Gates of Crimea Open to Tourists From All Over Russia: Prices to Drop as Second Bridge Set to Open
The Gate of Crimea archeological museum cluster project has been set in motion in the Eastern-Crimean Preserve in Kerch. The idea was proposed by RAS President Aleksandr Sergeev. The new project will attract both scientists and tourists. Now there are already more tourists on the peninsula as compared to mid-June last year.
Olga Armyakova reports on what else Crimea is offering this season.
The road to Crimea begins here with a panoramic view of the Kerch Strait. This is a good old tradition — to sit down before a journey. The most picturesque 19 km are ahead. You travel from one coast to another with a light breeze and warm Crimean sun. And here are the two pearls, the snow-white arcs, the new symbols of hospitality.
— We're going to Crimea, hooray!
— Hooray! This is such joy, you feel like you're going home to visit your family. We're proud of our country.
It seems that's the way it's always been; and a trip to Crimea has always taken 15 minutes. For some, the road over the Kerch Strait is a long-awaited miracle itself. For others, the miracle is that the bridge takes you directly to Kerch.
Sergey Aksyonov, the Head of the Republic of Crimea: "The logistical entrance used to be through Armyansk, and now Kerch is the entrance gate to Crimea. It opens new opportunities for Kerch, I'm certain about that".
This is, perhaps, the first important season for the city of two seas. Here tourists from all over the country are welcomed, and this first impression must be unforgettable.
Vitaly Potochny, a chef: This season's special is our Kerch goby dumplings. People are used to veal dumplings, but these are made with delicious fish. Fish is local, from Kerch, but fruit, vegetables, and meat are purchased in neighboring regions, which is paradoxically cheaper for restaurant owners.
Dmitry Stupnikov, a restaurant owner: "In order to reduce our dishes' primary cost, we have to look for food suppliers on the mainland, which has certain challenges. When the roads open for freight traffic, it's obvious that prices will drop".
The bridge will be available for multi-ton semi-trucks in October, and for now, they use the tried-and-true ferry service.
You've never seen the Crimean Bridge from this angle. This is the industrial property between two seas. Cars fly by over there from Crimea to the Krasnodar Region and back because this is an active highway section of the bridge. Construction is still in process here. Thick bridge bearings keep appearing from underwater. Soon, trains will be able to pass here.
Kerch harbors, which may become logistics centers, are anxiously waiting for the opening of the railway section of the bridge. Cargo will be shipped from Kerch to different Crimean cities, which will significantly facilitate the shipment, reducing the price of goods. Right now, shipping cargo to the peninsula adds about 30% to the price.
The Crimean wave greets the first flight from Voronezh in the Simferopol Airport. This water gate, 'triumphal arc,' is a symbol of successful, regular flights and eventful, memorable vacation on the peninsula. The passenger flow in the new terminal has grown by almost 7% in 2 months, and that's not the limit.
— This is my 30th time here, it's sort of anniversary visit.
— To Crimea?
— Yes, to Yalta.
— We had a great, comfortable flight, it took us 1.5 hours to get from Voronezh to Crimea.
Vadim Volchenko, Crimea's Resort and Tourism Minister: "The cleanest Crimean air, the most soothing Black Sea. Over 400 beaches, which is 50 more than last year, are ready for the 2018 beach season. Welcome!"
Tourists come here for history and scenery to get everything at once. The lavender fields in Crimean Provence are this summer's hit. Purple colors at the feet of the mountains are great, but, unfortunately, the camera can't express the wonderful scent. There's something for foodies here, as well. The wine village is located among emerald vineyards, where people select the best wines to their taste. The wines are accompanied by local cheeses named after local sights instead of foreign names.
"This is Kapsel cheese, we want every visitor to take a piece of the Crimean sun with them. This souvenir contains Crimean honey, sun, and cheese".
Backpackers will enjoy climbing Mount Demirci. Salutary air, forest's shade, and crystal-clear waterfalls. For an entire week, you can sleep in a tent and cook over fire, exploring the peninsula during the day.
— Aren't you tired?
— We're not. Our youngest is 11 months old today.
— Nature here is wonderful, the mountains, the air, the ineffable freedom.
The whole summer isn't enough to explore, see, and feel entire Crimea, the incredible peninsula that you'll want to go back to over and over.
Olga Armyakova, Konstantin Morozov, Nikita Kalchenko. Vesti — News of the Week, Crimea.