The holidays are right around the corner, but in the flow of everyday life you can miss the moment and not have time to prepare. Therefore, now we begin to make plans; First of all, we must solve the problem of location, because during the New Year holidays all the most interesting places are booked up very quickly.
Read here about interesting New Year’s traditions that came to us from the USSR:
5 cozy New Year’s traditions of the USSR, without which the holiday would no longer be imagined
How to spend the New Year holidays?
There is always a choice “Stay at home”, but if you often spend the New Year at the festive table with your family, this option may be boring. In this case, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to escape somewhere. You will have to choose between two options: active vacations or relaxing vacations away from home. And it all depends on your preferences.
Leisure Suitable for those who cannot sit still, want to go on a city tour, see new places, go snowboarding, catch a wave on the ocean coast, and this is not the entire list of adventures. A change of environment and activity will definitely help you recover resources and gain energy for the entire next year, or at least until the next vacation.
Photo: istockphoto.com
The second option, no less tempting, is Total relaxation, It is characterized by massages, spa treatments, yoga, reading books and watching your favorite New Year’s movies. And here it is also difficult to argue with the benefit, because after a busy year and daily work, one really wants to relax, both physically and psychologically.
There are ideal places for each type of vacation, but remember that you can combine them by seeking a balance between relaxation and active entertainment. Together with the experts, we prepared a list of points on the map and talked in detail about each address in numbers.
Photo: istockphoto.com
head of the press service of the travel planning service OneTwoTrip
“Have you ever wondered where to celebrate one of the main holidays of the year? “We have interesting ideas.”
Where to go in Russia?
Sochi
The cost of the trip
A one-way plane ticket during the New Year holidays costs an average of 9,000 rubles, and a room can be booked for about 7,700 rubles per day.
Why choose
We say “Winter Sochi”, we think of “Krasnaya Polyana” – most tourists come for the New Year holidays specifically for a ski holiday. And this is not surprising, because three excellent resorts with modern trails are located here.
But in addition to descending the mountains, there is something to do in the city. On the seashore, +10°C is quite comfortable for walking, because it is very pleasant to walk along the embankment and breathe the salt air. And then you can go to one of the spa hotels to warm up in the sauna, get a massage or swim in a hot pool. And if you get caught in the rain, take a bus tour and visit a dolphinarium or oceanarium.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Kaliningrad
The cost of the trip
You can fly to Kaliningrad during the holidays for an average of 7,000 rubles each way, and you can budget from 3,800 rubles per day for the accommodation you need.
Why choose
In the westernmost city of Russia, the climate is temperate, so winters are warm, without severe frosts. When Kaliningrad is covered in snow, it looks like a Christmas card with gingerbread houses and warm lights.
Explore Kant Island with its beautiful cathedral, shop for souvenirs in the fishing village and warm up with mulled wine in one of the cafes, and then plan a trip to the sea. The rugged Baltic is a must-see in winter, so take a day trip to Svetlogorsk or Zelenogradsk. We recommend that you choose a hotel with a sauna and spa; After walking along the cold sea shore, you will definitely want to warm up well.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Murmansk
The cost of the trip
A one-way ticket costs approximately 10,000 rubles and a hotel can be found for 4,700 rubles per day.
Why choose
The harsh nature of the north awaits the most daring and daring to visit it, and generously shares its beauty with them. For example, in January in Teriberka there are many opportunities for whale watching and there is no need to talk about the polar lights: look for guides who know the best places with minimal light pollution and bring a good camera.
And then – skiing in the Khibiny Mountains! Two excellent resorts are located here, Kukisvumchorr and Bolshoy Vudyavr, with long and comfortable trails. And by the way, in the Murmansk region there are no extremely low temperatures, especially near the sea, but it is still worth dressing warmly.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Karelia
The cost of the trip
A flight to Petrozavodsk during the New Year holidays will cost about 6,500 rubles one way, and when looking for accommodation, you can calculate about 3,800 rubles per day.
Why choose
Get ready: January in Karelia is considered the coldest month. Fluffy snow, around -10°C outside and sometimes severe frosts down to -30°C – this is the winter fairy tale that many city dwellers are looking for.
Can you imagine how fascinating the snow-covered waterfalls and the famous marble quarry look, surrounded by white trees? You can also go to the island of Kijí, ride snowmobiles or dog sleds and, finally, spend a couple of days in one of the comfortable hotels, sitting by the window with a cup of hot tea, washed down with delicious cakes.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Kamchatka
The cost of the trip
You can fly to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in winter for about 16,000 rubles, and a hotel will cost about 8,000 rubles per day.
Why choose
Tourists usually strive to see the magical end of the world in summer, but here you will get incredible impressions even in winter. Snowmobile rides to volcanoes, relaxation in hot springs (at -8°C it is an interesting experience), excursions to an ethnic village where you can pet reindeer: don’t say we haven’t convinced you.
There are also all the possibilities for skiing and snowboarding, which will be especially appreciated by freeride lovers. And, of course, no one has canceled Kamchatka seafood delicacies and sandwiches with a layer of caviar thicker than bread: ideal to be the first in Russia to celebrate the New Year.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Where to go abroad?
Thailand, Phuket
The cost of the trip
A one-way ticket costs approximately 48,000 rubles, but a hotel can be found relatively inexpensively: the average price is 6,000 rubles per day.
