If you can not imagine your summer vacation without the sea and the beach, head straight to Odesa region where you will find vibrant nightlife, festive mood and amazing beaches. If you have been to Odesa before, you probably heard of "Dolphin", "Arcadia", "Riviera", "Luzanovka", "Otrada", "Chayka" and «Chernomorka» beaches. With their cons and pros, these beaches are likely to be crowded and rather pricy during summer months. Try to hit one of the less-known strips of sand housing some of the most beautiful Odesa secret beaches. The infrastructure will be less developed, offering lower standards of service, however the breathtaking vistas over the coastline and lack or absence of crowds of occasional holiday makers are totally worth the sacrifice.
Read: Top 7 Natural Wonders in Ukraine
For totally unique travel experience is a visit to Dzharylhach island. It is often referred to as Ukrainian Maldives. This beautiful strip of land is located in Kherson region and due to its remote location remains pretty deserted even in the peak summer season.
Despite the sea being one of the most popular summer holiday destinations, there are still many other interesting options to spend the unforgetable vacation in Ukraine. Buky Canyon remains one of the hidden gems of Ukraine and one of its most beautiful natural wonders. Located in the heart of Ukraine, about 180 kms away from Kyiv and 30 kms away from Zhashkiv, this is relatively small, approximately 5 kms (or 3 miles) long, 20 meters (22 yd.) deep and anywhere from 20 to 40 meters wide canyon that attracts numerous travelers.
This canyon was formed by the Hirs’kyi Tikych (Tikych Mountain) River in the crystalline rocks of the Ukrainian ground shield. These Precambrian granitic rocks create a picturesque landscape in the form of steep cliffs and tumultuous rapids. Experienced travelers say that Buky rocks are very similar to the famous Norwegian fjords. Although, instead of the Bay, between the sheer cliffs, the snake-like Tikych Mountain River flows.
For another dose of astonishing vistas head to Bakota. Formerly a fortified town in the Principality of Galicia-Volyn, Bakota was first mentioned in the Hypatian Chronicle under the year 1240. It is located in the valley of the Dnister River in eastern Podilia. It is now a village near Kamianets-Podilskyi (Khmelnytskiy region). Bakota has an ancient Orthodox cave monastery with frescoes and paintings dating back to the 12th-14th centuries. There is a Paleolithic archeological site near the village.
Bakota offers a breathtaking vistas over Dnister River.
Ukraine also boasts hundreds of lakes, from tiny grass-lined ponds to massive freshwater expanses. However, some lakes simply stand out more than others and attract many curious travelers. Shatsky Lakes National Park is very popular summer travel destination in Ukraine. The Shatsky National Nature Park lies 160 kms northwest of Lutsk in the corner between Belarus and Poland, and has some 200 lakes, rivers and streams. However, while fascinating to scientists, Ukraine's wild 'Lake District' and its deep Lake Svityaz is a long way from appealing to all but the most adventurous of (camping and rafting) tourists.
Synevir is the largest and one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Carpathian Mountains. It is also called "Sea Eye" or "Pearl of the Carpathians". The lake has a mirror-like water surface among green forests, with a small island in the middle.
The lake attracts numerous tourists with its crystal clear waters and unique landscapes. There is beautiful legend that the picturesque blue lake was formed from the tears of the count's daughter Syn', on the place where her father had killed her beloved shepherd Vir. The names of the couple formed the lake’s name «Synevir». These days two wooden statues of lovers remind numerous travelers of this romantic but tragic legend.
Read: National Parks in Ukraine
Ukraine due to its geographical location, rich history and multicultural background, can cater to the interest and needs of the most spoiled travelers.
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