Alushta (Алушта), the Crimea's second largest seaside resort. The drive takes about an hour, and taxis waiting at the Simferopol airport or train station will make the trip for about $40 to $50 US. A trolley, several cars long, runs frequently from Simferopol's railroad station to Alushta. The scenic ride takes two-and-a-half hours and costs several dollars; there's also a bus from Simferopol, which is not as much fun but quicker and even cheaper than the trolley.
Alushta is an ideal base for those who want to explore the mountains. Accessible from here are Mount Demerdzhi, which stands 1,239 meters (4,065 feet) above sea level; the Dzhur-Dzhur Waterfall, the finest waterfall in the Crimean Mountains; and Marble Cave, rated as one of the five most beautiful caves in the world by an international speleologist association. The cave is located at Chatyr-Dag plateau, a half-hour bus ride from Simferopol and 40 to 50 minutes from Alushta. The cave is well-equipped for visitors, with 850 meters of illuminated concrete walks with hand-rails passing through huge picturesque caverns decorated with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and draperies.
Extending west toward the town of Masandra (Масандра) is Alushta's biggest attraction, the 30,000-hectare (70,000-acre) Crimean National Nature Preserve. Dedicated to protecting the forest and its native flora and fauna, the Preserve contains a variety of Crimean animals, such as mouflons, gazelles, and foxes.