| People who travel to Kiev know that the Ukrainian | | | | (Golden Shore) is a bit farther away, but the |
| capital has a vibrant night scene. It has plenty of | | | | beach here is fantastic. Also check out the |
| excellent bars, cafes, and venues for top notch | | | | beaches at Riviera, Kurortnyy, Chaika, Lanzheron, |
| entertainment. But in the summer, whether you | | | | and Otrada. At Otrada you can avoid the steep |
| are staying in one of the fine Kiev hotels, or | | | | steps down to the beach by taking the funicular. |
| enjoying a budget package in your choice of Kiev | | | | It's inexpensive, and fun. |
| apartments, you might want to take a couple of | | | | Wherever you go in Odessa, you will find great |
| days to visit Odessa, Ukraine's hot spot on the | | | | food. The central streets of the city are lined with |
| Black Sea. | | | | cafes, restaurants, and kiosks that offer |
| This energetic city of over a million people is the | | | | everything from fine dining to budget meals to |
| summer vacation capital not only for Ukraine, but | | | | tasty quick snacks. American-style fast food is |
| also for much of Eastern Europe. This is only | | | | there for people who want it, but why eat |
| partly because Odessa is close to some of the | | | | burgers and fries when there is delicious Ukrainian |
| Black Sea's best beaches. A major factor for | | | | fare to be had? If you want to buy some |
| Odessa's popularity is that it has a rocking night | | | | packaged foods to take home with you, check |
| life that attracts Ukrainians, and also draws foreign | | | | out the huge grocery store in the basement of |
| tourists away from their accommodations in Kiev | | | | the Galeria Afena in Gretchevskaya Square. |
| and other Ukrainian vacation spots. | | | | Odessa's night spots offer a great variety of |
| Arkadiya is Odessa's largest and most popular | | | | music. Depending on where you go, you can hear |
| beach. You can reach it by taking the tram. From | | | | standard Russian pop music, Ukrainian folk, and |
| May to September it is also the number one | | | | everything in between. The good spots have live |
| scene of beach club night life. This is where you | | | | bands and dancing. Check in advance for special |
| can book tables in glitzy clubs so you can watch | | | | promotions such as ladies free nights, and ladies |
| fashion shows, professional dance performances, | | | | only nights. For the more popular places, you |
| and pop concerts. The entertainment goes on until | | | | might have to call as early as three days in |
| well after midnight, and it includes opera, ballet, | | | | advance to reserve a table near the dance floor. |
| dramatic theater, folk music, and performances | | | | A side trip to Odessa from your accommodations |
| by the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra. If you're | | | | in Kiev should not be difficult. Odessa is served by |
| coming here from a Kiev hotel, it's a good idea to | | | | road, air, and rail. A night in Odessa could very |
| book your tickets in advance. Zolotoy Bereg | | | | well be the highlight of your Ukrainian vacation. |