New Years in the FSU-Do's and Dont's

[Dogsoldier]

I will be visiting Kiev over the New Year's. I've already been to Kiev thrice in the past two months visiting my GF. This time round I will be staying for about a week and will probably end up up meeting extended family, which I am really looking forward to. Has anyone been to Kiev over NY? Any information on places to go etc would be appreciated.

[Vinnvinny]

I will be visiting Kiev over the New Year's. I've already been to Kiev thrice in the past two months visiting my GF. This time round I will be staying for about a week and will probably end up up meeting extended family, which I am really looking forward to. Has anyone been to Kiev over NY? Any information on places to go etc would be appreciated.

I've been there a few times and will be there this year. What type of things are you looking to do?

[Dogsoldier]

Open to suggestions.

[mendeleyev]

Dogsoldier, many good wishes on your next trip. What fun to be in Kiev over the New Year celebration and to meet her extended family!

Were it me, I'd not plan a thing.

New Year is such a big deal, such a big family deal, that I'd simply go along for the ride and soak up and learn her family traditions and regional holiday culture. The prevailing culture is filled with special things a family does just once at that time of the year and my plan would be to consider myself fortunate to be there and accepted as part of what goes on--whatever they do.

The FSU is not one of those places where everyone rushes out to book a hotel ballroom party or nightclub event to ring in the year in the company of strangers. Those things are not unheard of course and if that is what she wants then fine, but that is not what most girls do on this holiday. The family component of what transpires during that time is probably far different than what most of us have ever experienced in the West.

Who knows? She may want to take you to a concert in crowded Independence Square, she may have a traditional Ukrainian family gathering planned, or she may want to go visit Grandma out in the village. "Go with the flow" is the thought that comes to my mind. Likely it will be unlike any New Year you've ever experienced and one that you will cherish for years to come as you build a new life together.

[Vinnvinny]

Open to suggestions.

Well .........

There's some guy who brings his weird bicycle to Khreschatik when its closed to traffic and he invites peeps to try and ride it. It's been rigged so when you turn the handle bars left the front wheel goes right and vice versa. Though its seems easy, it's nigh on impossible. 

Then there's 'Solo Pizza' in Globus shopping centre where they have a good range of pizza's. Tornado is my fave  ... very hot. 

You could go and have a look at the new stadium for Euro 2012. Over the past year I have watched them dismantle the old one, start to erect a new one and last time I looked a couple of weeks back they appear to be dismantling that now. 

Do you like foam parties? 

[Vinnvinny]

The FSU is not one of those places where everyone rushes out to book a hotel ballroom party or nightclub event to ring in the year in the company of strangers.

I can only speak for Kiev but every restaurant, bar and Nightclub will be rammed New Year's eve with most places booked well in advance.

Who knows? She may want to take you to a concert in crowded Independence Square, she may have a traditional Ukrainian family gathering planned, or she may want to go visit Grandma out in the village.

If she take you to see Grandma in her village, try and see if you can get a few farmer's daughter's numbers for cowsfly please. Thanks.

[mendeleyev]

I can only speak for Kiev but every restaurant, bar and Nightclub will be rammed New Year's eve with most places booked well in advance.

Vinny, good point and you are correct, as one would expect the nightspots will be busy and even more so in a University town. Which is why I said clarified my statement...

The FSU is not one of those places where everyone rushes out to book a hotel ballroom party or nightclub event to ring in the year in the company of strangers. Those things are not unheard of course and if that is what she wants then fine, but that is not what most girls do on this holiday. The family component of what transpires during that time is probably far different than what most of us have ever experienced in the West.

Of the total population when compared with a typical Western city, a much higher percentage of people will be engaged in family celebrations. The money typically spent in local markets for home celebrations outpaces expenditures at nightlife establishments by far.

Of course our OP can do whatever he and his lady like. I think it helpful to help him see that the way his lady celebrates with her family may not be in "going out" as so many of us do in the West. If he is sensitive to at least that possibility then he and his lady can make their decision based on knowledge, not on the "when in Rome do as we expect back home" philosophy.

[dorbradavid]

Open to suggestions.

I highly recommend booking a table at the Sherezade restaurant in the Globus in Kiev's center for New years Eve. 

[RG]

My other half had never been to one of the "events" hosted by some restaurants, clubs, etc. Her family's norm is more along the lines of what Mendy stated - visits with family and close friends mostly. 

We did go out in Minsk last year, which was mostly down to coinciding with my departure not too long after, and my wanting to do something special.  Bigger places were indeed mostly sold out in advance, but we managed. 

This year I'm told we will more than likely be staying in.

[Vinnvinny]

I highly recommend booking a table at the Sherezade restaurant in the Globus in Kiev's center for New years Eve. 

If that's the Azerbaijan restaurant with the balcony overlooking Globus then I agree as its one of my favourites in Kiev. But, I would imagine it would be fully booked now for New Year.

p.s. I think its called Shaherezada.

[Dogsoldier]

If she take you to see Grandma in her village, try and see if you can get a few farmer's daughter's numbers for cowsfly please. Thanks.

Awfully sorry Vinny, but Babushka doesn't live in the village. In fact, she lives with Babushka so no farmers daughters about.

[Dogsoldier]

Dogsoldier, many good wishes on your next trip. What fun to be in Kiev over the New Year celebration and to meet her extended family!

Were it me, I'd not plan a thing.

New Year is such a big deal, such a big family deal, that I'd simply go along for the ride and soak up and learn her family traditions and regional holiday culture. The prevailing culture is filled with special things a family does just once at that time of the year and my plan would be to consider myself fortunate to be there and accepted as part of what goes on--whatever they do.

