Fred Finn’s guide to Lviv (Lvov), Ukraine

Lviv a city in Western Ukraine founded in the middle of the 13th century by Prince Danylo Galytskiy, and named after his son Leo (“Lion”) Leopolis. In different periods of its existence Lviv was a part of Poland, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russian empire and USSR. Since 1991 it is a part of the independent Ukraine. There is a great number of places having historical, architectural and religious importance (some of them belong to the 13th century), more than 30 museums of history, ethnography, arms and art galleries there. In 1998 the historical centre of Lviv was included into the “List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of UNESCO”. Places of historical importance: Rynok (“Market”) Square of Renaissance style (the 16-18th century); Armenian Cathedral (the 14th century); The Latin Cathedral (the 15th century); The Boim’s Chapel (the 17th century); Renaissance ensemble of the Church of the Assumption (the 16th century); The Church of Body of Christ of the Dominican Order (the 18th century); St. George Cathedral (the 19th century); Lviv Opera House (the 19th century); Stryjsky park (founded in 1887). A lot of ancient fortification and religious buildings are situated around Lviv – Olesko castle, Pidgirtsi castle. Not far from Lviv there are balneology centres in Truskavets, Morshyn and Skhidnytsia, ski centres in Slavsko and Tysovets. Lviv has more coffee shops I think than any other place on earth for its size, good hotels, great food, great nightlife, great cultural events.

Fred Finn’s guide to Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine

Kyiv is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Founded over 1500 years ago, Kiev is the bustling capital of newly independent Ukraine. This city, with a population of 3 million people, is distinguished for its rich architecture and cultural life.

Kiev, Europe’s Most Exciting Destination For 2012.

Kiev was recently voted third in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel: Top Ten Countries for 2012. The city boasts two stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and is fast becoming a major cultural destination for Europe, especially for those interested in travelling ‘off the beaten path.’ Kiev was recently voted third in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel: Top Ten Countries for 2012. Have you been recently thinking about going overseas and discovering the beauty of European cities? Have you been debating with yourself whether to go to Venice, Paris, London or maybe… to Kiev, Ukraine? It’s better than all the others. Come back and read a detailed report on these destinations very soon – happy travelling!

Fred Finn’s guide to Kharkiv (Kharkov), Ukraine

Kharkov (Kharkiv) is located in the Eastern part of Ukraine in the valley of rivers Kharkov, Lopan’ and Uda. Kharkov with population of about 2 million is the second-largest city in Ukraine after the capital, Kiev.

Kharkov is not only an industrial and business centre of Ukraine; it is also a city with a long and glorious history. From 1918 to 1934 years Kharkov was the official capital of Ukraine. In 2004 the city celebrated its 350 anniversary and today it is one of the largest cultural and scientific centres of Ukraine and Eastern Europe.

The architecture of Kharkov Ukraine and its sightseeing attracts a lot of tourists. Uspenskiy (Dormition) Cathedral, Blagoveshenskiy (the Annunciation) Cathedral, Intercession Cathedral, Catholic Cathedral, Memorial Complex of Glory, Freedom Square which is the third large square in the Europe and the seventh in the world (according to list of city squares by size), Taras Shevchenko Monument, Mirror Stream, Militia Museum and many others.

The name of widely famous philosopher and educator Hrihoriy Skovoroda and painter Ilya Repin are connected with Kharkov. Skovoroda lectured at Kharkiv Collegium. He died here in 1794 and was buried here. The house, where this famous painter Ilya Repin was born in a little town of Chuhuiv, not far from Kharkov and spent his childhood there. The exposition of his house-museum tells the visitors about his life and activity.

In addition, Kharkov has a number of scientific-research institutions, a park of physical culture, and a botanical garden. Kharkov city has philharmonic hall, several theatres (the oldest of which dates from 1780), planetarium, and several museums. Kharkiv city subway system was opened in 1975.

