I have started planning for a return trip to Ukraine this Spring.  My last visit was February 2012 on an AFA Tour.  While being shuttled around was OK, I would have liked to venture through the countryside to visit the smaller towns.

My questions to The Tribe are, did any of you gentlemen actually drive in Ukraine?  What are the road conditions like, costs, directions, etc.?  My plans are to arrive in Kiev and spend a couple of days, then onto Poltava for another couple of days, and then venture down to the Crimea.  And yes, there are women involved here.

I look forward to your answers or suggestions.  If you think I am nuts, I will not be offended.  I just want to make sure I am making the right decision.  Thanks for your help.

Paul,

I've driven in Ukraine a lot!  It's relatively easy, but it helps if you can sound out cyrillic letters because almost all the signs are only in Russian.  Second, they do have speed traps on the roads between major cities, so watch out and notice if people are flashing their headlights at you during the day – speed trap ahead!  Third, they park on the sides of the city streets facing either direction, so sometimes when you turn down a street, you think you are going the wrong way down a one-way street (and sometimes you are!!!).  Police do not cruise around, so I've done my share of illegal u-turns, esp. after making that wrong turn down a one-way, and other drivers are pretty tolerant to crazy moves.

I see you are in Chicago – so am I!  I live in Prospect Heights, north of O'Hare.  Give me a call anytime (312) 523-9698.

Yours in the Quest,

Dennis Jans

Individual Quest Tours Director