Planning Trip to Odessa...?

[RichyRich]

So I have decided that end of May, early June I shall go to Odessa for a week to get a feel for the place

I have so far worked out that I need no visa (UK citizens get 90 days visa free), I should look at getting a local sim (Life:) or Kyivstar?)... however outside of that I am rather uneducated as to the decent hotels and the best places to go for fun/culture as well as to try and meet women (this isn't a trip to find love, this is more of a rekkie).

I am also slightly confused to what language I should try and learn, is it Russian or Ukrainian? the obvious answer would be Ukrainian but from reading around it seems that Russian is the one I should look at, is that true?

What else should I know when I am booking this?

Thanks for any help

[FreeRabbit]

I am also slightly confused to what language I should try and learn, is it Russian or Ukrainian? the obvious answer would be Ukrainian but from reading around it seems that Russian is the one I should look at, is that true?

Everyone here with the travel experience advised me to keep it simple, and work on my Russian. The girls I know in Ukraine think it's "cute" when I translate something in Russian as I'm writing to them, and never mention the other.
Only one person, a friend in Simferopol, told me she resented being made to learn Russian while she was growing up because it wasn't "her native language" and said something about people not reacting well to me in the western part of Ukraine if I was speaking Russian.
Then she added, don't worry about it too much because so many people there speak English.

[Muzh_1]

RR, me thinks that is the worse time for you to travel. Everything will be overpriced and they will take you to the cleaners. You should wait until after the EURO 2012 when the blood has disprsed and the feeding frenzy has abated.

[Chris]

RR, me thinks that is the worse time for you to travel. Everything will be overpriced and they will take you to the cleaners. You should wait until after the EURO 2012 when the blood has disprsed and the feeding frenzy has abated.

I agree too.


With regards learning the language, if you are planning in the future to spend extended time in Western Ukraine then learn Ukrainian (they also understand Russian though) but otherwise try and learn a little Russian.

BTW why are you guys wanting to visit Odessa? if its for fun then go for it, if its for wife hunting there are many better suited places to visit to find plenty of good and sincere ladies.

[RichyRich]

RR, me thinks that is the worse time for you to travel. Everything will be overpriced and they will take you to the cleaners. You should wait until after the EURO 2012 when the blood has disprsed and the feeding frenzy has abated.

Ah that is true, it is just I have the time to go then plus it should be good weather.

I agree too.


With regards learning the language, if you are planning in the future to spend extended time in Western Ukraine then learn Ukrainian (they also understand Russian though) but otherwise try and learn a little Russian.

BTW why are you guys wanting to visit Odessa? if its for fun then go for it, if its for wife hunting there are many better suited places to visit to find plenty of good and sincere ladies.

I don't know where I will be spending most of my time, I am planning on visiting Ukraine, Russia and Belarus at the very least, Russia being next on the list, I would go in the first place but visa costs (although I might go still, with the Euro 2012 and all that).

I want to go for fun (as I stated in the OP) first, love will come later but I want to get a lay of the land first.

[ni3]

try www.hostelworld.com

[2tallbill]

So I have decided that end of May, early June I shall go to Odessa for a week to get a feel for the place

I have so far worked out that I need no visa (UK citizens get 90 days visa free), I should look at getting a local sim (Life:) or Kyivstar?)... however outside of that I am rather uneducated as to the decent hotels and the best places to go for fun/culture as well as to try and meet women (this isn't a trip to find love, this is more of a rekkie).

I am also slightly confused to what language I should try and learn, is it Russian or Ukrainian? the obvious answer would be Ukrainian but from reading around it seems that Russian is the one I should look at, is that true?

What else should I know when I am booking this?

Thanks for any help

I always buy a cheap local phone when I get to a location in Europe. I recommend
getting an apartment instead of a hotel, you can google "apartments in odessa ukraine"
or you can contact Stirlitz and he can make arrangements for you. http://odessaguide.net/index.en.html

Most people in Odessa speak Russian and it's a world wide language with maybe a hundred
times more Russian speakers in the FSU than Ukrainian speakers. Anyone who can speak
Ukrainian can understand Russian. It's kind of like Spanish and Italian, different languages
but very similar.


I have a how to get started thread here which has information and links to other important
threads, like Don Hollios adventures (which has lots of Odessa stuff in it). 
http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?topic=4390.msg56897

I would also read Christian's Odessa saga here
http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?topic=13916.0

Ok, those threads should keep you occupied and out of mischief for a while

Udachi !

