Now we are home from Kiev and back at work... We can definitely recommend Kiev for a city break! Here are some summarised impressions and some tips for those who are thinking of going there.
Some reflections from the trip to Kiev
Here are some reflections from our trip to Kiev in Ukraine, a city we really like!
- Fur, lacquer, glitter and high heels - To quote the guidebook: "It´s not a sin to be poor in Ukraine, but it´s a sin to look poor". It's fascinating to look at all the dressed-up people (read women) and shopping is never boring....
- Really cheap or unimaginably expensive - Kiev is still an affordable destination and many things (food, beer, sights) can be had very, very cheaply. But that doesn't stop Ukrainians from slapping fat price tags on the most exclusive products...
- Good food and cool restaurants - Almost all the food we got in Kiev was really good, both in more expensive and simpler places. Also, cool themed restaurants that you can't find in Stockholm...
- Lower standards and less flexibility - It's true that Kiev is in Eastern Europe, and sometimes you can feel the gusts of the old Soviet Union. Standards are lower and small practicalities can take an unimaginable amount of time. However, everything usually works out, and there are always plenty of staff on hand to help with any problems.
- Friendly and helpful people - Of course, you should act with some common sense and not expose yourself to unnecessary risks, but we never felt unsafe in Kiev. On the contrary, people were helpful and if they knew some English, they were happy to talk to us!
Shopping in Ukraine - bargains in Kiev
Oh, it's so much fun to go shopping in Ukraine! There is no...
Restaurant Tsarskoe Selo in Kiev - an experience.
The Tsarskoe Selo theme restaurant in Kiev offers lively performances by Ukrainian musicians in traditional dress. Here...
Odessa, Ukraine - sun holiday 2008
Today we tell you about our 2008 trip to Odessa, Ukraine, which we did together with...
War in Ukraine - reading the news with trepidation
Every morning we open our mobile phones with trepidation and wonder, what has happened now? Maybe it's...
Restaurant Pervak in Kiev - with a cool interior design
Now we have tried the Pervak restaurant in Kiev. The second evening in Kiev we could finally go...
New Year's Eve in Kiev - celebrating New Year in Ukraine
So it was time to celebrate New Year in Ukraine! We started our New Year's Eve in Kiev...
Sun holidays on the Crimean peninsula in 2008 - before the Crimean crisis
The Crimean peninsula in Ukraine. We tell you about the wonderful holiday in Yalta, Ukraine in 2008 before the Crimean crisis in 2014....
Winter in Kiev - a snowy Ukraine
It's winter in Kiev after a few days of higher temperatures. Today we show some pictures that...
Tense situation in Ukraine
First the whole world followed the unrest in Kiev. Now the eyes of the world are on the Crimean peninsula and the city of Sevastopol....
Ukrainian fast food - a visit to Puzata Hata
We've become completely enamoured with Ukrainian fast food! In Ukraine, there is a domestic fast food chain called...
Sweden and Ukraine - almost the same flag
Today the Swedish and Ukrainian national football teams meet in Kiev, and Peter is glued to the match....
Kiev in Ukraine - travel guide to Kiev's gems
We've visited the capital city of Kiev in Ukraine twice, and this city is actually one of the...
Avalon nightclub in Kiev
We visited the Avalon nightclub in Kiev on New Year's Eve. Here is the ultimate party palace in Kiev...
Lavra cave monastery in Kiev
Overlooking the Dnieper River, the Kiev Cave Monastery is one of Kiev's main attractions....
What is happening in Crimea?
What is happening in Crimea? Do you find it hard to keep up? Political crises are...
Travelling in Ukraine - our top tips
We have just returned from our third trip to Ukraine. We have been both in...
Hotel Ukraine in Kiev - and the Arena Citi nightclub
Yesterday we moved to Hotel Ukraina here in Kiev. Nice to have a change of scenery! A little walk...
Veiken says:
Now I have checked all your Ukraine posts. It feels so east, when you see some of the pictures. Nice to see it before it becomes more western influenced!
06 January 2010 - 17:53