Where to shop for the New Year. New Year's tours. Sochi, Krasnaya Polyana

Absolutely everyone loves the New Year holidays: beautifully wrapped gifts, shaggy fir trees, burning garlands and fragrant tangerines - this is just a small part of the Christmas miracles. And some people consider long weekends as an opportunity to change their surroundings and relax outside the walls of their home. Where should you go? Traveling around Russia? Or head to distant countries where ? It’s tempting, but not everyone dreams of spending time on a wonderful, but often idle holiday by the sea. Some prefer to be culturally enlightened - get acquainted with famous architectural masterpieces, go to museums, theaters, etc., while others need active recreation in the form of skiing. Let's discuss different options.

In Russia

In order to have a good rest during the New Year holidays, it is not at all necessary to opt for foreign tours and vouchers, since in Russia there are a huge number of wonderful places where you can spend an unforgettable weekend. Just a few years ago, most Russians sought to travel to other countries for the New Year, because it was not only interesting, but also prestigious.

Now the situation has changed - a weekend in Paris will not surprise anyone, and many people, due to circumstances, simply do not have the opportunity to travel outside their native country - some do not have a foreign passport, and others work in a “secret” job, having signed an agreement to become “ restricted from traveling." Progress does not stand still, which greatly affects the Russian tourism sector - today even the most discerning and comfort-loving citizens can easily find an amazing and wonderful corner where they can go to relax on New Year's Eve. Let's consider the most interesting and unusual options.

St. Petersburg attracts tourists at any time of the year, and holidays, of course, are no exception. Guests come to Northern Palmyra both independently and as part of special tours offered by travel companies. Without a doubt, the latter option is very convenient - you don’t need to think about choosing accommodation and tickets, and a variety of excursion entertainment is usually included in the program. However, not everyone wants to rest according to a schedule, so many cope with organizational issues on their own without any problems.

Travelers who decide to celebrate the New Year in St. Petersburg have access to an incredible amount of entertainment for every taste - you can walk along Nevsky Prospect, shop in huge shopping centers, attend folk festivals, watch performances by world-famous stars, go to the Mariinsky Theater, to a concert or to a museum. Weekends spent in the cultural capital of Russia, in January-December, when garlands shine on every window and elegant Christmas trees delight the eye, will be remembered for a long time.

• -4 / -9 °C. It should be noted that the weather in St. Petersburg is usually windy and the humidity is quite high, which together does not give the most pleasant effect. Therefore, when going on vacation, do not neglect warm clothes, hats and scarves - all this will certainly come in handy.
• Cost of living: A double standard room in a hotel located in the center of St. Petersburg can be booked quite inexpensively - from 3,000 rubles per night. It is logical that the price will directly depend on the needs of tourists. Those planning a budget holiday prefer to stay in a hostel.
• How to get there: by car, train or plane. It is worth considering that it is best to purchase plane or train tickets in advance, as they may simply run out towards the end of December.

The capital's New Year holidays are an excellent choice for those who want to get into a real winter fairy tale, the scale of which will amaze the imagination of any Russian. Moscow will delight its guests with an incredible number of shining Christmas trees installed in every district of the city. However, the Kremlin Christmas tree on Red Square is deservedly the most popular. It is there, on the main Christmas tree of the country, that thousands of people gather on a festive night, wanting to collectively celebrate the New Year with the chimes and wonderful fireworks.

The list could go on for a long time. Of course, you should think through your pastime based on your hobbies and desires. For example, guests of Moscow will most likely like something from the following list:

• Do you love stores and dream of buying everything you need and not so much? Then you need to visit the colorful and wonderful holiday fairs in the Hermitage Garden, on Red Square and VDNKh. And the open spaces and splendor of the Central Department Store will probably not leave anyone indifferent.
• For theatergoers, Moscow is simply paradise. Sensational theatrical productions, where you can see live stars who have long been familiar to everyone from Russian cinema. A nice bonus is New Year's discounts, which are usually offered by most theaters.
• Tourists with children will be delighted to visit the aquarium. There are several of them in Moscow, and the most popular is the one located at VDNKh.
• Fans of active recreation will have fun going to the skating rink or skiing down the snow slides.

• Average temperature in January:-5 / -10 °C.
• Cost of living: A double standard room in hotels located a few kilometers from Red Square costs from 4,100 rubles per day.

Karelia in winter is a real miracle: mountains, lakes, waterfalls, a huge number of nature reserves and beautiful nature. As a rule, tourists who want to celebrate the New Year in the land of the Karelians opt for the capital of the republic - Petrozavodsk. While walking around the city, be sure to visit the embankment of Lake Onega - an extraordinary and fabulous view opens up from there, and along the street you can see the famous Tree of Wishes, a monument to Peter the Great, as well as other interesting sculptures and compositions that were donated to Petrozavodsk by its sister cities.

Where else can you go? The choice is truly huge... Museums, theaters, parks, ski and sports complexes and even a philharmonic for music lovers. However, you shouldn’t spend all your holidays in the city - outside of it, Karelia has a lot of exciting entertainment. Particularly popular among tourists is the excursion program to the Arctic Circle, which includes fishing, dog riding and snowmobiling. You can settle on the shore of the White Sea (at a modern and comfortable recreation center).

• Average temperature in January:-7 / -13 °C.
• Cost of living: a double standard in hotels located near the city center costs from 3,000 rubles per day.
• How to get there: plane tickets Moscow–Petrozavodsk–Moscow for New Year's dates cost from 10,600 rubles per person; round-trip train tickets - from 5,100 rubles per person.

New Year's holidays in Sochi will appeal to those who want to spend a weekend on the sea coast without leaving Russia. Good weather, a riot of colors, a salty wind and the modern infrastructure of the city will delight even the most fastidious travelers.

When thinking through a cultural program, pay attention to the following list of possible entertainment:

• Sochi Park is a themed and beautiful amusement park, striking in its scale. An incredible roller coaster that will take your breath away, and a majestic Ferris wheel that allows you to see Sochi from a bird's eye view. And... many other attractions that delight both adults and children. If you still have time and energy, it’s worth visiting the dolphinarium in Sochi Park.
• The oceanarium is the choice of those who love not only to eat fish, but also to look at it. The Sochi Oceanarium is beautiful - thousands of species of unique inhabitants of the deep sea, which can be observed in real time and at arm's length. The specially equipped outdoor pond with yellow fish is especially popular among guests. And why? It’s simple - they are allowed to feed (food is purchased from a machine located nearby). Visitors to the aquarium have another incredible bonus - a diving excursion. Just imagine - diving among turtles and sharks swimming in the wreckage of pirate ships.
• Olympic Park – travelers can admire all the structures built for the 2014 Olympics.
• Park "Southern Cultures" is a dendrological garden and park ensemble with a system of ponds, located in the Adler district of Sochi. If you are planning to take a walk and breathe in the eucalyptus air, take some bread with you to feed the beautiful white swans swimming in the pond.
• Water park “AquaLoo” - it’s hard to imagine an active holiday on the seashore without visiting the dizzying slides. “AquaLoo” also operates in winter, attracting tourists all year round.
• Krasnaya Polyana, Rosa Khutor - a modern ski resort, cable car and tons of sparkling snow.

• Average temperature in January:+10 / +3 °C.
• Cost of living:
• How to get there: Moscow–Adler–Moscow plane tickets for holidays cost from 9,500 rubles per person; round-trip train tickets - from 6,900 rubles per person.

In the capital of Tatarstan, Tatar and Russian customs and traditions are intricately combined. The combination of cultures of different nations makes Kazan an amazing city, where antiquity harmoniously coexists with modernity. As a rule, winters in Kazan are quite comfortable, but no one can insure travelers against possible frost of thirty degrees. On New Year's Eve, various and interesting events are planned in the Millennium Park in Kazan - round dances around a sparkling Christmas tree, performances by musical groups, a festive show with Santa Claus and his granddaughter, fireworks and, of course, dancing.

