Kyiv - starting point to explore Ukraine

Kyiv (Kiev) usually is the first place you arriving to in Ukraine and Majdan Nezalezhnosti is the central place of Kiev, its focal point and start for every tourist rout. This is a huge square crossed by Kreshchatyk street. Centuries ago, mongolian khan Batyj installed his trebuchets here and succeeded to destroy Kiev's walls and seized the city. There is a monument of Mikhael Arkhangel (city protector)  standing on remaining  substructure of ancient walls now. Another noteworthy - 3-level underground mall under the square surface with shops, cafes and restaurants. This design of Majdan was created just 10 years ago and disliked by many people. We believe this reconstructure was needed only for one purpose: to build huge underground mall. Former (soviet) design of central square was more attractive and beautiful. Due to a lot of glass in compositions inhabitants compare Majdan with glasshouse.
Living near Majdan Nezalezhnosti is prestigious and a lot of apartments around are for let. You can rent apartment in Kiev at reasonable price for any period you need. Rental agencies are numerous and friendly.

 

the flower clock

 

central post office

 

Majdan is closed for cars on weekend

 

"Glasshouse" on Majdan. Nice place to make photo as well.

Travel by car to Kamenets-Podilsky

I think it is the best way for foreigners to travel in Ukraine is by car. Due to language barrier buses and trains are rather complicated to find and shedule proper itinerary. Moreover, Ukrainian cities are huge and uniform (our heavy soviet heritage and aftermath of WW2 when almost all of cities were buried under ruines) - it means you have to pass kilometers to find something worth to be seen. On the other hand, car hire costs about 40-80 USD, fuel about 1.2 USD /liter. Yes, roads are bad often but still passable for cars. Highways between principal cities like Kiev, Odessa, Lviv, Kharkiv are already renovated and comfortable.
So just 5 hours or 500 km relaxed driving from Kiev towards Carpathyan mountains and you are in Kamenets-Podilskyi. This place endeed  looks like lost paradise or background for romantic novel.  Located on high unapproachable rock and surrounded by  Smotrych river, Kamenets was stronghold from the very beginning of its existance. Slovians, polish, turks left here particles of their souls. Particular attention is attracted by Kamentes fortress - locacted aside and connected with city by stone bridge. 

Smotrych river surrounds the old city center of Kamyanets-Podilsky. Rocks are about 100 meters in height

The fortress and stone bridge. Left tower - the one where Karmelyik (ukrainian legend hero) was imprisoned.

Former turkish minaret and now catholic church

narrow streets of Kamyanets

Planning your trip on the western Ukraine include Kamenets-Podilskyi to your itinrary and necessarily bring camera with you. This corner of beautiful nature of Ukraine will delight you.