The museums of Kharkov:

•Kharkov historical museum (Universitetskaya Street, 5);

 •The museum of Southern railway history (Kotlova Street, 83a);

 •The museum of nature of Kharkiv national university (Trinklera Street, 8);

 •Kharkov literary museum (Frunze Street, 6);

 •Kharkov art museum (Sovnarkomovskaya Street, 11);

 •Museum “Kosmos” (Planetarium, Kravtsova Street, 15);

 •Kharkov maritime museum (Sovnarkomovskaya Street, 13);

 •Kharkov art gallery (Chernyshevskogo Street, 15);

 •The museum of militia (Sovnarkomovskaya Street, 13);

 •Kharkov museum of Holocaust (Petrovskogo Street, 28);

 •The museum of water (Krasnooktyabrskaya Street, 90).

I have just returned from a rather delightful week in Kharkov. I enjoyed the openness of the city very green many open and interesting spaces like the Taras Shevchenko Park right in the centre of town. The third largest city square in Europe and the seventh in the world, looking at this it are hard to see what could be bigger.

 I stayed in the recently opened world class Kharkov Palace Hotel. It is truly world class

Once in a while an unexpected and pleasant surprise comes along, from the first few minutes of entering this world class hotel; it felt inviting, with a warm and welcoming feeling. I have previously stayed at the Dnister Palace Hotel in Lviv, and the Premier Palace in Kiev all in the Premier Collection. On speaking to the staff, I leaned that the Managing Director Mr Leffler was the GM that made the Kiev hotel such a success, here he had started from scratch, even bringing his knowledge of managing hotels in Tibet and Dubai and Africa  to the design of this truly sensational hotel.,

I spent time finding my way around the hotel which has 180 rooms, an executive floor with good old fashioned butler service, I feel that a lot of the charm of this hotel is derived from the clever way they have blended the hi tech and the expectations of deluxe and class, with the warmth of solid wood panels and doors, this theme is used throughout in timber that I understand was brought in especially from Vietnam. The gym would fit into any top health spa in the world. The health centre and spa is very special, for the first time in a long while, I found that I had the time to try the massage, I am glad that I did, I met a really special, pretty and petite young lady called Olga, Olga has what many would say, is the biggest disadvantage in life, Olga is blind, when you visit her however it takes time to realise this as she escorts you down  the corridors to her massage room, moving about with the complete ease of someone who is seeing everything she does. The massage is a sensory and delightful experience, I will go back.

Restaurants, there are the Sky Lounge with delightful small tasty dishes from spare ribs cooked to absolute perfection, tempura shrimp, ham wrapped around Italian bread sticks all accompanied by appropriate sauces with a stunning view of the sun setting and the lights coming up in the lounge, and the very beautiful but exquisitely polite Ukrainian ladies to brighten up any scenic panorama.

There is the second-floor Pacific Spoon Restaurant with food from around the Pacific Rim, i.e.  California, Japan etc.

This restaurant also serves breakfast and yet again the hotel surpassed itself with such a selection to delight any taste buds, fruits, juices hot dishes cold dishes, fresh breads any one could get the breakfast they desired here.

There are the Amadeus Viennese Coffee shops a true Viennese patisserie with a Swiss pastry chef to ensure the dishes here are authentic.

Gourmet Beriozka delicatessen shop

The outside inside terrace restaurant again with great views, is available for outside dining where you can see your dishes being prepared with views right into the kitchen.

The lobby is truly special with its gold leaved chandelier descending 30 metres from the ceiling above

There is secure underground parking, right in the centre of this great city

There is very good night life in Kharkiv,

Panorama A new but already extremely popular night club of a high level

Bolero a large well run beautifully appointed night club good food and great music I can vouch for this as I was there myself with friends on Friday night until late or was that early. Good shows as well.

Radmir club a large complex with casino, bar, lounge cafe, karaoke bar and disc

Meridian is the oldest club in Kharkov

Arkada An open-air night and “day” club

Cover charges in Kharkov clubs are almost the same everywhere, around $15.00

Getting there:

The best way to go to clubs is to take a taxi.

Always agree about the price before getting into the cab. It is even better to have some numbers to order a cab from a taxi company. “Locals” may try to charge you double or triple if they hear you speaking a foreign language.”

Kharkov is a center of excellence for learning with great universities.

