Sochi – the Pearl of the Black Sea

Sochi – the Pearl of the Black Sea

Sochi has a landscape that is not only great to look at, it simply begs to be explored. The region offers towering mountains that need to be hiked, myriad rivers that wink at white water rafters. Think of Sochi as an extreme adventure playground for anyone up for the challenge. So summon up your inner dare-devil and check out our list of six heart thumping activities – if you dare.

Sochi, is a city in Krasnodar Krai, Russia, located on the Black Sea coast near the border between Georgia/Abkhazia and Russia. The Greater Sochi area, which includes territories and localities subordinated to Sochi proper, has a total area of 3,526 square kilometers

Sochi is the largest and brightest all year round resort in the south of Russia, also called the Pearl of the Black Sea or Russian Riviera. From June 7, 2019, Sochi and Dubai will be connected by direct 3 hours only flight by flyDubai. The flight will be twice per week.

So what some may regard as Russian entertainment, for them meant being

By the time I got there in April 2018, celebrations were over but a legacy of a bling lives on.

Stretching for 148 km from the foot of the Caucasus Mountains along the Black Sea coast, Sochi ranks the second longest city in the world and attracts more than 2.5 million tourists per year including celebrities and political elite. From February 2019, Sochi is a visa-free destination for UAE nationals. Russia’s Black Sea resort is the ideal place for family holidays, extreme adventures and romantic escape offering to all tourists.

A collection of superb family 5-star resorts. Sochi hosts the great collection of 5-star hotels and SPA resorts both in the mountains area and along the beach, including properties of such famous international brands as Rixos, Marriott, Swissôtel, Hyatt Regency, Radisson, and others. Hotels at Sochi provide haute cuisine restaurants dining experience, exceptional service, and facilities with a view of the picturesque mountain peaks or open sea and private beaches. They are highly appreciated by guests leaving them a «Wonderful», «Exceptional» and «Superb» ratings. Most resorts are in 30 min drive from Adler International Airport.

Paradise for extreme sport and adventures. Sochi offers the full range of adrenaline rush activities in the summertime such as quad biking in mountains, jeep safaris in caves, entertainment and sightseeing paragliding above the mountains. Other attractions include a ropes obstacle course (aka the Adventure Park), strung between the trees at 1460m, horse riding trips, hiking, and rock climbing and much more. Adventure park SKYPARK challenges all thrill-seekers to experience one of the highest bungee in Europe – BUNGY 207 m and BUNGY 69 m, as well as the SochiSwing 170 m, MegaTroll with a length of 700 m, that reach speeds of up to 150 km/h. Another extreme adventure is walking on one of the world’s longest hanging footbridge SkyBridge (439 meters long), on which everyone can enjoy magnificent panoramic views to the Caucasus Mountains and Black Sea coast from a height of 207 m. 

The bridge’s hollow and transparent floor makes the first step an exercise in bravery, but even small kids manage to overcome a fear of heights. There is nothing more exciting than speeding like a bullet in a sports car. Sochi Autodrom, the first and only F1 track in Russia where the Russian Grand Prix is annually held, gives tourists this unique opportunity.

Ecotourism destination.Visiting Sochi is the perfect way for all nature lovers to explore the rich flora and fauna of Caucasian mountains and the Black Sea. Sochi is famous for a wide variety of natural attractions including mountain canyons and underground caves, relict forests and nature reserves, waterfalls and lakes. The area of the city proper is 176.77 square kilometers. Being part of the Caucasian Riviera, it is one of the very few places in Russia with a subtropical climate, with warm to hot summers and mild winters.

 The Caucasian State Biosphere Reserve has rugged peaks, serene mountain lakes, waterfalls and alpine meadows to explore. A famous Sochi Arboretum hosts plants and animals brought from different corners of the world. The arboretum territory itself is beautifully decorated with various sculptures and fountains, which add a special flair to this place. A day trip to Mount Akhun affords a breathtaking panorama of the Black Sea from the observation tower staying at 700 meters above sea level. 

Valley of legends “33 waterfalls” is a cultural and historical monument situated in the territory of the national park in Shak-he river valley 4 km from Bolshoy Kichmay settlement.

Romantic Escape at Russian Monte Carlo. For more than a hundred years, Sochi was the main resort of vacation for Russian people, including celebrities and the political elite, offering an atmosphere similar to one of Nice, Monte Carlo or Cannes. Even Russian President Vladimir Putin found his summer residence here. Sochi Grand Marina is a fitting venue for a romantic evening stroll in the surrounding of luxurious boats and yachts and famous restaurants with open terraces overlooking the Black Sea. The boardwalk is a load of fun in summer and nightclubs and bars are open all night long. In June, July, and August, the cultural calendar is packed with open-air summer theatre and live music at venues like the waterfront Festival Concert Hall.

A gastronomic paradise for foodies. The City of Sochi is famous by its gastronomic pleasures offering by either haute cuisine restaurants or outdoor cafes serving European, Russian, Caucasian, Bavarian, Chinese, and even Peruvian cuisines and even homemade bread named lavash. There is no chance to miss the aromas of grilled meat (called shashlyk), waft on the sea breezes.

 Don’t forget to try famous kharcho (lamb stew), all variety of local fish and seafood and bring home as a souvenir a traditional homemade sweets Churchkhela (also well-known as Caucasian Snickers).

Visit Russia UAE: www.visitrussia.ae

Tony Farah

Author