Last Friday marked the official start of the 2014 Winter Olympics, hosted in Sochi in Russia. Hosted every four years this sporting event draws tourists from around the world as they see famous athletes from their home country battle it out against the best of the best in a worldwide competition. Although the games are always subject to some controversy due to illegal bidding, arguments about the legitimacy of hosting the games, and on occasion the controversy of the laws surrounding the host country, ultimately the Winter Olympics, must like its Summer counterpart, does a fantastic job of bringing the world together to share the love of a common thing; sport.
In the run up to the Winter Olympics, the Sochi Art Museum opened a history of Russian Sports exhibition starting from the 21st December. The exhibition was dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty and is the final event of the Year of the Museum of the Sochi 2014 Cultural Olympiad. During the Cultural Olympiad, over 100,000 artists from across the country participated in over 3,000 different activities, garnering the support of over 3 million spectators from these various art projects.
Visitors can learn about the various Russian rulers and their dedication to various sports, from the chess loving Peter the Great, to Alexander II’s passion for cycling. The exhibition is open from the 21st December 2013 to the 23rd March 2014, at the Sochi Art Museum, which is located a short 5 minute drive away from Sochi city centre.
While you are visiting Sochi to take in the excitement of the Winter Olympics, don’t forget to take a look at the grand Agura Waterfalls, also known as Agursky, one of the most famous tourist attractions (aside from the Olympics) in Sochi. These waterfalls are staggeringly tall at just under a hundred feet and are a popular stop off the Agura Ravine hiking trail. The Agura Waterfalls are located just outside the city of Sochi, and provide beautiful panoramic views of the city and the Black Sea beyond.
For those into hiking, make sure to ta ke the Agura Ravine hiking trail, stopping at the Agursky along the way. This is great for people who want to forget modern day life and get back into nature, as this hike is pretty challenging. Best of all, because of its location, the Agura Waterfalls are not very densely populated, so you can really get in touch with nature as you watch the water cascade over the edge of the falls. Then it’s off back to the cosy hotel room to get ready for a jam packed day of sports and more sports!
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