Happy Birthday Ukraine

Ridicule is easy, understanding takes more effort. Anyone care to enlighten him why a Ukranian might give special emphasis to this.

Aside: The first European country to abolish the death penalty was San Marino in 1848.

It's amazing how certain leaning individuals can politicize everything, even "Happy Birthday". I guess the rules only apply to people who have "wrong" beliefs. But in the process they missed a good cultursl/historical lesson. These are the people travel is lost on. Then again, I guess I just violated Rule 4.

Then again, most of the "reasons to be proud of Ukraine" cited in the article above are highly politicized anyway - so no harm done.

Thanks, James 💙💛

Last year my husband and I were in Kyiv for Independence Day - what an emotional experience that was.

Looking forward to my 4 th visit in a couple of weeks, Lviv (always Lviv - I love it) and Chernivtsi (and starting with a few days in Vienna).

I enjoyed Lviv, but I love Kyiv. If you havent seen Odesa yet, thats always worth the effort.

I havent done Chernivtsi yet, but it looks beautiful. Best of all are the trout streams just north of there. This September it was either that or Bosnia, I chose Bosnia because it was better connected and I dont have much time. But Chernivtsi is next on the bucket list.

Awesome! Hopefully the Russians stay out!

Apparently they are stiring up things in the Republika Srpska, which is one of the reasons I chose Bosnia this time round; just in case things turn the way they did in Donetsk, Crimea, etc.....

Aside: Michigan abolished the death penalty before 1848.

Looks like Michigan beat San Marino by two years, well done.

And Wikipedia says the San Marino abolition was actually 1865 for “all
crimes.”

And Michigan abolished it in 1963 for all crimes.

To get back on track, there is a lot to see in Ukraine and it's one of the countries that have been on my "I really should go there"-list for a while.

We have been to Ukraine twice and love the country and its wonderful people.
They are still recovering from Communism, but freedom is evident.

I'm a little surprised there isn't a separate Ukraine forum on here.

Ukraine is the largest country in Europe and has a turbulent but vibrant history. I assume a lot of Rick Steves travelers would be interested in visiting Kyiv and Lviv, both major cities that sit relatively close to other European destinations.

I know Rick Steves has recently expanded his coverage of Iceland and Sicily, but I would love to see him, at the very minimum, write a new guidebook or produce new television episodes on western Ukraine.

He has already covered vast swaths of land that aren't considered Europe, such as Turkey, Iran, Israel, Palestine, etc.

Perhaps this is only for selfish reasons, as I'd very much like to visit Ukraine in the next few years.

Nathan, be careful what you ask for. Let's just keep all this to ourselves. Wel, ok, us and the other 2.2 million people that visited Lviv last year.

Kyiv and Lviv bound in 43 days.

just make sure you give a trip report. I think Ukraine is on a lot of peoples' radar.

Yes, a trip report would be greatly appreciated.

I haven't dug up many Ukraine trip reports around here, and the ones I have discovered are outdated.

Heading there in 3 weeks. Always wanted to see it and I am so excited! I will write up a trip report when I get back. This time around we will only be spending time in Lviv and Kyiv.

Sorry, I am no good at trip reports. But I have loved my trips to Ukraine.

I noticed today that in November there starts direct flights from Budapest to Odesa (Ryanair under $40 or under $90 with luggage). I like Odesa a lot. So one could fly Turkish Air from the states to Lviv (change in Istanbul), then Ukraine Air direct to Kyiv, then Ukraine Air direct to Odesa (or the train), then Ryanair to Budapest and make a great perfect circle..... The airports in Lviv and Odesa are simple enough; Kyiv .... depends on which one....

Oh, if you are going. You have to watch this first. Its hilarious. And, stranger still, he did become president a few months ago......
https://www.netflix.com/title/80119382