Which country is cheaper to go on vacation? Where to go on vacation during a crisis. Rules for finding a budget holiday

After a year of hard work, everyone needs a break. To have a good rest, you simply need to radically change the environment around you. Some people think that you can have a wonderful vacation in your homeland, in its southern resorts. But will this be a radical change of scenery? In addition, today domestic resorts in terms of prices can easily compete with many well-known European resorts, but the level of service and the development of tourism infrastructure (accessibility of attractions, quality of roads and entertainment) are, alas, not always at their best.

Not all of Europe is “covered” by the Schengen agreements, which means that a visa is not required everywhere. In addition, the most sophisticated European tourists are increasingly choosing the “untrodden paths”, tired of the bustle and stiffness of all sorts of Nice, Barcelona, Bolears and the Alps.

Let’s try to figure out in which country you can relax well, see something unique, eat delicious food and protect the family budget from “default”.

Outside the Schengen area

Six European countries are accessible to Russians without any visa costs. Almost all of them offer an excellent holiday, warm sun, many interesting places and budget accommodation. These countries need tourists, so you can confidently count on a friendly attitude, comfort and a carefree stay. With some reservations, of course, but these reservations are insignificant. Let's just start alphabetically. So…

1. Albania

Once the most closed country in Europe, today it is open and attractive to tourists. To dissolve any prejudice, it is worth noting that, thanks to its closeness for a good half of the 20th century, the country has perfectly preserved ancient monuments, which you cannot find in Greece today. But not all at once!

You can stay in the country for up to 30 days without a visa (more than enough for a vacation), the country awaits visa-free travelers during all three summer months and two more autumn months - the weather is still good, the rest of the year no one comes here anyway, it’s chilly and damp .

Important condition: you must have a return ticket, otherwise capricious Albanian border guards may send you back to your homeland.

Road

Uncomfortable. There are no direct flights, you will have to fly with a transfer. Cheaper - through Greece. The more time between connecting flights, the cheaper the ticket. Expect to pay approximately 250 euros for a round trip ticket.

Hotel

The cost of staying at a hotel on the Ionian Sea rarely exceeds 30 euros per night. A week in such a hotel costs no more than 160-180 euros.

What to see?

In addition to swimming and beach holidays, in Albania you simply must see:

Tirana is the capital, where you need to see the Pyramid (the former mausoleum of the dictator Hoxha), now there is the Mummy club, where everyone dances and has fun, the central square with the statue of Skanderbeg, the Ephem Bey mosque;
Durres is a city on the seashore with a Greek amphitheater, an ancient Roman highway, a Venetian tower, numerous bunkers, and a panoramic restaurant. Road - train from Tirana (journey 1 hour, ticket - 1 euro);
Pogradec is a town on the shores of Lake Orchid, near the border with Macedonia. Here you can explore ancient basilicas, tombs of Illyrian kings, and try the famous Orchid trout in a local restaurant. You can get there by minibus for 4.5 euros. Lunch in a cafe - 2-3 euros.

A spoon of tar

Don't count on European level. The roads are bad, the transport is without air conditioning. Stock up on a phrasebook, preferably a Russian-Italian one. They don’t speak Russian here, and they haven’t heard of English at all.

Budget. A week's holiday in a hotel by the sea - 300 euros with meals for two, plus the cost of air tickets - 500. We get - 800 euros for a week for two (400 euros per person). We'll add about 50 euros more for local transport and sightseeing.

2. Bosnia and Herzegovina

A quiet and peaceful country, part of Yugoslavia, with a predominantly Slavic but Muslim population. You can stay without a visa for up to 30 days a year. A return ticket is required upon entry.

Road

Air ticket to Sarajevo (the capital) with a transfer in Belgrade and back - from 150 euros. In summer and early autumn, ticket prices can rise to 200 euros.

Hotel

The average cost of a standard room for two in a *** hotel is from 30 to 50 euros. The hotels are comfortable, the breakfasts are delicious. Weekly accommodation - 180 - 300 euros.

What to see?

The country is proud of its beautiful nature, but the most interesting thing here is the amazing mixture of Byzantine, Ottoman and Slavic cultures. The language barrier is completely surmountable if you listen carefully - native roots will help you understand the native. And the Russian language is not uncommon here. Add here delicious and unusual cuisine, friendly and hospitable people - we will get a very attractive place to relax. Among the main attractions of Sarajevo:

The Latin Bridge is the site of the murder of the unfortunate heir to the Austrian Empire, which led to a world war;
Moricha Khan is an ancient refuge for caravans, an example of medieval Muslim architecture;
Markale Square is the main marketplace of the capital of Bosnia;
Mosques, churches, churches, medieval quarters, markets, nightclubs - everywhere an amazing mixture of the East and our native Slavic spirit;

Wine tastings - from 25 euros for a tour of the cellars, tasting and souvenir (a bottle of wine and two branded glasses);
Hospitality;
Delicious cuisine;
Rich story.

