Destination Ukraine, a large country in Eastern Europe with a coastline at the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, it is bordered by Russia in northeast and east, Belarus in the northwest, Poland and Slovakia in the west, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova to the southwest. Ukraine covers an area of 600,000 km² making it the second largest country in Europe after Russia; it is about twice the size of Italy or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Texas. Ukraine's landscape consists mainly of plains and plateaus, only the Carpathian mountains in the west reach 2,061 m (6,760 ft.) at Mount Hoverla (Hora Hoverla), the highest mountain in the country. The country has a population of 45.4 million people (in 2016), capital and largest city is Kiev, spoken languages are Ukrainian, Russian is widely spoken, especially in the eastern and southern parts of the country.

Singaporean passport holders travelling to Ukraine for a tourist or business purpose will be eligible to obtain a single-entry visa valid for 15 days upon arrival at the following entry points; Boryspil International Airport, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv International Airport and Odesa International Airport.

How to Get There

By Flight

If you look at the list of the airports of Ukraine, you can find about 30 air terminal complexes. But only half of them can receive international flights and even less offer this service. Because of the high prices for domestic flights, it is advisable to travel around by trains. This is the main reason why there are only about a dozen operating airports in Ukraine. Two large air terminals are located in the vicinity of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. These international airports are Boryspil and Zhuliany. The remaining ones are scattered throughout the country and located near the largest cities of Ukraine. Unfortunately, not all of them offer a relatively high level of comfort - only the airports of Kyiv and a couple of others. The international airport “Boryspil” is the largest airport in Ukraine - more than 60% of Ukraine’s aviation passenger traffic. Located about 30 km southeast of the centre of Kyiv, it annually serves more than 8 million passengers. Boryspil is the only airport in Ukraine from which transcontinental flights are operated. You can go to Kyiv by bus, taxi, car. No trains are available at the moment. No direct flight is available from Singapore. Alternatively, few airlines offer connecting flight to Ukraine namely Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Qatar Airways via Doha, Singapore Airlines/Ukraine International via Bangkok, Emirates/Ukraine International via Dubai, KLM via Amsterdam, Singapore Airlines/Austrian via Munich/Vienna, Lufthansa via Frankfurt, Qantas/British Airways via London and Emirates/Azerbaijan Airlines via Dubai/Baku

What to do There?

Kyiv

Kyiv (also known as Kiev), a scenic city of close to 3 million people situated on the Dnipro River, is the bustling capital of Ukraine. Ancient Kievan Rus, which reached its greatest period of ascendancy during the 11th and 12th centuries, was a centre of trade routes between the Baltic and the Mediterranean. The city of Kyiv and the power of Kievan Rus were destroyed in 1240 by Mongol invaders, and the lands of Kievan Rus were divided into principalities located to the west and north: Galicia, Volhynia, Muscovy and later, Poland, Lithuania, and Russia. Once a powerful force on the European scene, Ukraine's fate in modern times has been decided in far-off capitals. As a result, modern Ukrainian history, for the most part, has been defined by foreign occupation

Carpathian Mountains

The Carpathian Mountains are considered to be the Green Pearl of Ukraine. It is one of the most popular resorts and tourist centres of the country. A beautiful mix of natural areas, forests, meadows, shepherds and humans living in harmony with nature is what makes the mountains so attractive to tourists! An original nature of the territory, the beauty of its Alpine meadows and woods, rough rivers and mountain lakes, soft climate, curative mineral sources, the historical and architectural monuments can attract everyone to themselves. Thousands of tourists and people who like travels and adventures come here. The Ukrainian Carpathians are relatively gentle peaks that rise as high as 2061 m (Mt. Hoverla). The largest resorts are located in Slavsko, Bukovel, Tysovets, and Dragobrat. Some of the smaller resorts are in Krasiya, Dolyna, Beskid, Polyana, Synevir, Yaremche, Verkhovna, Kosiv, and Yavoriv.

