This year we got a bonus summer month – September was so sunny and hot. But the morning and evening chill increasingly reminds us that soon we’ll need to take out our favorite hoodies and coats. So, while there’s still a chance, we suggest enjoying the warm weather and the beautiful places in our country. We’ve prepared a few ideas for weekend trips not far from Kyiv.
Vytachiv is first mentioned in Byzantine chronicles from 950 as a large port on the Dnipro River, though archaeologists have evidence that people lived here as early as the 4th-5th centuries AD. Now, it’s a small village with a population of up to a thousand people, but you’ll be amazed at how rich and interesting its history is. Goods were brought here from different countries by ship, meetings of the Kyiv Rus princes were held here, and several films were shot here (for example, “Bohdan-Zinoviy Khmelnytsky,” “Right to Love,” “The Guide,” and “Babylon XX” by Ivan Mykolaichuk).
To learn more interesting facts and immerse yourself in local history, you can listen to an audio expedition about this region by RoadDream along the way.
Besides being one of the oldest villages in Ukraine, Vytachiv is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque. It seems that Taras Shevchenko wrote about the panorama from the local hills:
"So that the wide fields, and the Dnipro, and the cliffs
Would be seen and heard, as the roaring resounds."
This fact is unproven, but what is true is that the wooden chapel, built according to the sketches of the Kobzar, is Vytachiv’s hallmark. Right next to it opens a breathtaking view of the Dnipro River. We recommend enjoying it with a cup of coffee or tea and a delicious pastry from the local legendary bakery "Vytach."
What else to see in Vytachiv:
Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky is among the top Ukrainian cities by the number of museums per capita. In the National Historical and Ethnographic Reserve "Pereyaslav" alone, there are about 20 museums. And the most interesting thing is that all the exhibitions are located in architectural monuments. So, there's plenty to explore! From the Museum of Sholom Aleichem Literature and the Museum of the “Testament,” to the Museum of Ukrainian Rituals, Beekeeping, and Kobzar Art. And how about a space museum or a diorama of the "Battle for the Dnipro" in the hall of a church? Take everything for a picnic to enjoy a tasty break in between museum visits, right in the middle of the picturesque houses of the open-air museum.
In the evening, we recommend heading to the local beach to catch the sunset over the Dnipro cliffs.
Another place in the Kyiv region where unique museums and nature come together. The local Museum of Bohuslav History is a real historical labyrinth with numerous halls, ascents, and descents. It’s simply amazing how this seemingly small space holds around 2,000 exhibits dedicated to the region's development from prehistoric times to the present.
For beautiful autumn landscapes and emotional rejuvenation, head to the Bohuslav Granite Outcrop. It’s a granite island with boulders scattered between the two arms of the Ros River, covering an area of 16 hectares. You can get there via a narrow bridge over the river. In summer, the granite serves as sun loungers for vacationers, and it is believed to have strong energy, making the Bohuslav Granite Outcrop famous as a place of power.
Alexandria is the largest dendrological park in Ukraine. On its 400 hectares grow about 3,000 plant species from around the world. It also has the largest collection of yew, juniper, and old apple varieties in Ukraine. There’s a rose garden, a syringa garden, a vine garden, and an orchard with fruit and berry trees where fruit and apple wine tastings are held.
So rent bikes or scooters and go explore the territory. It's especially beautiful in autumn.
Looking for something a bit exotic? Head to the deer safari in Eco-Park Medvyno – the largest deer farm in Ukraine, where over 500 deer live in conditions close to the wild. You can also see bison, camels, buffaloes, llamas, and other animals, and even pet and feed some of them. Have you ever seen a herd of deer jumping across a river just meters away from you? It's time to gather new experiences.
Steep banks covered in pine forests, the endless expanse of the Kyiv Sea, and sandy beaches. This is Lutizh – a top spot to escape the city noise and enjoy nature. Read in a hammock, meditate, hunt for mushrooms, or have a tea party with treats. Everyone has their own checklist for the perfect escape.
Foto: Kiyanka
Supported by
The project was developed in cooperation with Google within the framework of the campaign "Digital Transformation of Ukraine"
Use of site materials and copying information without written permission is prohibited.©2017—2021 Discover Ukraine. All rights reserved. Developed by Jam Digital