Holidays in Ukraine: why you should go to the Kherson region and what there is to see

One of the main places to stay in Kherson oblast came into force is not the most successful political and economic circumstances – the annexation of Crimea and increased the dollar became the reason for Ukrainians to finally start to discover all the beauty of this region. And that really has a relatively small area of the field, which is only 5% of the territory of Ukraine, unique natural objects – come to the steppes and semi-deserts, two seas, healing lake and hot springs, biosphere reserve and island wildlife. 

Last year, according to official data, the resorts of the Kherson region was visited by 2.7 million tourists. It is expected that in the current season, which started on 1 June, this figure will be much higher.

"This year we expect about 3.5 million domestic tourists and tourists from abroad", – said the head of Kherson regional state administration Andrey Gordeev.

In order to accommodate the number of people from various sources has been collected about 300 million UAH. says Gordeev. In the first place the money was spent on road repairs. That roads in the region – the trouble is, everyone knows who has tried to pass. There are areas where drivers are forced to demonstrate aerobatics, not to leave the wheel in the pit and not be faced with the same reckless driver traveling in the opposite lane. However, in the administration on this issue did not repudiate, but recognize that while the road repair will be just patching.

According to Gordeyev, at the moment the resorts of the Kherson region remain one of the most inexpensive in Ukraine. Prices for accommodation vary from 150 to 1000 UAH per day depending on the locality, the selected location and the amenities offered.

To officially accept tourists ready more than 3,000 places to stay in the resort area. Thus in the region have now begun a large-scale operation authorities for the legalization of resort services. Simply put, the locals that rent homes or rooms to tourists, often taxes do not pay, what can significantly reduce the number of receipts in the budget. According to Gordeyev, more than half of all tourist services in the region are illegal. Now local authorities are trying to explain to the owners of "homes by the sea" why is it necessary to legally register their activities.

In the future development of the resort potential of the area management intends to adopt the experience of Bukovel, looking for investors who will help from simple vacation spots to make fashionable. Moreover, the head of RSA ambitious set for the holding of the song contest "Eurovision" in Kherson region. All the necessary in the Kherson region there, I am sure Gordeev.

Segodnaya visited the most popular tourist sites of Kherson, to tell readers what is worth seeing this summer in the South of Ukraine.

Skadovsk

Skadovsk is a small town and seaport on the shore of the Gulf of Dzharylgachskogo. This city is a climatic resort – the soft sea air and the warm water of the small Bay, mud and sources particularly useful for children.

However, the most famous attraction of this place is the uninhabited island Dzharylgach. The island is 42 square km is Dzharylgachsky national Park. Going on a Safari, it is possible to observe in the wild live about 250 species of birds, mouflon, fallow deer and reindeer. And it's not all animals. Moreover, 81 species living on the island listed in the Red book of Ukraine.

The cost of the Safari is about 40 UAH.

On the South side of the island are deserted sandy black sea beaches. But the main attraction is the old lighthouse closed, vaguely reminiscent of the Eiffel tower. And this is no accident – in 1902 it was collected by Alexander Eiffel of the designs imported from France. Now it no longer works, built near the new lighthouse.

This place attracts tourists the opportunity to observe dolphins. And near the island, and on the way from Skadovsk back and forth (and it is 8 km by boat across the Bay) a lot of them, and people they are not afraid.

Golaya Pristan

The main attraction of this resort town is a kilometer long promenade that stretches along the tributaries of the Dnieper river Conca. It is from this place began the history of the city – on the waterfront is a place where, according to history, landed on the Oleshkovsky Sich Cossacks.

However, it should be noted that tourists the city lures the famous sanatorium "Hopry" where healing mud and brine used for the treatment and rehabilitation. And in Naked Pier are very fond of festivals in this city every year takes place the already traditional festival "Ukrainian watermelon – sweet miracle".

Oleshkivski Sands 

Oleshky Sands is a Ukrainian semi – desert with an area of approximately 200 hectares, located 30 km from Kherson. It is the largest sandy area in Europe, covered with dunes of a height of about 5 m.

In the summer the sand is heated to 75 degrees Celsius. They say that at this time on the sand, you can fry eggs or make coffee. Hot streams of air dispersed the clouds, so the rains here are relatively rare. But there are sandstorms.

This site also has a national nature Park "Oleshkivski Sands."

Genichesk

The small town of Genichesk is located on the coast of the warm and shallow sea of Azov. Its main attraction is the Arabat spit, a length of 112 km Is huge and very popular beach equipped for different tourists with different requirements of travelers. Apart from the sea, there are several thermal springs to which access is free. The area is also rich in reserves of brine.

However, the pearl Genichesk district is deserted spit – biruchiy island. To reach it, you need boat across the Bay to overcome 18 km to the Nature of this place is unique – in the Azov-Sivash natural Park live pelicans, gulls, a variety of animals. Can see all of them, going around the island on a Safari. This trip is about 250 UAH per person.

For tourists on biruchiy organize special tours. It should be noted that part of the island serving the Ukrainian border guards, so access may be restricted. The issue with the military the last two years was an acute problem of Genichesk district. As noted by the district authorities, due to the presence of troops two of the holiday season was disrupted. This year we developed a special approach that will allow you to rest comfortably in the Henichesk district, but at the same time, the military will protect the security of this site.

On the opposite side of the Azov sea Arabatska arrows is lake Sivash, or, as it is called, the Rotten sea. It is a system of shallow-water inflow, which from Genichesk district stretches to the Crimea. The maximum depth in this area up to 3.2 m, and solenosti water is 260 ‰.

Askania-Nova

Another unique natural Park of Kherson region, although man-made, is the biosphere reserve Askania-Nova. This is a huge area, divided into two parts – the arboretum and the zoo. In addition to Askaniya-Nova applies most strictly protected steppe.

In the Park you can find over 500 species of plants and 3,000 species of animals, 199 of which are listed in the Red book of Ukraine. The habitats of animals are preserved almost without human intervention, so on the reserve run cool and pheasants roam Przewalski's horses. Unique, large ungulates, and predators live in large fenced enclosures.

In 1985, UNESCO Askaniya-Nova were included in the list of reference areas on the planet. In the Park you can walk around independently on foot, to ride on the cart, but to experience wildlife will require a tour guide.