If you don’t know where to go in Kazan on holidays, then visit:

• Ice town near the Ekiyat puppet theater - the creation of ice sculptures near the puppet theater is a unique Kazan tradition. Slides, attractions, heroes of Russian fairy tales and oriental characters - citizens and guests of the city every year have the opportunity to get into a real winter fairy tale, embodied with the help of “ice” art.
• The Nefis skating rink near the Kazan Arena stadium has many, many square meters of sparkling ice. The largest open-air ice arena.
• The Kazan Kremlin is an architectural monument that includes museums and ancient buildings.
• Equipped snow slopes - cheesecake skiing and skiing are rightfully considered one of the most popular winter activities.
• Restaurants with Tatar cuisine - Kazan for some people becomes a kind of gastronomic favorite, because national Tatar dishes are simply an extravaganza of taste. Don't you want Olivier and jellied meat, which are eaten in every home on New Year's Eve? Then restaurants in Kazan are your choice. Horse sausage, pies with unusual fillings, chak-chak and an endless number of delicacies will probably cause increased salivation in any traveler.

• Average temperature in January:-8 / -15 °C.
• Cost of living: A double standard room in hotels located near the city center costs from 3,500 rubles per night.
• How to get there: plane tickets from Moscow to Kazan and back on holidays cost from 5,500 rubles per person; round-trip train tickets - from 3,900 rubles per person.

Since 1999, Veliky Ustyug has been recognized as the official homeland of Father Frost, so New Year's Eve celebrations here are usually large-scale, fun and full of sparkle. This kind of vacation is especially popular with families with children, since the latter are unbridledly delighted to meet Father Frost, the Snow Maiden and other fairy-tale characters. Veliky Ustyug is the oldest city in which the amazing flavor of the Middle Ages and the Russian North still reigns.

The cultural program can include:

• Visit to the Cathedral Courtyard, which includes the famous Assumption Cathedral.
• Shopping in specialized souvenir shops - tourists bring wonderful things from Veliky Ustyug: souvenir bast shoes, linen tablecloths and towels, birch bark boxes, medicinal herbal balms and tinctures, real felt boots and, of course, jewelry made from blackened silver.
• Excursion to the Veliky Ustyug Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve. Particularly popular is the permanent exhibition – the Museum of New Year and Christmas Toys.
• Sending a letter with the personal stamp of a fairy-tale wizard to relatives and friends through the Santa Claus Post Office, located in Oktyabrsky Lane. It is here that hundreds of thousands of letters written by our little compatriots are delivered.

Undoubtedly, the main goal of most travelers is to meet Father Frost, but it is worth considering that he owns not one, but two residences in Veliky Ustyug. The first can be found on Sovetsky Prospekt, and the second is located about ten kilometers from the city.

• Average temperature in January:-10 / -17 °C.
• Cost of living: A double standard room in hotels located near the city center costs from 3,000 rubles per night.
• How to get there: plane tickets Moscow–Cherepovets–Veliky Ustyug and back on holidays cost from 22,000 rubles per person (the plane flies with a transfer in Cherepovets). If we talk about the railway version, then the only train going to Veliky Ustyug is the “Winter Express”, departing in Moscow from the Yaroslavl station during the New Year holidays. Tickets can be purchased along with the tour from travel agencies. The average price of a three-day trip to the homeland of Father Frost is from 20,000 rubles per person.

Do you think that the Crimean peninsula attracts tourists only in the summer? You are wrong. Every year thousands of people come to Crimea to celebrate the New Year. For those who decide to choose Yalta, there is a lot of entertainment available - concerts, fireworks, holiday fairs. Fans of outdoor activities and snow can go to the windiest place in Crimea - Mount Ai-Petri, which offers stunning views.

During the holidays, guests of the peninsula are usually offered a huge number of excursion programs - Swallow's Nest, Genoese Fortress, Count's Marina, Bakhchisarai Palace... the list is almost endless.

• Average temperature in January:+6 / +4 °C. The weather in Crimea is varied - it differs quite a lot depending on the climatic subzone (steppe, mountains, southern coast).
• Cost of living: housing prices vary - rooms in guest houses in the private sector cost from 600 rubles per day, and hotels with two or three stars - from 3,000 rubles. It is best to choose where to stay in advance and book a hotel or house.
• How to get there: plane tickets from Moscow to Simferopol and back cost from 11,000 rubles per person; the price of train tickets Moscow–Novorossiysk–Moscow starts from 6,500 rubles per person.

If you want to celebrate the New Year in an unusual and active way, then a trip to Gorno-Altaisk is an excellent solution. What to do in the snowy mountains? You can ride cheesecakes with the breeze, glide along the sparkling slopes on skis, organize reckless races on snowmobiles, or just simply admire the beauty of nature, and warm up in a real Russian bathhouse on dark evenings.

Today the city is famous for its many comfortable and modern recreation centers for tourists - you can easily find a shelter to take a break from the bustle of the city and breathe in the extraordinary mountain air.

• Average temperature in January:-14 / -17 °C. January is considered the coldest month.
• Cost of living: housing prices are quite affordable - it’s easy to find hotels from 1,400 rubles per night for a double room.
• How to get there: plane tickets from Moscow to Gorno-Altaisk and back cost from 25,000 rubles per person; railway tickets - from 13,000 rubles round trip per person (the train runs from Moscow to Biysk, from which it is easy to get to Gorno-Altaisk by taxi).

Kaliningrad is the westernmost point of our country. This is where those who love European holidays, but for some reason are forced to stay in Russia, most often go to celebrate the New Year. Narrow cobbled streets, churches and unusual houses are an amazing setting for celebration and relaxation. On the first day of the New Year, guests and city residents gather at Victory Square, where the central place is occupied by a traditional forest beauty, decorated with original toys and bright illumination. Performances by musical groups and artists, dance programs, fairs and competitions - all this continues almost without interruption and ends with New Year's fireworks.

Where to go in Kaliningrad? Stroll around the square located near the Cathedral, visit the zoo, theater or amber museum. Or go ice skating - the frozen Upper Pond in Yunost Park is considered an excellent playground. There are apparently no restaurants and cafes in the city, most of which are oriented towards the Middle Ages - spacious halls are stylized as ancient castles, and the menu offers dishes prepared according to centuries-old recipes. The entertainment program in such establishments is usually very extensive during the New Year holidays: for example, knightly tournaments and theatrical performances where artists walk on glass or easily swallow knives.

• Average temperature in January: 0 / -5 °C.
• Cost of living: housing prices start from 3,000 rubles per day for a double room.
• How to get there: The most convenient way is by plane or train. Round-trip tickets for one person cost: for a plane from Moscow - from 10,500 rubles, for a train from Moscow - from 4,000 rubles. Residents of St. Petersburg have the opportunity to choose a romantic travel option - a ferry.

This ancient and beautiful city, founded, according to legend, by Vladimir Monomakh, is located on the banks of the Klyazma River and is part of the Golden Ring. If you like the unique flavor of the outback, then the New Year celebrated in Vladimir will be 100% memorable. The holiday can be celebrated both outdoors, admiring the city at night, illuminations and fireworks, and in a restaurant - most of them organize large-scale entertainment, accompanied by a special menu pleasing the eye and stomach with delicacies and gastronomic delights. Be sure to try the mead and meat pies, which in Vladimir are baked according to an old recipe.

Where to go in New Year's Vladimir in your free time? There are many options, below is a list of interesting and different ones:

• An evening tour of the city - look at Cathedral Square, which looks fabulous and beautiful thanks to the illumination of monuments dating back to the twelfth century. Stroll to the Assumption and Demetrius Cathedrals and don't miss the Golden Gate, one of the city's main attractions.
• Visit to the planetarium, located in the building of the St. Nicholas Kremlin Church. Models of artificial Earth satellites, unusual and rare dioramas, starry skies, planets and meteorites - all this fascinates even the most unscientific visitors.
• Ice skating - there are about two dozen skating rinks in Vladimir, so there will be no problems with the choice.

• Average temperature in January:-7 / -13 °C.
• Cost of living: There are a lot of hotels in the city - it’s easy to find something to suit every taste and budget. Prices start from 2000 for a double room. Tours cost from 18,000 rubles for three days per person.
• How to get there: Vladimir is located 175 kilometers east of Moscow and is easily accessible by car or bus.

Vyborg is often called little Russian Scandinavia. A compact, well-groomed and beautiful city, where thousands of tourists come on New Year’s Day, dreaming of celebrating the holiday in the unique Viking style and in the romantic atmosphere of the Middle Ages. What to do in Vyborg during the winter holidays?

