A tour to Sochi took place as part of the press tour to the Rosa Khutor Ski Resort.

The resort city has an unofficial name – Greater Sochi. It occupies a quarter of Russia’s entire Black Sea coast and is its southernmost part. Forests occupy more than 80 percent of the territory. The city has Lazarevsky, Central, Khostinsky, and Adlersky districts.

Historians say the first people appeared here about 100-120 thousand years ago. The Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines lived here. Dozens of Byzantine basilicas, medieval villages, burial grounds, and mounds have reached us.

Guide Anton Makeyev informed journalists about the life of the Circassians who inhabited this land in the 19th century, their principalities and traditions, and the Caucasian war.

At first, Sochi was like an island, because there were no roads and only the sea route was accessible. Now the city can be visited by any transport anywhere in the world. The bridges offer stunning views of the Black Sea.

The excursion began at a theme park, the so-called “Russian Disneyland”. The attractions here have fabulous names. Even the hotel in the park’s center is called “Bogatyr”. Its visitors can ride the attractions for free.

“Fisht” Stadium. The opening and closing of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2014 and the FIFA World Cup in 2018 took place here. At Sirius Arena, children can attend free classes in 12 sports.

Then, the journalists climbed to the top of Mount Akhun – the highest in Sochi, from where a magnificent panoramic view of the entire city and coast opens. It is located on the territory of the Sochi National Park, where there are 15 forest areas. The flora is rich in Red Book plants and relict plants. The road to Great Akhun is almost 90 years old. It is the very first excursion road. As you climb, you pay attention to the neighboring rock, the Eagle Rock, where, according to myth, Prometheus was chained. At the very top of the mountain, there is an observation tower.

The following objects were the Museum of Microminiatures of Vladimir Aniskin, a fairy-tale farm with real reindeer, and the southern residence of Santa Claus. Everyone’s favorite Santa Claus wished all the people of Uzbekistan success. For the more goodness, the more peace on earth!

On the way to the following site, Anton Makeyev talked about the Matsesta River, which originates on the southern slopes of the Alek ridge at about 900 meters above sea level. The river is best known for its mineral hydrogen sulfide springs. Its name translated as “fire water” since human skin turns red after spring immersion. Many years of studying the effects of this water on various diseases made it possible to develop effective treatment methods. The stone bas-relief of the mountain girl Matsesta is one of the symbols of Sochi. One of the most beautiful legends is associated with her name. According to ancient legends, the enchanted lands became a “valley of springs of health”, containing two dozen gases and a rich complex of beneficial salts and microelements thanks to the girl.

Then, the excursion participants visited Stalin’s Dacha park. The location of this structure is unique – it is here that the sea air mixes with the mountain air. All rooms have retained the original interior decoration made of valuable wood, original chandeliers, Stalin’s sofa made on his orders, a silver writing instrument donated by Mao Zedong, a security room, and the office of the head of the security service, Nikolay Vlasik, who was also his photographer. On the second floor, there is a fireplace room, which attracts attention with its unique acoustics. This hall leads to the terrace where I. Stalin loved to write poetry. In addition, on his orders, tea production was established in Sochi. And now the city takes a leading position in this direction.

During a tour along Kurortny Prospect, journalists learned about famous natives of the city, sanatoriums, parks, and a theater.

According to the guide, exploring all these attractions will take at least a week.

The excursion members stopped at the Marine Station, where a sculpture of the goddess Isis is near the fountain. One of the episodes of the famous film “The Diamond Arm” was filmed here. A monument to the film was also erected here. International passenger traffic is carried out through the port of Sochi to Georgia, Abkhazia, and Türkiye. The maritime shipping industry has been developed, and expedition cruises are organized.

The press tour has been completed. In conclusion, I would like to recall the words of the head of the Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts, Kazakh journalist and public figure Andrey Kukushkin: “The main mission of the alliance is to expand the territory of friendship”. Expanding and strengthening cooperation, exchanging experiences, and cherishing the spirit of sincerity and friendship are necessary.

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Alpomish Mashrabkhanov, UzA,

Sochi.