10 Tips for Traveling in Ukraine

Researching a travel destination, especially one as eclectic and inspiring as Ukraine, can set an imagination ablaze, but what about practical travel tips for this emerging travel destination? Sometimes, a set of practical tips are just as useful as a map or a travel website. Take a look at our 10 Tips for Traveling in Ukraine.
Number 10:
Mushrooms and berries are staples of Ukrainian meals, yet, both tend to absorb radiation more than other foods since the Chernobyl disaster. Most mushrooms sold in restaurants are not grown locally, but home-grown berries sold from street vendors are best avoided.
Number 9:
Coffee lovers may shriek with anxiety when traveling in Ukraine. Instant coffee, a throwback from the Soviet system, is largely the brew of choice, though caffeine entrepreneurs have discovered that many travelers and some Ukrainians have palettes rich in lattes. If you are in Odessa, go to Klara Bara; if you are in Kiev, check out Kaffa; and if you are traveling in Sevastopol, go to the Hotel Ukraine for your caffeine hit.
Number 8:
Kiev is considered a con artist’s paradise by some and foreigners are an easy mark. If a “transport inspector” asks to see an ID, ask for your own proof of identification otherwise you may be “fined” for not having the “right” ticket. Pickpockets are considered by some to be an effort at full employment, so watch your wallet, too!
Number 7:
Kiev may be a bustling cosmopolitan area, but people still sometimes drive on the pavements to get around a car. Watch the traffic. Learn to hold your place in queues too, as locals, after years of waiting in grocery lines only to discover that no food remained, can be a bit pushy. Hold your ground.
Number 6:
Don’t ignore the Ukrainian babushkas that wander the streets of major cities. Many are self-taught homeopaths and true believers in herbal remedies to cure what may ail you. Wormwood is a particular favorite, purported to ease toothaches, coughs, fever, kidney and liver distress, and even memory.
Number 5:
Ukrainians are superstitious, and while it may be tempting to sit down on steps or walls to rest your body, don’t be surprised as a woman if someone admonishes you in Ukrainian. Women sitting on concrete risk freezing their ovaries which will make them unable to bear children.
Number 4:
If you are lucky enough to be invited to a Ukrainian family’s house, to better cement relations between your respective cultures, remember these tried and true tips: bring a small gift to your host; inform your host if there is something you cannot eat to avoid offense and only refuse an alcoholic drink for health reasons; take off your shoes when entering a home and don’t shake hands across the threshold as this is bad luck. Finally, if you are not much of a drinker, don’t try and keep up with your hosts. Ukrainians are experts in toast-making and vodka consumption.
Number 3:
If you are traveling by train between western and southern Ukraine, you might be traveling through Moldovia, in which case you need a visa. To avoid being tossed off a train en route, ask the person selling you your ticket or ask someone to ask for you if the train goes through Moldovia.
Number 2:
Hiking in Crimea is better accomplished with a guide. With a lack of English maps or English signs, a guide is imperative.
Number 1:
Perhaps the most important tip we can impart to you as you begin your Ukrainian journey is slow down. Don’t rush through cities or landscapes, don’t try and “do Ukraine” in a week. Ukrainians are welcoming and friendly people and to rush through your itinerary means that you miss the best part the country has to offer.

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Great Wall Tour Tips

'He who does not reach the Great Wall is not a true man', as this famous Chinese saying goes, the Great Wall of China, a great engineering marvel, always attracts throngs of adventurous tourists from all over the world.

Whenever you see this venerable Great Wall, you must feel deep esteem. If you are planning long haul travel to it to look in depth upon this the world's greatest feat of engineering, some of the must-know facts below may be helpful in preparation for your exploration.

