The Livadiya Palace may not blow you away with its grandeur, but it's the history and memories that live here - and you can almost touch them. History lessons that don't put you to sleep.

Hello everyone!

I'm not going to lie, visiting Livadia and not checking out the palace would be a major oversight. I've made my fair share of mistakes in life, so I was determined not to make this one. After scouting out the schedule, I carved out some time for the palace tour, which, thankfully, isn't too long.

Livadia Palace tour.

Address: 44A, Baturina St., Livadia village, Yalta, Crimea, Russia.Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 17:00.

Tour duration:

summer: 1 hour 10 minuteswinter: 1 hour 30 minutesTours are conducted in small groups as they fill up.

Average interval between tour groups:

summer: 10 minuteswinter: 30 minutes

The Livadia Palace Museum tour comes in two directions:"The Crimean Conference of the Heads of Government of the USSR, USA, and the UK";"The Romanovs in Livadia".

The guided tour includes:visiting the grand halls on the first floor, accompanied by a guide's narrative about the events of February 4-11, 1945, related to the Crimean (Yalta) Conference of the heads of government of the USSR, USA, and the UK, as well as the stay of the American delegation headed by President F.D. Roosevelt in the Livadia Palace.

On the second floor of the palace, in the private rooms of the royal family, tourists get acquainted with the stay of three generations of the Romanovs on the southern coast of Crimea, as well as some details of life in Livadia for the last Russian Emperor, Nicholas II, and his family members.

After buying our tour tickets, we headed to a small courtyard where we waited for the group to assemble. Time passed quickly, just 10 minutes. During this time, we could admire the architecture and take a look at the monument to Nicholas II.

First floor. The Yalta Conference of 1945.

The Yalta Conference, held from February 4 to 11, 1945, was a pivotal event in world history. It was here at the Livadia Palace that the leaders of the Soviet Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom gathered to discuss the fate of Europe. The palace itself is a treasure trove of history, with its grand halls and ornate decorations.

I was struck by the significance of this event in our country's history. One of the rooms, a large and airy space, was where the three leaders sat down to discuss the future of the world. But it's not just the grandeur of the room that's impressive - it's the fact that one name stands out above the rest.

The leaders look relaxed, the atmosphere is casual. It's clear that they've reached an agreement.

This period in history is especially relevant today. The fight against fascism is far from over - it's still ongoing. Listening to the stories was fascinating - it's not just a dry history lesson, but a real-life account of how the world was shaped.And here's the thing - this room is still in use today. It's been renovated, with microphones installed to make it easier to listen in. Back in the day, this was the palace's grand dining hall. Now, it's where the conference took place.

It's the little details that make this place so special. Old photographs and documents are on display, some of which are even displayed in their original form under glass. Take the room where Roosevelt and Stalin met, for example.

The tables, chairs, and even the clothes are all still in place, as if the meeting just ended. We lingered for a moment, taking in the sights and sounds of the past. And then, the old clocks seemed to freeze in time.

And it's not just the history that's on display - there are also some amazing architectural features and antique pieces to see.

We listened to an incredible history lesson from our tour guide (wish I could mention their name) and headed to the famous Italian Courtyard.

This is the inner courtyard of the palace. It's picturesque, with rose gardens and a non-functional fountain, just like tradition dictates. Many people rave about this spot. It's beautiful, but somehow it doesn't grab me. I think it's because of the fountain.Then, we headed up a narrow, steep staircase to explore a more ancient history from the early 20th century.

Second floor. Life in Livadia Palace with the last Russian Emperor and his family.The tour starts with the working office of Nicholas II. What struck me was the massive desk. I had the urge to work at it.)

Next, we walked through various rooms on the second floor – the princesses' rooms, classrooms, and the Empress's throne room.The palace is one thing, but the atmosphere here is completely different. It's both grand and intensely personal. You can't shake the feeling of invading someone's private space.

Maybe it's because of all the personal photos, dishes, toys, and everyday items on display.

А maybe it's the tone of our storyteller. But there's something here that's... captivating, so it gets under your skin, although I'm not a fan of this period in history and I'm indifferent to the royal family, but I think the way they died is incredibly tragic, brutal, and unnecessary in the context of history.What really stood out to me was the room with musical instruments and that stunning white piano. You can't even begin to describe the atmosphere. And the views from the window are breathtaking. For a beauty like that, as they say...

My impressions of the tour.I was blown away. This is one of those cases where reality exceeded my expectations. I'm not going to lie, some parts might have been a bit boring for kids due to their age, but I highly recommend it for school kids of the right age range. The history is presented not just as dry facts, but as a firsthand account from the storyteller. Of course, a lot of credit goes to our tour guide.

I'll admit, I'm not a fan of tours or tour guides, but this was an exception. I highly recommend checking out our tour guide. He's an older guy.

Of course, it was interesting not just to listen, but to see the palace from the inside. It doesn't impress with its grandeur, pomp, or architecture. It's just a living, breathing piece of history, with memories that you can touch.

And that's a wrap! Thanks for sticking with me. Wishing you all the best, and I hope you found some inspiration for your next adventure.

So, what else to see in Crimea? Where to go for a stroll?

Nikitsky Botanical Garden

Hersonissos Tavrichesky, Sevastopol

Tsarskaya (Sunny) path Livadia - Gaspra

Valley of the ghosts

Park "Montedore" Nikitsky Botanical Garden

Genoese fortress Chembal, Balaklava.

Memorial complex "Sapun-gora" Sevastopol

Kadykovsky quarry. Balaklava