Travel to Ukraine.

Radisson SAS Resorts, Alushta.

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:23:00 +0000

The newly built Radisson Resort SAS in Alushta is one of the first internationally recognized hotel brands to open in the Crimea. More hotels are set-to be built along the Black Sea coast, a popular summer destination among Ukrainians.
The four-star Radisson SAS Resort Alushta is enviably located along the banks of the Black Sea, in the heart of Alushta. A charming park is offering guests a relaxing ambiance for a seaside getaway. The hotel is the perfect base for exploring the many attractions of the Southern coast such as the palace of Nicholas II, the Swallow's Nest and St. Alexander Nevsky's Cathedral.
Simferopol rail station - 45 km
Simferopol Airport - 60 km
Yalta - 36 km
Sevastopol - 118 km

      With a soothing Mediterranean climate, stunning mountain tops and canyons and charming Black Sea coastline, Crimea is an undiscovered gem. Russian tourists have long been attracted to the areas curative properties with a mild climate that is not as damp as Sochi and avoids the sharp, dry heat of other resort destinations such as Turkey or Egypt. The area is home to natural wonders with beautiful waterfalls, mysterious caves and unusual mud volcanoes.
    Visitors can savour expertly produced wines with the earliest recorded production dating back over 2000 years in the area. Crimea offers a visual record of its amazing history as it has witnessed Babylonian, Egyptian and ancient Roman civilizations as well as shows traces of life from the Stone and Bronze ages. The area plays host to several not-to-miss sites such as the iconic Swallow's Nest and the late summer residence of the Romanov family, the palace of Nicolas II Livadia.
Located along the picturesque banks of the Black Sea, the four-star Radisson SAS Resort, Alushta is the perfect embodiment of classic, elegant style. Built in 1913, the hotel is renowned as one of Alushta's finest architectural monuments and merges its historic charms with modern-day conveniences. Throughout the decades the hotel has played an important historical role serving as a hospital for soldiers in World Wars I & II, home to Alushta's first museum and was a popular sanatorium thanks to its open verandas and seaside location.
The hotel is situated in the heart of Alushta, along the popular wharf area on the Black Sea. Guests can choose from 63 elegant guest rooms including Executive rooms, Junior Suites and Suites.

     Internet access is available in guest rooms, conference rooms and Business Centre.
The hotels's All Day Dining Restaurant, Aluston offers a tempting à la carte menu of european dishes alongside local specialities. During the Summer season, guests can dine on gourmet cuisine in La Veranda while soaking in panoramic views of the Black Sea. The lobby lounge merges classic English furnishings with comfortable surroundings and serves a varied international drinks menu. Serving a host of fresh pastries, ice creams and light snacks, Patisserie Vanille is the ideal hangout for those with a sweet tooth. Hotel guests can enjoy a dip in the charming outdoor swimming pool or access to our private beach. With its seaside location and extensive facilities, the hotel is ideal for weddings, corporate incentives and events.

      Alushta - cheerful, bustling resort town. The most convenient transport in respect Spa attractive to the car, cycling, equestrian and hiking. Exceptionally clean air and a general sense of calm well-being is always growing impact here resort factors. Alushta is located in the seaside part of the spacious South Coast basin Crimea.

The city is known to the VI century, when Emperor Justinian I ordered Aluston build a fortress here, but in the XIX century Vorontsov built a wine cellar here and the church. Alushta mountain amphitheater - the most beautiful and extensive in the Crimea. Mountain walks and hikes of Alushta very romantic and not tiring.

To the west of the valley extends beech and pine forests Crimean reserve seats hunting kings and Davis. The city has many attractions: the temple Sv.Feodora Stratilata, Alushta History Museum, villa XIX v.N.Staheeva "Otrada" in a great park, the Museum of Nature and much more.

Aluston The fortress was built on the orders of Emperor Justinian I to VI century. Throughout the Middle Ages Aluston was an important reference point for all States, owned the South shore of Crimea: Roman (Byzantine) Empire, Khazar Kaganate, Feodoro principality. In the period of genueztsev city was one of the fortified centers Kapitanstva Gauthier (so-called part of the Genoese holdings in the Crimea, stretches roughly from the Fori (Forosa) to Alustona) and was the subject of the ongoing military conflicts between genueztsami and Duchy Feodoro.

The Italians called the city Lusta. To date, only one tower preserved medieval fortress.
After the conquest of the southern coast of Crimea Osman, Alushta lost its military significance and has remained a small town fisherman. In times of Ottoman rule it was part of the Sudak kadylyk.

Climate.
Mediterranean-type climate is subtropical, dry, hot, with mild winters. The average temperature in December - +2,8 ° C, August - +23,8 ° C. Precipitation - 430 mm per year, the number of sunny hours a year - about 2320, the lowest relative humidity in August - 63-68%. Bathrobe season lasts from mid-May to mid-October, for children - from late June until the end of September (water temperature around 20 ° C or more).

Wizz Air Ukraine, the first low cost airline in Ukraine.

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:25:00 +0000

      Wizz Air Ukraine, the first low cost airline in Ukraine, announced that it will start operating an initial network of seven Ukrainian domestic routes from its operating base at Kiev Boryspil Airport on 11 July 2008. Wizz Air Ukraine will provide low fare air travel service from Kiev Boryspil Airport to Lviv, Odessa, Simferopol, Kharkov and Zaporozhye. Of particular interest to travellers are the flights from Kiev to Simferopol, gateway to the Crimea resort.
      In October-November this year in the Ukrainian market of air transportation may appear, another budget carrier, and as soon as possible in this market segment in the budget will work 4-5 such operators. The Ministry of Transport and Communications of Ukraine is negotiating with three potential carriers.
      There is negotiations with Al Arabia (Sharjah) and German Wings (Germany). In 2009 the number of customers low cost companies will be around 2 million people, projected at the State Aviation Service.
     Tickets for domestic flights can be purchased at a price of 79 UAH ~ 16 USD . (one way, taking into account the taxes and fees) - at the company's website or through its call center.

