For the last several decades, people were traveling the world so much and so fast, it would have been inconceivable for anyone living in earlier centuries.
Ukrainians joined the party late. They became theoretically free to travel after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, but poverty and visa restrictions held most people back. Ukrainians only started discovering the world en masse in the 21st century, yet many still can’t afford it.
Enter the pandemic. This summer, the world resembles what it was like in the 19th century. Traveling abroad is now difficult. It’s much easier to stay put.
While the Ukrainian government and travel agencies happily announced that several countries are “open” to Ukrainians, the reality of traveling abroad is grim.
Ukrainians who flew to Turkey’s sea resorts complain that airlines often ignore social distancing recommendations and fill the planes. Flying is a different experience, too. Forget that in-flight glass of red wine. Passengers now wear masks throughout the flight and don’t get served.
Moreover, planning is impossible. Countries can go from another country’s “green” to “red” list overnight. Airlines may board the passengers without verifying that they will be allowed to enter the destination country. Ukrainians who recently flew to Greece were jailed for three days, before sent back home. How’s that for a dream vacation?
Advice to all in Ukraine who are itching to go to another country this summer: Stay home.
After decades of living in a closed authoritarian country, Ukrainians understandably hurried to see the Eiffel Tower and Colosseum. One consequence: Local sights often remained overlooked.
Well-traveled Ukrainians can name more castles of the Loire Valley than those of western Ukraine. Some haven’t swum in the Black Sea in years, trading it for the Mediterranean, Aegean, or one of the oceans. And yes, we agree that Ukraine’s castles are in worse condition than those of France, and the Black Sea is polluted. But now is the time to change that.
Castles that attract thousands of tourists instead of dozens earn more ticket money for maintenance. And if more people go to the Black Sea, maybe the calls for cleaning it will become louder.
Sometimes one doesn’t need to go far: Explore the gems of your city — or even your neighborhood. Find the hidden parks, look for low-key museums,
go to that lake just out of town.
Ukraine as a travel destination has been overlooked for far too long. It ends — this summer.