A spoon of tar

Don't expect a high level of comfort. Most likely, your hotel or guest house will not be much different from your native provincial hotel with all the “charms”, but the service will be very warm and helpful.

Budget. A week in a guest house - 130 euros; Airplane ticket - 200 euros; food - up to 60 euros per week. Total - 390 euros. Taking into account the costs of local transport, Moldova is one of the most “budget” countries for tourists.

This is the end for countries outside the Schengen Agreement. Let's see how you can have an inexpensive holiday in the “other” Europe.

Inexpensive Schengen countries

Despite the fact that a visit to most European countries will require the hassle of acquiring a visa, the holiday becomes only 35 euros more expensive. Otherwise, individual tourists can successfully save.

The main conditions for saving:

Choose for your stay not the capital or famous resorts, but small towns and villages, where everything is almost half the price;
Rest in spring or autumn, outside the “high season”;
Instead of hotels, choose boarding houses or guest houses, the price of which includes breakfast;
Do not buy souvenirs on the main streets and in tourist shops;
Do not go to attraction-type restaurants; sometimes you have to pay very dearly for a bad and unprofessional program;
We are looking for friends among local residents, their advice helps us save money.

1. Croatia

The country is not part of the Schengen zone, but feels already there. A visa will cost 35 euros, and with a Schengen visa entry is free. Advantages of the country: climate, landscapes and sea - like in Italy; Slavic mentality, low prices.

Road

There are direct flights, there are flights with one or two transfers, but one thing remains unchanged - a ticket to any of the international airports in Croatia (round trip) costs at least 180 euros.

It is possible to travel by train, but the trip will cost more (you need a Hungarian transit visa).

Hotels

Even in the most famous resort of Croatia - Split - you can find excellent apartments by the sea for 35-40 euros per day. The main condition is to book in advance (three to four months in advance, and preferably six months in advance).

What to see?

There are a huge number of attractions in Croatia, but you definitely need to see:

Diocletian's Palace in Split;
The city of Dubrovnik (just stop by and take a walk, the city is expensive);
The city of Hum is the smallest in the world (17 inhabitants), here you can try “homemade” cognac;
Vranjaca Cave - near Split.

Croatia is an ideal country for a beach holiday. The sea here is clean and the beaches are sandy.

A spoon of tar

When buying products at the market, be prepared for the fact that they will sell you more than local residents. Make friends with a Croatian. Purchases will be at least 20% cheaper. Restaurants here are expensive, it is better to eat on your own, shopping in small shops.

Budget. Accommodation - 240 euros. Meals - 90 euros. Local transport - up to 20 euros per person. Flight – 180 euros. Total - 530 euros. It is also necessary to take into account the entrance fee for visiting attractions; for this you need to prepare at least 20 euros per person.

2. Slovenia

Vineyards, caves, monasteries, ancient necropolises - all this is Slovenia. Of all the countries of the former Yugoslavia, this is the most expensive. Thanks to the climate and developed tourism, it is in great demand in Europe. Holidays are cheaper than in Italy.

Road

The cheapest tickets to Ljubljana are sold by Adria Airways. In this case, the trip will cost approximately 200 euros. The company offers a good bonus system; if you fly regularly, you can use special discounts.

Hotels

Apartments near the sea can be booked for 50 euros/day. Finding cheaper housing is problematic. The price level is supported by numerous tourists from Italy and Austria.

What to see?

Holidays in Slovenia can become truly unforgettable; tourists here have the following services:

Medieval castles where balls and knightings take place;
The real Alps with ample opportunities for ski lovers;
Cave complexes;
Gorgeous waterfalls where you can swim;

Comfortable beaches and clear seas, hundreds of restaurants and cafes - all this is Slovenia.

A spoon of tar

Despite all the attractiveness of the country for tourists, every second person faces the problem of free Internet. If you are going to live in a guest house, you will have to do without the Internet.

Budget. Weekly accommodation - 300 euros. Meals - 120-150 euros. Flight – 200 euros. Attractions - 50-60 euros per person. Total - 670 - 710 euros per person.

3. Bulgaria

Our tourists know this resort country from the already distant Soviet times. It must be said that since then little has changed in Bulgaria: the same sea, the same sanatoriums, the same brandy.

Road

A flight to Varna and back (we don’t even consider Sofia as a city for vacation) costs from 300 euros. You need to catch discounts on this route; at best, you’ll be lucky to find a ticket 30-40 euros cheaper.

Hotels

Even during the “high” season in Varna you can find a hotel costing 20 euros per night with breakfast. But you'll have to look. Large search engines (booking.com) will help you cope with your search best.

What to see?

Tourists never get bored in Bulgaria:

An abundance of monasteries and Byzantine churches;
Ancient ruins;
Museums and exhibition halls;
Nature reserves.