Go to the Christmas fair, which is organized on the Market Square, or visit the Varyazhsky Dvor estate, which is a reconstructed Viking settlement and museum. There, city guests are offered an interesting entertainment program - you can learn how to throw an ax skillfully (or not so skillfully, depending on your luck), try yourself as a shooter armed with a bow, or even try to storm a Scandinavian fortress.

• Average temperature in January:-5 / -10 °C.
• Cost of living: the price of a double room in a two- or three-star hotel is from 2,300 rubles per day.
• How to get there: by bus from St. Petersburg (ticket price from 250 rubles, travel time - about two hours); by car; by train.

The city is located in the southeast of Sakhalin Island. Not everyone will want to celebrate the New Year there, because the flight is quite long and expensive, but people who are not constrained by financial means and have seen many different countries and cities may well decide to take a crazy, but not devoid of magnetism, trip to the island.

The cultural program of tourists usually includes a visit to the Sakhalin regional local history and art museums; The doors of the Chekhov Drama Theater are open for lovers of Melpomene. Be sure to try the local cuisine, in which the main role is deservedly given to seafood. Red caviar, shrimp, crabs are fresh and delicious to such an extent that you will most likely want to bring something home as delicious New Year's gifts for loved ones.

If you prefer an active holiday, then you should visit the world-famous ski resort called “Mountain Air”. It is well equipped and delights guests with all the benefits of civilization - the slopes are equipped with artificial light, which allows you to ski along the snow-white slopes until late in the evening.

• Average temperature in January:-7 / -18 °C.
• Cost of living: the price of a double room in a hotel is from 2500 rubles per day.
• How to get there: plane tickets from Moscow to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and back cost from 22,000 rubles per person (the flight takes just over 8 hours).

Do you dream of seeing not the banal fireworks, but the northern lights on New Year's Day? Then the Kola Peninsula, located above the Arctic Circle, is an excellent place to relax on holidays. A few years ago, the film “Leviathan” by Zvyagintsev was released, which was filmed on the coast of the Arctic Ocean. Many people wanted to see these beauties in person, and tourists flocked to the Murmansk region. Where else is there so much snow, northern lights, waterfalls, cemeteries of sunken ships, reindeer and blue-eyed huskies?

Gourmets often travel to Murmansk because there is a huge variety of seafood available here - fresh salmon and aromatic trout dishes are on the menu of every restaurant and cafe. And no one will refuse hot and rosy pancakes with caviar... Residents and guests of the city usually spend New Year's Eve at Five Corners Square, where they admire the huge Christmas tree and take part in the festive entertainment program.

• Average temperature in January:-7 / -14 °C.
• Cost of living: the price of a double room in a hotel is from 2800 rubles per day.
• How to get there: Airplane tickets from Moscow to Murmansk and back on New Year's dates cost from 14,700 rubles per person.

The city, depicted on the thousand-ruble banknote and belonging to the Golden Ring of Russia, most often attracts tourists who want to celebrate the New Year in an interesting and not too expensive way.

Many people choose Yaroslavl, which is often called the “pearl of Russia”. What to do in the city and where to go? There are many options:

• Planetarium named after Valentina Tereshkova - usually on holidays, special entertainment and educational events are organized here that will be of interest to both adults and children.
• The Fyodor Volkov Theater is distinguished by modern productions and a superbly selected troupe.
• Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery is famous for the fact that during research on its territory the “Tale of Igor’s Host” was found.

The city is famous for its restaurants offering dishes prepared according to ancient Volga recipes - tender and rich fish soup, delicious pancakes with caviar, smoked fish, hot kulebyaki and pies with aromatic filling. And after having a delicious dinner, be sure to take a walk along the Yaroslavl embankment, from where you can see a beautiful view of the Kotorosl, a river flowing into the Volga.

• Average temperature in January:-4 / -7 °C.
• Cost of living: the price of a double room in a hotel is from 2400 rubles per day.
• How to get there: by train, train, car or bus (Yaroslavl is located 270 kilometers from Moscow).

An ancient city where architectural structures built back in the eighteenth century in the unusual Siberian Baroque style have been preserved. Irkutsk is wonderfully suitable for celebrating the New Year - modernity here is surprisingly combined with the atmosphere of antiquity. The city has everything for a great holiday - museums, restaurants, clubs, skating rinks, real Russian baths, decorated Christmas trees, but what attracts tourists the most is located outside of Irkutsk. Of course, we are talking about Lake Baikal - amazing and unusual, which probably most Russians dream of seeing.

Where to go during your vacation? For example, in the park named after Kirov - this is where the main New Year tree is installed and mass festivities are organized on the festive night. Here you can also see the ice town, which looks incredibly beautiful at night thanks to neon lighting. During all holidays, the residence of Father Frost operates in the park, where competitions and games with gifts are held.

• Average temperature in January:-14 / -23 °C.
• Cost of living: the price of a double room in a hotel is from 2,700 rubles per day.
• How to get there: plane tickets from Moscow to Irkutsk and back cost from 19,300 rubles per person (fly about 6 hours).

Abroad

A New Year's holiday abroad is the cherished dream of many Russians. If you are planning to celebrate a holiday in another country, then you should take care of choosing a tour in advance in order to have time to complete the necessary documents. Here is a list of cities where thousands of tourists from different countries come to visit on the eve of the winter holidays.

There is a stereotype among people that the British are prim and somewhat boring, however... London, sparkling with New Year's garlands and bright shop windows, completely refutes this myth. If you want to be in the center of events, then when choosing a hotel, you should give preference to those located near Trafalgar Square, since it is there, in the heart of London, that all the mass festivities dedicated to the New Year take place. Fireworks, comic parades and the loud ringing of the Big Ben clock tower will make the holiday unique.

In London, you can walk along Piccadilly Circus, visit the Natural History Museum, go to the famous Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, look at Buckingham Palace or go on a cruise along the Thames, admiring nature and Tower Bridge.

Hemingway said that “Paris is a holiday that is always with you.” So why not celebrate the New Year in France? Romance, elegant French speech and the beauty of Parisian architecture. Who doesn't dream of seeing the famous Notre Dame or admiring the masterpieces in the Louvre?

On New Year's Eve, city residents and tourists gather at the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elysees - this is where the official celebration of the change of year takes place. Many people prefer to go to the Eiffel Tower or stroll around the square in Montmartre. And someone wants something unusual and memorable and goes on a cruise along the Seine. The pleasure is not cheap, but the impressions are great. More precisely a river.

Celebrating the New Year in the Italian city “on seven hills” will appeal to those who love noisy and cheerful holidays. Folk festivities on the main night of the year are organized in Piazza del Popolo - citizens and guests of Rome drink champagne straight from the bottle, admire fireworks and dance, and extreme sports enthusiasts even jump the Tiber River.

What interesting things to see in Rome during the winter holidays? Of course, the Colosseum and the Pantheon. And also, for example, St. Peter's Cathedral, a sports complex built by Benito Mussolini, or the Trevi Fountain, which is recognized as the most beautiful turtle fountain in the world.

New Year's Prague is like a fairy tale illustration come to life - white snow and many Christmas trees decorated with colorful balls and garlands. You will find the main Christmas tree on Old Town Square, and fireworks are best viewed from Petřín Tower or Prague Castle.

While vacationing in the Czech Republic, be sure to try the famous Czech herbal liqueur “Becherovka”, which is produced in Karlovy Vary according to the recipe of a pharmacist of German origin, Joseph Becher. This drink is often jokingly equated to the fourteenth mineral spring of Karlovy Vary (there are officially thirteen of them).

The capital of Finland during the Christmas and New Year holidays is full of miracles - original illuminations, elegant fir trees and alluring shop windows that promise dizzying winter sales. Ceremonial and entertainment events usually take place on Senate Square on December 31, and on January 1, residents of Helsinki prefer to relax - most institutions and restaurants are not open, but no one forbids just walking around the city, seeing the sights - for example, the Assumption Cathedral or the Cathedral of the Lutheran Church.

Travelers come to Helsinki for the unique atmosphere of a fairy tale - if you want to meet the Finnish Father Frost, you can visit the Joulupukki residence, which is located in Lapland.

