6-3-2013 New Mountain Train, Rushmans DS Office, Accor Hotels, Kinotavr, Summer Arrives, Sochi Medals High-Speed Train was tested on the route to Krasnaya Polyana. May 24th was the last day of school in Sochi. The Russian language film festival, Kinotavr will be held in central Sochi. Two hotels that will carry Accor flags are under construction. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) June 3, 2013 Sochi City Center Mountain Train Big News:  Tuesday, May 28 the High-Speed Train was tested on the route to Krasnaya Polyana.  Regular service on the line, run by Russian Railways, is scheduled to start in September of this year.  This very important milestone has been reached at an early date and will be great news for travelers to Krasnaya Polyana not only for the Games, but before and after.   Krasnaya Polyana Route Accor  Currently, two hotels that will carry Accor flags are under construction in the center of Sochi.  The hotels (with spectacular views) are the 5- star Pullman and the 4- star Mercure and sit at the site of the Olympic University and along Sochi's new "Hotel Row".  Recently, I met with Director of Operations for South Russia, Eric Laporte, and toured the location.  The hotels will have 150 and 200 rooms respectively, with many unique features including Pullman's "Welcomers", its 16th floor pool and a conference facility for up to 800 guests. Mercure and Pullman Hotels Kinotavr Starts From June 2- 9, the Russian language film festival, Kinotavr will be held in central Sochi.  Films will be shown in various locations, including at the Winter Theater, which will host the nightly "Cinema on the Square" outdoor screenings.   The annual festival draws thousands and brings out the best in Russian cinematic talent for its competition.  Also, at the Winter Theater, on May 24th, a concert was held by the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia under Vladimir Spivakov in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Winter Theater.  The works of Verdi, Puccini, Rossini and others were performed. Winter Theater  Rushmans Destination Sochi Office Rushmans and Destination Sochi have moved to a new office in the Atrium Center at 9D Navaginskaya Ulitsa, near Administration Square and in the heart of the city.  Make an appointment and visit us on your next trip to Sochi!  aclark@rushmans.com; bruce@destinationsochi.com New Office Last Day Of School May 24th was the last day of school in Sochi.  The next day, Saturday the 25th, the streets of Sochi were lined with thousands of school children, waving and holding balloons. Some schools had picnics and other outings to celebrate. Last Day Of School Navaginskaya Ulitsa Accordionist Summer Arrives Summer is here with thousands of tourists arriving by train, bus and airplane.  The kvas stands dot the city's center and Vorovskovo Ulitsa's accordion player is making his evening music under the trees.  Summertime backyard parties are again the norm. Birthday Party India  Last week an exposition of Indian food, clothes, furniture and souvenirs reached Sochi.  Thousands came out to look, shop and enjoy. Seaside Expo Sochi Magazine Calendar Sochi Magazine now features a forward calendar on its site. Follow the site for the latest news, reviews and information about Russia's new sports capital. Sochi Medals The medals to be awarded during the Winter Games next February in Sochi were unveiled recently.  Sochi 2014 CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko said that "We'll try to keep all these medals in Russia, especially the gold ones." Saint Vladimir's Church 5-21-2013 Victory Day, High Speed Rail Photo, Hotel News, NSFW, Seaport Expansion, Infrastructure The May 9th holiday was observed in Sochi with a parade. Sochi again observed Museum Night on Saturday, May 18. FunSochi.Ru has a new photo shoot celebrating beauty. Sochi is continuing to improve streets, sidewalks, bus stops and more.. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) May 21, 2013 Victory Day Flags (May 9) Victory Day The May 9th holiday was observed in Sochi with a parade and continued the May holiday season until the following week.  With thousands of people off work, the arrival of tourists with the beginning of the summer season and warm weather, central Sochi relaxed. Victory Day Celebrants Museum Night Sochi again observed Museum Night on Saturday, May 18.  Several museums in the city were open until late, including the Art Museum, between Ordzhonikidze Ulitsa and Kurortniy Prospekt and close to the new Hyatt Regency.  Thousands of people were out for the warm evening. Sochi Art Museum Not Safe For Work The Russian language site, FunSochi.Ru has a new photo shoot celebrating beauty in true Russian-style on the slopes of Krasnaya Polyana.  Judging by the attire, photos were taken during the spring skiing season... Infrastructure Sochi is continuing to improve streets, sidewalks, bus stops and the pedestrian underpasses in the city center. A new underpass is being built at the intersection of Lenina and Kirova Streets in Adler town center.  The underpasses help to speed traffic and are lined with kiosks selling clothing, souvenirs and other items. Pedestrian Underpass- Kurortniy Prospekt More Infrastructure The high-speed rail and new highway being built to Krasnaya Polyana continue to show rapid progress.  The train stations appear to be nearly complete, too. High-Speed Rail Seaport Expansion Olympstoy's website recently posted pictures of the seaport renovation and expansion project.   Sochi Seaport New Flight Basel Aero is offering flights between Sochi and the Russian city of Minernalnye Vody in Stavropol Region. Mineralnye Vody is the gateway to several resorts in the North Caucasus.  The 50 minute flights are available on Sunday and Thursday.  Turkish Airlines serves Sochi from Istanbul several times a week and several Russian carriers offer flights from Moscow, such as Aeroflot (from Sheremetyevo's Terminal D- shown below), UT Air and S7.  Rossiya Airlines has service from Saint Petersburg. Sheremetyevo Airport- Moscow Hotel News Occupancy at the hotels in Krasnaya Polyana averaged 84% during the winter season.  Despite frequent closures of the mountains due to the test events being held there, Sochi's ski season saw a 13% increase in visitors to more than 500,000.  With more new hotels being built, the new highway and high speed rail, the 4 mountain resorts figure to see rapid growth following the conclusion of the Games. Gornaya Karusel Resort- New Construction Sochi Timelapse Follow the link to see timelapse images of Sochi's development from 1984 -2012. Sidewalk Scene- Kurortniy Prospekt 5-6-2013 Sponsors in Sochi, May Holidays, Krasnaya Polyana Progress, Hyatt Photo, Kinotavr, Red Rocks The Russian-language film festival will again kick off this June. The high speed rail to the Mountain Cluster moves toward completion. The Aeroexpress Train service has been running since early 2012. The Red Rocks Music Festival was held at the seaport. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) May 6, 2013 Spring, May, Victory! (Victory Day is May 9) May Holidays Early May is an important holiday period in Russia. Each year, May 1st is celebrated as Spring and Labor Day Holiday in Russia.  So most offices and banks were closed May 1st, 2nd and 3rd (along with the 4th and 5th).  With many people traveling by train for the holiday period, Sochi Station was jammed on Tuesday, April 30th.   Sochi Train Station- April 30 Holidays (continued) This year, Sunday, May 5th is Easter in the Russian Orthodox Church.  Church-goers attended late night services in Sochi on the night of the 4th-5th.  Yesterday many celebrants purchased the traditional cakes sold in street-side kiosks and shown in the photo below.  Also, May 9th is celebrated as Victory Day in Russia and other nations of the former Soviet Union.  Victory Day commemorates victory in the Second World War (The Great Patriotic War in Russian).  So, offices will again be closed May 9th and 10th in observance (along with Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th).  Victory Day is one of the biggest holidays in the Russian calendar, so there will be parades here in Sochi, just as in Moscow, although not on the same scale.  