Bill

[Vinnvinny]

First Euro game in Ukraine isn’t until 9 June and, as no games are anywhere near Odessa, I can’t see the tournament bumping up any prices.

I use a Kievstar sim. It's only Americans who have to buy a phone when they get there (), take an old phone from home if you’ve kept one. I use an old Nokia I’ve got and it works fine

I suggest you stay in an apartment, not a hotel. Try: http://www.booking.com/  http://www.dobovo.com/odessa-apartments.html

If you don’t know any now, I think you are wasting your time learning Russian. Odessa recently introduced an ‘I speak English’ initiative with signs outside bars and restaurants and staff who speak it wear a badge with a Union Jack on. Many people speak English anyway.

Most of the night scene in the summer takes place at Arkadia beach which is about 15 minutes away by taxi from the centre.

[RichyRich]

try www.hostelworld.com

Ha, hostels are not a way for me to go.

I always buy a cheap local phone when I get to a location in Europe. I recommend
getting an apartment instead of a hotel, you can google "apartments in odessa ukraine"
or you can contact Stirlitz and he can make arrangements for you. http://odessaguide.net/index.en.html

Most people in Odessa speak Russian and it's a world wide language with maybe a hundred
times more Russian speakers in the FSU than Ukrainian speakers. Anyone who can speak
Ukrainian can understand Russian. It's kind of like Spanish and Italian, different languages
but very similar.


I have a how to get started thread here which has information and links to other important
threads, like Don Hollios adventures (which has lots of Odessa stuff in it). 
http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?topic=4390.msg56897

I would also read Christian's Odessa saga here
http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?topic=13916.0

Ok, those threads should keep you occupied and out of mischief for a while

Udachi !

Bill

Just been looking at apartments and $50 a night for some nice looking ones that is excellent prices.

I have decided to more or less purchase a Ukrainian sim upon arrival just not sure which network to go with... any suggestions?

As for the two threads, read them both already but thank you

[Muzh_1]

Life:) is the cheapest service and since you are going to be in the city, it will be very reliable.

[FreeRabbit]

What's the best way to go for an extended stay with an apartment rented by the month? Every time I search apartments, I find mostly nightly rentals. In a couple cases where I found apartments by the month, I was definitely looking at American pricing going through some kind of agent here.

[Chris]

What's the best way to go for an extended stay with an apartment rented by the month? Every time I search apartments, I find mostly nightly rentals. In a couple cases where I found apartments by the month, I was definitely looking at American pricing going through some kind of agent here.

If you are going to Odessa there are plenty of guys on here already based there or have been there many times or use one of the service providers on here that is based there, one of them should be able to find you what you want.

[Vinnvinny]

Avoid Mick O'Neill's Irish Bar!!!! There is some mention by other members that you might get your drink spiked but I've previously only had good experiences there. That was until a couple a weeks back when I went there with a lady and the barman asked her in Russian "should I bring a very expensive bottle of champagne" wink, wink, nudge, nudge. She told him to F off but other less experienced travellers accompanied by ladies they don't know so well will no doubt by ripped off big time.

[RichyRich]

Avoid Mick O'Neill's Irish Bar!!!! There is some mention by other members that you might get your drink spiked but I've previously only had good experiences there. That was until a couple a weeks back when I went there with a lady and the barman asked her in Russian "should I bring a very expensive bottle of champagne" wink, wink, nudge, nudge. She told him to F off but other less experienced travellers accompanied by ladies they don't know so well will no doubt by ripped off big time.

I shall avoid it then, I do keep my wits about me when I go out so I doubt I'd get conned like that but I shall avoid in-case I do get smitten

Cheers

[Dogsoldier]

Avoid Mick O'Neill's Irish Bar!!!! There is some mention by other members that you might get your drink spiked but I've previously only had good experiences there. That was until a couple a weeks back when I went there with a lady and the barman asked her in Russian "should I bring a very expensive bottle of champagne" wink, wink, nudge, nudge. She told him to F off but other less experienced travellers accompanied by ladies they don't know so well will no doubt by ripped off big time.

I shall avoid it then, I do keep my wits about me when I go out so I doubt I'd get conned like that but I shall avoid in-case I do get smitten

Cheers

Wits or no wits, if you don't understand the lingo, you will be waaaay out of your  depth.