LOCATION
Ukraine (in Ukrainian UKRAYINA) is situated in Eastern Europe bounded on the north with Belarus, on the northeast with Russian Federation, on the west with Poland and Slovakia, on the southwest with Hungary, Romania and Moldova and on the south with the Black Sea and Azov Sea.

CLIMATE & RELIEF
Moderate-continental, in the southernmost region of the Crimea is sub-tropical. The seasons of the year are very distinct. The average January temperature is – 4°C, the average July temperature is + 18°C.

AREA
603,700 sq. km (233,088 square miles)

POPULATION
48 mln (73% - Ukrainians, 21 % - Russians)

CAPITAL
Kyiv (3 mln. inhabitants)

LANGUAGE
The only official language is Ukrainian, though Russian is widely spoken in Eastern and Southern Ukraine (both share very similar Cyrillic alphabet). If you arrive unfamiliar with either language, a phrase book or interpreter is almost essential. English is spoken in major cities by business and travel staff.

RELIGION
Orthodox religion (3 denominations exist) is predominant. Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic churches prevail in the Western Ukraine. Protestantism and Judaism are also present. Islam is worshiped mostly in Crimea by local Crimean Tatars.

MONEY
The official Ukrainian currency is Hryvnya (UAH) which contains 100 kopeks. It has proved to become a stable and convertible currency. Foreign currency can be easily exchanged into local money at numerous banks and exchange offices.

CREDIT CARDS
Are accepted in majority of stores, hotels, restaurants, clubs. Banks provide cash to holders of traveler's cheques. Money must be declared upon arrival and exchanged at hotels, banks or local exchange posts.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
January 1- New Year Day
January 7- Christmas
March 8 -Women' Day
May 9 – Victory Day
May 1-2 - Labor Day
June 28 - Constitution Day
August 24 - Independence Day
Easter and Holy Trinity days are also official days off.

TIME
GMT+2 (Two hours after Greenwich time). Daylight savings time is observed from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.

ELECTRICITY
220 volts, 50 Hz is the standard electrical voltage throughout Ukraine. American electrical appliances need a converter, as well as Eastern-European plug adapter.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Ukraine has 3 national state TV-channels and a number of commercial channels. Cable TV and Satellite TV with a number of English-speaking channels are increasingly available in big cities including many hotels.

HEALTH
Ukrainian extra insurance is obligatory for foreigners. Medical supplies are available in big cities and are lacking in small towns and countryside. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

TRAVELING AROUND UKRAINE
Ukraine has well developed system of interurban buses, which connect major cities of neighboring provinces. There is also good bus connection between each big city and towns and villages around. In addition Ukraine has convenient railway network, that cover all the country and enable to get to almost every city. Many hotels provide train reservation service for their clients.
Taxis can be reserved at hotels by notifying reception-desk manager, service bureau, tourist bureau or hotel porter. It is also possible to order a taxi from a private residence dialing 058, 083, 002 (in Lviv). Rates are usually set by a driver, but a rate can be fixed in advance. Taxi drivers would accept foreign currency from tourists. Private transportation companies are also available.

IMPORTANT TELEPHONES
Police – 02
Emergency – 03
Fire brigade – 01
Long distance and international automatic service Directories – 8 191, 192, 195.
International calls: Dial 8, wait for a dial tone, dial 10 (international service index), then enter the country code, city code and telephone number. If you like to call to Ukraine from abroad, please, dial 380 – Ukraine code, wait for dial code, then enter area code and telephone number. For Lviv: 380 322 - if there are six figures in Lviv telephone number and minus one 2 – if there are seven figures in local number.
Lviv-Inturtrans phones:
In Lviv (city code 0322) 97 09 14, fax. 98 05 30
In Kyiv (city code 044) 212 33 40, 238 27 41

UKRAINIAN CUISINE
The national cuisine reflects the richness and variety of traditions linked to the customs, spirituality and folkways of Ukraine. Many dishes are remarkable for the complexity of cooking methods. The most popular Ukrainian dish is borshch, an aromatic and appetizing beet-based soup, containing more than 20 ingredients. The most popular main dishes are potato (cheese/cabbage/meat/chopped liver)-filled dumplings (pyrohy/varenyky) with mushroom sauce, baked beets and beans. Also popular are many versions of cabbage rolls (holubtsi) or stuffed peppers and tomatoes. The Ukrainian cuisine includes many dairy and cheese dishes like sweet breads, puddings, pancakes and fruit soups. There are many varieties of sweet dough preparations, e.g. crisp fried pastry.

EATING AND DRINKING
Most cities have a big choice of cafes, bars and restaurants to offer. Both European and local cuisines are represented. In addition big cities can offer McDonalds, pizzerias, bistros and other fast food places. Chinese and other eastern-type restaurants are not numerous but available in major cities. In the countryside and small towns the food is not less delicious, but level of comfort and service is much lower.
Throughout Ukraine alcohol is quite inexpensive and easily accessible. In the countryside guests can be offered home-made vodka and vine of various quality and strength.

WATER
Drinking water from the taps is not recommendable. The problem is remedied by boiling it. In the cities drinkable water (both carbonated and non-carbonated) is available in grocery shops and kiosks. In the villages it is save to drink water from wells and water-pumps.

TIPPING
Restaurant bills normally include 5% service charge. However few extra hryvnyas (10% is suggested) can make your dining experience a lot more pleasurable.

ECONOMY
Ukraine is an industrial and agricultural state, rich in coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel and uranium deposits. Its major industries are mining, chemical, metal-working, machine-building, food and textile production. The building and transportation system are well-developed. Strong points, that contribute to further development of Ukrainian economy, are high-skilled work force, well developed communication and distribution systems, favorable climate and opportunities to develop tourism, transit system and investments.

SPORTS
The most popular kind of sport in Ukraine is soccer. Big popularity enjoys also tennis, basketball, volleyball, box, ice-hokey and track-and-field. In big cities and towns you would find lots of sport playgrounds. Major cities have tennis courts available, water pools, stadiums and other sport facilities.

TRAVELING TO UKRAINE
PASSPORTS & VISAS
Travelers must have a valid passport and Ukrainian visa. The last can be obtained at Ukrainian Embassies and Consulates.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Traveler may bring all articles except arms and narcotics. No duty is imposed on articles of art, history, science or other value, food items. Restrictions are imposed to alcohol and tobacco. Cash limit to bring is 10.000 $. The following goods are subject to customs declaration and duty: those not intended for personal use, i.e. items with commercial designation (e.g. goods, property, equipment etc.). Works of art and cultural-historical treasures may be exported by special permission from the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine.

SOCIAL SERVICES
The Travel Agency arranges transportation from airport (railway station) to hotel, train (air) tickets, overnight lodging, intercity transportation, etc.

INSURANCE
Almost every airline provides Travel Insurance in case of death or injury resulting from an air accident, illness, loss of baggage, flight cancellation, etc.

HOW TO GET TO UKRAINE
You can get to Ukraine by air, by train, by coach or by car. Our Company has regular coach connection with Rome, Lisbon, Brussels, Paris, Naples, Antwerp. Comfortable modern coaches with high level of services will deliver you to Ukraine/from Ukraine.

© LVIVINTURTRANS - 2008

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