December Getaways: Top 10 Ideas

If you are tired of spending December holidays or weekends in the same places, or of missing televised New Year shows, choose one of the possible options for a December break! Take the people dearest to you on the trip and turn free time into an unforgettable journey!

Picturesque Carpathians

Of course, one of the most popular winter holiday destinations is the Carpathians. You can go to the most popular and infrastructure-developed places or choose less well-known tourist locations. There are many places in the Carpathians where your holiday will be fun and unforgettable!

Photo from kamendvir.com.ua

1. Bukovel — one of the popular Carpathian ski resorts, loved not only by Europeans but also by Muslims. A large number of ski lifts, a huge variety of entertainment, fun attractions, cosy cafes and restaurants, as well as accommodation for every budget and taste. Here your holiday will be full of impressions and adrenaline.
2. Pylypets — a ski resort where 11 runs, steep mountain slopes and plenty of entertainment await fans of snowy active recreation. One advantage of the mountain runs is the chance to choose an option for both beginners and professional skiers and snowboarders. The resort is located in Lviv Oblast, on Mount Trostian.
3. Plai — a ski resort near the Kyiv-Chop highway for those looking for budget-friendly holidays with excellent service. The ski complex is located in the very heart of the Carpathians. Its mountain slopes are suitable for beginners and pros, since the mountains have steep slopes at the top and gentler ones at the foot. The presence of a snowpark and a ski school means that even without training you can master new skiing or snowboarding skills.
4. Drahobrat — an ideal place for a December holiday! This high-mountain resort is more suited to professional descents for those who are no longer afraid of steep slopes and want to master new tricks on skis or snowboards. That is why beginners on the slope are a rare sight at such a resort, since not everyone wants to take their first lessons on the descent from Mount Stoh, with a height of 1707 m.

A winter fairy tale in the cities of Ukraine

5. Kamianets-Podilskyi — a city that captivates and feels like a true winter fairy tale. Old houses, interesting monuments, numerous landmarks and one of the seven wonders of Ukraine — “Kamianets” — the national historical and cultural reserve. Its mighty stone walls, crowned with snow-covered towers, are a mesmerizing sight worth seeing. In addition, every year in December the city hosts a Christmas fair, and from 25 to 26 December a winter ethno-festival will take place.

Photo from khm.depo.ua

6. Romantic Lviv — beautiful in any season. However, only in winter can you feel the special pre-New Year atmosphere here, which sets the mood for unforgettable celebrations. In the very center of the city, on Rynok Square, an ice rink will traditionally operate. For children, the residences of Saint Nicholas will be open, master classes and Christmas quests will be held. Those arriving in Lviv on 5 December will have the chance to visit the most atmospheric fair, Tlum&Kram. There will be a grand sale of vintage items, suitable for decorating interiors or for a memorable gift for loved ones.
7. Dykanka. Who did not read the story “Evenings on a Farm near Dykanka” at school? Probably for everyone, this mystical story has remained one of the best among many works in Ukrainian literature. The same Dykanka looks no less enchanting today. If you are planning to spend a December holiday in a cozy town with many places of interest to explore, Dykanka is the ideal choice! Here, in the Dykanka Regional Landscape Park, there are ancient caves that once stretched for almost 500 m. The triumphal arch and the church of the Kuchubei estate will remind you that before the Civil War there was one of the largest estates in the Poltava Governorate here, built at the end of the 17th century. The house had about 100 rooms, and there were a stable, a brewery, a greenhouse and a brewery. The settlement has a local history museum, a triumphal arch, monuments and many interesting places to visit.
8. Pryhorovo Museum — one of the largest historical parks of Ukraine. Every winter, master classes are held here for children, and theatrical performances take place. In December, Pirohovo is a place where children’s dreams come true, because from 10 December the residence of Saint Nicholas opens here, where children will not only have a personal meeting with the saint, but also receive a small gift. Adults can stroll through the snow-covered park, learn about the history of Ukraine, Ukrainian customs and rituals, taste traditional Ukrainian dishes in local cafes and enjoy the beautiful views.

Healing places

9. Pochaiv Lavra — one of the most popular tourist places, visited every year by 150 thousand pilgrims. Here people find peace of mind, gather strength for the coming year and simply renew the body at the spring of Righteous Anna in order to rid themselves of accumulated negativity. On the grounds of Pochaiv Lavra there are many shrines, caves with underground passages, a refectory, the Miraculous Icon of the Mother of God and magnificent churches.

Photo from pochaev.org.ua

10. Morshyn — the benefits of Morshyn's mineral waters are known not only to Ukrainians, but also to foreigners who come here every year for rest and health improvement. Millions of visitors have been able to appreciate the benefits of mineral waters, preferring the healing power of nature's gifts to modern medicines. Therefore, for those who want to rest from the daily bustle, improve their health and spend time among the snow-covered park landscapes, it is worth choosing Morshyn's comfortable sanatoriums.

Ukraine is a remarkable country, with many attractive places for active or health-improving holidays in December. So we wish you to choose the option that will give you the emotions you want and only a good mood!