The cold and snowstorms have gradually receded. The beginning of April delights us with the tears of icicles and the bright sun. And again all thoughts are of the long-awaited vacation. Sitting in class, schoolchildren and students gaze dreamily out the window. Business people mentally escape to warmer climes. And the body, weary of vitamin deficiency and slush, persistently signals - it is time, it is time to heal it!
Yulia TYMOSHENKO, commercial director of the travel company «Cruise-Yut»:
- Few things can compare with the pleasure of a seaside holiday. Perhaps that is why in summer most of us dream of basking on golden sand, gazing at the soothing surf. And although our compatriots have already taken a liking to the beaches of Turkey and Egypt, our native Crimea still remains our pearl of seaside recreation.
This season we would like to draw tourists' attention to the eastern coast of Crimea - Feodosia, Yevpatoriya, Sudak. The climate here is milder, there are more sandy beaches, cozier hotels and boarding houses. And what is also important - there is recreation for every taste and budget. The level of service in Crimea grows with each season. For example, this year in Feodosia we offer accommodation at the Lidia Hotel - a three-star hotel of European standard located in the historical center of the city. Excellent cuisine, cozy rooms with air conditioning, a swimming pool, and the beach is a five-minute walk away. There are plenty of accommodation options. Last year, our tourists vacationing in August exchanged bows at the hotel entrance with a star couple - Alla Pugacheva and Filipp Kirkorov. They also stayed there - in the penthouse. By the way, Feodosia is a worthy competitor to Yalta in the richness of cultural life: nowhere else on the eastern coast will you find so many discos and concerts.
For those who prefer a vacation a bit away from the city bustle, a pleasant discovery will be the opportunity to relax in the very heart of the Karadag Nature Reserve - at the cozy boarding house «Krymskoye Primorye». Its history is unusual: the main building - a white edifice with majestic columns - is a dacha built by order of Stalin for his son Vasily. Since then, many prominent domestic figures and foreign guests have vacationed here. This amazingly beautiful bay, located between Sudak and Feodosia, leaves an unforgettable impression on everyone. The boarding house grounds cover ten hectares. Seven of them are a unique park with rare and valuable plant species. «Krymskoye Primorye» is a small "town" with its own cafes and bars, a shop selling signature cognacs «Koktebel», and children's playgrounds. The long picturesque strip of beach, bordered by flowerbeds of fragrant roses, is a favorite spot for evening walks. They say that among the fine pebbles one can find semi-precious stones, for which the Crimean coast is famous...
And Eastern Crimea is also unique horse and sea journeys, visits to Novy Svet, tastings of exquisite Crimean wines. By the way, did you know that the authentic famous wine «Cherny Doktor» can be tasted right here, in its homeland - at the «Arkha-Derese» winery? Crimea is waiting for you this summer!
Tatyana KONDRATENKO, director of the travel company Vital Travel:
- Summer vacation for most of us is the most favorable time to stock up on energy for the whole year. As a rule, it is for this period that most of us plan the longest holiday. Therefore, I believe it is worth thinking about dedicating it to restoring health. Health and wellness tourism is the main focus of our company. And, of course, thermal springs and various wellness treatments, along with interesting excursion programs, are the main highlight of such a vacation. We offer trips for beauty and health to Western Ukraine, Crimea, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. A seaside holiday in Bulgaria, for example, can be combined with wellness at its thermal springs. In Poland, a therapeutic course in salt mines gives excellent results in treating respiratory diseases.
And in the upcoming season we invite everyone to set off for the "Hungarian sea"! Are you surprised? The fact is that Hungary is a completely unique country with a huge number of thermal springs astonishing in their healing properties. There are thermal baths, drinking mineral waters, and therapeutic muds. Together with our partners - doctors of various specialties from well-known Kyiv clinics - we have developed a whole range of programs based on Hungary's thermal springs. The doctors themselves visited the Hungarian thermal resorts, became familiar with the healing properties of the waters, attended information and training seminars, and received certificates. With the help of specialists from the Medical Faculty of the University of Debrecen, we have compiled a complete catalog of all the major thermal spas in Hungary.
Now everyone who contacts us will be able to choose a tour taking into account the doctor's recommendations and most fully meeting their needs. It can be either a short-term wellness tour of 6-10 days or full-fledged treatment with all necessary procedures over 21 days. Hungary's thermal springs give excellent results in treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system, gynecological and skin diseases, digestive organs, and ailments of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems. Striving to make our tours affordable, we offer accommodation in boarding houses and small hotels. It is comfortable and cozy.
Moreover, you can combine treatment and recreation with children. For example, in Hajdúszoboszló there is a magnificent water park with fantastic attractions, spread over 26 hectares. In Nyíregyháza (by the way, one of the thermal resorts closest to Ukraine), a completely unique water entertainment complex opens this year. True wellness is rest for the body, restoration of strength, and a great mood!
Ksenia ANDREEVA, tourism manager of the agency «AVIS»:
- What is youth recreation? It is interesting, fun, and affordable. Therefore, we focus on developing cultural and educational programs. These are sightseeing tours to Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Russia (hotel prices in St. Petersburg make this kind of recreation quite acceptable for young people). In the morning, an early wake-up, a light breakfast, and then off to see the sights. And in the evening, you can stroll to your heart's content along the streets of ancient cities, sit in cozy restaurants, and admire the evening lights.
Moreover, every famous city of our closest European neighbors has its own special places. For example, when you come to Prague, do not forget not only to walk across Charles Bridge, but also to visit the Brewery House: to try the famous Czech beer and dishes of old Czech cuisine. It is better to go to St. Petersburg in summer because of the romance of white nights, drawbridges, and the extraordinarily beautiful ensemble of fountains in Peterhof. Well, for those who wish to visit Hungary or Poland, it is worth taking bathing gear with them: they will visit the famous Budapest baths Széchenyi or the largest indoor water park in Europe in Krakow.
The optimal combination of a seaside vacation, sightseeing, and vibrant nightlife can be found in the resorts of Montenegro, Turkey, and Egypt. Traditionally, the youth resort in Montenegro is the ancient town of Budva, where life does not stop for a minute. In Turkey, Marmaris, Fethiye, and Bodrum are more suitable for youth recreation, since these resorts are famous for their discos and lively, fun nightlife. And in Egypt, it is better to choose Sharm el-Sheikh - the diving there is simply fantastic. All the nightlife of the resort is bustling in Naama Bay, where discos, nightclubs, bars, and cozy restaurants do not fall silent until morning.
And this year we also offer our guys to go to volunteer camps. This is a truly European option for youth recreation! Every summer, thousands of guys and girls go to the French Riviera, where they live in campsites. In the morning, everyone works as one team, restoring architectural monuments - medieval castles and churches of the Mediterranean. And after lunch, they rest, swim, sunbathe, and go on excursions along the entire southern coast of France. According to the terms of this program, there cannot be more than two people from one country in a single camp. Therefore, a wide international circle of communication is guaranteed for you!