I don't know what happened to this!??

We will arrive in Kiev at 14:20 and depart for Odessa at 20:55 in August. We will have luggage to deal with. Any suggestions for the 6+ hours? It is not our first visit to Kiev but it will be our shortest! Thanks.
Jane

WOW, Jane...that's a tall order IMO. Perhaps it would be best to know just what you HAVE seen and done in your prior visits. In another thread a very knowledgeable poster named Orange Travel wrote that she actually lives in Kiev and would be your best bet for information. We just returned from a visit in October, and in 6 days we felt there was much more to the city. We enjoyed it thoroughly. May I direct you to that other recent thread where you can probably take out some good tips as to main atttractions that could be fit into that time frame. But first, what have you seen and done in the city (and when was this...important because in its effort to become "world class" there have been changes, indeed.

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/how-safe-is-it-in-kiev.cfm

Also, you may wish to take a glance at my pics (although Belarus is the first part of it, most pics are Kiev)..may give you some additional ideas ("slide show"...most are captioned). I await your answer to the "what have you already seen and done" question.


http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/BelarusUkraineKiev2008#

I wish I could have been more definitive...but I would also guess that the 6 + hours may be more lke 5 considering getting to and from the ship...I don't know where the ship docks. Looks like taxis to get around in that time frame might be the only bet...they are very reasonable and efficient in our experience.


Stu Tower

jane...I'm sorry..but I referred to Orange Travel as a "she"..I really don't know.

stu

You are arriving on a ship? Or plane, or train? If by plane, I would just skip it. It will take you at least an hour to get into the city, and an hour or more back, depending on time of day etc.

If you are arriving by train, I need to think about it. There isn't a lot to do in that neighborhood, and it's not too pretty to walk around. Your best bet would be to take a taxi into downtown and walk around Kreschatyk street.

If by boat, I am guessing the ship docks in Podil. Not sure if you've already been, but the Chernobyl museum is really excellent, and they will often do a tour for you in English, sometimes for free. Here is a link with directions on how to find it:
http://www.kiev-life.com/culture/culture_details/38-Chernobyl_Museum

The main drag in Podil (Сагайдачного) is also nice to walk around. There is a new restaurant at 31a called Tike that is very good Mediterranean food (for Ukraine). Don't walk much further than Kontractova Ploshed (where the Metro station is) -- nothing to see and the neighborhood quickly gets sketchy.

Alternately you could take the funicular up the hill and you're at St. Michael's church. There is a nice park, great view of the river, and then you can do what you please in downtown. If you write more about what you want to do, and what you've already done, then I can add more suggestions.

I'm not sure what to do about your luggage, though. Hopefully your first boat will be sticking around for a while and you can convince the staff to hold it for you.

Yes, I am a 'she' =) Oh and to answer your question on the other thread, yes I am here for work for the time being.

Sorry--we are arriving by plane, changing airlines, and flying onward to Odessa to begin a cruise. Thank both of you for your replies. I was afraid that getting anywhere would not be easy and time-consuming. I guess we'll just hang out at the airport.

We will spend one night in a hotel in Odessa. I am thinking about the Londonskya which is available on Travelocity. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks.
Jane

>>>14:20 and depart for Odessa at 20:55 in August. We will have luggage to deal with. Any suggestions for the 6+ hours?<<<

Sorry, Jane..your original post kind of led me to believe that you were arriving by a Dnipro River boat. Such specific times don't equate with a boat...but then you wrote 6+ hours...so I figured you would have at east five hours to wander...wrong assumption...but , as you agree, you might as well hang around the far-out airport (ugh!)...too bad. There simply is nothing there to walk to....and taking a chance on the traffic delays going and coming just isn't worth the stress.

One remote possibility...the very well-located Museum of the Great Patriotic War is in a part of town which is slightly closer to Borispol Airport..and is off the main route, Airport to Kiev. I suppose a taxi could get you there in 40 minutes by skirting the main traffic problem. It's a very interesting venue (see the last few pix in my above link to Picasa album). BUT pleasee make the driver wait for you. Just a thought... probably not a great one. Care to chime in Orange?? (and Orange, thanks for answering the questions for me, ma'am!)

Jane...best of luck and have a great cruise..where are you heading?

Stu (can't help wth Odessa...last there in 1970..grim times)

Oh yes, don't bother going in if you're arriving at the airport. The war museum is a good idea but it depends on your tolerance for risk - I'd spend the whole time being worried about getting out.

If you get really sick of the smoke and the noise at the main terminal, there is another restaurant about 100 yards down the main road out of the airport. I've never been but maybe there is more space there for you to relax. Along the highway there are some Cossack restaurants which I've also never been to, but you'd need to pick up a taxi to get there.

Never stayed at the Londonskya, sorry!

but it depends on your tolerance for risk - I'd spend the whole time being worried about getting out.

Orange...you said it right!

stu