     Despite the obvious advantages for the Ukrainian passengers to exit the domestic market low cost carriers overshadowed by the presence of a number of objective problems. First, because the airlines are using low liners Boing-737 and Airbus-320, they face the unwillingness to take these airports Ukrainian side. Planes such class without restrictions are only in five cities: Borispol, Simferopol, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhya. Actually, do not take in Chernivtsi, Uzhgorod and Lugansk. In Kharkiv have limitations connected with insufficient runway length, its coating, the state of taxiways. This fact greatly restricts the location and frequency of low cost flights, experts note.
Most Ukrainian airports is not ready to take low cost liners - Boing-737 and Airbus-320
    The second problem - a low passengers, who questioned the success of the carriers. According to official figures, Ukrainian airports annually miss about 4 million man. These are people with the level of prosperity far above average. Experts estimate that only 20% of them might prefer low price comfort. For comparison: in Europe enjoy the services of budget airlines at least 20% of passengers, most of whom are representatives of the middle class, ready to sacrifice comfort for low prices. In addition, "Ukraine is not a member of" Open Sky ", and to organize international routes have to change many bilateral treaties.
Meaningful work on the Ukrainian market low cost could not earlier in 2010
    Thus, the projected professionals to fully work on the Ukrainian market low cost could not earlier in 2010. Although the emergence of such companies will become more relevant than with the approach of European Football Championship in 2012. Not all fans will be willing to pay around $ 500. At the same time, if the flight will cost EUR50, an influx of tourists to Ukraine will grow significantly.

Biosphere Reserve Askania Nova.

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:16:00 +0000

Biosphere Reserve Askania Nova Nova Kakhovka.

The area of the reserve amounts to 33 307.6 hectares, of which 11 054 hectares - "absolutely protected" steppe zone. In this area, found more than 400 species of herbs and flowers, more than 60 species of birds.

Biosphere Reserve Askania Nova - a unique corner of nature: here is the only station in Europe steppes, who had never dealt with the plough (once excavated will not be restored steppe). Reserve Nova Kakhovka assigned to "100 great reserves and parks" Peace same book, published in Moscow publishing house "Veche" in 2002 (author-originator Yudina NA). Museum under the open sky: here alone preserved ancient burial mounds, stone Scythian women, created by ancient sculptor. The reserve covers an area of 11 thousand ha.; adjoins the forest park with artificial ponds and canals, where inhabit many animals and birds. In Askaniyskoy steppes more than 400 species of herbs and flowers, cereals dominate.

In late April start tulips bloom, then irises, astragalus, hyacinth, lyutiki. In May - carnations, daisies. In summer steppe, muffled in the fir haze kovylya, transfused waves from the slightest breeze blow. Askaniysky park covering about 200 hectares. It differs from the wild steppe zone. It is divided according to a strict plan. The park about 150 kinds and forms of trees and bushes. Ilex maple, Crimean pine, pyramidal and kolonnovidny oaks, juniper, elm, spruce, ash, white acacia, near water - weeping willows. Centre songs Park - a picturesque pond.

On the territory of the reserve can meet representatives from more than 60 species of birds, nesting in virgin steppe 16 species, a lot happens in the passage. The park about 40 species in the waters about 30 species of birds. In spring audible voice swans - Whooper. White and black swans, flamingoes, cranes, Bustard, little bustard, gray partridges, most of all different types of Lark. Steppe eagle - a rare guest, often steppe moon can be seen flying low over land. In enclosures - African ostriches, em, Nande, Bustard, pheasants, peacocks, steppe eagles, cranes, parrots.

In a certain reserve zoo contains a unique collection of animals. Zebra, the South American camels, Indian and African antelope, deer. In steppe grazed Lama, Scottish pony, wild horses - tarpany (Przhevalskogo horse), American bison, kafrskie buffaloes; Saygaki - ancient ungulates, peers mammoths. In the water saigas need only during severe drought. Small animals are many: the mouse, hamster, is and jerboa. Predators-ferrets, foxes, meet and ermine.

From the left bank of the Dnieper river bottom until the Azov Sea was once virgin steppe, where herds pasla tours and other hoofed animals. Now, this pristine steppe retained only within the boundaries of the reserve Askania - Nova. Town Nova Kakhovka is in the Kherson region, 75 kilometers away from New Kahovki (45 km. Kahovki from New Chaplynki and up to 30 km. Chaplynki from before Askanii-New). Railway communication with the town, Nova Kakhovka to date not.

History Reserve Nova Kakhovka

As in 1874 F.E. Falts - Fein, the award for successfully passing an examination in the gymnasium, his father received from the enclosures for birds. After 15 years after graduating from university, Falts - Fein Jr. founds akklimatichesky unique park. Then allocates plot of virgin steppe 500 dessiatinas and announce its protected at all times. The reserve is adjacent to the forest park. For forest plots were cubicles virgin steppe, where lived, brought from everywhere, antelope, bison, zebra, ostrich. In acclimatization park to work on the domestication of animals.

Notably, antelopes - kan, very cautious and avoid at home in Africa to communicate with the person in Askanii - New were so tame that allow themselves to. In 1910 at the zoo came zoological station. Has a great selection work. In 1919, Askania - Nova was declared a people's park, and then the public steppe reserve. In 1921 in the border reserve Askania - Nova was included acclimatization center steppe, forest and savannah animals, which awarded the maximum freedom.

At the area were fighting two warrior - Civil and Second World. After the last sanctuary survived the pressure entities - he was impatient to use the land for grazing. The reserve firm, was preserved and continued the case F.E. Falts-Feyna.

cxv

Reserve Stone Tombs.

