The Southern Coast of Crimea

Yalta is one of the most charming resorts on the Black Sea coast.. Popular for its Mediterranean climate and healthy and therapeutic air, it boasts of gardens where the most varied species of trees are grown. The tour will take you to Livadia, situated 3 km from Yalta, the old summer residence of the Tsars and today a popular health spa on the southern coast. It was in the White Palace, constructed in early Renaissance style by Russian architect Nikolai Krasnov in 1911. Nowadays it  houses the History Museum and the Picture Gallery that the Yalta Conference (in Crimea) took place between the heads of Government of the three allied powers in the anti-Hitler coalition (the USSR, the USA and Great Britain). 

After your unforgettable visit to this famous palace of Crimea you will pause at a vantage point overlooking the Cape Ai-Todor to admire a magnificent view of the Swallow Nest Castle, a white palace with towers and spires, resembling a fairy tale castle which clings to an inaccessible cliff like a real swallow's nest. This "Castle of Love" designed by the architect Sherwood and completed in 1911 has become a true symbol of Crimea. Next you will visit Alupka Town, where under the magnificent slopes of Mount Ai-Petri (3,700) is situated Vorontsov Palace. Formidable count Vorontsov commissioned Edward Blore, one of the architects of Buckingham Palace, to construct this two-faced masterpiece, which was completed between 1828 and 1848. You will pause to see the north facade which offers a forbidding Tudor-medieval look before entering the ornate apartments. Your guide will walk you through its lavishly decorated interiors and provide informative commentary about the history of this resplendent building. After this overview, you will return to the hotel.