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Ukraine
Complemented by easy-to use, reliable maps, helpful recommendations, authoritative background information, and up-to-date coverage of things to see and do, these popular travel guides cover in detail countries, regions, and cities around the world for travelers of every budget, along with extensive itineraries, maps with cross-referencing to the text, "Top 10" and "Top 5" lists, and other practical features.
216 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2005
81 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 21 reviews
August 7, 2023
I love reading free Kindle Travel Guides. It’s a way of imaginary traveling to a destination for as long as I want.
However, this one was definitely different, in that I wanted to see the beauty of Ukraine 🇺🇦 before this horrible war of aggression and devastation was unleashed upon them.
Ukraine.
My thoughts and prayers are with these strong people and the continuation of their distinct culture.
However, this one was definitely different, in that I wanted to see the beauty of Ukraine 🇺🇦 before this horrible war of aggression and devastation was unleashed upon them.
Ukraine.
My thoughts and prayers are with these strong people and the continuation of their distinct culture.
September 6, 2014
I work in international aid and development, and I think having a travel guide for any country I'm going to is a must. And I almost always choose Lonely Planet. I love setting the book out on my desk and seeing aid workers scoff at a "tourism" book - and then, at the end of the day, sheepishly come into my office and ask to borrow it. This particular edition was written pre-Maidan, but the authors were definitely here and aware, because the hints that some kind of big change is coming is everywhere in the book. Even though a lot has changed post-Maidan - and the entire chapter on Crimea now is oh-so-sad : most of the Tatars have now fled to Western Ukraine, and there's a very big clamp down on press freedom in Crimea (and definitely don't mention homosexuality if you go there now) -- this book is still excellent and still worth getting if you are coming to Ukraine, and unless the Russians do invade and push to Kyiv, it will be a fine guide for at least a few years to come. My only criticism: they left out Korosten (Ukrainian: Ко́ростень, Russian: Ко́ростень). The old WWII bunker there is, IMO, worth the trip, and I hear there's a rather awesome potato pancake festival there every September.
February 18, 2008
This is probably the worst travel guide I've ever read. It completely misses the point of travel in Ukraine. It's constantly referring to the "sub-standard" quality of virtually everything and trashes all but three or four destinations. I can't tell you how many times I read descriptions of places I've visited an scoffed at how offhandedly they were dismissed.
People don't visit Ukraine for a relaxing week of 5-star hotels and Western European-style tourism. If not looking for family or engaging in business, people come to Ukraine for a decidedly different tourist experience. Yes, it's an experience that is a little rough around the edges. But it's also filled with cheap and comfortable travel, incredibly hospitable and authentic people, and a surprisingly rich and diverse country that mixes snowy birch forests and rocky sub-tropical beaches as well as European and Soviet history.
The LP folks were recently back in Ukraine doing research for the new edition, but I'm not all that hopeful much of this can be salvaged. Go with the Bradt Guide.
People don't visit Ukraine for a relaxing week of 5-star hotels and Western European-style tourism. If not looking for family or engaging in business, people come to Ukraine for a decidedly different tourist experience. Yes, it's an experience that is a little rough around the edges. But it's also filled with cheap and comfortable travel, incredibly hospitable and authentic people, and a surprisingly rich and diverse country that mixes snowy birch forests and rocky sub-tropical beaches as well as European and Soviet history.
The LP folks were recently back in Ukraine doing research for the new edition, but I'm not all that hopeful much of this can be salvaged. Go with the Bradt Guide.
June 10, 2019
Bought this book as it was the only one I could find on Ukraine and I was planning a short trip. It was more than I needed as I was only going to be in Kiev and Chernobyl but it was quite helpful. It was broken up into areas of the country, and within each section by activities, things to see, places to eat, etc. There was a really great walking tour of the main sites in Kiev that was really great and we ended up doing the whole thing (though we started in the middle).
The book offered some helpful tips on surviving Ukraine, some basic phrases, and so on. Took it with me on the trip and was glad that I did, and that I had bought it in the first place.
The book offered some helpful tips on surviving Ukraine, some basic phrases, and so on. Took it with me on the trip and was glad that I did, and that I had bought it in the first place.
