At Ski Slopes and Seaside Bars

A wide and rich set of traditions aside, the Russian south is the breadbasket and the spa of the country. 

The former expression or “zhitnitsa” in Russian was akin to a cultural meme in Soviet times, while the latter is due to a chain of health resorts springing up across the southern landscapes and beaches during the same era. In fact, for a typical Russian, the very words “south” and “resort” mean nearly the same thing.

South culture always has something special about it, and Russia’s is no exception. 

From the Adyghe Circassians, Ukrainians, Jews, to the Greeks, Turks, Moldovans, Armenians, Georgians, and Koreans, this land has heard many languages and remembers many customs of many peoples that have moved or always lived here.  

Sochi 
The unique boxwood grove and ancient fortresses of Khosta and Krasnaya Polyana, majestic Soviet sanatoriums and modern ski slopes, luxurious roads and railways cutting through the mountains ...

... and seaside dive bars with live chanson music, the languid subtropical humidity and the pure oxygen of snowy peaks all mean modern Sochi. 

A winescape tour across Kuban is reason enough to visit the Russian South.

With vineyards in the foothills, Gai-Kodzor’s cutting-edge winery can help explore wine technology and local products.

Perhaps, Russia’s foremost winescaping area is the village of Abrau-Dyurso located by Lake Abrau, one of the two official birthplaces of Russian champagne. Discover its detailed history during a tour of the winery and its cellars, and experience the quality at tastings. 

Apart from its sparkling wine, Abrau also has a cooking school, a contemporary art gallery, a walking route through the vineyard and along the lake, a sea and a beach, a spa with champagne, mid-range and more expensive hotels, in addition to food stores selling local cheeses, wine grape juices, and other specialities.  

From May to September, Rostov’s central market is at once a diverse display of food, an amusement ride, a nature reserve and an invigorating communications workshop.

It is southern Russian life itself with all its customs, habits, linguistic features and psychological traits.

Located 30 km from Rostov on the right bank of the Don, this is the second capital of the Don Cossacks, and a place where time froze. 

Postcard courtyards with sunflowers, pots and cockerels on wicker fences, and cossacks going about their business, that is to the church or to the korchma tavern simply jump at you. 

Curiosities become more curious still at the Starocherkassky Museum Reserve with details of Cossack history and lifestyle, including food preferences.