Buy Bradt Instead... - Rated 
I've lived in and travelled around Ukraine for the past year. The LP guide is (as I often find with LP) out of date, inaccurate and all too brief on areas which deserve more. The entry for Vylkovo (for example), a town in Southern Ukraine, runs along the lines of 'I've never been there but lots of people who do go there like it.' Is that REALLY what a good, helpful guidebook should say? All information abut Odessa is thoroughly outdated (almost all hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs listed no longer exist), and, where other readers may not appreciate the 'background' information provided by Bradt, I think this information adds to a much fuller understanding of place, people and culture. If you're coming to Ukraine for more than a few days, spend a couple of extra quid and buy the latest Bradt guide (2007) you WILL NOT regret it, will (probably) NOT be frustrated and will at least have accurate, up to date information (and skip the background cultural bits if you don't like them).
Concise guide to Ukraine - Rated 
Slim (216 pages) but concise guide to Ukraine. This book is a useful guide to the country that I found worth carrying at all times during a recent tour.
I found the maps to be good, and the descriptions of towns and attractions to contain a lot of useful advice - not watered down with excessive opinion or background information as was the other book (Bradt) that I took.
OK but pretty short - Rated 
Lonely Planet Ukraine is 210 pages long. The LP guide to Romania and Moldova is about double the number of pages, even though the land area covered is about half the size. The rival Bradt guide to Ukraine (which I rather wish I'd bought instead) is 464 pp. So I reckon there's half a proper guidebook waiting to be written.
About the best there is - Rated 
OK so you're going to Ukraine and you want to find out something about the country and get a good guide book. You'll soon discover that there's not much available at all. However, this book really does give the best information you can find at the moment.
The book gives the usual 'potted history' of the country and that's actually probably more than you'll easily find anywhere too. It covers all the usual practical issues - travel to and from, currency, accommodation, etc.
It's great if you're going to Kiev (Kyiv in Ukrainian), and gives some good information on sights/entertainment in that hidden gem of a city. Travel further afield and you'll find it fair, but not comprehensive, depending on your destination. There's more information on the Black Sea resorts and Crimea (Krim) and bigger, more historical cities like Lvov (Lviv).
If you're looking for a little more basic advice I can offer this. Staying in Kyiv (or anywhere reasonably large for that matter), look for accommodation in an apartment. Hotels are expensive in Ukraine, especially if you don't pre-book. Travel any distance is better by Avtolux coaches, usually overnight. The train system doesn't cover all destinations and is slow, can be unpleasant if you book unwisely (always travel first class sleeper if you can, or on an express). The coach network is comprehensive and cheap - very cheap by our standards. Similarly, don't be afraid of using a marshrutka (minibus) in towns/cities. They go everywhere and are incredibly cheap - 10p outside of Kyiv/15pp in Kyiv, for any distance. Just be ready to give up your seat (if lucky enough to get one) to a lady.
So far as communication is concerned, learn Russian, not Ukrainian, unless you're going to visit a western area only. For this, you might find the Lonely Planet language books for Russian or Ukrainian useful (I did). Preferably travel with Ukrainian friends.
Above all, do not be afraid to visit this wonderful country. It has so much to offer, and many beautiful things to see.
Excellent - Rated
At the time of writing this is the most up-to-date travel book covering the whole of the Ukraine. There is lots of useful general information and information that's specific to regions. Worth every penny if you are thinking or traveling to this undiscovered country.
|
