Experience sunny Sochi on a Black Sea cruise
Wednesday, 17, Mar 2010 12:00
When it comes to warm, sunny cruise holiday destinations, Russia might not spring immediately to mind.
However, one of the country's most popular resorts, Sochi, is an essential stop for those on a Black Sea cruise from UK ports hoping for a scenic offshore excursion in a favourable climate.
The resort sprawls along 145 km of the eastern Black Sea coastline and has some 118 km of beaches in total.
Thanks to its favourable location, Sochi is the warmest, sunniest resort in the country, with average daily temperatures at around the 20 degrees C mark.
So what is there for holidaymakers to see and do in Sochi while on Black Sea cruises from UK departure points?
Because Sochi is part of a national park, the area boasts some wonderful scenery and various points of interest for nature lovers.
Just a few of the plants you can see here include yuccas, flowering roses, box trees, eucalyptus trees, banana trees and palm trees as a result of the subtropical climate.
Other attractions include a dacha - or holiday home - that belonged to Stalin and the observation tower on nearby Mount Akhun.
There is also a site near Sochi that is thought to be where Prometheus, a hero in Greek mythology, was chained to a rock in punishment by Zeus for stealing fire.
Families will be able to enjoy a host of aquariums, circus shows and amusement parks, along with a dolphinarium, while those looking for a thoroughly relaxing break can visit one of numerous spas offering range of specialist treatments.
If you're able to stay in Sochi for a while and have a hankering to take to the cooler climes of the ski slopes, the only mountain winter sports resort on the Black Sea coast - Krasnaya Polyana - is a must-visit, particularly as Sochi is set to host the Winter Olympic Games in 2014.
With a number of companies offering some great deals for cheap cruises to the region, now could be the perfect time to visit this ideally situated resort for a dose of sunshine on the scenic Black Sea coast.