If yacht trips here are very expensive, then a walking tour or a trip to an ancient monastery with a Russian-speaking guide will cost 5-7 euros. You just need to buy the excursion on the spot, there is a possibility of big discounts.

A spoon of tar

You should not count on perfect cleanliness and impeccable plumbing in a hotel. In many ways, a budget holiday in Bulgaria is reminiscent of sanatoriums in your native country.

4. Romania

The ancient land of the Dacians, beautiful Transylvania, Dracula's castle, the Black Sea beaches - all this is Romania, which tourists have not yet truly appreciated.

Road

Flight from Moscow to Bucharest and back - from 140 euros. It is better to buy from TAROM airline (Romanian company). The most interesting cities for tourists are Sighisoara (to visit Count Dracula) and Constanta (near the blue sea). You can get from Bucharest by train or bus (travel time up to 3 hours, tickets from 12 to 15 euros).

Hotels

To the cheap flight we will add inexpensive accommodation: from 15 to 20 euros per day, including breakfast. These are the prices for rooms in guest houses and beach villas in Constanta.

What to see?

Road

The Moscow-Bratislava flight is expensive - 340 euros round trip. You can fly to Prague and then take a train or bus, but the savings will be no more than 15-20 euros. Not the most popular destination - hence the prices.

Hotels

The most modest hotel in Bratislava will cost 25 euros per night. You need to count on 35-40 euros, no less. Breakfast is not included everywhere.

What to see?

Slovakia cannot boast of an abundance of historical or cultural attractions. But in terms of natural beauty, very few European countries can compete with it. Ski resorts, small mountain hotels and farms where you can buy excellent sheep's cheese. The advantage of the capital is that from here you can practically take a tram to the magnificent Vienna.

Worth to visit:
Numerous national parks;
The city of Bardejov is the Gothic capital of Slovakia;
Castle Cherveny Kamen - a romantic story and an ominous dungeon;
Christmas market in Bratislava.

A spoon of tar

Cultural characteristics are such that many perceive them as impolite and unfriendly. And this is just friendliness! It’s just that the national character is so gloomy and unsmiling.

Budget. Road - 340. Hotel - 210. Food - 60. Sights - 40. Total - 650 euros/week.

9. Cyprus

The island is well populated by tourists from all over the world. Not the cheapest place, but here you can relax on a budget.

Road

The cheapest flight with Air Serbia is 150 euros round trip. With a transfer in Belgrade. Direct flights are more expensive.

Hotels

Apartments near the sea can be rented for 25 euros/day. If you want the beach to be 200 meters from your accommodation, prepare at least 40 euros/day.

What to see?

Usually people come to Cyprus not to look, but to swim and sunbathe, but there are interesting places here too. After the beach and swimming you need:

Take a walk around Nicosia, moving from the Christian to the Muslim part;
Ride donkeys;
Swim in the “Aphrodite Bay”;
Visit the Othello fortress in the Famagusta area;
Look into the famous catacombs.

You can buy inexpensive guided tours at Cyprus tourism kiosks. The cost of such an excursion is 10-15 euros.

The crisis and pan-European economic instability have made Greece a country for a budget holiday. The flow of tourists there does not dry up, but prices have become calmer.

Road

Tickets to and from the main cities of Greece can be found for around 140 euros. But if you are persistent and subscribe to airline news, you can “catch” a discount of 30-40%.

Hotel

A good hotel in Greece is expensive. But every week, several hotels in different parts of the country announce happy hours. In this case, you can find a four-star hotel room for 35-40 euros/day. A room in a hostel, far from the sea and with minimal amenities - 28-32 euros.

What to see?

Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete, Rhodes - there is something to see everywhere. It is possible to answer this question, but the answer will take several volumes. Greece is a paradise not only for those who love the warm sea and delicious wine, it is a place for those who want to see with their own eyes everything that they once read about in books with the myths of ancient Greece and saw in films about the Spartans. Tourism for Greece is the last opportunity to stay afloat in the economic sea, so every tourist will be treated kindly and entertained.

The review ends with the most distant and exotic country.
— swimming in the ocean, port wine for dinner, wild colors and a unique culture.

Road

A flight from Moscow to Lisbon and back will cost 200 euros - an offer from Air France.

Hotel

Guest houses in Lisbon offer rooms from 20 euros per night. For 30 euros you can rent a decent hotel room on the outskirts of the city, but close to the metro.

What to see?

There are many attractions here; local travel companies are ready to offer both one-day trips around the country and tours of 2-3 days. Such excursions cost from 25 to 150 euros. You should try to see:

Portuguese wineries;
Several medieval monasteries;
Lisbon Cathedral;
Fortress of St. George;
City of Porto.

A spoon of tar

Hotel cleaning is a very conditional thing. Don't expect anyone to change the towels and refill the shampoo. Punctuality is not a priority here; public transport runs on a flexible schedule.

