1. It’s cheap

No, it’s bloody cheap! After dramatic three-fold hryvnia’s (Ukrainian currency) devaluation against US dollar or euro in the last half-year nowadays if you have $500 per month in your pocket, you can live as a king in Ukraine! (The average salary here is about $200–350). Kyiv was recognized as the cheapest city in Europe where prices almost leveled with Asian, according to European Backpacker Index for 2015. Proof?

Ok, the prices for bed in hostels start from $2–3 per night, fixed meal — $2–4, coffee with milk — $1–1,5, cappuccino or latte in McDonalds — $0,8! One ride in public transport in cities — about $0.2 while 400–600 km trip by train — $5–15 depending on the class.

Mobile and Internet connection is affordable too: buy SIM-card for $0.6 and get unlimited SMS, calls and Internet for $3.5 per month!

2. It’s safe

Yes, you haven’t misheard: it’s absolutely safe for you. Unfortunately, we have exchange of fire between Ukrainian military forces on the one hand and Russians and separatists on another hand in two regions in the east of Ukraine but:

a) it’s really far from main touristic attractions (Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa);

b) no one without special permit is allowed to go there. Even if you belong to the category of thrill-seekers and therefore decide to make a move to the occupied territories, for sure you will be stopped at the first block by Ukrainian soldiers and sent back. Of course there are illegal alternate routes to get there but… in this case you don’t need my persuasions ☺

Let me repeat myself once again: all touristic attractions are located in 600–1300 kilometers from the battle fields and life there is as peaceful as before. It’s hard to believe but it’s true. Check web-cameras in Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa.

You might object, ‘But I follow the news, they report about war in your country every day!’ Let me explain something as a broadcast journalist. The picture you watch on TV is quite concentrated: media choose the most urgent and touching episodes which sometimes might mislead you. When you read about the number of robberies or murders in your country does it mean that you must barricade your house and meet with gunfire every stranger who is approaching your door?

3. Only in Ukraine you can find yourself inside the S.T.A.L.K.E.R game visiting unique place in the world — Chornobyl Zone

Remember, few years ago the headlines of the world media were hit by news about the explosion at the Fukushima nuclear power station in Japan? Even now nobody can predict the scale and consequences of disaster. Ukraine endured almost the same situation almost three decades ago when Chornobyl nuclear power station exploded owing to the unfortunate experiment. As a result 30 km around the station were polluted with radiation and declared restricted zone with all the inhabitants resettled (including 30.000 residents of Prypyat, town located in about three kilometers from the plant). Can you imagine this place after 30 years of abandon? The trees growing from the centres of the multistories, empty flats and coniferous forests still red because of radiation? The breathtaking Sarcophagus and the New Safe Confinement from the observation point in just 300 m?

Now it’s possible to get there purchasing the tour from any of a numbered touristic firms. The one-day trip costs something like $125 and for sure is a must-see at least once in your life.

And, yes, it’s not dangerous at all. A radiation dose you receive in one day is equal to one-hour flight on the plane which is 160 times less than the doze of single chest radiography! Don’t worry, there are low chances to be bitten by zombies rather you’ll meet wild boars, deer or aurochs. I’ve been there twice and still there are no indications of any zombie habits ☺

4. Probably you don’t need visa to Ukraine

Citizens of 63 countries of the world are allowed to stay here up to 90 days without any visa (among them the EU, USA, Japan, South Korea, Canada). Click here to know your visa requirements.

5. You can feel like a new Robinson Crusoe

Hitchhiking in Asia and finding myself sometimes in the places where nobody spoke English I became proficient in prehistoric body language and mastered in power of laugh. I realized there how difficult for foreigners was being in Ukraine — where almost no one spoke English. Of course, now situation is changing: most youngsters speak at least basic English but things are complicated when it comes to adults in rural areas… Anyway, don’t worry; people always try to help you even if they have no idea what you ask them ☺ I have no doubts that will be the most memorable challenge in Ukraine for you!

6. But you can improve that!

How? Teaching English at schools or just meeting pupils. The Ministry of education launched program where everyone can teach English at schools this summer. Despite that’s unpaid job in some cases you will be provided with accommodation. Even if you have no time or experience in teaching you can try to inspire children (some of them are from the refugees families from Crimea and Donbas), and motivate them to learn English broadening their outlooks and giving hope for the better life.

If you decide to come here you likely get to one of the festivals. Yes, we like it! Every year more than 100 festivals are held in different regions! In the next review I’ll tell you about TOP-10 of them.