Don't miss out in the Carpathians
The region of Lvov
Situated to approximately 100 km of Lvov, Trouskavets is the biggest course resort in Ukraine. This health resort nested in the forest at an altitude of 350 metres, has not less than 14 mineral springs and almost so many sanatoriums. The inhabitants of the region know for a long time the healing virtues of these springs. In 1835, the chemist T. Toresevych came from Lvov and made the first analyses of the three main springs " Naftousia, Maria and Ferdinand ". His analysis showed weak content in hydrocarbonates, and a high rate of organic substances derived from petroleum. The resort has seen the light of day in 1827 with the equipment of six ponds adjacent to the local tavern. The endless list of troubles which relieve these supernatural waters can lend to smile, however in autumn, this place is stormed by the well-off Ukrainian, among which, some maybe come only to look for a little of rest in a really magnificent setting. The town of Jovkva which sheltered in the XVIIth century an artists colony, preserves a beautiful palace of Renaissance style within a very pleasant park. It is a beautiful excursion of day, 30 km a part from Lvov. A little farther, in approximately 70 km, the castle of Olesko, built in the XVIIIth century on the site of an ancient medieval fortress destroyed by the Tartars in the XVth century, also deserves the detour. In 80 km east of Lvov, in the town of Zolotchiv, the castle of Zolotchiv, built in1630, towers up on the horizon. It is a defensive citadel surrounded with high ramparts. The inner courtyard hosts the big palace of Renaissance style and the Chinese palace which Polish king Jean III made build for his wife Marie Kazimira d' Arcoulion.
The region of Ivano-Frankovsk
Ivano-Frankovsk was founded in the XVIIth century by the Poles which named it Stanislawow. In 1962, the Soviets renamed it of the name of an eminent Ukrainian writer and professor, Ivan Franko. Only the historic city center presents a tourist interest, with the marketplace ( Plochtcha Rynok), the main squareVitchevy, the streets layed with cobblestones from the old town on the detour of which you will discover the Jesuit church (1729) and in front of it, the Graeco-Catholic church of the Saint Resurrection.The museum of sacred Art as well as the regional museum of the nature and the history are worthwhile. At the east of the marketplace, you will catch sight of the domes of both twin towers of the Armenian church built in 1762. About 60 km south of Ivano-Frankovsk, in the small village of Maniava, is the monastery " Skit (hermitage) Maniavski " founded in 1612 by Iov Kniaguinetski, religious Greek come from the Mount Athos. Lost in full forest, this stony and wooden complex, was an important religious and cultural center for all the region. Closed in 1785 by the Austrians, its iconostasis was moved to Vienna before being restored to the national museum of Lvov.The library of the monastery is still preserved in Vienna and in Lvov. The building shelters a museum of copies of sculptures and religious paintings. In 70 km south of Ivan-Frankovsk and in 30 km east of Maniava, you can visit the city of Kolomya founded in 1240 at the foot of the mountains and by the river "Prut". The interest of the visit lies in its two museums. First of all, the museum of folk Art of Hutsuls and Pokoutie. Besides the traditional wooden works, in metal or leather, potteries and icons dated from the XVIth century, the museum exposes rare archaeological objects of the ancient Trypillia civilization (II-IVth centuries BC) and a very beautiful collection of numismatics. Then, the museum of "Pysanky", literally " the written eggs " which is an Ukrainian popular tradition, the origin of which goes back up to the antiquity. The pysanka is an egg of hen or goose on which we write according to the technique of the batik. The shell is decorated with pagan or Christian symbols such as the sun, the stars, the water, the tree, the wheat, the fish etc....These inscriptions symbolize the wishes which we formulate towards the person, to whom we shall offer the pysanka the Easter Day. The museum brings together a collection of more than 6000 items. About 20 km south away from Kolomya, the town of Kossiv is recommended for its Hutsul craft market. Early in the Saturday morning, craftsmen come down the mountains with their goods and install their stalls. About 40 km north of Ivano-Frankovsk, the city of Galitch gave its name to the historic province and kingdom of Halychyna (or Galicia), of which it was the capital until the early 14th century, when the seat of local princes was moved to Lvov. In XI-XIIth centuries, the territory strengthened by this city extended over 9 km from north to south and 11km from west to east. Many vestiges are preserved in a museum of history and architecture of ancient Halych.
