We invite you to the second part of the story about the journey to the Crimea, held in August 2010.

In this section we will show half of the traveled route.

Lviv, 13.08.2010 about 09:00 (Kiev time)

Our journey starts in Lviv. I guess everyone has heard about it, Those, that were not there have to travel to Lviv, which has its own unique climate, and is becoming more friendly for tourists.

With everything necessary we sit go a train at Lviv Railway Station, is close 9 in the morning. Ahead of us is a long way, only about 9 the next day we will be in the Crimea in Dzhankoy. There's a train in the afternoon (operates only in summer), but in August it is rather a very warm, and the train can be very hot, happens, that windows can not be opened. So better to leave in the morning. Although it is not always possible arrival before 9 to Lviv. The train goes through a few major cities with different stopping times, so on train stations you can buy something, for eq. to eat.

We splited into two groups: Those, that earlier were able to go and those, who couldn't.

The first group went from Dzhankoy by train to Kerch and has been there for 2 days.

We belonged to the second group, because we could go from Lviv later. Our plan is to trip from Dzhankoy until Feodosiya by bus.

Dzhankoy, 14.08.2010 about 09.00

We came to Dzhankoy and not reaching the bus station (which is right next to the train station) We met some locals offering journey, for "cheap" (relatively high prices), give up and go to the bus station checkout, where for half the price of the proposed earlier, for 40 hryvni we buy tickets for the bus to Dżankoj - Feodosiya – Kerch. In Feodosiya meet with the rest of the Group.

It is around 120 km. About two hours on the road and we are on the spot. The bus was comfortable, a cheerful driver, has turned on a concert on TV.

Feodosiya, the same day about 12-13:00

We arrived at the place, to Feodosiya. Things we leave in the Coca-Cola bottling plant bus station. Close to the beach, so in the end we can cool out in hot water;) . Also walk along the beach, it is beautifully!

As you can see Feodosiya:

• The ruins of Genoese fortress at the turn of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries;
• Constantine's Bastion, which is a relic of the northern part of the outer walls of the fourteenth and fifteenth century;
• Armenian churches of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries - Orthodox Church. Sergei / Sarkis Surba, Orthodox church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, a group of small churches within the walls of the fortress "Big Sudak";
• Old mosque Jama Mufti of the first half of the seventeenth century;
• Former Armenian Orthodox church of St.. John the Baptist from the fourteenth century, Orthodox Church is currently dedicated to the Iver's icon of Virgin Mary;
• On the territory of city it was discovered many testimonies of the ancient splendor of the city, including imported unique Greek pottery, as well as everyday objects and ornaments: unique earring made of gold filigree technique (is now in the collections of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg).

Trivia related to Feodosiya:

In 1346 year, during the siege by the Tatars – plague was used for the first time - as a biological weapon !!! Besieging catapults through the walls of the city threw the dead bodies of the disease, and refugees from the city spread the epidemic on the continent – thus ushering the plague in Europe!!!

Feodosiya is the only city in the Crimea, which uses the ancient name today, meaning literally "from the gods given" and is one of the two cities in the world, where is the Hang Gliding and Paragliding Museum ! The second is in Harris Hill, USA !

Feodosiya, 15:00

After several hours, we meet with the rest of the group. We eat dinner at the bar next to the train and we go get to another bus station, from which the bus ride to the Ordzhonikidze, which is 20 minutes from Feodosiya.

Ordzhonikidze, 20:00

Ordzhonikidze is a small town, in which everyone will find something for everyone. The views are beautiful, and the prices are really low here as for the conditions of the Crimea. You can live in private accommodation, or go with tents 500 meters from the main beach. You have to go a little way after not high mountains or rough coast. We recommend that you leave for an early hour to Ordzhonikidze to find a place for the tent, at dark it is difficult. ( 20 p.m. to travel is a little to late). In bars and shops the prices are slightly higher than on the market, which is far from the main beach near kilometer. You might ask someone where is the "Bazar". Recall, that on the market you can haggle, obviously, if you know the language.

We are staying here for a few days, the weather is beautiful and the water is clean and warm.

Ordzhonikidze, 17.08.2010, early in the morning

Then we go through the mountains toward the Koktebel. The views are spectacular, but the route is difficult, the path is narrow and made by local, better get going in the morning, because it gets hot quickly. The less baggage the easier.

Reaching the next populated beach, there are two routes to choose from:

1) use the services of carriers, who can bring you to the center of Koktebel, you should determine the price before embarking, because we met a few enterprising locals, speaking: "Договоримся", :"we will come to price later", but that does not mean, it would be a good price as you arrive at the place.

2) Go walk about 5-10 km along the road towards Koktebel, and then a few km around the town.

We benefited from both, ie. First we went a few kilometers, and then the bus stopped on the way, which took us to sign Koktebel.

Koktebel, 10:00

From Koktebel You can go to Sudak from the bus station, ticket cost about 30 hryvnia. The journey takes approximately 2 hours.

