Interesting holiday in Crimea

In Soviet times, Crimea was considered one of the most prestigious health resorts; residents of the entire vast territory of the country flocked to the Black Sea coast to enjoy the charm of the southern nights, breathe in the healing air, lie under the gentle Crimean sun and, of course, improve their health. Every year the resort is gaining more and more popularity; spoiled by overseas countries, tourists strive to touch the amazing past of the peninsula and simply relax in numerous hotels and boarding houses, whose service has improved many times over recent years.

Sights of Crimea

The Crimean Peninsula is like a small state within the country; this picturesque place with world-famous sights and unique history is a historical monument that every Russian should visit at least once in their life.

The peninsula is washed by the Azov and Black Seas. As for tourist destinations, everything here is extremely simple, the territory is divided into 4 parts - central, eastern, western and southern. Each corner of Crimea is unique and has its own characteristics, both natural and in terms of infrastructure development, but in almost any of them the tourist will find sandy beaches (with the exception of Central Crimea), incredible seascapes and historical attractions that are associated with the names of the great people who worked here, Aivazovsky, Green, Chekhov and other outstanding figures of culture and art.

Arriving at rest If you go to Crimea for a couple of weeks, you will hardly be able to see at least half of the places that have glorified this wonderful land. But it is simply impossible to leave the peninsula without seeing its main symbol. The magnificent snow-white castle “Swallow’s Nest” (Alushta) seems to float between the sky and the sea, because it is built on the 40-meter-high Aurora rock. The building is quite miniature and is a structure built in a pseudo-Gothic style.

The structure was originally made of wood and was a small mansion on the ledge of a cape, until a famous German industrialist wanted to transform it into a castle from the era of medieval chivalry with lancet windows, battlements and pointed spiers crowning a tower of three tiers. The interior decoration cannot be called rich. The only interesting things are the antique fireplaces and beams made of valuable ebony wood with supports in the shape of frogs.

Currently there is a restaurant in the castle. There is also access to the balcony; from its platform there is an extraordinary view of the sea. 

Genoese fortresses are a kind of historical artifact that clearly demonstrates the multinational past of the Crimean peninsula.

In the 13th century, Crimea was an important economic center, which is why noble traders from Genoa came here to establish connections; they chose modern Sudak as a stronghold.

In 1371, construction began on a whole complex of defensive structures, which lasted more than a century. The Genoese created their military base on an area of ​​about 30 hectares on a mountain called Fortress (the mountain is a coral reef in origin).  The Genoese fortresses are a complex reminiscent of the romantic and bloody era of the Middle Ages; it is crowned with 14 crenellated towers, which are a kind of symbol of the city.

Subsequently, the Fortress had an equally interesting history. In the 15th century, it was taken by the Turks, after which its renovation and some architectural changes began. The new owners really wanted to have a mosque, but subsequent owners rebuilt it first into a Catholic and then into an Orthodox church.

Today the cathedral is a historical museum with many interesting exhibits.

Southern coast of Crimea -  one of the most wonderful places to relax on the entire Black Sea coast, because it was not without reason that for two centuries the imperial families chose it to build their summer residences.

The most famous landmark of Yalta is rightfully considered the Livadia Palace - the pearl of Russian architecture, the most visited place, where the flow of tourists does not dry out all year round.

Once upon a time, the area on which the palace is now built belonged to the Tatar people. As a result of the seizure of land, the “Sacred Meadow,” as the Tatars called it, along with the entire territory of Crimea passed to Russia. Local residents left the southern coast and all the lands were acquired by a colonel of the Russian army, a Greek by origin, who named them Livadia in honor of the city in which he was born.

Later, Livadia was passed from hand to hand, and in the 60s, rich aristocratic families firmly established themselves here. In just a few years, by order of the imperial family, luxurious snow-white buildings in the Italian style were built on the territory of the estate - the Big and Small Palaces. This majestic palace and park complex includes several fountains and rotundas. Rose bushes and tropical evergreens are planted in the yard.

Going to Livadia, tourists can not only see with their own eyes how the families of the emperors lived, visit the famous botanical garden, but also improve their health in the sanatorium located here.