Finally, Krasnodar Region will celebrate Memorial Day on May 13th. Kiosk- Moskovskaya Ulitsa Kinotavr The Russian-language film festival will again kick off this June with screenings nightly from the 2nd through the 9th of the month.  Kinotavr is Russia's biggest film festival and draws luminaries from Russian cinema to the Black Sea each summer.  Films are shown in several places, including in the evenings outside at the Winter Theater.  Beautiful weather and film makes for a great evening for Sochisiders. Winter Theater Summer Arrives? After several weeks of mild spring weather, the last week has been very warm.  Temperatures of 27 (almost 81 Fahrenheit) were recorded in Sochi city center Saturday, May 4th.   San Remo Restaurant Krasnaya Polyana Progress The high speed rail to the Mountain Cluster continues to move toward completion.  The photograph below shows the spectacular new station at Esta Sadok (near the Ski Jump Venue). Esta Sadok Station New Engines The Aeroexpress Train service from Sochi city center to Adler Station and on to the airport has been running since early 2012.  The line now has new Siemens engines and, as of May 1st, they are in use. Aeroexpress operates 5 times a day in each direction and the one-way trip takes about 45 minutes. Aeroexpress- Adler Station Hyatt Regency  The new Hyatt Regency, whose structure has rising between the Park and Primorskaya Hotels on Sochi's Hotel Row, will be completed with both hotel rooms and luxury apartments and is set to become one of the premier hotels in Sochi.  Recently, I traveled to the hotel's upper floors and photographed the views. Hyatt Regency View Sponsors And Sochi As the months wind down towards the 2014 Winter Games, sponsor advertising activity in Sochi has stepped up.  Coca-Cola branded automobiles are frequently seen on city streets and the beverage-maker has enlisted many new retailers to sell and advertise their products.  Volkswagen, too, is participating, with prominent billboards along the road between Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana. Near Sochi Airport Red Rocks Rocked! The Red Rocks Music Festival was held at the seaport (the link has very good photos) on April 26th and about 6,000 people attended.  Sochi Mayor Anatoly Pakhomov greeted festival-goers as it was held for the 3rd consecutive year (last year on the slopes of Gornaya Karusel).  Morcheeba, the British trip-hop group, headlined the festival. Krasnaya Polyana 4-23-2013 Hyatt, Train Station, Music Festival, Historic Photos, Locations Sochi's central train station is being renovated. The Red Rocks music festival will be held on April 27, 2013 near the seaport. The Krasnodar Region's XII Int'l Investment Forum will be held in September. A new suspension bridge is being built leading to Krasnaya Polyana... See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) April 23, 2013   Train Station Sochi's central train station is being renovated, along with much of Sochi's infrastructure.  The station, which is the primary disembarkation point for millions of travelers each year, is shown in the photograph below.  Trains arrive from distant locations, such as Moscow, Novosibirsk and Gomel, Belarus.  Train service is also provided to the airport by means of the Aeroexpress (watch our video here), which departs and arrives 5 times each day.  During the Olympics there will be service to both the Coastal and Mountain Clusters, too. Sochi Train Station Red Rocks Festival The Red Rocks music festival will be held on April 27, 2013 near the seaport.  The annual festival, which attracts thousands, will have both Russian and international musical groups.  Last year it was held in Krasnaya Polyana on the slopes of Gornaya Karusel. 2012 Red Rocks Festival Locations Destination Sochi maintains a database of locations, including hotels, function spaces, offices, warehouses and others at sites in Krasnaya Polyana, Adler and Sochi.  bruce@destinationsochi.com  Location International Investment Forum The Krasnodar Region's  XII International Investment Forum in Sochi will be held September 26- 29 at the Bolshoi Ice Dome in the Olympic Park.  The 12,000 seat venue will host thousands of participants from Russia and all over the world.   Winter Theater- 2011 Sochi Investment Forum Suspension Bridge A beautiful new suspension bridge is one of many bridges being built in the valley leading to Krasnaya Polyana and the Mountain Cluster. Follow this link to watch a time lapse video of the construction process. Hyatt Hotel The new Hyatt Regency offers commanding views of the Black Sea coastline and central Sochi.  The hotel aims to be open before the Games next year. Hyatt Hotel View Sochi Events The Radisson Blu near the Olympic Park played host from April 15- 18 to the International Sports Press Association.   From April 18- 28 the Ice Hockey Under 18 World Championship is being held at the hockey facilities in the Olympic Park. Bolshoi Ice Dome Non-Smoking Sochi is actively discouraging smoking at bus stops, in parks and on street signs throughout the city.   Sign- City Center Historic Photos of Sochi Several websites have historic photographs of Sochi from the 19th and 20th centuries.  Follow the link and notice the entry entitled "Historic Images."  There are several sites linked with photographs posted. Sochi Central Pochta (Post Office) 4-16-2013 Catering, Hotel News, Krasnaya Polyana Photos, Airport Bus Service, Mobile Power Plants The new Park Inn by Radisson next to Sochi Station is being built very quickly. A new road bypass is being constructed next to the Adler Train Station. A mobile power station was delivered to Sochi. Photographer Maxim Gololobov posted photos taken in Krasnaya Polyana. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) April 16, 2013 Fountain- City Center Catering In Sochi A Sochi-based restaurant development and catering company, the Simonneau Group, promotes their services on their website. Follow the link to learn more or to contact them.  The French-owned Simonneau Group is one of the few local firms with international experience.  Simonneau Group Park Inn By Radisson- Sochi City Center The new Park Inn by Radisson next to Sochi Station is being built very quickly.  Already, the exterior is nearly completed and as a credit to ownership, the attractive design complements the nearby train station.  Management states that they are planning for a November opening. Due to its proximity to the train station, no other central Sochi hotel will have the ease of transit to the mountains or the Olympic Park. Park Inn By Radisson- Sochi City Center Road Progress A new road bypass is being constructed next to the Adler Train Station.  The bypass will ease traffic in the direction of Adler town center and the Olympic Park when it is completed later this year. Road Construction  Photos And Mobile Power Plant Recently a mobile power station, the second of an eventual total of 9, was delivered to Sochi on the world's largest serially-produced cargo airplane.  The power plants are being brought to Sochi to ensure the complete reliability of power during the Games.  The power plants require a maximum of 6 minutes to be started. Follow the link to see the amazing night-time images of the transport aircraft and its important cargo. Krasnaya Polyana Photos Photographer Maxim Gololobov has posted a group of photos taken this winter in Krasnaya Polyana.  Follow the link to reach his images.  The photos are spectacular and will give a good idea of what to expect next winter in the Caucasus Mountains. Rosa Khutor  (Photo credit: Maxim Gololobov- http://brucetalley.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2f68cd387ce34da5530a656e1&id=b6149ee9a5&e=59ee3f7523) Airport Bus Service April 20th, bus service directly to the front of the airport terminal will begin again.  It had been suspended as of January because of construction nearby, requiring passengers to access service on the road in front of the airport. Sochi Airport More Spring The linked site, SochiMagazine.com pasted a video recently comparing spring weather in Sochi, Kiev and Moscow. The video is "without commentary".   