 Which Section to Choose 
Besides the touristiest Badaling and Jinshanling, Mutianyu, Simatai, Gubeikou in Beijing, the Chinese government has also opened other sections to visitors, such as Huangyaguan in Tianjin, Shanhaiguan in Hebei Province and Jiayuguan in Gansu Province. However, visiting all of the sections is virtually impossible unless you have all the means and time at your disposal. Below are the four most popular sections in Beijing:

Beijing Great Wall Travel

 Badaling - This is by far the most representative and probably most famous. It is the grandest and most splendid section of all, closest to Beijing city proper, convenient to access and easier to climb, thus the most visited. However, it always swarms with tour groups, individual tourists and hawkers, which may affect your photography and ease with which to enjoy the views. Badaling has the most renovation and is well managed and consequently, much safer to walk along than other sections.

 Mutianyu - This is the second most redeveloped section after Badaling, with high forest cover and remarkable views in fall and summer. It is steeper than Badaling but less congested by tourists, souvenir sellers and especially pickpockets. Here you will find a truly mind blowing experience.

 Simatai - If you fancy an adventure, it is better to visit Simatai, which has had less renovation yet is well preserved. As well as its ruins, it also has an intact section, so Simatai is considered by many tourists from home and abroad as the best section of the Great Wall. Specifically, the eastern part of Simatai is more challenging while the western part is much easier to climb. Here you will seldom encounter vacationers. However, elders and those who are not in good physical condition are advised not to climb this section in view of its cragginess.
Jinshanling - the section that is completely un-restored, with almost no crowds and hawkers, but more steep, which is favored by most foreign travelers.

In short, Badaling is ideal for most tourists in view of its accessibility, but it is unavoidably crowded and touristy. Do not go there if you have another choice. Mutianyu and Simatai are the two best ones. Also you can head further afield to Juyongguan, Huanghuacheng or Jiayuguan parts, there you will find no noisy souvenir and food sellers, group travelers, just the great wall, locals and some adventurers like yourself, which may in itself present a challenge.
 Best Time to Visit

Climb Watchtowers

The scenery of the Great Wall varies with the seasons, which offers many features and fodder for photographers who seek to obtain characteristic photographic works at any time of the year. However, if you are an ordinary visitor, the best times are spring and autumn, especially May, September or early October when it is usually sunny, with brisk temperatures, leaving you more refreshed and comfortable.

Although it is hotter, June to August is an alternative, as the tourist season is in full swing. November to April is always bitterly cold with biting winds, when the Great Wall encounters few, if any, tourists.

What to Pack
  Clothing
The temperature variation between day and night along the Great Wall is obvious. TravelChinaGuide suggests a loose cotton T-shirt and a loose trousers rather than denim. However, if you go there in summer, wear shorts for daytime hiking and put on warm clothes such as jacket or sweater in the evening for you will feel somewhat cool, particularly in autumn. Good advice if you are to avoid catching cold.

Due to the steep inclines along the wall, trainers may be a good choice for shoes. Never wear high heels or you will quickly suffer from fatigue and in any event, they are hazardous in such locations. Anyway, make yourself as comfortable as possible.


 Food and Drink
Your hike may last for 2-3 hours. Take some snacks along, while a good supply of water is necessary to avoid dehydration. These can be purchased on the Badaling section but at a possibly unexpected higher price. Remember, there are no sales on other sections. However, do not drink too much water for there are no washrooms midway only those around the ticket office and the entrance.

 Health and Safety

a. Carry an umbrella to protect you from the sun as well as potential rainfall.
b. Anoint yourself with some sunscreen and wear sunglasses to avoid the harm from strong ultraviolet radiation.
c.  Please inquire about the weather condition before traveling. Do not visit the wall on rainy days. In case it rains while you are on the wall, do not use cell phone, broadcast or any other communication equipment. Turn their power off and take shelter in a beacon tower to avoid lightning strike.
d. As it is always dry in spring, autumn and winter, moisturizer may be helpful to moisturize your skin.
e. It is quite windy in spring, autumn and winter, especially on the Great Wall due to its high altitude, so scarves can be warm and windproof to protect your face.
f. Some sections of the wall are very steep but still can be manageable, use the handrail.
g. Do not be bold to climb the undeveloped sections where the areas are insecure or damaged, or you may injured by the breakage of the wall.
h. Carry some medicines such as remedies for cold, carsickness and some Band-Aids so that they are readily available should the need arise.

