HIGHLIGHTS OF SOCHI

HIGHLIGHTS OF SOCHI

Tour dates:  15.10.15, 19.11.15, 17.12.15

Day 1

Arrival in Sochi. Meeting at the airport in the waiting hall after luggage claim by Aelita representative.
Transfer to the hotel. Check in. Dinner at the hotel. 

Day 2 

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meeting with the guide in the lobby for a city tour during which you will visit
Matsesta -the place where hot sulphur springs with medicinal properties were once discovered and which
make Sochi a popular resort destination. The water contains over 27 types of minerals and is used to treat
people with respiratory and cardio-vascular problems. You will walk to the cave from where the curative
waters flow from, taste naturally carbonated mineral water, learn about the treatment system, Matsesta
Health Resort and its mineral water properties.

Local mountains and gorges are famous for their numerous
waterfalls. You will see one of them -Agura Waterfalls. You will walk through Agura gorge along Sochi's
first nature trail cut out in the rocks by the members of the Caucasian Mountain Club in 1911.

Another
Sochi's landmark – Arboretum (Dendrarium) -is the largest subtropical park in Russia. “Dendrarium” was
founded in 1892 by Sergei Khudekov, a well-known Russian journalist. The botanical garden houses a large
collection of flora which spreads over 30 acres of land and is a natural vista. You can sit in the Moorish
alcove and make a wish. It is believed that wishes made in the alcove will come true by all means! While in
the park you will also visit Villa Nadezhda museum, which was open after reconstruction in 2014. This
dacha (summer cottage) owned by Sergey Khudekov, the founder of the Arboretum who constructed it in
1899 for his beloved wife. Mr. Khudekov was known not only as the founder of the park but as a subtle
connoisseur of ballet. That's why in the museum exhibited not only things that belonged to the Khudekov's
family but also ballet dresses from last century, photos of famous ballet dancers and other interesting
things. Villa Nadezhda had been closed for 40 years and was open to the public only in 2014.
9am – meeting with the guide for a city tour; Matsesta, water tasting, Agura waterfalls, Arboretum, Villa
Nadezhda museum, Park Riviera, seaport, Cathedral of St. Michael Archangel, Winter theater, etc.
1:30pm -lunch in the cafe
3pm — PM Sochi touring
5pm-6pm -return to the hotel
7pm — dinner at the hotel 

Day 3 

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meeting with the guide in the lobby.

Enjoy a day surrounded by mountains, alpine
meadows, other natural beauty and Olympic venues! In 1898 the area of Krasnaya Polyana/Red Glade
was announced a sanctuary and was meant for conducting Imperial hunting. In 1901 the “Tsarist House”
was built here for the Royal family. There was an idea at that time to lay out here a town and name it
Romanovsk (in honor of the Royal family) but this never happened… These days Krasnaya Polyana/Red
Glade is a popular skiing and hiking place. On this site skiing and bobsleigh Olympic venues were located
(2014 Winter Olympic Games). The guide will tell you about all ski resorts and Olympic venues, how they
were constructed and used during the Olympics. The road to Krasnaya Polyana/Red Glade runs through
the longest underpass in Russia (2320m/1500mi) opened in 2005 and breathtaking gorges. For a
breathtaking panoramic view of the magnificent West Caucasus Mountains you will take a ride on the ski
lift to the top of the mountain. You will stroll around Rosa Khutor ski resort and in My Russia ethno-
village within several minutes you can travel all-round Russia by visiting houses that represent various
regions of Russia.

Our final stop of today will be at Olympic Park (coastal cluster) that is located in the
Imeretinsky lowland, about 2 km away from the Black Sea shore. You will see 6 stadiums where figure-
skating, speed-skating, short track speed skating, curling, ice hockey competitions took place. You will also
see Fischt Stadium where opening/closing ceremonies were held. You will be transferred by special cars
from the entrance to the Medal Plaza, where prize-giving ceremonies took place during the Olympics. On
the way you will see Formula 1 Grand Prix Russia track constructed for the 1st ever race in Russia that has
been holding in Sochi since 2014.
10pm — 5pm -meeting with the guide and transfer to Krasnaya Polyana, visit to My Russia ethno-village,
lifting atop the mountain, stroll around Rosa Khutor ski-resort
1pm — lunch in the cafe on Krasnaya Polyana
3pm — transfer and visit to the Olympic Park
6pm – return to the hotel
7pm — dinner at the hotel 

Day 4

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out.

Meeting with the guide. Today you will visit one of 18 Stalin's summer
residences and will also have time for shopping. There is a belief that Stalin liked Sochi's dacha most of all.
The three-storey villa -Stalin’s Dacha (Summer residence) -was built in 1937 and was once the secret
dacha of Joseph Stalin. Stalin’s house reveals a fascinating and exclusive look at the outstanding dictator of
the XX century. The interior has been preserved as it was in Stalin’s days and you will see the same valuable
wooden floor and fireplace, sofa made to Stalin’s order, billiard and some Stalin’s belongings; you may feel
Stalin’s presence in the cinema hall where you will view his wax figure seated at the desk with a smoking
pipe in hand. If you are lucky you will meet Ghost of Stalin wandering around the dacha.
10pm -transfer to the shopping center
12pm -1:30pm — transfer for lunch and lunch in the city cafe
1:30pm — visit to Stalin's dacha
3:00pm – transfer to the airport 

What's included: meeting at the airport, transfer airport-hotel-airport, meals: breakfasts and dinners at the hotel,
lunches in the city cafes, English speaking guide, transportation, entrance fees
What's not included: 1st-day – breakfast, final day -dinner
Check-in: 2pm Check-out: 12pm 

10+1*  - 22 000 rub

20+1*  - 13 700 rub

30+1*  - 11 700 rub

40+1*  - 10 400 rub
*1 tour leader – free