Simferopol

Simferopol [1] is the capital city of the Crimea, in Ukraine. Understand Get in All roads coming to Crimea leads to Simferopol, it is the undisputed transport hub of the region. By plane Simferopol International Airport (IATA: SIP) [2] is a major hub and have both domestic connections and several international, mostly with Russia and CIS-countries. The most popular route is from Kiev which have several flights each day. Popular international routes include Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Istanbul. There are no flights from western Europe, an option might be to fly via Riga which has daily connections. Marshrutka buses leave from across the car park outside the arrival area, look for the large Krimtrolleybus sign. Buses leave for city centre and the railway station every few minutes. Bus №49 connects with Central Intercity Bus Station, №115 or №98 with the railway station and the Kurortnaya bus station which have connections to sea-side cities such as Sevastopol, Yalta, Sudak and Yevpatoria. Also, there are lots of annoying private taxi drivers at the airport, if you take a taxi always agree on a rate before you board a cab and make sure that the price is for the entire route (not for each kilometer). By train Simferopol has very good train connections with all major domestic destinations and several international routes too. There are several daily trains from Kiev (15 h) via Dnipropetrovsk (6 h). Dontesk (10 h), Lviv (25 h) and Odessa (12 h) also have daily connections. International connections are mostly with Russia, there are daily overnight connections with Kaliningrad (44 h) via Minsk (30 h), Moscow (23 h) and Saint Petersburg (38 h). There is also a daily night train service from Yekaterinburg (68 h) in the Ural. Direct trains from central Europe have now disappeared with the twice-weekly night train from Berlin via Warsaw being withdrawn in September 2011. Domestic trains are handled by Ukrainian Railways [3] while international connections with Russia are handled by RZD [4]. Notice that domestic trains not always carry a restaurant wagon, be sure to supply yourself with food and drink. By bus There are about a dozen a day bus and marshrutka rides from Sevastopol each day. They get busy, particularly at weekends, and it is best to book some time in advance. If you are unable to take public transport, taxis will take you there; from Sevastopol station to Simferopol airport, do not accept a fare of more than 300 UAH. There is a Euroclub-bus [5] from various destinations in Germany to Simferopol. By car Get around A convenient way to get around is by public transport, and Simferopol has a wide range of it! The most popular is called marshutka or a minivan, minibus, or taxi. Taxi of course is most expensive but is a fastest alternative. A ride on the minivan or the bus however, will cost you only 2.75 griven (UAH). (US$1=8 UAH, €1=11 UAH). The public transportation will bring you almost all around the city. Taxi - always agree on a rate before you board a cab. If driver offers you a cheap price make sure that this price is for the entire route not for each kilometer. Be warned that it's difficult to communicate with drivers, as they speak virtually no English or any other foreign language. Taxi cost of 1 journey to any place of the city can be between 30 to 50 gr. To order taxi by phone is a way to save money. Some numbers: +380 (63) 250-3350, +380 (652) 547200, +380 (652) 710071 from mobile phone or 1504, 1567, 1568 and some others from local phone. See It's not the most interesting city, but there are a few things to see. Lenin Square - the only square in Simferopol which boasts about nothing much. Skateboarders skating in the evenings, live concerts on and off, a place where locals usher in the New Year, a politician party campaigning site. Central Market (Centralny Rynok) - everything from fresh food to clothes to hardware is easily available here. Generally the best place for shopping, and for getting skidkas (Ukrainian for "discount"). Train Station - a lovely building, especially to leave the city from. Scythian Neapolis (Неаполь скифский), [6]. Scythian Neapolis was a settlement that existed from the end of the 3rd century BC until the second half of the 3rd century AD. The archeological ruins sit on the outskirts of the present-day Simferopol. This city was the center of the Crimean Scythian tribes, led by Skilurus and Palacus (who were probably buried at the local mausoleum). The town ruled over a small kingdom, covering the lands between the lower Dnieper river and Crimea. In