In and Around Ukraine, 2009»From Kiev to Novgorod-Siversky

We rented a car for a weekend and drove NE of Kiev to the 11th C town of Novgorod-Siversky. This is where Prince Igor kicked of his brave exploits, immortalized in "Слова о Полку Игоревом" ("Lay of Igor's Regiment"). The local museum features half a century worth of publishing works under that title.

Today it's the site of an idyllic (aren't they all) Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. Right next to the Monastery is a swanky new hotel built for the 2004 summit b/w presidents Kuchma, Lukashenko & Putin. Kuchma was born not far from here, which explains the 4-star hotel, pristine condition of the Monastery & a new train station, which looks suspiciously similar to the hotel...