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:04:00 +0000

Reserve Stone Tombs ( "KAMENNYE MOGILY")

The integrated nature reserve. Located in the Donetsk region Volodarskom area (300 hectares) near the village Nazarovka and Kuybyshevskom area Zaporizhzhya region (100 hectares) along the right bank of the river Karatysh, left the river flow of Berdy. Founded on April 5, 1927

The reserve is a rocky exits height of 50-70 metres middle of the steppe, formed 2 billion years ago due to volcanic eruptions. The chain of mountains consists of West and East ridge. The height of 200 meters peaks A granite ridge on the chemical composition and physical structure are unique. A granite outcrops combined with plots of virgin steppe.

Here at the same time can be seen traces of life on their various cultures and peoples of origin. At this place at different times inhabited by ancient hunters, herders, farmers, later passed on this land Cimmerians, Scythians, Sarmatians, Huns, Hazaras, Cumans ...

In the caves and grottoes Stone Tombs concentrated more than three thousand rock drawings from the Stone Age to the Bronze age and the lateness of the hour.

In reserve grows 29 species of flora made in the Red Book of Ukraine. Flora has 468 species of vascular plants, 38 - algae, 78 - lichens, 182 - mushrooms. Among the plants growing on the territory of the reserve, there are absolute endemic, among them the naked trees. Fern-vudsiya alpine except reserve, is not found closer than 1000 km away.

Mining for religious education was yamnyh representatives, katakombnyh carcass and cultures. At the perimeter of the reserve located Scythian burial mounds. The first ring barrows diameter of 5 km, the second - 17 km. A central reserve exhibited ancient manor stone womans, brought from different places in the steppe.

According to academician versions Kudryashova May 31, 1223 Stone graves in the territory of a fortified camp was located in Kiev prince Mstislav during the Battle of Kalke.

It is believed that Stone Graves, all famous ancient Stonehenge (Britain) and the Egyptian pyramids! Over the millennia, it remains a place of worship for many people.

Credit card and travellers' cheques American Express, Thomas Cook, Diners Club in Ukraine

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 10:04:00 +0000

      In Ukraine, credit cards, Visa and Master Card / Eurocard and debit card Maestro a Visa Electron can be used for cash withdrawals at ATMs of all banks and to make payments in most hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, fillings.
      Travellers' cheques companies American Express, Visa and Thomas Cook in U.S. dollars are accepted in almost all major banks, usually taken face values of 50, 100, 500 and 1000 USD or 50100200500 EURO, a commission usually 1-2% of the amount.
       With regard to Diners Club, then this payment system is in Ukraine several "point" projects. In 1998 PrivatBank has signed an agreement with Diners Club Int. Ltd about acquiring the club charts. The bank "Nadra" collaborating with this payment system in another framework. Its currency issue ATM cash on these cards. But only for those who are not issued by Russian banks.

Kazantip Beach Party, amazing techno, trance and house music.

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:53:00 +0000

About KaZantip
KaZantip. What is it? http://www.kazantip.com
Z16 = 26.07.2008 - 30.08.2008
kaZantip republic is the biggest, longest, craziest and most amazing techno, trance and house music event in the world.
A republic dedicated to music, fun and happiness on the most beautiful sandy beach directly on the black sea.

KaZantip is located at the south-west coast of the Black Sea in the Crimea, Ukraine. KaZantip is a virtual republic and is every year new founded.

How to reach the KaZantip festival:
The easiest way is to fly to Simferopol International airport where you then make your way to KaZantip. You can also fly first to Kiev then make your way to Simferopol by plane or train. At Simferopol we will meet you and ensure you get to KaZantip without delay. We recommend that you book your trip trough a travel agency with experience in dealing with Ukraine.

There are also other ways to reach the KaZantip festival. You can take a coach to Simferopol from every major European city which one-way should take around 48 hours, obviously this is cheap but not the most comfortable way to get to Kazantip.

Flight outside you dreams, unlimited fun, lot of sun shine, wonderful sand beaches, warm Black See, sexy pretty youth, non-stop party on 14 dance flour, first-rate Russian & foreign DJs… This unbelievable non-stop party goes in every year from middle of July till the end of August. Fresh breath of see-breeze brings good weather and wonderful mood for all the people on the beach.

The temperature is about +28-30 0C during the day and +23-25 0C at the night. The water temperature is nearly +22-24 0C and it’s ideal for non-stop dances and see-bathing.

Being there you forget about everything and only dance, have fun and swim. Party night changes by party day. KaZantip – it’s a fancy world of music, relaxation and love, and it was made especially for you

KaZantip – yearly festival of dancing music – appeared from underground dancing culture (beginning of 90’s) and became the biggest one. A lot of people from Russia, Europe, USA, Canada and even Australia are interested in this festival.

Cape Kazantip, reaching northwards far out into the Sea of Azov, is an exceptionally interesting place. The Kerch landscapes are not the same as those on the southern coast, there are no bright colours and lush floral tints, but the land forms contain some amazing and bizarre rock formations. If you look closely you will discover new features in this wild, deserted, and somewhat out of this world landscape.
A decision had been made by the authorities to build a nuclear power plant on Cape Kazantip, on the coast of the salty lake Aktashski. The construction was stopped by the energetic efforts of the Crimean environmentalists, who even resorted to hunger strikes to make their case.

Kazantip is a dissident dance party, a subculture intended to transform a culture. Or perhaps: a party that reflects a transformation. The quasi-political tenor of the festival is often explicitly silly—the organizers publish a constitution, for example, outlining the rights and obligations of participants, declaring the party a "virtual Republic" and banning the use of tuxedos, bow ties, and other formal wear, among many other stipulations. To enter the Republic, you buy a "viza," an entry card with a bar code that flashes your picture on a computer screen for security personnel as you pass by..

