Krasnodar Krai contains Russia's largest tourist industry by some measure, catering principally to domestic tourists. The region contains a full 25% of all Russia's registered hotels and resorts. For international travelers, the biggest reasons to visit Krasnodar Krai are to see the stunning and lush slopes of Western Caucasus mountains and to party po-russky at the beach! Anyone visiting a seaside resort should consider reading Bunin's ''Sunstroke'' (_R___|_~_u___~___z ___t_p__), one of the most beautiful short stories ever written.
Krasnodar Krai encompasses two major distinct climactic regions. The northern two thirds of the region (north of the Kuban River) is covered by Russia's near ubiquitous steppe and has a continental climate. The southern part of the region, however, is much more exotic, ranging from a Mediterranean climate along the Black Sea coast to subtropical in the southeast to high alpine along the border with Georgia.
Additionally, Krasnodar Krai encircles the enclaved '''Adygea Republic''' — named for the mountain Adyghe people, also known as the Circassians.
Rest assured that all, including any ethnic minorities, speak Russian.
The principal rail service for the region comes from virtually any Russian city through Rostov-on-the-Don from the north to Krasnodar, Novorossiysk, and as far south as Adler. There are cheap express trains (~18–20 hours) from Moscow and Saint Petersburg to Krasnodar.
Krasnodar airport is serviced by flights from Vienna, Frankfurt, Thessalonika, and Istanbul, as well as by numerous domestic Russian flights. It is also easy to fly to Sochi or Anapa from any major Russian city.
It is possible to arrive at Sochi or Novorossiysk by boat from numerous ports on the Black Sea.
Dombai, perhaps Russia's most beautiful resort, is located in nearby Karachay-Cherkessia in the Caucasus mountains.