SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine - The hills of this region are a golden yellow hue because of the sunburnt grass. The houses are painted in bright colours to reflect the heat of the sun and beyond the poplar tree avenues cypresses stretch into the sky.

Sevastopol harbor

The city of Odessa offers the best living conditions in Ukraine, according to a survey conducted by the Institute of City Analytical and Research Center. The research is based on statistical figures of the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine and local statistics agencies.

Odessa, Ukraine Opera House

Two annual Canadian festivals make Edmonton, Alberta the perfect destination for winter fun. The 22nd annual Birkebeiner Cross Country Ski Festival glides into action February 12 and 13. The festival’s spirit of skiing for the pure joy of it includes the Birkie’s legendary race events including the 31 K, a 55 K, and the 13 kilometre ‘Mini Birkie.’ For the kids, there’s a special Ole’s Tour, which includes a winter wonderland 2.5 K and 4 K. 

What can be better than mountains? Vladimir Vysotsky, the Soviet-era cult singer, famously claimed in a song once that better is only the mountain you have not yet conquered. I would go even further and say that the best is the mountain you have yet to ski or snowboard down.

For a departure from the traditional Colorado-based ski trip, you may want to check out Crystal Mountain, in the state of Washington. Though not the tallest of mountains, and not even the tallest in Washington State, sitting at just over seven thousand feet, it does still have a vertical drop of more than three thousand feet. Mount Rainier, the tallest mountain in Washington State, sits at over fourteen thousand feet.