Where to go in autumn or winter to find yourself in a real fairy tale? Tourist routes in Ukraine and abroad, the journey of a lifetime, and cozy weekend trips – about this and much more from our expert.
I am DIANA BALYNSKAYA, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Liza magazine. If you ask me what I love most in life, I will answer without hesitation: “Books, movies and travel.” And if I have a choice where to spend the saved money: for repairs, new boots or for a trip, I will definitely choose the latter. In the end, I’ll buy boots on sale, somehow we’ll do the repair on our own, and nothing can replace travel. Because it is they who give me what, in my opinion, is the most valuable thing in life – emotions and impressions.
Someone might say: “But what about love, children, friends?” Of course, all this is important, but I’m talking about what I love, not who … And to be completely honest, love often brings disappointment and pain, loved ones can sometimes upset, but travel never! That is why it is trips that help me cope with the autumn blues, and most often even prevent it.
And it’s not at all necessary that these are voyages abroad, holidays in fashionable hotels, and photos in social networks at the stern of the yacht. For me, the main thing in traveling is changing the picture, unexplored places, meeting new people, discovering something new, including myself, and the opportunity to feel the pulse of life. Moreover, I am convinced that any trip can be made on a budget if everything is organized correctly and you start preparing for it in advance. I also know that time spent traveling does not count toward life. So, this is a great chance to prolong youth!
Where To Go In Autumn?
Yes, anywhere! In general, autumn is the perfect time to travel. It is no longer hot, but not yet cold, nature flashes with bright colors, and even the most inconspicuous places are miraculously transformed, there are fewer tourists – prices are lower.
Therefore, I try to plan my vacation for the fall. In September it is still warm on the Black Sea and Azov coasts of Ukraine. Until the end of October, you can swim in the sea and soak up the beach in Bulgaria, Montenegro, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Tunisia. November is good in Israel, Egypt, India, Thailand, Vietnam.
As for sightseeing holidays, in autumn almost all of Europe, Central Asia, Georgia and, of course, the expanses of our native Ukraine are at your service. I will tell you about some places where I visited in the autumn myself and where I invite you with pleasure!
Trips Around Ukraine
MINIMUM PEOPLE – MAXIMUM SEA
This is my motto if I go to the sea in Ukraine during the velvet season. Of course, this year holidays in the seaside resorts of Kherson or Odessa region are no longer relevant, but perhaps my experience will be useful to you in the future.
I must say right away that I am not a fan of holidays in overpopulated and overpriced resorts such as Zatoka or Kirillovka. In addition, I’m not going south for a tan and stupidly lying on the beach – I’m going to meet the SEA. It is the sea that gives me energy, inspiration and a sense of fullness of life. Therefore, I try to choose secluded places that have not yet been completely trampled by tourists, and the local population is not yet too spoiled. Imagine there are more!
And one of these places is the island of Dzharylgach in the south of the Kherson region opposite the city of Skadovsk (8 km from the city, or 40 minutes by boat)
This largest uninhabited island in Europe is called the Ukrainian Maldives. The purest turquoise sea, snow-white sand, picturesque lakes, hot mineral springs and kilometers of untouched beaches. Here you can meet wild horses, red deer and graceful fallow deer, see flocks of swans and pelicans soaring into the sky, collect unusual shells and admire wild orchids.
I made day trips to Dzharylgach from Skadovsk and looked with envy at the tourists who lived on the island in tents. After all, frying fish on a fire, meeting the sunset on the island, arranging night swims and watching the magical night glow of the sea is a completely separate pleasure! I will definitely make such a trip, and in the fall, when the heat subsides and the flow of tourists subsides. And if you also sometimes want to escape to a desert island to take a break from the hustle and bustle, put your thoughts in order and enjoy solitude, then Dzharylgach is just such a place. Join now!
ADVICE!
Holidays in the resorts of Kherson region (in Skadovsk, Zhelezny Port or on the Arabat Spit) can be diversified by a trip to the Askania-Nova nature reserve, a walk along the Dnieper floodplains, a visit to the historical and entertainment complex “Green Farms of Tavria” or a real jeep safari along the Oleshkovsky Sands (this, by the way, the only real desert in Ukraine).
BEAUTIFUL CARPATHIANS
In autumn I love to travel to Transcarpathia. The Carpathian mountains protect this land from the cold northern winds, so autumn here is mild, sunny, filled with the smells of wet earth and grass.
In October, roses are still pleasing to the eye, and in November, chrysanthemums bloom wildly. Not only the climate, but also the atmosphere here is special, friendly. Izki, Slavske, Svalyava, Podobovets, Pylypets – in these resort towns you can have a great week or two, combining business with pleasure.
I usually combine hiking in the mountains and waterfalls, quiet hunting for berries and mushrooms, horseback riding with recovery: I drink mineral water and even take some procedures in nearby sanatoriums and health resorts. And, as you know, there are many of them in Transcarpathia, and of a very different profile. So, in the picturesque village of Solochin, where I was recently, there is a wonderful sanatorium “Kvitka Polonini”. Pearl baths, honey massage and bathing in a vat of mineral water, I fondly remember to this day.