Winter holidays in Berlin are an opportunity not only to celebrate the New Year in an unusual way, but also to enjoy the unique history and beauty of the German capital. On the night of January 1, residents and guests of the city gather on the square at the Brandenburg Gate to watch fireworks, listen to performances by musical groups, light sparklers and warm up with aromatic mulled wine or punch.

Particularly romantic souls can choose the Spandau fortress to celebrate the New Year - there a real knightly tournament is organized for guests, after which everyone goes to a luxurious meal, and then to a ball in a medieval style.

New Year is loved in Greece the same way as in Russia, only the main character here is not Santa Claus, but Saint Basil. You can celebrate the holiday together with the residents of the city, who on New Year's Eve come to Syntagma Square, located in the very center of Athens, to dance and watch fireworks. The townspeople also have a local holiday tradition - breaking a pomegranate against a wall, and the scattered seeds symbolize lots and lots of happiness.

If you want the year to be successful, then buy vasilopita at any confectionery or bakery. This is a Greek New Year's cake with orange zest and juice, where traditionally a coin is placed before baking. The person who receives a piece with a surprise will live happily and prosperously throughout the next year.

In Cyprus, the New Year is celebrated on a grand scale - the townspeople dress in carnival costumes, sing songs and dance in circles. And the holiday cannot be imagined without the traditional Greek folk sirtaki - any native resident is sure that he simply must learn this dance.

On the eve of the holidays, the streets are decorated with elegant Christmas trees, and the houses are decorated with olive branches. In Cyprus, dramatizations of biblical scenes are popular, which can be seen in large squares. The weather usually pleases tourists, and daredevils even swim in the sea. Most hotels have heated pools, so all travelers can swim in warm water if they wish.

The weather in Dubai in winter is excellent - there is no sweltering heat like in summer, but it is quite warm to lie on the beach or swim. It is customary to celebrate New Year in the city in hotels, restaurants and clubs, since alcoholic beverages are only allowed to be drunk on the premises of such establishments.

What to see and where? There are many interesting things in the UAE - singing fountains, a zoo, a water park, Sheikh Saeed Palace and the Gold Souk are very popular among tourists celebrating the New Year in Dubai. Ski lovers can head to the ski resort.

A small but dazzlingly beautiful island in Indonesia is a paradise where it’s so pleasant to spend your winter holidays, hiding from the cold and snow. Just imagine - the warm sea, tropical forests, banana groves and bamboo thickets... And the extraordinary taste of local food - nasi goreng (fried rice covered with fried eggs), tofu (cottage cheese made from soybeans), sate (minced fish or meat skewered on kebab sticks and cooked over the fire) and many other dishes - often completely unfamiliar to Russians, but very tasty.

There are many attractions in Bali - a botanical garden in the crater of a volcano, a monkey forest, the Hindu temple of Pura Besakih, volcanoes Batur and Agung and about one hundred and thirty picturesque waterfalls that you want to look at endlessly.

Let's sum it up

New Year is a wonderful holiday that many people want to celebrate in an unusual and fun way. Change the environment, climate, familiar food, look at other cities and countries. What could be better, especially if you have the financial ability to travel?

However, it is worth keeping in mind that it is better to plan the winter holidays in advance in order to have time to purchase tickets and prepare the necessary documents. If you are going abroad, then after choosing the desired travel destination, it will not hurt to study information about the weather, culture, customs and traditions of the country where you are trying to go.

New Year is a family holiday, but this is not a reason to refuse tempting offers from travel companies to celebrate the holiday on the seashore. This type of celebration is unusual and frightens Russians. Everyone is worried about the cost of travel - don’t be nervous, with timely planning and proper organization of your holiday, you can celebrate the holiday inexpensively.

How to celebrate New Year at sea

New Year is traditionally celebrated annually on January 1, when it is cold and blizzards sweep across Russia, but there are countries where there is no winter. Those who want to celebrate the New Year at sea can go to warm Asian-African countries. In summer it is too hot there, and in winter it is a convenient time for a comfortable and complete rest.

Now the trip is accessible, there are many visa-free destinations, so tourists do not need to spend money on paperwork and waiting for them. Early booking allows you to have an inexpensive holiday. If you follow the basic rules, you can save about 50% of the trip amount.

List of popular countries

When choosing the optimal direction, you need to take into account the following features:

1. Flight and other travel expenses.
2. Nutrition. It is better to choose hotels with all-inclusive services, because food in foreign restaurants is expensive.
3. Cost of living. The price varies not only depending on the destination, but also on the level of the hotel itself.

The amount of other expenses varies depending on the tourist’s requirements for the vacation itself. Visiting excursions and buying souvenirs is a separate expense item that needs to be taken into account when planning a trip.

Thailand

Thailand is the most popular resort region located in Southeast Asia. Well suited for an unusual New Year's celebration. The holiday is celebrated cheerfully and actively, local residents hold carnivals, in which everyone can take part.

The most popular resorts are Phuket and Pattaya. The holiday season is spring-autumn, because in summer temperatures exceed 40 degrees.

Attention!

Tours to Thailand are popular in winter, so it’s worth looking for a suitable destination in advance.

It’s easy to choose the best place to stay, taking into account the cost of living:

1. Phuket and Pattaya are the most popular holiday regions where the bulk of tourists fly. An all-inclusive vacation for two will cost $1,500-2,000 depending on the hotel. Not suitable for a quiet, family vacation.
2. Koh Samui is distinguished by its untouched nature and clean beaches. Not a crowded resort because there are no direct flights. Tourists get there by boat. The cost of the holiday is somewhat lower, while the service is at a high level.
3. Phi Phi is a place for true romantics. Krabi province is distinguished by its untouched nature and quiet beaches. Places to stay are single bungalows with all amenities.
4. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. This city never sleeps, so it is suitable for celebrating the New Year in a noisy and cheerful company. The cost of a vacation exceeds $3,000 for 7 days for two.

Relaxing on the clean beaches of Thailand is why tourists come. Special excursions around the islands are conducted, and vacationers can see with their own eyes areas of nature untouched by man. Another purpose of the trip could be shopping - prices for clothes are tens of times lower than in Moscow, and the quality is higher. A popular line is gastronomic tourism - everyone can try popular delicacies. Active recreation is common; you can rent a bicycle and explore the stunning horizons. Sightseeing tours are in demand.

Vietnam

Vietnam is a country located in Southeast Asia. Its southern part is suitable for celebrating the New Year. Despite the fact that the indigenous people do not celebrate the European New Year in most hotels, entertainment events are held in accordance with all traditions. The program is paid, the cost of participation is 100-200 dollars per person.

The following regions are suitable for recreation:

1. Da Nang is a place for a complete family holiday. The largest water park in Vietnam is located here. The sandy beaches are clean and fully equipped. Surf lovers often come to Da Nang.
2. Phu Quoc is a quiet resort, it is called a corner of tranquility in Vietnam. It is located remotely from major centers, making access to hotels difficult. The average price of a night spent at the hotel is $150 per person.
3. Nha Trang is a resort for lovers of active recreation. There are cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs here. Popular among Russian tourists.

The purpose of the trip to Vietnam is a beach holiday and visiting exciting excursions.

Egypt

Residents of Russia often consider Egypt as an affordable option for celebrating the New Year at sea, but you shouldn’t expect the usual summer warmth in January. Thermometers at night can drop to 15 degrees, and the average air temperature during the day is no more than 25 degrees. The water temperature in January in the Red Sea is 20-22 degrees.

Egypt has a special atmosphere, local residents do their best to attract tourists, so since mid-December they have been decorating shopping centers and local streets with attributes familiar to Russians.

Attention!

The cost of tours in December increases by 30%; if you book early, you can save this amount.

Popular resorts for winter holidays:

1. Hurghada has a mild climate, making it suitable for families with children. The cost of a holiday is 20% lower than in Sharm el-Sheikh.
2. Dahab is a resort city that has poorly developed infrastructure. Divers and surfers come here. New Year is not celebrated in every hotel, so this information needs to be clarified when ordering a tour.
3. Sharm el-Sheikh is a popular resort. The sea is distinguished by its beauty - through the surface you can see corals and reefs off the coast. Free entry into the sea is not possible; passage on special tracks is recommended.

Winter in Egypt is the ideal time to go on desert excursions.

Indonesia

Indonesia is distinguished by its beauty and excites tourists with its marvelous nature, protected areas, volcanoes and exotic islands. Local residents have a friendly attitude towards vacationers.

