Discover Eastern Europe: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus

Numerous people from all over the world tend to go to the sea when the summer comes. For many people from the former Soviet Union and especially from the neighboring countries Odessa has become the city that is meant for the qualitative and modern kind of rest.

It is one of the hugest cities in Ukraine that attracts thousands of tourists each year. The location right near the Black Sea makes the city desirable for many people who would like to spend there their summer holidays.

But probably one of the most beautiful places in Odessa is Arcadia, which is extremely popular among the visitors to this city. Here numerous night clubs are located. At night the life seems to start as hundreds of young people are going out in order to entertain. It seems that Arcadia turn Odessa into the most international place on Earth as here you can come across so many people from so many countries of the world. Foreign languages are heard here and there so even the dullest evening may turn into an amusing one.

Numerous concerts are organized in the night clubs of Arcadia. Many Russian stars like L. Dolina, M. Zadornov and the famous dance group “Todes” and others performed on the stages of the clubs. One of the most luxurious and expensive clubs is surely “Ibiza” that is actually the usual receiver of such guests. Not far from “Ibiza” there is another fashionable club called “Ithaca” performed in the Greek style. The atmosphere is charming, the bar is rich and the barmen are truly inventive and friendly. The waitresses are all dressed in the Greek style which adds the feeling of an unusual location.

In general there are over 15 night clubs in Arcadia that are all very unique and represent their own style and theme. Moreover, there are numerous restaurants and bars, and all this is in the open air right at the seashore. While dancing through the whole night you may even observe how the sun rises. An unforgettable impression, I should say.

Moreover, Arcadia is not only the place to entertain. It is even more popular for being the huge beach that is visited by quite a number of people during the daytime. Unlike all other beaches in the city there is a very convenient and flat slope that leads to Arcadia. Besides, there is the so called “Healthy route” that is of about 6 km length. It is meant for mere promenades or cycling.

Needless to say, that there are numerous resorts both inside and outside the city. It is interesting to note that those who are the citizens of Odessa are not interested in the sea and the sun at all. They may not even know why this or that place is called like this or like that. But probably this is the common feature of all citizens of any town or city. We do not appreciate what we have, and strive for the things that we do not or can not possess.
Visit a heroic place in Belarus - Brest Fortress.

Kiev is one of those cities that attract from the very first glance. Here you will get unforgettable impressions of the sites and places of interest you can visit and the general looks of the capital of the country.

Probably one of the most visited and loved places among the citizens and among the visitors of the city is Kreschatik. Every city tour starts here and there is practically no chance to overlook the favorite and the most popular place in the whole country. It is especially attractive in summer as numerous fountains and buildings amaze by their uniqueness and beauty. Moreover, Kreschatik is the business centre of Ukraine which is located between European and Bessarabian squares.

It is relevant to mention the history of the place. The building up of Kreschatik began at the end of the 18th century. Before that time the area was a mere forest with just a small brook. In the times of Kievskaya Russia it was the place of hunting. Here the Kievers set traps for wild animals. A bit later the name Kreschataya vale was given to the place deriving from the word to cross as numerous gullies crossed the district. Nowadays it is one of the most favorite tourist attractions which are always bright and hospitable.

The next famous place to visit is Maidan Nezalezhnosti or simply Independence Square, though nowadays it is mostly famous for the political events that have taken place recently. In any case this area has its own history as well, which is no less interesting than the previous one.

First of all it is worth mentioning that it is the central square of Kiev. It is located not far from Kreschatik and has much in common with that place. Like Kreschatik Independence Square was just a forest with no buildings. It just led to the upper city where all the citizens lived. Later, in the 18th century to be exact, stone walls were built in this area known today as Pecherskie Gates. But the existence of the gates was not too long, just till 1833. At the end of the 18th century and at the beginning of the 19th century it was just a neglected ground that was called Kozie Bog. Later there appeared the first wooden and then stone buildings. At that time there was a huge market and various religious events took place there.

As any historic city in any country Kiev can boast having numerous monasteries and cathedrals which attract the attention of the visitors by their glamorous and enigmatic beauty.  Among the most famous ones are Sophia’s cathedral, Vladimir’s cathedral, Andrew’s church and many others.

Thought the political situation in Ukraine is not actually vary favorable, the capital of the country does not have the right to reflect all those hardships it faces. It is even hard to believe that somewhere in the country poverty does exist as Kiev always looks rich and hospitable. But this is the prerogative of any capital… Kiev is just not an exception.
You are welcomed to have a good rest in Belarus.

It is the fact that having a rest on the territory of the former USSR becomes more and more expensive. A few years ago such resorts as the Crimea or the spas in Caucasia were thought to be the cheapest ones especially compared to those that are located in faraway counties, like Cyprus or Turkey. More and more people form Russia and other neighboring countries like Belarus or Ukraine prefer having a rest in those lands, but not in the limits of their own ones.

The reality is that the resorts in such places as Sochi, the Moscow area, spas in Caucasia, the lake Seliger and the Crimea are becoming unbearably expensive though the quality of the service according to the view point of the visitors leaves much to be desired.

It is rather hard to say what this tendency is connected with but the fact is that nowadays it is considered even more profitable to visit faraway countries and enjoy the summer or winter holidays to the full extent there.

Lying on the beach is one of the favorite pastimes of the people who free from the everyday routine in order to have a really good rest in the atmosphere of exotics and relaxation. Surely it is even better when you have the opportunity to economize on your rest as well. During the soviet times the so called “native” tourism was in, and besides was affordable practically to everyone.

Yalta and Alupka have always been though of as the favorite places to visit by the soviet people. Nowadays the situation has changed. It is becoming more and more difficult to spend the holidays after the old way. The Crimea makes the visitors loosen their purse-strings to such an extent that even foreign countries begin to seem quite cheap.

The basic components of any kind of rest are surely the entertainment, qualitative food and comfortable rooms. And this is it that becomes more and more expensive. So as the result the visitors that got used to quite a cheap rest have to leave with the shocking feeling that is unlikely to over in a short period of time. That is why many people, and especially young ones, prefer to rent the lodgings without any intermediaries. But still a lot depends on the location of the room. The closer it is to the sea, the more expensive it is.

But even if you have managed to rent a room cheap, do not relax. You will all the same spend the definite amount of money on various kinds of entertainments. Besides, the local cafes and restaurants seem to be overpriced compared to the horrible service.

It is evident that most of the resorts of the neighboring countries have to be improved. At times it is even better to overpay a little bit and go to the country where you will be sure of your own security and the service you have to be provided with. In any case the problem of place choosing for summer holidays is a hot issue for the travelers nowadays. The only thing I can add here: good luck!
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