Budget. Road - 200. Hotel - 180. Food - 150-200. Attractions - 60-80. The result is 590-650 euros/week.

Europe is the same continent where a good half of Russia is located. And our country occupies a large part of its territory. You shouldn’t make something inaccessible or too expensive from the Old World. We go to travel where it is closer and more interesting. Due to the compact residence of completely different peoples, it is Europe that is of interest to tourists. Let's take advantage of the fact that we are nearby. Let's discover Europe!

Ticket prices start from 13,574 rubles.

Cost of one day

Housing. Two places in a hostel - from 990 rubles, a double room in a hotel - from 1,000 rubles.
Food. Cold Lithuanian borscht - 190 rubles, fried potatoes with hunting sausages - 290 rubles.
Entertainment. Two tickets to the Museum of the World Ocean (excursion to a submarine) - 600 rubles, entrance to the Amber Museum - 300 rubles for two.

Things to do

Go to an organ concert in the cathedral and reflect on the eternal at the tomb of Immanuel Kant.
Visit the Fishing Village, climb aboard the B-413 submarine, and then stop by the Amber Museum. It is unthinkable to visit Kaliningrad and not buy an amber souvenir or jewelry.
Explore the Kaliningrad region: a little over an hour's drive from the city are the castles of the Teutonic Order - Insterburg and Schaaken.
Take a walk along one of the walking routes of the Curonian Spit, a natural wonder included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Admire the dunes and intricately curved trees of the Dancing Forest.

Russia, Karelia

Ticket prices to Petrozavodsk start from 18,872 rubles.
When to go: May to September.

Cost of one day

Housing. Two places in a hostel - from 1,000 rubles, a double room in a hotel - from 1,200 rubles.
Food. Kalitka (Karelian pie) with potatoes - 75 rubles, trout fish soup - 410 rubles, rowan liqueur - 190 rubles for 50 grams.
Entertainment. A trip to “Ruskeala” - 3,850 rubles for two, an excursion to Kizhi - 5,900 rubles for two, an excursion to Valaam from Petrozavodsk - 10,400 rubles.

Things to do

There are 60 thousand lakes and 27 thousand rivers. Go rafting or kayaking on the Shuya River, or try to catch a huge salmon while fishing on Lake Onega. If extreme sports are not attractive, go to the Kivach waterfall - this is the highest flat waterfall in Europe.
You cannot visit Karelia without visiting the Kizhi nature reserve, where real masterpieces of wooden architecture are collected. According to legend, the Church of the Transfiguration was built by the carpenter Nestor with only an ax. After construction, the master threw the ax into the lake so that no one could repeat his masterpiece.
Not far from the border with Finland there is the Ruskeala mountain park. Where marble was previously mined in an industrial quarry, there is now a lake with marble shores and underwater grottoes. On the way to Ruskeala, stop by the Tokhminsky waterfalls.

Georgia

Ticket prices to Tbilisi start from 22,332 rubles.
Entry regime: visa-free. When to go: from May to July or September-October.

Cost of one day

Housing. Two places in a hostel - from 361 rubles, a double room in a hotel - from 902 rubles.
Food. Khachapuri - 135 rubles, a portion of 10 khinkali with beef - 180 rubles, pork kebab - 270 rubles.
Entertainment. A tour of Tbilisi - 1,800 rubles for two, two tickets to the botanical garden - 90 rubles, a round-trip cable car ride - 90 rubles for two.

Things to do

In Tbilisi, be sure to take the cable car to the Narikala fortress, visit the flea market on the Dry Bridge, Shardeni Street and the botanical garden.
It is worth paying attention not only to the capital, but also to other regions of the country. Among the interesting things are the ancient city of Mtskheta, the mountains and waterfalls of Svaneti, the Georgian Military Road and, of course, Kakheti with its wine.
For a beach holiday, go to Batumi, Kobuleti or Sarpi. The beach in Sarpi is considered one of the best in Adjara, the coastal region of Georgia.

Poland, Krakow

Ticket prices to Krakow start from 34,104 rubles.
Entry mode: Schengen visa required. When to go: on Catholic Christmas or from May to September.

Cost of one day

Housing. Two places in a hostel - from 1,081 rubles, a double room in a hotel - from 2,153 rubles.
Food. Casserole (baguette with filling) - from 84 rubles, chicken fillet with mushrooms - from 227 rubles, 0.5 liters of draft beer - from 118 rubles.
Entertainment. Tickets to castles and museums - from 200 rubles for two, a tour of the Wieliczka salt mines - from 2,998 rubles for two.

