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Ukraine is not a common destination for international tourists, but it is slowly growing in popularity. Travelers from the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and some other countries do not need a visa to visit. The most visited cities are Kiev, Lviv, and Odessa. The peninsula of Crimea is also popular as a summer destination because of its many beaches and resorts (such as Yalta) along the Black Sea coast.

There is also skiing in the Carpathian Mountains of western Ukraine. Visitors to Ukraine usually visit Orthodox and Catholic churches, Jewish sites, and ancient monasteries and fortresses. Ukrainian souvenirs are also popular among tourists and include woodwork, painted eggs, and embroidery. Ukraine's crime rate is quite low — especially violent crime — and the country is safe for tourists. English is spoken well by just a few young and middle-aged people.

One of the largest and most varied countries in Europe, Ukraine takes in the spectacular Carpathian Mountains in the west, the history-rich central plains and the stunning Black Sea coast in the south. The Crimean Peninsula, ethnically more Russian than Ukrainian, remains a huge draw for holidaymakers from Russia every summer.

Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, is the origin of the Kyiv Rus state, founded in the eighth and ninth centuries, and the origin of the Russian state. Striking examples of baroque and Renaissance architecture can be found in Lviv, one of Europe's oldest cities, while Odessa is probably best known for the Potemkin Stairway, but is also home to one of the world's largest opera houses.

Ukraine is the second largest country is Europe and is situated to the northwest of the Black Sea.

Formally part of the Russian empire, Ukraine has borders with Belarus to the north, Poland to the north west, Slovakia and Hungary to the west, Russia to the east and Romania to the south and south west. It is possible to get the train into Ukraine from any of these countries as well as Moldova.

Your best bet for flying into Ukraine is through the Kyiv Boryspil International Airport