Leaving a Mark: The Ukrainian Traveller’s Passport
You can still fill your passport up with stamps this summer
Every traveller has their own bucket list. Some want to visit every American state, while others dream of visiting the seven wonders of the world. But sadly, we’re in a pandemic, so international travel has become restricted, dangerous, and simply impossible for some. However, there are plenty of unique places to seek out around Ukraine, and there’s no better way to do that than with the Ukrainian Traveller’s Passport.
On Your Mark: What is the Ukrainian Traveller’s Passport?
Maybe you’re planning on visiting some of Ukraine’s different oblasts to catch the late summer sun, or perhaps you’re looking for a unique way to remember your travels? Whatever the case, if domestic travel is on your schedule, we recommend purchasing the Ukrainian Traveller’s Passport.
The Ukrainian Traveller’s Passport is a sort of pseudo passport that mimics the design of a traditional passport but instead has a page for each oblast. The idea is for you to bring this passport on your travels around Ukraine and get it stamped at each site you visit. Each passport even has a hologram and a unique number, and you’re encouraged to attach your own photo – making it feel as realistic as possible. Although the project is still relatively new, already 250 sites across 16 oblasts are partners in the project. Better yet, there are regular competitions for travellers who collect enough stamps to win prizes for their travels, and there is the opportunity to take part in exclusive promotions – so there’s plenty of reasons for you to get travelling!
Get Set: Where to Find Stamps
The project currently has a greater presence in Western Ukraine, where Rivne (56) and Ternopil (46) oblasts present the most opportunities to collect stamps. From the Khortytsia National Reserve in Zaporizhia to Mount Hoverla – Ukraine’s highest point – near Yaremcha (Ivano-Frankivsk oblast); from the Sofiyivka Arboretum in Uman (Cherkasy oblast) to Lviv’s City Hall; and from Odesa’s Opera House to Independence Square right here in Kyiv – each stamp will motivate you to discover more places around Ukraine and the history of its people.
Go: How to Get Started
You can pick up your very own passport at any of the participating sites; in Kyiv, these include:
- 12 Months Zoo
- State Aviation Museum
- Kyivska Rus Park
- Kyiv Fortress
- Golden Gate
- ‘Ukrainian Village’ Ethnographic Complex
- Holodomor Memorial
- Ivan Honchar Museum
- Pereyaslav-Khmelnytyskyi Museum of Folk Architecture & Life
- National Opera House
- Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
- Independence Square
For a full list of participating sites, click here. If you would like to give the passport as a gift, you can order it online by visiting the Ukrainian Traveller’s Passport website.
Suppose you’ve already visited one of the locations mentioned in the passport. In that case, you can order the stamp for 20 UAH by sending a photo of you at the place to the Ukrainian Traveller’s Passport project.
So, are you ready for an adventure? Remember, travel safe and have loads of fun!
