hidden europe 43

Crimea notes

by hidden europe

Summary

The Ukrainian railway administration may still be advertising trains to Crimea, but not a lot of Ukrainians will be heading to the region for their summer holidays. Hoteliers in Crimea are having a lean season, but Moscow has plans to ensure that Crimean resorts are not completely empty in 2014.

The reordering of affairs in Crimea continues apace, reflecting the new arrangements for government of the region. The peninsula now follows Moscow time, having symbolically swapped time zones — thus leaving Kiev an hour behind. In April and May, many shops in Crimea displayed prices in both Ukrainian hryvnia and Russia roubles — but as of 1 June 2014, the rouble is now the sole currency in the region.

A new Russian discount airline took to the skies in mid-June.

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