What to do in Crimea in winter? The options are countless! For example, improve your health in health resorts, breathe the healing sea air, taste the famous Crimean wine, slowly sip coffee on the promenade, or go on unusual excursions to the places that you have not yet had a chance to visit. And, of course, taste the winter Crimea! Are you interested? Then go ahead for your winter adventures.
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Winter activities in Crimea: the main "baits" of recreation
But first, some important notes. In the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, as in other regions of Russia, restrictive measures are in force in connection with the spread of coronavirus infection. Hotels and health resorts, as well as tourist attractions, receive guests in accordance with the current recommendations of Rospotrebnadzor (Russian Federal Consumer Protection Authority). And if you are planning a trip to the peninsula for the holidays, check the current information in advance − on the official sites, in social networks or by calling the places/companies you are interested in.
So, in the period from December 20 to January 15, there will be no mass and entertainment events, including in city squares. Public catering places will work until 10:00 p.m., but − no corporate parties, no New Year's banquets and other public events, even in the cafés and restaurants of accommodation facilities. During evenings and night hours it will be possible to order meals from room service or to make a take-away order. Also, discos and night clubs, concert and dance halls will not work. There is a mask regime in the region and all safety measures for the health of Crimeans and guests of the peninsula are observed.
To Crimea for health
Winter in Crimea is a season of health. And as far as health improvement is concerned, the health resorts of the peninsula have no rivals. Local health centers offer programs for both disease prevention and treatment, as well as for rehabilitation. There are specialized programs for rehabilitation after coronavirus. This winter season more than 300 accommodation facilities operate in Crimea, including 71 health resorts. They specialize in a wide variety of health care: from diseases of the eyes and ear-nose-throat (ENT) organs to diseases of the cardiovascular system. So if you need to improve your health, then taking into account the indications, just choose the region.
- The South Coast and South-Eastern Crimea. The health resorts there specialize in diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
- Western Crimea. The health resorts of this region successfully treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system, central and peripheral nervous system, reproductive health and skin diseases, diseases of the digestive system.
- Eastern Crimea. Health resorts on the eastern coast specialize in diseases of the endocrine system and gastrointestinal tract, as well as diseases of the nervous system.
But health resorts accommodate only those with a specific diagnosis and indications. If you need a general health improvement and strengthening of the body, then you can do it almost everywhere. Many boarding houses, hotels and hotel complexes offer guests various preventive procedures:
− thalasso-, hydro-, aroma- and phytotherapy;
− balneological treatment;
− mud wraps;
− various types of massages;
− medicinal baths and much more.
"Historically, Crimea is a place with a developed health resort and health improvement basis, which can offer a variety of medical and rehabilitation programs all year round, — the director of the Sechenov Research Institute and Resort in Yalta Alexander Ivaschenko emphasizes. − If we look at the South Coast, there are many health resorts that treat heart pathologies, lung diseases and the nervous system disorders. Western Crimea − Eupatoria and Saki − is more suitable for treatment of the musculoskeletal system. In addition, everywhere climatic therapy plays an important role in health improving and strengthening the body. And if we talk about such a popular form of recreation today as ecotourism, Crimea is really unique and attractive in this respect".
To Crimea for impressions
In winter there are no less opportunities for interesting and active recreation in Crimea than in summer. After all, mountains, nature, tourist attractions and recreation opportunities − all this is available to guests all year round. And along with cultural and educational tourism at this time of the year, a variety of entertainment is popular, which will allow you to recreate to the fullest and at the same time – with no health risks.
Snowy adventures. In the cities of Crimea, truly snowy winter is rare and in search of winter entertainments, Crimeans and tourists go to the mountains. By the end of December − early January, the mountain peaks and plateaus get usually covered with snow and become a good playground for snow fun. Here are the main winter locations:
- Ai-Petri plateau. This is the place for those the most keen for skiing entertainment. There are snowy slopes, ski lifts, equipment rental shops, as well as a café where the whole family can have a hot snack after the active recreation.
- Angarsk pass. This is the main location for families with children, since the terrain forms many small slopes of varying difficulty, where young lovers of winter fun can also go sledging.
- Chatyr-Dag. This mountain is popular among Crimeans and guests of the peninsula for sledging, tubing and snowboarding. Here, the territory is vast, and the panoramas around are picturesque, so we have three in one: we ride, we enjoy and we take pictures. And, of course, we do not forget about safety: the abundance of slopes allows you to avoid crowding; besides, the social distancing is not canceled yet.
