A travel firm is running trips to war-torn Ukraine in an attempt to display how the country is continuing with its daily life despite the conflict with Russia. More than 200 trips have been booked since the company was set up, according to bosses.
“Visit Ukraine begins work on the launch of dark tourism in Ukraine,” says the website. Tours are typically comprised of about 10 people led by a guide and take about 3-4 hours, and the visits involve "guides, tourism experts, and memory specialists so that tourists can see what happened in Ukraine".
“Brave City” tours would include visits to Cherniv, Bucha and Irpin, all of them affected by the war. Many of the bookings are believed to originate from the USA.
It also runs excursions in capital Kyiv and other war-ravaged locations, such as second city Kharkov. These include: a day in Kyiv exploring the capital's hospitality; a visit to Kamianets-Podilsky, located on a natural island surrounded by a deep canyon; Odessa, the Black Sea port that has been under Russian siege, and the Buki Gorge, also known as small Switzerland.
Prices range from 38 to 200 euros. All profits from tour sales will go to help Ukrainian refugees.
The website offers advice to potential visitors on how to act in a critical situation, where to go, how to enter/leave the country or evacuate a dangerous region. It also stresses that martial law is still in force in Ukraine and air traffic is suspended.
However, the entry and exit of foreigners by land is allowed with checkpoints at the border with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Ukraine. It states: "The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing, with attacks against a number of major cities. Several towns and cities in southern and eastern Ukraine are temporarily under Russian control. There is a real risk to life.
"We continue to advise British nationals against all travel to Ukraine, whether in an official or unofficial capacity."
The advice adds: "You should expect increased documentation checks on people and vehicles, transport restrictions and increased security measures for public buildings and infrastructure. Other measures could include additional border controls, restrictions on large public events, curfews, restrictions on telephones, internet and broadcasting, and evacuations of certain areas.
"Transport networks are likely to be severely disrupted. Check with your transport provider before you travel." before the war started, Ukraine welcomed around four million tourists a year.
