The Federal Tourism Agency has recommended that Russian tourists abandon plans to spend the New Year in Egypt. "There is no need to do this yet," said Head of Federal Tourism Agency Alexander Radkov, who admitted that there is no alternative to the country of the pyramids in terms of cost and time of flight.
New Year's vouchers are already expensive, and after Rostourism advised compatriots to refrain from traveling to Egypt for the New Year holidays, tours to other destinations will surely grow, experts warn. However, vacation is such a thing on which it is better not to save money, but to overpay for your own safety and comfort. We have selected five popular countries in which you can relax, if not as cheap as in Egypt, but also warm, and most importantly, much quieter than in the land of the pyramids. By the way, if you think about New Year's holidays in advance and book hotels, air tickets or tours now, you can save money, and the difference in prices between Egypt and Israel will not be so big.
India
Exciting ocean, warm sand, seductive scent of spices and lots of fresh and cheap fruits. New Year's holidays in India are suitable for those who dream of plunge into the atmosphere of exotic relaxation and at the same time get acquainted with the rich history of the country, visit the ancient Hindu temples. In addition, India is popular with diving enthusiasts - the beaches of the Nicobar, Andaman and Lakshadweep islands are suitable for exploring the underwater world of this country.
Visa: To travel to India, Russian citizens need a visa, which can be obtained at the Visa Application Center. The cost of the document is 3900 rubles. The visa is issued within 5-7 days.
Winter weather: In the period from October to March, favorable, warm weather sets in Indian resorts. The average air temperature is from +25 to +30 degrees.
Travel time: From Moscow to Delhi can be reached in 6 hours by direct flight.
Price: A week-long tour for the New Year in a three-star hotel in South Goa is offered on average for 70 thousand rubles for two. Meals - breakfasts.
Israel
Israel is one of the best alternatives to Egypt - the flight to this country will not take too long, the prices for vacations are quite democratic, and Russian citizens do not need to apply for a visa. In addition, many Israeli resorts are located on the Red Sea coast. This trend is also supported by the fact that almost a quarter of Israel's population speaks Russian fluently, which removes the difficulties of the language barrier.
Visa: Need not.
Winter weather: Winter on the Israeli coast is mild. You can swim at this time in the Red and Dead Seas.
Travel time: A direct flight from Moscow to Eilat can be reached in 4.5 hours.
Price: A seven-day tour in a four-star hotel in Eilat is currently offered for 51 thousand rubles for two (no meals).
Thailand
The popularity of Thailand among Russian travelers is growing every year - compatriots are attracted by the pleasant climate of this country, amazing nature, exotic cuisine, and, of course, the purest ocean. In addition, Thailand is famous for its low prices for food, jewelry and clothing. True, vouchers to the resorts of this state are often not cheap, since most of the cost of the tour falls on air tickets. Relatively inexpensive rest in Thailand will be able to Russians living in the eastern part of the Russian Federation, from where it is not so far to fly to Bangkok as from Moscow.
Visa: Need not.
Winter weather: From October to March, the weather is favorable for a beach holiday in Thailand.
Travel time: The road from Moscow to Bangkok will take 9.5 hours, and from Irkutsk or Krasnoyarsk - 6.5 hours.
Price: The average cost of a voucher in a three-star hotel in Phuket is 118 thousand rubles for two (departure from Moscow, breakfast meals).
Vietnam
In terms of exoticism and low prices, Vietnam is not inferior to Thailand, however, in this country so far there are significantly fewer tourists from Russia than in Phuket and Pattaya. For residents of the eastern part of Russia, a trip to Vietnam will cost much less than tourists from the central part of the Russian Federation.
Vietnam is good not only in terms of beach holidays, the state is famous for its amazingly beautiful nature, cultural program and, of course, its cuisine. It should be noted that Vietnamese diving is considered one of the cheapest in the world.
Visa: If the time of your trip to Vietnam does not exceed 15 days, then you do not need to obtain a visa.
Winter weather: In December-January, Vietnam is dry and hot. The average air temperature is +30 - +35 degrees.