Things to do

If you want to see the real Poland, fly to Krakow. Krakow is recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the country. It is the former capital of the state and the site of the coronation of Polish monarchs.
Wander through the Old Town and Market Square in Krakow, visit the architectural complex on Wawel Hill - here is the royal castle and the ancient Cathedral of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslas. In December, be sure to check out the Christmas market.
In the city of Wieliczka, not far from Krakow, there are once the largest salt mines in Europe. You will be led through winding corridors past salt sculptures and underground lakes. To fully experience the atmosphere, you will rise to the surface in a special mining cabin.

Montenegro

Ticket prices to Tivat start from 28,370 rubles.
Entry regime: visa-free. When to go: May to November.

Cost of one day

Housing. Two places in a hostel - from 1,750 rubles, a double room in a guest house - from 1,893 rubles.
Food. Fried cheese - 419 rubles, pork chop - 482 rubles.
Entertainment. Excursion to Ostrog - from 3,490 rubles for two, two tickets to Durmitor Park - 419 rubles.

Things to do

For natural beauty, go to Durmitor National Park. The gorge along the Tara River, which flows through the park, is the Montenegrin analogue of the American Grand Canyon. This is the deepest canyon in Europe: its depth reaches 1,300 meters. In Durmitor there is one of the highest points in Montenegro - Mount Bobotov Kuk (2,523 meters).
Connoisseurs of medieval architecture have a direct route to the historical part of Budva, built during the time of the Venetian Republic. Then go to the Orthodox monastery Ostrog, carved into a steep cliff at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level.
As for the sea, the choice is yours: either the beaches of the Adriatic Sea, or the fjord of the Bay of Kotor.

Vietnam

Ticket prices to Ho Chi Minh City start from 43,922 rubles.
Entry mode: when traveling for less than 15 days, a visa is not required. When to go: to Hanoi - from September to February, to Nha Trang - from February to August, to Mui Ne - from December to June, to Hoi An - from January to August.

Cost of one day

Housing. Two places in a hostel - from 664 rubles, a hotel - from 844 rubles.
Food. Pho soup - from 98 rubles, rice with seafood - around 170 rubles, freshly squeezed juices - from 40 rubles per 0.3 liter.
Entertainment. Excursion to the Kuti tunnels - from 2,257 rubles for two, two tickets to the Vinpearl park - approximately 3,900 rubles.

Things to do

Want to see a bay created by a dragon? Long ago, he crawled towards the sea and left behind him valleys filled with water. Of course, this is a legend. But Ha Long Bay is the most beautiful postcard view of Vietnam.
From Ho Chi Minh City, take a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels. They were dug up by guerrillas during the Vietnam War to launch surprise attacks on American troops. Now underground passages with a total length of up to 200 kilometers have turned into a popular tourist attraction.
It would be strange to come to Vietnam solely for the sake of studying the cultural heritage of this country. Beach holidays are what attracts tourists. It’s worth going to Nha Trang, Mui Ne or Hoi An for it.
In Nha Trang, be sure to set aside a day to visit the Vinpearl amusement park. A cable car more than three kilometers long leads there. “Vinpearl” is a paradise for a budget tourist: for a very reasonable amount you can go on rides all day, see a dolphin show and go to the only fresh water water park on the coast. Among the attractions, we especially recommend the electric sleigh: the cart rushes along a winding track, and you regulate the speed yourself.

Sri Lanka

Ticket prices to Colombo start from 54,034 rubles.
Entry mode: you can apply for an electronic visa permit. When to go: December to April.

Cost of one day

Housing. Two places in a hostel - from 673 rubles, a double room in a hotel - from 1,263 rubles.
Food. A serving of rice with curry - from 75 rubles, pancakes with banana and chocolate - from 90 rubles.
Entertainment. Sightseeing tour of Colombo - from 3,095 rubles for two, two tickets to the elephant shelter - about 1,800 rubles.

Things to do

The path to nirvana lies through the golden triangle: the cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. The largest and most important Buddhist temples and monasteries are located here.
Connoisseurs of good tea should visit the town of Nuwara Eliya. See how the tea bushes cover the hills with a dense carpet and shimmer like emerald in the sun. Dilmah, Akbar - it's all from here. Sri Lanka is one of the three largest tea producing countries in the world.
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is, without any exaggeration, a unique place. Here, elephant calves, who for one reason or another are left without parents, are raised and taught wisdom. You can even watch elephants bathe and eat.

Tunisia

Ticket prices to Tunisia start from 33,201 rubles.
Entry mode: when traveling for less than 90 days, a visa is not required. When to go: from March to June or September-October.

Cost of one day

Housing. Double room in the hotel - from 2,099 rubles, apartments for two - from 2,239 rubles.
Food. Fish soup - 165 rubles, grilled tuna - 470 rubles, a cup of mint tea - 50 rubles.
Entertainment. Two tickets to Carthage - about 500 rubles, a two-day trip to the Sahara - approximately 13,000 rubles.