Follow the link and watch the video entitled "Spring in Sochi". Sidewalk Scene- Kurortniy Prospekt Krasnaya Ploschad The new apartment tower, Krasnaya Ploschad (Red Square), is shown in the photo below. The apartment building is on Voikova Ulitsa, just up the hill from the old Hotel Moskva site (Courtyard by Marriott - Sochi Plaza) and will offer a prime location and commanding views of Sochi city center when it is ready for occupancy. Krasnaya Ploschad Apartment Building 4-8-2013 G8- Sochi, Hyatt Regency, Sochi Magazine, Green Sochi, White Sochi Sochi will host the G8 meeting in 2014. Sochi is implementing new technologies as it prepares for Sochi 2014. Sochi is storing snow for the Winter Games, in case of weather problems. The Iceberg Skating Palace in Adler will be reconfigured to be a Velodrome. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) April 8, 2013 G8 In Sochi In addition to sporting events such as the Winter Games, Formula 1 and World Cup matches,  Sochi will host the G8 meeting in 2014.  Dates have not been announced, but the meeting is usually held in late spring or early summer.  The main venue will be in the mountains at Krasnaya Polyana, scene of the alpine events during next year's Games. Krasnaya Polyana Green Sochi Sochi is implementing many new technologies, including LED lighting, renewable energy sources and "eco roofs", as it prepares for the 2014 Winter Games. The 5th Report On Implementation Of Green Building Standards was released in December of 2012 and details progress. White Sochi Sochi is storing snow for the Winter Games, in case balmy weather presents problems. Nearly 500,000 cubic meters of snow is being stored, which should be enough for all venues even if there is no snow in the lofty Caucasus Mountains.  Krasnaya Polyana Sochi Magazine Follow Sochi Magazine in digital form for news, video, information and articles about Sochi.   Hyatt Regency The Hyatt Regency towers above central Sochi in the photo below.  This is but one of the hotels being built in the city center as next year's Games approach. Hyatt Regency- Sochi Outdoor Markets Sochi is served by a number of outdoor markets.  These markets provide an opportunity for Sochisiders to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and dairy products.  The large market in Adler town center is close to the Novy Vek Shopping Center and its bus stop.   Outdoor Market- Adler District Changing  The Iceberg Skating Palace in Adler will be reconfigured to become a velodrome after the conclusion of next year's Winter Games, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak announced recently. XVI Military Song Festival As part of the Cultural Olympiad in Sochi, the XVI Military Song Festival was held in Sochi from April 3- 7.  More than 600 performing artists from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Armenia performed traditional army and Cossack songs, concluding with a concert on the Arts Square. Road Construction- Adler 4-2-2013 Sochi Plaza Hotel, New Hospital, Infrastructure, Coca-Cola, Sochi & Broadcasters Sochi continues to see infrastructure improvement. Rushmans has formed a joint venture with Destination Sochi. The new hospital on Dagomysskaya Ulitsa in the city center. Coca-Cola has become more prominent in Sochi in recent months. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) April 2, 2013 Spring in Sochi Spring This weekend has been bright and sunny, with a high temperature of 22 (72 Fahrenheit) today.  The spring weather brought thousands out to walk, fish, shop or meet friends.   Sochi Seaside Visitors And New Seaport Construction Infrastructure Improvement Sochi continues to see infrastructure improvement.  The pedestrian street underpass on Kurortniy Prospekt near McDonald's Restaurant and another nearby under Gorkovo Street are both undergoing renovation.  Likewise, many sidewalks have been rebuilt in the center.  Near the intersection with Kirova Ulitsa in Adler town center, Lenina Ulitsa is now closed for reconstruction for several months, too. Hotel Moskva The photo below shows the Courtyard by Marriott- Sochi Plaza being reconstructed from the old Hotel Moskva at 18 Kurortniy Prospekt (the most central location in Sochi).  Hotel Reconstruction- Sochi Plaza Site (former Hotel Moskva) Sochi And Broadcasters Rushmans, a global events firm that has supplied and managed broadcast studio facilities for many of the world's leading broadcasters, has formed a joint venture with Destination Sochi to provide on-the-ground services to broadcasters, sponsors and others in Sochi.  Contact:  aclark@rushmans.com Olympic Clock- Sochi New Hospital Construction The new hospital on Dagomysskaya Ulitsa in the city center has shown rapid progress in the last 60 days.  The hospital will have 300 beds, a diagnostic center and surgical facilities.  The hospital will be completed in time for use during the 2014 Winter Games. New Hospital- Dagomysskaya Ulitsa Coca-Cola The beverage company has become more prominent in Sochi in recent months, with many new retailers carrying their products in what was formerly primarily a Pepsi town. Coca Cola Sign Paralympics The Chefs de Mission of 36 National Paralympic Committees met in Sochi from March 19- 22 to be informed on issues such as accommodation, accreditation and ticketing. The Paralympics will take place from March 7- 16, 2014. Conferences Sochi is becoming a hub for regional business conferences and conventions.  This week the Oil and Gas Black Sea Conference was held at Marins Park Hotel from March 25- 30.  Also, a Health Food Exhibition took place from March 28- 30 at the Zhemchuzhina Hotel (also in central Sochi). Marins Park Hotel Conference NHL The National Hockey League has not yet agreed to player participation in the Sochi Games.  Recently NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly was in Sochi to look at venues and meet with officials.  One issue to be resolved is player travel to and from the Games. Springtime 3-25-2013 Event Locations, New Hotel, New Apartments, Weather, Broadcaster View of Sochi, All New Photos The 200 room hotel is being constructed near the road to Adler. A large video screen has been erected at the Art Museum in Sochi's city center. A producer for a foreign broadcaster gave a solid vote of approval to Sochi. Sochi is showing the "Carnival of Animals" at the circus in Sochi city center. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) March 25, 2013 Ski Jump- Krasnaya Polyana Locations Consult us about accommodation, offices and locations for special events in Sochi, Adler and Krasnaya Polyana. We have a database of solutions and can assist with both the search and contracting.  The photo below was taken at the site of a unique accommodation and special event option.  bruce@destinationsochi.com    Yuzhniy Hotel The 200 room hotel is being constructed near the road to Adler and just a short drive from the train station.  This 4-star property will be an excellent addition because of its proximity to the airport and Adler station.  The hotel also fills a void in the new hotel construction between the Adler Train Station and Sochi city center. Yuzhniy Hotel Apartment Construction Sochi is the scene of a great deal of new residential construction.  The example is being built at the southeast side of the city center and near the coast.   Apartment Project- Kurortniy Prospekt Games Broadcast A large  video screen has been erected at the Art Museum (shown below) in Sochi's city center.  During the Games, events will be broadcast here and at the Seaport.   Sochi Art Museum Weather The weather in Sochi has changed several times in the last week.  On Friday, March 15, we enjoyed temperatures of 24 degrees (75 Fahrenheit) at 11:00 p.m.  On the weekend it was cold and rainy, but warm, spring-like weather prevailed midweek with highs on the coast of about 16- 19 (60- 66 Fahrenheit).  Saturday the 23rd again saw rain. View From Adler Broadcaster Raves Recently, a producer for a foreign broadcaster was in town and gave a solid vote of approval to Sochi.  