How to Spend a Week in Western Ukraine

Start your journey from Ternopil and Rivne. These two cities are located in a distance of 78 miles (126 km), which will allow you to easily combine sightseeing and recreation. One the most famous mineral sources is Novo-Zbruchanskoe, located in a small village in Ternopil region. It is the place, where healing mineral water is extracted, which has a beneficial effect on the digestive organs and the nervous system. Come to the sources to cure and relax in mineral water baths. As for Rivne, a must-visit location is the local Tunnel of Love, stretching along the railway. It is a gem for couples or just romantic people. The legend says, that a kiss in such a place will make your love last forever.

Lviv and Chernivtsi are among the most visited cities in Ukraine. Their ancient architecture, cobbled streets and mystical atmosphere drastically differ from the ambience of central or eastern parts of the country. The cities offer an endless amount of venues to pop into and try traditional Ukrainian cuisine, as well as Galician specialities. Such major attractions as Market Square (main square in Lviv), its legendary cathedrals and the Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans in Chernivtsi are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

If you have already discovered all the majestic architecture of Lviv and Chernivtsi, the city of Uzhhorod is your next stop. The perfect time to visit Uzhhorod is spring. You will have an opportunity to capture the beauty of the blooming sakura avenue and drink a cup of great espresso in a café-museum Pid Zamkom just for 9 UAH ($0.40). Traveling around the city is especially convenient by taxi, as a ride to any part of the city costs only 25 UAH ($1).

Uzhhorod region is also famous for its thermal sources and best spa and wellness hotels. Swimming in the cast-iron vat is the service everyone comes to Western Ukraine for. The procedure is unusual: it takes place outdoors but the huge vat with water is heated on the fire. To enhance the therapeutic effect, aromatic herbs are usually added to the water.

The Carpathians are not only picturesque mountains, dense forests and magnificent natural landscapes but also a mild climate and the healing properties of local mineral springs. Come to Shayan – a small resort with mineral waters, which in composition are very similar to Russian Yessentuki and Georgian Borjomi. The nature of the region is rich and captivating. You can swim in numerous lakes, get some boat rides, fishing or collect mushrooms in the forests. As a rule, prices for recreation in the mountains are reduced in the summer period to 400 UAH ($15) per night in the hotels. Meanwhile, you can rent a private cottage even cheaper.

In Bukovel, a resort in the Carpathians, crowds of tourists come to visit the Spa-complex VODA with a heated swimming pool, restaurant and access to the lake all year round. There you can swim in the pool, sunbathe by the lake. In winter, after skiing, relax at Spa and later have tasty dinner in the restaurant, which serves hot smoked trout, meat delicacies and other dishes of Ukrainian and European cuisines.