I, Varvara Ivanova, went to Crimea in the spring with a friend as part of the Kudablin project. May Yalta is ideal for excursions, long walks along the embankment and conquering the mountains. It’s still cool for bathing, but this fact has not spoiled our journey at all. We examined the sights without crowds of vacationers, inhaled the smell of fresh greenery and enjoyed all the delights of the approaching hot season.
Day First: Lastochkino Nest
Immediately upon arrival, we went for a walk on the water to the famous Swallow Nest. Flight boats regularly go from the sea station to the castle. The cost of a ticket for an adult is 300 rubles, and for a child – 240 rubles*.
The best views on the “emblem” of the south coast are opened from the water, but it is necessary to see this monument of architecture near and take chic photos against its background.
Lastochkino nest attracts tourists with its Gothic beauty and an unusual location. The building is located on the cliff of the Aurorina cliff, so it looks very romantic and bewitching. Entrance ticket with a visit to the territory and exhibition halls – 200 rubles*. Various lectures and events are also held here, for example, Russian Ball.
Second day: Crimean palaces
The next The day of our trip we went to watch some of the most beautiful attractions of the peninsula: Vorontsov, Livadian and Massandra palaces.
The Vorontsov Palace is in Alupka – you can get here by minibus No. 32 and No. 27. From the snow -white and elegant castles of Yalta, it is distinguished by severity, monumentality and a luxurious, but somewhat unusual color scheme. The whole thing is in the stone that was used for construction-diabase-the local greenish-gray mineral, which is compared in terms of strength with the basalt.
Entrance to the territory of a rather large and picturesque park around the palace is free. Inside the building is a museum and various expositions. The cost of a single ticket to all halls is 1100 rubles*.
The Livadian palace harmoniously combines a rich history and modernism. It is lined with Inkerman limestone of light-fierce. The interior decoration is not inferior in exquisite of the outer. The palace complex, which served as the summer residence of Emperor Nicholas II, includes a magnificent park and several structures. True, only a small part of them with the recreated atmosphere of different historical periods is open to visitors. Input ticket for adults with a sightseeing tour – 400 rubles*.
Massandra Palace is surrounded by a beautiful English park with old trees and flower beds, smoothly turning into the forest. By the way, it is located at an altitude of 365 meters above sea level.
Nearby in the village of Massandra is the same wine factory – one of the oldest in the country. Excursions are organized at the enterprise, tell tourists about all stages of production and show how noble drinks are withstanding in centuries -old oak barrels. The cost with tasting is from 1200 rubles*.
On this day, we also planned to visit the botanical garden, which many tourists advise, but, unfortunately, did not have time.
Third day: climbing on Ai-Petri
It is difficult to imagine a trip to Crimea without a sea and mountains. In May, the water was still cool for us, but we were ready to conquer the top in any weather. I think that all guests of Yalta or even Crimea rise to Mount Ai-Petri. This adventure was the most exciting on our journey.
You can get to the top in two ways: climb on a funicular (the price of an adult ticket is 400 rubles, a children’s – 250 rubles*) or get on a mountain road by car – we chose the second option, which eventually turned out to be very happy.
Along the way, we visited the Ural-Su waterfall, who was not as powerful as in many photographs that we saw. The locals said that beautiful pictures can be taken from winter to mid -April – while snow lies in the mountains, and meltwater fills with waterfalls. Then we were waiting for the turtles in the lake of the same name, which they like to pose on the camera, and the stop “Silver Gazebo” – one of the best review points of Crimea.
We reached the parking lot, from which we made the last foot jerking along the mountain rocky terrain. Upstairs we were expected by an incredible look from the Ai-Petri Mountain, which cost all the efforts spent. At this height, the sea practically merges with the sky, and the city seems tiny – I want to sit for hours and admire this beauty.
There are also excellent attractions for those who love the thrill: a hanging bridge (700 rubles for entering*) and trolls, on which you can go down 900 meters right before the parking lot – and do not go back. Cost – 1,500 rubles*.
I can say that these days turned out to be as rich as possible. We even managed to sunbathe a little. Finally, an important advice for guests of Yalta: remember that in Crimea roaming, and do not forget with you a bank card – Apple Pay does not work on the territory of the peninsula.
*Prices are valid at the time of publication