He said "I think it will be very difficult to top the Sochi Games." Reasons cited included the compact coastal and mountain clusters and the outstanding venues being constructed. View of Olympic Park Train Station Siberian Yaks Sochi is showing the "Carnival of Animals" at the circus in Sochi city center this month and in April.  Animals featured will include Siberian Yaks. Sochi Train Station The area around the station is the scene for a number of new commercial and residential projects.  The train station itself is undergoing a remodel, (although its distinctive clock tower and facade will remain) with the rail bridge over the Sochi River being rebuilt. Near Sochi Central Train Station 3-13-2013 Apartment Rental Survey, Hotel Construction, Railroad Photos, Women's Day In Sochi, Expat Party Survey of apartments shows that prices have stabilized in recent months. Central Sochi has a number of new cafes and restaurants. As the largest construction site in the world, Sochi is adding a number of hotels. March 7th, Sochi marked one year until the Paralympics start. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) March 13, 2013 Railroad Bridge- Krasnaya Polyana Apartment Rental Survey Our recent survey of apartments shows that prices have stabilized in recent months.  While most of the new apartment buildings are being built in Sochi city center, several new projects in Adler are being completed as well.   Our survey indicates that a number of apartments will be vacated during the summer months, since some construction projects are ending.  Contact: bruce@destinationsochi.com New Cafes Central Sochi has a number of new cafes and restaurants.  The pedestrian area around Ostrovskovo and Vorovskovo Ulitsas shows the largest number of new eateries. Savoy Cafe (New)- Ostrovskovo Ulitsa Hotel Construction As the largest construction site in the world, Sochi is adding a large number of new hotels.  The photo below shows the Hyatt Regency, which will open this year above the boardwalk in Sochi's city center.  With Marins Park Hotel, the Bounty Hotel and both the Pullman and Mercure Hotels rising nearby, along with the venerable Pervomayskaya Hotel and across the street, the Magnolia Hotel, the area around the Hyatt figures to become Sochi's "Hotel Row".  Hyatt Regency International Women's Day Sochi celebrated the holiday on Friday, March 8, with the day off from work.  Banks and city offices were closed. Many retail stores stayed open for last minute shoppers and restaurants throughout the city were filled with celebrants all the night long. Poster- Women's Day, March 8 Paralympics Milestone The day before Women's Day, on March 7, Sochi marked one year until the Paralympics start.  The Paralympics will consist of 7 disciplines in 5 sports, with 72 separate medal events spread out over 10 days of competition. Radisson Blu Sponsors Expat Party Radisson Blu sponsored an event forSochi Magazine's Expat Club at their Mikado Sushi Bar and Restaurant on Saturday, March 9, 2013.  Guests enjoyed sushi, beverages and the cool surroundings of Adler's premier new meeting spot.  Thanks to Radisson Blu and General Manager Thomas Hagemann! Mikado Sushi Bar And Restaurant- Radisson Blu Adler Station Adler's train station, shown below, is being rebuilt.  The station sees large numbers of tourists during the summer season and will be an important transport link during the Games next year.  The distinctive new design is in keeping with the architectural theme of the high-speed rail station being built next to the Olympic Park and those at Esta Sadok and Rosa Khutor in Krasnaya Polyana. Adler Station Winter Theater Sochi's Winter Theater will host the Kazan Academic Drama Theater troupe from April 10th- 30th, 2013.  The Kazan Drama Theater, founded in 1791, is one of Russia's oldest and it has held the  reputation as one of the most important in Russia since the 19th century. Kazan, a city of more than 1 million about 450 miles (720 kilometers) southeast of Moscow, will be the site of the 2013 University Games and, along with other Russian cities such as Sochi, will be a host for 2018 World Cup matches. Gornaya Karusel Gornaya Karusel Ski Resort will close from March 11th to 18th this year for technical upgrades. Sochi River 2-25-2013 Calendar Girls, Hotel Choices, Olimpstroy Images, Krasnaya Polyana Progress, New Infrastructure Sochi is rebuilding much infrastructure, including bus stops. A number of new churches have been built all over Russia. Olimpstroy has postednew 360 degree panoramic images of the Olympic Park, Rosa Khutor & the luge track. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) February 25, 2013 Sochi Train Station Hotels Check directly with us to find hotel and apartment accommodations.  We are working directly with owners to provide good options at reasonable prices. Destination Sochi has an in-house attorney who specializes in real estate and contract law.  We add value by providing solutions. bruce@destinationsochi.com New Hotel Construction- Krasnaya Polyana New Calendar Marins Park Hotel has a new calendar, the calendar girls are featured performing the services in the hotel that they are each responsible for.  Marins Park Hotel is located in Sochi on Moskoi Pereulok.  With its very central location near the boardwalk and the Winter Theater, Marin's Park Hotel has long been a business hotel for those traveling to Sochi. Marins Park Hotel Bus Stop Sochi is rebuilding much infrastructure, including bus stops.  The bus stop for the Svetlana area has been renovated and, with its location close to the Perekrestok store, will be widely used.  Follow the link to read more about local transportation in Sochi.   For travel and transport information to Sochi, along with maps of the region, visit SochiMagazine.com Svetlana Bus Stop Krasnaya Polyana Progress The new development at Gornaya Karusel has shown marked progress in the last few weeks.   The changes are noticeable on an almost daily basis.  Follow the link for more on this. Gornaya Karusel Churches  The new church on Vinogradnaya Ulitsa in Sochi is pictured below.  In the post- Soviet era, a number of new churches have been built all over Russia.  A large one is being constructed in the vicinity of the Olympic Park. Church of Saint Vladimir- Vinogradnaya Ulitsa, Sochi Olympstroy Images Olimpstroy has posted new 360 degree panoramic images of the Olympic Park, Rosa Khutor and the luge track.  Olimpstroy Gate- Olympic Park Sochi To Prosper After Games An Interview with Minister Igor Slyunaev, Russian Minister of Regional Development revealed some of the steps that the Minister thinks will help Sochi to continue to develop and grow economically after the 2014 Games are over. Aeroexpress Train- Sochi Station 2-18-2013 One Year To Go, SochiMagazine.com, Hotel News, Quiksilver Party, Sochi Expats SochiMagazine.com features a new design; new video & articles. Gossip Cafe in Sochi city center is again sponsoring an "Expats Happy Hour" Baden Baden, Germany recently signed an agreement with Sochi Volunteers for Sochi 2014 have one month to submit their applications. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) February 18, 2013 Bolshoi Ice Palace And Caucasus Mountains One Year To Go The date was noted with a celebration at the Bolshoi Ice Palace on February 7th.  Thousands watched the skating performances and fireworks display afterward.   Olympic Clock- 365 Days Hotel News The Courtyard by Marriott in Sochi city center continues to take shape.  Accor Hotels has opened the new Mercure Hotel in Rosa Khutor.  There are two more Accor Hotels under construction in the city center. Another Mercure Hotel opens next to the Olympic University this year along with a Pullman Hotel near the sea.   Mercure Hotel- Rosa Khutor Sochi Magazine SochiMagazine.com features a new design and has posted new video and articles.  It is the first and only English-language site devoted to reviews and travel information about Sochi. SochiMagazine.com Quiksilver Party Friday, February 15, Quiksilver, the American apparel company, sponsored an event at the Park Inn by Radisson in Rosa Khutor.  With the test events taking place there now, the party was well-attended.   Park Inn by Radisson- Rosa Khutor Weather Sochi city center has continued to enjoy spring-like weather this week.  