Kyiv

[Gergiev]

What is great is that Podol is very close to the center (Kreshatik and Maidan are just behind the hill, at a 20 minutes walk or 10 minutes by funicular), but feels like a village. The main street of Podol (and most of its perpendicular streets) is literally full of cafes with summer terraces, highly enjoyable. For those who don't know, Podol is the oldest neighborhoods of Kyiv and definitely the most enjoyable (in a city which is itself enjoyable). My apartment was located on Andrivskiy Descent, the "Montmartre of Kiev". It was one stone away to Bulgakov Museum, the Funicular, many interesting monastories, ect, and ten minutes walking to the river. Also what is also great is that Podol is the new "in" area, with many trendy cafes filled with well-heeled girls. And you don't see your usual Kreshatik uncouth sex-tourist there.

Well summarised by Prosal and every word the truth - and not just in times of insurrection!

[Sponsor74]

There are barricades.

Mc donalds next to metro kreschatic is open.

Thanks Muddy for the update. I agree with some reports here and maybe Maidan not the best place for the moment. But I wonder where are the girls now? They still have to pay for their rooms, study etc and mayybe desperate now with all the problems in Kiev. Therefore for sure they have moved to other place but where? Who knos the current places for pick up young girls student type?

[Member #4274]

A university student at KPI here in Kyiv told me there are often 'prositutka's' in the park in front of the University at Politek Institute. For those of you unfamiliar with Kyiv, that is the park located in front of the university between Shuliavska Metro Station and Politek. Insitute Metro station, across the street from the zoo. Haven't seen them myself, but she assured me they're there. When I asked if there were pretty, university students hanging around there looking for men she shrugged her shoulders but did say the working girls there were obvious and not particularly attractive. Shuliavska is a sketchy area, anyway, and the fact street walkers are hanging around there does not surprise me.

[Suka Shalava]

Did she retire? Is she entertaining the heroes of Crimea?

Isn't ten years enough time to let the dust settle on her career?

Personally, I have no regrets, advancing from the common road to those less traveled. I listened to the advice of a few more seasoned veterans, and after making my mark in Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa, and Minsk, I realized that the light of the horizon brightens as you head east. The graceful time to walk away from the table, is when you're on top.

Maybe someday, more of you will see that light, and invest in the source of future successes. Even though Ira left 2 years ago, and Tanya turned bandit, and Lilit was out of town two of my last three trips, I lucked out meeting another new acquaintance, worthy of generous sponsorship.

The possibilities are endless, only limited by time. Open your eyes. Head for the border, turn right, don't look back, and just keep going. Its all there waiting.

[Member #4274]

The whole area is filthy, really unattractive, and still full of shabby and scary characters.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I agree with Prosal completely. Kreshchatyk is normally one of the most appealing areas of Kyiv, but right now there are some sketchy and odd looking characters hanging around there. I certainly don't feel unsafe but I sometimes feel uneasy. I definitely don't hang around there after dark. Just as an added note, and I've been patently awaiting for this moment to come, Mr. Klitschko and Mr. Poroshenko have politely suggested the people at Maidan should fold up their tents to allow the city to clean up the area and return it to its normal state. They site the upcoming agreement with the EU as proof of their intentions. It seems that the protestors, or whoever these characters are currently at Maidan, have declined. Not sure what will come of this or where it might lead to.

[Vittu]

Did she retire? Is she entertaining the heroes of Crimea?

[Sorbonne]

There is some very nice white sanded beaches in the Biosphere Reserve of Danube Delta in Romania (accessible from Tulcea). Nonetheless, if your Ukrainian girls "ideal vacations" is a five stars hotel in the Maldives, they might not appreciate. My GF liked it a lot, as she liked deep Georgia, which also suits my tastes.

I should be truthful and should have said, "only to please myself.".

For one thing I have been to just about every important cultural sites in Europe, except a few in 8 other countries I have not visited in Europe, and for the other I think I prefer to visit cultural places for myself, so I can explore them to my liking.

So I'd rather go to five star hotels if it's just for fun with a girl, especially if it is the first trip with her. After the first trip, if she is interested in culture, she can be my guest.

Speaking of Tulcea, I have tried to get info on the border crossing between Tulcea and Izmail and have not succeeded. I believe there is no official border crossing for tourists, but it's possible to cross.

[Prosal]

There are barricades.

The whole area is filthy, really unattractive, and still full of shabby and scary characters.

[Muddy7]

Thanks for information. But are there still the barricades? Or girls again walking there now in summer! And Mc Donalds to pick up gorls again open? Thanks for update.

There are barricades.

Mc donalds next to metro kreschatic is open.

[Sponsor74]

Yes, just be smart and stay away from Maidan, there are some fuked up characters in the tents there.

And dont walk on the streets late at night, get taxi.

Thanks for information. But are there still the barricades? Or girls again walking there now in summer! And Mc Donalds to pick up gorls again open? Thanks for update.

[Ganesha]

The French love since decades the beaches along the Atlantic coast from the river outfall of the 'Gironde' - the Medoc vines area. South towards Biarritz with one of the largest dunes of Europe, les 'Dunes du Pilat' near Arcachon.

