Odessa, Ukraine: Founded in 1794 by Katherine the Second with the purpose of establishing a mighty seaport, fortifying southern borders of the Russian Empire, Odessa has surpassed Her Majesty expectations. Soon Odessa has become one of the biggest and wealthiest cities of Russia. Attracted by Porto Franco business conditions and benevolent climate, migrants and merchants from European and Asian countries, made a beautiful and prosperous home in Odessa. Since then the city was doomed to flourish, thanks to good business sense, positive and optimistic vision and sharp wit of its inhabitants. Neither bureaucrats, nor wars or famine, even Soviet regime, could not exterminate a special spirit of the city. Nowadays it is one of the biggest cities and largest seaport of Ukraine. City population is 1.1 million people. Odessa has well developed business, travel and entertainment infrastructure and is deservedly popular for travel and business alike. The city itself lies on the Black Sea coast in the Bay of Odessa. Odessa occupies territory of 160 sq. km. The climate is moderately continental and comparatively dry, with a short mild winter and long hot summer. There are more than 290 sunny days in the year. Since Odessa region is drawn out along the meridian, the climate in the narrow - 30-40 km. - stretch along the coast is practically ideal, with the soft tang of the sea mixing with the scent of the steppes. The winter average temperature hovers around freezing. Falling snow and minus 10 Celsius is a really rare occurrence, which is usually replaced by a thaw. In summer average temperature is 25 Celsius, though in summer daytime can get up over 35 Celsius.

Air Connections: Odessa has air connection with Vienna (Austrian Airlines and Air Ukraine International), Warsaw (LOT), Istanbul, Moscow, Athens, Aleppo, Dubai, Yerevan, Larnaca, Tel Aviv, Tbilisi, Kyiv, Chisinau. The summer schedule may include some other domestic and international flights.

Credit Cards and Cash Exchange: There are no problems with cash exchange in Odessa like everywhere else in Ukraine - exchange booths are scattered all around the city and area, many of them work till late night. US Dollars, Euro and Russian Rubles are exchanged by majority of exchange booths, though some of them operate with many other stable currencies (up to 25 currencies). Please, note damaged banknotes might not be accepted. Situation with credit cards and traveler's checks has grown much better lately - many banks in Ukraine have started operating with them. Though still most popular credit cards are Visa and Master Card. American Express, Discovery, Diners are usually not accepted on the territory of Ukraine. For cashing traveler's checks you will need your travel passport and receipt of checks purchase.

Places to see:

Arcadia is the most developed beach in Odessa. It looks gorgeous in summer - plenty of flowers, shady trees, numerous restaurants and cafes with tidy sea view terraces. Being a little bit pricey, they are really good for drinks and snacks. Besides swimming and sunbathing, you can rent paddleboats, rowboats and other sailing vehicles for moderate prices.

If you are taking kids, check out Tropicana Children World - probably, they would like it. There are several outdoor nightclubs by the beach in Arcadia.

Surely, Arcadia is not for solitude seekers, but they can find a quiet place by walking further.

The University Botanical Gardens: Beautiful gardens were founded in 1867 and transferred to Frantsuzsky Boulevard (where they are nowadays) in 1880. Rare and extinct plant species may be encountered in the gardens, over 800 varieties of trees and plants from different climatic zones of CIS and other countries grow here. With the Sea as a background, the beauty of the gardens is immense. And what is really amazing, it is how the staff manages to keep it in perfect condition on shoestring budget and no salaries. Probably, they truly love these gardens.

Deribasovskaya Street is the very heart of Odessa. What lends Deribasovskaya its unique character is magnificent architecture, crowds of people leisurely sitting on terraces of numerous cafes and restaurants, perfect cobblestones, no vehicle traffic and big shady linden trees. This special character has survived even through the Soviet times when conforming Soviet canons was highly recommended. Deribasovskaya leads to the City Gardens with its fountain, old summerhouse and sculpture of lion and lioness. City Gardens were laid out shortly after the foundation of Odessa and were its first park.

The Souvenir Market with a crowd of artists and craftsmen demonstrating their works is situated right here. Prices are really low, and some items are gorgeous. Bargains are common. Don't miss it if you want to get originally Odessa souvenirs.

Frantsuzsky Boulevard: The cobblestone and tall acacia trees on this boulevard are most reminiscent of Old Odessa. This place was home to Odessa's wealthy merchants in old days. Now the Boulevard is one of the most picturesque resort districts in Odessa.