Entry rules to Thailand
Russian tourists will only need a valid passport. You can stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa. Upon entry, you may be asked to present return tickets.
Why choose
This small island off the west coast of Thailand is always popular with wintering Russians. It is not surprising, because the weather here in January is completely summery: the thermometer reads around +29°C during the day, the sea has approximately the same temperature and there is almost no rain; At this time there is a dry season.
If you want to swim and snorkel, stop at the beaches of the central part of the coast, and for fun parties, welcome to the south of the island – Patong or Karon. We also recommend driving to the main viewpoints to see spectacular sunsets and visit Monkey Mountain.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa
The cost of the trip
A one-way ticket costs about 45,000 rubles, and accommodation will cost about 5,600 rubles per day.
Entry rules to Sri Lanka
Travel requires a valid passport and visa, which can be obtained online, upon arrival at the airport or at the embassy in Moscow. The visa fee is $50 and you can stay in the country for up to 30 days. From November 2023 to March 31, 2024, Sri Lanka abolished the visa fee; You can now apply for a visa for the country for free.
Why choose
The closest resort to the capital of the island, Colombo, means that it will be convenient to get there, even if you fly with children, because you will spend about 1 hour 40 minutes on the way (for comparison, it takes more than two hours to get there to Unawatuna, which is more popular among Russians).
Everyone will love it in Hikkaduwa. Diving and snorkeling lovers will find beautiful coral reefs off the coast, where they can encounter turtles. Families with children will appreciate the variety of cozy sandy beaches with convenient access to the water, and surfers will appreciate Narigama Beach with its good waves. The weather in January is also pleasant: during the day it is about +30°C and the water warms up to +28°C.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Vietnam, Nha Trang
The cost of the trip
A one-way ticket will cost approximately 55,000 rubles, and they also promise to open direct flights in November. You can rent a hotel room for 4,000 rubles per day.
Entry rules to Vietnam
Russian tourists can visit the country without a visa and stay in the territory for up to 45 days, and if they apply for a visa online – 90 days. Upon entry, you may be asked to present return tickets. And, of course, you need a passport.
Why choose
Nha Trang is a tourist city, there are many excellent hotels, but there are no private beaches, they are all public, and housing on the front line is separated from the sea by a road and a promenade. People come here to swim and sunbathe; January is perfect for this, the rainy season is already over, but the intense heat has not yet arrived and during the day it is no more than +27°C.
But tourists come here not only for the beaches, they go to this area to walk along the promenade and Central Park with swimming pools, attractions and restaurants, and it is definitely worth spending a day in the famous Vinpearl amusement park.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Serbia, Belgrade
The cost of the trip
A one-way ticket costs about 50,000 rubles, and you can rent a hotel room for 7,000 rubles a day.
Entry rules to Serbia
Russians can come here without a visa, only with a foreign passport and stay in the country for up to 30 days. Please note that upon entry you will sometimes be asked to show return tickets.
Why choose
If you want to spend the New Year holidays in accessible Europe, Belgrade is a great option – the city is beautifully decorated and awaits tourists. The climate is very suitable for excursions and exploring the Serbian capital: normally the temperature is constantly above zero degrees, although at night there can be frost and very little rain.
It is pleasant to walk around Belgrade: there are pedestrian streets where life never stops and pleasant areas such as the Skadarlie neighborhood or the creative Savamala. And also hearty, fatty and very tasty Serbian cuisine is excellent for winter; such a trip is an opportunity to try čvarci, pljeskavica and cookies (not the one you are thinking of, but pork on a spit).
Photo: istockphoto.com
Georgia, Tbilisi
The cost of the trip
A one-way ticket to Tbilisi this winter will cost about 25,000 rubles, a hotel can be found for 5,000 rubles per day.
Entry rules to Georgia
Russian tourists can stay in the country without a visa for one year. The main thing is that you have a valid passport in your hands. Sometimes at the border you are asked to show your return tickets.
Why choose
Georgians celebrate the New Year in a big way. You don’t need to tell anyone how delicious you like to eat here, right? You find yourself in a bright, noisy and festive city, where at every turn you can find cozy cafes and restaurants with khinkali, khachapuri and local wine.
If you are tired of gastronomic pleasures, it is easy to get from Tbilisi to one of the best ski resorts in Georgia, Gudauri: just 2 hours 30 minutes, and you will find yourself in a real winter fairy tale. There are more than 20 trails and the length of the tracks is almost 50 km. There is also an extreme park, cool viewpoints with panoramic views and the opportunity to fly over the slopes of mountains and gorges on a paraglider.
Photo: istockphoto.com
How to have the perfect New Year’s weekend?
You already know 10 great vacation options, but how to plan them? We have put together a checklist that will help you not forget anything.
Decide how and with whom you want to spend your vacation, set a budget, choose a vacation spot. Find out everything about it, make a travel plan, think about the details, choose activities that interest you. Make a schedule for the weekend. If necessary, book activities, check accommodation and ticket reservations, think about the New Year’s table, prepare documents, pack your suitcase.
Don’t forget to get into the New Year’s spirit and set your sights on relaxation. Your trip will be perfect if you spend it with pleasure in the company of your loved ones. We wish you good preparations for the holidays!
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THE NAIS IS OFFICIAL EDITOR ON NAIS NEWS