Spring vacation

Vacation in spring - how to make it a success and not have the result recorded in the famous proverb - "nobody needs a vacation as much as a person who has returned from vacation"? The answer is simple - you need to plan your vacation.

A change of scenery, new bright impressions, acquaintances, and even just a distraction from the daily routine not only benefits the state of mind, but also unloads the brain tired from intensive work. Such an “upgrade” is probably necessary for everyone who feels typical spring fatigue and apathy. In order to have a good rest, you do not always need to spend a large amount of money or a lot of time. Sometimes one week is enough to restore strength and recharge with positive energy. Let's consider several options that can help overcome mental “vitamin deficiency” without leaving your home country.

Spring vacation in native places, in Ukraine

Spring holidays in Vilkovo

Vilkovo is a small town located very close to the hero city of Odessa. This is a truly unique place not only because it is called the Ukrainian Venice, the city of canals, but also for a number of other, no less interesting reasons. Vilkovo was founded by absolutely extraordinary people, most of whom were representatives of the Don Cossacks and also Old Believers - Lipovans. It was in the floodplains of the Danube that they found refuge, hiding from the persecution of the Orthodox Church. The small settlement, named after the Lipovanskoye community, gradually expanded, and at the end of the 18th century it was awarded the status of a city. Later, the runaway Zaporozhian Cossacks also joined the Donetsk people.

The mixture of cultures and beliefs did not prevent the city from flourishing, but the first settlers tried to strengthen their faith and to this day in Vilkovo more than 70% of the population adheres to strict Old Believer traditions. They zealously observe the rules of their church, men do not shave their beards, everyone, from children to elders, wear clothes of the old style and cut, which were adopted two centuries ago. Of course, the rules include prohibitions on all the delights of modern life - television, mobile communications, not to mention the Internet. Despite its categorical observance of the Old Believer covenants and some detachment from people professing other faiths, in the entire history of the "city on the water" there has not been a single serious conflict with religious grounds. A spring holiday in Vilkovo is also a journey along numerous streets, which cannot even be called streets, since they are canals, really similar to the Venetian ones. It is in the spring that the eriks, as the Vilkovsky canals are called, are especially beautiful and full-flowing. In addition, the city is located in the south of Ukraine, and at a time when there may still be snow in the north of the country, fruit trees begin to bloom in the city of Lipovans. At the end of March, swans, pelicans, gray geese and many other representatives of birds, among which there are simply unique species listed in the Red Book, begin to return to the thickets of reeds - plavni. A spring holiday in the land of canals is also impossible without performing a popular local ritual, which has nothing to do with any religion, but is rather a tourist tradition. The fact is that in the city there is a zero kilometer, which starts counting the river directly from the delta. The belief is that if a person can move his body through the zero, which decorates the stone sign, then he begins his life with a clean slate, so to speak, zeroes out all the negatives. Unfortunately, no one keeps statistics on the effectiveness of this “procedure”, but the ritual itself enjoys unprecedented popularity.

A spring holiday in Vilkovo also includes a mandatory visit to the fish market, where visitors will find not just a huge selection, but a stunning variety, because the Danube Delta is home to about 100 species of commercial fish. Friendly townspeople, the number of which does not exceed ten thousand, the "old" city, divided by numerous canals, the "new" half of the city, more civilized and modern, a unique cultural environment, local wine and delicious fish dishes - and all this here in Ukraine, isn't it an option for a wonderful week-long holiday?

Spring vacation in the Ukrainian steppe

For those who haven't tried it, we highly recommend it, especially if you plan a trip to Askania Nova in the middle of the last month of spring - in May. It is during this period that huge feather grass fields bloom, this spectacle is truly magnificent and unforgettable. Considering the sea of aromas, and the benefits of aromatherapy and fresh air are undeniable, then a charge of positive energy will be provided for a long time. At the same time, irises and sage bloom, as if especially for those who want to calm their nerves, valerian blooms, many other medicinal herbs and plants.

A spring holiday in Askania includes a visit to a unique nature reserve – an arboretum, a zoo and open-air steppe enclosures where endangered rare species of animals are preserved. Falcons, harriers and larks fly freely in the clear sky above the steppe expanses, American bison and other rare species of ungulates graze nearby, where else in Ukraine can you see herds of Przewalski's horses or African antelopes? In a word, a spring holiday with benefits for health and soul – this is Askania Nova.

Spring holidays in the western part of Ukraine

It is always a sea of impressions. However, Transcarpathia is beautiful at any time of the year, but it is in the spring, at the end of April, that almost all over the territory the blossoming of trees atypical for Ukraine begins – sakura. Sakura is one of the symbols of the land of the rising sun, Japan, it would seem that this tree is not able to take root in other countries. And indeed, the Japanese cherry was able to adapt only to the Transcarpathian climate, in some American states and nowhere else. According to legend, almost a century ago the territory of Galagov, as one of the most swampy central areas of Uzhgorod was called, was decided to be planted with sakura. The Czech government was engaged in such improvement, because at that time Transcarpathia was part of Czechoslovakia. Since then, sakura has not only taken root in this territory, but has also become a real symbol of Transcarpathia.

According to Japanese tradition, one should not only admire cherry blossoms, but also collect pollen from the flowers in small containers filled with sake. It is said that such a drink is miraculous and gives a person confidence, energy, strength and health. Local residents have a slightly different version of using both pollen and the sakura itself. The townspeople believe that whoever plants a sakura and takes care of it will gain wealth and well-being. And the pollen should be carefully collected in cups, or more precisely, in cups filled with coffee. In addition to sakura, tourists will be delighted with the blooming of magnolias, three species of which grow in this area. Excursions to ancient castles, tasting of local unique wines, handmade souvenirs, and, of course, the unique aroma and taste of coffee, which is a real local brand, and which is prepared nowhere else than in the Uzhgorod or Mukachevo coffee shops... This is far from a complete list of the impressions that a spring vacation in Transcarpathia can provide you with.

Spring holidays in Transcarpathia

You can continue your spring vacation without leaving the territory of Zakarpattia, in early May daffodils begin to bloom in a unique valley. Legend has it that it was in the clear waters of the Khustets River that the Greek beauty Narcissus saw his beautiful reflection. Having visited the reserve, located near the ancient city of Khust, you can enjoy the spectacle of blooming not only daffodils, but also orchids and many other plants.

About twenty years ago, this area was included in the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve and has been under UNESCO protection since then. More than 500 species of unique plants grow in the valley, more than ten of which are listed in the Red Book. A spring holiday in the valley of fragrant daffodils is truly a real rest for both soul and mind.

A vacation in spring, even if short-term, is an opportunity to see beautiful, unique places, amazing natural phenomena, and for this it is absolutely not necessary to go beyond the seas and oceans, everything is much simpler and closer.