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The Eternal City Of Slavic NationsKiev could be already an interesting tourist point to visit because of that fact that this city is one of the oldest locations of old Russian Empire!Since August 1991 Kiev became the capital of independent country. Before this historic event Kiev was the third most important metro of the Soviet Union (after Moscow and Leningrad). But neither in policy, nor in social life Kiev had any influence on the decisions in Soviet leadership. And only as the capital of independent Ukraine Kiev became world-wide famous, especially on political scene during the period of leadership of the Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk, so called Father of Ukrainian Independence.Kiev or Kyiv (in Ukrainian spelling) is located in the central part of Ukraine. International air port of Borispil is located approx. 70 kilometer away from the city. If you fly to Kiev use only the express-buses Borispil-Kiev (so called Atass-Polit busses). Never take taxi-cab or Intourist-bus. The fare in Atass-Polit is less than two dollars. Taxi-driver or Intourist agent will ask you for 50 USD for the same route! The hotels of the city are very simple. They were built in Soviet period and have less comfort. They are very notorious by the prices - the simplest hotel room will cost you 350 Dollars per night. It is preferable to rent an apartment, because it will be definitely less expensive and more comfortable. The other advantage of renting a private apartment is that you are able to take somebody for the night there - in hotel it could be provocative and lead to serious problems both for you as well as for the person you wanted to bring in your room. The Ukrainian currency is called Hrivna (UAH): 1 USD = 5.33 UAH 1 EUR = 6.65 UAH The state on January 2004. The public phone cells work only inside the city (some 'blue' phones on main street and on the stations function inside the Ukraine as well). To use public phone cells you need to buy the pone card at the post office. The phone number of police is 02. Better use the common sense to avoid the unpleasant or even critical situations. The phone number of ambulance is 03. Be aware that these emergency services are not available in English, so if it is the case try to use 'international' words speaking with them per phone. International access phone code for Ukraine +380 City access phone code for Kiev (0)44. The shopping in Kiev will not have any sense for you - the range of goods in Kiev stores is definitely miserable, however the prices for the same items as in Western countries are 4-5 times more expensive in Kiev than in in any European capital. You'll definitely be shocked seeing the prices in so called 'boutiques' on the main street of the city. It is impossible to understand why the shops of Adidas, Levi's or O'Neil are called 'boutiques' in this city, although these brands have NOTHING in common with 'haute couture'! To have some dinner never visit the restaurants located on the main street or especially in the so called Passage or underground center under main square called Globus. The modest meal for one person and small cup of bad row coffee will easily cost you more than 250-350 USD. The foreigners living in Kiev prefer to go to McDonald's with its fixed prices! Taking a taxi-cab always make the agreement with the driver before the ride. Otherwise you'll pay up to 10 times more expensive. Never take the taxi-cabs with special logo on it - more reasonable is to stop the private car! Do not take big amounts of cash with you on safety reasons! Use the travel checks or credit card only. Never give your credit card as payment method either in restaurants or in the shops! They will copy your information and make good shopping via the Internet. First get cash from any ATM, here they are called "bankomat" (there are many of them in the city center). Enjoy your visit! • Georgy Boychuk© 1997-2008 by Gay Kiev Online. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this site without prior permission of «Gay Kiev Online Portal Ltd.» strictly prohibited. |
