Last year I chose to go to Sochi to see a warm mountanous side of Russia. Most people people have only heard abot Moscow.
I went to Moscow with Aeroflot and got on a domestic flight to Sochi (Adler airport) which is on a narrow strip of land with the Caucasus - over 5000 metres high - in the background.
The first thing I noticed was the palm trees and the warm air - it was in may. I took a cab to hotel Zhemzuchina and got a hotel room with greatest view over the Black Sea. The hotel is a bit worn down but people are nice and there is a private beach to the hotel.
Sochi is full of hotels, has a lot of parks with exotic plants so I decided to visit the Botanical Garden not far from the hotel. I have been to botanical gardens before but this botanical garden is by far the best - plant selection, pathways and a view over the Sea and mountains. Perhaps the Russian have a passion for plants and flowers because most of Russia is cold. This garden is a must.
Near the hotel is... more