GROUP TOUR 8 Days / 7 Nights

Winemaking in the Crimea has a long history. Owing to a very favourable climate, careful selecting and strict following the winemaking traditions, the local wine brands have won world appraisal at their true high value. Of special popularity are the Massandra dessert wines and the famous Massandra port.

The program of the tour allows to appreciate not only the taste of the famous Crimean wines, but the beauty of the local architectural masterpieces as well.






The program of the tour:

Day.1		Arrival to Simferopol, the capital of the Crimea. Transfer to the resort city of Yalta (about 80 km away), accompanied by the local guide. Check-in. Welcome cocktail and dinner at the hotel.
Day 2		Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Yalta. Tour of the Great Livadia Palace built for the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II in 1911, this Italian-styled summer residence is also known as the place of the historic Yalta conference called by the Allies in February 1945 to outline post-war Europe's conformation. Lunch in the Tsar's Cuisine restaurant, which is a replica of the room in the Frederick's Palace in Yalta. Afternoon trip to the suburban settlement of Massandra, where one of the most famous Crimea's vineyards is situated. The tour of the palace known as 'a hunter's lodge' of the Russian Emperor Alexander III. Originally owned by the count Vorontsov, the palace, because of its unique wine collection from the count's wine cellars, is known as the Alma Mater of Russia's winemaking. In the Soviet times the palace was used as dacha (Russian for 'summer cottage') for the Soviet leaders. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3		Breakfast. Trip to the Alushta valley to visit the vineyards. Lunch. Sightseeing tour of the resort city of Alushta. Founded by the Byzantines as the fortress under the name of Aluston (6th century), the city was a safe refuge for the Génoèse merchants who turned the fortress into a flourishing market town (13-15 centuries). Visit to the wine cellars of the local winery. Tasting the best samples of the local dry wines. Dinner.
Day 4		Breakfast. Trip to Alupka to visit the magnificent park and the palace built in 1840 for the count Vorontsov, the governor-general of the Crimea. Designed by Edward Blore, the court architect for King William IV and Queen Victoria of England, the palace looks like a medieval castle bearing evident oriental signs. Lunch. Visiting the count's wine cellars to taste different samples of the Massandra fortified and dessert wines. Visit to the Magarach research institute of viticulture and winemaking (established 1828). Return to Yalta. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 5		Breakfast. Visit to a champagne winery in the area of Sevastopol (80 km away from). Along with producing wines meeting the classical French technology, the winery produces the famous Crimean pink and red sparkling wines: Muscatel and Red champagne, making every occasion a real celebration. Lunch in a city restaurant. Tour of Sevastopol's highlights. Visit to the Museum-Panorama of the Crimean war of 1854-1855 between Russia and coalition forces of Great Britain, France and Turkey. Return to Yalta. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 6		Breakfast. Full day at leisure. Lunch and dinner at the hotel.
Day 7		Breakfast. Visit to a wine-growing farm. Tasting local wines. Lunch (farm-styled) Return to Yalta. Farewell dinner. Presenting Bacchus diploma to every guest.
Day 8		Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure.

 
Recommended period for travel: mid-July trough mid-October.

The tour price is quoted by request