Lviv

Lviv is a very poetic city steeped in legends both ancient and relatively new. Narrow medieval streets paved with stones, architectural decoration done in different styles – all preserved in its original form. In ancient times Lviv was the capital of a mighty Slavic state called the Galicia-Volyn principality. Being a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and then Poland contributed to the formation of the city’s unique image. In spite of all the whims of history the city has not lost its Ukrainian spirit, and thank God, Lviv’s delicate architecture has not suffered from monstrosities of the Soviet Era. So it is no wonder that the central part of the city is included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage.

Odesa

Odesa is referred to as the "Pearl of the Black Sea" is the 3rd largest city in Ukraine, the largest city along the Black Sea, and the most important city of Ukraine for trade. Odesa's mild climate, warm waters and sunlit beaches attract hundreds of thousands of people year around. Its shady lanes, beautiful lightly pastel buildings and cosy squares impart to the city a certain air of intimacy. Odesa is simply enchanting with its marvellous architecture. Odesa's history as a thriving enterprise has left the city with some splendid architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries and a multifaceted, irrepressible spirit. Some buildings display a curious mixture of different styles, such as distinct French architecture with a distinctly Russian flavour, and some are built in the Art Nouveau Style which was in vogue at the turn of the century. Its stately 19th-century classical architecture is set on orderly planned streets that are surrounded by green space, giving the city an air of elegance.

Kamyanets-Podilsky

Kamyanets-Podilsky, one of the oldest cities in Ukraine, is considered a phenomenon of great cultural importance. A rocky island skirted by the tight loop of the Smotrich River flowing in a picturesque canyon served as a unique pedestal on which over more than a thousand years both well-known and anonymous masters created a miracle in stone. Kamyanets-Podilsky is striking for the harmonious blend of landscape and architecture. The Old City's past is full of mystery. The precise age of Kamyanets-Podilsky has not until recently been ascertained. Some historians claimed that the city was founded at the beginning of our era by the Dacians during the Roman-Dacian wars. Allegedly, it was named Petridava or Klepidava (from the Greek "Petra" or the Latin "lapis" meaning "stone" and the Dacian "dava" meaning "city"). Thanks to the efforts of numerous research workers, the date of the city's foundation are unequivocally attributed to the period of Old Rus. Researchers have found remnants of dwellings and fortifications of the 11th-13th centuries, and this evidence discredited the version claiming that the city emerged in late 14th century.

Where to Stay?

Hyatt Regency Kiev Hotel

Hyatt Regency Kiev Hotel is a 5-star venue set 4.4 km away from Hidropark. The stylish hotel represents striking architecture in Kiev. The hotel lies within 15 minutes' walk of National Art Museum of Ukraine. The property boasts location within 1 km from Kiev city centre. This hotel is placed in Pecherskyj district, known for a museum, a monastery and monuments. Hyatt Regency Kiev Hotel features 234 rooms across ten floors. Rooms boast a breathtaking view over the cathedral. They also have an electric kettle, a dishwasher and coffee/tea makers available for self-catering. Breakfast is served in the restaurant each morning. The property features a grill restaurant serving authentic dishes. The hotel’s Modern Wine bar serves snacks and salads along with hot drinks. Guests can share a meal in Bar na 8 and Whisky Corner, located about 50 meters away. A 5-minute stroll will take you to Khreshchatyk subway station. Due to the hotel's unique location, it will take a 15-minute drive to get to Zhulhany airport. Corporate travellers can use a banqueting hall, a conference room and a photocopier available on site. The property awaits guests with a health club, a spa centre and a treatment room. On-site fitness amenities include a gym and a fitness centre.

The Hilton Kyiv

The Hilton Kyiv is a 5-star hotel located in Kiev, Ukraine. The hotel is a branch of the Hilton Hotels chain. It is a part of the residential complex H-Tower, which is located in the city centre at Taras Shevchenko Boulevard. The complex was designed by the renowned British architect John Seifert, who also designed other 10 Hilton hotels in London, Paris, Antwerpen and Dubrovnik. Hilton Kyiv opened in 2014. It offers 262 guest rooms, a contemporary restaurant, a business centre, meeting rooms and a spa. To control all the systems and items around the hotel, Hilton Kyiv uses SmartHome automation system.