Crimea

[singleinwiusa]

Greetings everyone,
In August I will be going to Simferopol for one month. I will go to all the sights; Sudak, Swallows Castle, Yalta. But I am looking for help on finding those out of the way spots that not everyone knows about. Also looking for any good reasturants or cafe's that anyone knows. Sorry I haven't been so active here but I bought a house in Oshkosh that needs much cleaning and work. Also as of late, my job has me working near the "Twin Cities". Thanks for any help and peace and joy to all

[StasUA]

Hey!

Well I've been to Crimea about 6 years ago so I was 8 years old, but I do remember that there is nice ruins of ancient greek city of Hersones, somewhere near Evpatoria I think.
Also there is Turkish city of Bahchisaray, you can see a lot of stuff left by ottoman empire there, well it is located somewhere on the road between Simferopil and Sevastopil.

Happiness to all!

[olesya_p]

Hey ! I AM from Crimea. I had been living there for like 17 years - that's a long time - trust me. Crimea is a great place - it is absolutely beautiful. It is not the busiest place in the world well, maybe that's one of the best things about it - depends on your attitude.

Definitely go visit Yalta. It is an interesting city . The part of it closest to the sea looks somewhat Europian, but if you go towards the outskirts, you will probably see leftovers from Tatar times. Tatars is the natiobality which used to inhabit Crimea. They buil manu houses all over the Crimea and some people still live in them. though necessary alteration had to be made of course.
If you happen to be in Yalta, you might as well visit Gurzuf. That's a place nearby, maybe like 15 miles away from Yalta. That's where I am from. It is a cute little town - and I think it is interesting to see all these narrow streets - "leftovers" from the Tatar times again. I think that those streets were ment to be for donkeys and mules - they were built over 50 years ago before the Tatars were deported from the Crimea by the Soviet government. I still have no idea how my Dad manages to drive his car on these streets.
Most of the time you do not even need a car there because everything is within walking distance.
Well, I am not sure that you will be interested in Gurzuf, but if you have a burning desire to see something REALLY different from what you are used to - go there.
Simferopol' is not anything exciting. I think it is filthy and disgusting. Looks like a big village to me.
Go visit Sevastopol' - that's a nice place to visit. It is Ukraine's biggest port too. Actually Ukraine shares Sevastopol' vith Russian Navy. There is a tonn of things to look at there. The city is very neat. The last time I was there ( about a year ago ) it was amazingly clean. Also the architecture is very , very interesting there. So, enjoy.
As for Bakhchisarai, well, first of all , it is not a Turkish city as StasUA told you. It is a Tatar city in fact. Their cultures are very similar though, but still there's a difference. Yes, the Khan's Palace is something to look at. Also you might want to visit the Cave City "CHufut-Kale" - I think it is awesome. There's also a monastery somewhere around this area. I remember I really wanted to go in and to look around but I was not allowed to because it is a male monastery and I was wearing short Oh well ! I am sure you can go inside if you want to. Right below the monastery there some cells for those monks who needed some time alone to ponder the worried of human kind and its degradation As for the city itself, well, I do not think that it is THAT eventful. But I will let you make your own unbiased judgement
Oh well, enjoy your trip to the Crimea - my home. Maybe you will get to swim in the Black Sea - it is usually very warm - lucky you !

Olesya

[StasUA]

oops

[singleinwiusa]

WoW,
Thanks much to both of you. I will be swimming and enjoying the beach very much. I will try to get to your home,it will have to do with the friend I will be visiting and her wishes. I have a month and plan to roam around alot so I tend to cover much ground. What about Kara Dag? Is it as nice as they say? And again, Thanks much, I am gratefull for the info. I like the smaller, less travled places. That is where you can see and meet such interesting people and things.

[Tolyan]

Kara Dug is a mountain. It is also called Bear Mountain because it looks like a bear which is drinking the water right from the sea. There is a tale about it. Yalta looks very similar to Nice, Gurzuf is a small cute town and you should definately visit Sevastopol. My memories of Crimea are ~15-16 years old when I went there on a cruise, I was ~11 then. I myself from Odessa but that it is pretty far from Crimea ~1 night saling. Have fun!