the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, it was a city "with a mixed Scythian-Greek population, strong defensive walls and large public buildings constructed using the orders of Greek architecture". Neapolis was destroyed halfway through the 3rd century AD by the Goths. (44°56′34″N,34°07′14″E) edit Do There is always a time where you can run out of things to do in this place. Nevertheless if you look hard enough, you will find something to occupy your time with. In the harsh hot weather during the summer with temperate ranging over 40-45 degree Celsius, you may take a stroll in the park. There are horse riding activities, boating, feeding ducks. Besides that, the best thing to do is rehydrate yourself as often as possible, and protect yourself with some SPF (read SPF 30 and above). Then comes the other extreme - the cold chilly winter. Temperature may dip down to as low as -25 degree Celsius in late January and February. Skiing in Ai Petri is a great getaway from the town. In the centre itself, there is a skating rink. Besides that, you may opt to drink some vodka to keep yourself warm. Caves - located around 17km from the city. Take a minibus from the railway station to the end stop Perevalnoe for 3h, and then either walk 3km to the Red Cave or take a taxi 11km up a nearby mountain to the tremendous Marble Cave, discovered in 1987. A full tour takes 80 minutes and costs 70hr. Shorter tours are cheaper but the full one is well worth it. Buy The most popular place for shopping is in 'Silpo'. Its quite a big supermarket with all essential items and food stuff. There are also several boutiques in it. There are also supermarkets like 'Furshet' and 'Rainford' located around the city. Best would be to ask a taxi driver to take you to these places, or get familiarised with the names of the roads, and you can easily take a minivan there. Minivan No. 62, 10 and 74 can take you to the newly built shopping place called "Foxmart". Debit and credit cards are accepted in most shops in the city, but not accepted in rural area and markets. There are a lot of ATM. Eat The number one must eat food in Simferopol is the Plov. It's a local version of the Indian Biryani or the Spanish Paella. This rice dish is oily, so those with a heart problem may want to abstain from it. One plate of plov cost 7 UAH, approx €1 at the Central Market. Number two must eat food is meat on skewer, cooked over charcoal. It's called Shashlik by the locals. Goes very well with raw onion with vinegar and with Lepeoshka ( round bread). Number three on the list is Lagman. A local version of Noodle soup. In fourth place is the local's favourite Borsh. It's a vegetable soup, generally ate with bread. Solenka, is also a local soup that is worth trying. Drink Crimean wine, best to buy in supermarkets or in a company outlet shops. Also drink Ukrainian vodka - horilka. "Hortitsa" brand of horilka is recommended. Sleep There are many women at the station offering rooms, but be prepared for cockroaches and, in worst case scenarios, even fleas. Artek Hostel, Gagarina st., bldg. 5 (across the street from railway station), ☎ +38 0652 226204. Communist style. Around 290 UAH for a double room.  edit Ukraina, Rozy Luksemburg st. 7 (Alexandra Nevskogo st. 7), ☎ +380 (652) 53 22 53, [7]. In the centre of the town. Double 640 UAH. (44.959879,34.084482) edit Moskva, 2 Kyivska st., ☎ +380 (652) 620 615, [8]. A Soviet-style hotel refurbished in 2010. Double 640 UAH. (44.945025,34.125158) edit Imperial, 22 Kyivska st., ☎ +380 (652) 547-488, [9]. Double 100 USD.  edit Salgir, 9 Lenin Blvd, ☎ +380 (652) 521920, [10]. close to the train station. Double 360 UAH.  edit Valencia, 8 Odesskaya st., ☎ +380 (652) 51-06-06, [11]. In the very heart of Simferopol. Valencia houses the office of FedEx. Double 300 UAH.  edit Victoria, 17A Dekabristov st., ☎ +380 (652) 60-00-64, [12]. In one of the most quiet central parts of town and surrounded by the green trees of two parks where you can find attractions for both children and adults. From US$60 double.  edit Apartments Simferopol (Simferopol Apartments), ☎ 0664156797, [13]. checkin: 13.00; checkout: 11.00. Luxury type Simferopol apartments, centrally location, Internet Wi-FI, Design renovation, Jacuzzi. Travel services, Interpreter, Travel information and help 50.  edit Apartments for rent in Simferopol (short & long term rental), 30+ apartments in central area, [14]. A choice of central apartments, from budget to luxury, with Internet. Free airport pickup! from $29/night.  edit Get out Bakhchisaray Evpatoria Saki Sevastopol Sudak Yalta This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!