Down with the State Department ban: journalist Los Angeles Times called on Americans to go to Crimea

Correspondent Travel Edition Los Angeles Times Jeff Opdike wrote an article recommending the Americans to go to the annexed Crimea by Russia. The journalist called his material: “Crimea - unexpected beauty against the backdrop of an unresolved history.”

Фото: Depositphotos

We note that officials in the United States are forbidden to visit the Crimea, or they must obtain permission from Ukraine. This ban does not apply to individuals, but the State Department recommends that Americans avoid visiting the Crimea.

"You should not visit the Crimea, because abuses against foreigners continue to exist on the peninsula," the State Department said in a statement.

The ministry also stressed that the US authorities cannot provide emergency services to help Americans traveling around the Crimea, as employees of the United States government are not allowed to visit the peninsula.

At the beginning of his article, Opdike notes that in 2014, Russia annexed Crimea, which is the territory of Ukraine, and this led to international condemnation and the imposition of sanctions. In addition, Opdyike writes, entry into the Crimea from Russia is a violation of Ukrainian legislation, which entails criminal prosecution with possible refusal to visit Ukraine or imprisonment.

The article begins with Opdyke recalling Crimea in the context of the historic Yalta Conference, during which Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt “met before the final push that brought Germany to its knees.” The journalist also mentions Khrushchev, who transferred Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR. Opdyke notes that the Russian occupation of Crimea remains an important issue on the agenda of world leaders.

The journalist recalls that the US State Department urges Americans not to travel to Crimea. “Given the politically tense situation, why would it be worth recommending Crimea as a tourist destination?” - Opdyke seems to express the silent question of the readers. And he adds that he was in Crimea 2019 times in 5 and believes that Westerners should come to this “picturesque, hospitable place more often, even if some of them are disdainful of fueling the economy of the disputed territory with their tourist dollars.”

On the subject: “What should we hold on to?”: How Crimea lives through 5 years after the referendum

“Imagine if mountainous California and coastal Ireland had a Russian-speaking beloved child, whose cradle would be decorated with ancient ruins, vineyards, monolithic mountains, vast forests, canyons and waterfalls, cliffs towering over the sea, quaint coastal sites that hide world history, and there would also be a submarine base where they once planned the nuclear destruction of America. All this fits into a fairly compact region that can be seen in a week,” notes Opdyke.

The journalist advises a four-day trip with recommendations for each day.

1 Day. Yalta and Crimean wines

Opdyke compares Yalta to the American Santa Barbara and calls it “a hint of the Hollywood Hills.” The compact city of nearly 80 people is squeezed between the Black Sea and a looming mountain range. Boutiques, clubs, restaurants and hotels line the wide green promenade along the coastline. Street artists sell paintings that are at worst ordinary and at best quite good.

Opdyke recommends a trip to Massandra, the peninsula's leading winery, and reminds that Crimea is approximately the same latitude as Oregon and upstate New York, which also have vineyards. The journalist laments that most of the tours are in Russian. In Massandra there is a tour for $150 for 10 people, the correspondent notes, and recalls that Russian wines are sweeter than those loved in America.

2 Day. Palaces

Once you see coastal Crimea, you will understand why tsars, princes and Soviet leaders preferred this area for summer holidays, Opdyck notes. He made his first stop at the Vorontsov Palace, where Churchill’s base was located during the Yalta Conference. Opdyke compared the mountains, the view of which opens from the palace, to the view from “Game of Thrones”, episodes with the White Walkers.

For the second stop, he recommends the Livadia Palace - the summer residence of Emperor Nicholas II, where the same conference later took place; the palace was also Roosevelt's residence at that time. During Soviet times, the palace was a psychiatric hospital.

Фото: Depositphotos

3 Day. Panoramic views and fairytale castle

A 15-minute cable car ride from the Vorontsov Palace takes you to the top of Mount Ai-Petri (St. Peter), where you'll find hiking trails with stunning views, a good Tatar restaurant and souvenir shops, Opdyke writes. He recommends caution when crossing the wooden bridge in the rocks due to strong winds.

On the subject: How Crimea was annexed: March of 2014 in the eyes of Moscow, Kiev and Sevastopol

To descend, the journalist recommends taking a taxi to admire the forest. And on the way back, he advises stopping at the Swallow’s Nest - the most photographed place in Crimea. The castle is located on a narrow cape above the sea, Opdyke tells the Americans.

4 Day: Secret Submarine Base and Ancient Fortress

In Soviet times, coastal Balaclava was so secret that leaders called it the 825 Object, Opdike writes. Even the family of sailors based here did not know about its existence. The reason: under the mountain was a base of Soviet nuclear submarines capable of withstanding a direct nuclear attack.

Today, for 3 dollars, you can tour this interesting relic of the times of the Cold War (and here the tour is also only in Russian). Across the bay are the stone remains of a Genoese 14-century fortress built on the side of a mountain. Mount Opdike strongly recommends climbing.

On the subject: In the United States banned state institutions to recognize the annexation of the Crimea

What else advises the journalist

From Los Angeles with transfers to Simferopol - the only commercial airport in Crimea - Aeroflot, Delta, Air New Zealand, LOT, Jet Blue, KLM, Scandinavian, Virgin Atlantic and British Airlines fly, Opdyke writes. Round-trip tickets start at $1510, including taxes and fees. From Simferopol, he advises taking a taxi to Yalta for $25-$30.

The journalist notes that the American will need a visa to Russia, and advises to apply for information on the website of the Russian embassy. Opdikek warns: the US State Department can not provide emergency assistance to US citizens traveling around the Crimea.

In Crimea, American debit and credit cards do not work. Opdike recommends booking a hotel online and paying before the trip, and upon arrival in Moscow, withdraw as many rubles as possible through an ATM. Phones, the journalist writes, will only work with WiFi, due to restrictions on roaming of western operators. He also recommends downloading the Google Translate application with the real-time broadcast function, claiming that it helps to understand the local ones, even if the translation is sometimes ridiculous.

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How Crimea was annexed: March of 2014 in the eyes of Moscow, Kiev and Sevastopol

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