In the gentle embrace of the Black Sea, under the reliable protection of the ancient giants - the Caucasus Mountains - the tiny magical country of Abkhazia hid. Her Majesty nature has provided everything here for a perfect vacation: dizzying gorges, mountain peaks aged with snowy gray hairs, peering from behind the clouds, colorful flowering carpets in the meadows, emerald greenery of citrus fruits, palm trees and eucalyptus trees, stormy rivers, bottomless lakes and majestic waterfalls, mysterious caves with crystal treasures of stalactites and stalagmites and the gentle embrace of the honey sun and turquoise sea waves. Fairy tale, right? And all this is at your service!
When to go?
The times of the USSR are long gone, but most of the population of our country still believes that going to the seas should be in the summer and nothing else. It's time to debunk this myth!
No, of course, summer in Abkhazia is a holiday season, but what will we get from such a holiday? An influx of vacationers, crowded beaches, crowds of people on all popular excursion routes, slightly inflated prices and sweltering heat. But what if we skip ahead all this frantic crowd of vacationers and plan a vacation in Abkhazia in September-October?What is it, autumn in Abkhazia? "A sad time" or "eyes charm"?
Rest in Abkhazia in October: reviews and recommendations
In October, the weather ceases to please us with warmth and sunshine, nostalgia for happy summer days begins to torment us. It's time to take a vacation and go through the gigantic mountains to the sunny paradise of Abkhazia. Rest in Abkhazia in early October belongs to the velvet season - the water in the sea is still pleasantly warm, the air temperature is also quite comfortable, it only gets a little cooler in the evening - take a light jacket or windbreaker with you.
But the second half of the month is no longer suitable for a beach holiday. During the day, the air warms up to only 15-18 degrees, and at night - up to 10. There are frequent storms at sea (by the way, a very majestic spectacle), in cities there are prolonged autumn showers, and in the mountains there is snow at all. Rest in Abkhazia in October is not aimless lying on the beach, but a rich excursion program, including mountain hikes, walks to ancient temples, arboretums and botanical gardens. The highlight of the autumn holiday is the stunning nature. Snow-capped mountains, dressed in gold and scarlet forests, and green cypress groves connect all seasons in one picture.
Where to go?
It all depends on your preferences. One of the most popular resorts from the times of the USSR, the mecca of beach holidays - Gagra, Abkhazia. Rest in October here is simply beautiful - picturesque rocks, densely overgrown with evergreen shrubs, Amra arboretum, painted in gold and crimson, Abaata fortress,castle of the Prince of Oldenburg, and for those who are thirsty for water entertainment there is a water park with extreme slides and other attractions.
Rest in the autumn Pitsunda - relaxation in the full sense of the word. There is no hustle and bustle here, only unity with nature and philosophical reflections on long walks.
And for lovers of history and cultural attractions, ancient Sukhum hospitably opens its arms.
Rest in Abkhazia in September-October: reviews and entertainment
Rest in October is peace and quiet, bright colors of nature, many hours of unhurried walks, as well as a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits. In addition, when going on vacation in Abkhazia in early October, take your swimwear with you - the beach season is still open here. But towards the end of the month, plan a rich excursion program. However, keep in mind that you may have unexpected difficulties with the transport issue, it is better to have a personal car. By the way, there is no such thing as car rental in Abkhazia - you can only hire a taxi for a day. At the end of the holiday season, public transport leaves much to be desired.
If a holiday in Abkhazia in October is mountain hiking and campfire gatherings for you, pay attention to the numerous offers of local travel companies about mountain horseback riding. So you will enjoy stunning views and get a unique experience with these cute animals, which, by the way, is also very beneficial for your he alth.
Gastronomic delights of Abkhazia
Rest in Abkhazia in October, reviews of which may not always be positive, does not indulge us with ideal weather, as in the summer months. But the abundance of fruits and vegetables more than compensates for this shortcoming. Rest in Abkhazia in October is a wonderful occasion to eat tangerines, persimmons, oranges, feijoa, kiwi and a bunch of other goodies. By the way, it is worth highlighting the local wine separately - it is in October that festivals dedicated to the harvest festival are held here. This is an unforgettable event - a huge number of people gather on Lykhny Square, here they offer treats from local dishes, fairs, competitions and games.
What is worth visiting in Abkhazia
Rest in Abkhazia in October is, first of all, not a beach holiday, but a sightseeing holiday. And there are more than enough objects for excursions here!
- The world-famous New Athos cave impresses with its huge size. 11 halls with the most beautiful sinter formations are waiting for you, through which you will pass on a unique underground railway. The somewhat gloomy blood-red backlight lends an amazing mysticism to the journey.
- The New Athos Simono-Kananitsky Monastery is the oldest center of spirituality in the entire Caucasus. Today it is a functioning male monastery. The atmosphere and the most beautiful paintings on the walls fascinate and leave a lasting impression.
- Anakopia fortress is not only an ancient architecturalattraction, but also one of the best viewing platforms in the vicinity of New Athos. The inexhaustible well is especially interesting here.
- Besletskaya HPP is a real time machine. The hydroelectric power plant has remained a ghost from the past, and the caretakers who remain here will welcome guests and even show you the old machine room, where the mechanisms of 1905 are still preserved.
- The Ritsa Relic National Park will not only introduce you to bizarre specimens of local flora and fauna, but also reveal the secrets of the mansions of prominent political figures from the times of the USSR.
- Lake Ritsa is a visiting card of Abkhazia. Rest in Abkhazia in early October, reviews of which you will undoubtedly study before the trip, necessarily includes a visit to the lake. You will see a mirror of the water surface of bright blue and, perhaps, some even supernatural shade, surrounded by snow-capped Caucasian peaks and emerald green forests. By the way, the waters of the lake remain pleasantly refreshing even in the sweltering summer heat.
Abkhazia package tour or independent travel?
Of course, a package tour will be more convenient and comfortable, because you do not have to worry about anything. The tour operator will do everything for you - he will book a hotel, order a transfer, and even develop and offer an excursion program taking into account all your wishes.
But on the other hand, a full package of tour operator services will cost you at least 2 times more than an independent trip. In addition, by setting off on your own, you will notyou will be dependent on the standard program of the tour operator and will be able to plan your vacation as you wish.
Nuances of independent rest
How to plan and implement an independent trip to make your vacation unforgettable? First, decide on the time of travel and the place of rest. Then choose a hotel. It is easy to do this with the help of numerous Internet sites. By the way, Abkhazian hotels often do not require prepayment. Of course, you will not find hotels of large international chains here, but the whole charm of a holiday in Abkhazia lies in its “wildness” and sincerity, and go to Europe for 5-star comfort. In addition to boarding houses, the segment of private mini-hotels is widely represented here. This is a great option if you want to completely immerse yourself in the local flavor. Have you booked a hotel? Then let's go!
Tips for tourists in Abkhazia
- Electricity and hot water cuts happen quite often here - be prepared for these little things so that they do not spoil your holiday.
- It is better to refrain from drinking tap water - drink bottled (or spring) water.
- Don't miss the opportunity to taste the local khachapuri - this is truly a culinary masterpiece.
- When going for a walk in the woods, use repellents and watch your feet carefully so as not to step on a snake.
Despite its very modest size, you will need more than one week, and maybe even more than one month, to explore and get to know Abkhazia. But you fall in love with hernatural beauty, ancient history and hospitable hosts almost at a glance!
