Sunday, September 23, 2012

Review of Yalta, Crimea

Travelling is one my passions. It gives me an opportunity to get immersed in various different cultures around the world.
I was fortunate to be given a chance to visit Ukraine. The host country for this year's Euro tournament. The capital of Ukraine is Kiev, where Euro was held. However, there is more to Ukraine than Kiev.
Yalta is a resort city in Southern Ukraine. It is situated on a deep bay facing south towards the Black Sea. The city was highlight world wide after the Yalta conference between the 3 big nations, the Soviet Union, the United States and the United Kingdom in 1945. This was held in the Livadia Palace
Livadia palace was a summer residence of the Russian imperial family in the 1860's. Take one step in it and you feel like a Queen. The first thing you'll take notice of is the beautiful Italian style architecture. You can't help but admire the amount of detail and precision that went into every single curve on the walls. The main attraction in this palace is the room where the 3 presidents discussed the re-establishment of the nations of war-torn Europe. There is even a room with wax figure of the 3 presidents, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and General Secretary Joseph Stalin. Every single room is this huge palace is magnificently made that you can't help but to admire it. The gorgeous Italian style garden just takes your imagination to another world.
Livadia Palace
The wax figures that have implants for their eyes.
Besides Livadia Palace, another castle captured my heart. The Swallows Nest. The Swallows Nest is one of Yalta's main attractions. Why is it so popular you ask? The castle rests on a 130 ft high cliff called the Aurora Cliff just by the sea! The first thing that came to my mind when I laid my eyes on it was fairy tales. It looked exactly like the castles we read in fairy tale story books. There is even a small of part of castle that is off the cliff. Meaning, you are literally standing above water! I truly felt like a princess when I stepped to the edge of the cliff. There used to be a restaurant inside the castle but nowadays, it's just filled with information of the history of the castle. With the Black Sea surrounding you, you feel as though there is nothing wrong with the world.
The Swallows Nest with the Black Sea surrounding it.
Yalta is one of the hidden gems of Ukraine. It's the place to go to escape reality.

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