Botanical Gardens & Sochi Panorama
Duration: 3 1/2 hours
Tour Code: soc-002
Relax and enjoy the lush, scenic beauty of the Black Sea coast during visits to the Botanical Gardens at Sochi, and the mineral springs at Matsesta.
Depart the pier for the scenic drive along the Black Sea coast, and on to the mineral springs at Matsesta, the origins of Sochi's spa development. The mineral springs at Matsesta draw thousands of visitors who come here each year to enjoy the water's curative properties. A brief stop will be made at one of the bathhouses before your drive continues to the Botanical Gardens.
The Botanical Gardens, also known as Dendrarium or Arboretum, are located about a mile south of Sochi's town center, and 1.5 miles from the seaport. During a 45-minute walking tour of the Botanical Gardens, you will observe a spectacular selection of thousands of different species of trees and shrubs. The upper part of the garden features Mediterranean, Far Eastern, Himalayan, Australian, and American sections, and includes an area with plants indigenous to the Caucasus.
Following your visit to the Botanical Gardens, you will head back to the pier where your tour concludes.
Please note: This tour includes moderate amounts of walking over uneven surfaces, and approximately 45 minute of walking during the visit to the Botanical Gardens, which includes climbing 30 steps. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or those guests who utilize a wheelchair. The bus is not air-conditioned. Please keep in mind that guides, though knowledgeable and the best available, are not as skilled as those found in the larger tourist centers of the Mediterranean, or other parts of Europe.