So the dating tours are not your style but you are concerned about flying to Ukraine alone? Concerned there is a war going?

The conflict with the Ukrainian rebels is in the south eastern corner of Ukraine. For some reason the US State Department advises against going to Odessa which is on the Black Sea.

I have visited Lviv (3), Odessa (1), and now Zhytomyr (2) with no problems. The people here are friendly. Even on dark city streets i have never felt threatened. It will help you to learn a few words of Russian or Ukrainian. I get along through a few words and using my hands to express myself.

I bought a ticket for a March trip for $650. June through August will cost about $900+ and travel time between 12-14 hours. Out of season such as my March trip around the $650 to $750.

Right now i am staying in a really great hotel in Zhytomyr in a Superior room with full bath, and full breakfast for $43 a night. Zhytomyr is about 100 or so miles from the Kiev airport KBP. The hotel will shuttle you to and from the airport in private car for $70 each way.

You find places to stay, eat, and things to do on tripadvisor.com Last Friday we ate in the hotel restaurant for $15 including a glass of wine. I tipped the waiter $10.
Prices in the larger cities will be more expensive.

Friday night i proposed to a beautiful woman with a kind heart. She accepted and said yes. My search is over, i plan on my fiancee and I coming back to Ukraine many times so she can spend time with her family.

Buy a few books on the culture and history of the country you intend to visit. Plan a trip, grab a flight, and have an adventure.

My next adventure has just begun ... applying for and obtaining Fiancee visas to the US.