The distance between Gelendzhik and Sochi is 245 km, but the bus trip took 10 hours (8 hours according to time table)!
I did not like Sochi city beaches. They were ugly and narrow. The waves were very high. It was raining most of the 2,5 days I was in Sochi.
I went to Sochi Circus and liked it. It was forbidden to shoot videos, but photographing without flash would have been allowed.
I took part in 9 hours Sochi Olympics 2014 bus trip to the Olympic Park and Krasnaya Plyana. There are 6000 workers in the Olympic Park working day and night.
Prices
– Russia is more expensive compared to Ukraine, food costs 1/3 more. Transport is about as cheap as in Ukraine.
– 1/2 private room 3 nights 1500 rubles (37 euros)
– Sochi Circus ticket 400 rubles (10 euros)
– Sochi Olympics trip 550 rubles (13,75 e), lift 550 ruplaa (13,75 e)