Independence Square

Kyiv is one of Europe's greenest capitals, with parks and trees everywhere in the city

St Andrew's Descent is one of Kyiv's prime tourism attractions

Radisson Blu Kyiv's colourful lobby

Who Would Go To Ukraine For A Holiday? 

Some places are totally off the map for Australians and New Zealanders despite appeal and diversity to rival more famous travel destinations.  Those in the know know Kyiv, better known as Kiev, is a young and vibrant city of nearly five million people and has much to offer the more intrepid traveller who is looking for a European experience in a less predictable location. 

Just as Antipodeans do, denizens of Kyiv make the most of fine summer days and enjoy outdoor activities alternated with urbane pleasures, one of which is a stroll along Andriyivsky Uziz.  Known in English as St Andrew's Descent, this meandering street begins at a small jewelbox of a church and winds down to Podol, Kyiv's riverside quarter where 'port wine' has more than one meaning in this busy bar and restaurant area.  On weekends, St Andrew's Descent is lined with souvenir stands interspersed with vendors of more mundane household products.  Go for the ambience rather than the merchandise; the street itself is an old, cobblestoned lane of picturesque houses, some converted into art galleries and small businesses, others remaining residential. 

Promenades along Khreschatyk, Kyiv's main boulevard lined with impressive, neo-former Soviet buildings and chic shopping centres, are another favourite ritual in fine summer weather, especially on Sundays when the wide thoroughfare is closed to vehicular traffic.  On Khreschatyk one finds a number of upscale shops and department stores as well as Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square), a focus of Kyiv civic life and site of pro-democracy demonstrations during the country's Orange Revolution.