I arrived in the south of Odessa oblast,  the town of Kiliya,  in the late summer. The trees were vibrantly yellow; the sky brilliant blue…  the colors of the Ukrainian flag reflected in autumnal views. I strolled down tree-lined streets, and greeted new neighbors and town-mates. Here people saunter, smile, chat, push babies in strollers and make small shop purchases. Bushes and trees take over the sidewalks, and there are flowers in all the yards, gardens, and parks. This is a pleasant place to live.

My first impression of Kiliya was very positive, and has remained so through these past months of my life here. The town is comfortable in its own skin —usually quiet, relaxed,  easy to traverse.  As I got settled into my flat, found my way around the town’s shops and streets, and met new people, I was very favorable impressed with the friendliness of this town, and the willingness of people to help me learn about it. I visited the bazaar, the museum, the library, the remains of the old fortress and bell tower, and the churches. There have been visits to the neighboring towns of Vilkova and Izmail.  All of these sites have been interesting and pleasantly surprising: I had no idea of the historic nature of this region of the Danube, and the dramatic events of the past. There have been many struggles between countries and empires, yet people of a dozen or more ethnic groups live side by side here in what was once called  “Bessarabia”.  I have learned that Kiliya is on the list of the ten oldest towns in Ukraine…. 2700 years of history is claimed by this pleasant place, dating from the trade routes of the Greeks and Romans.

This place is ripe for more tourism, especially for those who want someplace out of the way, pleasant and relaxing, but interesting.  The town is about 200 km south of Odessa so it is a bit of a jaunt to get here – but once you are here, there is a feeling that I can only liken to an experience from my home in Hawaii. Of the millions who visit Maui, several a certain percentage of people will make a long, winding 3- or 4-hour drive to the tiny village of Hana in a remote corner of the island.  Sometimes it is the journey itself that attracts the visitor, or the novelty of the remote. And sometimes it is the quiet satisfaction and charm of Hana that captures their souls.    Perhaps Kiliya is Ukraine’s Hana. It takes a couple-few hours to get here, but the trip is well worth it!

Welcome, visitors: come and discover the charms of Kiliya, as I have!

Barbara Trecker, Peace Corps Volunteer, Ukraine

Kiliya Travel Brochure