Rest with children in Abkhazia

A riot of nature, colors and the sun, sea and the mountains - all this is Abkhazia. This republic is an excellent holiday destination for families with children. True, provided that the family is not picky and goes to the sea not for five-star service at the hotel, but for clean air, sunbathing and sea winds.

Nature has generously endowed Abkhazia, moreover, it is geographically the closest country to Russia.

How to relax in it with as a childwhere to settle, where to go and what to take into account on vacation, we will tell in this article.

The climate of Abkhazia is an improved version of the climate of the Krasnodar Territory. It is also subtropical, but softer, more humid, so the heat is transferred here much more easily. Territorial proximity to Sochi (about 100 kilometers) makes the climate transition for tourists almost imperceptible, and therefore should not be afraid of strong acclimatization.

The main advantages of Abkhazia - incredibly clean mountain air and breathtaking landscapes. Whichever of the seven regions of the country you go, the Black Sea and mountain ranges are waiting for you everywhere. Even in winter, the air temperature here is above 10 degrees Celsius, and it is from here that the very yellow and festive mimosa is brought to us on March 8.

In the summer in Abkhazia - the peak of the tourist season.

• In June, the air temperature is about 27 degrees, the water warms up to 22 degrees. The sun's rays are not aggressive, so it is the beginning of summer that is the best time to rest here with small children.
• July is hotter - about 30 degrees in the air, 23-24 degrees in the water. Sunny days are enjoyed by those who come to the sea, because in the middle of summer it rains in the mountainous regions of the country.
• In August in Abkhazia - even hotter. The air warms up to 33-34 degrees, and the water to 26-27 degrees.
• September in Abkhazia is called the velvet season, it is warm here - up to 27 degrees, the sea is warmed up to 23-24 degrees. This time is also very well suited for a trip with kids who do not need a neighborhood of several hundred other tourists on the beach.
• In October, it is still warm in the republic - in the daytime up to 18-20 degrees, but it is impossible to swim, the sea is cooling rapidly. At this time, you can take wellness treatments at one of the resorts.

The small country is divided into several regions, each of which is a resort:

This is the main resort of Abkhazia, the city in which there is where to go, and what to do. During the peak season, the majority of tourists flock here. The beaches in Gagra are wide, pebbly, sometimes you can find small sandy strips, sometimes - areas with fairly large stones.

The maximum number of attractions of the country is concentrated in Gagra. Infrastructure development is enough in the city itself, despite the fact that the echoes of the past war are almost everywhere visible - broken buildings that no one is restoring, shelled fences.In general, there are quite a lot of hotels, including inexpensive guest houses.

Recognized as a family resort town of the republic. Located in the heart of the Pitsunda reserve. The nature of Pitsunda is amazing and delightful. Pitsunda pines all over the world are known as a source of healing aroma.

There are not so many tourists here, as in Gagra, this resort is more suitable for a relaxing and measured rest. The sea is very clean.

Very ancient settlement with a rich history. In the past, New Athos was the capital of the Abkhaz state, kings lived here. At the end of the 19th century, Greek monks founded a monastery here, which received worldwide fame - Novoafonsky.

The sea is clean here, and huge orange orchards create an amazing atmosphere. In the city itself is well developed tourist infrastructure, has everything you need for a good rest.

This resort city is now the capital of the republic. It is removed from the Russian border at a distance of more than 100 kilometers. This is the center of health-improving recreation in Abkhazia, since the maximum number of boarding houses and sanatoriums with year-round operation is concentrated here.

Considering that the city is more than 2.5 thousand years old, there are a lot of sights with huge historical and archaeological value. The beaches are wide and long.

This resort is famous for its healing springs - sulfur and mud. The streets are quiet and not crowded, this is a place for a relaxing holiday in solitude. The resort is still in the process of being restored - resorts that have remained since Soviet times are being reanimated, as well as building new hotels and recreation centers.

The beaches are not very well landscaped, they often resemble the wild. But prices for holidays in Gudauta are significantly lower than in Gagra, Sukhum or Pitsunda.

The closest village to the Russian border. It is located just five kilometers from it. Zandripsh (formerly called Gantiadi) has a long history, there are even ruins of an ancient temple. The beaches are wide, pebbly. Accommodation is possible mainly in the private sector or small guest houses. Prices are relatively low.

The resort village, located near Pitsunda. The beaches here, as well as throughout the country, are mostly pebbly, but this is where there are places with sand and pebble strips. There is no developed tourist infrastructure in the village, but from here you can easily get to Gagra or Pitsunda if you want to have fun. In general, the village is very well suited for lovers of secluded relaxation. Accommodation is possible mainly only in the private sector.

In addition to these resorts, such maritime Abkhaz settlements as Cold River, Scallop, Ldzaa, Primorskoe are worthy of attention.