January 18, 2019
That Lonely Planet employs Russian Leonid Ragozin (who denies almost all Russian aggression/propaganda/misbehaviour in the world) to write a freaking guidebook about the country Russia is currently invading??
This was a better company before the owners sold out a few years ago.
I have no more words. I'm too furious.
This was a better company before the owners sold out a few years ago.
I have no more words. I'm too furious.
June 27, 2020
С одной стороны, указаны все основные наиболее интересные для среднестатистического путешественника достопримечательности. С другой же - написано о них чересчур мало, как бы вскользь. К тому же, очень слаб раздел об истории и культуре Украины.
June 17, 2019
Great guide! Super helpful and got us un-lost twice. Loved the insights into history, was traveling with locals and they didn’t even know some of the history. Great resource!
September 20, 2019
The best lonely planet book so far
July 3, 2020
Love Lonely Planet 2020 trip cancelled
November 22, 2020
Going through this was just what I needed to get excited about Ukraine in a tough time for the international order. Some parts are a bit crudely written, but overall feeling excited!
October 6, 2021
Really love the nostalgic feel of the Lonely Planet series. Sometimes the Google world we live in dulls the senses. I love to travel, and I love to explore the 'blueprint' that LP provides.
June 6, 2007
I'm usually a fan of Lonely Planet guide books, but this one was very disappointing. It's very smug. It only gives phrases in Ukrainian, though Russian is widely used. And it leaves out important basics: don't get your own at kiosks, to get [here], take a left outside of Metro and walk 15 minutes, go underground to cross street, etc. Spent most of the time in Kiev. I was disappointed with a lot of the suggestions.
All said, this was the best Ukraine guide book we could find. Plus, 'change' and 'development' are juggernauts -- beasts in themselves -- in Ukraine. I'm sure it's a challenge to write a proper guide in a place evolving so quickly.
My suggestion: head online. Visit the travel boards, Lonely Planet has one. Read up on other people's recent travels and post questions before you go. Once there, try to connect with the locals and get suggestions. When back, post then post some more about your experience. (Although, I haven't been good about this.)
All said, this was the best Ukraine guide book we could find. Plus, 'change' and 'development' are juggernauts -- beasts in themselves -- in Ukraine. I'm sure it's a challenge to write a proper guide in a place evolving so quickly.
My suggestion: head online. Visit the travel boards, Lonely Planet has one. Read up on other people's recent travels and post questions before you go. Once there, try to connect with the locals and get suggestions. When back, post then post some more about your experience. (Although, I haven't been good about this.)
February 6, 2011
In light of my impending trip to Ukraine, I got this book from the library to see whether or not it would be beneficial to buy my own copy to bring with me on my trip. I really thought this was a good book. I had heard good things about Lonely Planet but this was the first time that I had ever looked at one. I reviewed the general, Kiev and Lviv section of the book. It didn't seem to cover a lot of the smaller areas in the country so it wouldn't be that helpful for those going more off the beaten path.
October 16, 2011
A good beginning guide to traversing Ukraine, the book does lack specific details and helpful hints when it comes to navigating mass transit. The phrases in the back of the book are helpful, especially when you come across the regions that do not speak Russian or do not have an affinity for Russian speakers.
I highly suggest visiting Lviv, Kiev, and Odessa.
I highly suggest visiting Lviv, Kiev, and Odessa.
June 6, 2007
As all Lonely Planet books I've owned, this one is by all means very useful, but already dated in some respects. Still it seems to be the most complete guidebook to Ukraine for Westerners. Buy locally published guidebooks in Ukraine for more detailed exploration.
January 16, 2012
Very helpful for first time visitors - Kyiv was beautiful and this book saved us a lot of time with tips on eating and transportation, time schedules, etc.
October 5, 2012
pretty good
September 1, 2012
русская версия
December 26, 2012
It'll not show everything but for a basic pack-up in your first visit to Ukraine it does cover quite all things you may wanna see and provides some goods tips.
April 27, 2022
L'ho letto e usato anche poi in occasione del viaggio in Ucraina del 2012. Come sempre utile e chiaro.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 21 reviews