Hundreds of DJ's from all over Europe have brought their records to this beach in Crimea for the Kazantip festival, the monthlong summer dance party that attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. The hordes are mostly young Ukrainians and Russians, with some reinforcements from other former Soviet republics and, to a lesser extent, the rest of Europe. Ten stages have been built right on the beach, all of them surrounded nightly by dancers gyrating and swaying and occasionally falling down.

Cape Kazantip, reaching northwards far out into the Sea of Azov, is an exceptionally interesting place. The Kerch landscapes are not the same as those on the southern coast, there are no bright colours and lush floral tints, but the land forms contain some amazing and bizarre rock formations. If you look closely you will discover new features in this wild, deserted, and somewhat out of this world landscape.
A decision had been made by the authorities to build a nuclear power plant on Cape Kazantip, on the coast of the salty lake Aktashski. The construction was stopped by the energetic efforts of the Crimean environmentalists, who even resorted to hunger strikes to make their case.

Recreation in Laspi. Crimea

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:47:00 +0000

Laspi Bay.
Laspi Bay is located on the southern coast of the Crimea, not far from Forosa towards Sevastopol. Restricted to Cape Sarych from the east and reserve Ayya - from the west. Conditionally divided into two parts - Laspi and Batiliman.

Even if you never had not previously visited Laspi, you will see in speaking rocky ridges and outline coast elusive something familiar. Do not be surprised, this place is a source of inspiration for many artists.

Private sector in the Bay Laspi not. If you go to rest, it will have to choose between two extremes - the organized recreational (in boarding houses, sanatoriums, houses) or recreational absolutely "wild" (camping).

Batiliman fold so beautifully, but the sea here is so clean that area sanatorium "Batiliman" arranged the whole tent city. This is in spite of some problems with shops and water. In Batilimane no shops and cafes (with the exception of a single bar on the beach sanatorium). The place is very convenient for the rest autotourists (good check-in and eat, where to place the machine).

At Yalta, Sevastopol route, is located above the bay Laspi lookout platform. Opens type - remarkable. If you pass past, we recommend to stop and look.

Ukraine visa

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Mon, 26 May 2008 05:56:00 +0000

Applicants for tourist visas require a letter of confirmation from a hotel or tour company; for business visas a letter of invitation from a company or organization in the Ukraine is required. Citizens of the US, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Slovakia and Turkey do not need invitation letters to obtain a visa. On arrival, all foreign nationals must fill in an Immigration Card, to be presented when entering and leaving the country. EU citizens do not require a tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Americans: US nationals require a passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

UK nationals: UK nationals require a passport, but no visa is required for a tourist stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Canadians: Canadians require a passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Australians: Australians require a visa and a passport to enter the Ukraine.

New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a visa and a passport to enter the Ukraine.

Military tour

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Sun, 04 May 2008 07:40:00 +0000

Especially for those who are keen on aviation and all that it involves, as well as not to look away land from a height - a programme of flights on military-type fighters and gunships SU-27UB, MiG-29UB, L-39 and MI-8 helicopter from airfields Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The flights were conducted by the Ministry of Defence airfields near the city of Mirgorod and Uman (central region), and Kirovske (Crimea).

Participants in these exciting programs can get the whole package of services, including accommodation in comfortable hotels, meals, transfers to places of activities, services of an interpreter and trainer, clothing, as well as prizes and commemorative gifts.

Top of the sky in the cabin of military fighter aircraft or gunships, flying at a military helicopter - is incomparable to anything fun, far superior on the severity of sensations common aviation computer games. It is participating in the summer programme of "Alaris" You can feel this air Al. Incidentally, the Air Al.
In Ukraine and outside the well-known aviation unit "Ukrainian Falco." Without it is not no big international air show, where Ukrainian Al show the wonders of modern fighter pilot. "Ukrainian Falco" - indispensable parties traditional flying competitions, which take place in the town of Farnborough (UK). Here they have won prizes and, in some types of programs they awarded WBA title.
But not in vain say that it is better to see once than hear a hundred times. Do not refuse and you follow this wise advice.
Estimated cost of flights (simple pilotazh)
The flights are carried out in the airport zone or on special route, as a rule, visually, that is, with good visibility earth's surface.
Type Price (USD)
2 flight on L-39 2000.00
Su-27UB 11000.00
MiG-29UB 9500.00
MI-8 (12 persons per hour) 2000.00
The cost of the flight include:
-- Repair and maintenance of aircraft
-- Ground and air radio
-- Fuel for the duration of the aircraft
-- Use of premises for coaching and recreation
-- Medical examination
-- Instruction
-- Predpoletnoe medical examination
-- Pre-Planning
-- Predpoletnaya training
In accordance with the requirements of the minimum duration flight training and combat aircraft SU-27, MiG-29, L-39 is 30 minutes.

Opening-closing lamp is considered the starting point of time of flight.
http://www.tourlider.com/

P.S. Anthem ship fighters, beautiful sincere movie.

Balaklava. Nuclear submarine base

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:58:00 +0000

Balaklava is a town in the Crimea, Ukraine which has an official status of a district of the city of Sevastopol.

    Balaklava has changed hands many times during its history. A settlement at its present location was originally founded under the name of Symbolon by the Ancient Greeks, for whom it was an important commercial city.

  During the Middle Ages, it was controlled by the Byzantine Empire and then by the Genoese who conquered it in 1365. The Byzantines called the town Yamboli and the Genoese named it Cembalo. The Genoese built a large trading empire in both the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, buying slaves in Eastern Europe and shipping them to Egypt via the Crimea, a lucrative market hotly contested with by the Venetians. It is believed that it was on board a Genoese trading cog sailing back to Genoa from Balaklava (or Kaffa, according to some chronicles) that the Black Death first arrived in Europe in the mid-14th c.

