In 2014, the Winter Olympics will be held in Sochi, Russia.

It marks the first time that the Russian Federation will host the Winter Olympics (the USSR hosted the Games in 1980) after being elected in 2007 during the 119th International Olympics Committee.

So, as we look ahead to the beginning of the 2014 Winter Olympics on Feb. 7, what was it about Sochi that led it to being elected over the likes of Salzburg, Austria, and PyeongChang, South Korea?

Here's a look at the top 10 things you need to know about Sochi. Some of it will surprise you.

Climate

When you think about Russia, you generally think of it as being freezing.

And, indeed, it's not actually going to be that warm.

But Sochi is still expected to be the warmest city to ever host the Olympic Games, per USA Today. It's the only sub-tropical region in Russia and its average high temperature during February is roughly 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

In fact, it's so much warmer than athletes are accustomed to during the Winter Olympics that some have raised caution that there won't be enough snow for the events.

But organizers have made steps to ensure this won't happen, including the possible use of a grand snow-making system, according to the Associated Press. And Roman Vilfand, director of the Russian Meteorological Office, thinks there will be enough snow anyway, per the report.

Location

Sochi is situated on the spectacular Black Sea coast between the border of Russia and Georgia, hence the sub-tropical climate.

The resort city runs alongside the Caucasus Mountains, a range that stretches for about 680 miles (1,100 kilometers) down to Baku on the Caspian Sea. It features pebble beaches and sand beaches, as well as fresh, clean waters beside it.

Given all of this, it's no wonder the city has become a tourist destination, particularly from June to September with an average high temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sochi is about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) from Moscow. 

Olympics Venue

Sochi's venue concept was a big reason why the city was selected over Salzburg and PyeongChang.

The Games will be played across 11 new venues at the newly built Sochi Olympic Park (coastal) and Krasnaya Polyana (mountain).

Fisht Olympic Stadium at Olympic Park has largely been kept under wraps, but journalists were recently allowed into the facility, and the Voice of Russia radio station revealed some of the details.

For one, the roof is designed after popular Mount Fisht. The roof is also eco-friendly, making it easy to save on lighting, air conditioning and heating.

The oval stadium houses 40,000 people, including more than 800 seats for people with disabilities.

You can view a layout of all 11 venues on Sochi 2014's official website.

Nearby Attractions

There are plenty of attractions in Sochi and the surrounding area to keep you busy while you aren't watching the Olympic Games.

Dendrary Botanical Garden was rated as the No. 1 attraction in Sochi by visitors on TripAdvisor.com. The 30-acre spread includes more than 1,800 species of trees and bushes, a classic park with fountains and sculptures and a pond featuring pelicans and swans. Don't forget to hop on the cable car for a panoramic view of the sea and mountains.

For those who would like a glimpse into Joseph Stalin's private life back in the day, Stalin's Summer Residence (one of his 18 former summer houses) features a wax statue of himself, straight-lined architecture, a giant chess board, a courtyard with a fountain, a pool, a pool table and furnishings fitting the era.

There's also Riviera Park, complete with amusement rides, art galleries and cafes.

And don't forget to check out Krasnaya Polyana, the state reserve surrounded by the West Caucasus mountains, a prime spot for skiing, snowboarding and heli-skiing.

Getting Around

If you want to stick around central Sochi, most distances are walkable. A popular stroll is along the promenade between Dendrary Botanical Garden and Riviera Park.

You can also take a bus. Several routes run frequently, it's relatively cheap and you can get to most places you want to go in the surrounding area.

The train system is well-run and very handy. It has been around for a long time. Routes generally run from the Sochi central terminal to Tuapse, Krasnodar, Maykop and Lazarevskoe.

If you want to take a taxi, a) know Russian or b) bring somebody who knows Russian if you don't.

Driving a car in Sochi is not advised, mirroring some of the more dangerous drives of Europe like in Greece.

There is also a boat service and a bike rental service in the city.

Money

The Russian ruble or rouble (RUB) is the only currency accepted in Sochi.

