Discovered there are now four years, Ukraine is a big country, the largest in Europe, for its size, after Russia, which itself has no any area in Europe. There are many different areas to visit, with all their charms, their peculiarities, their traditions, such as the Crimean begins to be known.

But the travellers, in general, stop in Kiev or the Crimea. Very few extend their journey to the east and southeast of the country.

And so it is in Donetsk, in particular, you need to go. This area offers many tourist attractions and is located not far from the Azov Sea. Donetsk and the region, "Donbass", are in some ways, Russia "without a visa."

Donetsk is the capital of "Donbass", an area that was heavily industrialized, especially with coal mining and metallurgical industry. But over time, the global economic crisis and the collapse of the USSR, Donetsk is now a thriving city that continues to modernize and is comparable to Paris.

Donetsk therefore exhibits a mixture of Soviet legacy and wild capitalism, while being able to develop the artistic side of this former mining town with its expertise, metallurgy. In fact, you can walk in the park famous statues, wrought iron, made by blacksmiths in the city.

Donetsk is also known as "the city of roses", a name acquired in 1978 when, having reached the million, Donetsk was awarded a million roses.

You will find very open and friendly people, all amenities, including restaurants with local specialties such as "borsh" and many other delicious dishes that would take too long to describe here. The best is to come and taste, your taste buds coming back for more. Finally, Donetsk offers all the services expected of major European capitals.

After the fall of the USSR, Donetsk region has become the stronghold of the oligarch Rinat Akhmetov. The man, who is the richest of Ukraine, is the main sponsor of the current President Viktor Yanukovich. He is also the owner of the local football club: FC Shakhtar ("minor" in Russian) and the Donbass Arena.

Donetsk Shakhtar Fame football in Eastern Europe

In Donetsk, the most popular sport is football. The team "Shakhtar" (also pronounced Shakhtior) is the club's most famous Dynamo Kiev with Ukraine, its main rival. FC Shakhtar was several times champion of Ukraine and won the UEFA Cup in 2009. That same year saw the inauguration of the famous stadium "Donbass Arena" with a capacity of 51,000 spectators.

But how come in Donetsk? The airport and the railway station was completely renovated during the Euro 2012, when France played (and won) the opening match against Ukraine in Donetsk.

It should write a book here, to tell you the whole story of Donetsk, everything this city and its region, as treasures, have for you to discover.

A first trip through a blog (http://gotodonetsk.wordpress.com) devoted entirely to Donestk and its region, made by a French expatriate, you will definitely want to come to Donetsk.

To follow the daily adventure of Terusha be closer to the adventures of the French expatriate, you can subscribe to the Facebook page gotodonetsk.