Travel to the Ukraine

[HRK]

We are planning to visit the Ukraine in September to visit the villages of my grandparents. As we are Canadian and speak no Ukrainian, I have been looking at websites to see how difficult it will be to communicate once we are there. In this search, I have found some websites where there are english speaking guides/interpreters available who would will assist in finding and communicating relatives.
Is there a way to determine if these are reliable and reputable services?

[AkMike]

Most of central and eastern Ukraine speak russian as the primary language. Western Ukraine is usually russian. You'll have a bad time w/o a translator.
What part of Ukraine are you headed for? I can think of several reputable guides/translators, BUT it'd depend if you enter the country in Kyiv or Odessa (major airports)or elsewhere. Give us a few more hints.

Are you from the Vegreville AB. area? There alot of Ukrainian's there.

[HRK]

we are planning to travel by train to Lviv from Poland and travel around that area. II live in BC not Alberta but I have been to Vegreville and yes there are lots of \ukrainians there

[matera]

HRK,

I can help you with the tour but it depends on the dates you are going to come to Ukraine. I can provide references as well.
You might check my personal wepage for more information:
Your Private English Speaking Guide in Western Ukraine - Western Ukraine Tours

Best regards,
Andriy

[garyn55]

Andriy has been doing research for me over the last month in the Ukraine traveling to the villages to talk with the local residents to locate my lost relatives and looking up church records in the archives. He speaks very good english and has been a great help to me. I would definitely recommend using his services.

Gary

[Victor_Lviv]

HRK,

Well, probably best way to check reliability and reputability of services is asking of references from tourists who used them before.
Actually - I live in Lviv - providing driver/guide/interpreter services - with own car - and lot of experience in genealogy tours and researches. If you need any help or information - feel free to ask.

BTW - what are the villages of your grandparents?

[HRK]

my grandparents are from the villages of Kulivtsi and Zalishchyky. What are the costs of your services? And do you have references in Canada I could communicate with?