"Krasnodarskiy Kray or the Kuban, land of Kozaks" Krasnodarskiy Kray by Pavlik_NL

Krasnodarskiy Kray Travel Guide: 389 reviews and 787 photos

krasnodarskiji Kraj - Krasnodarskiy Kray

Subtropical region with 5,5 million inhabitants.

Irina, my girl, comes from Krasnodar, the capitol of Kuban and the sunny side of Russia. Officially this part of Russia is called Krasnodarskiji Kraj (something like Krasnodar Province). It includes the autonome state of Adegia that winds its borders along the huge (artificial) lake just East of the capitol.
This is Southern Russia, cornered in between Don-delta and Azov Sea (North), the Kaukasus-mountains (South) and the Black sea in the East. To the WEst it is joined to the Stavropolskiji Kraj.
For who is always imagining snowy and cold pictures when thinking of Russia, this is the place to get a quite different point of view: the Russian subtropical region with Black sea Spa Sochi, that has palm-boulevards and some new-years you can easily take a dip in the still warm seawater. Around Krasnodar the Kuban-river innundates vaste areas for rice-fields.
And what about wintersports in Russia. Okay, here you indeed snow for it, but also mountains. The Kaukasus has the highest of Europe (Mount Elbrus is 5310 mtres high). Although the facilities are still few and the popularity is growing from almost zero, this area could be a number one wintersportsplace in the near future as it has perfect conditions.

Krasnodar is a city that has a very nice atmosphere and nightlife. It is a very green town with many parks and a botanical garden. In the agricultural backgarden of the Russian empire, Krasnodar holds a very special place. Ricefields, wineyards and even some production of subtropical fruits can be found here. Kuban-wine is deliciously sweet and tasty as the sun adds extra sugars in the Finagarod-grapes.

We visit it the Kuban regularly as Irina's family is living still there. Trips to the wonderful coastline of the Black sea are then every time a must. For whome knows the Mediteranee in Southern France (Marseille, Saint Tropez, Nice, Monaco) ... if you're fed up with the booming tourisme and annoying high pricelevel in this part of France ... the Black Sea shores offers the same mountainous coastline, but without massive hotels, enormous campgrounds, full beaches and commercial shoppingboulevards. Along the Black Sea you can still find empty beaches or walk hours along rocky cliffs that rise high above you, when you walk barefoot through the surf. Inland the forests are hiding beautiful waterfalls that sometimes surprisingly "jump" out and fall down on the beaches (a natural shower after the salty waters). Inside the waters of the Black Sea a wonderfully rich sealife is waiting to be discovered. The rocky shore stretches on in the deep waters and in between the rocks small corals are the homes of many fishes, crabs, shellfish and the ever so gracefull seahorses.

Last visit to Krasnodarskiy Kray: Oct 2002
Intro Updated Mar 4, 2003
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Reviews (13)

Rough coastline of the Black Sea - Krasnodarskiy Kray

Sochi, the Saint Tropez of Russia. Things to Do (1)

Sochi, the bathingresort on the Black sea. Here many Sovjet and Russian political leaders had and have their... more travel advice

Lillies in a Kuban-swamp with a little chaple - Krasnodarskiy Kray

Kuban lowlands, a kind of Holland (-: Favorites (2)

Besides the extremes like the beautiful Black Sea coastline and the high tops of the Kavkaz (Caucasus) mountainrange,... more travel advice

Anastasjevska war-memorial - Krasnodarskiy Kray

The scars of the great patriotic war (WW... Local Customs (2)

Every little village, every town and city has one or more warmemorials. Straight through the Krasnodarskiji Kraj runs... more travel advice

Oil-pumping-installations are widely spread - Krasnodarskiy Kray

Oil, economical stability and natural... Warnings Or Dangers (1)

The lingual problem is explaned in other pages. Here I want to place a little warning for a danger that comes from... more travel advice

Nightlife (1)
Russian love for the outdoors
Transportation (1)
Pulkovo, Aeroflot (Don) and Kuban...
Hotels (1)
Little less bad then rest of Russia
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Comments (11)

Aurorae Feb 23, 2005 at 6:10 AM Report Abuse

What an interesting part of Russia, a fascinating country I'm longing to discover... I have some Russian background as well... It's so wonderful that this place is not spoilt by mass tourism!
RedEaredPanda Sep 3, 2004 at 10:36 PM Report Abuse

Great travel tips and pictures on Krasnodar.. Would love to spend some time at Sochi and try the Russian Banya.. My Father was born in Krasnodar and I would love to see it one day.. Take Care.
Paolo-Italy Nov 11, 2003 at 4:17 AM Report Abuse

very interesting place! And what a good family :-)
Sharrie Aug 9, 2003 at 6:04 AM Report Abuse

Yes, I can clearly see you've fully integrated ;-) Learnt a great deal today, thanks!
XenoHumph Jun 23, 2003 at 10:55 AM Report Abuse

Fantastic page, very well done! Here in Houston, it is also oil country (no leaky pipes though) and subtropical climate. but no beautiful mountains like the Caucasus!!
chrissyalex May 1, 2003 at 3:08 PM Report Abuse

Great page! Very interesting. The Kuban looks and sounds like a beautiful region and a banya sounds like a cool experience.
yumyum Feb 24, 2003 at 12:43 PM Report Abuse

Very good tips of a very faraway place hopefully to be visited one day!
kenHuocj Feb 22, 2003 at 5:50 PM Report Abuse

most interesting ;-)))
Porfiris Dec 3, 2002 at 7:02 PM Report Abuse

I also enjoyed the Black Sea coast of Southern Russia not only because of its beauty, but also no fancy tourist trap. It was quiet and peaceful. Hope it stays that way....Porfiris
lorgnierl Oct 30, 2002 at 9:33 AM Report Abuse

staratcherkaz is the place of kozacs, this area is so pleasant but so unknown by europeans