Ukrainian travel bloggers Max Uzol and Olga Manko visited the Mykolaiv region and showcased some of its unique locations—from canyons and whitewater rafting to salt lakes and craft wineries.
This is featured in their new video, “Secrets of the South: A Grand Journey Through Mykolaiv Oblast.”
The bloggers traveled across the region from Pervomaisk to Rybakivka. In the episode, they showcased natural and historical landmarks and spoke with local residents who continue to work and grow their businesses despite the proximity of the front lines.
One of their first stops was Myhiya, known as the “rafting capital.” There, the bloggers tried rafting down the Southern Bug River and showcased the rocky shores of the “Buzky Gard” National Nature Park.
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Near Pivdennoukrainsk, they visited the Brama Rock—a site linked to the history of the Bug-Gard Palanka of the Zaporizhzhia Sich. The travelers also visited Gardovyi Island, which once housed a Cossack border outpost.
Another location featured was the Aktovsky Canyon. The bloggers showcased its majestic cliffs and explained the origin of the canyon, which was formed by a fault in the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield.
The episode devoted special attention to Mykolaiv. Uzol and Manko talked about the city of shipbuilders, its rivers, and Ukraine’s oldest yacht club. They also showed the destroyed building of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, which was damaged by a Russian missile strike in March 2022.
In the village of Slyvyn near Mykolaiv, the bloggers visited a family-run craft winery. After the full-scale war began, a Russian missile struck near the vineyards, but the family continued to operate after the area was cleared of mines.
The travelers also visited the Teligul Estuary, where vacationers combine beach relaxation with water activities. The episode also featured the local steppe, rare plants, and birds.
The final stop was the outskirts of Rybakivka, where the bloggers showcased Lake Solonets-Tuzly. In the summer, it dries up and turns into a sort of salt desert.
The authors highlight the contrast in the Mykolaiv region—despite the proximity of the occupied territories and constant air raid alerts, people continue to live, work, develop tourism, and preserve local traditions here.
Ірина Глухова