Things to do

If you want to literally touch antiquity, here you will find what you were looking for. You can start from the capital: in Tunisia (yes, both the country and the capital are all Tunisia), visit the medina - the old city, where narrow streets weave into a labyrinth surrounded by a stone wall.
The ruins of Carthage, once the largest city on the western coast of the Mediterranean, are deservedly popular among tourists. Carthage was founded around 814 BC. All that remains of its former luxury are the amphitheater, aqueduct and the Baths of Anthony Pius.
Go on an excursion to the Sahara - after all, it’s not every day that you get the chance to see a real desert and visit the Berbers. By the way, the settlement of Matmata, where representatives of this nationality live, was seen by everyone who watched “Star Wars”: there it depicted the planet Tatooine.

Morocco

Ticket prices to Casablanca start from 31,692 rubles.
Entry mode: when traveling for less than 90 days, a visa is not required. When to go: May to October.

Cost of one day

Housing. A room in a guest house - from 1,400 rubles, a double room in a hotel - from 1,959 rubles.
Food. Casserole with eggplants and tomatoes - 430 rubles, paella with fish - from 276 rubles, a cup of coffee - from 77 rubles.
Entertainment. Excursion from Agadir to Marrakesh - approximately 8,100 rubles for two, a trip to the Sahara with local guides - from 10,000 rubles.

Things to do

Visit Rick's Bar in Casablanca, where the atmosphere of the cult film by Michael Curtiz is recreated. Feel like Humphrey Bogart and order a bourbon.
For beach lovers, head to Tangier. To the west of the city is the longest beach strip in the country: 47 kilometers of sand along the Atlantic Ocean. When you have had enough of swimming, you can go to the Sahara - such excursions are not only available in Tunisia.
Who said Africa is not for ski lovers? In winter, the weather in the Atlas Mountains is good for skiing. You can slide down a snowy slope in the morning and swim in the warm ocean in the evening.
If you have enviable willpower and are not fooled by the sweet speeches of talkative sellers, go to the local bazaar to buy souvenirs. Bargain with all your might, here this process is almost more important than the fact of purchase itself.

USA, New York

Ticket prices start from 40,830 rubles.
Entry mode: visa required. When to go: March to October.

Cost of one day

Food and housing in New York are not cheap. But tickets from Moscow are inexpensive for such a long flight, and on the spot you can create a very budget-friendly vacation program.

Housing. Double room in the hotel - from 3,816 rubles, apartments for two - from 5,331 rubles.
Food. Hot dog - 186 rubles, chicken burger - 354 rubles, chocolate muffin - 154 rubles.
Entertainment. Two tickets to the Guggenheim Museum - about 2,800 rubles, two tickets to the zoo - around 2,000 rubles, a visit to the Statue of Liberty - about 2,100 rubles for two.

Things to do

Must-see in New York: Broadway and Fifth Avenue, Statue of Liberty, Times Square and Central Park.
Among the local museums and attractions, it is worth visiting the Solomon Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Madame Tussauds, the botanical garden and the zoo. Of course, one cannot ignore the New York Museum of Modern Art, where works by Matisse, Van Gogh, Picasso and Dali are collected. By the way, on Fridays from 16 to 20, admission is free if you are not afraid of long lines.
There is entertainment in New York for every taste: a concert at the Metropolitan Opera, NBA or NHL matches. Going over budget? The breathtaking views from the Brooklyn Bridge are completely free, as is the ferry between Manhattan and Staten Island.

How to visit all these places at the expense of Tinkoff Bank

Advice for thrifty travelers: get yourself a bank card that allows you to save miles for flights. From every purchase on the Internet or in a regular store, part of the money will be returned back.

Here's the cashback the Tinkoff ALL Airlines card gives:

10% when paying for a hotel room and car rental. You paid 10 thousand for an overnight stay - you get a thousand back.
5% when purchasing plane or train tickets through the website travel.tinkoff.ru. If you bought tickets for 50,000 rubles, you will get 2,500 back.
3% when purchasing tickets through any other site.
2% will be returned to your account from all other purchases.

Money is returned to your account in miles, 1 mile is 1 ruble. You can use miles to pay for a ticket on any airline in the world. At the same time, you can continue to accumulate miles in the loyalty program of the airline you use.

Bonus for Lifehacker readers

Tinkoff Bank is giving all Lifehacker readers an ALL Airlines card with a free first year of service. Typically, annual card maintenance costs 1,890 rubles. You can read about all the features and benefits of the card.

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This year, the issue of inexpensive holidays is more pressing than ever - the depreciating ruble exchange rate was caught up with the economic recession and the closure of traditionally cheap Egypt and Turkey. And now, when prices for everything have doubled on average, the desire of Russians to save money on vacation is quite understandable. Many, according to surveys by sociologists, decided not to rest at all, spending their legal vacation in the garden. For those who cannot imagine their summer without the sea, even in the most difficult economic situation, we are publishing a selection of destinations that claim to be popular this summer.

