Ukraine and Moldova's Best

Lviv is a picture-perfect Central European city. The UNESCO-listed Old Town is by no means the only place where you can get in touch with traditional Ukraine while you visit. Lviv’s unique atmosphere emanates from all of its elegant houses and cobblestone streets. You’ll have a wonderful time exploring this atmospheric destination, the heart of Ukrainian culture. The most popular tourist destination in Ukraine, Lviv is a cosmopolitan city with a long history of Jewish, Polish, Austrian and Hungarian influences. European history buffs, or anyone who likes to experience Old World elegance and sophistication will love it here.

Kyiv is a modern city steeped in history, where high-end shops and colorful restaurants are surrounded with classical architecture. It is the source of Eastern Slavic culture and Kyiv still keeps a firm hold on history. The city’s famous buildings include Saint Sofia, a church that’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled in the hills, Kyiv feels spread out and can be a bit of a challenge to take in if you’re trying do so on foot but an excellent public transport system and very inexpensive taxis make getting around a breeze. There’s no shortage of unique things to do here, like touring the grounds of the opulent villa of former President Victor Yanukovych, complete with a huge collection of cars and private zoo. Another must-see, the Monastery of the Caves or Pechersk Lavra, is unlike anyplace else. This UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of a large complex of churches and chapels but most striking is a series of underground caves where you can see mummified monks from the 11th century. It’s just one more thing that makes Kyiv special.

It’s no surprise that Odessa has been featured in so many famous works of art and literature; it has been a cultural center with a unique energy since it was founded in the 18th century. Today it is a lively destination with an engaging variety of restaurants, shops, and unique architecture. One of the city’s most famous buildings is the Opera House, which is both beautiful and very affordable to visit. A port city on the Black Sea, Odessa is also known for its beaches. The famous Potemkin Stairs lead down to the port and are definitely worth seeing. It’s easy to have a wonderful time just strolling though this scenic, very walkable city. Odessa’s catacombs are a famous sight, and along just about any avenue you can admire brightly colored neoclassical buildings. Gourmands will love exploring the city’s dining scene, which boasts some of the best cuisine in Ukraine.

Moldova’s capital is certainly the country’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan city, but it is also a place of history still visible in the architecture of Old Town. The main sites here are easy to see on foot: City Hall, the Arch of Triumph, the Bell Tower and the Orthodox Church are all clustered in the center. You can also look forward to charming restaurants and cafes and plenty of excellent local wine. About 30 minutes by car outside of Chisinau you’ll find two famous underground wineries, and these are just one of the numerous possibilities for day trips. The majority of the city was destroyed in World War II, so many of the buildings were reconstructed in drab communist style, but the center of the city is an oasis of peace, calm and classical architecture.