Sochi Experience

Sochi - the beachside city of the 2014 Winter Olympics!

Advantages: Sunny a good part of the year, lots of outdoor leisure activities and parks, lovely people
Disadvantages: Not many cultural sights

...in the Russian city of Sochi after an horrendous overnight sea voyage from Georgia, the border officials had to call an ambulance because of the terrible reaction I'd had to some mosquito bites I'd got on my last evening in Georgia (a word of advice - mozzies love the water so always cover up completely in the evenings if you are by water). The nurse and paramedic who came spoke no English but cleaned my swollen ankles and decided I needed to go ...
...be my chief memory of Sochi but whenever I think of it I think of the stark contrast between that hospital and the nearby luxury second homes owned by rich Russians who spend their holidays here in the country's chief seaside resort. In the days of the Soviet Union most Russians holidayed on the Crimean peninsular which is now part of Ukraine or the cities of Batumi and Sokhumi, the former is in Georgia, the latter is in the breakaway Russian-backed ...

fizzytom 25.02.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Sochi (Russia)

Sochi for the non-Russian

Advantages: sea, sun, history
Disadvantages: getting there, stony beach, airport

I travelled to Sochi with 2 friends in May 2004. We took the train from St Petersburg (45 hours) where we were studying, and flew back. We found a hotel when we got there, first the Moskva, then after two nights we moved to the Pribaltiskaya, which was cheaper and nearer the sea, but more traditionally Soviet with the obligatory babushka stationed on every corner to hand out doorkeys. We were early in the season and so the resort was fairly quiet: ...
...spot a few Americans. As Russian students we have decent russian. I'm not sure travelling independently in Russia is possible without some basic knowledge of the language. At the very least you're going to get ripped off. If there are package deals to Sochi, I very much recommend you go. The place is stunning, with the Caucasus mountains within view on the horizon. There are a number of interesting excursions around the area, although ours to 33 ...

natushka 12.10.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Sochi (Russia)