Sloviansk. The 'Pryozernyi' Ornithological Reserve

The "Pryozernyi" ornithological reserve is located in the north-eastern part of Sloviansk , near residential estates and busy motorways. The location of a natural ecosystem within the city limits entails problems such as spontaneous rubbish dumps on the territory, noise from enterprises, disturbance of living organisms, and pollution of the soil and water by domestic sewage.

Sloviansk. The "Pryozernyi" ornithological reserve

The Prosiana Kaolin Quarry. Winter Scenery

There are places on earth that draw you with a magic force and enchant at any time of year. Hikes to the abandoned Prosiana kaolin quarry in the summer and autumn period left unforgettable impressions. But the artist-winter transforms nature with special magic, and one wants to see its tricks after the noticeable frosts and the snowfalls that have been rare in recent years.

The Model Shelterbelt. A Green Wall in the Steppe

Among the protective forest plantings in the Ukrainian steppe there is also a model shelterbelt, which holds the status of a botanical natural monument of local significance.

 

The 'Sukhareva Balka' Reserve. A Natural Monument

In 2013, with the aim of preserving the landscape and biological diversity in the Mezhova district of the Dnipropetrovsk region, the "Sukhareva Balka" landscape reserve was created.

Mute swans. Observing, admiring, learning

By observing nature and its creations, a person can learn a great deal. Swans are known for their conjugal fidelity and their inconceivable devotion.

Kamianka. The 'Floodplain of the Byk River' Reserve

The village of Kamianka in the Dobropillia district lies in the west of the Donetsk region, where the administrative border with the Dnipropetrovsk region runs.

Opishnia. The Source of Ukrainian Pottery and Art Nouveau

The Poltava region is famous not only for its Gogol places, the Myrhorod waters and the Sorochyntsi Fair. Thirty kilometres from Poltava lies the world-recognised capital of Ukrainian pottery — the village of Opishnia.

Opishnia. Poltava region. The Museum of the Krychevskyi Family

The Velykoanadolskyi Forest and the 'Forest Park'

Forest Park is a resort town in the south of Donetsk region, in the very heart of the Velykoanadolskyi Forest. This paradisiacal corner is located 65 kilometres from Donetsk and 6 kilometres from the district centre of Volnovakha (12 kilometres by road). Until 2014, the top management of Donbas was a frequent guest of the hotel and health complex; a helipad was built for the wealthy visitors.

Hrafske. Donetsk region. The "Forest Park" hotel and health centre

Hrafske. No Fairy Tales of the Velykoanadolskyi Forest

Like a green sea amid the waterless steppe in the south of Donetsk region spreads the Velykoanadolskyi Forest. The largest man-made forest tract in Europe saturates the air with healing energy amid the smoking factory chimneys and slag heaps. How the green wealth of Donbas was created, and how the memory of its creators is preserved, can be learned in the village of Hrafske in the Volnovakha district, at the forest museum.

Hrafske. Volnovakha district, Donetsk region. The Velykoanadolskyi Forest Museum

Donetsk Steppe Reserves: 'Prytorskyi' and 'Halyna Hirka'

The Donetsk steppe inspires poets, artists and film directors, who sing of it in their works.

The 'Halyna Hirka' reserve. Pokrovsk district, Donetsk region.

The Vovcha River. The Bakai Reserve

The Vovcha is a small river of the Black Sea basin.

The Vovcha River. The settlement of Vasylkivka, Dnipropetrovsk region

Zolochiv Castle: Fortress, Residence, Torture, Museum

Zolochiv Castle together with Olesko and Pidhirtsi is part of the popular tourist route 'The Golden Horseshoe of the Lviv Region'.

Pidhirtsi Castle: a Plundered Palace, a Haunted Ruin

To see all the castles of the 'Golden Horseshoe of the Lviv Region', from Olesko we went to Pidhirtsi in the Brody district.

Pidhirtsi Castle

Sviatohirsk: A Historical and Architectural Reserve

Sviatohirsk is rightly called the pearl of the Donbas. For here you can see historical and architectural monuments, churches and monasteries, mountains, a river, and a national nature park.

Olesko Castle. Stronghold, Residence, Museum, Film Set

Olesko Castle is one of the oldest and most famous structures of its kind in Ukraine. It held great strategic importance, as it was built on the border between Poland and Lithuania, at a crossroads of routes during the period when Kyivan Rus was breaking up into appanage principalities. The first mention dates to 1327. Today it is an architectural and historical monument of the 14th — 18th centuries and a museum-reserve that is part of the "Golden Horseshoe of Lviv" tour.

Morshyn. The "U Zatyshku" guesthouse

10 reasons to take a rest at the "U Zatyshku" mini-guesthouse.

1. Morshyn is a resort that grows more popular with the years. And anyone who has been here even once is sure to come back again. An unforgettable stay at the "U Zatyshku" mini-guesthouse will give you a sense of calm and the enjoyment of wonderful nature.

If you have never been to Kremenets...

Kremenets is a town in the north of the Ternopil region, known since the 13th century. The uniqueness of this town is that however many times you come here, you will always find something new and interesting.

The secrets of Vyshnivets Palace

In the settlement of Vyshnivets in the Ternopil region, a magnificent palace has survived, built in the Classicist style with Baroque elements.

The unforgotten stories of Zbarazh Castle

Many times I had heard of Zbarazh, an ancient town in the Ternopil region, and seen one of Ukraine's most famous castles in Jerzy Hoffman's film "With Fire and Sword".

Biryuchyi Island. Mysterious and astounding

If Henichesk and the Arabat Spit became my discovery of 2016, then Biryuchyi Island is a super-discovery, and my impressions of the trip there are simply astounding.