At the Black Sea
Firstly, I apologise for the uncharacteristic facebookesque portrait. In early September I accompanied two classes of grade eight students to Crimea and the Black Sea. Yes, the Black Sea is actually. And quite nice for swimming at this time of year. But one piece of advice; don’t go there for the beach, do I really need to explain what a soviet beach front looks like … ?
Wire fences, stones, a cheesy strip mall obscuring the beach and a lot of fat, leathery people. Not a whole lot of swimming, however, despite the water being very nice. Instead I recommend a charter boat out to the cliff face, away from all the tourists, and swimming off a boat.
Also, bring your own food and chef. I’d have done better starving for five days.