Travel time: The road from Moscow to Ho Chi Minh City will take on average 10 hours, and from Vladivostok only 5.
Price: 10 days in a three-star hotel in Hanoi will cost 107 thousand rubles for two (breakfast meals).
UAE
In the United Arab Emirates, you can not only celebrate the New Year, but also shop successfully - at this time, large-scale sales begin in the country. However, the UAE will be interesting not only for shopaholics and beach lovers, this country is famous for its oriental bazaars and Arabic cuisine that attract tourists. By the way, the New Year in the Emirates is celebrated on a special scale - three years ago, the most expensive Christmas tree in the world, decorated with jewelry worth $ 11 million, was installed in Abu Dhabi.
Visa: To travel to the UAE, Russian citizens need to obtain a visa (the cost of the service at the visa center is $ 75).
Winter weather: In winter, the UAE is warm and dry. The average temperature ranges from +20 to +30 degrees.
Travel time: A direct flight from Moscow to Abu Dhabi or Dubai will take an average of 5 hours.
Price: A week-long tour for the New Year in Abu Dhabi will cost 89 thousand rubles for two (a three-star hotel, breakfast meals).
Read about the situation in Egypt in the plot >>
December has come and winter has officially come to our country. If you want to get rid of heavy winter clothes at least for a while and forget about the Russian frosts, then you can go to Europe for a while. Although most of the Old World has fairly cold weather in January, there are places where it is warm this month. But you should not expect very warm weather even in these places. If you want to swim in the sea and sunbathe every day, then you better consider other options, such as the Caribbean or Southeast Asia. We talked about these places in another article on our website. On this page we will tell you about where in Europe it is warm in January.
Canary Islands
Without a doubt, the warmest place in Europe during the winter months is located on one of the Canary Islands. Located in the Atlantic, off the coast of West Africa, the Canary Islands have nearly 200 hours of sunshine during the winter months (almost 7 hours of sunshine every day) and temperatures are high enough for you to sunbathe. The Canary Islands offer a wide variety of activities and entertainment, as well as a large number of attractions and dramatic landscapes. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and other islands in the archipelago will not disappoint you as a winter destination.
Madeira
Another island lost in the Atlantic, Madeira is where many Europeans go to escape the cold winter. With its mild temperatures and as much as ten hours of sunshine a day, Madeira is one of Europe's top destinations for a January holiday. This island is worth visiting in winter because there are not as many tourists here as in summer and hotel rates are extremely low. Of course, there is no question of bathing, but you can fully enjoy the sunny weather, which is ideal for walking and hiking.
Madeira's capital, Funchal, is a beautiful blend of modern and historic with a steep hill offering magnificent views of the sea and the white and red-winged houses below. Away from the city, you can find black volcanic sand beaches, the world's largest laurel forest, and some of the best hiking spots in Europe. Despite the fact that the weather on Maider is not very warm, do not forget about sunscreen. After all, the sun shines here constantly, and even with its low activity, it can damage your skin.
Crete
The largest and most populous island in Greece is located deep in the sunny Mediterranean Sea and promises temperatures in the region of 15 degrees Celsius in January. Tourists from Russia are accustomed to the fact that you can relax in Crete from the end of April to the beginning of October, but in fact, you can have a good rest here even in winter. While locals consider January to be a very cold month, for Russians the weather here will seem rather warm. In January, Crete is the ideal temperature for walking or cycling through the island's mountainous landscape. In order for you to be able to relax in the warmest weather, we advise you to go to the southern coast, where the average temperature is 2-3 degrees higher than in the north of the island.
If you are a history buff then a trip to Crete in January is a good option for you. The island, which is considered home to the earliest recorded civilization in Europe, is enjoying very pleasant weather this month for visiting historic sites, and operating hotels do not skyrocket prices like they do in summer.
