I am going to meet my pretty, lovely, kind and wonderful lady in Ukraine.
I am also very nervous about this trip. But I am sure it will be great.

12th of Jule 2010

Kiev is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine. It is situated on the both banks of river Dnieper. By the legend Kiev was founded by 3 brothers - Kiy, Scheck, Horif and their sister Lybid. The city was named after the eldest brother - Kiev. Historians claim that first people settled on the territory of modern Kiev by the V century. The place for the city was well selected - high bank vaults of the river Dnieper served as a good defense from incursion of nomad tribes. Kiev, a city blessed by God, holy nurse of Orthodox religion.
First place of historical interest we visited together was St Volodymyrs Cathedral.
The Vladimir cathedral is unique first of all the lists. Inside very beautifully. Especially for those to whom the religious subjects are close. The temple consists of seven domes. Central from them it is gilt, the others 6 – dark blue with gold asterisks.

Most of the painting inside the cathedral was done by Victor Vasnetsov (1848-1926), whose work is closely associated with Kyiv. He painted the entire central nave of the cathedral. After 1890 another outstanding artist, Mikhail Nesterov (1862-1942), took part in the painting of the cathedral, mainly contributing large compositions in the chair gallery and icons for the altar screen of the north and south chapels.
Despite the eclecticism felt in all the cathedral's decoration, this memorial is one of the more significant and characteristic examples of monumental art of the second half and end of the nineteenth century. St. Andrew's Church.

There is a legend  according to which the place where  now Dnepr  flows  was the sea. When St. Andrew came to Kiev and  put a  cross on a hill where now  St. Andrew’s Church is, the sea went down. But some part of it remained and has hidden under Andrew’s hill. Later when the church was built there, the well has appeared under a throne. There are no bells in St. Andrew’s Church as the legend says that  with the first blow water would wake up and would flood  not only Kiev, but also the whole Left bank. 13th of Jule 2010

Mikhail's Cathedral

St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral includes the church of Archangel Michael destroyed in 30-s of the last century rebuilt in the middle 90-s and the refectory church of St. Ioan Bogoslov.
The temple was founded in 1108-1113 and was devoted to Archangel Michael – the patron of Kiev. In the XII century there was the burial place of several generations of princes in the monastery. At the church the monastery was built, which by the legend was founded by the Kyiv Metropolitan Mikhail. St. Sofia Cathedral

The cathedral was founded in 1037. It is the greatest monument of Slavic and world culture, history, architecture and art. It is one of the major architectural sights in Kiev. The significance of this monument is confirmed by its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 2011, the millenium from the date of cathedral’s foundation will be celebrated.The cathedral is famous for its mosaics and frescos by Byzantine masters that date back to the 11th century. Marvelous frescos decorate walls, pillars and vaults. Inside, the central part of the cathedral is decorated with large mosaic depicting praying Virgin Maria. 14th of Jule 2010

National Kyiv-Pechersk Historic and Architectural Park
Pechersk Lavra Monastery was founded in the eleventh century and was built during the next nine centuries. The monks of the Kiev-Pechersk monastery and, above all hermits, different morality and asceticism. It is attracted to Laura educated and noble men.

