Ukraine Roots

23/11/2024

Our latest Ukraine genealogy trip brought us to a small village in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains near Sambir. It was a chilly day, with bursts of sunshine and occasional flurries adding a magical touch to the late autumn landscape. The golden rays of the low sun illuminated the village church, making it glisten against the rolling hills and peaceful surroundings. We explored the village and its cemetery, capturing photos that will undoubtedly hold special meaning for the family we were assisting.
https://www.ukraineroots.com/

03/08/2024

I am glad to announce that in order to better reflect the focus of our website and what we do, our name has changed from Lviv Ecotour to Ukraine Roots. Our website URL has also changed and now we are in the process of migrating to https://www.ukraineroots.com
Give it a few days and our new URL will be live!

06/04/2024

Despite the ongoing challenges facing Ukraine due to the Russian invasion and the sacrifices made by many young individuals in defense of their country, there remains a modest stream of tourists and travelers quietly exploring their ancestral heritage in Ukraine.

This past week, Lviv Ecotour conducted a genealogical research expedition to a quaint community nestled near Lviv, Ukraine. During this journey, a visitor from Canada successfully traced their family lineage and discovered a charming family homestead set amidst the picturesque rural landscape, nestled at the foot of the Holohory escarpment to the east of Lviv.

The early arrival of spring this year lent a particularly poignant atmosphere to the trip, with the blossoming cherry trees surrounding an ancient church serving as a hopeful symbol of renewal and optimism for the future of Ukraine.

27/09/2023

https://lvivecotour.com/new-lviv-europe-railway-routes-amidst-flight-disriptions/

As flights to Ukraine remain halted due to the ongoing war, fresh railway routes offer hope for travelers. Lviv is set to introduce exciting train journeys, appealing to both frequent travelers and those looking to explore the region. 1. Rava-Ruska to Warsaw: Starting October Ukrainian Railways (UZ)...

05/08/2023

Waręż near Lviv – A Time-Traveling Gem at the Edge of the European Union

Recently, we visited Variazh, also known as Waręż in Polish, during our family history research trip. This quaint town lies right on the border between Ukraine and Poland. Unfortunately, the old road that once connected it to Poland is blocked by a locked border gate since 1951 when Waręż became part of the Soviet Union. However, there are plans to open a border crossing in the future, which could potentially reconnect the town to Poland and the European Union.

One of the main attractions in Waręż is the ruins of the St. Mark Roman Catholic Church, dating back to the 17th century. After the town joined the Soviet Union, many valuable church items were moved to churches on the Polish side of the fence, leading to the permanent closure of St. Mark Church due to the declining Polish community. With time, the church fell into disrepair, and its roof collapsed in 1983. Despite this, the church still holds remarkable frescoes from the 19th century. However, please be careful when exploring the church as the building’s structure may be unstable.

A captivating sight is the view of St. Mark Church from the Polish side of the border, with the locked gate in the foreground and the ruined church surrounded by houses in the background. This image symbolizes the town’s history and the influence of political borders on its cultural heritage.

Waręż possesses a unique charm, feeling like a forgotten corner of the world, untouched by modernization. Its location in the heart of Europe makes it an enticing destination for travelers seeking to delve into the past. Despite the church’s current state, its ruins have a special allure that evokes memories of yesteryears.

Looking ahead, as the town aims for a more accessible future with the potential border crossing, there’s hope that more people will discover and appreciate the historical value and distinct character of this hidden gem. Restoring and preserving the St. Mark Church would not only honor the town’s past but also offer visitors the chance to experience the rich cultural heritage of this lost corner of the old world, which is practically within a stone’s throw of the European Union.

For those interested in visiting Variazh (Waręż) from Lviv, it can be easily accessed by car. The town is located 100 km to the north of Lviv, within a 2-hour driving distance.

Links to the original post:
https://lvivecotour.com/warez-near-lviv-a-time-traveling-gem-at-the-edge-of-the-european-union/
https://posts.gle/dmKX5n

04/06/2023

Despite the ongoing war in the east, we are pleased to inform you that Lvivecotour is fully operational for Tours and Genealogy experiences out of Lviv, Ukraine. Attached is a breathtaking photo taken today, showing a picturesque field of beautiful red flowers near Lviv during one of our Genealogy Family Reunion Trips.

Please be aware that, at the moment, there are no flights available to Ukraine. However, visitors can still reach us by taking advantage of train and bus connections from Warsaw and other European airports.

25/05/2023

I received a beautiful vyshyvanka from United24
On this embroidered shirt, you can see the patterns of Ternopil Oblast — where my paternal grandparents' came from in Ukraine.
You can win the same by donating to the school reconstruction in Buzova.
Let’s help Ukrainian children come back to school: donorbox.org/vyshyvankas

09/10/2022

https://lvivecotour.com/do-what-you-can-with-what-you-have-where-you-are/

Recently Taras and Sophia of Lviv Ecotour assisted Lynn Matthews, a volunteer from the USA who came to Lviv to visit and bring hope to Ukrainian children. Lynn (her website https://kidsgivinghopetokids.com/index.html ) participated in an arts lesson at a school in Lviv and brought Ukrainian schoolch...

09/01/2022

In winter, when the view is not obstructed by tree foliage, some castles look even more impressive, such as these ruins of the castle in Dobromyl to the west of Lviv. On a clear day, from the castle hill one can see as far as Przemysl and Sambir. Lviv Ecotour went there and took these photos a few d...

24/12/2021

https://local.google.com/place?id=5826632337290612676&use=posts&lpsid=CIHM0ogKEICAgICmqrvE4wE

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes to all for the new year! Understandably, 2021 was less busy than usual, but we did manage to meet some great people on our summer tours, discovered yet more interesting tourist locations, mountain trails and successfully conducted genealogical research in Ukraine. Lviv Ecotour is looking forward to the 2022 season and wishing you all the best!

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes to all for the new year! Understandingly, 2021 was less busy than usual, but we did manage to meet some great people on our summer tours, discovered yet more interesting tourist locations, mountain trails and successfully conducted genealogical research in Ukraine. Lvi...

06/11/2021

This summer in Lviv I took some photos of manhole covers, sewer drains and valve covers. These street fixtures of old Lwow could be read as a history book for the turbulent times of the beautiful city of many names.

01/11/2021

Lviv Ecotour season of 2021 trips

Although local to Ukraine, we at Lviv Ecotour often discover interesting new locations on our tours of Ukraine. Recently we came upon this swing on top of a mountain in the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains near the village Zhupany. A new wind turbine power station is to be built in the area soon, so w...

13/10/2021

08/09/2021

We went on a hike in the Beskydy near Lviv while the weather was good after days of rain. May to November is the best time to go on hikes in the Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine with Lviv Ecotour.

30/08/2021

Yesterday I was in Stryi near Lviv and took these photos of the town on a wet and cool Sunday afternoon.

24/08/2021

The streets of Lviv are crowded this summer at Ukraine's Independence Day despite cool and wet weather.