Olympic Park
Not so long ago, the thundering Winter Olympics in Sochi 2014 gave its residents a new sports city, no less. Before, there was nothing here - a swamp and an anopheles mosquito. Now there are huge squares, which housed several sports centers where international competitions were held: the ice arena Shaiba, the Adler-Arena skating center, the Bolshoi and Iceberg palaces, the Fisht stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies of the games took place. Now it is being prepared for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. And, of course, the cup of the Olympic flame, with which it would be a sin not to take a picture. The scale is impressive. It is very convenient to move around the Olympic Park by bicycles - there are a lot of rental points and prices are quite reasonable.
When all the sports facilities have been viewed, take a look at the Sochi Park, which is within walking distance of the Olympic Park. There you can go back to childhood and shout heartily at the rides. What is remarkable, the system of a single admission ticket works here - pay once and ride as much as you want. As a bonus - a discount book as a gift for a number of Sochi attractions and activities. Singing fountains work in the evening - a colorful and soothing sight, a gathering place for all locals and vacationers.
For lovers of adrenaline and sharper sensations, be sure to visit Formula 1 Sochi Autodrom. This is the most modern race track in Eastern Europe, where you can ride a Porsche GT3, Ferrari F430, Mercedes SLK and even a Renault Clio. Not necessarily as a driver, but also as a navigator. All of this is accompanied by views of the Olympic Park and a 650-meter bend, the longest in Formula 1.
Skypark AJ Hackett Sochi
Once you have the courage to visit the sites listed above, head to AJ Hackett's Skypark, the only bungee jumping center in Russia. It is located in the Akhshtyr Gorge, in the valley of the Mzymta River, surrounded by a national park and relict forests. Breathtaking views are guaranteed - thanks to the longest suspension pedestrian bridge in the world, SkyBridge, 439 m long at an altitude of 207 m. into the abyss on an elastic rope from a height of 207 meters. Is this not a test for nerves of steel? You can start small - jumping 69 meters or flying on a high-altitude swing at a height of 170 meters. Or, just enjoy the views and take some beautiful bird's-eye views if this kind of entertainment is too tough for you.
Getting to Skypark, by the way, is very convenient - a special free transfer is organized there from the Adler railway station, which is near the Sochi airport.
Rosa Khutor
From the skypark it's close to another popular destination - the Rosa Khutor ski resort on Krasnaya Polyana. The main competitions in alpine skiing, snowboarding, freestyle were held here and the Olympic village is located, which is now open to the public. Of course, you can't go skiing in summer, but there are other entertainments - a trolley descent, a rope amusement park "PandaPark" at 1350 meters above sea level, hiking, a large number of hotels located along the Mzymta River with cute piers and sunbeds for mountain sunburn (for example, the Radisson Rosa Khutor hotel). If you don't feel like splashing around in the river, a free shuttle can easily take you to the seaside in just 30 minutes.
From the lyrics: this year, from 21 to 25 June, the International Festival Manor Jazz will be held for the first time in Rosa Khutor. Jazz in the Caucasus Mountains, what could be more romantic?
Mount Akhun
Continuing the romantic mood, we advise you to climb Mount Bolshoy Akhun, which offers an excellent view: from the resort microdistrict Lazarevskoye to the city of Pitsunda, to the large Caucasian ridge. At the top, there is an observation tower reminiscent of a medieval fortress. She makes great photos. Before the ascent, we strongly advise you to take a warm jacket with you - at an altitude of 663 meters above sea level it is much colder than on the shore, there is a strong wind and rain at times. On the way back, you can stop at one of the tents, enjoy the local churchkhela and collect souvenirs home at very reasonable prices.
Hotel Radisson Blu Paradise Resort & Sp
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A photo:
In order not to splurge on a taxi, we recommend staying at the recently opened Radisson Blu Paradise Resort & Spa. It is in close proximity to all of the above sights - a 10-minute drive from Adler / Sochi International Airport and the Olympic Complex. Rosa Khutor and Skypark can be reached by express train, and the railway station is a 20-minute walk away. This will help save your budget during high season.
Central Sochi
To diversify your leisure time, so as not to use up all the adrenaline, you can go to central Sochi. After the Olympics, it is unrecognizable - the roads became wider, smoother, and many noteworthy restaurants and bars appeared.
We advise you to pay attention to the Light House restaurant - it offers a beautiful panorama of the coast and colorful sunsets. Here you can also taste national food - Caucasian cheeses, seasonal vegetables, pilaf, grilled dishes.
Dancing by the pool until the morning, dawn overlooking the surf, DJ sets from residents of the capital and Moscow prices - all this is about another new-fashioned place Chernomorskay5. They say it's worth it - it's very tasty and fun. We readily believe.
If you walk through the classics of the genre, the main attractions of the city are:
- Railway station building with a high-rise tower;
- The seaport, with moored yachts of all imaginable and inconceivable minds of the state;
- The Winter Theater, where Kinotavr is held annually, concerts, performances and all major premieres and performances.
- The Zhemchuzhina Grand Hotel is the most legendary hotel, where rest was equated with the highest degree of coolness and pathos in the Soviet Union.
In any case, whatever area of Sochi you choose - feel free to hit the road, you will definitely like it! After all, the main thing is not where, but with whom.
Photo: archive of press services, personal archive
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