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  #1  
Old 8 Jun 2009
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Question Accommodation Moldova & Ukraine

Hi friends,
on Thursday, 11th of June I will start a trip from Vienna to the danube delta (Romania) and back via Moldova (border Orancea/RO-> Cahul/MD), the Ukraine via Rachiv through Hungary and Slovakia back to my hometown.

Now I have read a few postings here about the Ukraine and Moldova - partly very helpful information. What I haven´t found are hints for accommondations in both countries.

Normally I live in my small tent during my trips, but I believe that´s not the best way in these countries. So my question is where can I sleep?

* Are there private accommondations, camping grounds, hotels, ...?
* Is it better to sleep in larger cities or outside ...
* Are there any recommanded accommondations, which anybody can advise me? (including a safe place for my bike)

It would be great, when someone can share his experience with me. I´m thankfull for any other information too about these countries (safety, corruption, ... )

Thank you very much,
Richi
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  #2  
Old 9 Jun 2009
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
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My experience traveling through Ukraine two years ago is that you can find quite upscale accommodation along most major roadways - however, the prices tend to be upscale as well, on par with Western Europe.

I stayed in a hotel / guest house in a small town for a few days, it was very inexpensive, but not very impressive.

All in all, I didn't like Ukraine very much at all. Poor roads, many corrupt policemen (all with radar guns), all in all more headaches than it was worth. My recommendation is that you spend more time in Romania (a delightful place) and skip Ukraine entirely.

Michael
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  #3  
Old 9 Jun 2009
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Thank you Michael for your assessment and your hints.
Most of the time, I will stay in Romania, but I will look over the borders too and therefore the idea with Moldovia & Ukraine.

There are so many different postings here - some good and some not so good stories, but I believe that´s the "real adventure". What I don´t like is to loose my bike, my health or extremly my life (not in this order ).

I have nothing read about accommondations here and therefore this public question. I want to sleep safe (including my bike) but I know that such Motels/Hotels are not in this standard as in the western europe.

Again thank you for your help and I´m very appreciative to hear/learn more about Moldovia and/or the Ukraine.

Cheers,
Rich

PS: 2 days for takeoff ;-)
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  #4  
Old 10 Jun 2009
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Being Ukrainian and without false patriotism I can tell you that only reason people do not find Ukraine interesting is because visitors often assume that you can drive through country size more than France on major roads with little research and see something interesting. Well, this is not the case.
If you want to go to Ukraine western part - it is county for dual sport or enduro. Very much like mountain rural Romania. Poor roads, villages, beatiful mountains, interesting history coming back to Poland and Austrian-Huingarian empire, great castles. Major cities west to west-center to see are Lviv, Uzhgorod, Kam'yanets-Podilsky, Hotin.
If you go to center you have to know precisely where to go and what to see because country is huge. Obviously even in Kiev you need to know where to go and see - it has 1500 of history and some places to see.
In south there is Black Sea and Crimea - from my point of view most beatiful area and most annoying people as in all resort/sea areas. There you can see Dimergi, Sparrow castle, Vorontsovsky castle, Mangup-cale and Chufut-cale (unique places, but do not expect to get there on road bike - it is up on mountains). Balaklava are interesting place (thou too occupied by fish restaurants and market). Sevastopol are a bit boring - all maritime history.
And of course Crimean version of "grand canyon" and lots more. Yalta - s..cks, don't even go there. Etc. Etc.
In the east you do not find lots of interesting places on road bike. Best areas is sandy praires that coming towards rivers, totally empty.
So - there is a lot to see, but people assume driving through will let them see country and coming back with no idea what they missed.
Roads are poor quality (west) or average (center) or good (very center) and police are corrupt indeed. Therefore they let you off for money instead of confiscating your bike or charging you official fines (more expensive). Of course concept of driving correctly goes out of window moment some people cross border. I wonder where would speeder end up in Norway, France, Belgium (where I live) - just couple of thousands Euro and you will get off in Western Europe. If you papers OK and you drive according to rules you can get off without any fine or bribe even in Ukraine or Russia.
Places to see in Ukraine need to be researched prior to the trip. This is a must. If you will need advice or contacts in Ukraine amongst motorcyclist community you can find it on Internet on ÐœÐ¾Ñ‚Ð¾Ð¿ÑƒÑ‚ÐµÑˆÐµÑÑ Ð²Ð¸Ñ по всему земному шару с mototravel.info for example.
Accomodations not a problem as said above. Petrol too not a problem. Road repairs etc. also possible. Unfortunately delivery times for spares are quite long, so...
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