 

G.S.SKOVORODA KHARKOV NATIONAL PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Bluhera, 2

tel: 38(0572) 68-06-19

fax:(0572) 68-06-13

root@pu.ac.kharkov.u

NATIONAL AEROSPACE UNIVERSITY

17 Chkalov Str

UA-61070 Kharkov

Tel: 38 050 401 9040

Fax: 38 0572 190475

KHARKOV NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF RADIOELECTRONICS

Lenina str., 14

tel: 38 (057) 740 -10-10

study in English: http://english.kture.kharkov.ua/

 

KHARKOV NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS

9-a, Prospect Lenina,

Kharkiv, 61001, UKRAINE

Tel. 38 (057) 702 03 04

Fax. 38 (057) 702 07 17

e-mail: mail@hneu.edu.ua

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF PHARMACY

Pushkinskaya str, 53

tel: (057) 706-35-81, 706-30-68

e-mail: mail@ukrfa.kharkov.ua

 

KOZHEDUB AIR FORCE UNIVERSITY

Postal address: 61023, Kharkiv-23,
77/79 Sumska str.
Reception tel. (fax) 38 057 7002165
Cadets Admission department tel.:
38 057 7049693, 38 057 7049605, 38 057 7021750
Students Admission department tel.:
38 057 7021424, 38 057 7049682
E-mail: info@hups.mil.gov.ua

 

STATE AUTOMOBILE and HIGHWAY TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

Petrovskogo,25

Kharkov, 61002

tel.: (380-57) 700-38-66,

fax: (380-57) 700-38-65

E-mail: admin@khadi.kharkov.ua

 

NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY “KHARKIV POLYTECHNICAL INSTITUTE”

Phroonze, 21

Kharkiv

Goncharov Aleksandr Andreyevich

Head of the department for international relations
Tel: (380) 57 706-32-28
E-mail: gaa@kpi.kharkov.ua

NATIONAL YAROSLAV MUDRYI LAW ACADEMY OF UKRAINE

Pushkinskaya street, 77

Kharkov, 61024

tel.:(057) 704-92-49

E-mail: uracad@bestnet.kharkov.ua

 

 

Kharkov preparation for the EURO-2012 is  well under way. It also involves the renovation of the Metallist soccer stadium home of the oldest soccer team in Ukraine.

 the new airport terminal and renovation of the old one which is unique in its beauty reconstruction of the airport runways and improvement of the infrastructure to get to and from the airport.

 The City of Kharkiv is blessed because of the large student population with many excellent coffee shops, sidewalk cafes, pizzerias and other fast food outlets i.e. McDonalds.

 

Fred Finn’s guide to Donetsk, Ukraine

In 1970, Donetsk was recognized by UNESCO as the best and the cleanest industrial city in the world. Donetsk is not only a major industrial city but also a big cultural centre of Eastern Ukraine. There are 140 museums and museum rooms in Donetsk, two large state regional museums among them: the Donetsk Regional Art Museum and the Donetsk Regional Museum. Among the most interesting sightseeing’s of Donetsk is Mertsalov’s Palm. It is a representation of palm, forged from steel by Alexei Mertsalov. The Palm has got Grand Prix Award at the Paris International Industrial Exhibition in 1900. The Palm is made from a single rail. The original height of Mertsalov’s Palm is 3 m 53 cm. The original Palm is located in the Museum of the Mining Institute in St. Petersburg. On 12 September 1999, a replica of Mertsalov’s Palm was established in Donetsk city not far from the exhibition centre Expo-Donbass. There is a project to bring copies of Mertsalov’s Palm to capitals of major countries of the world. Copies of Mertsalov’s Palm have been already placed in Ottawa and Hanover. Those tourists who like diving should be interested to see a copy of Mertsalov’s Palm placed by divers under the water near Cape Tarkhankut in the Crimea (Ukraine). In Voroshilov district of Donetsk city you can find a park of forged figures. Every year in this park takes place an international festival of blacksmith’s skill. After this festival, the best works are exhibited in the park. In forged figures park you can also find arbour of loving couple, Ukrainian arbour and arbour four dragons, the alley Zodiac signs, the alley Newlyweds and the alley of Tales. Donetsk has the Ukrainian Steppe, the park of sculptures on Pushkin Boulevard. All the works have a common subject the Slavic mythology and everyday life. Eleven sculptures of the Ukrainian Steppe were donated to Donetsk by Ukrainian and German sculptors. In Donetsk tourists also can find the first monument to the Beatles established on the territory of the CIS and the Donetsk Small Railway installed in the park of the Leninskiy Komsomol. In August 2009, in this park Donbass Arena stadium was opened, designed and built in accordance with the standards of UEFA category Elite. Donetsk city will be a pleasant discovery for those, who have heard of it as of purely industrial place. Donetsk is a surprisingly international city with its own treasures. Being a blend of industrial scenery, modern office buildings and places telling much about the history of Ukraine, Donetsk leaves an abiding memory. A dolphinarium Nemo appeared on Donetsk map just a while ago, but has already turned into one of the most desirable entertainment spots pulling both kids and adults. The venue lies amidst one of the most bustling green corners in Donetsk city – Shcherbakova Park – adding to its numerous attractions. The Donetsk-based dolphinarium is part of the Ukraine’s network providing entertaining and medical services. Nemo comprises a dolphinarium itself, an oceanarium and a dolphin-therapy centre. Alongside watching an exciting performance, you can also take a swimming or a diving session with exotic sea and ocean habitats. Today, the centre is home to bottlenose dolphins, South American sea bears and a sea lion. Donbass Arena. The stadium was called “a diamond” in the early stages of its construction. The oval shape, glass walls and sloping roof, as well as external lighting at night make the Stadium shine like a diamond. It is one of major sites of Donetsk and a symbol of future for locals – the future of Shakhtar FC, the city and the Ukrainian football. The new stadium meets Elite class UEFA standards and is the first facility of the kind in Eastern Europe.