All destinations are suitable for winter holidays, but it is better to pay attention to the following resorts:

1. Bali is a popular resort city in the country, it has a developed infrastructure, and there are hotels of various classes. The first line features restaurants of various cuisines from around the world. You can taste traditional Russian dishes.
2. Mentawai Islands - there are no expensive hotels and restaurants here, unlike Bali, but tourists can enjoy wildlife and see the life of real aborigines.
3. Borneo and Lombok are resorts for those who want to relax from the bustle of the city with all the benefits of civilization. There are many attractions and National Parks here.
4. Sumatra - like Bali, there are high-level hotels and expensive restaurants, but the cost of a holiday here is much lower.

Tourists from Russia often come to the islands for a beach holiday and sightseeing.

UAE

The United Arab Emirates is a country where skyscrapers rise from the body of sand into the sky, and ancient traditions have a direct influence on the development of skyscrapers. The country is suitable for New Year celebrations. The air temperature during the day warms up to 26 degrees, at night it drops to 16-18. Wada in the Gulf can be crisp during the morning hours, but during the day the temperature reaches a comfortable 26 degrees.

The indigenous people do not celebrate the European New Year, but they hold noisy and colorful events for vacationers. The holiday is traditionally held on the night of December 31 to January 1. The cost of holiday tours is 1500 - 3000 dollars for two with flight from Moscow and accommodation for 7 nights.

Popular resort towns:

1. Abu Dhabi is distinguished by clean sandy beaches and attractions. There are cozy hotels here, but the cost of living in them is high.
2. Dubai is a modernized city where the tallest skyscrapers and buildings of amazing designs are located. Lovers of shopping come here, but prices in stores are prohibitively high for people with average incomes.
3. Sharjah is a place in the UAE for a quiet family holiday. There are no noisy nightclubs and bars here.
4. Ras Al Hama is the health center of the UAE. There are hot springs here, and tourists come here to restore their health.

All resorts in the UAE are diverse in destinations, so every tourist can make a choice for himself.

Cambodia

Cambodia - despite the progress of civilization, is distinguished by exotic beaches and pure nature. Unlike other countries, the tourism infrastructure here is poorly developed, but it is possible to find a hotel of the required level.

The main tourist center here is Sihanoukville. Vacationers come here to go on excursions and relax on clean beaches. In January you can see scuba divers and surfers training.

Attention!

When visiting Cambodia, you need to go on an excursion to Angkor Wat - a national pride that is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

How to save money?

It is impossible to celebrate the New Year at sea, taking into account the need for a flight, but by following simple rules you can save money while still receiving high quality services.

Basic rules for tourists:

1. Early booking of flights and tours. When using this service on a tour, you can save about 30-40% of its initial cost.
2. Last minute tours. The cost of staying at a hotel will be even cheaper than with early booking, but when choosing this type of savings, you need to check with the tour operator about the possibility of booking air tickets.
3. Before purchasing a tour, you need to study the prices on the market, using aggregators that display the prices of all tour operators.

Individual travelers should remember:

• before choosing a ticket, you need to analyze the prices of all airlines;
• hotel prices increase when booking a room on a holiday, but remain unchanged when checking in a few days before the New Year.

The majority of tourists say that celebrating the New Year at sea is memorable for a long time. If you follow the basic rules and properly plan your budget, you can go on a seaside holiday with your family for New Year 2019 inexpensively. To make a choice and go on vacation, you need to consider the possibility of purchasing a tour 1-2 months before the expected departure date.

There is nothing left until the New Year. It's time to ask yourself where to go for the New Year holidays in 2020, so that the impressions remain the most positive.

Therefore, we have prepared several options at once - across Russia and to Europe, at sea and in the Moscow region. For every taste and budget. Here are 15 places to go inexpensively for the New Year holidays in 2020. Prices are based on traveling as a couple.

Where to go for New Year 2020 in Russia

1. Karelia

Price: from 30 thousand rubles.

In a snowy and frosty winter, why not go to a place where there is even more snow and frost? And in Karelia there is plenty of both. And it’s better not to sit in a log house, watching TV and listening to the snow falling from the spruce paws, but to do something more interesting.

For example, go on snowmobiles to the museum-reserve of Russian wooden architecture, to a sled dog farm or to a winter zoo. These types of activities typically span 3-4 days, so even the busiest people can easily fit them into their busy routines. And there will be a lot of impressions - the main thing is that the weather does not let us down.

Price: from 40 thousand rubles.

Russia and New Year in the pool? No, this is not a joke, we are completely serious. We are talking about hotels in the Krasnodar region, which are located next to hot and even mineral springs. The impressions will be unforgettable - hot, steamy water and snow-covered shores.

It is worth adding that hotels vary, from fairly budget options that the average Russian can afford, to palaces of a healthy lifestyle shining with gold and marble. It is worth adding that the swimming pool can be combined with excursions and active recreation in the form of mountaineering or skiing.

3. Heart of the North

Price: from 55 thousand rubles.

Are you tired of the age-old bast romance, are you fed up with hot countries, do you want something truly wild and exotic? Russia is wide, and there are plenty of such places in it.

For example, you can go to the Far North, where you can celebrate the beginning of the new year in a real tent in the company of authentic reindeer herders. The cultural program is large and vibrant - you will not only get the opportunity to look at the world through the eyes of people living in completely different conditions, understand how they lived and what they believed in, but you will also master the complex art of lassoing reindeer and riding reindeer sleds. We don't promise that these skills will be useful to you in the future, but learning new things is always interesting, right?

New Year 2020 in Europe

If you have planned a trip to Europe as a holiday for the New Year holidays in January 2020, it is worth considering an important fact. The main holiday during which all European events take place is Christmas, which is celebrated on December 25th. But on New Year's Day, there are fewer people in Europe, there is more air, but the opportunities to have fun and have a great time will be diminished.

The most convenient trip is from the beginning of the twenties of December and for about two weeks; this way we will be able to celebrate both Christmas “their way” and the New Year our way.

1. Czech Republic - cheap, but not cheerful

Price: from 30 thousand rubles.

Where to go inexpensively for the New Year in 2020? To the Czech Republic, the country of beer, bagels and low (compared to other European cities) prices. That is why it is so popular among tourists.

Prague itself is a city of magical beauty, but in combination with snow it creates a downright enchanting impression. During the holidays, various events are held in Prague - you can easily find places where you can have fun, have a tasty drink and a snack.

2. Italy

Price: from 45,000 rubles.

Are you tired of snow and frost, but at the same time don’t want sudden climate changes? An excellent option is Italy. It compares favorably with other European countries in that although Christmas is a family holiday there, Italians love and know how to celebrate New Year.

And since Italy is a country of rich culture, at the moment of the change of year, not banal folk festivals are held there, but entire orchestras perform. It is worth adding that in addition to culture, Italy is also distinguished by its excellent cuisine. There you can try some of them. You just need to agree on a table now.

3. Finland

Price: from 60 thousand rubles.

Finns are generally not known for their love of mass entertainment, and Christmas and New Year are considered family holidays in the country. You shouldn't expect big mass celebrations with fireworks from reserved northerners.

Therefore, it is best to rent a separate house in Finland and go there with family, friends and loved ones. There are many options for this very separate housing - from secluded houses in the depths of the forest, where deer stumble, to relatively (by Finnish standards) populated ski hotels or spa centers. Whichever is more to your taste.

By the way, if you want to go to Helsinki for a holiday, keep in mind that museum workers and staff also rest there on holidays. So local cultural venues will likely be closed and restaurants will slam their doors shortly before midnight.

Holidays during the New Year holidays 2020 at sea

We immediately warn those who are aiming for a beach holiday and warming up all parts of the body at a resort under the southern sun - “cheap” and “New Year” are hardly compatible concepts. And it’s not even about the price of the tours themselves (you can find them at quite budget prices), but about the price of tickets. It is they who chop off most of the money set aside for the trip.

1. Cyprus

Price: from 20 thousand rubles.

Although only especially hardy Russians can swim in the winter Cypriot sea (17 degrees), it is still worth going there. Cypriots are amazingly friendly and hospitable people who love and know how to celebrate in such a way that even seasoned tourists will warm their souls in the waves of goodwill emanating from them. Let us add that the island loves Russian-speaking tourists and knows how to communicate with them.

