Ukraine is a country of many historic treasures and customs, beautifully varied landscapes, and social and economic change. Ukraine is a republic in eastern Europe which borders Russia to the east, Belarus to the north, Poland , Slovakia and Hungary to the west, Romania and Moldova to the southwest and the Black Sea to the south. Nearly every city and town has its centuries-old cathedral, and many have open-air museums of folk architecture, caves stuffed with mummified monks, and exquisite mosaics wherever you look. The food sticks to your ribs and the bandura tunes lodge themselves in your brain for weeks.

For much of its existence, Ukraine has been divided because different regions of the country have been ruled by foreign powers including Poland , Russia , Austria-Hungary , Germany , and Lithuania . Despite heavy Russian influence in the east and often oppressive Soviet occupation, Ukraine has remained faithful to its own traditions. This land bears the mark of ancient mystery and the memory of its people still preserves old customs of remote ages.

It is also the cradle of Russian civilisation, the origin of the Kyiv Rus State founded in the eighth and ninth centuries. The Caves Monastery in the city centre is the focal point of the early Orthodox church. The Golden Gate of Kyiv is the last remnant of the 10th-century walls built to defend the city. The Crimea was once a summer playground for Kremlin leaders. Hotels and services are relatively cheap for Westerners. It is Yalta , the 'Pearl of the Crimea ', which draws visitors. The region's vineyards produce good-quality wine. Specialities include borshch (beetroot soup) and holubtsi (cabbage rolls). Opera is performed in the ornate theatres of Kyiv, Lvov and Odessa . Ukrainians have a deep-rooted musical tradition and singing is very popular.