This content was published: April 24, 2023. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
The Carpathians
Written by: Yana Petrychenko
The Carpathians are one of the largest mountain systems in Europe, with rich nature, fun activities, cultural history, and delicious food. Since childhood, almost every year I have traveled to the northern part of the Eastern Carpathians in Ukraine. I’m in love with this place. It’s good for your mental and physical health. There, you can go hiking and take a tent with you. Also, you can take a bike-tour and a rafting trip. In winter, the Carpathians are beautiful too. There is the biggest ski resort in Europe named “Bukovel.” It’s around 60 km of ski roads or 63 ski tracks. But, the Carpathians are not only about mountains. It’s also a big nature reserve where brown bears, wolves, beavers, ermines, red deer, lynx, otters, and one interesting fire salamander live. Finally, the Carpathians have an interesting culture and really good food. The ethnographic group of Ukrainian Hutsuls lives in this place. Some used to call them pagans. But it’s not the same. They wear beautiful, bright clothes and wreaths of fresh flowers. They do a lot of arts, like sculpture, ceramics, and wood carving. Also, Hutsuls are very good dancers. They have their own style. They cook delicious food. I really like Carpathian food because it’s unique. There you can try the unique Carpathian cheese, “Bryndza.” There are a lot of shepherds who make this cheese. The area is also famous for “Banosh,” a dish that has been cooked there for over 100 years, and Bryndza cheese is an ingredient in the Banosh recipe. The Ukrainian Carpathians are the only place in the world where you can try this dish. It’s my favorite. So, it’s just a couple of interesting facts about the Ukrainian Carpathians. You need to see it with your own eyes and feel the emotions. And you will fall in love with this place too.