“Earth close to the sky” – this is the tourist slogan of Transcarpathia. Come and see for yourself that unearthly pleasures are really waiting for you here!
Transcarpathia is a very special region. Coming here, you feel a little bit abroad: this is facilitated by the unique dialect of local residents, Western architecture, international cuisine, and the European cleanliness of cities. It is simply impossible to list all the tourist attractions, highlights, and specialties of Transcarpathia, so today we will tell you only about some of them.
Vats In Lumshory
Being in Transcarpathia and not bathing in the famous hot tubs is an unforgivable mistake. In order to enjoy this Carpathian spa treatment, it is better to go to the mountain village of Lumshory, Perechyn region. This geothermal spa has been known since the times of Austria-Hungary. It was here that the first tub was cast from cast iron in 1600. Today, as in the old days, bathing vats are filled with healing mineral water from a spring, river stones are placed on the bottom, then the water is gradually heated over an open fire. When the temperature reaches 30–40 °C, you can start taking a bath, necessarily alternating immersion in hot water with cooling in an icy stream of a mountain river or pouring yourself from a bucket.
It is this contrast, coupled with the healing properties of hydrogen sulfide water, that provides a powerful healing, rejuvenating and tonic effect. Bathing in vats is indicated for people with disorders of the musculoskeletal system, diseases of the thyroid gland and gonads, malfunctions of the cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems, and just for everyone – it’s not only useful but also pleasant!
Thermal Springs
The possibilities of hydrotherapy in Transcarpathia are not limited to vats. The famous thermal pools of Berehove and its environs are known far beyond the borders of Ukraine. All year round, visitors are invited to the outdoor pool “Transcarpathia” and indoor – in the hotel “Zhavoronok”. And in the village of Koson, not far from Beregovo, there is an elite recreational complex “Kasino”. Unique sodium chloride water, which comes from underground sources with a temperature of 50 °C and then cools down to 38-40 °C, has many modern pools of various types, outlandish saunas, and a high level of service make Kasino a great place for recreation and health improvement.
Local Delicacies
Transcarpathian cuisine is one of the most original in the world. It was formed over the centuries and absorbed the peculiarities of the cuisines of different peoples: Rusyns, Jews, Hungarians, Slovaks, Romanians, Gypsies. And to really get to know this region, you need to taste it. Be sure to try Hungarian bograch, Romanian tokens, Slovak straps, Czech dumplings, gypsy Gurka.
If possible, by all means, go on a tasting tour to the village of Botar, which is not far from the Hungarian border. There you will be shown a unique farm where semi-wild cows of a gray Hungarian breed and exotic curly Mangalitsa pigs are raised. Animals are freely grazing all year round, so the meat obtained from them is organic, environmentally friendly, and most importantly, does not contain cholesterol. Plus, it’s incredibly delicious! You can be convinced of this at a tasting at the local museum of the lekvar. And in addition to sausages and smoked meats, try the famous Transcarpathian jam – plum (actually lekvar), blackthorn, lingonberry, blueberry, cranberry, as well as delicious natural juices and strong tinctures. Be sure you won’t leave here without a tasty souvenir!
Wine Tastings
Yes, this is a completely separate item of the program. Transcarpathia is a land of winemakers: almost every yard has its own vineyard and wine cellar. Wine festivals here begin in October-November and end in May-June. From the nearest – the International Festival “White Wine” in Berehove in early March. But even if you didn’t get to the festival, you can enjoy fragrant Transcarpathian wine at numerous fairs and, of course, at wine tastings. Wine cellars of the Uzhgorod castle, tasting rooms of the Kotnar and Chizay factories, many private wineries are waiting for guests. Believe me, they know a lot about wine here.
Castles of Transcarpathia
Each of them has its own zest and its own unique history. In Uzhgorod castle you will be told the legend of the White Maiden, in Nevitsky – about the Bad Maiden, in Mukachevo Palanka you will learn about the heroic defense of the fortress, which lasted more than 3 years, and in the castle “St. he will conduct a theatrical torchlight tour and tell an amazing love story associated with this place … Transcarpathia has something to surprise and conquer you – come!
