Sochi, Things To Do...
Sochi is a Russian resort city, situated in Krasnodar Krai just north of the southern Russian border. It sprawls along the shores of the Black Sea and against the background of the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. At 145 km (90 mi), Greater Sochi is claimed to be the longest city in Europe. As of the 2002 Census, it had a population 328,809, down from 336,514 recorded in the 1989 Census. In 2006, the population was estimated to be 395,012. The city has been selected to be the host of the XXII Olympic Winter Games in 2014.
This city is the capital of what is known as the 'Russian Riviera'. With its palm trees and occasional banana trees, Sochi is not exactly what many people expect from the stereotypes of 'Russia'.
Sochi is an ideal destination for a relaxing holiday. The sandy, pebbly beaches of Sochi are not wide, but they are very long and there are countless seaside activities to entertain you, from scuba diving and water-skiing to para-gliding and hang-gliding. And there are aqua-parks and funfairs by the dozen. No wander, then, that young Russians and families flock here by the thousand in July and August - which is why it is worth coming in June, if you can, to beat the crowds. But there is much more to Sochi than a beach holiday.
Sochi is almost alone among larger Russian cities as having the aspect of a subtropical resort. Apart from the scenic Caucasus Mountains, pebbly and sand beaches, the city attracts vacation-goers with its subtropical vegetation, numerous parks, monuments, and extravagant Stalinist architecture. About two million people visit Greater Sochi each summer, when the city is home to the annual film festival "Kinotavr" and a getaway for Russia's elite.
This city is the capital of what is known as the 'Russian Riviera'. With its palm trees and occasional banana trees, Sochi is not exactly what many people expect from the stereotypes of 'Russia'.
Sochi is an ideal destination for a relaxing holiday. The sandy, pebbly beaches of Sochi are not wide, but they are very long and there are countless seaside activities to entertain you, from scuba diving and water-skiing to para-gliding and hang-gliding. And there are aqua-parks and funfairs by the dozen. No wander, then, that young Russians and families flock here by the thousand in July and August - which is why it is worth coming in June, if you can, to beat the crowds. But there is much more to Sochi than a beach holiday.
Sochi is almost alone among larger Russian cities as having the aspect of a subtropical resort. Apart from the scenic Caucasus Mountains, pebbly and sand beaches, the city attracts vacation-goers with its subtropical vegetation, numerous parks, monuments, and extravagant Stalinist architecture. About two million people visit Greater Sochi each summer, when the city is home to the annual film festival "Kinotavr" and a getaway for Russia's elite.
