maxxxman

B Jacob

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Ukraine

About maxxxman

Full Member | Member since 10th Jul 08

Marital Status: Single

Activity : photos (12) forum (0) guide (44723) blog (5) diary (0) trips (0)

Latest Blog Entry

Budget Travel in Ukraine

Posted by maxxxman | 14th July 2008

After decades of controlled movement when travel was only for the social elite, and today when movement is controlled by visa restrictions on Ukrainian passport holders, the concept of ‘Budget Travel’ or, even more, ‘Independent Budget Travel’, is an alien concept to most Ukrainians. If you can travel, you’re rich; if you’re rich, you have money for private taxis, guides, flights, and expensive hotels where everyone speaks your language… As such, facilities for budget travel in Ukraine are sparse and the only way you’ll be able to get round is with a Russian speaking friend, a good guide book (Bradt is the best; Lonely Planet really not very good - but with some useful maps) learn some Russian yourself, or, at the very minimum, learn the Cyrillic alphabet.

Cities in Ukraine are not very cheap places (unless you know where to go) – and nor are the Carpathians in winter or Crimea in the summer. Everywhere, inflation is soaring so costs of consumer products and food are more expensive

Continued | Ukraine: an HONEST account

Travel Blogs maxxxman runs

Ukraine: an HONEST account - from a guy who has been living here for many moons.....

Latest Property Reviews

Otavalo Hostel review: Hostal Doña Esther
Excellent, old building, very clean rooms and helpful staff with good, atmospheric restaurant on the bottom floor. They organise some local tours too...

Overall: 5
Location: 5
Cleanliness: 5
Value: 4
Facilities: 4
Service: 4

maxxxman stayed here in Apr 2009
Stayed at Hostal Doña Esther in Otavalo? Write a review

Quito Hotel review: Real Audiencia
Not a great breakfast, but good views over the plaza from the restaurant, reasonable, cheap food and large, slightly dated rooms.

Overall: 4
Location: 5
Cleanliness: 5
Value: 4
Facilities: 3
Service: 4