      The ruins of a Genoese fortress positioned high on a clifftop above the entrance to the Balaklava Inlet are a popular tourist attraction and have recently become the stage for a Medieval festival. In 1475 the growing Ottoman Empire took possession of Balaklava renaming it Balıklava ("a fish nest" in Turkish), which was slowly corrupted over time to its present form. During the Russo-Turkish War, 1768-1774, the Russian troops conquered the Crimea in 1771. Thirteen years later, Crimea was definitively annexed by the Russian Empire. After that, Crimean Tatar and Turkish population was replaced by Greeks from the Archipelago. In 1787 the city was visited by Catherine the Great.

Nuclear submarine base.
From series of the american postcards about soviet military threat:

  But here is looks on in persisting lifes:
    One of the monuments is an underground, formerly classified submarine base that was operational until 1993. The base was said to be virtually indestructible and designed to survive a direct atomic impact. During that period, Balaklava was one of the most secret residential areas in the Soviet Union.

   Almost the entire population of Balaklava at one time worked at the base; even family members could not visit the town of Balaklava without a good reason and proper identification. The base remained operational after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 until 1993 when the decommissioning process started. This process saw the removal of the warheads and low-yield torpedoes. In 1996, the last Russian submarine left the base, which is now open to the public for guided tours around the canal system, the base, and a small museum, which is now housed in the old ammunition warehouse deep inside the hillside.

     Underground Cheops pyramid. "Object 825 GTS" - the so-called documents in this complex, yet conceived by Stalin as the construction protivoatomnoy protection of the first category. The leader was shocked by the results of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and decided thus to protect from attack submarine fleet to guarantee the infliction of retaliation.

     Charm and originality of Balaklava is in the unique long and deep bay on one side of which high on the mountain scenic ruins of medieval fortress Chembalo Genoese, but on the other - climbs Mount Tavros that is translated from Turkish means "empty". It was something and built a subterranean city. His premises were vydolbleny in the rock and covered with reinforced concrete, the thickness of which was 56 meters.

     In the case of a direct threat of nuclear attack - a facility could withstand a direct hit charge capacity of up to 100 kilotons - great thickness sealed doors closed, and the plant is capable of self-sufficiency was there 3 years, along with 3000 people - all of the then population of Balaklava.
     Autonomous excess air, powerful diesel generators, fuel and water mains, underground rail gave way to fully isolate the objective from the external environment. There were well-equipped command posts, bakeries, storage facilities for products and lubricants, hospital, housing for troops, dining halls, kitchens, bathrooms, showers and even lounges.
     From a military point of view "Object 825 GTS" was an underground water channel combined with dry docks, for repair shops, warehouses for the storage of torpedo and other weapons. Combined underground water channel to accommodate submarines and 7 if necessary to repair them. Its depth is up to 8 meters in width - from 8 to 12 metres and a height of the arch channel - 18 metres. The total area of all premises and plant moves - 5100 square kilometres. m, the surface of the water under the ground - 3 thousand Apt. m. Length - 380 meters, the length of the dock - 110 meters.

Salt symphony.

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:26:00 +0000

A unique festival "Salt Symphony" will take place at a depth of 300 meters underground kingdom.
      The idea of creating such a festival was born from Christian Gesslya, Commercial Counsellor Embassy of Austria in Ukraine. We decided then to organize a symphony concert and specially invited for the Austrian conductor Kurt Schmid, but decent room for this event was not found in the Donbass. Send whereas Mr. Gessl to the then Governor of Donetsk, but he advised him to arrange a concert there - and not somewhere, but right in the salt mine. Creativity! And what? Place beautiful - only one finish properly illuminated salt which is worth!
Unusual climate unusual acoustics in the hall, which made the wilderness. You go for salt niche, as in the tale. Acoustics is fantastic. The impression for life.

     The town Soledar, near which salt mines are situated, is in Donbass - a powerful industrial region of the north-eastern part of Ukraine. The industrial mining of salt began more than 100 years ago in this region. Among working mines, where salt is extracted, there are mines, where extraction of salt is already finished.

However, these closed mines still keep serving people. Bronchial asthma, lung inflammation, allergy and other diseases are successfully cured in the special salt sanatorium.

        The museum tells about salt mining at the area of Donbass, and divine service goes in the underground Orthodox Church; wedding ceremonies also take place here. Walls, ceiling, floor, trees - everything in the mine is made of salt. The salt palm is unique as the symbol of Donetsk; it is the analogue of Mertsalov's palm. Underneath you can also see salt sculptures made by folk masters.

      Art Festival "Salt Symphony 2007" The Concert of Symphonic Music:
Salare la sinfonia
Prokofjev Academic Symphony Orchestra of Donetsk Regional State Philharmonics
Soprano Catarina Coresi - Austria
Mezzo - Soprano Elena Suvorova - Austria
«L'orchestre de Contrebasses»
Orchestra Contrebasses – France

      Dates V Art Festival "Salt Symphony 2008", tentatively 16-18 May 2008.

http://www.saltsymphony.com

Sviatohorsk Cave Monastery (Donetsk region)

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:11:00 +0000

Slightly to the south-east of the city of Kharkov, on the banks of Seversky Donets, is Svyatogorskiy Cave Monastery. The documents referred to a place in the 15 st century. In Soviet times monastery buildings were used, as many other churches - for other purposes. Active return monastery buildings undergoing restoration and the last ten years.The first monks to settle the area were in the 14th-15th centuries.
      The first written mention of the monastery was in 1526. In 1624, the monastery was officially recognized as the Sviatohorsk Uspensky Monastery. During times of the Crimean Khanate, the monastery was invaded a couple of times. The monastery was of great importance in the Russian Empire, which was sometimes considered as the Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra of the southwest.