Extremal pastime. It can be found both in the mountains and… in the water or even underground. Why not, for example, dive with a SCUBA into the still not completely cooled sea or explore the caves, where it is +9°C (48°F) all year round? For example, in Marble, Emineh-Bair-Khosar or Skelskaya caves, which reveal the secrets of the underground world of Crimea. Or you can go further and, under the guidance of an experienced instructor, take a tour of the part of the cave closed for other tourists. Swim water flooded galleries with special equipment, squeeze through unusual narrow passages and appreciate the splendor of untouched underground halls where wall reliefs look as painted − such an adventure will be remembered for a lifetime!
Automobile "ring" travel. Auto tourism is the trend of 2020. It gives freedom of action, freedom to choose a route and freedom from other tourists. Three advantages at once in favor of automobile tourism. Thanks to your four-wheeled friend you can discover Crimea anew every day. And winter is ideal for acquaintance with the amazing nature of the peninsula at leisure, − says the Crimean connoisseur, blogger and photographer Alexander Kiryakov (aka Sandro online). He recommends going on vacation by car or renting a car, and be sure to ride the so-called Crimean "ring" routes.
"You have to go to Crimea for impressions! The best thing to do here in winter is to take a road trip along our "rings", which are often used by locals and recommended to guests as a weekend routes. For example, southeast direction: leave Simferopol in the direction of Theodosia, with a stop on the way at White Rock and near Suvorov's oak in Byelogorsk, then through the Toplovsky nunnery and the ancient Armenian Surb-Khach monastery in Stariy Krym, go to "God given" (i.e. Theodosia in Greek) city. Ride to Koktebel, take some vivid pictures for Instagram at the "Starfall of Memories" − a gazebo with fabulously beautiful views, then make headway to Sudak and further to Alushta, and then round the ring up in the Crimean capital. Of course, with stops in order to admire the beauty and to breathe the sea air, − advises Sandro. − Or you can choose another "ring": go from Simferopol towards the South Coast, through picturesque Alushta to the Yalta resort city and further along the coast via Faros (Pharos) to the Hero city of Sevastopol, with stops at roadside cafés for hot coffee and tea to warm up and exchange impressions".
To Crimea for pleasure
Hit the road for gastronomic pleasures! Crimea is unequivocally called a "tasty" region − there the cuisine has absorbed all the variety of culinary traditions of the peoples living in it. Therefore, gastronomic tourism is actively developing there. In order to satisfy the wishes of even the most sophisticated gourmets, Crimea offers guests exclusive tours that combine a love of adventure and of delicious food. And those places that serve food outdoors and for a limited circle of people are particularly attractive this year. For example:
- Truffle hunting. Yes, there are "black diamonds" in Crimea, and experienced guides will be happy to arrange a gastronomic expedition for you through the Crimean winter forest, and specially trained dogs will help you search for truffles. At the end of the walk, the participants will have a picnic in the open air made with Crimean food products and, of course, tasting of the truffles found.
- Cheese feast. Crimea is famous for its farms producing many kinds of cheeses. They are in Alushta, Bakhchisaray and Razdolnenskiy districts, on the Kacha River and the foothills of Demerdzhi mountain. There you will be served with sets of delicious cheeses, served with confiture or honey, bread, and they will also warm you on a cold winter day with hot herbal teas from a samovar.
- Wine picnic. To be in Crimea and not to taste the famous Crimean wines is a kind offence against gastronomy. Imagine: a stunning sunset overlooking the vineyards, light music, a cozy gazebo with blankets and a warming glass of wine. A light snack from the region's main gastronomic treasures: goat cheeses, oysters, mussels and fruits. This year it is a special winter "bait" of the peninsula's private wineries, says Ivan Kovalenko, the guide.
"In the realities of our days, many people do not want tastings in enclosed spaces, and private wineries offer an exclusive option − wine sets tasting in the open air. For this, gazebos with views are selected so that guests could drink wine, taste delicious local cheeses, Black Sea fish and seafood. And all this is accompanied by an absorbing story. This type of holiday during the New Year holidays will be interesting for both Crimeans and guests of the peninsula. And, taking into account the current situation, this can become one of the main tourist "baits" of the winter Crimea", — summed up Ivan Kovalenko.
Such is the kaleidoscope of entertainments and impressions that the Crimean peninsula offers today. A holiday there is so interesting and multifaceted that absolutely everyone can find something to their own liking and it will forever be remembered and returned with warm memories.