 Other Travel Tips
a. Get up in the early morning at about 07:00 to catch the first official tourist bus to arrive at the Badaling around 09:00-10:00 to avoid the large crowds of tourists, and thus you can get an early return to the city proper in the evening.
b. For travel to Badaling , you can also hire a taxi and have a round trip journey for about CNY400.00 according to the taxi type and your negotiation with the taxi driver.
c. Allow two to three hours for your visit when in Badaling section.
d. Cable cars are only available in Badaling, Mutianyu, Simatai and Jinshanling sections.
e. You should be aware that noisy hawkers could be a problem on the wall.
f. Learn more of the culture and history of the Great Wall before your hiking trip, to have a more informed experience.
g. For protection of this world heritage, graffiti is not allowed on the wall.
h. Please leave no litter on the wall, there are waste bins provided.

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Prague Castle

 

 Pass through the centuries at Prague Castle!

Which is the largest castle in the world? The one in Prague of course! You can wander around its courtyards, palaces, museums and garden all day long and whilst doing so, admire the overwhelming beauty of a place which has been the seat of Czech kings, emperors and presidents for a thousand years. The whole castle grounds are dominated by the monumental St. Vitus Cathedral, which is one of the most beautiful in Europe. Discover the secret of this symbol of the Czech Republic and a place which makes Prague one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

 

 A place where time has stood still

The most famous dominant feature of Prague Castle is the St. Vitus Cathedral. When you enter it, you will find yourself in a place where time has literally stood still. The beautifully decorated interior created by medieval masters is lit to perfection by the rays of sunlight which stream through the beautiful stained-glass windows. Above all make sure to view the stained-glass windows by the Czech Art Nouveau artist Alfons Mucha. The cathedral also houses the tombs and remains of important saints and Czech rulers. You can see the tomb of St. Wenceslas here – the patron saint of the Czech lands, St. John of Nepomuk, as well as the last resting places of the emperors Charles IV and Rudolf II. Make sure to also take a look at the imposing mosaic of the Last Judgement above the Golden Gate and make the climb up to the main tower, which offers one of the most beautiful views over Prague, city of a hundred spires.

 Little fairytale houses

No visit to Prague Castle would be complete without a tour of the Golden Lane. This tiny lane adjacent to the ramparts will absolutely amaze you with its picturesque look. According to legend, the colourful miniature houses here were inhabited by alchemists working for Emperor Rudolf II, who longed to discover the legendary Elixir of Youth and the Philosopher’s Stone. Don’t forget above all to view house No. 22, in which the world famous Prague writer Franz Kafka worked.

Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance…

A tour of Prague Castle is like a walk through a textbook on architecture. Over the course of a few hours, you can visit the Romanesque Basilica of St. George with its mystical interiors, the Gothic Royal Palace, the extensive Baroque courtyard, the Renaissance Summer Palace of Queen Anne as well as the ultramodern greenhouse in the Royal Gardens. Simply put, Prague Castle offers something for everyone. All you have to do is go there and allow yourself to be carried away by the story of one of the most important monuments in the Czech Republic.

  Titian and Barbie under one roof

The true treasures of Prague Castle are hidden inside. You can take your pick from the many museums and exhibitions which are held here all year round. Would you like to see works from masters such as Titian or Rubens with your own eyes? Then visit the Picture Gallery at Prague Castle. If you have your children with you, don’t forget to treat them to a visit to the Museum of Toys. You can top off a tour of Prague Castle in one of the beautiful gardens, walk along “Deer Moat” or set out for the “New World”, an enchanting area of the city not far from Loretánské náměstí, where the studios of important Prague artists can be found in multicoloured houses.

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A cake fit for a king in Paris

 

A traditional galette des rois from Paris patissier Sébastien Gaudard. (Courtesy of Sébastien Gaudard)

Christmas and New Year’s Eve may be over, but in Paris overindulgence and festivities continue into January as bakeries fill up with sumptuous galettes des rois (cakes of kings).