    Before World War I, the monastery was inhabited by approx. 600 monks. During the 1930s, the monastery was destroyed by the Soviets, along with other numerous religious attractions throughout the Soviet Union. After Ukraine gained independence with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the monastery was restored in 1992, and the buildings rebuilt. In 2004, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church restored the monastery to its status as a lavra. Today, the growing monastery community consists of more than 100 monks.

    Of archival documents known that prior to the construction of the first land-XVI century temples in the entire monastery has been concentrated in caves inside the Cretaceous rocks.
Temple of Saint Nicholas at the top of the Cretaceous rocks was also cave in ancient times. Up to the present day it preserved the altar, carved in the Cretaceous rocks.

     Inside the cathedral is Svyatogorskaya Chudotvornaya icon of the Mother of God. Long time, the image was in the cave, and the church was saved from moisture, and fire. In sovetstkoe image has been saved time and again by people moved to the monastery in 1992. At the ceremonial bell-Lavra collected 54 bells. The biggest ( "Igumensky") weighs more than 6 tons. Monks Lavra already mastered melodies ringing 25.

    Nature there is, indeed, unique. They say that this place is very strong ionization of the air. Vi rtually no wind.
     The monastery male. For women, skirts and head covered - are required. No scarves can be bought and on the ground.) Entries in the temples discovered in some time. To reach the upper possible, but avoiding the mountains around the monastery.
    In the territory of the monastery, by the way, also has a hotel, which moved willing (by appointment) on obedience. They go to the service, perform some petty work.

     The wooden temple, surrounded chastokolom - and perhaps most unusual of Svyatogorya facilities. This - Vsehsvyatsky skit, or more correctly - Skit All Saints Russian Land. Now here already live monks. Unfortunately, to get into its territory only four times a year - in the skit are removed, especially in order to minimize contact with the outside world.

Bukovel ski resort

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 05:41:00 +0000

Bukovel ski resort is a village located in the Ivano-Frankivsk province(region) of western Ukraine. It is one of the most popular ski resort in the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains, with a couple high-speed chair lifts, meticulously groomed slopes and snow-making machines, turnstyles for letting skiers through lines, and ubiquitous security personnel.

     The Ukrainian government announced in 2006 that the Bukovel ski and snowboard resort is expanding to 262 acres in anticipation of Ukraine bidding to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The additional land will be used for the construction of several new ski lifts and service projects. Previously, the land was a government-managed forest preserve area. Bukovel has also plans to build an Olympic winter stadium in preparation for a possible bid.

      Bukovel currently boasts 14 ski lifts with roughly 50 km (31 mi) of pistes. There are 61 pistes sections of which 12 are Blue(beginners), 41 red (intermediates) and 8 are Black (experts). The longest piste is 5G at 2,106 2,106 m (6,910 ft). There are 11×4-person chair lifts, 1×3-person chair lift, 1×2-person chair lift and 1×T-bar.

    Bukovel has major plans for expansion; supposedly by the 2008-2009 season it plans to have 278 km of runs and 35 (!) lifts, which would make it one of the 20 largest ski resorts in the world.

      Bukovel lift pass
     With all this new infrastructure, prices at Bukovel are understandably higher than elsewhere. One lift ride costs 10 UAH Mon-Thu and 12 UAH Fri-Sun. Passes can be bought for half a day, evening skiing, a whole day, several days, or the entire season. For example, a day pass (good for all lifts) costs 100 UAH during the week and 110 UAH on weekends. If you ski down the mountain 25 times like me, that comes out to a reasonable 4 UAH per lift ride. About half of the lifts are chair lifts, and half are tows. Lift passes can be bought in several places around the bases of the mountains and can be used by anyone, so you could theoretically give your pass to someone else in your group while you take a break during the day.

   Ski rental
   There are two central locations where skis can be rented (see picture below). All skis are 2-3 years old or less and are in excellent condition. The cheapest (and most popular) set costs 55 UAH on weekdays and 65 UAH on weekends (Fri-Sun), or $11 and $13 USD, respectively. Each person who rents skis must leave a passport or driver's license — or leave a deposit of $500 USD.

  Food at Bukovel
Bukovel has several restaurants next to different mountains — including a pizzeria and an outdoor cafe partway up the central mountain. Prices are quite high by Ukrainian standards, but the service and dining are excellent.

Odessa.

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:01:00 +0000

Odessa is the fourth largest city in Ukraine. Population: 1,029,000.
The city is a major seaport on the Black Sea, the largest port in Ukraine.
       Remembering Odessa say "Odessa - Mom, why?
First let "Odessa- Mom" we remember "Mum Odessa" - Yekaterina II, published order on the construction of Odessa. Secondly it is connected with the spirit of Odessa. As my mother grows her children and then releases them in the light and Odessa grows odessitov many of whom are leaving it.
     Ivan Martos's statue of Duc de Richelieu in Odessa Richelieu Street and the Opera Theater
he city was officially founded in 1794 as a Russian naval fortress on the ruins of Khadjibey and renamed Odessa by January 1795, when its new name was first mentioned in official correspondence. Neither the origin of the new name nor reasons for renaming are known, though etymologies and anecdotes abound. According to one of the stories, when someone suggested Odessos as a name for the new Russian port, Catherine II said that all names in the South of the Empire were already 'masculine,' and didn't want yet another one, so she decided to change it to more 'feminine' Odessa.

Catherine II

Duc de Richelieu.

     Odessa catacombs.
     Most of the city's 19th century houses were built of limestone mined nearby. Abandoned mines were later used and broadened by local smugglers. This created a gigantic complicated labyrinth of underground tunnels beneath Odessa, known as "catacombs". They are a now a great attraction for extreme tourists.