For price analysis, we used the service to take a tour for two in the very middle of summer - from July 10 to July 20 or dates close to these dates. We look for air tickets on the website “s”; the cost is indicated per person; in case of a serious difference between the capital and the resort town, we indicate both price options. In this case, of course, it is recommended to fly to the city with a cheaper flight (as a rule, such options are available in capitals or large economic centers with high traffic), arrange an excursion program and then move towards the sea by local transport.

Crimea

Of course, the closure of Turkey and Egypt is beneficial for Russian resorts, and Crimea has not disappeared from the news agenda for the last couple of years. The desire of Russians to look at the territory annexed to Russia, the absence of a language barrier, flights from many Russian cities, competition in the field of air travel and reasonable tariffs, the availability of train and bus services - these are the factors that explain the predicted popularity of Crimea this season.

The cheapness is explained not only by the possibility of ground transportation and not very expensive air transport - Russians are attracted by the opportunity to rent a house or apartment from private owners, the cost in this case will actually be significantly lower than when staying in a hotel. But the service is, accordingly, plus the “pig in a poke” factor. However, according to the assurances of Crimean hoteliers, they promise to keep prices at an affordable level.

There is some skepticism: many note that hotels of the same level as in Turkey will cost much more in Crimea than they did on the Mediterranean coast, and flights will not be comparable in cost to the price of charters in a tour package to Turkey. Now, due to the new dollar exchange rate and the inability to find out potential prices for a full package of tourist services in Turkey, it is difficult to say anything definite in this regard, so we can only compare Crimea with the Krasnodar Territory and European resorts.

Flight Moscow - Simferopol for July 10 - 20, 2019: .
Tour to Crimea

Sochi and Abkhazia

This, one might say, is a classic holiday in the south of Russia. Only this year it is even more in demand due to the closure of Turkey and Egypt. Plus all the same advantages listed above about Crimea, only getting there is even more convenient and cheaper. For example, if you travel by land, you don’t need to transfer from the train to the ferry, and then to the bus. Flights from different cities of Russia are operated by different airlines, which gives a wide choice of both dates and prices.

Sochi, Adler, Gelendzhik and other resorts in the Krasnodar Territory, in addition to the sea and beaches, also have a decent range of attractions that will appeal to history buffs. You can also go to neighboring Abkhazia, where there is a lot of interesting things, and the country is not deprived of good beaches. We did not describe Abkhazia separately precisely because you can only get there through the Sochi-Adler transport hub. Next - by train to Sukhum or by bus to other places in the country. Read more in this tip.

Flight cost Moscow - Sochi for July 10 - 20, 2019: .
Tour to Sochi from July 10 to July 20, 2019 on the Travelata website: from RUB 30,000. for two.
Tour to Abkhazia from July 10 to July 20, 2019 on the Travelata website: from 29,000 for two.

Georgia

Speaking about the Black Sea, one cannot help but recall Georgia. A beautiful, inexpensive and close country, with an amazing history, and also very convenient in terms of logistics. You can either fly by plane from Moscow or take a “Komet” from Sochi by sea. You can also get there from Vladikavkaz by your own car. Prices within the country, as already mentioned, are quite reasonable, no visa is needed, and Georgian cuisine is a full-fledged attraction and cultural heritage of Georgia!

Flight cost Moscow - Tbilisi for July 10 - 20, 2019: .
Flight cost Moscow - Batumi for July 10 - 20, 2019: .
Tour to Georgia from July 10 to July 20, 2019 on the Travelata website: from RUB 38,000. for two.

Bulgaria

The obvious advantages of a holiday in Bulgaria include the following: close and inexpensive flights, simpler (compared to Schengen) visa rules, domestic prices are lower, and the hotel base is cheaper than Western European countries. Here you can add a loyal attitude towards Russians, a good climate and a huge number of ancient attractions - in terms of the number of different monuments from Roman times, Bulgaria is in third place in Europe. Well, the beaches in Bulgaria are perhaps the best on the Black Sea.

Flight cost Moscow - Varna for July 10 - 20, 2019: .
Tour to Bulgaria

Greece

This country, even with “allowed” Turkey, encroached on a piece of the tourism pie, and not without success - increasing the volume of Russian tourists year after year. This was facilitated by the fastest issuance of visas in the Schengen area (in the summer it usually took 3 days) and low prices within the country compared to the rest of Europe. Well, there is no point in talking about the wealth of Greece - as the classic wrote, “there is everything” there. Against the backdrop of the absence of Turkey on the agenda, Greece’s position should strengthen even more, unless, of course, Crimea and Sochi pull the blanket over themselves. To the undoubted advantages of the country we add a large selection of islands and resorts, close flights and amazing local cuisine.

Flight cost Moscow - Thessaloniki for July 10 - 20, 2019: .
Tour to Greece from July 10 to July 20, 2019 on the Travelata website: RUB 38,000. for two.

