31 Yaroslaviv Val  
Kiev, Ukraine 01901
tel: (8 044) 464 - 1144
fax: (8 044) 464 - 1130, 464 - 1131, 464 - 1133
e-mail: kyiv@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
hours: Monday - Friday 8.30 - 13.00, 14.00 - 17.00
     
Embassy of France in Kiev, Ukraine
39 Reytarska Street
Kiev, Ukraine
tel: (8 044) 590 - 3600, 590 - 3680
fax: (8 044) 590 - 3624
e-mail: scfr@carrier.kiev.ua
www.ambafrance-ua.org
hours: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 13.00, 15.00 - 18.30

10 Fun Things to do in Ukraine

• Go to the Opera in Lviv
• Explore the catacombs in Sevastopol
• Test the wine at Yalta
• Snowboard the Carpathian Mountains
• Ski at the Bukovel resort
• Tour the nuclear disaster site at Chernobyl
• Celebrate with the locals during Kyiv Days
• Swim the Dnieper River
• Celebrate the Orthodox Epiphany with the locals at Kyiv
• Explore a Submarine base at Sevastopol

Conclusion
Whether you’re traveling for fun or to enjoy  activities, history, health tourism or any combination of the three, the Ukraine is a great place to visit. It’s one of the oldest and largest countries in Europe that enjoys great geographical, historical and architectural landmarks. The Ukraine is definitely the place to visit no matter what mood you’re in.