by Considering the realities, Bukovel is one of the few places worth visiting for a vacation. I will point out that here not only the ‘elite’ rest and recharge, but also our defenders, who, for various reasons, remained in Ukraine. So, we decided to go to this resort for a few days and see with our own eyes what is there and for how much… Since we have already conducted a DS 4 Cross test drive, we will not delve into technical details but focus on the impressions of the long journey from Kyiv to Bukovel in a premium crossover from Citroen. It is worth noting that it was the importer who recommended us the DS 4, which, according to PR experts, is quite suitable and very comfortable for such trips. And whether it is so – we will tell as we go… Kyiv-Bukovel: For those who are not afraid of checkpoints (we are talking about men), we will immediately inform you: the best route is Kyiv-Zhytomyr-Rivne-Lviv-Rohatyn-Ivano-Frankivsk-Bukovel. In this case, most of the road will have decent coverage, and it is not worth relying on Waze or Google – there are shorter routes, but there you can either ‘lose your wheels’ or crawl with a snail’s speed… On the DS4, we drove from Kyiv in almost 7 hours. And this is a very good result, considering the considerable distance and a few stops. At some points, we had to drive at a speed of 170-180 km/h (let’s just not talk about traffic rules!), but thanks to the navigator’s vigilance, we did not get any fines from the cameras or ‘on the spot,’ so we are law-abiding. For these 700 kilometers (plus or minus), we really ‘appreciated’ the seats. This is just awesome! Firstly, they almost perfectly support the back and not only that, secondly, they have a massage function. So when we arrived, apart from the driver (he drove ‘in one go’), no one got tired. And this is proof that the French took care of careful development of ergonomic seats not just for marketing purposes! It turned out that it’s not just a marketing gimmick! Despite the hectic driving schedule and high speeds, the DS 4 with a 1.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine with 130 horsepower once again proved that Peugeot/Citroen have some of the most fuel-efficient engines using ‘heavy fuel.’ The average consumption was 6.7 liters – considering that we mostly drove at 140 km/h and there were three people + luggage in the car! How much does it cost to eat? Once again, it all depends on your preferences. Even having a cup of coffee in Bukovel is unlikely to cost less than 80 UAH, but in Kyiv prices are about the same now. A lunch for two (bograch, banosh, some local moonshine, compote) at an average family restaurant will cost about 800-900 UAH. If you want the same meal in a ‘glamorous’ establishment, prepare to pay 2000-2500 UAH for two adults + a child (but it’s better if the child plays with animators). If you want a cocktail by the Ferris wheel – get ready to pay 300-400 UAH per glass. As for the sightseeing tours and visiting museums – from 150 to 300 UAH. A mountain ride on an off-road vehicle – from 2000 to 6000 UAH per trip. In our case, we chose a UAZ ‘Bukhanka’ – it’s cheap, angry, and fun. But this is no longer about Bukovel… Bukovel’s Outskirts: Staying in Bukovel or nearby, it’s definitely worth visiting Yaremche (there’s a McDonald’s there recently, so you can feel at home), where there are so many amusements and parks that you won’t get bored with children. In my opinion, this is good, but considering the scale of construction and high-rises, the Carpathian color is somewhat lacking… Nevertheless, the same applies to Bukovel itself, which is rapidly turning into a mini-megapolis where everything seems to be common, but soon you won’t be able to see the mountains or they will be ‘flattened.’ So, in my opinion, there is definitely something to entertain yourself and children here, but for communion with nature, it’s better to leave. Yasinia Village is relatively not far away (a half-hour drive), where you can find accommodation for 500 UAH and up to 5000 UAH, but there are also very nice apartments for 1500 UAH. From here, it is easy to get to Dragobrat. Of course, the DS 4 is not suitable for this, but you can easily find an off-road transfer and get to the peak (however, usually, lifts are turned off by mid-April). Fortunately, except for the foothills of Dragobrat, everything on the mountain and on top is natural and incredibly beautiful… Also, almost everywhere you will be offered excursions to Hoverla, the crocus valley, Mount Khomyak, and more. What I mean is that you shouldn’t look in advance for where to go – it’s easy to find everything on-site. And if you want to eat/drink in rented accommodation – it’s no problem, today there are car washes, ATB supermarkets, ‘European products’ stores, and, by the way, a lot of pizzerias and sushi bars. Locals usually ‘hang out’ here, while tourists prefer traditional cuisine establishments. DS 4 in the conditions of ‘glamorous dirt’: As in the whole of Ukraine and in the Carpathians, the road to the most expensive restaurants or hotels may run through bumpy roads and past the old village houses. So, our ‘French delicacy’ encountered Ukrainian realities in the form of a frozen ascent, a rocky road, or even a mountain stream… Certainly, on such trips, it got quite dirty, and I think if its designers saw where we ‘took’ it, they would confiscate it from us. But nevertheless, the DS has proved to be a real Joan of Arc, who managed to avoid torture and remain strong and resolute despite everything. In summary, although the DS 4 looks glamorous and sophisticated, thanks to its ground clearance, extremely comfortable seats, and comfortable suspension, it can confidently navigate both the streets of Pechersk and the thickets of the Carpathians. But, of course, let’s not forget that although it is resolute, it is delicate! Like a croissant with fluffy dough but with bitter chocolate. DS 4 Cross Specs: DS 4 Cross 1.5 BlueHDi 130 Body type: Crossover, 5 doors, 5 seats Dimensions (L x W x H): 4.4 x 1.866 x 1.47 m Wheelbase: 2.675 m Stated Ground Clearance: 188 mm Trunk Volume: from 430 liters (5 seats) to 1240 liters (2 seats) Cargo Capacity: 596 kg Minimum Equipped Weight: 1414 kg Engine: Turbo diesel, R4 1.5 liters Power: 130 hp at 3750 rpm Torque: 300 Nm at 1750 rpm Specific Power and Torque: 92 hp per 1 ton and 212 Nm per 1 ton Drive Type: Front-wheel drive Transmission Type: 8-speed automatic (traditional hydro-mechanical automatic transmission) 0-100 km/h Dynamics: 11.1 seconds Maximum Speed: 198 km/h Fuel Consumption, passport city: 4.6 liters per 100 km Fuel Consumption, passport highway: 4 liters per 100 km Price, UAH: from 1,000 390 to 1,700 000 Warranty: The DS warranty covers breakdown cases of various details and units within the established term of validity, starting from the date of purchase of the car, without limiting the total mileage, except in cases where special conditions are provided.