These flaky pastry tarts filled with frangipane (an almond filling) are eaten throughout France from the first Sunday in January to the end of the month to celebrate Epiphany. Traditionally, each golden-coloured cake has a charm hidden inside, and the lucky person who finds it is declared king or queen for the day and has the privilege -- or perhaps embarrassment -- of wearing the paper crown that comes with the cake. To avoid any cheating, the youngest member of the party hides under the table and tells the person cutting the cake to whom to give each piece. The king or queen has to return the favour by buying the next galette des rois, and so it continues throughout January.

Superlative galettes de rois, from traditional to original, can be found throughout Paris this month. Patissier Sébastien Gaudard, who is known for fusing heritage and innovation in his cakes, has created a classic almond galette des rois spiked with rum, and one laced with chocolate. Hidden in each is a porcelain bean, a  throwback to traditional charms used in the past.

Alongside their classic almond galette, upmarket bakery chain Eric Kayser has concocted an exotic version with mango and pineapple and a charm inscribed with a quote relating to baking. Pierre Hermé, famous for his daring macaroon flavours, is equally inventive with his galette des rois: this year’s version has a wintery chestnut and brown muscavado sugar filling.

For something subtly different, head to one of chic contemporary patisserie Hugo et Victor’s three branches for their almond galette perfumed with the orange flavours of bergamot

And for a cross-cultural version, smart Parisian bakery Lenôtre with branches throughout the city has teamed up with UK car maker Aston Martin to create a cake in the shape of a wheel, with a British-inspired marmalade filling and car-themed charms hidden within. Vive le roi! 

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Safety Travel Tips

It's always important to take care of your health, but there are additional concerns to keep in mind when you're traveling.

Whether you're taking a quick trip with your family or studying abroad for several months, it's easier to get sick when you're in a new place because your body hasn't had a chance to adjust to the food, water, and air in a new environment. Traveling can bring you in contact with things that your body isn't used to.

Here are some tips on keeping your travel experience as healthy as possible.
Don't Take a Vacation From Health

The stress and excitement of travel can make you more likely to get sick, but if you follow a few simple tips, you're more likely to stay healthy throughout your trip — and your trip will definitely be more enjoyable. The good news is that as a teen, your immune system is as strong as an adult's, but lack of sleep and a poor diet can make it easier for you to become sick.

The first thing you should do if you're heading overseas is to find out what kinds of vaccinations you'll need in advance because different countries have different requirements. In the United States, contact your doctor or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a list of necessary vaccinations. You'll want to allow plenty of time for this step in case you need to get vaccines that require more than one dose.
Common Travel Troubles

Three of the most common health problems that you may experience when traveling are jet lag, altitude sickness, and diarrhea. When you fly across time zones, the differing amounts of light can change your internal body clock, resulting in a condition known as jet lag. Jet lag may cause some symptoms that are bummers on a fun trip, including upset stomach, insomnia, and tiredness.

There are some things you can do to combat jet lag; for example, if you're traveling from west to east, you should stay out of the sun until the day after your arrival. If you're flying from east to west, go for a brisk walk as soon as possible after you arrive.

Altitude sickness is caused by dry air, a decrease in oxygen, and low barometric pressure when you travel to a higher altitude than you're used to. As a result, you may have problems, such as headaches, dehydration, and shortness of breath. Some people are affected at 5,000 feet (1,524 meters), but others aren't affected until they reach altitudes of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) or more. Find out what altitude you're traveling to before you go to see if altitude sickness could be a problem.

The best prevention for altitude sickness is to gradually increase your altitude every day to get used to it. If that isn't possible, a drug known as acetazolamide can help relieve and even prevent symptoms of altitude sickness. If you think that you might get altitude sickness, talk with your doctor before you leave home.

