The Ukraine has not made it yet as a shopping destination and most tourists generally only look for little gifts and souvenirs on their Ukraine holidays. That is not to say that there are no shops in the Ukraine. On the contrary, huge shopping malls and centres have popped up in Kiev and in Odessa, the Riviera Shopping City is the size of 12 football fields.
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Livadia (White) Palace, Yalta Conference, Yalta
Livadia (White) Palace is famous as the site of the 1945 Yalta Conference where the Big Three met to discuss the shape of Europe post World War II. Livadia was built by Tsar Nikolas II as a summer palace for his family. The Palace is steeped with war and royal history and is one of the main sightseeing attractions of Yalta.
Varenyky or Pierogi – Delicious Ukrainian Dumplings
Varenyky or pierogi is a traditional dish of Slavic countries and in the Ukraine it is also a traditional Christmas food. Varenyky can be made with various types of fillings and here we tried a potato and mushroom varenyky.
Swallow’s Nest or Castle of Love in Yalta
Swallow’s Nest was a Castle of Love built by Baron von Steingel for his ballerina mistress. Perched precariously on the sheer Aurora cliff, this famous Yalta sightseeing attraction resembles a medieval knight’s castle.
Monastery of the Caves (Lavra)
Kyiv’s World Heritage Lavra, or Monastery of the Caves or Kiev Pechersk Lavra, is the city’s most extensive and amazing sightseeing attraction. The Lavra contains numerous architectural monuments, ranging from bell-towers and cathedrals to underground cave systems and strong stone fortification walls. To get an adequate appreciation of the complex will require at least a half day visit.
Yalta – Jewel of the Crimean Peninsula
From Russian tsar, aristocrats to the ordinary holidaymaker, people flock to Yalta to enjoy its warm, sunny weather in summer. But Yalta is also famous for the 1945 Yalta Conference where Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt met to discuss the shape of post-war Europe.
Kyiv (or Kiev) – One of Eastern Europe’s Oldest Cities
Kiev or Kyiv is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe and hence earns itself the title “Mother of Cities”. Set on the right bank of the Dnieper River (travelling down river), Kiev has preserved its charm over the centuries and its art and architecture are world treasures.
Odessa – "Pearl of the Black Sea"
Odessa, often referred to as the “Pearl of the Black Sea” is the Ukraine’s third largest city and the largest city along the Black Sea. This was Catherine the Great’s city. She fancied Odessa as the St. Petersburg of the South and wanted Odessa to be a European city…
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