ADVICE!
In autumn, many festivals and holidays are held in the Carpathians. The Mukachevo beer festival, the festival of young wine and honey “Transcarpathian Beaujolais” in Uzhgorod, the International Hutsul Festival in Rakhiv – if possible, you should time your trip to some event.
Trips Abroad
ALL PAINTS OF GEORGIA
Georgia is beautiful at any time of the year. But it is in autumn that it is especially good here: colors become brighter, smells and tastes are more expressive, and the feeling of sunshine and Georgian hospitality is sharper. And at this time, the whole country is harvesting grapes, which are preparing to become the famous Georgian wine, and celebrate the harvest festival.
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Last autumn I visited Tbilisi and now I can say with confidence: everything that we know about Georgian hospitality and good nature from films, books, songs, jokes is all true!
A guest for Georgians is a messenger of God. And this is how you will feel during the whole trip, whether you like it or not. Complete strangers will offer you to show the city, tell a story, give you a lift to the right place, treat you with wine… And there is no catch or danger in this – it’s just Georgia! That is why my most vivid memories of Georgia are endless feasts, unusually delicious local cuisine, tart taste of wine, amazingly beautiful toasts and soulful songs.
And, of course, the laconic outlines of ancient temples against the backdrop of colorful tiled roofs and lace balconies of Old Tbilisi, the rocky banks of the Kura with old houses “grown” in them, ultramodern buildings of the Saakashvili era, contrasting with dilapidated ghost houses from the Soviet era, “roof-bearing » the beauty of the snow-capped peaks of Kazbegi and the bright autumn colors of the Alazani Valley, the majestic old Georgian women in black clothes and the unusually beautiful, dignified guys and girls. Gmadlobt, Sakartvelo! Thank you Georgia! I will definitely meet you again!
ADVICE!
Budget flights to Georgia are operated by YANAIR (approx. $120 one way). And it is best to book apartments on the websites BOOKING.COM and AIRBNB.COM (from $25 per person). At the top of the search list, there are often offers with a discount of up to 75% – pay attention to them. If you are planning to travel around Georgia, it is better to rent a car (approx. $50 per day). To move around Tbilisi, it is advantageous to buy a travel card – a METRO MONEY card.
TOTALLY DIFFERENT TURKEY
“What is so special about traveling to Turkey?” You might think…and you’d be wrong.
I myself was fed up with Turkish “all-inclusive” until I discovered the western coast of Turkey and the wonderful resorts of Bodrum and Marmaris, located between the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Unlike Antalya, there is no suffocating heat due to the winds blowing from the mountains and low humidity. The mild climate, pine forests, orange and tangerine groves, golden sandy beaches, picturesque bays with clean, clear water – the conditions for recreation here are excellent, and in the velvet season they are simply ideal.
But it’s not just the climate. Marmaris and Bodrum are truly European resorts.
Until recently, only the French, the British, the Dutch and the Turkish elite came here. Actually, even now they make up the majority of vacationers, and being surrounded by such a respectable audience is incredibly comfortable and pleasant. I’ll tell you a secret: when I found out that George Clooney was mooring his yacht in Marmaris, walking along the embankment, I looked at all the men passing by with bated breath. And once it even seemed to me … Although, perhaps it was Bill Gates – they say he also likes to be here;)
ADVICE!
It is more profitable to buy a tour to Turkey along with an air flight from a major tour operator. If you organize a trip yourself, it will turn out more expensive. My choice is TEZ TOUR. This is a reliable player in the market that values its reputation and cooperates with good hotels. In addition, TEZ TOUR has super professional guides, which is very important when you go on an excursion.
NORTHERN TALE
If you ask me where I saw the most beautiful, most magnificent
autumn, I will answer you: not far from the Arctic Circle.
Yes, yes, it was in Finland, or rather, even in Lapland, in the homeland of Santa Claus. I managed to visit there in September, during that short period that the Finns call ruska (“golden autumn”). At this time, nature literally explodes with a riot of colors – many types of trees change the color of foliage at the same time, and shades of yellow, orange, red are everywhere … And all this is reflected in the mirror surface of the lakes, which are countless in Finland.
And the forests of the Suomi Country during this period are full of mushrooms and berries: lingonberries, cloudberries, cranberries – berry carpets and mushroom fields look just fantastic! Making friends with charming friendly huskies, meeting a reindeer right on the road, flirting with Santa Claus himself, taking a steam bath in the famous Finnish sauna and plunging into the invigorating lake water after it – all this is possible only in Finland. And guess what, I did it! I also saw the northern lights! Agree, just for the sake of this magical spectacle it was worth going almost to the
ends of the world …
ADVICE!
In Finland, as in other Scandinavian countries, the price level is quite high. Therefore, think carefully before buying souvenirs. But I highly recommend tasting some of the local cuisine: venison with lingonberry sauce, roasted partridge, char-grilled whitefish, northern berry liqueurs – you will not try this anywhere else.
