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Sochi Olympics

Russia’s Vladimir Potanin Backs New Sochi Resort

2021-04-16 by Phil Butler

Krasnaya Polyana

Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin’s Interros Holding and its partner Vasta Discovery will invest $1 billion in a new Sochi resort.

Tags: BoogelWoogel 2021, domestic tourism, investing, Rosa Khutor, Russia resorts, ski resorts, skiing, Sochi Olympics, Sochi resorts, tourism investment, Vasta Discovery, Vasta Valley, Vladimir Potanin

Attending Sochi Winter Olympics? How Dangerous Are We Talking?

2014-01-27 by Phil Butler

Sochi Alder International Airport last weekend - Courtesy Nina Zotina

Only 11 days left till the XXII Olympic Winter Games begin in Sochi, Russia, and travelers must be concerned over security. But just how concerned should they be?

Tags: Olympic Winter Games, Russia, Russia olympics, Russia travel, Sochi, Sochi Olympics, terror alert, terrorism, Vladmir Putin, Volgograd, XXII Olympic Winter Games

City of Sochi Opens Spring with Labor Day Festivities

2013-05-02 by Aleksandr Shatskih

Anatoly Pakhomov

News from Sochi, Russia tells of the people there kicking off a festival starting the official Spring Labor Day festivities. Held outside the city’s Winter Theater, the fest symbolizes renewed spirit of this famous Russian resort town.

Tags: Anatoly Pakhomov, Russia resorts, Russian vacations, Sochi, Sochi 2014, Sochi Olympics

Russian Officials Tidy Up Illegal Gambling Stragglers

2013-04-15 by Aleksandr Shatskih

At the opening of the Oracle Casino

News from Sochi, Russia tells of officials there continuing a rather massive cleanup of illegal activities in the region. The closing of some 100 plus illegal gambling halls falls in line with stiffened International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules.

Tags: Krasnoda Krai, Krasnoda Krai officials, Olympics, Russian gambling, Sochi 2014, Sochi Olympics

Sochi 2014 Update: Security, Security, Security

2013-04-02 by Aleksandr Shatskih

News from Sochi, Russian Railways said yesterday the introduction of additional security safeguards will be placed at entrances to some 32 train stations across Russia in anticipation of the Olympics.

Tags: rail security, Russia Armed Forces, Russia travel, Russian Army, Russian Rail, Russian tourism, Sochi 2014, Sochi Olympics, Vladimir Putin

Russian President Putin’s BRICS Policy Concept Approved

2013-03-21 by Phil Butler

Courtesy the Presidential Press and Information Office

According to news from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s office the highly publicized foreign policy engagement by his administration with other BRICS took another step today. The official policy concept now approved by the Russian President, the federation has now outlined very specific objectives of cooperation between the association’s members.

Tags: BRICS, BRICS economies, emerging economies, IOC, Olympics, Putin, Putin outreach, Russia policy, Russian economy, Russian tourism, Sochi Olympics, Vladimir Putin legacy

Sochi Mayor Plans on Freezing Transportation Fares for 2014 Games

2013-03-14 by Phil Butler

Anatoliy Pakhomov thanks Police officer

Sochi’s Mayor, Anatoliy Pakhomov, submitted a proposal recently to freeze all air and rail ticket prices to Sochi until after the Olympics. Fearing the negative impact of potentially skyrocketed prices for the games, the freeze is suggested simply for the times surrounding the 2014 Olympics.

Tags: Anatoliy Pakhomov, IOC, Olympic Games, Russia sports, Sochi 2014, Sochi Games, Sochi mayor, Sochi Olympics, Vladimir Putin

Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Torch Unveiled

2013-01-14 by Aleksandr Shatskih

Sochi 2014 Olympic torch revealed

The organizers of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics have just unveiled the sporting event’s futuristic torch, an interesting piece inspired by a mix of Russian folklore, including a mythical Firebird, the country’ surprising contrasts, and space-age technology.

Tags: Olympic Torch, Russia, Sochi 2014, Sochi Olympics, torch relay, Winter Olympics

Russian Ministers Admit Some Sochi Errors

2012-12-28 by Phil Butler

Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi

As Sochi ramps up preparations for the Olympics of 2014, the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has admitted to certain mistakes having been made in the early days of their preparations there. Now a so-called “rehabilitation plan” will be set in place to rectify some environmental mishaps.