Fans of comfortable rest should immediately understand that there are no luxury hotels in Abkhazia. Even hotels with 4-5 stars in their names are unlikely to be able to compete with similar "star" hotels of the same Turkey or Egypt.

Five stars in Abkhazia is something completely different. They differ from other hotels, but mostly only because the linen in the rooms is changed more often, there are air conditioners, at best - the pool in the territory.

The “all inclusive” system also looks different here - at best - three meals a day “buffet”.

Here are some of the hotels in this category:

• "Apsara" (Pitsunda). In this hotel three meals are included in the price only in the "high" season, in November and December, you will have to pay for meals separately. From entertainment to vacationers are offered only billiards and a sauna. The beach is 50 meters away, it is pebbly, sun loungers and umbrellas are provided free of charge to guests. For an additional fee you can get lessons in scuba diving and underwater hunting.

• Dolphin (Ldzaa). This is a hotel that is considered one of the most respectable in Abkhazia. On its territory there is a restaurant, cafe and bar. Meals - three times a day on the type of "buffet".There is an indoor pool, a Finnish sauna and a Russian bath, a gym, a massage room, a playground and a tennis court. The beach is 20 meters away, its coverage is sand and pebble.

• Alex Beach (Gagra). The hotel is located on the very beach. Three meals a day are included here only from June 1 to September 30, then until April - only a comprehensive breakfast, and in April-May - a two-time buffet. In the hotel there is a SPA, Turkish bath, massage. For children - a separate playroom and animation. The beach is owned by the hotel, it is sandy and pebbly and equipped with everything necessary.

• "Wellness Park Hotel Gagra" (Gagra). This is a four-star hotel, but one of a kind, as it offers “all inclusive” precisely in the sense in which tourists are accustomed to such a system. However, it was not without Abkhazian ingenuity, and this system applies only to those who live in the Lux rooms, the guests of the Standards are offered to be content with a three-time buffet. Nevertheless, this place is considered one of the best for families with children. The hotel has its own private beach with trampolines and all the necessary equipment. The hotel has children's rooms, animation, swimming pool.

• Amran (Gagra). This hotel, located 85 meters from the sea, has only two types of rooms - Standard and Junior Suite. In high season meals are three times a day on a customized menu, and in low season, only continental breakfast is available for guests. For children, the hotel has a playground. The pool is available, but there is no separate children's section. The beach is not your own, you will have to swim in a public beach.

• "Villa Victoria" (Gudauta). The hotel is 50 meters from the Black Sea. On the private beach, umbrellas and sun beds are provided free of charge. A child under 5 years old can live in a room with parents without payment for extra bed. On the territory - an outdoor pool and playground. The accommodation includes breakfast.

If the hotel rest in Abkhazia is still not the best way, then boarding houses and sanatoriums, including children's sanatoriums With the treatment you will be pleasantly surprised and delighted.

The fact is that the owners of these places of rest diligently keep the old Soviet traditions of sanatorium rest - with treatment, procedures, daily routine and tasty and inexpensive meals.

The cost of vouchers includes meals, basic procedures, some treatment options will have to be paid separately.

Prices for vouchers are very different from each other. The cost of rest is influenced by the geographical location of a sanatorium or a boarding house, a set of services offered there to travelers, and the proximity of the sea. In 2017, living with treatment in most health centers of the republic cost from 1,500 rubles per person per person to 5,000 rubles and more. Here is a list of low-cost resorts and resorts:

• Pension "Aibga" (2400 rubles per day);
• Pension "Bagripsh" (2500 rubles per day);
• Pension "Gagra" (1800 rubles per day);

• Pension "Gech" (1500 rubles per day);
• Pension "Caucasus" (1650 rubles per day);
• Pension "Cote d'Azur" (4000 rubles per day);

• Pension "Kolkhida" (1700 rubles per day);
• Pension "Boxwood Grove" (3500 rubles per day);
• Pension "Riviera" (2900 rubles per day);

• Sanatorium "Amra" (1900 rubles per day);
• Sanatorium "Moscow" (980 rubles per day);
• Sanatorium "Sana" (2000 rubles per day).

If you are not traveling with a baby to the sea, this option of accommodation will help you enjoy nature and save your family budget. In the republic there are several campgrounds with the possibility of living in tent camps, and almost everywhere there is an opportunity to come with your personal tent:

• Ochamchyra village Kindki;
• Camping Achandar (Gudauta);
• Camping Pearl (Tsandripsh);
• Camping Golden Sands (Pitsunda);
• Camping Prime (New Athos).

The most common way of living in Abkhazia is to rent rooms or houses in the private sector.Many Abkhazians literally live with the profits that they receive from tourists in the summer.

