https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/ ... o-midnightWhile foreign tourists have largely avoided Kyiv since the war began, domestic visitors have returned in droves.
Many Ukrainians want to go back to living normal lives, as far as is possible, and for many, that also means going on short trips and city breaks.
Organized tours of Kyiv are in great demand, though with the war still ongoing, many participants prefer routes with bomb shelters nearby, in case of emergencies.
"City tours are almost back to normal," says Kyiv guide Olena Oros. "I often have groups with up to 20 people, and special thematic tours attract even larger crowds." She says many domestic tourists now feel safe enough to visit the city and take her tours. "Refugees also join in my excursions; Kharkiv residents joined at least three of them." She even received a request to run an English-language tour from a Dutch volunteer based in Ukraine.
Ukraine tourism has developed a decidedly altruistic side. Many travel agencies and guides who continue to work are donating parts of their income to charities. Others grant special discounts to members of the armed forces, families and children.
Ubi ih rat, moraju sad klubovi u Kijevu u 11 da imaju fajront.The restaurants, clubs and bars that reopened after the invasion were forced to bring forward their closing times to between 8pm and 9.30pm to allow employees to get home. Kyiv’s clubs started doing weekend day events, which start at 5pm on Fridays and 11am on Saturdays and Sundays – with large chunks of the profits donated to the army.
Last orders will soon be at about 10pm with closing time at 10.30-11pm, in another step towards the city returning to its new normal after being surrounded by Russian forces for five weeks last spring.
...pozdravi rodbinu i prijatelje u velikoj i maloj Rusiji
