We visited Yalta for the first time last year - and thought it was wonderful. I am not sure what I was expecting, but it was breath takingly beautiful, there is a small beach area and mountains in the background. It is where, during the Communist years, the Russians used to holiday, and there are lots of big concrete "hotels" spread along the coastline. Apparently all employees of the State used to get a weeks holiday a year. Now unfortunately only the very rich can afford to visit. It was also used for convalesence for people with "upper respiratory track" problems - the guide must have told us this hundreds of times - because the combination of the sea and mountain air. ( With thanks to Dee Burkett)
We were on Oriana and decided to take the tour called the Best of the Crimea. Our Guide on the Tour was amazing, we were with her for 6 hours, and she did not stop talking! However her English was brilliant and she told her lots of useful facts and figures which were intesting. I also took along my 6 year old son and was surprised by how much information he retained, particularly about the Summer Palace at Livadia. First stop was Livadia Palace - which is where Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill carved up Europe after the second world war. It was built by Tsar Nicholas for his family as their summer residence - it is a stunning building. The ground floor is dedicated to the Yalta Conference, and the first floor to the Romanovs - my opinion is the first floor is far more interesting as there are family photos and artefacts left over from the revolution, but it does depend on what your interests are, however every time the Guide talked about the family she became tearful. From here we then went to Olupka Palace - again another stunning building built in Tudor English style - this is where Churchill stayed when he was at the conference apparently. I am afraid I cannot remember much more than that. We then went for lunch at a very nice hotel in Yalta, which was very good, and after this we went to traditional folklore dancing by the Russian Navy at the local theatre. It was very special, and I remember drinking Russian Champagne on the balcony. Things to buy - there are the usual Russian Dolls, and boxes. The champagne is excellent and at less than £3 per bottle worth the investment!! I was also told that the vodka was very good value. While we were there we also had time to walk along the sea front, the beach is not particularly brilliant, but not bad either, and there was a market type place selling souvenirs, which again was worth a look at. Main currency accepted is dollars - which we bought on the Boat, but try and take small notes, rather than $50 bills. Would I go again - you bet, we booked on Russia and the Bosphorous as soon as we got to Palma last year on the way back - I loved it, and can't wait to get back. ( With thanks to Dee Burkett)
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