Kherson, Azure. Rest in the Cote d'Azur. The bus "Kherson-Azure"

This summer, in particular, the popular resorts of the Northern Black Sea region - Nikolaev and Kherson - have become very popular . Iron Port, Skadovsk, Bolshevik, Naked Pier - these names have always been associated with the average Ukrainian with a cheap holiday by the sea. This article is devoted only to one of the mentioned resorts - the urban village of Lazurnoy. What is the situation there now, in the hot summer of 2014? Have prices risen? Those who are going to come to Azure for the first time, for sure it will be interesting to know how to get there, where to stay and what to see.

Short historical information

The mysterious edge of the Scythians was described by ancient travelers. Nearby was the Greek colony, the city of Olbia. But later, in the Middle Ages, these once-developed lands were abandoned. "Wild Field" - this name bore the steppe of the Northern Black Sea coast until the XVIII century. Empress Catherine ordered her royal decree to build towns and villages there. So Nikolaev and Kherson appeared. Azure, which was originally called Sofievka, was founded a little later, in 1803. But since the houses of the village were adobe, short-lived, you will not find in the present resort at least one monument of antiquity. But still vividly remembers that only 20-30 years ago it was a real South Ukrainian village. Many residents still keep cows, chickens and other livestock. The name Azure was given to the village for the amazing color of the sea water off its shores.

How to get there

The most convenient way to get to the resort is from the regional center. How to overcome the hundred-kilometer distance Kherson-Azure? There is no railway station in the village. So the only vehicle left is a four-wheeler. If you travel on your own car, leave the city, following the road signs to Skadovsk. Azure is located 30 km to the west of this district center. The road is good throughout its entire length, but the last kilometer stretches the broken "betonka".

From public transport, there are buses and minibuses. The latter are even preferable, since they go straight from the railway station of Kherson. Marshrunks are dispatched as they are filled. The bus "Kherson-Azure" rides about two hours. The final stop is opposite the market. Marshrunks are also good because by agreement with the driver you can be taken to Kherson directly from your place of residence in the village. From Azure go regular buses to Skadovsk, Krivoy Rog, Kakhovka. At the peak of the season on the market of carriers there are convenient minibuses-charters to various cities of Ukraine.

When to go

Azure is located in the steppe natural zone. There are quite cold windy winters and a very hot, arid summer. Be sure that no prolonged rains will not cloud your rest in Kherson (Azure). Precipitation is possible once or twice a month, and even then they are very short-lived. That is why Kherson region has won the fame of the center of Ukrainian bush cultures. Here, tomatoes are also grown on a large scale. But we need to remember that not far from Lazurny flow into the Black Sea from the north of the Dnieper and the Southern Bug rivers. These major waterways somewhat cool the water off the coast. The most comfortable for swimming are the second half of July and August. Then the water in the sea warms up to +24 ... + 26 degrees. But at the same time, there is a great influx of people at this time. The fishing trip on the beaches is aggravated at the weekend, when the residents of Kherson come to rest on the sea.

Where to stay

Twenty years ago, Lazurnoe was a quiet village where Soviet recreation centers and boarding houses stood on the shore, and the farmland stretched a little further. Now everything has changed radically. True, the first line is still occupied by dilapidated buildings, whose soviet way of life shock the discerning tourists. But at the same time with each year there are new boarding houses and mini-hotels with suites, apartments and, of course, hot water in the taps.

An example of such a comfortable holiday is for vacationers who have chosen Kherson, recreation center "Lazurnoe". It is located on the second line. Wooden houses with a veranda have their own bathrooms, are equipped with a refrigerator. There is a common kitchen with gas stoves and a necessary set of dishes. And the organized food can be negotiated in the nearby boarding house "Korabel". On the territory of "Lazurny" there is a guarded parking lot and a children's playground.

Private sector. Price list

But in the boarding houses there are numerous servicemen, who need to pay salaries, and from it - taxes. All these expenses are included in the cost of rooms. Thus, a vacation in Azure in the private sector will be a cheaper alternative to "organized". In addition, and much better in terms of convenience. After all, the range of housing offers in the Cote d'Azur is very wide: from the rooms in the former chicken coops to the chic new apartments. Prices also vary from twenty-five hryvnia to one hundred and fifty. The only minus of the private sector may be remoteness from the sea. But in houses and mini-hotels there are boilers providing hot water supply around the clock.

Beaches

It is because of them, and even because of the turquoise sea and the healing mud of the estuary and they go to Kherson (Azure) tourists. We can say that there are two water areas here. First, the open waters of the Black Sea. And secondly, the Dzharylgachsky Gulf, formed by a sandy scythe 27 kilometers from the shore. The name of the island in translation from Turkic means "The place of the scorched trees". And the Genoese floating on the maps in the XV-XVI centuries along the Jarylgacha bank designated it as "Izolda Rosso" - "Pink Island".

The estuary is very shallow, and the locals will advise to wade to get to the end of the spit, on the nudist beach. But be careful: during the tides the water begins to flow swiftly. In addition, the bottom of the estuary is full of pits, as residents and holidaymakers take from there healing mud. Each year, accidents are recorded with drowned people in this shallow water area.

Tourist infrastructure

The locals very quickly oriented themselves in the situation and realized that taking spaers is a much more profitable enterprise than growing tomatoes. And because Kherson (Azure, among others) is rapidly becoming one big resort. Beaches are ennobled, regularly cleaned of debris. There are installed shadow shelters, you can rent deckchairs, sun loungers umbrellas. Infrastructure of entertainment is not less developed. You can ride a banana, a tablet, water scooters and catamarans. They ride on yachts, and even on parachutes.

The beaches open summer bars and cafes. In addition, there are peddlers of ice cream, boiled corn, baklava, salted fish and shrimp. On the central beach there is a rescue service. The entire seaside region has now turned into a lively, ever-boiling embankment. In the evening, the daytime amusement park is replaced by numerous discos, karaoke bars and restaurants.

Excursions

To rest in the Cote d'Azur was more intense, do not sit still. A lot of private guides and travel agencies offer one-day excursions. Among them the most interesting is the trip to the reserve "Askania-Nova". This is the largest section of the steppe in Europe, which is protected by the state. Of natural attractions can be noted hot geyser, located 15 km from the Iron Port. There is also a bathing place. Regular dipping into the thermal spring plus silt wraps treat diseases of the joints, respiratory tract, central and peripheral nervous system.