Kiev is the historical, political, cultural and scientific capital of Ukraine with a population of 3 million people and history of more than 1500 years. Its lovely historic architecture that accents green areas (60% of the city territory), its broad boulevards lined with trees give the city an elegant look. The majestic Dnepr river dividing the city into two parts, museums and architectural monuments, ancient churches and monasteries, vast recreational areas and beaches, friendly people - these are the things that make the Ukrainian capital so special and attractive.

According to an 11th century chronicle, when Prince Oleh ascended the throne, he asserted his dominion over all the Kievan principalities by calling Kiev the seat of the great princes and proclaiming the city "the mother of all the Rus's cities". "Rus" was an ancient name for Ukraine and actually for much of Eastern Europe. By the year 980 Kievan Rus occupying the territory from the Baltics and the Carpathians to the Black Sea and the Volga river was the leading power in Europe, but later on, weakened by Tatar (Mongol) invasion and Lithuanian and Polish rule, Kiev was placed under Moscow's control by an act of 1654 signed by the Kossack leader Bohdan Khmelnytsky. After the Second Partition of Poland in 1793, the Polish retreated and Kiev passed to Russian rule for the second time. Since then the city grew in importance as the capital of Ukrainian Russia, but tsarist policies suppressed Ukrainian culture and language and promoted Russification.

After the Revolution of 1917 forces supporting Ukrainian autonomy surfaced and in 1918 the independent Ukrainian National republic was proclaimed. It was a period of great chaos and continual struggle that caused much destruction. In 1991, after 71 years of being a part of the Soviet Union, Ukraine was declared independent again. During these years Kiev lived through a lot of trouble - many ancient churches and historical buildings were destroyed both during the Soviet regime (to make way for new government buildings) and during German occupation in 1941-43. Nevertheless, the city preserved a great part of its heritage and visitors will find a lot of historical monuments and interesting places telling about Kiev's dramatic past.

RED STAR TRAVEL invites you to visit the city with great history, explore the masterpieces of architecture, the historical sights and modern attractions. Learn what makes Ukrainians so different and yet related to Russians.

HOTEL KYIVSKA * * * *

Located in the heart of downtown. Built in 1990. One of the most comfortable hotels  in the city. 391 rooms: 330 twins, 47 singles, 10 suites and 4 apartment suites. All rooms feature private bathroom, satellite TV, telephone, mini-bar. 2 restaurants. Bars. Business Center. Adjacent Congress Hall for 450 seats. Sauna with a swimming pool. Casino. Towncar service. Security service. On-site parking. Room rates - from $245.

HOTEL RUS * * *

Located downtown. Walking distance to the business center of the city. 470 rooms: 64 singles, 396 doubles, 10 suites. Recently refurbished rooms feature private bathroom, satellite TV, telephone. Restaurant. 4 bars and coffee shop. Adjacent Congress Hall for 450 seats. Hair salon. Towncar service. Security service. On-site parking. Room rates - from $194.

HOTEL TOURIST * * *

Located on the left bank of the Dnepr river, near the Livoberezhna metro station. 15-minute drive to the city center. Accommodates 1000 guests in single, double and de luxe rooms. All rooms feature private bathroom, satellite TV. 2 restaurants. 2 bars. Coffee shop. Casino. Towncar service. Security service. On-site parking. Room rates - from $60. Reservation fee applies: $ 21.00 for a single room, $ 28.00 for a double room.

HOTEL KHRESHCHATYK * * *

Located downtown Kiev. Comfortable rooms: singles, doubles, suites and apartment suites. All rooms feature private bathroom, satellite TV. 2 restaurants. Bar. Conference room. Sauna. Towncar service. Security service. Room rates - from $147.

HOTEL DNIPRO * * *

Located in the heart of downtown. One of the most popular hotels in Kiev. Rooms: singles, doubles, suites, apartment suites. Restaurant famous for its exquisite cuisine and live music. 2 bars. Conference room. Towncar service. Security service. Room rates - from $159.