The exact length of the chart and the Odessa catacombs unknown, but estimated it
exceeds 3.5 thousand kilometers.

Sculpture "Stealing the Europe".

Seaport of Odessa.

Opera Theater.

Building of the city council.

  POTEMKINSKAYA LESTNITSA, at 142 metres long, was built in 1837 year, and is one of the best places in town overlooking the harbor and the bay. Looking down from the top of stairs, steps seem to be invisible and visible only intervals between levels, and vice versa - at the foot seems that the ladder consists of a continuum of steps. On both sides of a stone parapet ladder, which, at first glance, parallel to each other.

   The Battleship Potemkin has been called one of the most influential films of all time, and was named the greatest film of all time at the World's Fair at Brussels, Belgium, in 1958. The film is composed of five episodes: "The Odessa Staircase" (Одесская лестница)
The most famous scene in the film is the massacre of civilians on the Odessa Steps (also known as the Primorsky or Potemkin Stairs).

Hotel in Kiev: Radisson SAS, Hyatt Regency, Holiday Inn

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:22:00 +0000

Kiev for a long time remained single european capital without hotels international brands. But finally something in the capital of Ukraine broke Radisson SAS, it Hyatt Regency and Holiday Inn.
    The arrival of international brands of hotel services, the opening of new international air terminal, the abolition of visas for citizens of Western Europe, USA and Japan gives reason to expect an increase in the number of foreign visits.
     Radisson SAS Kiev opened in Kiev in 2005 and focuses primarily on those who travel with their business objectives. The hotel offers 255 spacious rooms. All rooms are divided into 3 categories depending on the style of interior design: "Scandinavian", "Sea" and "Italian". The hotel is connected to Curtis-C, one of the most advanced international computer reservation systems. It provides the convenience of instant service to clients and staff. Access to the network is possible through reservation systems in more than 125 countries.

     Radisson SAS located in Yaroslavov Val. This is one of the most ancient and famous streets of Kiev. It continues to strengthen XI century built one of the most famous Kiev princes - Jaroslav. Radisson SAS Kiev joined two buildings - № 22 and 24, dating, respectively, 1882 and 1903 years. Address: 22 Yaroslaviv Val.

     Hyatt Regency St. Sophia Kiev, A. Tarasova Street, Kiev, UA, Deluxe - OHG.
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.

       Housed in a modern building, Hyatt Regency Kiev - Saint Sophia now completely renovated to offer first class service. Just 37 kilometers from Borispil International Airport, is ideal for business meetings and conferences. The hotel is within walking distance of government offices, numerous parks, golden churches and shops which line the city's main street, Khreschatyk.

     Group InterContinental Hotels Group in 2009 will enter into service in Kiev, the first Holiday Inn hotel chains in the 280 rooms at the Bolshoy Zhitomirskoy,2a.

Health Insurance

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:19:00 +0000

       Before traveling to Ukraine, it's recommended that you contact your insurance company and find out if its policy applies overseas and which health expenses it may cover. As a rule, cover is rather limited. It's advisable to shop around and choose the most appropriate one, as prices and conditions might vary greatly. Note that the Medicare and Medicaid programs pay for medical services only in the USA.
       In addition to your medical insurance you can buy Ukrainian Medical Insurance at the border. This insurance is not obligatory at all and may cost about $10-15 depending on the period of your stay.
      There are no vaccination requirements or other special requirements for international customers visiting Ukraine.
       As of medical facilities, Ukrainian standards of care are different from American or Western European standards. If you need some prescription medicine, take it with you, as only basic supplies may be available in Ukraine.

Beauty Kiev. The Architecture (part one).

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 05:25:00 +0000

Dnepr (Dnipro).

St. Sophiya cathedral

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (Monastery)

Pokrovsky Monastery

Vladimirskiy Carthedral.

Mikhailovskiy Carthedral (X-XI cent.) St. Michael's.

Andreevskaya church - Andreys orthodox church
(from http://www.archunion.com.ua)
to be continued ...

Rental car

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 19:18:00 +0000

In Ukraine car is much more expensive than, say, in the United States.
Day hire cheap car such as the Ford Focus in the United States in the cost 50-55 dollars. Mileage is unlimited. You can travel throughout the United States. Rent at any time. If you enjoy discounts, it is possible to remove the car for 16 dollars a day (especially if the rent falls on the weekend).

In Ukraine, car prices are several times higher.
Rent Forms Focus with no automatic (as in the USA), a manual transmission in Kiev is 160 USD. per day (just checked the site the company has a branch in Kiev). And until recently, in order to be eligible to use a car outside Kiev, and the area had to take permission from the company manager.
Those are certainly car rental business conditions in the Ukraine(for example http://www.hertz.ua).

A few words about the personal safety of visitors to Kiev, Ukraine.

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:06:00 +0000

     Basically, in Kiev, in the same safe, as in most countries in Western Europe.
     Organized crime exists, but crimes against visitors tend to have a low level and may include theft cash, credit cards, cell phones or wristwatches.
In Kiev in the daytime anyone can walk anywhere without any danger. In the night (after 23:00) don't walk alone for long distances (take a taxi) and avoid drunk persons. Keep eye on your pockets and mobile phones in subway, public transport and markets with plenty of people.
     Visitors should take good note of the following:
Water - Drink only bottled or boiled water.
Rabies – There are large numbers of stray dogs in Kiev. Although the risk of catching rabies is actually quite small, anyone bitten should seek immediate medical attention.
During the winter, many of Kiev’s streets and sidewalks resemble ice rinks.
Ukrainian drivers commonly use the sidewalk as an extra lane.
Prostitution, although often discreet, is common in hotel lobbies and bars.
Ukraine has one of the fastest growing HIV/AIDS rates in Europe. The World Heath Organization estimates that there are 377,000 people in the country living with HIV/AIDS.

