Q. from 'Down-Under'

[Phillip]

I wonder about all the countries that wrap around the sea near Ukraine.

Each one is a mystery and somehow compelling.

You guys live in a pretty cool part of the world which I know nothing about.

Can anybody tell me about other countries nearby, like Latvia, Lithuania, Belerous and Slovakia etc...

And then, what about the countries - ummmm, North and too the left like Sweeden and Finland and Denmark. Are they cool too?

Do you all like each other - do some. Can I buy a car in Europe eg. and drive all the way through the lot of those countries.

Well that's my question. I think I know some of the answers already, but I'd like to here them from you guys because it's your backyard - not mine.

[beata]

Hmmmmmm...Forgotten about Poland????? I'll write a couple of things here soon.

[Wendist]

Hello Phillip

No offense, but i think that european geography has tricked you.
Ukraine indeed borders to the sea, the Black Sea, and so does for example also Romania and Turkey.

But most of the countries you mentioned borders to another sea, the Baltic Sea, which is quite far away from Ukraine.

If you do come to Europe ( which i really think you should, it is worth it )then my advise will be for you to stick to one region or you will have to do some serious driving.

If it is your first visit, i think you should start somewhere in central europe, maybe Munich in southern Germany and then drive eastwards either through Austria or the Czech Republic.

This way you will get maximum diversity and a feeling of what Europe is like.

If you want to know about the countries in the north, i will answer any questions to the best of my ability.

First a short description. You may have heard the name Scandinavia, this is a geographical term wich includes Denmark, Norway and Sweden.Add to this the two countries Finland and Island and you get the Nordic countries. This is the name the people in these countries commonly use, or for short the North.

To a foreigner all the Nordic countries probably look pretty much the same. Wealthy, peacefull and perhaps a bit dull.
Whether they are cool or not is something you can only find out by visiting.

Well Phillip, have you got any wiser? If not, tell me.

Thomas

[Phillip]

Beata, I am landing in Poland. That is destination no'1.

Thomas I am not thinking about the rest of Europe. That can wait (Spain amd France heads that list - as I have friends there). I have been before - great, but I am not looking for the 'whole experience'. I just want to do some discovery.

Scandanavia is on my 'A' list but it would be money permiting (I might move to the UK for awhile too work). I am the kinda guy who can travell around India on a shoe-string. It is my idea of fun. At homne - I live in the best area, probably in the world. Orderly, societies have no interest to me. Not at this stage - not in this way. Not for that reason - I am meerly looking for culture and right now these less discovered ones interests me the most and I will build upon this.

I knew I was wrong about the sea - I just didn't know how to phrase what I was thinking

[beata]

WOW

[beata]

If you want to experience something new, I would strongly advise you going to Romania. One of the greatest countriest in Europe, though very few people go there...

[johnstruthers]

Phillip, I spent some time in Warszawa (the year was 1963), and that's a great place to begin your journey. Beata is right: Romania gets neglected, and it has a lot to offer. Unfortunately, during the Cieucescu years, the infrastructure suffered, so some creature comforts can be wanting at times. If you can get a Ukrainian visa (you must spell out where you want to visit), you should visit L'viv. It has everything; history, architecture, culture, educational institutions, at least a few adequate restaurants, and fair accommodations. It's easy to get to from anywhere in Poland, and there are several daily flights from Warzsawa. If you have time, of course, Kiev should be included. There isn't space here to talk about Kiev. For a really interesting, off-the-path tour, entering Ukraine from the Danube at Izmael puts you into the heart of Ukrainian Bessarabia, and you can take a bus to Odessa from there. It's a fairly warm area, lots of vineyards (wild grapes decorate yards, entryways, balconies). Odessa can be reached by boat from Izmael, though things have probably changed regarding frequency in the past five years. Odessa can be comfortable to westerners while remaining exotic. It's my favourite city. It also has a half dozen Black Sea beaches.