VERY often, our perceptions of places, people and communities are shaped by the information we are given.

In the case of Ukraine, Europe's second biggest country, we have seen much about the ongoing clashes between Ukrainian armed forces and Russian-backed armed separatists – and most recently the controversy relating to the Eurovision Song Contest which is to take place in Kiev in May.

But although there are still warnings in place about visiting the eastern part of the country – the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Donetsk oblast, Luhansk oblast and Crimea – there is also another side which is rich in unspoilt landscapes, traditions and close-knit communities.

Nataliya Cummings, a Ukrainian woman who now lives in Hereford with her partner and children, is passionate about enabling people to visit her homeland and runs trips to the Trans Carpathian mountain region each year, promoting socially responsible tourism.

This year, she is running four trips which all have specific features – the first of which is to a very remote village called Lizhnyk to learn how to weave blankets and rugs, and leaves next month.

Nataliya said: "They are made in the same way they have always been made for centuries, by hand.

"They are done in that area and nowhere else in the world. There are only 50 families left still doing this craft."

There is also a Carpathian Active Adventure Tour planned which includes a trek through Carpathian Mountains, experiencing Carpathian wildness and staying in tents beneath the stars while an eight-day cooking trip with Ukrainian chef Olia Hercules is lined up for June.

Nataliya said: "I just want to show the community feel of Ukraine – that everyone is looking after each other. And then also to see how unspoilt nature is and just for them to see the positive experience of Ukraine and not just negativity that you hear all around.

"Also the positive examples of community development and the positive projects going on and maybe somehow change the perception of Eastern Europeans – that we all have our own history and background."

Sue Pope, who has been on a previous tour with Experience Ukraine, added: "We have a lot of Ukrainian people like Nataliya who live within our community and we don't take the trouble to discover what their own culture us. They come to share ours but we should also understand theirs.

"Nearly everyone I told that I was going to Ukraine said there was 'a war' there. That was all they knew, that's all they had been told. But people are people everywhere."

For more information call Nataliya on 07963090838, email info@experienceukraine.co.uk or visit experienceukraine.co.uk