Weekend Trips
HOLIDAY CITY
A weekend in Lviv is a win-win option. The city of Lion is gradually turning into a tourist Mecca of Ukraine. Personally, I go here to admire the beautiful architecture and immerse myself in the unique atmosphere of the city, climb the town hall and admire the roofs of Lviv, wander the streets and listen to street musicians, enjoy the “smakoliks” and … attend the holiday.
Yes, something is constantly happening in Lviv: festivals, holidays, concerts, performances. When going to Lviv, I always try to guess for some festival, preferably a gastronomic one. I know for sure that in September the city invites guests to “Kava to Lviv”, and in October – to the festival of cheese and wine. Well, great reason! I have my favorite places in Lviv where I traditionally go and take my friends. No, this is not “Kryivka”, not “Naydorozhcha Restaurant of Galicia” and not “Under the Golden Rose” – we will leave theatrical performances for inexperienced tourists. I drink “kava with vognik” in the oldest Lviv cafe “Pid blue plyashkoyu”, the best Turkish coffee in the world – in the cafe “Armenianka”, order veal medallions with pomegranate sauce in “Crooked Linden” and savor berry liqueur in “ Restaurants of the Bachevskys.
ADVICE!
If you want to come to Lviv for the holidays, book your accommodation in advance. Due to the influx of tourists, this cannot be postponed to the last moment. If you do not want to spend extra money on housing, stay in a hostel. Most Lviv hostels are practically in no way inferior to the hotels of the “middle hand”, and accommodation in them is much cheaper. Keep in mind that Lviv is not a big city, and even if you settle not in the very center, but in the surrounding areas, the main attractions will still be within walking distance from you.
PURE IN ODESSA
When I’m sad, I try to cheer up. And to have fun, I’m going to Odessa! Just five hours along the Odessa highway, which is constantly being repaired, and I am in the famous city by the sea. Life in Odessa-Mama is in full swing all year round, and tourists are also welcome at any time. And how Odessa knows how to receive guests! The secret of Odessa hospitality is simple: there are no tourists here – here “everyone is their own”.
Counting the steps of the Potemkin Stairs, strolling along Primorsky Boulevard, freezing with delight at the Opera House, drinking a glass of wine and tasting mincemeat or chicken meatballs in a cafe on Deribasovskaya – these are mandatory points of the program. But I enjoy another Odessa: Babel and Zhvanetsky, Aunt Sonya and Mishka Yaponchik. I go to Privoz, try to take a tram ride along the Fontanskaya road, walk around the courtyards of Moldavanka – it is there that you can feel the very Odessa flavor. “Don’t make me a pregnant head!”, “Listen here!” – as Zhvanetsky says, here you only need to listen and write down.
And this is linen that is always drying in Odessa courtyards, wooden balconies around the perimeter, rickety stairs and … a sea of cats. Well-fed, peaceful – here they are the masters! Cats behave calmly under the guns of cameras – they are no strangers: Odessa courtyards served as scenery for many famous films: “The Art of Living in Odessa”, “Liquidation” … And if, upon returning from Odessa, I begin to answer a question in a purely Odessa way, words such as “tsimes”, “make a bazaar”, “perekalampotskat” appear in my lexicon, which means that my trip was a success and my mood improved!
ADVICE!
When planning a trip for several days, take a minimum of things. Here the principle is simple: take with you not what you may need, but what you cannot do without. I always check for money (or a card), documents, a phone with a charger, my personal first aid kit. Everything else can be bought.
Journey Of A Lifetime
PARIS, I LOVE YOU
The best trip of my life? I think it’s still ahead. I dream of visiting Italy, Great Britain, America… In the meantime, my heart belongs to Paris. I have been there three times, and each time Paris opened up to me from a new side. Romantic and artistic, majestic and democratic, refined and a bit sinful – Paris has many faces, and everyone who comes here can choose his own. As well as your favorite corner in Paris. I love the bohemian, frivolous and incredibly atmospheric Montmartre – the place where famous artists, writers and artists lived and worked. Here I feel like the heroine of the movie “Midnight in Paris” …
I definitely go to wander around the Parisian cemeteries: on Pere Lachaise I stop at the graves of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, in Montmartre I go up to the graves of Francois Truffaut and Dalida. And at the Russian cemetery of Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois I visit Bunin, Tarkovsky, Nureyev.
But most of all I love the Luxembourg Gardens – a favorite place for Parisians to relax! Elegant old women, sitting on benches, feed pigeons. Couples in love occupy picturesque secluded corners. And in the main fountain, children and adults enthusiastically launch boats. A lot of chairs are placed throughout the garden – you can take and move to any corner you like. My Parisian friends – a happy married couple – met in the Luxembourg Gardens. Therefore, the reputation of the most romantic place in Paris, he won not in vain. And, they say, this is one of the few places where you can meet living French celebrities who love to visit here. And I continue to believe that someday on one of the alleys of the Luxembourg Gardens I will see Alain Delon …
ADVICE!
In Paris, you can stay in one of the many 2-star hotels in the very center of the city (from 40 euros per night), if you are not embarrassed by the tightness and modesty of the situation. Promotions for flights to Paris are often held by UIA. Free admission to the museums of Paris is on the first Sunday of the month.
