Nestling between Russia, Poland and Romania, the Ukraine is a fascinating mish-mash of styles, drawing on influences from it neighbours. Its friendly people, rugged landscape, the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Carpathian and Crimean mountain ranges are just some of the reasons for the Ukraine's burgeoning tourism industry.

Ukraine Essential Information:

Capital: Kiev

Major cities: Odessa, Lviv and Sevastopol

Places of interest: Ochakiv, Yalta and Chernobyl

Time Zone:GMT +2

International dialling code: +380

Language: Ukrainian (primary) and Russian. Learn the basics of Ukrainian by visiting www.ukma.kiev.ua

Ukraine currency: Ukraine uses Ukraine Hryvnia. One UAH is worth about 11 pence. For up-to-date exchange rates see: www.xe.com/ucc