A Russian Travel Blogger Returns to a Crimean Resort and Can't Believe Her Eyes

A Russian travel blogger who recently revisited Alupka after years away says the Crimean resort town has transformed so dramatically that she "couldn't believe her eyes." Sharing her observations on her personal blog, the traveler described a place that has shed its dated, sleepy image for something far more modern and inviting.

"New cafes with stylish signs, none of those old-fashioned cheburek joints with names like 'Larisa' anymore," she wrote, noting a fresh, contemporary energy sweeping through the area. The biggest surprise, however, came at the beach called 'Detsky' (Children's Beach). She recalled it as a terrible spot she never wanted to swim at, but now, she says, it truly lives up to its name. Rocks now serve as natural breakwaters, forming a calm pool for kids, lounge chairs are available for rent, and new tiling along the shore mimics the rocky landscape.

The blogger also addressed concerns about water quality, a worry for many travelers. "The water in Crimea is very clean. I was anxious about fuel oil, but after my first swim, I felt everything was fine. What really reassured me was seeing so many fish in the sea. I think that's a sign the water has cleared up, and things aren't as bad as some fear," she concluded. The same blogger recently noted that locals across Crimea remain calm, continuing their work and daily routines without panic.