You can go to the countries from this collection without applying for a visa — no additional hassle with documents. The main thing is to choose what you like more: bask in the hot sun or ride on snow-covered slopes.
Contents
- I choose the beach and the sea
- I prefer snow and mountains
I choose the beach and the sea
UAE
How to get there: by plane from Moscow (from 26,756 rubles) to Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The travel time is about 6 hours. There are also direct flights from other Russian cities.
Entry: a visa is not required for tourist trips. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the moment of entry into the country. Return tickets may be required.
In winter, the weather in the Emirates is comfortable for walking and relaxing — the air warms up to +25-26 °C, the water — up to +20 °C. You can even get bolder and swim in the Persian or Oman Bays (but most tourists prefer heated pools).
The cooler months are great for visiting the futuristic building of the Museum of the Future in Dubai and spending time at the Motiongate theme park. For unforgettable emotions, go on a jeep safari in the Arabian desert. Watch the sunset, get adrenaline pumping while riding quad bikes and buggies through the dunes, or ride a camel — adventures that will be remembered for a long time. Lovers of outdoor activities and nightlife should take a closer look at Dubai, and Abu Dhabi will appeal to those who prefer a measured and calm option.
The cooler months are great for visiting the futuristic building of the Museum of the Future in Dubai. Photo: Captured Blinks/Shutterstock.com
Thailand
How to get there: by plane from Moscow to Bangkok — from 47,000 rubles with a transfer, or from 78,000 rubles directly. A flight to Phuket Island with a transfer starts from 49,000 rubles, without connections, a ticket costs from 70,000 rubles. Flying from 9 o’clock.
Entry: visa is not required. The passport must be valid for at least another six months after the moment of entry. Starting in December 2024, they plan to introduce a free electronic permit for entry into the country — ETA. You will need to get it online before arrival.
The Kingdom of Thailand is calling to escape from the frosts! There is usually no rain in winter, with rare exceptions in Phuket, the sea is calm and humidity is low. Moreover, from December to March, the high season lasts on the most popular island of Thailand, when the beaches are filled to capacity with vacationers.
Do not underestimate the northern provinces of Thailand: Pai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai. People go to these places not for a sea holiday, but for the sake of getting acquainted with the culture and history of the country. Chiang Mai, for example, is famous for its coffee plantations, and in Chiang Rai province there is an airy White temple — one of the most photographed in the country.
There is an airy White temple in Chiang Rai Province — one of the most photographed in the country. Photo: fokke baarssen/Shutterstock.com
To look at Tai with different eyes
A local resident told about the nuances of rest and travel in Thailand — especially for the Islet blog.
Vietnam
How to get there: by plane from Moscow to Ho Chi Minh City, Cam Ranh, Hanoi — from 42,000 rubles. There is a direct flight only to Ho Chi Minh City — from 78,900 rubles, on the way — 10 hours.
Entry rules: it is allowed to stay up to 45 days without a visa. You can apply for an electronic visa from $ 25, which will allow you to stay in the country for up to 90 days. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the moment of entry.
If you are planning a beach holiday, we advise you to look to the south of the country: the islands of Fukuoka and Kondao, the resorts of Phan Thiet and Mui Ne. It’s a little cheaper in popular Nha Trang, but also a little colder. However, you will still be able to warm up here — the air temperature during the day is usually + 26 degrees. The main local entertainment is the Vinpearl family amusement park on the island next to the resort. You can get here by cable car. Inside the park, it seems, there is everything for an active pastime: attractions, a water park, a zoo with spacious animal enclosures, a private beach, a cafe, shopping. The day will fly by unnoticed here.
In popular Nha Trang it is a little cheaper, but also a little colder. Photo: saiko3p/Shutterstock.com
Cube
How to get there: by plane from Moscow to Havana in 15 hours, the ticket price starts from 74,200 rubles
Entry: without a visa. The passport must be valid for at least another month at the end of the trip. A special form must be filled out 48 hours before departure.
Escaping from the cold and frosts to the sunny Island of freedom sounds like a plan. In winter, the weather is great here to sunbathe and swim all day, dive and sometimes go on excursions. Explore the streets of Havana by retro car, take a look at the Rum Museum in Santiago de Cuba, go to the Trinidad Museum city.
But perhaps the best thing in Cuba is the natural beauty. For their sake, it is worth going for a walk in the picturesque Vinales National Park in Pinar Del Rio province. The Los Hasmines observation deck offers a magnificent panorama of the valley.
Explore the streets of Havana in a retro car. Photo: Ljupco Smokovski/Shutterstock.com
Sri Lanka
How to get there: by plane from the capital to Colombo with a transfer — from 55,475 rubles, from 65,900 rubles — directly. Travel time is from 9 hours.
Check-in: Fill out the arrival card online three days before arrival. A free 30-day visa is issued at the airport.
Sri Lanka invites you to tea plantations (and tastings), national parks and elephant nurseries. Well, where without a classic beach holiday — for these purposes, choose any of the resorts: Unawatuna, Bentota, Mirissa, Hikkaduwa, Vadduwa. In December, there is an opportunity to see the migration of whales. In addition, people come to the country to surf, for example, on the Bay of Veligama. Winter on the southwest coast— the perfect time and place for beginners to try their hand at this sport.