Cyprus
A little further southeast of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea is the slightly warmer island of Cyprus. This is another island that allows you to get away from the Russian winter. Temperatures in Cyprus in January can be the same as in some regions of Russia in summer. Temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius during the day are not surprising for Cyprus even in January. On average, Cyprus offers around 180 hours of sunshine during the winter months. January is one of the best months in Cyprus for sightseeing, as you don't have to spend a lot of time in the sun and constantly look for a place to hide from the sun.
Malta
The island of Malta is one of the best kept secrets of the Mediterranean and is often overlooked in winter. This means that the streets of the capital city Valletta or the beaches of the nearby island of Gozo are more deserted than during the summer months. A trip to Malta in January will allow you to dive into some of the finest European examples of Baroque and neoclassical architecture, visit many museums and galleries, and enjoy the city's growing coffee culture, where you can sit in an outdoor cafe and watch life go by. beautiful city.
If you decide to come to Malta with children, we advise you to head north to Popeye Village, a colorful collection of houses built for the 1980 film.
Other Warm Places in Europe in January
If none of the above places in Europe suits you for some reason, then you can go to some other region of the Old World. But remember that the weather in these places will no longer be as warm as in Tenerife, Madeira, Malta, Crete and Cyprus.Other places in Europe where it is quite warm in January are: the island of Sicily, the Balearic Islands, the southern coast of Spain, the coast of Portugal and the island of Rhodes.
Kamran Jebreili / AP
For those who spent the whole summer in Moscow and worked non-stop, we recommend going to Dubai. Now there is that summer that every inhabitant of the metropolis dreams of, who wore a coat all summer months and watched the rain outside the window. Throughout September, the temperature in Dubai varies from +34 to + 36, and there are no cloudy or little cloudy days on the calendar!
Dubai is also attractive in terms of visas. At first,
From February 1, visas to the UAE became free, which means that the trip will become cheaper by another $ 75.
Secondly, it is no longer required to put a visa in advance, so you can break into Dubai even tonight, you just need to buy a ticket.
In addition to skyscrapers, shopping, luxurious beaches of the Persian Gulf and water, in which you splash like in warm milk (or in soup - but then this is already unpleasant), in Dubai you can immerse yourself in the world of contemporary art or pay attention to Muslim fashion - over the past few years a lot of interesting things have appeared here.
Montenegro
Varvara Gertier / RIA Novosti
It is possible and necessary to travel to Montenegro in the fall - when the temperature does not exceed +35, a touching wilting begins to appear in nature, the danger of encountering a forest fire disappears, the beaches become freer, and figs and grapes appear on the markets (in July, there are also figs , but you didn't get there in July, did you?). The absence of tiring heat means that you will not lie helplessly in a hammock all day and will be able to travel around the country, which, in addition to the beaches of Budva and the sunsets of Kotor, has a lot of interesting things.
For example, Cetinje is the cultural capital of Montenegro, to which no one voluntarily travels in summer, because they really do not want to move away from the sea. Here you can go to the National Museum of Montenegro and the Cetinje Monastery, see the oldest libraries in the country, find out what the students of the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Drama, as well as the Music Academy of the University of Montenegro look like, walk in the parks in the English and French style.
In general, in Cetinje in autumn you can stop feeling like a sweaty vegetable and learn something about the culture and history of Montenegro,
because it is not just a resort, but a city where in 1482 Prince Ivan I Chernoevich founded his residence, and in 1838 the first secular residence of Montenegrin rulers was built by the fighter for the independence of the country, Peter II Njegos, beloved by the Montenegrins.
Agadir, Morocco
Amr Dalsh / Reuters
You do not need a visa to travel to Morocco either. You can swim and sunbathe in Agadir all September, the air temperature during the month will not drop below + 27. However, in Agadir you can not only sunbathe.
For example, you can visit the Domaine Villate Limoune Wildlife Ranch, where porcupines, kangaroos, camels, and peacocks live. Or head to the city's main market, Souk el-Head, where you can buy everything from grandmother slippers, pottery and stoles to oils, olives, dates and oranges.