Daytime highs were around 18 (64 Fahrenheit) for much of the week.  Saturday was cooler and rainy, with snow in the mountains predicted for the next few days. Sochi Expats After the holiday season break, Gossip Cafe in Sochi city center is again sponsoring an "Expats Happy Hour" on Saturday nights at 8 p.m.  Ownership also caters special events in the area.   Gossip Cafe Baden Baden Baden Baden, Germany recently signed an agreement with Sochi cementing their relationship as sister cities. Dual ceremonies, according to the rules, were held in each city.  Click here for a full listing of all Sochi's sister cities, including Long Beach, California and Cheltenham, U.K. (since 1959). Krasnodar Region Tourism The Krasnodar Krai Regional Board of Tourism reported that more than 11.4 million visitors came to the region in 2012, spending about $1 billion. Sochi Volunteers Prospective Volunteers for the Sochi Winter Games have one month to submit their applications.  Reportedly, there are already more than 3 applicants for every position.   Park Gorkovo Apartment Project- Sochi City Center 2-4-2013 Help Dana Carry The Torch, Sochi Legacy, One Year Out, Formula 1 Track Help Dana Vorokova Carry The Torch. One Year To Go celebration will be held in the Bolshoi Ice Palace. The Formula 1 Race would be held in Sochi in November of 2014. Mountain resorts will provide world-class training; venues for World Cup events. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) February 4, 2013 Caucasus Mountains Help Dana Carry The Torch A young Sochisider and Sochi 2014 Volunteer, Dana Vorokova, who loves her country, her city and the Winter Games, hopes to carry the Olympic Torch in Sochi. Coca-Cola, the worldwide Olympic partner, has established a site to vote for candidates to bear the torch.   Dana has a cheerful demeanor and she gets pleasure from each of the athletes' successes (especially those of her Russian countrymen!) at the Test Events being held now in Rosa Khutor, I hope you will follow the link and join me in voting for her!  Dana Vorokova One Year To Go February 7, 2013, the One Year To Go celebration will be held in the Bolshoi Ice Palace in the Olympic Park. IOC President Jacques Rogge, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, Sochi 2014 CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko and Chairman of the IOC Coordination Committee for Sochi 2014 Jean-Claude Killy will all be in attendance.  Highlights of the evening will include a spectacular ice show with 300 participants (including many luminaries from Russia's skating elite), and a fireworks display. Formula 1 Set For November 2014 Sochi Mayor Anatoli Pakhomov stated that the Formula 1 Race would be held in Sochi in November of 2014. The track, which winds through the Olympic Park, is reportedly on schedule for completion.   New Road And Olympic Park Sochi 2014 The new office building for the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee is progressing.  The building is slated to open this spring.  It sits near the Olympic Park and a short distance away from the new train terminal being constructed for the high speed rail network that will link the mountain and coastal clusters. Office Building Venues Rushmans/ Destination Sochi has a database of potential venues for hospitality, television studios, sponsors and others.  We find solutions for companies and organizations arriving in Sochi.  bruce@destinationsochi.com Restaurant Kitchen Facility- Database Test Events- Hotels The Test Events being held at Rosa Khutor have filled hotels.  Most have reported occupancy levels at or near 100%.  Also, the One Year To Go celebrations on February 7th are drawing visitors from around the globe to Adler and accommodations there are nearly fully booked, too.   Rosa Khutor Sochi Legacy I often hear questions about what will happen in Sochi after the Games are over.  The mountain resorts will provide world-class training for Russian athletes, venues for World Cup events and a new winter playground to compete with resorts worldwide.  The new high-speed rail will make it possible for visitors to spend their evenings on the sea and days on the Caucasus Mountains' challenging slopes.  And with Formula 1 and World Cup matches on the way, much will happen here long after the Olympics. Memorial To Heroes And Victims Of The Great Patriotic War (World War Two)- Sochi City Center 1-28-2013 Hotel News, New Q and A Service, Residential Construction, New Hospital A number of new apartment towers are being built in central Sochi. Sochi is a new and exciting sports destination. X5 Retail Group will be an Olympic sponsor. The ski mountain was closed to the public on January 22 until March 26. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) January 28, 2013 Mountain Scene- Rosa Khutor Residential Development A number of new apartment towers are being built in central Sochi.  Projects include the Sun City development near the Radisson Lazurnaya, Krasnaya Ploschad on Voykova Ulitsa, the Park Gorkovo project on Gorkovo Ulitsa near the train station and the project pictured below near Parallelnaya Ulitsa and close to the train station. New Development New Service Sochi is a new and exciting sports destination, but those unfamiliar with Russia and its sports capital may have questions.  Follow this link to join our service and ask Bruce Talley questions online about Sochi.  New Emergency Facilities The photo shows the new hospital and emergency facility being built on Dagomyskaya Ulitsa in central Sochi.  This new hospital is just one of the many ways Sochi is changing to meet the 2014 Games. New Hospital- Sochi New Olympic Sponsor Tuesday, January 22, it was announced that X5 Retail Group, the Russian retail giant and owner of Perekrestok food stores, will be an Olympic sponsor.   Weather This week has seen warm temperatures in the region. Tuesday saw highs in Sochi of over 17 (63 Fahrenheit), although Wednesday was cooler with a daytime high of 12 (54 Fahrenheit).  Stavropol, to the north and east of Sochi, but on the other side of the coastal range and across the Kuban plains, was 16 (almost 61 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, even though the city is usually substantially colder than subtropical Sochi.  The rainfall last weekend, accompanied a lot of snowfall in the mountains. Orthodox Church- Krasnaya Polyana Rosa Khutor Resort The ski mountain was closed to the public on January 22 and will remain so until March 26 because of the test events taking place there.   Gondola- Rosa Khutor   Hotel News A new Park Inn by Radisson is being constructed adjacent to Sochi's central train station.  The train station, with its distinctive clock tower, was built in 1952 and is one of Sochi's most famous landmarks.  Because it is a principal arrival point for many of the millions of annual visitors to Sochi, the new hotel will serve an important niche, especially since the immediate vicinity is under served by hotels.  The hotel scene is changing rapidly throughout Russia and CNN recently ran an article on some of the most spectacular Russian hotels; visitors may consider a stay on the way to or from Sochi to Saint Petersburg or Moscow at one of these world-class hotels.   Park Inn More Hotel News:  Adler The Russian Seasons Hotel, near the Olympic Park and the rail station (shown below from the hotel)  that will serve the Park, is in an advanced stage of construction. I visited the hotel on Thursday, January 24, to see rooms and space.   New Road And Rail Station "I'll Be Back" Actor and former California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger on a recent trip to Moscow and stated, with his trademark film line, his intention to return to Russia and attend the Sochi 2014 Winter Games. The Games in Sochi are expected to draw a long list of international film stars, as well as business and political leaders. Sochi And The NHL Participants expect meetings to begin soon on the issue of NHL player participation in the Sochi 2014 Winter Games.  The lockout ended recently but the issue was not solved in the new collective bargaining agreement.  