Catchup March 2014 volume 1 | Page 2

“Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.” ~ Stanislaw Jerzy Lec (March 06, 1906 - May 07, 1966) Tips for Travelers *Be a risk-taker, try doing or eating something new. *Don’t over-plan your holiday beforehand. Be spontaneous for maximum enjoyment. *You can have fun on a low budget. A great holiday doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. *Make sure your camera is fully charged and take lots of photos. *Only rely on Google Maps if you understand direction otherwise they can get you hopelessly lost. *Use local transport. You don’t have to fly everywhere, the train works just as well. *Smile and look lost and locals will help you. and before that the Austrian- Exploring Lviv When faced with a decision on where to go on a weeklong holiday, it wasn’t difficult to decide on Lviv. I could have stayed in Kyiv or gone down to Odessa. With the current political situation Odessa was not an option. Traveling out of Ukraine for the holiday was a problem as besides having a sad-looking bank account, everywhere in Europe requires me to have a visa. South Africans have to have a Schengen Visa and getting them is a mission. Especially in a city many embassies where and consulates closed their doors because of the unrest. That does limit you somewhat. So Lviv it was and what a good Hungarian Empire. The buildings are old and a little dilapidated but that’s what gives this Everything city is its in charm. walkable distance and if you don’t feel like walking there is a tram. Accommodation is cheap and the abundance of themed bars, cafes and restaurants make visiting Lviv gastronome’s delight. a You can find everything in Lviv – from a Jewish Restaurant that forces you to bargain when settling your bill, to a Masochist Bar where you can get whipped, a Patriot’s Bar where you have to say “Slava Ukraina” before being allowed to enter. There is someplace to suit every taste. choice. Lviv is a very quaint old European city that just happens to be in Ukraine. It used to be a part of Poland Definitely work another trip!