Located in the south of the country, the Crimean Peninsula
contains the most popular holiday resorts in the Ukraine. The
peninsula is flanked by the Black Sea and the Azov Sea, and is the
traditional holiday destination of Russian royalty. Though a small
connection with the Ukrainian mainland at the western end makes it
officially a landbridge, the region is sometimes referred to as a
'microcontinent' because of the diverse array of landscapes and
ecosystems it contains.
The coastal beach cities are packed in the summer months with
tourists from Russia and other Eastern European countries, and is
largely overlooked by Western tourists, meaning that there are real
bargains to be had in accommodation and entertainment. Yalta is the
most popular resort in the Ukraine, containing the former palace of
the Russian Czars and other fascinating monuments; and Koktebel is
also a favourite, with good beaches and a carnival-like
atmosphere.
Inland, the coastal mountains of the Crimea are made up of
rugged and untamed landscapes with a number of secluded caves and
lakes to explore, containing rewarding hikes for adventurous
travellers who don't mind roughing it. The plains region has pretty
farms and landscapes that are enjoyable to pass through by
train.
A holiday in the Crimea is an undiscovered pleasure for most of
the Western world, but as Ukraine increasingly interacts with the
rest of Europe, more tourists will no doubt discover its
charms.