Shore excursions in Yalta

Photos of YaltaMap of Yalta

All the main sights of Yalta (four "must to see in Yalta") will include:

• Livadia Palace
• Massandra Palace
• Alupka Palace (which also known as Vorontsov Palace)
• Swallow's Nest Castle

Additionally it could be recommended to visit Anton Chekov House in Yalta, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Mikhail Church in Oreanda. Actually all of these sights could be visited in about 6-7 hours, including 1 hour for lunch. I would also highly recommend to take a wine-tasting. Crimea is a wine country. Some sweet wines (mostly from Massandra winery) have won many golden medals on different wine competitions.

Photos of Cruise ships in port of Yalta

When you take an excursion organized by your cruise line:

Advantages: any injury that may happen to you will be covered by your ship insurance and also you will never miss your ship.
Disadvantages: you visit less sights, your excursion will definitely not include all sights of Yalta, you have a big bus (maybe it's not that bad :), such excursion is usually overpriced, schedule is fixed and you cannot make any changes, you do not have any personal contact with a guide etc...

When you take a private shore excursion:

Advantages: usually cheaper, direct contact with a guide, very customized program, you can see everything you want to see, you share your experience only with the people you'd like to see etc....
Disadvantages: some of injury cases may not be covered by ship insurance and probably not enough confidence to someone, calling himself a private guide...

sum up: it seems there are more advantages if you take a private guide. In most cases this is a rather positive experience, more personal attention and understanding of the country you visit.