The monastery became a kind of academy of Orthodox hierarchs. Prior to the XIII century, from among its monks in different limits of Kievan Rus was appointed 50 bishops.To the most important historical-architectural monuments of Kiev-Pecherskij Monastery, involving visitors, refer: the Annozachatievsky church, Ivan Kushnika's tower, Vsehsvjatsky church, the main belltower, a belltower on Distant caves, printing house (a book Museum), cells of cathedral monks, Kovnirovsky's  case (the Gold pantry), Nikolsky monastery, Mitropolichi rooms (the Museum of decorative art), Distant and Near caves, Rizdvobogoroditska church, Debasket's Wall, Trapeznaja church, Troitsk church, the Uspensky cathedral, Krestovozdvizhensky church, Church of Spas on Berestov. In December 1990 of UNESCO recognised Kiev-Pecherskij Monastery as a sight of history and culture of world value. 15th of Jule 2010 One of the largest open-air museums in the world Pirogovo Museum of Folk Architecture and Lifestyle is situated in a picturesque area within Kyiv city limits. It covers territory of 150 acres. The museum space in Pirogovo is organized according to a territorially-time principle. Walking there, visitors of the complex can see, how our ancestors lived in Zakarpat’e, Poltavshchina and Slobozhanshchina, Podol, Polesye, or in South Ukraine starting from 16 century. Models of various ethnographic cultures of Ukraine are collected here. The buildings include peasants' houses, churches, mills, farm structures along with village utensils and household furnishing. The museum includes more than 70,000 ethnographic antiquities. Also, this museum contains several churches that are still used for divine services. The museum gives bright picture of how people have been living in 16 to 20th century. 16th of Jule 2010
Museum of Art named after Bogdan and Varvara Khanenko is situated at one of the central streets of Kiev, in the building, constructed in the end of 19 century. Kiev Museum of Western and Oriental Art now bears the name of its founders, spouses Varvara and Bogdan Khanenko. Their private collection started the museum. The museum opened a permanent exhibition, which represents about 2000 items. A unique combination of art from different countries and different eras puts the Museum of Western and Eastern art on a par with famous European museums. State Museum of Ukrainian Decorative Folk Art is located in the territory of Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra. Museum exposition numbers more than 70 000 objects made by Ukrainian folk skilled craftsmen, since 17 century and till Soviet period. Today it is one of the largest museums of folk art in the territory of Former Soviet Union. All Museum exposition consists of 2 parts. In the first there is everything made before 20 century, and in the second – work of Soviet period and the present. Each part includes several sections: woodcarving, ceramics, textiles, embroidery, clothes, glassware, china and paintings. By-turn, exhibits in sections are put in order according to chronological and territorially-ethnographic principle. 17th of Jule 2010 At the building’s basement floor Archaeological Museum, consisting of 4 halls, is situated. More than 7 000 exhibits tell us about the most considerable stages in the history of mankind development, beginning from Lithic Age to the late Middle Ages. Age of the most ancient objects in this museum numbers more than 800 000 years, they are the first material evidences of the human activity, found in site Korolevo in Zakarpate. Gests of Archaeological Museum can see things, made by people of Upper Paleolith (about 15 000 years ago), study collection of objects of Tripol, Scythian, Cimmerian and Sarmatian cultures. 18th of Jule 2010 To tell the truth, it was a very positive surprise for me to go to the restaurants in Kiev. I have tried a lot of new dishes and now i am sure that in Kiev everybody will find the place according to his taste.There is a very large number of various restaurants, cafes, and pubs in Kiev. Different kinds of cuisine can be found in Kiev. Every person can find the most suitable place in Kiev. This city is the real cradle of nice restaurants and there you may not only try tasty dishes but also to listen to good music and find new friends. It is situated in the city center, next to Pecherskaya Lavra. It is desigend in the style of the ancient Ukrainian style. All the dishes here have original Ukrainian names and all of them are cooking according to the old recipes. Here you may also try national Ukrainian drinks. The live folklore music, musical dramatized holidays and ceremonies are to entertain the guests of the Tsarske Selo. It is a very popular Italian establishment. The restaurant is renowned for its first-class Italian cuisine and the chef of the restaurant is Italian. Here you may try a range of Italian dishes. The wine list of the Pantagruel can be called one of the best in Ukraine. Coming here you may feel Italy and you will have the desire to visit this place again and again. Situated in the ancient city center, next to the famous Golden Gate, the restaurant is an ideal choice to enjoy the charm of Italy, try best Italian wines and tasty dishes.

19th of Jule 2010 It is the ideal place who want to enjoy Japanese dishes. Only the freshest ingredients are used to cook sushi, sashimi and many other Japanese dishes. Here one may also enjoy original salads, soups and main dishes. Having tried the dishes in this nice place you will realise that the dishes here may be called works of art. The Nobu restaurant gives you the chance not only to eat but also to enjoy friendly and attentive service and reasonable prices. The Capuchin Restaurant is the restaurant of European cuisine with a distinctive French accent. The restaurant consists of two stylish dining halls and a pub. The interior brings you to the medieval castle. Here you may try a large choice of wines and tasty dishes or meat and wish. Every evening you may enjoy live music and sing karaoke.

