planning to spent 9 days in ukraine in late august with my two kids (3 + 1 years old). i heard it's better to start from Kiev (not Odessa) because it's not crowded. we're looking for nice villages, parks and easygoing trip. any recommendations? witch direction to travel (we'll have a car)? would you recommend visiting Belarus?
I recommend to start from Kiev and then go by express train to second largest city Kharkiv Kiev is a capital and it is really worth visiting.
Kharkiv boasts of one of the best city parks in Europe, also there is a great Zoo there, so kids will be happy to visit it.
Another good news - express train I told you about. In the middle between Kiev and Kharkiv there is a town called Poltavs'ka oblast - which boasts of its parks and green tourism in a countryside close by town.
I would not go to Odessa (Ukraine) first with kids. There is a sea there, but its dirty, there is a number of old buildings...but the root I gave you is better.
Mentioned in this answer:
On my opinion Kiev and Kharkiv are pretty similar. And the most interesting place to visit after Kiev is Odessa (Ukraine). It is always better to move on South from North. And to see The Black Sea coast is a must when you go to Ukraine! And on your way you can stop by Kherson, it is my native city. I wish you to enjoy your trip!
Tareq