Tags: Environment, Environmentalists, IOC, Nodar Kumaritashvili, Olympic Games, Olympics, Sochi 2014, Sochi Olympics, Winter Games

Winter Olympics Ski Resort Opens for New Season

2012-10-16 by Aleksandr Shatskih

Russia’s newly-revamped Olympic ski resort near Krasnaya Polyana is reaching out to the world’s leading travel agencies as part of its plans to establish itself as a premiere ski holiday destination ahead of the 2014 Winter Games.

Tags: 2014 Winter Games, Rosa Khutor, Rosa Khutor ski resort, russian ski resort, ski resort, Sochi Olympics

Killy: Sochi Winter Olympics Set To Be Best Ever

2012-10-14 by Aleksandr Shatskih

With the Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony being less than 500 days away, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has applauded Russia for the pace of its preparations as it gears up to welcome the world to its premiere Black Sea resort.

Tags: Dmitry Kozak, IOC, Jean-Claude Killy, Russia olympics, Sochi 2014, Sochi Olympics, Winter Olympics

Sochi.Park Offers Previews of Future Olympics Destination

2012-07-30 by Aleksandr Shatskih

Russia Park

Once the London 2012 Games are over, Sochi 2014 will pick-up the baton.

Tags: Sochi 2014, Sochi Olympics, Sochi.Park

Sochi Winter Olympics Could Be Visa-Free

2011-06-03 by Aleksandr Shatskih

Sochi Winter Olympics could be set for visa-free travel

Visa free travel to Russia is set to become a reality at last – but only for winter sports fans. With Russian and EU ministers edging ever closer towards an agreement that would scrap the current complicated visa arrangements, Russia could be prepared to make a gesture of goodwill by making the Sochi Winter Olympics […]

Tags: Dmitry Voronkov, EU-approved passports, five year visas, moscow, Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Sergei Lavrov, Sochi Olympics, sochi winter olympics, visa arrangements, visa free travel

Russia & EU Closer to Free Visa Agreement

2011-01-13 by Phil Butler

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov offers a ray of sunshine for those who want a free-visa zone between the EU and Russia. At a press conference the Minister told reporters Russia and the EU are much closer to an agreement. So far the EU has stonewalled every attempt by the Kremlin to free up travel and tourism between Russia and the rest of Europe.

Tags: athletics, Eastern Europe tourism, EU Travel, free visa, President Medvedev, Russian travel, Sergei Lavrov, Sochi Olympics, tourism, travel to Russia, travel zones, visa, visa-regime, visit Russia, Vladimir Putin

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The Lions Fountain, the Hole, and the Kingdom of Endless Studies

2026-06-03 By Phil Butler

There is perhaps no better symbol of modern governance in Crete than the Morosini Fountain in Heraklion. The Lions Fountain stands at the very center of the city, both physically and symbolically, a Venetian masterpiece completed in 1628 that survived Ottoman occupation, wars, earthquakes, modernization, pollution, and four centuries of Mediterranean upheaval. It remains one […]

Rouvas Gorge

Five Euros to Save One of Crete’s Most Scenic Gorges

2026-06-03 By Iorgos Pappas

Faistos and Gortyna plan a €5 entrance fee for Rouvas Gorge to fund safety upgrades, maintenance, and conservation in the heart of Psiloritis.

Cretan Trails

Crete Joins Mediterranean Trails Network to Elevate Global Eco-Tourism Profile

2026-06-02 By Manuel Santos

Crete unifies its hiking routes under the Cretan Trails banner, partnering with international trail networks to develop sustainable mountain tourism.

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Hersonissos Faces Lifeguard Shortage as Summer Season Gets Underway

2026-06-02 By Manuel Santos

Hersonissos remains without lifeguard coverage on its designated busy beaches after a tender for 46 positions failed to attract applicants.

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Welcome to the New VOAK, Where Bus Drivers Rest in Traffic and Get Fined for It

2026-06-02 By Manuel Santos

Tourist bus operators in Crete say ongoing VOAK construction projects are causing severe delays, making it difficult for drivers to comply with mandatory rest-period regulations.

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