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Former Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's villa is one of the most famous attractions in Sochi,
the host city for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Not many can find it, as the house
is on the hill in the sanatorium "Green Grove" area and hidden by trees. The villa is now
open for the public, but tourists can only view inside with an organised group and excursion.
The residence is also a hotel where you can stay, paying anything from 270 US dollars
to 470 US dollars per night. They may also meet a ghost of the Soviet leader.With its
sub-tropical climate, warm sea and beautiful parks, Sochi was a favourite holiday resort
and fashionable city for many people during the Soviet era, not only political leaders.Sochi
has now become known for construction work - everywhere.The local city government is
happy that finally, Sochi is being renovated.Many new high-rise buildings are appearing around
the city centre and on the seafront.But local residents don't seem too excited and are tired
of the construction work.Anatoly Pakhomov, the Sochi mayor, believes life will soon be
better.
"Everything we do today (in Sochi), the construction work that is going on, has only one aim - to
make the city really convenient for living and comfortable for our guests and tourists."The
Winter Games will run from the 7th to 23rd of February 2014.