The Crimea is one of Ukraine’s most popular tourists centers famous for its resorts at Yalta, Alushta, Gurzuf, Foros and Yevpatoria. Located almost in the middle between the equator and the Northern Pole, the Crimean Peninsula is washed by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It is a unique meeting place of mountains and the seas, rivers and lakes, the boundless steppe and massy forests. Three ridges of the Crimean Mountains rise over the sea like fortress walls, turning the local climate of the southern coast into a subtropical oasis. As to the number of sunny days, it is a match of Nice and other Mediterranean resorts. Unclouded sunshine, mountain and sea air, beaches, peloids (mud prepared and used for therapeutic purposes), and mineral water springs – all this make up the generous gifts of Crimea’s nature. Everywhere along the southern coast tourists will be enveloped by the inviting shade of typical subtropical vegetation – palms, fig and magnolia trees, as well as almond and spruce groves. The famous Nikitsky Botanical Gardens at Yalta have brought together a vast and representative collection of the world’s flora. The Crimea is also an intriguing crossing point of cultures and civilizations with a rich mythological and historical background that evokes real pleasure upon acquaintance.

Apart from being an important historical and cultural center, the city of Odessa can prove to be a godsend, if your mind is set on leisure and recreation on the Black Sea Coast. Its mild climate, sun-swept sandy beaches, and magnificent architecture create an inimitable image of this seaport city. The glimmering seascapes that open from the cool under the luxurious shady plane trees lining the central embankment lend a particular charm to Odessa the local residents as well as numerous guests find difficult to resist. A large number of concert halls, discotheques, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and a modern aqua park are there to offer varied and sparkling entertainment.

The Crimean Peninsula can satisfy the whims of the most exacting adventure seekers. You can go in for yachting, underwater swimming, mountain hiking, rafting, hang gliding, paragliding, parachuting, mountain cycling, outings on horseback, and cave exploring. Professional mountain bikers are guaranteed an “adrenaline-boost” adventure along the slopes of the Crimean Mountains near Kerch as well as down the northwestern stretch between the cities and Simferopol and Alushta. Centuries ago Roman legionaries built a via militare (military road) across the mountains, which today has been wonderfully adapted for cycle racing. The earlier mentioned cave cities built by the Byzantines in the Middle Ages could be especially interesting for admirers of bike climbing, perhaps the most difficult variety of cycling.

The sea around Cape Tarkhankut and Cape Ai-Todor with its famous Swallow’s Nest offers a multitude of places for skin diving and underwater archeology. The rich fauna of the Crimean Mountains has been attracting hunters for ages.
Whatever you may choose of these pastimes and sports, your far from usual trip to the Crimea will be rewarded by new discoveries with a slight sense of risk and memories about the harmony of the nature and history of the peninsular country.