HOTEL BRATYSLAVA * * *

Located next to the metro station Darnitsa. 20-minute ride to the city center. 364 rooms: singles and doubles. Interior decorated in traditional Slavic style. All rooms feature private bathroom, satellite TV. Restaurant. Bar and coffee shop. Towncar service. Security service. Room rates - from $78.

HOTEL MOSKOVSKY * * *

Located downtown, not  far from Independence Square. 600 rooms: singles, doubles and suites. All rooms feature private bathroom, satellite TV. Restaurant. Bar. Conference room for 110 seats. Facsimile and copying facilities. Currency exchange. Souvenir kiosk. News stand. First medical aid office. Hair salon. Sauna and massage. Towncar service. Security service. On-site parking. Room rates - from $145.

HOTEL SPORT * * *

Located downtown. Modern 22-storey building. Standard rooms and suites. All rooms feature private bathroom, satellite TV. Restaurant. Bar and coffee shop. Conference room for 150 seats. Hair salon. Sports shop. Towncar service. Security service. Room rates - from $96.

HOTEL LYBID * * *

Located in Victory Square, not far from the city center. Close to the railway station and the Circus. 17-storey building. All floors accessible by elevator. 280 rooms: singles, doubles and suites. All rooms feature private bathroom, satellite TV. 2 restaurants. 2 bars. Sports store. Jewelry shop. Towncar service. Security service. Room rates - from $148.

HOTEL SLAVUTYCH * * *

Located on the left bank of the Dnepr river. 16-storey building has a shape of an open book. All floors accessible by elevator. 834 rooms: singles, doubles and suites. All rooms feature private bathroom, satellite TV. Restaurant. Bar and coffee shop. Night club. Casino. Penny arcade. Movie theater for 300 seats. Towncar service. Security service. Room rates - from $70.

Note: FIT rates are subject to $ 10 p/person reservation fee in all Kiev hotels.

Kiev Museums

The Museum of Historical Treasures and Jewelry. Unique collection of precious metal and stone articles dating back to pre-Christian era, Kievan Rus, Byzantium, middle-age Ukraine as well as chefs d'oeuvre of modern times.

The State Museum of Ukrainian Decorative and Applied Arts. Extensive collections of folk embroideries, icons, pysanky (painted Easter eggs), pottery, folk costumes, etc. The most beautiful collection in Ukraine.

Golden Gate Museum. This is the famous gate of Kiev erected in 1017, a landmark of Kievan Rus. Its ruins were restored in 1983.

National Museum of Fine Arts. Built in 1900 in Greek Doric style. Houses a huge collection of 12-18 century icons, paintings and sculptures by Ukrainian masters, Ukrainian avant-garde.

Outdoor Museum of Folk Architecture and Folkways. The museum recreates village life in different regions of Ukraine. Restored houses, wooden churches, mills, farm buildings and equipment, tools and clothing of the 16th-19th centuries. Lies on 150 hectares of beautiful countryside. During state and religious holidays you can witness folk artistic performances and church services.

Kiev Pechersk Lavra. (Cave Monastery) national historical and cultural landmark. The monastery is situated picturesquely on a hill overlooking the Dnepr river. Founded in 1051 by monks, its spectacular structures were added on over the years in classical, Byzantine and Ukrainian Baroque styles. Spread over the hills along the bank of the Dnepr river the Lavra Monastery is a must-see for visitors. This functioning monastery consists of numerous churches, towers, miles of underground tunnels (caves) with ancient crypts and ecclesiastical objects. The most interesting museums of Ukraine are also located on the grounds of this monastery. Among them are the Museum of Historical Treasures and Jewelry, the Museum of Ukrainian Decorative and Applied Art, the Museum of Miniatures.

St. Sophia's Cathedral. It is the oldest church that was built in 1037 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise. This majestic 13-domed church became a Holy place of worship for ancient Kievites, as well as a major cultural and political center in Kievan Rus. The complex of buildings (2 churches, belltower, school, monks' cells, Metropolitan's residence) was added on up until the 19th century mostly in Renaissance and Ukrainian Baroque styles. It is a national shrine and is under the patronage of UNESCO.

