Sochi, a resort in the South of Russia, stretches along the Black Sea coast at the foot of the western part of the main Caucasus mountain range. Sochi was founded in 1896 on the site of the former Navaginskoye fort and began developing as a recreation area in 1902. Salubrious mineral springs, attractive coastal and mountain scenery, long beaches and warm climate have made Sochi a large and popular resort. The average temperature in winter there is 8-10 C; and it rarely rises above 30 C in summer. There are about 200 days of sunshine in a year in Sochi.
The city has a lot of hotels, tourist centers and campsites and more than 50 sanatoria. Its streets and gardens are filled with exotic subtropical trees and shrubs.
There is a wide range of activities available in Sochi. For those with a sense of adventure there is cave exploring, white river rafting, canoeing, parasailing, jet skiing, snow skiing, banana boats, sailing, cruises, horse riding, hiking and much more. Others can visit casinos, discos, theaters, museums, art galleries, arboretums, tea plantations and concerts.
Lots of Russia's well-known actors, singers and performers tour through Sochi in summer months. In the Winter Theater many classical performances can be seen. Also there's an open air Summer Theater nearby.
You can visit the museum of Ostrovsky, a famous Russian playwright. In front of the museum there is a house where Ostrovsky lived and worked. Sochi Art Museum offers an exhibition of works of local, national and international painters. There one can find some artists' works for sale.
Traveling to Sochi
There are several flights from Moscow to Sochi every day. Visitors from abroad can fly to Sochi through Istanbul, Turkey or UAE. Train travel from Moscow to Sochi takes 26 to 32 hours. The cost is from $50.00-$100.00. The seaport of Sochi is located in the city and serves both passenger and cargo ships. There is direct sea connection with Turkey and Georgia. Travelers can take a ferry from Trabson, Turkey (4-5 times a week), and a ferry or a hydrofoil from Istanbul, Turkey (the journey will take about 12 hours) once or twice a week.