Money exchange is relatively pain-free as long as you go to official exchanges at banks. Avoid random people offering you exchange at transportation hubs.

The current exchange rate is one U.S. dollar to about 33 rubles. One euro will get you about 45 rubles.

There are many convenient ATMs around the area. As far as credit cards, Visa and Mastercard are generally accepted, but you'll want to bring cash just in case.

Traveler's checks aren't widely accepted in Russia, although some major hotels and restaurants accept American Express.

Only Visa credit cards and cash will be accepted at the Games.

Where to Stay

The Prometheus Club Hotel was ranked No. 1 in Sochi by travelers on TripAdvisor.com. It was followed by the 4-star Tulip Inn Rosa Khutor Hotel and the 5-star Grand Hotel & Spa Rodina.

The Prometheus Hotel is located in the Greater Sochi area on the beach. The kid-friendly, all-inclusive resort is expensive, but the price is generally worth it. Whether you want a suite or a sea cottage, it's available to you. The resort features a spa center, conference rooms and a club boasting six swimming pools, tennis courts, a water park, an amusement park, restaurants and bars, a cafe and a children's playroom and playground.

The Tulip Inn Rosa Khutor Hotel, about 65 kilometers from Sochi's city center, offers 148 rooms, a restaurant and lobby bar, meeting rooms, a fitness center, a sauna and even a ski storage room.

The Grand Hotel and Spa Rodina—20 minutes from Adler-Sochi International Airport—is a boutique hotel featuring 40 coastal rooms, each broken up into two sections: Lounge (plasma screens) and Sleep (custom beds). It includes fine restaurants; a fancy bar; a fitness center; outdoor and indoor swimming pools; basketball, volleyball and tennis courts; and even an on-site cinema.

Where to Dine

Cafe Del Mar City, San Marco Cafe and Restaurant-Cafe Brigantina are fantastic places to eat.

Cafe Del Mar City offers European, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, as well as a Japanese menu. It is open from breakfast to dinner, and you'll want to try its homemade desserts.

Restaurant Cafe-Brigantina features seafood and French cuisine, as well as pasta dishes and some unreal pastries and ice cream. It overlooks the port of Sochi.

And San Marco Cafe offers Italian cuisine, as well as signature salads and meat and fish plates if you aren't into the delicious spaghetti.

Night Life

If you are still young enough to party (which means every one of you), there are several bars, pubs and clubs around the area.

Some of the most popular bars include London Bar, Gossip Cafe, Penalty and Treugolnik Rock Bar (for the rockers out there). There's even Shum Karaoke Club for the singers of the world (both good and bad)

London Bar is located right on the beach. When it turns dark, it turns into a club atmosphere, highlighted by rock concerts and disco nights. A more relaxed, laid-back is also sometimes featured.

Gossip Cafe is a great date spot, with stylish interiors, DJ acts, special offers and even free drinks every once in a while.

Penalty is a sports bar at the Primorskaya hotel, boasting big screen TVs, grub and, of course, a wide variety of drinks.

If you want to let your hair down, head on over to Treugolnik Rock Bar where weekly underground rock-and-roll concerts kick off. There's also a great collection of music to play during the bar's occasional downtime.

Shum Karaoke Club is Sochi's only dedicated karaoke club, featuring backing vocalists and even some top Russian musicians from time to time.

President Bongo / Gus Gus / Bar London / 19-07-2013 / Geometria.TV from Geometria.TV Sochi on Vimeo.

Instructions for Spectators

The Sochi 2014 website recently released a guide for spectators at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Here's a breakdown:

1) For changes in the schedule of the Games, click here.

2) In order to attend the Games, you will need a ticket and you will need to get a spectator pass at one of the registration centers.

3) For transportation planning, you can go here.

4) Make sure you leave enough time in between events to get to your desired event.

5) Be prepared to undergo a security check. The procedures and forbidden items are outlined here.

6) Only Visa credit cards and cash will be accepted at the Games.

7) While Sochi is going to be warmer than most Winter Games in the past, make sure you bring warm clothing, as temperatures can fluctuate. The forecast at each venue will be monitored on Sochi 2014's official website