The entertainment is traditional - carnivals, carols, round dances, a lot of people with fireworks, songs, dances and laughter. Let us add that “their” winter is not “our” harsh and snowy winter. In December-January, their orange and tangerine trees bear fruit quietly, and the daytime temperature is about 20°.

2. Vietnam – without a visa

Price: from 100 thousand rubles.

One of the most favorite destinations during winter. In Vietnam, the beach season is in full swing, and the number of sunny days will plunge Russians into euphoria. Sun and sea come with inexpensive food and plenty of delicious fruit. It is important that short trips (up to 15 days) to Vietnam do not require bureaucratic red tape.

It is worth noting that Vietnam is inexpensive, since it has not yet developed a developed tourism infrastructure (although it is developing at an intensive pace). But the weather conditions and terrain (long, gently sloping sandy beaches and lush, vibrant tropical greenery) make you forget about the shortcomings. By the way, you won’t be able to go diving – the sea can be rough during the winter months.

3. Caribbean

Price: from 190 thousand rubles.

But here is an option for those who prefer higher hotels, brighter sun, and sparkling clean beaches. The countries of the Caribbean, especially the Dominican Republic, will open their hospitable arms to them.

The weather there is magnificent - low humidity, sun, no precipitation, sea 27-28° - excellent conditions for scuba diving and other sea activities. And the Latin temperament gives the New Year an unforgettable, exotic and bright coloring.

Where to go during the New Year holidays 2020 with children

1. Empress Kostroma

Price: from 13,900 rubles.

Everyone knows where Father Frost lives - in Veliky Ustyug. And the habitat of his granddaughter or daughter, Snegurochka, is Kostroma. She has two houses of her own there.

The first is the official residence, like the governor's. There the snow maiden carefully keeps all the gifts she has received over a long period of her life. Excursions are available for those who want to admire them.

And the second is intended for the entertainment of guests - New Year's performances are held there, and other folklore elements also live (and work) there.

2. Low beam

Price: from 15 thousand rubles.

There are many places to go on New Year's Eve with children in Russia. One of the most popular options is recreation centers in the Moscow region. They are especially loved by parents with very young children. Such a holiday has many advantages:

• drive nearby (which is important if the child has not yet reached the age of responsibility);
• all the benefits of civilization are at hand;
• At the same time, you can finally rest and relax by entrusting your child to experienced animators for a while.
• As a rule, in family holiday homes there are pleasures for the body (baths, spas, massages, etc.) and pleasures for the soul (fishing, outdoor and board games).

3. Land of magic

Price: from 70 thousand rubles.

It is in Scotland that Hogwarts Castle is located, where the events of “Braveheart” took place, and also the towering bulk of Doune Castle, where the filming of “Game of Thrones” took place. And Edinburgh is the heart of Scotland, where every square meter of surface is filled with history and romance.

If you want to travel abroad with your children so that they will remember this trip for a long time, take them to Edinburgh. True, there are not many tours there, so you will have to think about the trip yourself.

Traveling for New Year 2020 by car

1. From St. Petersburg to Moscow – and back

Price (gasoline only): about 2500 rubles.

We recommend that Moscow residents go to St. Petersburg, and Moscow residents go to the northern capital. Why from Moscow and by car? Because along the way you can admire the beauty of snow-covered nature, and also, depending on the route, visit other interesting places. The M10 highway passes by such Russian gems as Tver and Torzhok, not far from Valdai and Veliky Novgorod.

Price (gasoline only): about 3,000 rubles.

Kazan is confidently becoming one of the most popular cities among travelers by car. It successfully combines a high level of comfort, an abundance of attractions, attractions for tourists in the form of local festivals and holidays, plus Tatar exoticism.

On New Year's Eve, in the capital of Tatarstan, holidays, contests, competitions are organized, and an ice town is being built, where children love it.

3. By car to Europe

Price (gasoline only): about 7,000 rubles.

In order to plan your trip to Europe well and competently for the New Year, you need to know a few things.

• First of all, think about the route - sit for a couple of hours with a map, decide what you want to see and how far to go. Some limit themselves to a ring of several cities (for example, Prague - Vienna - Prague and from there on a plane home), others think about larger-scale trips through several countries.
• Secondly, you should think in advance about the places where you plan to spend the night and book hotels or a campsite in advance.
• Thirdly, there are autobahns - toll highways; You will have to move mostly along them.
• Fourthly, you need to prepare all the necessary documents. It’s a lot of hassle, yes, but you are not bound by anything and can move freely as you please, without obeying the guide’s instructions.

No matter how much time is left before the New Year and Christmas holidays, you need to plan your vacation and book accommodation now. Let's look at where to go inexpensively for the New Year and where you can have a good time.

Saint Petersburg

Why you should go: New Year in St. Petersburg is celebrated on a grand scale. You won't find such lights, fireworks and laser shows in the provinces. Nevsky Prospekt becomes pedestrian, New Year's fairs are open, and Palace Square lights up so brightly, as if another revolution has begun there.

How is the weather: During the winter holidays there can be a slight frost of up to -10 ° C, or maybe near zero. In any case, it is better to insulate yourself to protect yourself from the winds from the Gulf of Finland.

Things to do: watch daily light shows on Dvortsovaya, relax on Nevsky and be amazed at the variety of lights, visit museums that offer discounts for children and walk around other iconic places in St. Petersburg.

Moscow

Why you need to go: the country's main Christmas tree on Red Square, Christmas markets, colorful fireworks, large-scale celebrations - in Moscow you can have a great New Year with your family. Both adults and small children will be happy with the capital.

What's up with the weather: at the end of December - beginning of January in the capital it is quite comfortable: a little minus during the day, and a little colder at night. Sometimes there are thaws with rain.

How to have fun: First of all, go to Red Square and feel like you are in the center of national celebrations, while going skating at the skating rink and shopping at the fair. Folk festivities also take place in other places: Gorky Park, VDNKh, Poklonnaya Gora. Performances are staged for children on Pushkinskaya Square and Tsvetnoy Boulevard. If you get tired of the noise, you can go to one of the many Moscow parks.

Sochi

Why you should go: here you can relax, enjoying the fresh air and relative warmth, and if you wish, go skiing in Krasnaya Polyana.

Weather on holidays: Sochi is warm and humid because there is a sea nearby, which does not cool down so quickly, and mountains that block the winds. During the day on the shore it is approximately +5... +10 °C, in Krasnaya Polyana from +2 °C to -5 °C.

Things to do: The main events take place in the port, on the South Pier square. Fireworks rise into the sky no worse than those at the Olympics. And walking through city parks and streets, you can understand that New Year trees between palm trees and cypress trees are magnificent. If you are celebrating the New Year with children, go to Sochi Park, which is modestly called the local Disneyland.

Kazan

Why you need to go: to see how Russian and Tatar traditions merge into one - New Year's.

What's the weather like? Winters in the Volga region have differences, but on New Year's days there are usually no surprises, and the temperature stays around -5... -10 °C.

Things to do: go to the main Christmas tree of the city in Millennium Park, where you can also ride the skating rink and buy souvenirs. There is an ice town near the Eriyat puppet theater. Of course, it’s worth taking a walk along the pedestrian Bauman Street and the Kremlin, which is incredibly beautifully illuminated.

Veliky Ustyug

Why go: look into the residence of the main Father Frost of the country, which was built legally, so no one filmed it with drones.

What's up with the weather: Winters here are frosty, reaching −20 °C, but is this really an obstacle for those who want to get into a New Year's fairy tale?

Things to do: The country residence of the grandfather with a real, not glued-on, beard is located about 30 minutes from the city, on Sovetsky Prospekt. The house was built in a beautiful forest, there are also attractions here, and excursions through the world of Russian fairy tales are organized for children. Of course, there are entertainment programs and New Year's performances. In addition to the estate, you can also enjoy the city itself, full of merchant mansions and ancient temples.

Veliky Ustyug is quite popular among tourists, so we advise you to make early bookings for the New Year 2020.

Ski resorts

Why you should go: You will celebrate the holiday and go in for sports. In addition, the atmosphere at the resorts is calmer than in large cities with their New Year's bustle. Such places are some of the best for a New Year's trip.