Telephone calls to the Ukraine

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 05:52:00 +0000

The country code for the Ukraine is 380 although the 0 is normally included within the city code.
     For an English-speaking operator – dial 8, wait for the dial tone and then dial 191.
     Ambulance – 03 or 118, Police – 02, Fire – 01.
    Visitors with European mobile phones should have no problem roaming in Uraine. Visitors intending making a few calls may find it more economical to purchase a local SIM card. Suppliers include: MTC, KyivStar, Life. The SIM cards are widely available in hotels, shops.
      Within Ukraine telephone calls:
         - 8 — wait for second dial tone
        - city code
        - subscriber's number
*Note: The city code and telephone number together should consist of 10 digits
For example:
To make a call to Donetsk, dial:
8 062 XXX-XX-XX, where
062 — city code of Donetsk
XXX-XX-XX — subscriber's number
      International telephone calls:
          - 8 (code for intercity service),
          - wait for second dial tone,
          - 10 (code for international service),
          - country code,
          - city code,
          - subscriber's number.
For example:
To make a call to Atlanta (USA) dial:
   8 10 1 404 XXX-XX-XX, where
   1 — USA country code,
   404 — city code of Atlanta,
   XXX-XX-XX — subscriber's number.

Extreme excursion to the Chernobyl zone.

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:55:00 +0000

Excursion to the Chernobyl zone with a visit to town, Pripyat, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

          On the night of April 25-26, 1986, the most terrible disaster happened at the nuclear power plant near a small Ukrainian town of Chernobyl.

      The staff of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant which was considered one of the best in the country were testing the reactor’s emergency cooling facility and disaster protection system was deliberately shut off. 44 seconds later the reactor went out of control. An explosion destroyed a cover slab which weighted 1000 tons. Graphite coating of the reactor caught fire. More than 40 types of radionuclides were released into the atmosphere.

The total power of the explosion was 100 times greater than the power of the nuclear weapons released on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The force of the explosion spread contamination over large parts of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia.

       Today ZONE - is a unique monument to the greatest man-made disaster twentieth century.


For residents of the Ukrainian Chernobyl zone - it is also a huge seam of the history and culture of the province.

This tour:
7.45 Departure from Kiev, parking lot near the metro station Lukyanovskaya near McDonalds
10:00 Arrive at KP "Dityatki". Entrance to 30 - ty kilometre exclusion zone
10.30 Study Chernobylinterinform to "talk": general information about the Chernobyl tragedy of the exclusion zone, the life of Chernobyl today
11.00 -12.00 Entrance to 10 - ty kilometre zone. A trip around the Chernobyl NPP. Stopping at a viewing platform in front of the gate fourth power unit with a view of the "Shelter".
12.00-16.00 trip to the town of Pripyat. Walking through the "dead city", a visit to one of the highest buildings - Hotel "Polese, school, kindergarten and once residential homes permanently abandoned its inhabitants
16. 00-17.00 Study tour of the city with Chernobyl in the river port of arrival, Elias Church, the Park of Glory, visiting the graves of Hasidic
Dinner at 17.00-18.00 Chernobylinternform of 3 x dishes. (All products brought from Kiev).
19.00-Departure from the Exclusion Zone.
21.00 - the arrival in Kiev.

The cost of travel is 320 hryvnias (64 USD)

Notes:
- Children under 18 years of age is prohibited from entering the Zone.
Check-in the Zone is permitted only if there is a passport. Please do not forget to take it with. - When ordering prepayment made in the amount of 50% of the cost of travel. In the case of travel, this amount is not refundable.
The list goes on tour at the request by e-mail chernobyl@interesniy.kiev.ua

P.S. The level of radiation, which you can get for the trip, roughly equal to that obtained in flight for jet aircraft and several orders of magnitude less than for medical radiography.

About Ukraine

noreply@blogger.com (raremodel) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:01:00 +0000

Location: Eastern Europe;
Population: 48 million;
Area: 603,000 km2 (slightly larger than France and slightly smaller than Texas);
Capital: Kyiv (Kiev);
Climate: temperate continental, except for a small strip of Crimea's southern coast, which has a mediterranean climate;
Geography: 95% of Ukraine is flat or nearly flat, with small rolling hills.
In the west the Carpathians rise to 2061 m (Hoverla), and in the south the Crimean Mountains reach 1545 m;
Currency: Hryvnia (grivna), abbreviation = UAH; Exchange rate since 2008 hovers around 5 UAH to 1 USD;
Government structure: Republic;
National holidays:
     January 1 - New Year's Day,
     January 7 - Christmas (Orthodox calendar),
     March 8 - International Women's Day,
     May 1 and 2 - International Workers' Solidarity Day,
     May 9 - Victory Day,
    June 28 - Constitution Day,
    August 24 - Independence Day;

    Ukraine is a state in Eastern Europe, bounded on the north by Belarus (952 km), on the northeast by the Russian Federation (2,484 km), on the west by Poland (542 km) and Slovakia (98 km), and on the southwest by Hungary (135 km), Romania (608 km), and Moldova (1,194 km). The total area of Ukraine is 603,700 sq. km (compare the area of France - 551,000 sq. km, Germany - 356,000 sq. km, Great Britain - 244,000 sq. km, Italy - 301,000 sq. km, Spain - 505,000 sq. km). Ukraine is the biggest country in Europe (after Russia). It is divided into 24 regions (oblasts) and an Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The country has an access to the Black Sea and the Azov Sea and two mountainsides: Carpathians in the West and the Crimean Mountains in the South.
      Ukraine climate is temperate continental, and subtropical at the southern coast of the Crimea. The mean temperature in January is 5o C (+ 23 F) and + 20o C (68 F) in July.