Beautiful places in Crimea

Ai-Petri (translated from Greek means Mount St. Peter) is a majestic mountain towering above Crimean Alupka and the village of Koreiz, its main peak reaches more than 1200 meters. All the beauty of the mountain range can be seen in the pre-dawn hours and at sunset, when the rays of the sun illuminate its battlements and make it look like a medieval castle beyond the clouds. From the 300-meter platform of Ai-Petri there is an extraordinary view of the sea, the Swallow’s Nest, the Vorontsov Palace and the Diva and Cat mountains. The name of the mountain is associated with many legends and stories that guides and climbers will tell you, but it is impossible to imagine all the greatness of this place without visiting Crimea.

An equally interesting place is the cave city of Chufut-Kale, which is located on a mountain plateau surrounded by valleys, near Bakhchisarai. There are several versions of the creation of the city, one of them says that this is one of the reliable defensive structures built by order of the Byzantine emperor in order to protect the city of Chersonese, however, no documentary information about this was found. The rapid development of the cave city occurred in the 15th century, when one of the rulers of the Crimean Khanate decided to establish his residence here, and then a palace was built and the mosque was expanded. At the end of the 19th century, the last inhabitants left Chufut-Kale and the city became empty.

Experienced tourists recommend going to the cave city under the guidance of guides who can tell the story of this amazing ancient monument.

Cape “Chameleon” is another wonderful natural phenomenon of Crimea, which received its name due to the ability to radically change color depending on the time of year and weather conditions. The cape is located near the city of Koktebel. The secret of the Chameleon is that it consists of very small clay minerals that reflect light differently, the angle of incidence of the sun's rays and determines the color of the ridge at one time or another. Historians claim that previously the cape was much wider and tourists could walk along it, admiring the overflows up close and without fear of collapse. Now, due to erosion, the cape has become quite narrow. 

Crimea hotels all inclusive

Despite the fact that in recent years Crimea has been actively developing tourism, Still, this is not Türkiye or Egypt, so there are not so many all-inclusive hotels here. Such offers are especially relevant for vacationers with children who, during a short vacation, do not want to worry about finding a suitable catering establishment and strive for a certain level of comfort.

The five-star Atlantic Hotel is one of the best on the peninsula. The sea is just 10 meters away, and there is a bus stop to Feodosia nearby. The rooms are furnished in a classic style, each has everything you need - a refrigerator, a bathroom, a TV and free internet. The hotel's restaurant serves fine European cuisine. Entertainment options include billiards and sauna. In the surrounding area there is the famous Genoese fortress.

The chic hotel “1001 Nights” with an unusual design in oriental style is located near Yalta, from the windows of its rooms there is a magnificent view of the sea and Mount Ai-Petri. It is very convenient that next to the hotel there is a picturesque park where you can breathe in the healing air, have a romantic date or just take a walk with your children. Residents have access to animation for children and adults, concert programs, and treatments at the spa complex.

Riviera Sunrise Resort & SPA - although it has only 4 stars, it claims to have a high level of accommodation and comfort. This is not just a hotel, it is a real hotel complex, consisting of two buildings, this option will not leave even the most sophisticated tourist dissatisfied. Here guests are provided with a private beach, indoor and outdoor swimming pools - for adults and children, and, of course, a full range of treatments for the soul and body: bathhouse, sauna, massage and cosmetology room.

Hotel-boarding house "More" is the most suitable option for a holiday with children, because all conditions have been created for them: a playground and a children's room, a special separate pool and the opportunity to use the services of a nanny. In addition, there is a nice bonus - children under 5 years old are accommodated for free. The hotel is located on the first coastline, in a picturesque juniper grove on the southern coast of the peninsula.

There are also activities for adults; at any time you can visit the spa center, play billiards, visit excursions, restaurants and cafes for every taste and budget.

Beautiful beaches of Crimea

Speaking about holidays in Crimea, it is impossible not to touch on the topic of beaches, because most tourists flock here precisely because beach holiday, fortunately there are plenty of such places on the peninsula, they are all different and everyone will find a shore to suit their taste.

The beaches of the village of Balaklava are distinguished by the fact that you will not find large crowds of people here, cozy and clean green bays are far from civilization, there are no cars or large buildings. Only wild, secluded beaches, which can be reached by boat or along a long and winding mountain path. One of them is called “Fig” - a picturesque place with a pebble entrance to a clear sea unclouded by tourists and the pine scent of pine trees surrounding the bay. It is possible to get to this piece of paradise along the Great Sevastopol Trail (Path of Health), but keep in mind that the journey will not be easy, so for those who are not ready to overcome all the descents and ascents in the summer heat, you can hire a boat for a nominal fee.

