For Saint Valentine's Day. The most romantic travels in Ukraine

Saint Valentine's Day is one of the most popular holidays in Ukraine. The traditional gift among those in love is considered to be valentines, which symbolise love and devotion. The most creative gift, of course, is a journey, which will create the appropriate mood and give unforgettable impressions. In Ukraine, nature and man have created many wonderful corners for dreamy and amorous walks. So, 10 locations for a romantic journey.

The "Oleksandriia" Arboretum. Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region

Bila Tserkva. Kyiv region. The "Oleksandriia" Arboretum. The Chinese bridge

A real Love Story served as the occasion for the creation of this unique park, named in honour of its foundress Oleksandra Branytska. One of the largest arboretums in Europe was designed in honour of Prince Grigory Potemkin, the patron and beloved of the countess.

Landscape compositions, shady avenues, sculptures, architecture, the mirrors of lakes, a colonnade with unique acoustic properties, openwork bridges, gazebos, cafes on the territory of the "Oleksandriia" monument of landscape gardening art — here everything is planned with love and dedicated to the theme of love.

The "Oleksandriia" Arboretum. The colonnade"Echo" 

The Oleshky Sands. Kherson region

Elevated feelings are inspired by the melody of the winds, the sense of space and the hot breath of the desert.

The sand massif the Oleshky Sands with an area of 162,000 ha is located 30 kilometres from Kherson. The thicknesses of sand are surrounded by a ring of coniferous forest, and among the dunes and hills up to 5 metres high, green oases create a fantastic atmosphere and a stage for exotic photo shoots.

The sand massif in Kherson region

The Tunnel of Love. Klevan, Rivne region

Klevan, Rivne region. The Tunnel of Love

The Ukrainian settlement of Klevan is known all over the world for its tunnel of love. The elegiac history of the construction of a railway branch, from the two ends of which lovers communicated with the help of lanterns, and also the creation of Mother Nature, draw loving hearts here from all over Ukraine. Through the branches and leaves of the green corridor sunrays break through, creating, with the play of light and shadows, a fairy-tale atmosphere. At night the moon and stars lend even more mystery. Newlyweds tie ribbons on the trees, as a symbol of eternal and mutual love.

Klevan. Rivne region. The Tunnel of Love

Odesa

Odesa. The Belvedere of the Vorontsov Palace. 1828

In Odesa many love stories and legends have been born.

A special heart-shaped construction was installed to express feelings after newlyweds, by hanging locks, increased the load and almost destroyed the Mother-in-law Bridge.

In an alcove corner with a fountain, a cast-iron bridge and a female statue, couples arrange dates and confess their feelings.

A corner for lovers with a cast-iron bridge

Cathedral Square. Poltava

Poltava. Cathedral Square. The Holy Dormition Cathedral

Cathedral Square is a favourite place for wedding ceremonies.

The White Gazebo is both the calling card of the city and a symbol of elevated pure feelings. From here a wonderful panorama opens up onto the outskirts of the city, onto the blue ribbon of the Vorskla and the Exaltation of the Cross Monastery.

Poltava. Cathedral Square. The White Gazebo

Schonborn Castle. Chynadiiovo, Zakarpattia region

Chynadiiovo. Zakarpattia region. Schonborn Castle

A feeling of admiration is evoked by the castle of Count Schonborn, built in the style of romantic eclecticism. The palace is decorated with bas-reliefs, stucco, weathervanes, stained-glass windows and chimes, and has 365 windows (the number of days in the year), 52 chimneys (the number of weeks in the year), 12 entrances (like the months in the year) and 4 towers (the seasons).

An architectural masterpiece of Zakarpattia

For a dreamy promenade an arboretum with astonishing plants has been laid out, and a pond has been created in the shape of a heart, which Countess Franciska received as a gift from her husband together with the castle.

Chynadiiovo. Zakarpattia region. Schonborn Castle. The park and the sculpture of a deer

Sent-Miklosh Castle. Chynadiiovo, Zakarpattia region

Chynadiiovo. Zakarpattia region. Sent-Miklosh Castle

One more historical and architectural pearl in Chynadiiovo is known for the most dramatic castle history of Zakarpattia. Sent-Miklosh is called the castle of love in memory of Queen Ilona, the fearless defender of the Mukachevo castle Palanok. Persons of royal blood sought her hand, but the woman in love preferred Count Imre Thokoly, renouncing the throne and its privileges. In the old castle, where the lovers met secretly, festivals, plein-airs, exhibitions and wedding ceremonies are held.

Sent-Miklosh Castle. The park

In the conviction of newlyweds, to register a marriage within the walls where an unearthly love once reigned is symbolic and unconventional. After long years of ruin and oblivion, the restoration of the architectural masterpiece was helped by the most elevated feelings of the artists Yosyp Bartosh and his wife Tetiana, as well as by the quixotry of the Master.

The castle interior is brought close to the atmosphere of the Middle Ages

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. Sambir, Lviv region

Sambir. Lviv region. The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. 1738

Every year, on 14 February, in Sambir in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin a sarcophagus with the relics of Saint Valentine, the patron of all lovers, is displayed. This is the only church in Ukraine and one of seven in the world where the relics of the venerated martyr are kept. On this day, people of various ages come with prayer to the saint to ask for his protection and help in family matters. After venerating the shrine, one can stroll around the princely city, in which architectural monuments of the 16th-19th centuries have survived, and climb the clock tower of the city Town Hall to view the outskirts of Sambir.

Sambir. Lviv region. A view of Market Square from the clock tower of the Town Hall

The Carpathian Tram. Vyhoda, Ivano-Frankivsk region

The Carpathian Tram. Ivano-Frankivsk region. Dolyna district

Poetic feelings are awakened by a three-hour tour into the cloud-high expanses of the Carpathian Mountains on an excursion train, which sets off along the narrow-gauge railway from the village of Vyhoda.

Travellers are awaited by the stunning beauty of the green expanses, the extreme crossing of the mountain river Mizunka, musical accompaniment performed by a local ensemble, national colour, and snacks in the glades. The water in the pearl-clear springs gives beauty, and bathing in the crystal waterfalls swirling with jets — health.

The Mizunka river. Ivano-Frankivsk region. Dolyna district

Olha Kobylianska Street. Chernivtsi

Chernivtsi. The pedestrian Olha Kobylianska Street

For its sumptuous appearance, one of the oldest streets of the capital of Bukovyna is called Panska. The pedestrian street, which bears the name of the Bukovynian writer Olha Kobylianska, is hidden from public and private transport, and its history is shrouded in astonishing and stunning legends. Always beloved by the residents and guests of the city, Panska Street is decorated with flower pots. Couples in love stroll in old horse-drawn carriages.

For a quick snack and a tasty lunch, numerous restaurants, creative cafes, confectioneries, pubs, bars and pizzerias are open. On the beautiful street wonderful events take place, and brides and grooms seal their bonds with a stamp in the Palace of Solemn Events, built in 1873.

Chernivtsi. The pedestrian Olha Kobylianska Street