Almost everyone likes to travel. It is so amazing to leave your habitual life for several days, to change of scene and to go to discover new cities and countries, new people and customs, new cultures and ways of life! So positive influence of tourism to the social, cultural, economic and political values worldwide is the reason why we celebrate the World Tourism Day on September 27.
It was established by UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for increase of awareness about positive influence of tourism to the world community. Traveling helps people to compare their life values with the values of other nations and to use foreign experience in their life. Thanks to the travels we receive a notion about the other nations and cultures, their customs and traditions, and learn to value the variety of humankind.
On the other hand, it is time to think about the safety of tourism in different countries. So today Step2Love proposes you some advice that will be useful if you are going to visit Ukraine.
1. Language.
The most of Ukrainians in general only speaks Ukrainian and Russian. That goes for officials, policemen, bank employees, sellers etc. too. For being on the safe side use the interpreter’s service or at least to take a pocket English-Russian Travel Phrasebook.
2. Safety.
Visits to Ukraine usually are trouble free. But it would be better to beware of petty crimes in crowded areas and avoid of walking alone in the dark street. Be careful on the roads, especially if you decided to rent a car. Good news: there is no threat of terrorism in Ukraine.
The common phone number of emergency services in Ukraine is 112. Also note down a phone number of your embassy.
3. Local laws.
Notice that it is forbidden to drink alcoholic drinks (including beer) and to smoke in a public place in Ukraine. Pay attention: smoking at the restaurants, pubs, café etc. is banned also. For the sake of good order ask the staff where you can smoke. And if you’d like to drink a bottle of beer, do it in a pub or at the guest room in your hotel.
4. Money.
As a rule Ukrainians use cash money. ATM also are available. Ukrainian official currency is hryvnya (UAH). US dollars and Euros are the easiest for exchanging to hryvnya.
5. Customs.
The most of official institutions function from 8-9 am to 5-6 pm from Monday to Friday (museums and galleries are usually opened on weekends too). Shops as a rule work every day until 7-8 pm and there are some all-day shops and supermarkets in the big cities. As for the restaurants and pubs, usually they are glad to see their visitors till 10-11 pm.
In general Ukraine is a very opened and friendly country and the most of Ukrainians are hospitable to the foreigners. So use our advice and make your trip safe and pleasant with Step2Love!