Version 1) Flight to Paris and staying with the lady there for some time. Which might get expensive due to shopping. She might enjoy using the TGV fast train down to Bordeaux or Biarritz.

Version 2) Flights to Biarritz / Bayonne or to Bordeaux.

Minus. Landscape is boring: all flat with either huge pine tree forests on sandy grounds. Visiting the vine growing 'chateaux' in the greener Medoc aerea is fun.

I have never been further north towards La Rochelle with the nearby islands of 'Ile the'Oléron' and 'Ile de areé' - could also be combined with visits of Paris and Bordeaux. Will be my goals for my next bicycle tour through France.

This idea came to me when reading about the beaches along the Black Sea bordering the Danube Delta. On photos they look similar.

[Jojosun]

I never intended to insult anyone.

If anybody tells me there are no nice beaches in the US, I would not be insulted because it's true! The closest thing to a nice beach in the US is the White Sands National Monument in the State of New Mexico, where there used to be a nice white sand beach zillions of years ago.

I consider myself as a travel agent specializing in Europe, having done sightseeing in nearly 600 cities in over 40 countries in Europe.

I have already done a lot of researches but will be doing more, looking for a resort with a perfect beach in Europe. Only to please my Ukrainian girls!

Ukrainian Girls would love this Island with perfect White sands in the Bahamas. Auctioned for only US $17 m. Discount private island sells for $38 M off.

". The property was offered with a promise: Live a lifestyle some people only dream of.

Innocence Island, the largest privately-owned island in the Bahamas, has all the usual trappings of a high-end tropical getaway: beaches, mango trees, a large, airy home with a pool. There's even a runway that comes with its own airport code. Listed for $55 million, it was recently auctioned off for much less.".

http://money.cnn.com/2014/05/27/real...sland-auction/

[Prosal]

I have already done a lot of researches but will be doing more, looking for a resort with a perfect beach in Europe. Only to please my Ukrainian girls!

There is some very nice white sanded beaches in the Biosphere Reserve of Danube Delta in Romania (accessible from Tulcea). Nonetheless, if your Ukrainian girls "ideal vacations" is a five stars hotel in the Maldives, they might not appreciate. My GF liked it a lot, as she liked deep Georgia, which also suits my tastes.

[Sorbonne]

I smiled about your first posting. Meanwhile I feel insulted. I am and feel as 'European Citizen'.

Well. We are a densely populated continent and many cities don't have an effective cleaning system for their used waters. We do use too much fertilizers and pesticides on our fields. They all flush down the rivers. So sea weeds might grow overly due to much nutrition. Of course, chemical pollution is going down the rivers. So first advice: avoid the beaches near any larger city, industrial parks and near rivers flushing all their dirt into the ocean.

Sea weeds are part of natural habitat. They are healthy: used in 1) medication and nutrition; 2) in therapy, e.g. Thalasso therapy in France; 3) natural fertilizers, e.g. In good old Ireland. So what is wrong with sea weeds?

You got the advice looking for the 'blue flag sign' in Europe. A certificate for clean water and clean beaches.

You got the advice about Blogs / Forums / Reviews named like 'Best Beaches of Europe' - there are more of these and they are great basic info. Everything else should do any travel agency with reputation and experience. It's ridiculous telling me, that you have to fly overseas to find a clean beach with unspoiled waters. White beaches are where there are corals or white rocks. That's not everywhere. I most loved a black beach on one of the Aeolian Islands north of Sicily. Great clean waters with pebbles and rough sand along the beach. Black because of the volcano islands. A girls body looks nicer on a black beach than on a white beach. But there are no airports, no charter flights. None of those nasty tourists, looking for some strange kind of perfection. Instead, there are lovely, small hotels with great Italian cuisine. Usually good educated Italians who go traditionally to those islands. So please beware of July / August. It's nicer and not so hot, not overbooked earlier or later. I was swimming there mid October. Sun is going down behind the hills after 3 pm. You go first to a cafe having a drink, do your shopping, go home having a nap, get a shower and go out for a romantic dinner or dine at the hotel. Perfect for a love affair. There are many more places like these in Europe. Just ask you travel agent and check the Internet. You got all advice. Just do you job and do your research!

And please stop insulting me as an European telling me that you do not find clean sand beaches without see weeds in Europe!

Hope you don't mind me saying your post was hilarious!

I never intended to insult anyone.

If anybody tells me there are no nice beaches in the US, I would not be insulted because it's true! The closest thing to a nice beach in the US is the White Sands National Monument in the State of New Mexico, where there used to be a nice white sand beach zillions of years ago.

"So what is wrong with sea weeds?

Well, I don't want seaweeds to start clinging to our bodies as we have sex on the beach. Or maybe it will further arouse us.

BTW, I've been to the Aeolian Islands. Not very impressed.

I consider myself as a travel agent specializing in Europe, having done sightseeing in nearly 600 cities in over 40 countries in Europe.

I have already done a lot of researches but will be doing more, looking for a resort with a perfect beach in Europe. Only to please my Ukrainian girls!

[Muddy7]

Is it safe to travel to Kiev?

Yes, just be smart and stay away from Maidan, there are some fuked up characters in the tents there.

And dont walk on the streets late at night, get taxi.