20th of Jule 2010 Is a very nice Georgian restaunrant and everybody who likes Oriental dishes will enjoy this place. The food is served elegantly and you can match excellent Georgian wines. The menu is available in Ukrainian, Russian and English languages.This place is relaxing and romantic, probably, much due to live piano music at nights. This place attracts everybody by bring design and tasty dishes. Here dishes of different cuisines from all over the world have been gathered each guest of the Miami Blues can choose something to his taste. Some people come here not only to eat, but also to get certain music impression and to see the most interesting of the modern culture. The restaurant is situated just minutes away from the city center. The restaurant is in Kiev downtown, not far from National Opera Theatre. Restaurant Dejavu is memorable first of all for its design.
Most spacious hall of restaurant Dejavu is called "Moto". Its design completely meets the name. Famous motorcycles Harley Davidson and other bike attributes, bright many-coloured walls, number plates and road signs make a rest a little bit entertaining. In the afternoon its rather quite here, but when evening comes, "Moto" revives – musicians begin the show. Hall "Photo" is decorated in retro-style. 21th of Jule 2010 It is simply impossible to get bored in this wonderful capital city of Ukraine Kiev. There are so many places to visit and enjoy that fill you with great impressions. I did not know from what place to start my investigation. But my lady suggested me to go to enjoy cultural life of Kiev and the first place we visited together was PinchukArtCentre . It was really fantastic experience. It is an international centre for contemporary art of the 21st century. I found out that the Foundation was established in 2006 by businessman and public figure Victor Pinchuk. There you can see masterworks and workgroups by outstanding artists of our time which reflect and represent the complexity of the world, transforming it into a unique and new form. There you can enjoy the world of modern art to its fullest. It is located in the city centre that makes it very convenient to visit. Triptych art gallery is the first private gallery in Ukraine that was founded 1988. I enjoyed visiting it and was impressed by the wonderful atmosphere. As it appeared the main gallery trend is contemporary art. I was lucky to see wonderful collection of the gallery. As it appeared the main area of the gallery is devoted to contemporary art with examples of wonderful paintings by famous Ukrainian artists. I could also see graphics, sculptures, examples of applied art too. I was impressed by its beauty and advise anyone to visit this place. It brings a lot of pleasure and joy to the people who are fond of art. 22th of Jule 2010

My next experience was visiting Brucie Collections Gallery that represents works of famous photographers like Helmut Newton, Sebastiao Salgado, Leni Riefenstahl, Alber Watson, Howard Schatz, as well as works by the best local artists. Gallery collection impresses by its variety. Most of the works in this gallery are represented for sale. It was a new experience for me as i never visited galleries specializing in photography exclusively.  I was really impressed by cultural life and attitude to art in Kiev and my lady suggested me to go to see one of the newest Pit-Art gallery. It is located not far from the city centre, but in a very nice and quiet place where you can still feel aristocratic spirit of Kiev. The gallery is small but not less popular. You can see there paintings hanging on the walls, telescopes, vases, whimsical mannequins, musical instruments etc. There you can not only to see works of art but also get a master class in painting and psychological training or get acquainted with ontemporary watercolorist Alexander Baten or painter Alexander Kriushin. We liked the friendly and mysterious atmosphere there and met interesting people. I got a real satisfaction after visiting all galleries and seeing their collections and exhibitions. Now i know for sure that Kiev is a indisputable cultural centre of Ukraine. I visited art galleries that are of an exceptional cultural and historical value and i saw a very rich culture of Ukraine from the old days and till present. I managed to visit only some of the most popular ones but there are so many others which are not to be missed. I have no doubt next time i come to Kiev i visit them all.

My plane departs in 4 hours home. It is necessary to have time to go to the agency office to say good bye and say "see you soon" to the unique lady that made my trip so interesting and bright. For her i came to this wonderful and very interesting country Ukraine and visited the capital city Kiev.
"Good Bye"