Sochi, Russia

Sochi is a unique, year-round resort located on the Black Sea in Southern Russia. Our Mediterranean-style beaches are located only one hour away from Russia's alpine sports centre, Krasnaya Polyana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with peaks higher than 2000m. Krasnaya Polyana means "Red Meadow" and is named for the beautiful red-coloured foliage that blankets the mountains in autumn before winter's first snowfall. In Sochi - a true "City for All Seasons" - neither the sun nor the snow are ever far away.

Sochi may not yet be well known around the world but the city is Russias leading vacation resort. Almost 2 million tourists who visit us each year to enjoy the natural beauty of Sochi as well as attractions such as curative mineral springs and spas. The culture of the Sochi region is one of Russia's oldest and we have welcomed visitors for thousands of years from travellers and traders on the ancient Silk Road to Russian Tsars. Sochi is also the choice of the new democratic Russia - it is the favourite resort of President Putin, who enjoys skiing in Krasnaya Polyana and welcoming world leaders to his residence. Sochi has also been home to many famous Russian athletes including Olympic champion Evgeny Kafelnikov and tennis star Maria Sharapova.

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