If you go on a trip for new unusual experiences, then you definitely need to visit the so-called “Cup of Love” at the extreme western point of the peninsula - Cape Tarkhankut. To find this local attraction, you will have to travel quite far from large populated areas; the nearest of them, Evpatoria, is about a hundred kilometers away.

“Bowl of Love” is a natural pool surrounded on all sides by rocks and snow-white reefs. A particularly picturesque picture appears during a storm, when the spray hits the rocks and scatters in all directions. In calm weather, this romantic corner resembles a large bathtub - a jacuzzi, which is connected to the sea by a six-meter tunnel and filled with water.

On the southern coast of Crimea, you should definitely visit the village of Simeiz, surrounded by greenery. The beaches here fully meet the requirements of sophisticated tourists, the infrastructure is developed, the coastline is wide and strewn with pleasant small pebbles, the entrance to the sea is gentle and is perfect for families with children. Huge rocks stand right in the sea, and pine trees, cedars and cypresses grow all around. The air in Simeiz is unusually pleasant, filled with coniferous phytoncides.

There is also a wilder beach in the village called “Blue Stones”, it is located next to the “Diva” rock. Fans of diving and fishing come here for thrills. Everyone can choose their own stone and sunbathe there.

Features of Crimea

Unfortunately, Crimea is not only warm, gentle sun, unforgettable beach holidays, hospitable residents and fresh fruits and vegetables. Since ancient times, this small piece of land has been subject to raids by foreign conquerors; its “owners” have changed more than once throughout history; bloody wars and brutal battles for power took place here. Therefore, the national issue on the peninsula has always been quite acute, and in recent decades it has been heavily politicized.

In addition to Russians and Ukrainians, a significant part of the population is occupied by the Crimean Tatar people, who are considered indigenous. The history of their life on the peninsula is not so simple; in 1944, by order of Stalin, almost all Crimean Tatars were deported, but they were rehabilitated and given the opportunity to return to their homeland only in 1989.

Crimean Tatars live separately, in small suburban villages near large centers, which were created over the years specifically for these national minorities. Tourists should remember that Tatars profess Islam and do not welcome photography without their consent.

Residents of the peninsula mainly speak Russian, all traditions and customs correspond to the Soviet era, older people are adherents of this particular culture, and young people are more drawn to the culture of the West, however, as in Russia. In both cases, you can find positive aspects.

No matter what anyone says, on the territory of Crimea the issue of relationships with natives and visitors, Russians and Ukrainians is not acute. Perhaps the only problem we can name is the lack of a particularly national flavor that tourists would like to feel. Today, owners of restaurants, cafes and other public institutions are trying to introduce the features of Russian national culture.

How much will a holiday in Crimea cost?

As the number of people wishing to get to Crimea during the hot holiday season increases, the infrastructure of the peninsula is developing and prices are rising. Approximately how much will a trip to Crimea for 7-10 days cost?

• The fastest and most comfortable way to get to the peninsula is by air; a round-trip ticket for one person will cost about 8 thousand, if you fly from Moscow, from St. Petersburg - from 9 thousand, from Yekaterinburg - from 14 thousand.
• It is better to look for the most affordable housing in the private sector, for example in villages such as Okunevka, Nikolaevka, Shtormovoe. If you try, you can find a double room for only 300 rubles per day. At larger resorts, a place in a guest house can be purchased for 600 rubles for two per day, but the average price fluctuates around a thousand.
• Of course, the cost of hotels and boarding houses depends on the comfort of the conditions, proximity to major attractions and seasonality. The starting price starts from 1,500 thousand, but on average a day's stay will cost 2-3 thousand rubles.
• Prices for food and food in cafes and restaurants differ little from Russian prices. The rule “the further from the sea, the cheaper” does not apply here. Budget establishments can also be found near the embankment. If you are on a limited budget, look for chain cafes, small home-cooked cafeterias or snack bars, where you can have a hearty lunch for 100-200 rubles; the average restaurant bill starts at 400 rubles.
• Seasonal fruits and vegetables are the cheapest on the market, especially since you can bargain here. The average price of a bottle of local wine is about 250 rubles; it can be purchased in specialized stores or on tap right on the beach.
• It is possible to buy a trip for two from 30 thousand rubles, however, this price most often does not include food and the living conditions leave much to be desired, while the duration of the vacation will be very short. Those who are used to an all-inclusive holiday will have to pay from 50 thousand for two with full board and flight from Moscow.