Sochi is not only one of the most well-known cities of Russia, but also perhaps the most beautiful resort of the Black sea coast. The natural landscape of Sochi’s coast is one of the most unique in the world. Where else on the Earth can one find a piece of land combining the beauty of subtropical nature, tender waters of the warm sea and snowy mountain peaks just a few kilometers away from the coast?
Sochi’s singularity is the unique character of its canyons, rapid rivers, highland lakes and high waterfalls. The mountain peaks are covered with perpetual snows and ice and in a lower wide seaside valley there are green gardens and parks, tea and citrus crop plantations all year round. Mountain chains protect the resort from the cold winds from the North, and the Black sea heated in summer gives up its heat in winter increasing the average air temperature.
Significant temperature difference between the seaside and mountain parts of the resort is one of the main reasons for Sochi’s flora diversity. One can see a lot of different kinds of plants in the famous Sochi Arboretum Park.
It is the unique climate that makes staying in Sochi the best choice for a man tired of fuss. Due to environmental conditions the resort can offer a lot of opportunities to spend leisure time to the city guests and inhabitants all the 12 months a year despite the season.
Sochi’s seaside region has a rich history. Primordial people came here approximately 300-400 thousand years ago. This fact is proved by archaeological evidences in the region of Khosta, Mzymta, and on the right bank of the Psou river. Here a lot of archaeological monuments were found and investigated: caves, open sites, settlements, dolmens, the ruins of castles and temples, burial ground. The unique nature and climate characteristics of the region caused building of hotels, clinics, dachas, roads as well as opening parks, gardens and the first resorts which was started here in the end of 19th – beginning of the 20th century.
The territory of Bolshoy Sochi is the land of unique historical monuments created both by nature and human beings.
In the valley of the Ashe river one can spend hours enjoying the panorama of Adygei mountain auls and the beauty of dolmens, see “the Rock of Old Men” and visit a small “Rescue” cave. One of the biggest underground labyrinths – “Vorontsovskiye peschery” – is also located in Sochi, in the upper Kudepsta river. The total length of Vorontsovskaya cave connected with Labirintovaya and Kabanya caves is 11.7 km. Mysterious world, shining stalactites, where the air is superclean.
One of the wonders and a part of the resort history is the Tulip Poplar which was planted in 1840 by General Raevsky, the son of the Hero of War 1812, the Head of the Black sea coastline. The shape of big white buds of the tree reminds of delicate flowers.
And the whole panorama of the city-resort and the chain of majestic Caucasus mountains can be seen from the watchtower at Akhun mountain which is 693m high, where the tourists are taken with funicular. By the way, on the south-eastern slope of this mountain there is a well-known box forest. Here it is like in a fairy-tale: centuries-old trees are covered with pendent moss and lianas.
Places of interest and wonderful sights of Bolshoy Sochi can be described for hours. Among them are Agurskiy canyon known for its waterfalls and “Devil’s Hole” cave, “Big Dragon’s Jaw” canyon, the wells of Matsesta river famous for their healing properties, “Winter Theater” building in the center of resort which architectural ensemble reminds of Greek Acropolis.
Besides, Sochi can offer a lot of entertainments: yachting, horse riding, mountain hiking, excursions to plenty of waterfalls or to the watchtower on top of Akhun mountain from which one can see a breath-taking panorama of the majestic Caucasus. A little bit away from the beach, across the bridge on the Sochi river there is “Riviera” park covering almost 15 hectares in the center of the city. Here among magnolias planted by Russian astronauts one can stay in a café, watch pictures exhibited by Sochi’s artists and have some fun at park amusements.
Sochi has one indisputable advantage. From July 2007 the city-resort will be the capital of Olympic Games - 2014. And this means that every month recreational sphere of the resort will improve, investments volume will increase, and consequently leisure facilities will become even more attractive for each Sochi guest.
Sochi implies a high status of culturally developed and lively megalopolis, friendly and hospitable inhabitants and warm atmosphere.
