What nobody tells you about visiting Ukraine

After a lot of research I thought I knew what to expect from Ukraine. Some things matched: Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is as spectacular as every review says, and Odesa has a genuine energy I'd read about. The varenyky obsession is completely justified.

What I wasn't prepared for: baroque architecture. That element genuinely surprised me and added something I hadn't seen in any review. Also: limited English menus. That part the reviews undersell. Overall a wonderful trip — just a more layered experience than I anticipated.