Many players, including Russia's Alexander Ovechkin, are strongly in favor. Fruit And Vegetable Stand 1-21-2013 Rentals- Studios, Hospitality; Snow, Food Retail, One Year Out Approaching, Road Construction More Mall is now almost fully-occupied. Gourmet Delicatessen is now open in the center of Sochi. Vorovskovo Ulitsa has seen the paving stones for the sidewalks replaced. Earlier this week; more rain in Sochi city center & snowfall in the mountains. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) January 21, 2013 Traditional Costumes- Administration Square Apartments, Offices, Studios We have been contacted by an owner who has several new western-standard apartments that he wishes to quickly lease the apartments at prices our company has not seen since the second quarter of 2012.  Rushmans/ Destination Sochi has a database of hotels, apartments, offices and potential studios and hospitality venues.  Contract with us to find your space. Rushmans/Destination Sochi will also negotiate and write contracts in Russian, with an English language translation for our clients.   bruce@destinationsochi.com View Toward Olympic Park- Adler Retail More Mall is now almost fully-occupied. A number of western retailers, such as Pepe Jeans, Replay, Calvin Klein and Massimo have outlets in the mall.  The street in front of the mall and between it and the Sochi River, Tchaikovskovo is now closed at the location of the railroad bridge spanning the river due to construction for the new bridge. Food  Gourmet Delicatessen is now open at 10 Yunikh Lenintsev in the center of Sochi, not far from the train station.  The store features imported food products, including prosciutto, Italian ice cream, imported pasta, beef and veal.  There is also a bakery with cheesecake, pear tatin and freshly baked bread of varieties not usually found locally.  Australian rib eye steak is available at about 500 rubles per 100 grams.  That translated into about 16,000 rubles for 3.2 kilograms or about $500 for 7 pounds of steak.  Another meat wholesaler has American prime grade beef for sale, but much cheaper, at wholesale prices.  We tried the meat and it was very good.  The new Okay food retailer in More Mall is the largest, closest food retailer to the city center. Okay Store- More Mall Streets Along with the large scale construction for the Olympic venues, train stations, seaport, apartment buildings, hotels and shopping centers, Sochi is being readied in many other ways. This week, Vorovskovo Ulitsa in the city center has seen the paving stones for the sidewalks replaced.   New Road Construction- Adler (Near Olympic Park) Olympic Torch  The Olympic Torch for Sochi was unveiled for the first time on Monday, January 14.  The torch will follow the longest course in history with 14,000 torchbearers through 2,900 cities and towns in Russia. Snow Earlier this week saw more rain in Sochi city center and snowfall in the mountains.  Sochi has learned from the problems with snow that plagued Vancouver and is both storing snow and acquiring sophisticated snow making equipment.  Last month, SnowTek, the Finnish company, won a tender to provide snowmaking equipment that will provide up to 750 cubic meters of snow per day for venues, including the ski jump. View Toward Caucasus Mountains One Year Out February 7, Sochi will celebrate the last anniversary before the Games start.  Celebrants are coming from all over Russia, Europe and from at least as far as the United States for the event. Bus Stop Sochi has been building new bus stops.  The new ones are bigger, more well lit and more protected from the weather. The new stop next to Perekrestok store on Kurortniy Prospekt is a very good example.  For Sochisiders, it has been amazing to watch the rapid progress as the city is transformed in front of our eyes. Sochi Seaport 1-14-2013 Rosa Khutor Hotels, Rushmans/ Destination Sochi Join, NHL Participation, Warehouse Prices, Formula 1 Video January is the busiest holiday season in Russia. Dmitry Chernyshenko is confident that NHL players will participate in 2014. Sochi will host more than 20 int'l test events durin 2012-13. A European-themed village has been constructed at the base of Rosa Khutor. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) January 14, 2013 Gazprom "Laura" Ski Resort- Krasnaya Polyana Rushmans/ Destination Sochi Rushmans, the global event management firm, has announced that they are forming a joint venture with Destination Sochi to provide specialized 360-degree service for National Olympic Committees, broadcasters, partners and others in Sochi for the 2014 Winter Games, Formula 1 and other events to be held in Russia's new sports capital.  Contact: bruce@destinationsochi.com January Holidays January is the busiest holiday season in Russia.  Traditionally, the January 1 New Year's holiday is the biggest in the Russian calendar.  Russian Orthodox Christmas is observed on January 7.  "Old" New Year is celebrated on January 13/14 and Epiphany, with millions of Russians jumping into frigid rivers, lakes, seas and oceans, will be on January 19.  The holiday season saw banks and city offices close on December 29, 2012 and reopen on January 9, 2013. Hotel Scene- Sochi NHL And Sochi Dmitry Chernyshenko, the CEO of Sochi 2014, is confident that National Hockey League players will participate in the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. Test Events Sochi will host more than 20 international test events in all 15 Olympic disciplines and 5 Paralympic sports during the 2012-13 season. The Freestyle Ski and Snowboard FIS World Cup, including the FIS Audi Snow Cross World Cup, will be held at the Extreme Park at Rosa Khutor from February 7- 20.  The Alpine Skiing World Cup will be held at the Alpine Center at Rosa Khutor from March 12- 17. Mountain Scene- Krasnaya Polyana Rosa Khutor Rosa Khutor Hotels A European-themed village has been constructed at the base of Rosa Khutor, the mountain that will play host to the alpine events during the 2014 Winter Games.  Several new hotels have opened, with more on the way.  The Park Inn by Radisson and Tulip Inn receive guests currently.  According to General Manager Harald Buerkle, the Radisson, just across the river from the Park Inn, will open in early February of 2013. The new Mercure Hotel also is beginning operations in 2013. Radisson Hotel- Rosa Khutor Warehouses Warehouse space in Sochi is in short supply.  Prices reportedly rose 4- 5% in late 2012.   Formula 1 Track News According to Alexander Bogdanov, Formula Sochi CEO, the Formula 1 track will be used for other motor sports, possibly including MotoGP.   Please follow the link to see the route of the track as it winds in and around the Olympic Park in Sochi's Adler District. Olympic Stadium Weather The last week has seen cooler temperatures in Sochi. Currently, the temperature is about +7 (45 Fahrenheit). Tomorrow is projected to warm, but cooler temperatures will continue through the early part of next week.  Snow was seen this morning at the lowest elevations of the season. Sochi Seaport 1-3-2013 400 Days To Go, Country Houses & Television Studios, Train Station, Hotel News, New Restaurants, High Speed Rail The Sochi Winter Games will be held in 400 days. The train station at the Olympic Park is progressing. The Hyatt Regency continues to rise & towers over the skyline in central Sochi. Vorovskovo Ulitsa has seen two new restaurants openings in recent weeks. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) January 3, 2013 Happy New Year! Holiday Tree- More Mall 400 Days To Go The Sochi Winter Games will be held in 400 days- the event will now be held next year!  Also, this month marks 2 years that I have been writing the Sochi Newsletter.    Sochi Olympic Clock- January 3, 2013 Country Houses And Television Studios We have a database of potential "country houses", corporate hospitality venues and television studio locations, many of which have excellent views of and /access to the Olympic Park.   Contact:  bruce@destinationsochi.com Olympic Park View Train Station The train station at the Olympic Park is progressing.  The distinctive design is seen in the photo below. Olympic Rail Station Hotel News The Hyatt Regency continues to rise and towers over the skyline in central Sochi.  