The FSU is not one of those places where everyone rushes out to book a hotel ballroom party or nightclub event to ring in the year in the company of strangers. Those things are not unheard of course and if that is what she wants then fine, but that is not what most girls do on this holiday. The family component of what transpires during that time is probably far different than what most of us have ever experienced in the West.

Who knows? She may want to take you to a concert in crowded Independence Square, she may have a traditional Ukrainian family gathering planned, or she may want to go visit Grandma out in the village. "Go with the flow" is the thought that comes to my mind. Likely it will be unlike any New Year you've ever experienced and one that you will cherish for years to come as you build a new life together.

Mendeleyev
I think what you say makes a lot of sense. I suspected as much but better to be prepared than not. Saying that, we are going to see 'The Nutcracker' at the National Opera on the 30th.

[Dogsoldier]

Open to suggestions.

Well .........

There's some guy who brings his weird bicycle to Khreschatik when its closed to traffic and he invites peeps to try and ride it. It's been rigged so when you turn the handle bars left the front wheel goes right and vice versa. Though its seems easy, it's nigh on impossible. 

Then there's 'Solo Pizza' in Globus shopping centre where they have a good range of pizza's. Tornado is my fave  ... very hot. 

You could go and have a look at the new stadium for Euro 2012. Over the past year I have watched them dismantle the old one, start to erect a new one and last time I looked a couple of weeks back they appear to be dismantling that now. 

Do you like foam parties? 

This I like...might even give it a go...possibly after consuming a few.

[Vinnvinny]

Open to suggestions.

Well .........

There's some guy who brings his weird bicycle to Khreschatik when its closed to traffic and he invites peeps to try and ride it. It's been rigged so when you turn the handle bars left the front wheel goes right and vice versa. Though its seems easy, it's nigh on impossible. 

Then there's 'Solo Pizza' in Globus shopping centre where they have a good range of pizza's. Tornado is my fave  ... very hot. 

You could go and have a look at the new stadium for Euro 2012. Over the past year I have watched them dismantle the old one, start to erect a new one and last time I looked a couple of weeks back they appear to be dismantling that now. 

Do you like foam parties? 

This I like...might even give it a go...possibly after consuming a few.

Riding that bike is way too difficult when you're drunk. 

[Bruce Lee]

Has anyone been to Kiev over NY? Any information on places to go etc would be appreciated.

I was there for NY a few years ago and it was a great experience, we went to a pretty decent restaurant for the evening and it was f'kin expensive! We're off to St Petersburg for this NY and it looks like we're going to a fancy dress party in the evening, my wife as already purchased a costume! I won't be bothering as I will already be in costume, dressed as a "stupid foreigner"

[Vinnvinny]

.. wife ... purchased .. costume! ... I .. in costume .... as a "stupid foreigner"

And there's me thinking you would go topless and show the ladies your 6-pack. You don't look anything like Bruce Lee, do you?  

Note: Deliberately under quoted to keep Moby happy.  

[Bruce Lee]

And there's me thinking you would go topless and show the ladies your 6-pack. You don't look anything like Bruce Lee, do you?  

Well as I'm not an oriental it kinda ruins the look as for the 6-six pack question I'd say nearly but as for the topless thing its probably best not as I would have to supply the entire party with sun glasses to protect against the glare of my lily white body

[MissileMe]

Go to the Grand Cafe.   Everytime I go there, I get the entire restaurant to myself.   (never been there during new years though....)

I swear it's a money laundering restaruant. How they stay in biz is beyond my comprehension.  LOL

Anyway get the tornados steak.  Sure it's expensive and make your head dizzy like a tornado, but the waitress are pretty, the food is usually very good and it's exclusive if you go on a weekday.   It's about 100 bucks per person if you include wine and dessert.

[Bruce Lee]

Everytime I go there, I get the entire restaurant to myself.

It's about 100 bucks per person if you include wine and dessert.

This might be why its always empty

[Vinnvinny]

I swear it's a money laundering restaruant .........

Not quite the same but it reminds me of a restaurant in Kiev where on a number of occasions having asked for the bill (and confirmed I'm paying in cash) the waiter will return rather flustered and advise me that the till has lost my order. He will then get the menu out and write down what I've had and do me a hand written bill.

I'm tempted to one day tell him I've changed my mind and I'm going to pay by card .... unless he would like to give me a 50% discount for cash. 

[Dogsoldier]

Flying out on the 29th via Munich. At least all the backlog aat LHR has cleared.. otherwise I might have had to cancel my trip.

[Poacher]

This is my first New Years/Christmas (both Christmas') that I will be in the US for the past 5 years. I think Veka would be be a little upset I if I left her here and went and chased a "snow princess" in Kharkov. It is nice not to be travelling for once, but hell, I do like to visit Ukraine. I'm glad to be home, but I will miss the holidays over there.

All that are there or going, travel safe.

[Dogsoldier]

Returned home from Kiev after the New Year celebrations. Wow, an awesome experience. Still feeling the effects of all the food!!! I met all the family and from feedback received it appears that I've been approved of. . Planning my next visit already in the next few weeks. Really gutted to have returned 'home'.
Kreshchatik was a splendid sight with all the lights.
Only downside was the airline has lost my baggage on the return leg. I am mighty p****d off.

[2tallbill]

Only downside was the airline has lost my baggage on the return leg. I am mighty p****d off.

Is there a chance that they will find it and get it to you
late?

[mendeleyev]

I met all the family and from feedback received it appears that I've been approved of.

Great news and glad you had a good time in Kiev.