Introducing Fred Finn, the world’s most travelled person

This post was written by Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) as the introduction to a blog that Fred Finn writes for them.

UIA is delighted to announce that our website will join with Fred Finn, the world’s most travelled person, who will be giving his insight, his views and recommendations of cities in Ukraine to visit as a foreigner who loves Ukraine. Mr. Finn was born in the garden of England, has lived in the Garden State of New Jersey and now very happily lives in Ukraine – the Garden of Europe, home to hospitable people, including some of the most beautiful ladies in the world. Widely known as the English Ukrainian, he will welcome any questions not only about his destinations but on any aspects of travel on his favourite airline UIA, about destinations in Ukraine, airports, safety, jet lag, and more. Fred, who is also a US Citizen, has travelled to 139 countries, flown 718 times on the supersonic Concorde and with a total of 15 million miles (24 million kilometres) his first entry into the Guinness Book of Records was in 1983. Fred says that Ukraine International Airlines which started in 1993, and  in November last year celebrated 19 safe wonderful years as an excellent airline, our national carrier with a seriously safe record, flying Boeing aircraft, a growing route structure, smiling, eager to please cabin attendants, who can make you stay in Ukraine begin from where ever you may travel to come to Ukraine, and of course to extend our wonderful Ukrainian hospitality to your home city, they will of course be the major airline in moving our Euro2012 guests not only in and out of Ukraine, but around Ukraine as well, they fly to all Euro 2012 destinations within Ukraine as well. Fred is delighted and honoured to be our goodwill ambassador. Fred is delighted by the fact that Euro 2012 is coming to Ukraine this summer. It has done much for the development of Ukraine’s integrity, in that it can be seen to be able to supply the infrastructure, accommodations, safety, airport facilities, new stadiums, high speed trains and many roads being repaired for these events this will greatly benefit. He is a very honoured friend of Euro 2012 the first Englishman and American at the same time, but Fred says he took the esteemed position not only for the football, but because he love Ukraine. Fred spreads the word around the world in press and TV interviews, telling people, ‘please come to Euro 2012 and tell your friends about our wonderful country of our great history, great summer and winter resorts, and great natural food.’ Fred will write as a foreigner living in Ukraine (Komsomolsk, the Poltava Region) and married to a Ukrainian lady, on destinations within Ukraine, he will write about the Euro 2012 venues – Donetsk, Kharkov, Lviv and Kiev – as this is also where UIA flies. Then he will gradually expand to other beautiful cities of Ukraine plus eventually outward bound destinations for Ukrainians, that he has visited himself so can safely recommend.