It will be easier to plan a vacation in Sri Lanka with instructions from Oh! The blog.
Sri Lanka invites you to tea plantations, national parks and elephant nurseries. Photo: Sergii Figurnyi/Shutterstock.com
I prefer snow and mountains
Kazakhstan
How to get there: by plane from Moscow to Astana, Almaty — from 21,000 rubles. It takes 3.5 – 4.5 hours to fly, depending on the city.
Entry: visa-free. You can enter using a foreign or Russian passport.
When else to go to ski resorts, if not in winter? “Shymkent”, “Oi-Karagai” (aka “Forest Fairy tale”) and “Ak-Bulak” are located near Almaty, surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks. Each has excellent infrastructure for skiing and snowboarding, trails for riders with different levels of training.
The Medeu ice rink, the highest mountain in the world, is located not far from Almaty. Not only the location is impressive, but also the size of the rink: the area of the ice field is 10,500 square meters. No wonder this is the most visited sports complex in the country.
The Medeu ice rink, the highest mountain in the world, is located not far from Almaty. Photo: Panikhin Sergey/Shutterstock.com
Hot springs are another leisure option during winter holidays in Kazakhstan. The most famous are located in the village of Chunja. There are also thermal springs in the city of Arys and near the natural place of Alma-Arasan.
Where to stay. For those who do not plan to ski the whole vacation, it is logical to book accommodation in Almaty itself and make radial trips. To do this, you can choose a room with a kitchen in the “Novotel Living Almaty Zhetysu” in the city center and feel at home, trust the local Renion hotel chain or the well-known foreign IHG company. The Grand Mildom is located 6 km from the city center, but close to the Almaty terrencourt.
For the sake of an excellent spa center and a beautiful view of the mountains, tourists choose Swissotel Wellness Resort Alatau Almaty (by the way, large-scale weddings are often held here).
There are also thermal springs in the city of Arys and near the natural place of Alma-Arasan. Photo: Sergey Varygin/Shutterstock.com
Ski resorts near Russia
As they say, announce the whole list, please! The CIS countries, Georgia, Turkey and Serbia helpfully offer their snow-covered slopes for your skis or board.
Armenia
How to get: from Moscow by plane to Yerevan — from 13,500 rubles. The journey time will be about 3.5 hours.
Entry: without a visa on a Russian or foreign passport.
It is customary to come to the resorts of Tsakhadhor and Jermuk for ski holidays in Armenia. The second one, by the way, is also famous for its thermal springs, so you can combine skiing and relaxing in the font. You can also go skiing or snowboarding on Lake Sevan. However, the tracks there are simple and suitable only for beginners.
If you want to touch the history, go to the only pagan temple in Armenia, Garni. In winter, among the snow-capped mountains and trees, the Armenian Parthenon is especially photogenic.
It is customary to come to Tsakhadhor and Jermuk resorts for ski holidays in Armenia. Photo: Pavel L Photo and Video/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay. The first point of your route will probably be the capital. In Yerevan, we boldly recommend chain hotels with a central location: National by Stellar Hotels and ibis Yerevan Center. Another option with a high level of service near Republic Square is the Best Western Plus Congress Hotel on Italianate Street, and the three—star Holiday Inn Express is praised for its views of Ararat, friendly and nimble staff.
If the soul asks for luxury, the winner of the world hotel awards is at your service — the Art Deco hotel Seven Visions Resort and Places, the Dvin with a heated pool, a huge spa area and even a stage for aerialists in the atrium.
National by Stellar Hotels.
Uzbekistan
How to get: by plane from Moscow to Tashkent, Samarkand or Ferghana — direct flight from 21,000 rubles. The flight time is about 4 hours.
Entry: visa is not required. I need a passport.
Not everyone knows that you can also do winter sports in Uzbekistan. The longest skiing season in the country (from November to April) is at the Beldersay ski resort, 80 kilometers from Tashkent. It is located on Mount Kumbel, next to another resort — Chimgan, known since Soviet times.
The longest skiing season in the country is at the Beldersay ski resort, 80 kilometers from Tashkent. Photo: Sergey Malomuzh/Shutterstock.com
In Samarkand and Bukhara, the museum cities with a centuries—old history, the temperature is above zero in winter. But do not forget warm clothes, otherwise you risk freezing during a long walk. In Bukhara, the list of top places includes the Poi-Kalyan architectural ensemble, and in Samarkand — Registan Square.
Where to stay. It makes sense to devote a couple of days at the beginning of the trip to the capital of Uzbekistan, at least for the sake of relaxing in first-class hotels. If you want stylish interiors, we recommend Bentley Tashkent with rooms similar to the halls of an art gallery, or The Elements near the TV tower. Alternatives: the Al Anvar Oriental interior hotel, the winner of the LOTTE City Tashkent Palace hotel award and the solid “four stars” in the center — the Wyndham Tashkent Hotel.
Bentley Tashkent.
This is not the time to hibernate! It’s time to plan your next vacation in warmer climes or at a ski resort. And together with the Island, it will be much easier to do this.
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Cover photo: Sergey Zigle/Shutterstock.com
