From Russia with Love
11
Sochi is known for its terrific mountain skiing and its pristine beaches, one event has created great excitement and enthusiasm throughout the area; the upcoming Winter Olympics. Come to see the world’s largest sporting events and support your country’s athletes as they as they ski, skate, and slide their way to the podium. Visit breathtaking venues and explore the colourful city of Sochi at its finest; the atmosphere promises to be electric. Be sure to seize this marvellous opportunity because it only comes around every 4 years.
Mount Elbrus
During your trip in Russia, escape the bustle of the big city and connect with the great outdoors. Located between the Black and Caspian Seas, 20 kilometres from the Georgian border, stands the highest mountain in Russia and Europe at 5621 metres tall, Mount Elbrus. Offering gorgeous views and superb skiing, Mount Elbrus is an adventurer’s dream. Explore unspoiled valleys and passes filled with fresh powder as you venture into isolated areas of the mountain. Stay in cozy cabins and savour the delicious meals. For the best skiing in Russia, be sure to make mount Elbrus one of your destinations.
The State Hermitage Museum
In 1764, Empress Catherine the Great of Russia bought a substantial collection of Western European art which became the foundation for one of the oldest and largest museums in the world. Situated in St. Petersburg, the State Hermitage complex is made of 6 buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Including the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage, the New Hermitage, and the Winter Palace, which originally acted as a residence for Russian emperors, the museum showcases monuments from the Ancient World, Western Europe, Russia, and Oriental countries. Finished with magnificent marble pillars, grand staircases, and gold details, entering this 200 year old museum gives you a sense of grandeur. For historians, art lovers, and tourists alike, the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is one of Russia’s most extraordinary sites.
Page 10 top: Mount Elbrus
Page 10 bottom (left to right): Bolshoi Theatre, St. Basil's Cathedral, Red Square
Left: Sochi Olympic logo
Below: Sochi coastline, Mount Elbrus, State Hermitage Museum