The cable car rides from the Boulevard down to the Lanzheron Beach. It is fun and costs less than 2 hryvnia. The steep hill parts the Frantsuzsky Boulevard from 3 beaches beneath. Paths and stairs lead downhill to the Sea through a green zone closed to vehicle traffic. It is a favorite sight for picnics.

The Opera House is one of the best in Europe, goes after Vienna Opera House from architecture standpoint. Exquisite inside decor in the style of Viennese baroque blended with elements of the Italian Renaissance and French rococo, sculptural groups taken from Greek mythology, the stucco moldings and guilt friezes combined with the red velvet of the seats and boxes - all this tends to create a special atmosphere. There is a viewing platform on the roof of this tremendous building from which the whole city could be observed. Now the Theatre is under renovation but performs on normal basis. Ballet is really good, though actors might not impress you as much as the room.

Primorsky Boulevard and Potemkin Steps: Built in 1837, Potemkin Steps are the best place to view the busy harbors and the bay. The famous monument to Duke de Richelieu overlooks steps of 142m length. Looking down from the top, the steps themselves become invisible, only the landings can be seen. On either side of the stairs there is a stone parapet and the two appear to run parallel. This, however, is an optical illusion, because in reality the width of the stairs of the bottom flight is double that of the top flight. At the bottom of the steps is the city's brand new passenger ship terminal and convention center. Shady platens and chestnut trees, numerous benches and magnificent sea view make the Primorsky Boulevard irresistible both for tourists and Odessans. People coming here stay for hours - gazing at the Sea Port full of ships, boats and yachts, enjoying shade and sea breeze. At the west end of the Boulevard is Count Vorontsov Palace and a Grecian colonnade which overlooks the harbor and also provides a fine view of the bay. Next to the palace is so called 'Piece of Old Odessa" - steep bridge, the well and sculpture of girl with a jar. Newlyweds traditionally come here to have their pictures taken.

Privoz is one of the biggest farmers' markets in the world and rivals those in Istanbul and Mexico City. Here is everything that is edible and in season in the CIS, plus lots more. Best shopped for food.

Archeological Museum: Odessa Archeological Museum was the first museum founded in the city and is one of the oldest in CIS. There are more then 160,000 exhibits providing excellent illustration of North Black Sea coast - from the first appearance of man up to the emergence of the ancient Russian state, Kiev Russ. Museum displays ancient artifacts - collection of priceless ornaments and jewelry from the 5th to the 1st centuries B.C. and coins dating from the 6th century B.C. The excavation of Olbia, Khersonesus, Panticapea, Tyras and other ancient Greek colonies on the Black Sea has mainly contributed these outstanding collections.

Fine Arts Museum: The Museum has an amazing collection of icons from the 14th -15th century and 18th-19th century paintings - Aivazovsky, Repin, Vrubel, Serov, Savrasov and Kramskoy. Early 20th century paintings are represented as well, including works of Rorich, Benz, Somov, Serebriakova, Kandinski. The building of the museum used to be the palace of Count Pototsky and was raised in 1805. Exquisitely ornamented halls with painted ceilings, beautiful parquet floors, made of rare kinds of wood and fine marble mantelpieces lend an elegant atmosphere to high class painting collections.

Museum of Literature: Used to be the residence of Count Gagarin. The building is completely restored and is really beautiful. The museum collection amounts to 40,000 exhibits. It represents the works of Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Jewish, Bulgarian, etc. writers and illustrates their links with Odessa. The list includes about 300 names. If you study literature this museum will be of a great interest.

Naval Museum: The building of Naval Museum was originally the English Club raised in 1842.The museum has a vast collection, which traces the history of local shipbuilding and navigation from ancient times to present days. The exhibits include automatic models, diagrams, and instruments, which are inherent to ship's bridges and radio cabins. There is an imitation of a ship's sway, the sound of waves.

Museum of Partisan Glory: More then 400 km of natural sandstone catacombs are buried beneath Odessa. The part of catacombs used by resistance fighters in 1941 (World War II) is open to public. Down in the catacombs, the first thing that strikes you is an absolute darkness, intense humidity and profound silence. So, definitely it is not for the claustrophobic.

Western and Oriental Arts Museum: One of the best in Ukraine. The museum was founded in 1924 on the basis of private collections in the premises of a wealthy Odessa merchant. The museum has awesome collection of European masterpieces and antiquities from Italy, Holland, France and Flounders. The collection includes replicas of antique sculpture, Ancient Greek ceramics and Roman glassware. The oriental art is represented by the works from China, Japan, India, Mongolia and Tibet. The interior is richly decorated: molded ceilings and parquet floors made of valuable species of wood.

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