Chernobyl

Do you know what the term Dark Tourism means? It refers to visits to locations associated with death or tragic events. Popular examples are the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero in New York City, Alcatraz in San Francisco, Pearl Harbor, Pompeii, and the Cambodian Killing Fields. Visitors to Ukraine should include the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant which promises a dark exploration, for those interested in history.

The 1989 explosion occurred at the town of Pripyat, which is located in Northern Ukraine. The site has recently reopened to the public, but only with the permission of an approved tour company. If you're concerned about radiation, studies show that passengers on a transatlantic flight are exposed to more radiation than visitors to Chernobyl.

With a Chernobyl Tour, you can travel 65 miles from Kiev in one day. Visitors can be picked up and dropped off at their hotel by tour operators. You will be shown an educational video on the disaster during the transportation. The incident is brought to life through narration and genuine film, which helps visitors prepare for what is to come. The tour leads guests through a variety of structures, some of which appear to be set pieces for a stage production. It's a deeply touching event that will linger long after you've left.

Location: Chernobyl, Ukraine

Highlights: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Soviet Military object “Duga”, Ghost town Pripyat, ...

Best time to visit: Spring or Autumn