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Ukraine literally means "borderland," and is an extremely apt name for this steppe country bounded by Belarus to the north, Russia to the east, Hungary to the west, and Romania to the south. A former constituent of the fallen Soviet Union, the country has for the most part been largely ignored by indifferent tourists throughout its history. However, since its official sovereignty in 1990, its popularity has steadily increased, and by 2008 was rated by the World Tourism Organization as the 8th most-visited country in the world, drawing in an estimated 23.1 million tourists annually.
Often derided as simply a "patchwork nation," Ukraine nonetheless draws on its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage to attract the outsiders looking in. Hands down, the top destination in the country is its Crimean region, famed for its numerous excellent health resorts. Visited by millions of tourists from every corner of the world, even the powerful Soviet leaders have often taken a sojourn here to take a relaxing vacation. The best time to visit is during the summer months until late October, which is when the weather is satisfyingly warm.
Dubbed the "Green Pearl of Ukraine," the Carpathian Mountains are the next best thing to go to. A collection of alpine meadows, dense woodlands, mountain lakes, and wandering shepherds, these gentle peaks offer a quick glimpse into Ukraine's soul. One can also head to the nation's capital, Kiev, and imbibe its intoxicating sea of impressive architecture influenced by the countless empires that had occupied the land throughout its history. Probably the highlight there is the Church of St. Andrew, a Baroque-style edifice, as well as the Cathedral of St. Sophia, where the Kiev royalty were traditionally crowned in its heyday.
Tourists can't go wrong visiting the historic City Center of Lviv, a town packing more than 750 years of history under its belt, and is recognized as a bona fide UNESCO World Heritage Site. Characterized by its lovely old buildings and cobblestone roads, it is a place that had been spared by the infamous World War II and Soviet rule. There is also the "Pearl of the Black Sea," Odessa, that serves as Ukraine's economic powerhouse. Enchanting visitors with its splendid 18th and 19th century architecture, as well as with its sunny beaches, it has often been touted as the best place in Ukraine to live in.