Also you can be in Koktebel. In Koktebel there are several interesting places:

• Unique cognac factory, wines and сhampagne, which already has over one hundred years. Theку are often organized tours and tastings at the factory, as in Masandra ! It is worth tasting these unique wines, that are produced from the highest quality raw materials;
• Several archaeological sites of ancient and medieval cultures, and beautiful nature reserves located in the hills and mountains situated around this charming city ! In particular, the Karadag reserve, ukr. Карадазький природний заповідник;
• Participate in trips on cruise ships sea, which run regularly along the scenic coast.

Sudak , 12:00

In Sudak you should find where to sleep from the morning immediately after arrival. With setting tents in Sudak can be a problem. You can spend the night outside the city in the side to the Novy Svit. Only remark during hot weather can be declared for protection of forests against fire, thus it is prohibited to set tents in the woods. This region is already a forest area, so either set tents at night and pack tents early 6 in the morning and go to the road, or have an unpleasant discussion with the forestry, combined with the mandate. During this period you can stay without fear near water. In any case setting camp in this area is not simple, and during the period of protection of forests is quite difficult. So you should also consider overnight at the local, or setting tents in their backyard.

In Sudak worth seeing:

• Fortress in Sudak - a huge fortified complex, founded in 1365 year. Genoese built it on the coastal hills, after the acquisition of land in the fourteenth century from the Venetians. Until 1365 year - Sudak belonged to the Venetian commercial trading post. It was a big commercial center, where the special role played trafficking !!! Fortress in Sudak was part of a large complex of Genoese fortress on the southern coast of Crimea, which protected the interests of this country in the region. Next to the fortress in Kaffi (Feodosiya), it was the strongest link in this complex;
• The beautiful beaches and picturesque hills surrounding Sudak from different sides;
• Museums in the "Big Sudak", a complex of museums that are scattered in neighboring towns. Relate to subject matter: historical, ethnographic, wine production and action of the working class, as well as the history of the fortress.

Sudak surroundings, Uyutnoye town, 12:30

From Sudak we travel to Novy Svit. From Sudak goes bus to Novy Svit. Also you can go on foot, but the road is quite far away. Returning from the Novy Svit sometimes you have to wait in the queue to get on the bus.

Novy Svit, 13:00

Novy Svit is a very beautiful town. Clean water, sand bottom. Water blue-green color. Well maintained bank, which is under protection, called the "rill of Pirates". It is worth visiting. In Novy Svit it is quite expensive, prices for food in the bars are too high. Near the beach is the canteen, but the food is expensive and not good. But if people rozpytać is an alternative "Soviet" canteen where smaczniej and cheaper. Inside, everything is with old Soviet posters.

In Novy Svit you should see:

• A unique factory producing champagne, which in 2003 years fulfilled 125 years. Factory with old traditions in production of sparkling wines - regularly organizes trips for tourists with tastings;
• Eagle Mountain, ukr. Гора Орел (Коба-Кая), which was built 7 km tunnel, for storing the maturing of champagne ! Walk through a unique path of the mountain - is a mandatory and obligatory route for tourists. It was built at the request of Prince Golitsyn - fattening the local rill;
• Cave Chaliapin - the revolutionary resting place of the city magnates and guests. Once there were here: tables, chairs, arcades and cool caves for storing champagne. Currently holiday tradition in this place is renewed. Regularly organized fireworks, small concerts and events;
• Blue Bay or otherwise Extortion Bay - is a picturesque little bay, which long time ago pirates used to store their ships and boats. It's fair to dip in the water during a walk thought the path of Prince Golitsyn, although the banks are steep and inaccessible;
• Groves of fir - Novy Svit is on all sides surrounded by fir forests, which are hard to find in other parts of the Crimea ! The whole forest is covered by the botanical reserve and entrance is payable. It is forbidden to arranging picnics in this unique geo-botanic facility;
• Blue Bay, also known as Tsar Bay, is covered by the reserve, that's why you can only admire it during evening trip on steamboat. There is a famous Tsar's Beach, where in the revolutionary times, the representatives of the royal family rested;
• Mount Falcon ( Sokil ) - is no ordinary limestone mountain ! It is built of coral, that millions of years ago were on the seabed ! As a result of tectonic processes have been gained at considerable altitude and now dominate in Novy Svit. Every evening when the sun and the rays fall on Mount Falcon, material from which it is built up it emits a unique reflection, which is hard to get used! These are the colors of different shades of red.

We return to Sudak, yet we stay here for one more day.

And then we move to the road…

The next part TRIP TO THE SOUTH COAST OF CRIMEA : August : Part 3: Journey Part 2

Please leave your impressions of the relation of this expedition in the comments!

ARTICLE TAGS

Crimean Mountains, Crimea, Azov Sea, Black Sea, travel, Crimean peninsula, tourism, trip