To get healthy, inspired and to fall in love: what should be done in Crimea this summer

Summer is often called a "small life", because during this period people try to do something for what they do not have enough time in autumn, winter or spring. And the first thing is to recuperate. And not only the body, but also the soul. The ideal place for such a diverse holiday will be Crimea. Pack your bags, and we shall tell you how to make your vacation on the peninsula more vivid and interesting.  

Summer in Crimea is a time of gentle sea and hot sun, a time to strengthen immunity and improve the mood. An amazing land, praised in the works of artist Aivazovsky, poets Voloshin and Pushkin, annually captivates millions of tourists with its unique nature, fascinating architecture, mountain and cultural tourism, as well as inexhaustible healing and health improvement opportunities. And more: Crimea is a marathon of vivid events that turn the region into a center of event tourism. Though this year those events are presented in a somewhat new format. How to open all the facets of this Black Sea peninsula and to catch every moment to enjoy it to the maximum during a vacation? Take at least a few suggestions what you definitely need to do in Crimea this summer.  

Crimea heals, strengthens, and even cures. The unique healing properties of the local nature were noted by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus as far back as in the 5th century BC: in his writings, he mentioned the muds of a salt lake that can cure and heal wounds. Today, more than two dozen mud deposits have been discovered on the peninsula, the mud of which is effectively used in the treatment of diseases of the peripheral nervous and musculoskeletal systems, as well as skin diseases, wounds, injuries and other ailments. But this is not the only one of the healing advantages of Crimea. Here are mineral springs that can treat kidney and gastrointestinal diseases, as well as unique climatic resorts indicated to people with respiratory diseases.

Saturated sea air in combination with a mild climate and a large number of coniferous plants is useful, especially after viral infections and diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Even just walking in the groves and south-coastal parks, amid pines, cedars and junipers yields a good result. So the first and most important thing, that must be done in Crimea this summer, taking into account the pandemic and the limitations experienced in connection with it, is to strengthen health. Ideally, use one of the health improvement programs of specialized health centers and health resorts of Crimea. But if this is not possible, then at least just walk, breathing deeply healing medicinal phytoncides, swim in the sea and spend time in pleasure, charging the body with strength and energy for the next year!

2020 is declared the Year of Memory and Glory in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. In each family people sacredly honor their late relatives-heroes, take care of surviving relatives, carefully keep awards and letters from the front. And today it is very important to remember those who did not return from the front, fought for their Motherland to the last and died the death of the brave. The memory of the tragic events and heroic deeds of our ancestors on the military and labor fronts of the Great Patriotic War is immortalized in hundreds of monuments in Crimea. All of them are silent testimonies of how the Crimeans and soldiers stood for their Motherland till their death, having forever made Crimea a place of military glory and valor. Therefore, if you have chosen our region for recreation, then be sure to visit at least several of these historical places and pay tribute to those, thanks to whom we have been living under peaceful skies for 75 years.  And our The Heroic Crimea guide will help you choose the right route. 

The Crimean peninsula is a paradise for lovers to feast on something tasty and unusual. Over a centuries-old history, a peculiar multinational cuisine has developed here, which combines the gastronomic traditions of Armenians, Crimean Tatars, Georgians, Greeks, Karaites, Russians, Ukrainians, and other peoples of the peninsula. Not surprisingly, in the wake of the rapid development of gastronomic tourism, Crimea has become a desired destination for gourmets. Here you can appreciate the flavor of the East, the hospitality of the Caucasus, feel the taste of real Russian cuisine and enjoy the Black Sea cuisine.

Today in Crimea there is everything that Mediterranean resorts can tempt the guests: exotic and local fruits, fish and seafood, excellent farm cheeses and dried meat, tender oysters and, of course, brandy, grappa, fine and sparkling wines. It is unlikely that anyone will be able to resist such an abundance of gastronomic wonders, so think in advance about what you definitely want to try in Crimea. You can make your own list or just go on a gastronomic tour of the most "delicious" places in the region. And do not be discouraged if you do not have time for everything on this vacation − just extend your pleasure and leave new culinary discoveries for the next time. 

In the 2020 season, ecotourism and secluded relaxation are rapidly gaining popularity. And according to experts Crimea is the leader in the TOP of the most popular Russian destinations for such trips. So, taking into account the epidemiological situation, this year many prefer to large hotels cozy campsites, cottages and villas scattered around the mountain ranges of the peninsula. This, on the one hand, allows you to spend your holidays all on your own with the stunning Crimean nature, and on the other hand, to avoid places with large crowds and minimize contacts with other tourists. So, even if you plan a vacation in a hotel or health resort, try to find time to relax away from civilization, to hear the sounds of forest and the roar of mountain rivers, or spend an unforgettable night under a clear sky with stars. This will give you a sense of peace and harmony, which is so necessary for residents of busy cities and always crowded megapolises.

Crimea can and should be seen not only from land, but also from the sea − majestic mountains in greenery, slopes with a scattering of vineyards, unique palaces and residences that adorn the coast. This is a completely unique type of vacation that will please all adventure lovers. Fortunately, in Crimea this can be done on the southern, eastern and western coasts.

Traditionally, in summer you can take a sea voyage both on a spacious pleasure boat, and on one of hundreds of private yawls and yachts, which helpfully offer excursions to guests of the peninsula. The captain will ride his boat like the wind, telling you the history and features of the surrounding landscapes, making a stop in one of the picturesque bays for swimming, and may even offer you to go fishing and immediately cook your catch of fish.  So take a note of this idea to make your tour of the peninsula unforgettable!

If you like extreme sports, then in Crimea you will find a lot of entertainment for yourself. Everyone who prefers an active recreation to beach leisure can tickle his nerves. Moreover, there are extreme pleasures for every taste and budget. One of the Crimean "point" is, of course, diving − all facilities for diving have been created on the peninsula, including dive sites, training centers, amateur and professional clubs. The most popular sites for divers are in the vicinity of Cape Tarkhankut, Sudak, Noviy Svet, Sevastopol and Balaklava.

Air travel can also increase the level of adrenaline in the blood, for example, flights on a hang glider, paraglider or other types of air crafts. For this, Sevastopol, Greater Yalta, Bakhchisaray, and, of course, the magnet of domestic hang gliding − Koktebel, suite ideally. Speleological tourism, rock climbing, ATV and horse riding, rope jumping, kayaking and other sports will add an emotional touch to Crimean adventures.  Allow yourself an exciting and truly extreme vacation in Crimea.

Along with popular attractions on the peninsula, there are truly unique places that can open the Crimea from a completely unexpected aspect. These are unusual museums, and little-known but amazing places, and even Crimean analogues of world-famous landmarks. So if you want to diversify your vacation and see not only the famous palaces, south coast parks and places of worship, then pay attention to the most unusual museums of the peninsula. This may be the underwater "Alley of Leaders", the Museum of Water Disasters, or the beautiful Japanese garden.

For lovers of travelling abroad, Crimea offers walks in unique places that are in no way inferior to world famous sights. For example, the colored cliffs surrounding Sevastopol's Jasper Beach are comparable in beauty to the landscapes of the Mount Danxia in the Chinese province of Gansu, and the "Pink Pearl of Crimea" − Lake Sasyk-Sivash, according to some tourists, is very similar to the colored Retba lakes in Senegal (West Africa) and the Colorado Lagoon (Bolivia). And there are still many such impressive and interesting places in Crimea. So try to visit at least one of them this summer. Pick up and implement any of our ideas, let this Crimean summer become the best in your life.