Kyrylivska Church. One of the most beautiful churches in Kiev. Built in 1146, it is a monument of Kievan Rus architecture. Rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries in Ukrainian Baroque style. Over 800 sq. m. of original frescoes have been preserved.

St. Andrew's Church. Built in 1754 by Bartolommeo Rastrelli, this Church is a piece de resistance of Baroque style. Perched atop a two-storey base which houses the Kiev Seminary, it is one of the most popular postcard subjects. The gilded iconostasis decorated with carved ornaments, sculptures and icon paintings was made by a group of Ukrainian masters in the Rococo style.

Andriyivsky Uzviz. Andrew's Descent a thousand-year old street connecting in the days of Kievan Rus the Upper part of Kiev with the Lower. Today it is the Greenwich Village or the Montmartre of Kiev filled with art shops and exhibits, cafes, beauty and charm. The favorite tourist attraction.

Kiev Mohyla Academy. Founded in 1615 by Metropolitan Petro Mohyla it was the first institution of higher education in Ukraine and all Eastern Europe.

Vydubytsky Monastery. Founded in 1070 and added on to over the centuries. The construction of its three churches was financed by the Cossack elite. Many outstanding Ukrainians are burried in its cemetery. Its churches are active. Its present Ukrainian Baroque appearance dates back to the 17th century. Currently the Academy has been reopened under the same name.

Mariyinsky Palace. Built in 1750 by Bartolommeo Rastrelli, the residence of the Tsar's family in Kiev. Currently the palace is used for the Ukrainian President's official ceremonies. Not open to public, except for special appointments.

St. Volodymyr's Cathedral. Built in 1882 in neo-Byzantine style; its beauty is dramatic. The Seat of the Patriarch of the Kiev Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Services are held in Ukrainian.

Full day trips

Special offer for tourists who are planning to stay in Kiev for more than 3 days full day trips by coach or car to the cities of Chernihiv, Kaniv, Uman , Chornobyl, Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky.

Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky. The town of Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky is situated 90 km away from Kiev and happens to be the third oldest town in Ukraine after Kiev and Chernihiv. Today Pereyaslav is known as a museum-town. There are museums of all possible kinds, ranging from collections of ancient sculptures and jewelry to embroidered towels, historical weapons and even bread. The Open Air Museum is a real wonder, inhabited by people living country life. It might be with God s blessing that so many museums and architectural monuments have been preserved in the town of Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky a town that gives visitors an integral image of Ukraine.

Kaniv. It takes 2 hours by coach to get to the town of Kaniv from Kiev. This town is known in many parts of the world because of the great Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko who, according to his will, was buried there on a high hill of the Dnepr river bank. Taras Shevchenko Museum is located in this town too. Kaniv used to have a lot of visitors coming there by boat during summer.

Uman'. Very few parks in the world can compare to the one situated in the town of Uman - Sofiyivka park. The Sofiyivka State Dendrological Preserve is spread over the area of more than 150 hectares. This picturesque place is called fairy-land everything is so poetic, exquisite, splendid there. You can find plants from all corners of the world, cascades of lakes and waterfalls and many other magnificent creations of nature in this park.

Chernihiv. One of the oldest Ukrainian towns. The very first record of Chernihiv dates back to 907 AD. It is famous for its historical and cultural monuments such as Saviour and Transfiguration Cathedrals, Antoniyiv s Caves and other impressive monuments of the 11-12th centuries.

Chornobyl. This trip is for travelers concerned about ecological problems of our planet. At the restricted zone border one must undergo an obligatory dosimeter check and change one s clothes as well as one s vehicle. An experienced guide provides comprehensive information about Chornobyl Power Station problems. One can get as far as 10 km zone to see the Sarcophagus (shelter), the so-called red forest surviving after the nuclear disaster, the dead town of Prypiat.