bigcitytraveler
This list is meant to serve as inspiration on what to do in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is the place for the 2014 winther olympics, but there is a lot of other stuff going on in Sochi!
A shady botanical garden with a dazzling collection of subtropical flora, the Dendrary Botanical Garden (or Dendrarium, to those in the know) is widely considered to be the most beautiful park on the Black Sea. It boasts various species of pine, oak, cypress and palm trees, and its location high above the city offers panoramic views over the sea and the surrounding hills. To best appreciate the scenery, take a cable car up the mountain from the coast.
Stalin’s dacha at Sochi was reportedly his favorite summer residence, where he held secretive meetings with political friends and foes. Among these was Chairman Mao, whose letters are now displayed alongside Stalin’s beloved pool table and bulletproof couch. The atmosphere is eerie and the weight of history still looms large – as does Stalin’s ghost, which (according to rumor) still walks the halls by night….
Just outside of Sochi, the village of Dagomys has been a popular holiday resort spot since the time of the Tsars. A visit to Dagomys today should include a trip to one of the renowned tea plantations, where the famous local brand Krasnodarskyi is grown. Visitors to the farms can enjoy a tea party in a wooden izba, where tea is served from the samovar (an elaborately designed, heated metal container) with local breads, honey and jams.
The gallery of talented Sochian sculptor Alexander Sobol is a unique space, exhibiting over 500 impressive wooden works sculpted with exceptional dexterity. A guided tour helps visitors to appreciate the complexity of the sculptures and is accompanied by music composed especially to complement the exhibit.
Sochi’s lively markets offer a glimpse at authentic city life beyond the glitzy European boutiques that have sprung up during recent years. The historic Sochi Central Market is the main trading venue and dates back to the 1930s, while the buzzing Adlersky Market offers an array of traditional Sochi cuisine to sample. The market offers tastes of often unfamiliar Georgian red wine and a variety of local delicacies, including churchkhela, a sweet snack made with natural grapes and walnuts.
Dine and party at the 14th floor of TTs Aleksandriya: Moscow Street, one of the breathtaking dining venues inside the TTs Aleksandriya mall, has amazing views over the city and some of the best resident DJs in Sochi. Join their glamorous local clientele to enjoy their range of exceptional international cuisine in stylish surroundings.
Read this blog post "Top 6 things to do in Sochi": Sochi is a dynamic modern city where traces of Russia's Soviet past stand side-by-side with contemporary architectural projects. As the eyes of the sporting world turn toward the Black Sea coast, extensive regeneration has transformed Sochi into Russia's answer to the Riviera. Today this previously unknown metropolis is a favorite destination for executives and historians alike.
