Moby
How is the summer tourism in Sochi?
Any chance to give us a general impression how is going and as you like using your camera, could you take some photos, when you are out and about, of various hotels and post them, so we can get an overall idea about the accommodation available and the place?
Thanks
Wiz, the season started with Easter... The rest of the year Sochi relies on the Kremlin organising the hosting of events down here
I came in mid April and observed the usual madness as people paint their shops / restaurants / bars/ hotels and new places rush to be finished in time for the tourists to come.
Late April / May is the same... the Grand Prix, followed by the President inviting other nation's leaders for talks at his residence here.
A casino has opened in the mountain resort - 40 mins from the airport and 1hr 20 from Sochi centre.
I'm not an 'expert' on the tourist market here... My impression is that Sochi relies on capturing Russian tourists - as not many foreigners come. There's plenty of Theatres, Tours, funfairs, etc.,
Sochi now has Crimea as a 'competitor' - it has better beaches - Sochi's are stoney - but - for now - Sochi's facilities / infrastructure are superior.
Hotels range from '6' star - where heads of state stay during conferences down to pensions and guest houses or rooms in apartments that people rent out.
The Summer Season ends in late Sept / early October... This year, Sochi will b a host city for the Confederations Cups - a mini World Football Cup 'trial run' and next year, the World Cup.
The Grand Prix doesn't attract many foreigners - mainly because of their being no direct flights (UK) and so few from other w.nations. I expect there'll be charters for the World Cup - where a ticket will act as a Visa.
We like living here because of the climate, sea and mountains nearby. Sochi is on the same latitude as Nice / Monaco.
Photos ?
Here's a link to Booking.com ( Sochi accommodation)
https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-gb.html?si=ai%2Cco%2Cci%2Cre%2Cdi;ss=Sochi;label=opensearch-pluginWe know most of the hotels / apartments I would use the Brevis - if seeking an apartment - it is located in a district with lots of the big brand, top end hotels - close to the sea port and restaurants
The best-seller - the Zhemchuzhina ( Pearl ) is a former Soviet-style hotel, that is being slowly adapted to the 21st Century - it hosts a lot of expos - like the beer festival
Adler: is the city to the south - 28km - where the Olympic Park, airport and F1 track are located - it is part of Greater or Bolshoi Sochi .. It has the biggest funfair - but it is too modern for my taste. The border with 'Abkhazia' - the unrecognised ( by the west ) breakaway rep. of Georgia is here.
http://tinyurl.com/l5cfwucKrasnaya Polyana:
Part of Adler district - this is the name of a small town that has a modern 'sister' Rosa Khutur ( sounds like Rosa Hooter ) that forms the mountain resort
http://tinyurl.com/krasnaya-pOur fav is:
http://tinyurl.com/old-boys-GHIt has a brewery, fragrances and soaps factory/ shop - fantastic food , great walks and a Russian Banya nearby
A lot of these places are mentioned in my TRs