The great height seems even more since it sits on the bluff over the boardwalk.  The hotel also commands a great view of the Sochi Seaport currently undergoing a dramatic transformation.  Accor Hotels will be opening two new hotels in the Sochi city center during 2013, as well.   Hyatt Regency- Sochi New Restaurants Vorovskovo Ulitsa has seen two new restaurants openings in recent weeks.  Promenad and Amor Cafe have both opened near the central Pochta (post office). Promenad Restaurant Weather The New Year in Sochi has been greeted with blue skies and temperatures of 10- 12 degrees (50- 54 degrees Fahrenheit).  Sochisiders have taken to the streets and the boardwalk to shop, walk and enjoy the time off.  Many businesses will remain closed until after Orthodox Christmas on January 7. Sochi Seaport- January 3, 2013 High Speed Rail President Putin rode the high-speed rail from Adler to Krasnaya Polyana recently.  The system will be complete after mid- 2013. Earthquakes Sochi had several mild earthquakes last month.  The two most recent were December 23 and December 26. Sochi 2014 CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko reported that there was no damage to any of the Olympic venues or construction. Outdoor Market Near Olympic Park (Caucasus Mountains In Distance) 12-10-2012 Welcome To The Boomtown, Reserve Restaurants For Events/Parties, Moscow- Sochi Train, Bolshoi Ice Palace Photos, Test Events, Translators New high speed train between Moscow & Sochi will cut travel times in half. Sochi's Hotel Moskva is currently under renovation in the city center. Sochi is hosting test events in preparation for the 2014 Winter Games. Conference at the Radisson Blu Resort & Congress Center for translators. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) December 10, 2012 Hyatt Hotel Construction Welcome To The Boomtown Sochi's skyline, infrastructure and, of course, mountains are being transformed to turn the city and region into a year-around international resort and competitive sports capital.  It is a fascinating and exciting place to live during this time of rapid change and development. Caucasus Mountains (From Construction Site) Reserve Restaurants For Events/Parties Companies and organizations are already inquiring about reserving top Sochi restaurants/locations for parties during the Winter Games in 2014.  We work with several of the most well-known and well-regarded restaurants in Sochi.  Contact about dates/availability and to reserve restaurants with/without staff: bruce@destinationsochi.com Brigantina Cafe Moscow- Sochi Train New high speed train service between Moscow, Russia's capital and largest city, and Sochi will cut travel times in half.  For those who would like to travel through European Russia to the Caucasus, but whose schedule forbids the long journey, the trip will soon be more feasible.  The trip now is about 30- 32 hours.  The new high speed trains being produced in Russia will cut travel times to about 15 hours by the time of the 2014 Winter Games. Adler Train Station Weather Sochi weather was cool and rainy this week, with seaside highs of 15- 18 (59- 64 Fahrenheit). Administration Square- December 5, 2012 Hotel Moskva Sochi's Hotel Moskva is currently under renovation in the city center. The hotel will be transformed into the Courtyard by Marriott Sochi Plaza, joining other well-known hotel flags coming to Sochi, such as those of Radisson, Accor, Hyatt and Sheraton. Courtyard By Marriott Sochi Plaza (Hotel Moskva Site) Bolshoi Ice Palace Photos This site has photos of the Bolshoi Ice Palace with different configurations of outdoor lighting. Test Events Sochi is hosting test events in preparation for the 2014 Winter Games.  On Saturday, the figure skating Grand Prix was held at the newIceberg Skating Palace in the Olympic Park.  Russian President Vladimir Putin and Jean-Claude Killy of the IOC attended. Translators This week, a conference was held at the Radisson Blu Resort and Congress Center for translators in Sochi.  Destination Sochi has translators/guides available for tours as well as translators for business meetings. Sports Bar- Sochi 12-3-2012 Work Visa Seminar,Ski Passes, Road Construction, Interview, Weather, Rental Prices, Pets Limited number of work visas available under the quota system Apartment rental prices have stabilized in Sochi & Adler The road from Dzhubga to Sochi along the Black Sea coast will be reconstructed See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) December 3, 2012 Park Riviera Work Visa Seminar Wednesday, November 28, several state agencies sponsored a seminar on work visas in Sochi.  Sochi has a limited number of work visas for foreign workers available under the quota system.  Companies must begin the process immediately to receive work visas for employees to work in calendar year 2013. The deadline to apply for 2014 is April 30 (company documents must be completed before).  For legal consultation to determine the appropriate path contact:  yelena@destinationsochi.com Ski Passes Recently, the owner of the Rosa Khutor Ski Resort came out in favor of a system that will allow skiers in Krasnaya Polyana to ski at all 3 mountains (including Gazprom's Laura Resort and Gornaya Karusel) with the purchase of one ski pass.  Rosa Khutor's ski season is set to open on December 22, 2012.  At the moment, Rosa Khutor already has in service about 1,000 hotel rooms of the 4,500 being built.  The athlete's village is progressing and the mountain has more than 3 kilometers of high speed gondolas.    Gazprom's Laura Ski Resort Road Construction The road from Dzhubga to Sochi along the Black Sea coast will be reconstructed to increase traffic flow and speed.  This is welcome news to Sochisiders, tourists and those whose business requires transport of people or goods. Kurortniy Prospekt - Sochi Interview  Mercure Hotel Manager Oliver Kranz of Krasnaya Polyana was featured in this article about the upcoming ski season in Rosa Khutor. State Of The Art Snow Grooming Machines (Rosa Khutor) Iconic St. Basil's Cathedral And Snowfall (Moscow) Weather Moscow has seen cold weather and snowfall this week, while Sochi has been warm and sunny.  Daytime highs of 17- 19 (63- 66 Fahrenheit) have been the norm. Sochi Rental Prices Apartment rental prices have stabilized in Sochi and Adler after a steady climb this year.  However, market participants look for s surge in prices, particularly in Adler, by the spring months.   Warehouses run from about 300 to 360 rubles per square meter per month. Several new office buildings in Adler are nearing completion, also. Apartment Building- Adler Pets The area on Vorovskova Ulitsa near the intersection with Moskovskaya Ulitsa is a likely location to buy pets.  Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits and other household pets can be found there most afternoons.   Sochi City Center 11-26-2012 Test Event Accommodation, SochiMagazine.com, Radisson Blu, Thanksgiving in Sochi, Another Sochi Event, Test Event Tickets Sochi has been nominated to be one of the host cities for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. More than 60 test events this winter, including World Cup ski and snowboard events. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) November 26, 2012 New Mixed Use Tower- Sochi City Center Test Event Accommodation We are receiving requests for accommodation during the Test Events this winter in Sochi.  With our local knowledge and accommodation database, we have quality options available both in the mountains and on the coast.  Contact for more information: bruce@destinationsochi.com Accommodation- Krasnaya Polyana SochiMagazine.com Sochi's first English language magazineoffers reviews, articles, videos, photos and a map showing reviewed hotels and restaurants.  Included is a social network that allows registered users to comment, review, ask and answer questions.  Join the community page and keep up with current events in Sochi! SochiMagazine.com Radisson Blu The new 508 room Radisson Blu Resort and Congress Centre (photos and review) has opened next to the Olympic Park in Adler.  The Radisson Blu is set to be the preferred hotel for business and sports-related travelers in Sochi.  