Nice, France
Eric Gaillard / Reuters
If you feel dizzy from the heat, and the word "tan" means "premature aging" - go to the Cote d'Azur in September-October. The sun is no longer burning here, but the weather is still good - the temperature ranges from + 22 to + 25. You can still swim in this weather, although there is something to do in Nice. For example, you can go to the Museum of Fine Arts or take a walk in the Botanical Garden, which displays more than 3.5 thousand plants. Lovers of hiking are recommended to explore the old city (here, by the way, you can visit the opera at the same time), and fans of archeology should look into the Semey quarter and see
arena for gladiatorial battles, an antique bath complex and the remains of ancient buildings.
Holidays in Nice are also suitable for shopaholics - the assortment of boutiques on Rue de France is in no way inferior to the world's fashion capitals.
The biggest advantage of staying in Nice is the opportunity to make your vacation even more intense by going to nearby Cannes and Monaco. The cities are only 30 minutes away from each other. Impressions from what you see will be enough for the whole vacation: casinos, premium car showrooms, yachts at arm's length, the Cannes Film Festival red carpet and many Michelin-starred restaurants.
Sochi, Russia
Nina Zotina / RIA Novosti
The easiest way to catch the last rays of the sun is to fly to Sochi. In the next two weeks here + 26 ... + 28, at the end of the month the temperature will drop to + 22. But we warn you in advance: the rest will be in Russian. The fact is that before the Olympics, only Krasnaya Polyana was ennobled, while the city itself has changed little.
On the beaches, they still sell boiled corn, sunbathe on towels and litter anywhere.
Beaches with paid sun loungers and a comfortable entrance to the water in the city can be counted on the fingers of one hand. But here you can arrange an adventure vacation, for example, staying in a tent. Or dine at sunset every night and enjoy the money saved.
Nature lovers are advised to look into the Arboretum, here you can feel the summer in full. Or go watch the waterfalls. There are Agursky waterfalls to choose from - the most popular among tourists, Azhek waterfalls are two of the most beautiful waterfalls, and the highest waterfall is Orekhovsky (28 m). The trip can be diversified by a one-day trip to Abkhazia (travel time will take about 3 hours) or to the mountains - in summer Krasnaya Polyana looks even better than in the ski season.
Winter holidays - where to go to relax in January, February or early March, so that it is warm and cheap? The choice is not easy. Rest in warm countries is quite expensive. We decided to suggest 10 places to stay in winter for you if you want to bask in the sun but cannot afford too expensive tours.
10 PHOTOS
1. Madeira. This Portuguese island is good at any time of the year. Madeira is located close to the African coast, so it is warm all year round. It is also called the island of spring - temperatures there do not drop below +20 degrees Celsius, but there is no unbearable heat there either. (Photo: [email protected]/flickr.com). 
2. Cambodia is one of the cheapest countries for an exotic vacation. And winter is the best season for traveling in Southeast Asia. The only drawback of traveling to Cambodia is the high price of the air ticket, but if you buy it now, other expenses in this country will pleasantly surprise you. (Photo: Stefano Gambassi / flickr.com). 
3. Cyprus. The warm and calm winter on this island should interest lovers of ancient attractions, and the prices of tourist tickets to Cyprus in the cold season should attract all those for whom an important factor is their low price, moreover, now there is an opportunity to buy last minute tours on credit. It is too cold for sunbathing and swimming in winter, but for hiking and excursions in pleasant warmth - just right. (Photo: S Argyro / flickr.com). 
4. Islands of Thailand. Turquoise sea, paradise beaches, idyllic views and sunny weather. What could be better when it is terribly cold and cloudy in your home country? Thailand, especially in the south of the country, has the best weather in winter - sunny and warm, but not hot. (Photo: Mike Behnken / flickr.com). 
5. Tenerife. In winter, you can spend your holiday in the Canary Islands for half the price of a summer tour, so why not travel to Tenerife in February instead of July? Tenerife is the most versatile island in the Canary Islands and for this reason it is called a miniature continent (Photo: @ morenox / flickr.com). 