The region of Transcarpathia
Located in the valley of Ouj, at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, Ujgorod (gorod means city) is a beautiful and bustling city of 110000 inhabitants swathed in greenery. It was founded in the XIIIth century and was connected with the state of Kievan Rus. It is one of the oldest Slavic cities. It is the administrative centre of the region of Transcarpathia and its economy is based essentially on the forestry exploitation. The old part of town is on the north bank of the Ouj. Quite as Lvov, the old districts include buildings of various styles and periods such as the Graeco-Catholic cathedral St-Michel and the old bishop's palace (both from the XVIIth century) which hosts the library of the university. The castle of Ujgorod built in the XVth century on the hill called " the mountain of the castle" overhangs the old town. This impressive building is surrounded with a moat and with a massive wall intended formerly to contain the Turkish invader. The castle hosts henceforth the museum of regional history where you can admire a beautiful collection of old weapons, as well as a picture gallery where are represented the Hungarian, Polish, Slovak schools, as well as some Russian great masters of the XIXth century such as Aïvazovski, Chichkine and Makovski. Nearby, is the ethnographical museum of the traditional architecture and the daily life, a beautiful outdoor space which include the peasant houses, the mills and even an old country inn. In the public garden of the theater, there is a puppet theater dating from 1920. Close, towers up one of the biggest orthodox synagogues of Europe. In 30 km of Oujgorod is the city of Mukatchevo, the second city of Transcarpathia with 90000 inhabitants, to see for its monastery (XIVth century), its wooden church (XVIIIth century) and the famous castle Palanok (XIVth century) perched on the Zamkova hill.
The region of Tchernovtsi
Tchernovtsi built at the beginning of the XVIth century, is in the heart of the former duchy of Bucovina, shared between Rumania and Ukraine. As the rest of western Ukraine, this city was the object of bitter fight for its conquest, by the Turks, the Austrians, and the Romanians. The city counts 260000 inhabitants. It stretches on 12 km along the Prut river. The Jewish, Armenian and the German communities left to the city a beautiful architectural heritage which dates from the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries. The Czech architect Josef Hlavka built the university of Tchernovtsi (XIXth century), which formerly was the residence of the metropolitans of the Greek orthodox church of Bucovina. The building is surprising, with its painted and glossy tiles, which motives remind those of a traditional carpet. It hosts the magnificent botanical garden which date from 1877. The cathedral St-Nicolas, nicknamed " the drunked church" because of its four twisted turrets is worth seeing, as well as the theater of lyric and dramatic Arts, which its wooden architecture date from 1906 and the former city hall which dates from 1843. Do not miss the Kalynovsky market, very impressive by its size and by the number of persons who meet themselves there daily. In 100 km north of Tchernovtsy, the fortress of Kamenets-Podolski is the highlight of this part of the region. Located in the region of Khmelnitski, Kamenets-podolski, is a fortified city dating from the XIth century, perched on a rocky peak, in the middle of a 150-200 metres wide natural ditch and deep about 30 metres. The canyon is at the edge of a loop formed by a tributary of the Dniester, the Smotrych river. We reach the city and the castle by two bridges. It is certainly the site of Ukraine where the medieval atmosphere is the most palpable. As the rest of western Ukraine, this region knew a tempestuous past, regulated by the invasions and the occupations. The longest was that of the Turks who stayed there for 27 years from August, 1672.

Nature, walkings and ski

Located between the two regions of Transcarpatie and Ivano-Frankovsk, The national natural reserve of the Carpathian Mountains offer in summer the possibilities of numerous and interesting walkings for a moderate admission charge (less of 1 GBP for an adult). It covers approximately 500 km2 and shelters a very rich flora as well as a fauna made up of brown bears, lynx, wolves, deers and even bisons. The highest poin of the park is the mount Hoverla which reaches 2061 metres. Its ascent does not present particular difficulties and its summit offers a magnificent panorama. Excursions are also organized in the reserve of biosphere of the Carpathian mountains where are identified more than 2500 animal species (vertebrates and invertebrates) as well as more of one hundreds of plants, which are strictly protected. Most of the skiable domains are situated around the cities of Yaremtcha, Rakhiv or Vorokhta. In summer, they are an ideal point of departure for walkings in the national natural reserve of the Carpathian mountains.