The hotel has a spa, 2 swimming pools, 3 restaurants and a conference center large enough for virtually any meeting, wedding or conference.   Look for the hotel to be a lynchpin as Sochi becomes a new destination for convention and incentive travel. Sushi Bar- Radisson Blu Resort And Congress Centre (Adler) Venues Photographs This Facebook page has a comprehensive list of photographs showing the current status of event venues construction. Thanksgiving in Sochi The American holiday was celebrated by a group of American expats, their families and friends in Sochi on Thursday, November 22.  Many typical items were missing, but we did have a turkey and a very good time! Desert- Thanksgiving In Sochi Another Sochi Event Sochi has been nominated to be one of the host cities for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, the warm-up for the World Cup to be held in Russia the following year.  Sochi will host World Cup matches at the Olympic Stadium in 2018. Olympic Stadium (under construction) Test Event Tickets Sochi is hosting more than 60 test events this winter, including World Cup ski and snowboard events.  Tickets will be distributed through the Sochi Organizing Committee and local government. Russian Rental Conference Last month, the Third Russian Rental Conference was held at the Rodina Grand Hotel in Sochi.  Conference participants met to talk about trends in the equipment rental market in Russia and other markets.  For equipment rentals in Sochi, contact Destination Sochi:  yelena@destinationsochi.com Fall Scene- Sochi 11-19-2012 Events, Legal Consultation, Memorials, Database for Commerce, Truck Hours/ Bus Travel, Beautification Process, More Mall, Sochi Station, Formula 1 On Track Sting will appear in both Krasnodar and Rostov this month. Legal consultation in Sochi to foreign companies. Sochi has memorials to the victims and heroes of the Second World War. Sochi is dismantling billboards that do not conform to municipal standards. See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) November 19, 2012 Sochi Events Sting will appear in both Krasnodar and Rostov this month. The region is drawing more western entertainers- last Saturday the Winter Theater saw a performance by a group from Spain of flamenco dancing and music. Sochi City Days will be celebrated from November 20 -25.  Fifty events are scheduled, including a cross procession dedicated to the patron saint of Sochi, Saint Michael the Archangel on November 21.  Free admission will be given to films and museums on November 24.  Sochi will officially kick off the winter season at the close of the holiday on November 25. Winter Theater Legal Consultation We offer legal consultation in Sochi to foreign companies, including company formation and visa application.  Companies should carefully consider these issues when deciding to bring foreign workers to Sochi. Contact: yelena@destinationsochi.com Memorials Sochi, like most Russian cities, has memorials to the victims and heroes of the Second World War.  The plaque below commemorates those residents of Sochi who were recognized as "Heroes of the Soviet Union".  It can be seen on Administration Square in the city center. Plaque- Administration Square Database- Warehouses/Offices/Accommodation/Land Destination Sochi has a comprehensive database including offices, apartment rentals, possible venue locations and warehouses.  We negotiate and write rental contracts in Russian, translated into English.  (bruce@destinationsochi.com) Warehouse Truck Hours/ Bus Travel Sochi has restricted the movement of large delivery trucks on a list of streets to between the hours of 21:00 and 08:00 as of November 15, 2012.  Look for the list of streets affected to expand over the next few months, in an effort to alleviate daytime traffic. Sochi has an extensive city bus system that is an affective way for passengers to move from one area to another.  This is especially helpful for passengers traveling from central Sochi to Adler because south-bound traffic is diverted to Ordzhonikidze Ulitsa, except for mass transit.   Beautification Process Sochi is dismantling billboards that do not conform to municipal standards.  Sochi's efforts to protect visual beauty in the city have been obvious over the last few months.  The dismantling process has been happening at night, so daytime traffic will not be impeded. More Mall (Sea Mall) The More Mall shopping center on the banks of the Sochi River, now has about 1/2 of its stores open, with the food retailer, Okay, serving as an anchor.  Okay has food products sought by expats that are not commonly found in Sochi.  The mall is also very friendly to families,  with an arcade and fun zone. There is a cinema with 8 screens and an Imax theater. More Mall Sochi Station Sochi's central train station is undergoing a massive renovation. The Stalin-era terminal will remain, but the rail lines are being reconstructed and the area is changing around it.  A new hotel is being built next to the station and there are many new apartment buildings under construction within a few blocks. Near Sochi Rail Station Formula 1 On Track The Formula 1 track in Sochi's Adler District (and around the Olympic Park) is on schedule for use during the Formula 1 race to be held in Sochi in 2014. Bolshoi Ice Palace (Olympic Park) 11-12-2012 Seaport Construction, High Speed Rail, World Press Briefing, Sport and Peace Conference, Free Internet/ Internet Service, Sochi By The Numbers A new article details the development at Sochi's seaport High-speed rail will connect the Coastal and Mountain Clusters Journalists in Sochi during the 2014 Winter Games will have free internet access See more in the full "Inside Sochi" Newsletter: (expand / collapse) November 12, 2012 Seaport  Seaport Construction A new article details the development at Sochi's seaport. The seaport is being rebuilt to accommodate 2 large cruise ships simultaneously, along with shopping and restaurants.  The port is a major part of Sochi's plans to become a year-around and international destination. Sochi Seaport Construction High Speed Rail Continuing progress is shown in the photo below of the high-speed rail that will connect the Coastal and Mountain Clustersin time for the Winter Games.  The network will allow thousands of passengers per hour to travel from the sea to the mountains in less than 30 minutes. High Speed Rail To Krasnaya Polyana World Press Briefing The World Press Briefing took place in Krasnaya Polyana at the Grand Hotel Polyana from November 6- 9.  More than 300 attendees from about 30 countries attended to learn about plans in Sochi for hosting the Games and the range of services available to the media during the Games.  Photos of the event can be found here. Sport and Peace Conference From October 31- November 2, the Sport and Peace Conference took place, also at the Grand Hotel Polyana.  More than 500 people attended the event, including 2 heads of state, 7 IOC members, 11 Ministers of Sport and 17 National Olympic Committees. Free Internet/ Internet Service Journalists in Sochi during the 2014 Winter Games will have free internet access at the Media Center and at venues, Sochi President and CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko said last week.  Internet in Sochi includes cable service which is provided by companies such as Rostelecom, Beeline and MTS.  For visitors, Yota modems are available in Sochi and also offer service in other Russian cities, such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Krasnodar. View Towards Sochi City Center From Adler Sochi By The Numbers Cost of a Quarter Pounder with cheese (Cheeseburger Royale) in Sochi 84 rubles ($2.65).   Chocolate Croissant at Napoleon Cafe 80 rubles ($2.55).  Bus Ride from Adler to Sochi- 44 rubles ($1.40).   Length of train ride from the airport to city center - 45 minutes.  Gin and tonic at Bar London 400 rubles ($12.70).   Weather Last week saw the weather change from highs of 25 (77 Fahrenheit), warm and sunny on Tuesday to cooler and rainy over the weekend.  Currently the temperature is 18 (65 Fahrenheit). Near Seaport/Megafon Office

 

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