There is much to enjoy on a cruise to Russia, particularly in the Black Sea region.
One benefit of a trip to the area is the chance to visit the warmest resort in the country - Sochi.
With average daily temperatures of 20 degrees C, Sochi's favourable position on the Black Sea coast has prompted crowds of tourists to flock to the resort to soak up the rays and enjoy a little local culture.
Sochi has much to recommend it - taking up 145 km of the Black Sea coastline in western Russia, it is also home to around 118 km of beaches.
Nature lovers will likely jump at the opportunity to explore this part of Russia, as it is part of a national park packed with all manner of flora and fauna.
Just a few of the plants that visitors will be able to spot include eucalyptus, box, banana and palm trees, along with flowering roses and yuccas.
Families with animal-loving kids will want to check out Sochi's various aquariums, as well as its dolphinarium.
Other child-friendly attractions include a number of amusement parks and circus shows.
Those with a passion for history might be interested in seeing a holiday home - or dacha - that belonged to Stalin.
A famous site in Greek mythology - the place where Prometheus was chained to a rock out of punishment by Zeus for stealing fire - is also believed to be nearby.
Nearby Mount Akhun is home to an observation tower offering fantastic views of the local area, while cruise-goers looking to escape the stresses of everyday life may want to visit one of the many spas in the region.
On a more active note, Sochi is due to host the 2014 Winter Olympics and for those heading on a Black Sea cruise from UK ports before then can experience their very own preview of the action by heading to Krasnaya Polyana, the only Black Sea-based mountain ski resort.
Sochi has something to offer holidaymakers all year round - so if you want to avoid the crowds in the summer, take advantage of cheap cruises to the region and visit the resort at another time of year.