6. Hierro is the smallest of the Canary Islands, not as popular among tourists as its neighbors, despite the fact that it is in no way inferior to them in beauty. Hierro, above all, is wild nature and beautiful landscapes. The island, green and mountainous, is great for hiking. Due to its unique nature, the island of Hierro was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. (Photo: David Hernández Gómez / flickr.com). 
7. Goa. Colorful and captivating India is full of contrasts. Winter is a good time to visit India, except in the mountainous regions where it is snowy and cold. If you want to relax and bask in the sun, head to Goa, an island that attracts millions of tourists for its sandy beaches, emerald waters, sun and atmosphere of relaxation and freedom (Photo: Gerald Zinnecker / flickr.com). 
8. Israel. Winter is the time of good prices in Israel. This country cannot be called cheap. However, if you go there not during the holiday season and when there are no major religious holidays, then you can count on lower prices. Israel is warm in winter, but not hot, and the weather is good for walking and sightseeing. The Dead Sea is warmer, and in winter you can swim there, as in the Red Sea in Eilat, although the water is certainly cooler here. (Photo: Ran / flickr.com). 
9. Morocco. Summer in Morocco is a crowd of people, ubiquitous dust and unbearable heat. Winter in Morocco, although the weather is not conducive to swimming in the ocean - it is too cold, however, for walks, excursions and just a pleasant pastime on the coast is the best time. (Photo: T Baran / flickr.com). 
10. Croatia. In winter, the weather in this country is more spring than winter. In December, January and February, the air temperature remains above 10 degrees Celsius during the day. At this time of the year, the water temperature in the Adriatic Sea is approximately at the same level. It is worth visiting Croatia in winter not for the sake of a beach holiday, but for active tourism. (Photo: Michal Sleczek / flickr.com).
I don’t know about you, but outside my window it is raining, the wind is howling, and the temperature does not rise above three degrees Celsius. And this is only the middle of October. Ahead is still rainy November, chilly December, snowy January and frosty February. Brrr! A shiver runs through my body at the thought of these autumn-winter months. But do not despair, because there are many corners of the globe, where in December and February you can sunbathe on the beach and swim in the warm sea. My article today is dedicated to countries where you can relax in winter.
I propose to get acquainted with five countries for a beach holiday, which can be arranged this winter. I will make a reservation right away that I did not take into account the exotic and remote countries of Asia and Latin America. Firstly, as a rule, such a vacation costs a pretty penny, and I try to talk about budget travel. Secondly, not everyone will agree to fly for the beach and the sun for 10-14 hours. Thirdly, this category of countries deserves a separate post, which I will soon write = 0).
And next in line we have ...
The resorts of this country are certainly leading in the list. the most popular among Russian tourists places for a beach holiday in the cold season. The big advantage of this country is that tourists with a wide variety of travel budgets can really afford to buy a tour to Egypt. Also, the country is chosen for the convenience of the flight - to fly to the airports of the main Egyptian resorts of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh from Central Russia for a maximum of five hours.
Add to this the almost instantaneous receipt of a visa upon arrival in the country (that is, its actual absence), a fast and convenient transfer - no more than an hour to the most remote resorts, great opportunities for those who love educational excursions and a variety of sports entertainment, and, of course - a huge selection of various hotels.
There are also small modest apartments of the level of two or three stars in the center of Hurghada, ideal for active recreation of young people who prefer to settle closer to disco clubs. AND family hotels of higher rank- 4 and 5 stars, with an excellent water park, well-groomed large area, all inclusive food system, standing right on the shores of excellent beaches, often with their own excellent coral reef. And de luxe hotels with excellent service and impeccable cuisine.
You can hardly buy a last-minute ticket to premium-class hotels in Egypt, it is better to book rooms here in advance, but the likelihood of a last-minute tour to hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada, which is popular with a mass tourist, during a period of falling demand for tickets more than high.
By the way, in January in Egypt it can be pretty cool and the experience of travelers shows that Sharm el-Sheikh will outperform Hurghada in this regard.
UPD. Currently, there are no charter flights to Egypt from Russia. They were canceled after the plane crash over Sinai on October 31, 2015.
