7 Wonders of Kherson Region
About ten years ago the Askania-Nova Kherson Biosphere Reserve won the first place in the Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine ranking. By the way, this southern region is so rich in tourist attractions that it can make its list of the Seven Wonders, and here we decided to introduce one.
Besides the Black the Sea, the Sea of Azov you will find here a lot of attractions and entertainments. Planning your visit to Ukraine, make sure you have bought health insurance with Covid-19 coverage. Find more information and ask all your questions on the WelcomeUkraine.today web portal and then pack your luggage to see the wonders and hot spots of the sunny Kherson region.
1. Askania-Nova
In the middle of the 19th century, the German settlement of Askania-Nova popped up on the local vast steppes. One of its owners Friedrich Falz-Fein decided to create a "little paradise", which later became known globally as the Askania-Nova reserve. Unique steppe landscapes, picturesque dendrological park, ornithology corner, and zoo make really unforgettable impressions.
The steppe area of 11 thousand hectares is the largest protected space of this kind in Europe. There you will find about 748 plant species, animals and birds from all over the world: from Africa and Australia, North and South America, Central Asia and the Far East, even the Arctic. During the special chaise ride tourists will meet canna antelope, Przewalski's horse, bison, mouflon, and quiver to name just a few. Travel season begins on April 25 and ends on November 10, while winter trips need booking in advance.
2. Oleshkiv Sands
The largest desert located in the Kherson region is the only such one in Europe. Although it’s more of a semi-desert in terms of temperature and rainfall, the total area of sands is 2,100 m2 with 1 km covered by the pines and other trees. Wherever you look, you’ll see sand, dunes, and yellow hills – everywhere! And near the wavy line of the horizon, a yellow-gray pillar is a kind of tornado. A real desert in a European country! Brave travelers can cross the dunes on foot, on quad bikes or military jeeps.
3. Dzharylgach Island
Ukrainian Maldives, a real pearl of the Black Sea! In summer, the water of Dzharylgach Bay warms up to +26-33 C° degrees. Due to a large amount of iodine-bromine salts, it’s famous for its healing power. The sand is very clean and the southern coast of the island is washed by the open sea – beautiful and gentle. Imagine the picture: in the morning, waking up, you can see a herd of deer grazing three meters from the camp. A wonderful 50 km long sandy beach, we bet, will appeal to lovers of the Seychelles or the Maldives. A thin mussel spit separates the warm lagoon from the sea. Foreigners do love this place for its amazing nature, local seafood and good conditions for spearfishing.
4. Pink Lake
The Pink Lake is located near the village of Grigorievka near Chaplynka. A pink line appearing on the horizon impresses all travelers from the first moment. There are two versions of the lake’s origin. According to the first one, in the 70s of the last century a Soviet military plane crashed here. Allegedly, after a powerful explosion a hollow was formed at the site of the fall, which then started to fill with pink water. According to another version, the Pink Lake is the remains of the prehistoric Lemurian Sea. Due to its unusual watercolor, this is a very popular spot with a lot of “pink” souvenirs like magnets, cups or pens.
5. Dnieper Floodplains
The stunning piece of nature where you can swim by boat or kayak to admire its wild beauty. The Dnieper Delta is also called the Lower Dnieper National Nature Park. In fact, Discover channel has been there to film the picturesque green shores, ponds, small houses with flowers just by the water and mysterious flooded meadows and islands. Ladies always look for lilies, take pictures of rare birds or beavers in reeds, while men prefer catching fish on the shore to prepare for lunch. The branded Kherson fish soup has its own secret: "lek" sauce of onion, garlic, pepper and greens, served in a separate bowl.
6. Green Farms of Tavria
In the Holoprystan district there is a wonderful “Chayka” or "Seagull" ethnic cottage with folk entertainments. Its popularity boosted the creation of the bright Green Farms of Tavria open-air complex. This is almost a hundred hectares near major highways: it’s only 60 km to the Black Sea. Why don’t you stop here and take a ride on a painted tractor through the green farms? International guests may have a lot of fun in an adventure park and other ethnic locations. Taste delicious Ukrainian dishes in small huts, visit a blacksmith or beekeeper, try to make a special Ukrainian motanka doll by yourself and take with you a delicious cup of local honey, which tastes almost like caramel. Green Farms is more than an open-air museum – it’s an interactive part of ancient Ukraine.
7. Wine
You have heard a lot about wine tours to France, Spain or Romania? It’s time to visit Ukraine and discover wonderful Kherson wines and cognacs. After all, Tavria has had ancient winemaking traditions from the II-I centuries BC, the time of the first Greek settlements. Taste the best natural wines at the Belozersky Winery located only 15 km from Kherson on the right bank of the Dnieper. First you’ll see the vineyards, and then go to wine cellars to learn about the modern winemaking process. For your choice there are 35 dry red & white semi-sweet and dessert wines, including Muscat, Pinot Noir or Georgian Saperavi. In Nova Kakhovka foreign tourists may taste the famous cognacs with local names of Tavria, Askania, Kherson or Borisfen, which participated in many international trade shows.
Welcome to Ukraine and the Kherson region to enjoy stunning nature and authentic traditions of this wonderful land. Visit Ukraine in any season to have seven
