Discover Crimea

[Vera]

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This site is an on-line travel guide to what for most western travellers is a new destination - the beautiful Crimean Black Sea coast. Here you will find detailed information to help you plan your vacation, and you can book self-catering holiday accommodation in Yalta, Balaklava, Sevastopol or Gurzuf, or hotels throughout Crimea and Ukraine.

[Claus]

Yes, very good.
But - do not expect anybody to be able to communicate in English! 

[sjg-uk]

Thanks Vera looks nice website - has anybody booked through these people, or can you recommend anyone ?
We are desparate for a break away from work !

[Nicole30]

Thank you, Vera!

Very nice Pics...finally I see more sides of Crimea.

If anyone has some personal experience of visiting beaches, hotels in Crimea...please let me know.

I'm interested in nice beaches to go for a swim and some wild remote places. Furthermore I'd also like to know where there is a good restaurant or caf? to go to.

I was in Sevastopol last year and Bakhisaray...to the monastery in the cave. That's it. Unfortunately I did not have the chance to go swimming.....

I know a little Ukrainian and Russian...just a few words but they will get we through.

Thank you,
greetings,

[babajaga]

Off the beaten tracks in Crimea: West Coast; Evpatoria; North of it, but it needs a car. The area between Evpatoria and Tarchankut is very interesting, cliffs, but also small areas with sand to swim in cristal clear water.
Interesting might be the huge radio telescopes, the forgotten airbase, and the former military dolphin training station (now they cure  mentally ill children there), close to Evpatoria. And You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login, of course :-)
Accomodation you can find "on the spot". Good hotel in Evpatoria, with reasonable price: "Russkoye More". Located at the beach walk, short walk to discos etc.  
Simple/good accomodations in Stormovoye, between Evpatoria and Mirni (kazantip !) Prices between 40UHA/night until 40E, depends upon your requirements. I tried both categories, and both were good value for the money.
Another hidden gem: Go to Skadovks, and take a boat to Dsharilgatsh (the island, you can see from the beach).
Walk to the other side or use a truck; be aware of the wild horses. Do not forget binoculars; with some luck you might see wild dolphins greeting you.

Or "Bala Klava", at the entry to Sevastopol. Small town at the end of a small and picturesque bay, very interesting submarine museum. Now the yacht harbor for the wealthy guys from Kiev.

Best food: Try a shashlik from the Crimean tartars on Ai Petri: Filet from lamb, marinated with herbs, grilled on open fire.
Like in a Michelin 5 stars restaurant.

In case, you want details, feel free to ask.

Most likely, I will be in Stormovoye again this year, end of July until beginning of August (and the beginning of kazantip).
Small place, good water (the best water in Kazantip or Tarchankut), good beach, quiet. Practically no night life. Shashlik about 30UHA last year for dinner or a complete fish from the grill, same price. Add up a  salad, and I had a good dinner for about 5E, incl. a beer :-) Car is recommended.

Last year I had a place together with my son (18 yrs) in Stormovoye for 80UHA/both of us.
It was in a small garden house, besides the summer kitchen, only 2 beds and some small cupboard. Toilet (ceramic !)was in next small hut, together with the shower. Warm water has been heated by the sun, in the tank on top of the hut.
Quite comfortable, at least compared to the poor guys, doing wild camping in the bushhes close to the beach :-)

As a luxury alternative: 2 years ago together with a friend :-) also in Stormovoye, but in
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For the "not so tough guys" among you :-)
The facility is 2 or 3 years old.

In case, you do windsurfing or kait-surfing: Good spot close by. Also for snorkeling good area, in the small bay to the North, where the dolphine training station is located.

[Travel Writer]

Balaklava is a really lovely place; we took an ekskursiya there a couple of years ago that included taking a boat out of the harbour and jumping from it into the sea where dolphins were swimming.

Evpatoriya is horrid, as I may have said a couple of times already.

[babajaga]

> Evpatoria is horrid, as I might have said already a couple of times <

Then I have to say, that I can not agree. Typical Russian/Ukrainian holiday resort, but of the better type. Quite some nightlife, water is not so bad. Although I usually go there for the nightlife only (to recover from kazantip), but stay in one of the smaller places to the North.

Bala Klava is more the "Porto Fino" type, Evpatoria the "Lloret de Mar".
Alternativ to Bala Klava: Novi Svet (South-East Coast) or Foros (South-West)

Looks like you never have been in Feodossia. When you consider Evpatoria horrible, you will invent a new word for Feodossia :-)

[clanholmes]

Balaklava is a really lovely place; we took an ekskursiya there a couple of years ago that included taking a boat out of the harbour and jumping from it into the sea where dolphins were swimming.

Evpatoriya is horrid, as I may have said a couple of times already.

I will post a video of the trip through the Harbour latter. Submarine museum was closed when I went.

They are doing much work on the Runes when I was there.

[clanholmes]

> Evpatoria is horrid, as I might have said already a couple of times <

Then I have to say, that I can not agree. Typical Russian/Ukrainian holiday resort, but of the better type. Quite some nightlife, water is not so bad. Although I usually go there for the nightlife only (to recover from kazantip), but stay in one of the smaller places to the North.

Bala Klava is more the "Porto Fino" type, Evpatoria the "Lloret de Mar".
Alternativ to Bala Klava: Novi Svet (South-East Coast) or Foros (South-West)

Looks like you never have been in Feodossia. When you consider Evpatoria horrible, you will invent a new word for Feodossia :-)

Planning to go to Kazantip this summer. Love to to ask you many questions about it.

[babajaga]

Planning to go to Kazantip this summer. Love to to ask you many questions about it.

You are welcome. I have been there 3 years/times  already. The opening is TERRIFFIC !

But: Go there by car, if possible. Accomodation close to Z's party area is expensive and bad. Food as well. I always was happy in Stormovoye. Because I also want to sleep some time :-) And to do some excusions/discovery by car. Or to enjoy standard disco in Evpatoria. Lst year we met 2 guys from Austria. They rent a car in Odessa for 3 weeks, for about 500E incl. full insurance. That made sense.
And be there about 2 or 3 days before the opening, in case you want to attend it. Buying a visa (ticket) otherwise is a "Pain in th A.." because of the queues. Visa price is lower, the sooner you buy it.

[clanholmes]

Unfortunately being there early is impossible, because of work. I am going to try to buy "Viza" early or be set up. I do not think that I will stay the whole time ( need to play some Rugby and meet some friends also). I know that there is a cheap Ukrainian car rental place and it is way cheaper than renting a car from a Western Company.