Israel
Of all the countries for a beach holiday where you do not need to fly for a long time, this is my favorite country. Note that as many as four seas(Mediterranean, Red, Dead and Galilee) are available to tourists in this small country in the Middle East, but the most popular resort in winter, of course, is Eilat, with its hotel complexes. About a budget hotel in this resort.
Moreover, any traveler is attracted by the opportunity not only to relax, but also to improve their health already on the coast of the unique Dead Sea, to visit ancient, multinational Jerusalem and flourishing Haifa, modern Tel Aviv, Nazareth or Ashdod.
For such a small state, the number of attractions, shrines and natural beauties is simply incredibly huge. Combining a beach vacation with treatment, unique excursions, a pilgrimage to holy places for any believer is possible if you buy a tour to or go on your own like me. At the same time, keep in mind that Russians do not need a visa to enter the country, and the flight is very easily transferred.
Jordan
A neighboring country with Israel, which also has access to both the Red and the Dead Sea, and is just as convenient in terms of flight accessibility and the absence of visas. Jordan can give tourists an acquaintance with oriental exoticism and secrets not only of the amazing reefs of Aqaba, but also of the mysterious Nabatean Petra.
And it is also worth paying attention to the magnificently preserved Jerash since antiquity, many biblical shrines, crusader castles and luxurious dunes of the desert with sands of a red shade of Wadi Rum. Jordan has been studied much less by tourists than it deserves as the same Hungary, for example. And for all its exoticism, it is equally affordable for an ordinary tourist.
UAE
If you want to see an Arabian fairy tale in a modern setting, welcome to the United Arab Emirates! Exclusive beach hotels in Jumeirah, urban luxury hotels in Bur Dubai and Dubai Marina, more budget apartments in Deira or Al Barsha. Only one can offer tourists over five hundred different accommodation options. Travel agency Hottour.kz will help you in choosing a tour at a bargain price.
And there are also a lot of opportunities for a beach holiday in the Emirates in Ajman, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and already on the coast of the Indian Ocean - in Fujairah. A variety of hotels for tourists with a wide variety of incomes are united by a decent level of service and the opportunity to truly fall in love with this country. Pick up a tour va
Excursion trips to all seven emirates and days spent in unique water parks and amusement parks, helicopter tours over Dubai, visiting the world's largest mosque and the tallest building on the planet. All this can be done in Dubai, I say in defiance of those who argue that the UAE has nothing to do. Naturally, many entertainment requires money, but there are also completely free ones. Such as, . In the meantime, I'll post a video that I shot and edited myself. Beautiful music and incredible sight are all the singing fountains in Dubai.
And winter in Dubai is great shopping and the opportunity to win one of thousands of prizes during the next winter trade festival. And for admirers of a wide variety of sports, from tennis, diving and yachting, to golf and camel racing, auto racing and horse racing, there is a real expanse in the Emirates.
Spain
Some travelers, in search of a place to spend their winter holidays, sometimes forget about Spanish resorts. And completely undeserved, especially if you remember how many opportunities they offer. Holidays on the Costa del Sol - quiet, respectable and calm... On the beaches of cities protected by a mountain range from cold winds, in January you can, if not swim, then at least sunbathe. Combine daily contemplation of the sea with excursions in the south of Spain. Plus, enjoy Spanish food, wines and shopping if your wallet allows it.
A more active and hot holiday awaits you on the islands of eternal spring, in the Canary Islands. Beaches, carnivals, zoos, amusement parks and aqua complexes, Spanish culture and absolutely exotic nature. This and much more will give you tours or independent trips to Tenerife and other islands of the archipelago. In the winter season, when it comes to Tenerife, you need to choose hotels in the southern part of the island as the weather is much worse in the north.
By the way, while I was writing the article, the rain outside the window gave way to snow. In the meantime, I was laying out the text and preparing photographs, the street near the house was decently filled up. With the first snow of all! Here are a couple of pictures:
So it's time to get ready for a vacation in warm countries. Well, or at least dream about it!
Always yours, Daniil Privolov.
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