Where to go: Sheregesh, Kirovsk, Dombay

Which resort to choose: the most comfortable resort is Sheregesh in the Kemerovo region. There are 10 routes with different altitude levels. The snow does not stick together, which will especially appeal to freeriders.

Dombay is located in the Caucasus Mountains, on the territory of Karachay-Cherkessia. The local mountain valley is so beautiful that it brings pleasure not only from skiing, but also from contemplating the neighboring mountains, forests and gorges. The trails here are varied and suitable for skiers of different levels.

The base in Kirovsk is located within the city of the same name in the Murmansk region. The slopes are well maintained, the lifts are new. Here you can not only spend time on the slopes, but also go to the city to celebrate the New Year there properly.

Kaliningrad

Why you should go: be in a festive atmosphere against the backdrop of ancient European-style architecture.

What's the weather like? quite warm, around zero, it may snow or rain. There is a breeze, so bring warm clothes.

How to have fun: The main festive events are held on Victory Square: concerts, New Year's performances, fireworks, fairs. However, this is not even the main thing, because Kaliningrad has a scattering of interesting places. No matter how fun you celebrate the New Year, be sure to go to the Cathedral, where the Kant Museum is located. It is also worth going through various gates: Royal, Brandenburg, Sackheim. It is unlikely that you will pass by the Amber Museum, the exhibits of which will give odds to any New Year's garland.

Minsk

Why you need to go: comfortable weather, inexpensive holidays, a visa for Russians in Belarus is not needed, and although the streets are fun, they are also calm - of course, with such and such a president.

How is the weather: There are no severe frosts, mostly from −5 to +5 °C.

Things to do: take a walk through the central districts and squares, which are literally flooded with festive lights. The building of the National Library is especially beautifully illuminated. The New Year tree is placed on Oktyabrskaya Square. There you can walk through the glowing balls, buy souvenirs and have something tasty and warming to eat.

Where to go for New Year with children? As an option - Nesvizh and Mir, which surprise with ancient castles. After walking in the fresh air, we recommend eating hot homemade sausages and, of course, potatoes. You can go to Belovezhskaya Pushcha - the Belarusian Father Frost lives there, who entertains children as best he can.

New Year 2020 at sea

Why you need to go: this is a good chance to escape from winter - to where it is warm.

How is the weather: It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to swim on the Russian coast, but you’ll be able to take a walk in warm and comfortable weather.

Where to relax: the most suitable option is Crimea, where there are two seas at once - the Black and Azov. Recently, a road bridge was opened here, and now you can get here not only by ferry.

In Crimea it rarely falls below 0°C, and local beauty and excursions never disappear even in winter. Throughout the peninsula, the New Year is celebrated on the same scale as in the rest of Russia. For example, on the Yalta embankment they put up a Christmas tree and dancing fountains, hold concerts and light fireworks.

Altai

Why you should go: imbue yourself with an amazing atmosphere of peace and feel the energy of an extraordinary nature.

How is the weather: There may be a slight frost around −10 °C, but there can also be real cold.

Things to do: in Altai you can recharge your batteries for the whole next year. Tourists usually book tours for the New Year, which locals call Chaga Bayram, or White Holiday. You can celebrate it in a traditional way (with a Russian steam bath, horseback riding and sleigh rides, games in the snow and a New Year's banquet), as well as in an extreme way (for example, going to the mountains).

The Belokurikha ski resort is also located in Altai. This is a great place to celebrate the New Year with friends. The total length of the slopes at the resort is about 7 kilometers, and all of them are surrounded by beautiful coniferous trees.

Baikal

Why go: see the cleanest, deepest and most mysterious lake on the planet.

How is the weather: quite frosty, can reach −22 °C.

Things to do: there is never a dull moment when traveling to Baikal: you can communicate with seals in the nerpinarium, take helicopter rides over the lake or go skiing on Mount Sobolina. As for folk festivals, you can visit them in Irkutsk and in the village of Listvyanka.

Novosibirsk

Why you need to go: in the capital of Siberia everything is on the level.

How is the weather: It’s quite fresh (it reaches −20 °C), but there are more sunny days at this time than in other winter months.

How to have fun: Lenin Square with ice sculptures and slides becomes the center of public festivities. You can also take a walk along Mikhailovskaya Embankment, where you can slide down the slide directly to the bank of the Ob River. Of course, the main attractions of Novosibirsk do not disappear during the New Year holidays: the Opera and Ballet Theater, the planetarium, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and other iconic places.

Karelia

Why go: feel the unique natural energy among thousands of lakes and waterfalls.

What's up with the weather: There are about as many sunny days as cloudy ones. The average temperature is −5 °C. ideal conditions for a New Year's fairy tale: an average of -9 ° C and quite a lot of snow.

How to have fun: During the holidays, the capital of the Volga region looks magical. Minin and Pozharsky Square, as well as Gorky Square, are beautifully decorated. Celebrations are also held near the Chkalov Stairs - one of the symbols of the city. From here you can go down to Rozhdestvenskaya Street, which corresponds to the holidays both in name and in essence: a cozy holiday town is being set up here, treats and souvenirs are sold.

Ekaterinburg

Why go: one of the best cities in the country, lots of entertainment and opportunities to celebrate the New Year alone or in company.

What's up with the weather: It is cool (up to -15 °C), but there is little precipitation and there are thaws.

Things to do: The center of the celebrations becomes the 1905 Square, where an ice town is created with figures of not only fairy-tale heroes, but also local celebrities - for example, famous Ural rockers. You can also take a walk along the pedestrian street Vayner and admire the sights dusted with snow: the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Sevastyanov House and the Vysotsky skyscraper.

In this article we tell you where you can relax by the sea in winter. We briefly compare and talk about 10 destinations where it is better to relax abroad in winter.

Comparative table of countries where it is better to relax at sea in winter

	Visa	Temperature		Price level	Flight time from Moscow
		air	water
	No (28 days)	+30 °C	+28 °C	Short	9 hours (direct flight)
	No (15 days)	+30-33°C	+24-27°C	Short	9 hours (direct flight)
	No (30 days)	+30 °C	+27°C	Average	10 h (direct flight)
	No (30 days)	+27-30°C	+26 °C	Average	11-13 h (direct flight), approx. 17 h (with transfer)
	Yes	+30 °C	+27°C	Short	7 hours (direct flight)
	Yes	+30°C	+28°C	Average	8.5 h (direct flight), approx. 10 hours (with transfer)
	No (30 days)	+29-30°C	+27°C	Short	from 16 hours (with transfer)
	No (30 days)	+30°C	+28°C	High	8h45 (direct flight)
	No (30 days)	24-26°C	+23-25°C	High	5h 15 (direct flight)
	No (30 days)	+27-28°C	+25-27°C	Average	13 h (direct flight)

Visa for Russians in Thailand it is not necessary if you do not plan to stay in the country for more than a month. You can read about a visa to Thailand in our article “”.

Photo © Jiashiang/flickr.com

Prices. Despite the exchange rate of the ruble and increased prices during the peak tourist season, prices in Thailand remain quite reasonable. In the article “” you can see a detailed overview of prices in the kingdom.

Prices for air tickets from Moscow to Bangkok start from 24-26 thousand rubles (round trip). From St. Petersburg to Bangkok the price tag for tickets is slightly higher, from 29-33 thousand rubles. (There and back again).

As for the prices of tours, it directly depends on the time of purchase of the tour and vacation dates. Phuket and Pattaya are considered the most popular holiday destinations in winter; this is where most tourists go on package tours. In the article "" we compared prices for 2 main winter holiday destinations.

Pros and cons of winter holidays in Thailand

pros

• Great weather for a beach holiday
• Abundance of exotic fruits
• No need to apply for a visa
• Low prices for food, clothing and housing
• Developed tourist infrastructure

Minuses

• Lots of tourists
• Prices rise due to high season
• Long plane flight

Vietnam

In winter, you can have a great holiday at sea in the southern part of Vietnam. The weather at this time is pleasant with warmth and plenty of sun.

Weather. In winter in the south of the country the air warms up to +30-33°C. The water temperature is set at +24-27°C.

Prices for air tickets from Moscow to Vietnam in winter start at 26,500 rubles. (There and back again). The highest prices for air tickets are set at the end of December. It is best to purchase tickets in advance. We use the air sales service or skyscanner to find cheap air tickets.

