Vinnitsa Ukraine?

[gaspam]

Hi I am traveling in ukraine in may and I was wondering if Vinnitsa is worth stopping in? Is it a nice city? Is it freindly to westerners and does anyone there speak english or perhaps russian? (I only speak a little russian, but cannot read it)... On the internet, it looks like a relatively large city and has some pretty pictures, but I was wondering if anyone has any first hand experiance with this city? Thanks so much in advance!

[Sergei]

Hi I am traveling in ukraine in may and I was wondering if Vinnitsa is worth stopping in? Is it a nice city? Is it freindly to westerners and does anyone there speak english or perhaps russian? (I only speak a little russian, but cannot read it)... On the internet, it looks like a relatively large city and has some pretty pictures, but I was wondering if anyone has any first hand experiance with this city? Thanks so much in advance!
It depends. What is your itinerary, where are you going, what are you planning to see and get out of this trip?

[VelesHomais]

We have a member in here who can help you out in this respect. He posted pictures he took in Vinnitsa recently.

Personally, I've never been there, but I know that it's a medium size city. Though if you hard pressed on time, it's best to spend as much time as possible in Kyiv and Lviv first and foremost. In both cities you'll find people who know either russian or english.

[ahsm]

I was in Vinnitsya this summer. I had a fun time. The city is very nice, most of the people I found to be polite and kind. It's an alright city as to looks. I don't know, if you have more specific quetions I will answer them.

[gaspam]

Well, I am flying into kiev, will spend a day there, but to me it looks like any western city I have already been in likt NYC or chicago... I would rather see the country side, like I would on the way to vinnitsya and then a medium sized city with down to earth people- in the US we hear of the charm and niceness of the ukrainian culture- that is what I like to see- and I like the old buildings! :)

[Sergei]

Well, I am flying into kiev, will spend a day there, but to me it looks like any western city I have already been in likt NYC or chicago... I would rather see the country side, like I would on the way to vinnitsya and then a medium sized city with down to earth people- in the US we hear of the charm and niceness of the ukrainian culture- that is what I like to see- and I like the old buildings! :)
From what you're describing, I would recommend you go to Lviv for sure! It's not a small city, but it feels very warm and charming once you're there. It has all the culture and history that you want, and I'm sure you'll fall in love with it! :)

[VelesHomais]

Well, I am flying into kiev, will spend a day there, but to me it looks like any western city I have already been in likt NYC or chicago... I would rather see the country side, like I would on the way to vinnitsya and then a medium sized city with down to earth people- in the US we hear of the charm and niceness of the ukrainian culture- that is what I like to see- and I like the old buildings! :)

Kyiv ( Kiev ) is only western in terms of available services, products etc. but the city itself is over 1500 years old, among the oldest in Europe. So you'll find a lot of old buildings there. So don't just stand at the main square with an underground mall :D walk around, there are many historical squares and every street in downtown has almost only old buildings around you.

If places like these would interest you:
http://img-2005-07.photosight.ru/18/950062.jpg

http://img-2005-11.photosight.ru/11/1126927.jpg


But if you're looking for something smaller, then go to Lviv for sure. It has breathtaking old architecture and it's not too big.

How long will your trip be altogether?
:)

[Corrupt Dictator]

^ Wow. That last photo is amazing. What is the location?

[VelesHomais]

Bohdan Hmelnitsky square
http://www.nostalgia2.kiev.ua/img/andreevsky/andr_spusk_03.jpg

[gaspam]

unfortunatley my trip is only 10 days, but I wish to return once before winter to stay just in kiev that time as it is such a big city I am told that it would take at least a full week there itself to really get a good feel of the city- from all of the pictures I have seen kiev is amazing...

My freind was in the peace corps some years ago in the 90's and was in vinnitsa and he said it was nice and good place to come but I was jjust wondering if it has changec for the worse or better since like 1999, I cant find a whole lot of info or pictures of the city though and so far, I have only found 2 hotels there on the internet. It is not a unsafe city right?