Learn some Russian before you visit, even simple phrases will be very useful. Make sure you visit Ai-Petri St Peter the peak that overlooks Yalta. Take the cable car to the top of the mountain one of the longest cable car rides in Europe. The views are great.
Understand that this is a developing country, not long out of Soviet control, so many of the services etc are not up to Western standards. Banks and ATMs are plentiful and exchange rates are pretty good.
Explore the region around Yalta - it is steeped in history and there are many interesting places to visit within an hour's mini bus ride from the city.
Do be aware in the summer months Yalta is one of the main destinations for Russian and Ukrainians to take their holidays, so it becomes very crowded.