On the Internet a lot of announcements about the delivery of housing, but you should be especially careful. To the rest was not hopelessly spoiled, carefully read the reviews on the chosen place. Not all Abkhazians are hospitable, not all are clean and honest with tourists.

In general, rental prices are small - from 200 rubles per person per day to 500 rubles. This price does not include meals, excursions, only room and bed linen.

Sometimes homeowners offer cheap excursions, it is better to immediately refuse such an opportunity. Steep mountain roads lead to many places of interest, and the person who takes you by car is not responsible for your life and health. It is better to use the services of the tour desk.

While in Abkhazia, try to find time to see the most interesting places in the republic, good, it is small and long journeys from one attraction to another will not be required. Sights that will not leave you indifferent:

• Lake Ritz;
• New Athos Cave;
• Novy Afon Monastery;
• Anakopia fortress;
• Dacha of Joseph Stalin;
• Gegsky Falls;
• Sukhumi Botanical Garden;
• Grotto of the Holy Apostle Simon the Canaanite;
• Gudauta mud, hot sulfur springs;
• New Athos waterfall;
• Sukhumi fountain "Griffins";
• Swan Park in New Athos;
• Sukhum monkey nursery;
• Waterfalls "Girl's Tears" and "Men's Tears";
• Apiary "Honey yard" in Gagra;
• The residence of the President of Abkhazia in Sukhum;
• Waterpark in Gagra.

Crossing the state border with Abkhazia is not a big deal. However, at the height of the season at the checkpoint you can spend a long time in the queue. The regime with the republic - visa-free regime. The following documents are required for the trip:

Children under 14 years old - a birth certificate, the oldest of this age - your own Russian passport.

Medical travel policy (issued in any insurance company).

The power of attorney from the parents to leave the child outside Russia, if the minor travels with his grandmother and other relatives.

A power of attorney to leave one parent in the name of another, if the child travels with one parent, is usually not required if there are no official protests from the other parent and the court does not prohibit the export of the child abroad.

If you decide to go with a small child to Abkhazia, then you should remember about some important nuances that will help the whole family to have a good vacation:

Buy your child and yourself a special beach shoes that will protect your feet from sharp stones on the beach. There is no soft sand in Abkhazia.

If you are staying in a mini-hotel in the private sector, then find in advance a cafe or restaurant where you will eat and read reviews. There are cafes and canteens in the republic even in small villages, and places where you are cheaply fed with a tasty lunch are enough.

However, there are establishments in which sanitary and hygienic requirements are absolutely not observed (with this there are generally big problems in Abkhazia).

Do not give the child and do not drink the local water from the water supply and sources. All engineering communications of the republic were laid in the Soviet Union, many pipes have never changed. The quality of drinking water is not the best.

Do not buy sweets, wine and fruit on the beach, no matter how much the merchants persuade you.

Do not buy sweets, wine and fruit on the beach, no matter how much the merchants persuade you.

In some boarding houses and sanatoriums may be asked to pay a tourist fee - 10% of the cost of the permit. This is a legal requirement. Recently, the same 10% began to ask the guests and the owners of the private sector.This requirement is not legal, since 99% of Abkhazians do not pay taxes on you. Only 1% of private hoteliers conscientiously deduct the tourist tax from each person who has visited him to their treasury.

There is no language barrier, so in any incomprehensible situation you can feel free to contact the local police, hospitals, pharmacies, and rescuers. You will understand and help, because the attitude towards tourists in Abkhazia is rather reverent.

Those who are going to visit Abkhazia may be puzzled when they see that according to statistics, only 65% ​​of tourists recommend this holiday as a family one. This figure was formed mainly from the excessive demands of the Russians. As already mentioned, not all that in Abkhazia is called "five stars" in fact is.

Most tourists say that the nature and climate of the republic are really beyond praise, but the attitude of the Abkhazians towards their country is shocking: apart from good roads that you can drive expensive cars, no hands are put on anything - on the streets is dirty, there are no garbage cans , beaches are poorly cleaned or not cleaned at all, buildings are not restored and are not updated even cosmetically.

Most tourists do not recommend shopping in Abkhazia, because everything you buy in local markets and shopping centers will be of poor quality, but for big money.

Most tourists must recommend excursions.

In the markets, for example, in Tsandripsh, there is a separate “pie” series, and tasting there is a real pleasure, and a piece of cake bought later will surely cause regret that it was too small.

Many tourists complain about theft, which thrives not only in large cities, but also in the private sector. Therefore, it is better to keep money in an inaccessible place, leaving only a trifle for expenses, and hide valuables away. It is better not to keep funds on the card, since there is no place to withdraw them from the card, and most stores do not accept cashless payment.

Most tourists must recommend excursions.

You will learn more about holidays with children in Abkhazia in the following video.