The topic of diarrhea may seem gross, but it can be a serious problem. Traveler's diarrhea, known as turista, often occurs when a foreign type of bacteria enters your digestive tract, usually when you eat contaminated food or water. The best way to prevent turista is to be very careful of the food you eat and the water you drink on the road.
Safe Eats and Drinks

So what foods are safe to eat? Any foods that have been boiled are generally safe, as well as fruits and vegetables that have to be peeled before eating. Avoid eating uncooked or undercooked meat or meat that is not cooked just prior to serving.

Stay away from foods that require a lot of handling before serving. Here's an example: Nine friends ate at a restaurant when on a school trip overseas; eight had diarrhea the next day. The one who didn't get sick was the only one who had ordered a dish that didn't need to be touched by human hands right before serving.

One of your favorite foods at home is on the safe list on the road — pizza! Pizza dough, sauce, and cheese are foods that are less likely to spoil than others, and the high heat of a pizza oven tends to kill any harmful bacteria in the food.

You've probably heard that you shouldn't drink the water in some countries overseas, but did you know why? Water supplies in many developing countries are not treated in the same way as water supplies in developed countries; various bacteria, viruses, and parasites are commonly found in the water. Many experts suggest you drink only bottled water when traveling. If you need to use tap water, you should boil it first or purify it with an iodine tablet. Even if you're brushing your teeth, rinsing contact lenses, drinking a small glass of water to wash down pills, or adding ice to your drink, first take precautions to ensure the water is safe.
You Can Take It With You

When you're packing, you'll want to include any medications and other medical supplies you use on a daily basis because they may be hard to find in another country if you run out. Even if you can find them, there's a good chance the formulations will be stronger or weaker than the ones you're used to. These may include any prescriptions you already take, such as inhalers, allergy medication, and insulin, as well as contact lens cleaners and vitamins.

Packing an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen and diarrhea medication is also a good idea. And pack some OTC allergy medication even if you don't take it at home. People sometimes unexpectedly develop allergic reactions to the pollens and other allergens found in a new environment. Those with asthma or other allergies can unexpectedly react to these new substances.
Write It All Down

Even if you watch what you eat and drink and get enough rest while you're traveling, you might still get sick. The good news is that you'll probably be able to find competent medical care. The key is knowing where to go. Most travel guides suggest you go to a hospital where English is spoken or U.S.-trained doctors can be found. For this reason, it's wise to always carry a written copy of your medical history with you.

Having such important information available in one place can help health care workers make appropriate decisions, and you won't have to worry about forgetting important information at a time when you're likely to be upset and not thinking clearly.

Before you leave your home sweet home, create a medical history form that includes the following information:

•     your name, address, and home phone number as well as a parent's daytime phone number
•     your blood type
•     immunizations
•     your doctor's name, address, and office and emergency phone numbers
•     the name, address, and phone number of your health insurance carrier, including your policy number
•     a list of any ongoing health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, or AIDS
•     a list of current medications you are taking and pharmacy name and phone number
•     a list of allergies to medications, food, insects, and animals
•     a prescription for glasses or contact lenses
•     the name, address, and phone number of a relative other than your parent

It also helps if you have some basic emergency medical knowledge, not only for yourself but for helping others you may be traveling with. A great way to prepare for your trip is to take a first aid or basic life support course before you go; if you're traveling with a group, you should know where the first aid kit is and what's in it.
Basic Safety

It's easy to let your guard down when you travel. After all, you're more relaxed and there are so many new sights to focus on. In addition to paying attention to your personal safety (avoiding secluded places and not walking alone after dark), you'll need to reset your thinking when it comes to traffic safety, too. The rules of the road aren't the same overseas as they are at home. In some countries, people drive on the opposite side of the road and you'll need to be aware of this before you cross the street — look in the opposite direction from the one you're used to. Pedestrians don't always have the right of way overseas, either. Be sure there are no cars coming when you step into the street: If there are, they may not stop for you!

Practice these healthy hints and you can focus on the scenery — not medical emergencies — and return home with nothing more troubling than some tacky souvenirs!

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