The micro-district of Matsesta is well-known for its unique sulfurous springs. It is here, in Matsesta, where the famous Sochi’s “Health Path” (terrenkur) begins. It was laid as early as in 1830s and was passing along local highlanders’ old road. In pre-revolutionary years, country houses of many celebrities were built above this path: Princes Golitsyn and Trubetskoy, Ataman Malyma, Doctor Peunov, and Minister of financers Vitte. In Matsesta there is also Stalin’s personal mansion which was built in 1937 after the design by Miron Merzhanov. Architecturally, this building differs too much from the habitual architecture of Sochi and of Stalin’s epoch in general. The planning of this mansion resembles a villa on a sun-lighted shore somewhere in Italy.

One more small settlement — Kudepsta — was formally integrated into boundaries of Sochi in 1961. The main point of attraction in Kudepsta is its ritual stone. Scientists tend to think that Kudepsta’s stone can be related to dolmens, while its age is multiple thousand years. If you look at it very intently you can see recessions in the stone where priests used to sit during their rituals.

The first mentioning of Khosta is dated with the 12th century. The settlement was owned by the Khamysh Abkhazian princes; a Genovese trading post named Casto was located there as well. The population of today’s Khosta is over 20 thousand. Among its main sightseeing one can mention the yew-boxwood grove and the fort of Khosta. The stone structure is located in a part of the grove which is hard-accessible due to ravines and dilapidated rocks, so you can hardly enjoy this sight without assistance of an experienced local guide. As for a walk in the yew-boxwood grove, it will be possible for tourists of any levels of training: the path is comfortable here, with benches for having a rest, and the air fills you with energy and power, so you for sure will enjoy such a walk. Besides, from Khosta you can easily reach Vorontsovskaya Cave which is one of Russia’s longest caves.

The Vorontsovskaya Cave of Sochi is a real underground miracle. It was named after the closest settlement of Vorontsovka. The system of Vorontsovskaya Caves is the third longest cave in Russia. Its length is about 12 km. It is located by the water-head of the Kudepsta River at heights of about 500 meters above sea level. As scientists think, the Circassian word “kudepsta” is translated as “whey”; it can be connected with the turbid waters of the river. Because of underground rives, spacious pass-ways, deep wells, stalactites, stalagmites, water-falls and small lakes were formed in the cave.

Many of these caves were known even to primitive people who settled their man sites here in ancient times. At present, the Vorontsovskaya Cave is equipped with necessary amenities, the routes from one grotto to another therein are well lighted, excursions are held.

If you want to taste the real Krasnodar tea, then welcome to Dagomys. It is here where one of the oldest tea plantations in located. Girls in Russian national clothes will invite you for a traditional Russian tea party with pies, preserved berries, nuts and fruits, while guides will show you vast tea plantations and acquaint you with the process of gathering the harvest. Besides, from Dagomys you can easily go to such natural monuments like “Dagomys troughs”. They are a row of rapids, waterfalls and lakes of the West Dagomys River.

Just half an hour by Lastochka electric train, and you will occur in Rosa Khutor mountain resort. It is called “the Russian Switzerland” by right: slopes of mountains, fashionable hotels, elevators, tidy embankments and even the beach on a mountain river’s bank — these are peculiarities of Roza Khutor Resort. Admirers of slow walking can find the “Health Path” here, while fans of extreme rest will enjoy a free descent on the rope on rollers: “An Eagle’s path”.