Since the end of November, prices for tours have been gradually creeping up. At the beginning of December you can find tours from 29-30 thousand per person, and closer to January the price of a tour may increase by 10-20% and continue to grow. The cost of tours changes every hour, so the prices in the article are approximate. Prices for specific dates can be found and compared from different tour operators using special services, and.

Pros and cons of winter holidays in Vietnam

pros

• Southern resorts are designed for beach holidays
• Cheap diving
• Low prices for transport, housing and food

Minuses

• The development of tourism infrastructure is slightly behind
• Prices go up during the holidays in winter

Useful articles about winter holidays in Vietnam

Malaysia in winter is a tropical fairy tale for Russian tourists. In winter, you can relax here on clean sandy beaches surrounded by mountain and plant landscapes.

Weather. In winter, the air temperature stubbornly remains at +30 °C, and the water temperature does not drop below +27 °C.

Resorts. The best beaches for relaxation are the islands of Langkawi, Pangkor, and Penang. Popular resorts for beach holidays are Pangkor Laut and Tioman Island.

Visa for Russians it is not needed if the duration of the trip to Malaysia is less than 30 days. The stamp is placed upon arrival at the country's airports.

Prices. Compared to Thailand, prices for some things, services and products in Malaysia are higher (about 1.5 times). Malaysia is mostly a Muslim country, so all alcoholic beverages here are quite expensive (with the exception of the islands of Langkawi and Labuan).

Photo © Eddie Yip / flickr.com

In winter, prices for air tickets from Moscow to Malaysia start from 30-33 thousand rubles. (There and back again).

Tours to Malaysia are less popular among Russian tourists than Thailand or Vietnam. The cost of a 7-day tour from Moscow to Malaysia for two is from 107,308 rubles. You can compare prices on any of the services and.

Photo © David Russo / flickr.com

Advantages and disadvantages of holidays in Malaysia

pros

• The climate is suitable for winter holidays
• The population speaks good English
• Relatively high level of security
• Picturesque country
• Friendly attitude towards tourists (+virtually no divorces)

Minuses

• Prices are slightly higher than in neighboring countries
• Long flight

If you don’t know where to go abroad to the sea in winter, then the Dominican Republic is perfect for a vacation, including a vacation with children. Winter in the Dominican Republic is the best time for a holiday with hot sun and lack of winds. Many tourists call a holiday in the Dominican Republic a visit to paradise.

Weather. In winter, the air temperature during the day stays at +27-30°C. The water temperature is around +26°C.

Resorts. Some of the most popular resorts in winter are Punta Cana, La Romana and Boca Chica. For holidays with small children, the resorts of Boca Chica or Punta Cana are best suited. You can see the description of the resorts and their location on the map in the article

Visa For Russians, a 30-day stay will not be required. For citizens of Belarus or Kazakhstan, a preliminary visa will be required.

Photo © Delphine Jankowski / flickr.com

Prices. Food prices here are higher than in Russia. In the Dominican Republic, prices for dairy products and bread are high, but prices for local fruits are low. Also, the prices for excursions (from $50 per person) are not particularly encouraging.

In winter, prices for air tickets from Moscow to the Dominican Republic start from 64 thousand rubles. (There and back again).

A hotel room can be rented from $30 (in the most modest hotels); in luxury hotels you can stay for $280. We are looking for housing in the Dominican Republic hotellook.ru or airbnb.

In winter, a tour to the Dominican Republic can be purchased from 111 thousand for two. It is better to purchase tours with all-inclusive meals. Prices from different tour operators are compared on websites, or. On these sites you can find reviews from tourists.

Pros and cons of winter holidays in the Dominican Republic

pros

• Summer all year round
• Clean beaches and clear sea
• Some resorts are well suited for families with small children
• Exotic fruits

Goa, India

In winter, Goa is a favorable place for a seaside holiday. In Goa, New Year and Catholic Christmas are celebrated on a grand scale. The resort attracts tourists with affordable prices and an exotic climate.

Weather. During the day, the air temperature can remain at +30 °C, and the sea can warm up to +27 °C. Unlike summer, winter in Goa has a less humid climate, which makes it easier to tolerate the heat.

Visa you need a permit to visit Goa, so you will have to spend a little time getting it done before leaving for India.

Prices. In general, Goa has low prices. In the north of Goa, prices in stores are lower than in the southern part of the resort. In cafes and shops, prices are quite reasonable and can please budget travelers.

Note: prices rise sharply before the winter holidays in Goa.

In winter, prices for air tickets from Moscow to Moscow start from 27-28 thousand rubles. (There and back again).

Goa can be divided into Young and Northern. The north is dominated by young people, budget hotels and shops. A distinctive feature of northern Goa is a large amount of entertainment and low housing prices. South Goa is mostly home to large 5-star hotels with an appropriate price category.
Photo © Amit Chacko Thomas / flickr.com

The main pros and cons of winter holidays in Goa

pros

• Comfortable climate for relaxation
• Low prices
• Lots of entertainment
• No language barrier (population speaks English)

Minuses

• Theft, fraud and pushy traders
• Not suitable for families with children

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an exotic abode, where the best time to relax is in winter. From December to April, Sri Lanka experiences favorable weather for excellent beach and sightseeing holidays.

Weather. During the day the thermometer shows +30°C. In winter, the water in Sri Lanka warms up to +28°C.

Resorts. The best resorts for winter holidays are the popular resorts of Negombo, Hikkaduwa, Bentota and Wadduwa.

Visa For Russians it is mandatory to register. An electronic ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) visa can be applied for online.

Photo © Vilmos Vincze / flickr.com

Prices. Sri Lanka has inexpensive public transport. However, excursions and accommodation are relatively expensive. Prices for groceries in stores and meals in cafes can accommodate a wallet of any size.

in winter air ticket prices from Moscow to Sri Lanka start from 26 thousand rubles. (There and back again).

In winter, prices for tours start at around 66 thousand rubles. for 2 for 7 nights. See prices for tours on the website, or.

Pros and cons of winter holidays in Sri Lanka

pros

• Great weather in winter
• The population speaks English
• Just get a visa
• Cheap public transport
• Natural diversity

In winter, the high tourist season begins in the Philippines. The weather has stabilized since the beginning of December and the Philippines is turning into an exotic holiday destination. The country offers a variety of holidays from relaxing beach holidays to active and extreme holidays.

Weather. The air temperature in winter in the Philippines is +29-30 °C. The water warms up to +27°C and lasts until the end of winter.

Resorts. The most popular resorts among tourists are Boracay, Panay, Bohol, Cebu and Palawan.

Visa not needed for Russians. The maximum period of stay in the Philippines without a visa is 30 days.

Prices. In general, the Philippines has low prices for food and housing.

In winter, prices for air tickets from Moscow to the Philippines start from 31-33 thousand rubles. (There and back again).

A standard hotel room can cost from 400 pesos ($9). On average, hotel rooms cost from 700 pesos ($15). Look for cheap accommodation hotellook or airbnb.

Photo © Fabio Achilli / flickr.com

Pros and cons of holidays in the Philippines

pros

• Beach holiday in winter
• Low prices for food and accommodation
• Developed active and extreme recreation
• Constantly developing tourism
• Many attractions

Minuses

• Long and expensive flight
• Lack of developed infrastructure in some regions
• Slow Internet

For those who are not strapped for money and don’t know where to go on holiday at sea in winter, we suggest you pay attention to holidays in the Republic of Maldives. Holidays in the Maldives are primarily about beach holidays and diving. The Maldives is often chosen as a honeymoon destination.

Weather. In winter, the weather in the Maldives is as pleasant as ever. The air temperature is +30°C, and the water temperature is +28°C. The best weather for holidays occurs from mid-December to mid-spring.

Resorts. The most popular resorts in the Maldives are Ari Atoll, South Male Atoll, Raa Atoll and Addu Atoll. South Male Atoll is perfect for a romantic getaway for two or for a family holiday with children. Ari Atoll is famous for diving.

Visa for Russians it is not necessary if the period of rest does not exceed 30 days.

Photo © Mac Qin/flickr.com

Prices. Food prices here are high (relative to previous countries). The highest price tag is in cafes and restaurants at hotels and in places where tourists gather.