Cyprus

This island, especially its southern part, is in many ways similar to Greece, but with one important difference - you do not need a visa. More precisely, it is electronic and is completed entirely via the Internet. An island with a centuries-old history and stunning white sand lagoons can be quite inexpensive if you take a tour package with a charter flight, or if you use our tips for planning your own trip. Northern Cyprus is also interesting, but this is Turkish territory and logistics will be more difficult, although you can always get there through the southern part. Tourists usually rent a car and go explore the north on their own, or use the services of guides.

Flight cost Moscow - Larnaca for July 10 - 20, 2019: .
Tour to Cyprus from July 10 to July 20, 2019 on the Travelata website: from RUB 43,000. for two.

Tunisia

The only “substitute” for Egypt at the moment offers everything the same as its “big brother”: a warm sea, resort-type hotels with everything you need, a lot of water activities, Arabian flavor, hot sun and an excursion program. True, it is poorer than the Egyptian one, but Carthage, the Sahara and the troglodyte caves will not leave you indifferent. The Mediterranean Sea here, although warm, is slightly cooler than the Red Sea, but the underwater world does not shine with such diversity as in the Land of the Pyramids. In any case, Tunisia has its trump cards at a fairly attractive price.

Flight cost Moscow - Monastir for July 10 - 20, 2019: .
Tour to Tunisia from July 10 to July 20, 2019 on the Travelata website: RUB 45,000. for two.

Italy

Among the beach destinations of Western Europe, Italy has long been No. 1 in terms of the number of tourists from Russia. Despite the huge selection of beaches (Italy is washed by seas on all sides except the Alps), tourists for the most part go to Rimini. But, in addition to the rest of the coastal territory, there are also the magnificent islands of Sicily and Sardinia. But interest in Rimini is often dictated by a simple calculation: there are a huge number of hotels, including budget ones, and tour operators place charters in this city with wide beaches. In addition, one of the largest amusement parks for children and the duty-free shopping state of San Marino for mothers are nearby.

If we take other parts of Italy, the price tag will no longer be so humane, but the country can boast of quite moderate prices for food and transport compared to other Western European countries. More expensive than in Greece, but clearly cheaper than in the Benelux countries and Scandinavia. In addition, in terms of attractions per square meter, Italy confidently leaves behind all other countries in the world, and you can even pay extra for this.

Flight cost Moscow - Rimini for July 10 - 20, 2019: .
Tour to Italy from July 10 to July 20, 2019 on the Travelata website: RUB 52,000. for two.

Spain

Spain can hardly be called a close destination - it takes longer to fly from Russia than to any other European country except Portugal. But the country has a large number of beaches and hotels, and the demand for tours to Spain has been consistently high for many years; many have even acquired real estate in this sunny and cheerful country, where some kind of holiday takes place every day.

The euro exchange rate, as in the case of Italy, is a fly in the ointment, but the price level in the country is quite humane, approximately the same as in Italy, or even lower. As a plus, let’s add the warmest sea among the European Mediterranean, the atmosphere of constant celebration and many festivals, and beautiful architecture. Reasonable prices for tour packages apply only to tours around Barcelona, where flights arrive from Russian cities, but this is where a huge number of attractions are concentrated - Catalonia is very rich in them. The rest of Spain is no less interesting, but already goes beyond the scope of a budget tour, although you can design a trip very inexpensively, we even released

In recent years, when choosing a vacation spot, price has come to the fore. For many tourists, usual holiday destinations have become inaccessible. Therefore, people are increasingly looking for inexpensive holiday destinations abroad. At the same time, it is desirable that the quality is also at a high level. How to combine these two incompatible requirements? The answer to this question is not difficult to find. You can simply choose the country with the cheapest holiday.

As the practice and experience of numerous lovers of all kinds of “freebies” shows, spending a vacation on a budget in warm countries is quite possible. Such opportunities are provided to tourists, and.

Budget holidays in Turkey

It’s still worth remembering that a great holiday in Turkey is not a cheap pleasure. Therefore, in pursuit of savings, it is worth taking a closer look at why the offer you like is so cheap.

If you are not confused by some nuances, such as, for example, the design of the hotel rooms, the color of the furniture upholstery, etc. – feel free to go to a 2-3* hotel.
The cost of the hotel is significantly affected by the distance from the sea. Hotels on the second and even third coastlines will significantly save the family budget. This location also has its undoubted advantages: often most rooms in such hotels have breathtaking views of the magnificent mountain slopes and picturesque natural areas.

The choice of an all-inclusive power system will also allow you to save significantly. Most Turkish hotels operate precisely according to this concept. With this type of nutrition, there is no need to spend additional money on food outside the hotel.

It is also important to choose the right season for your trip. During the low season, it is quite possible to get a good deal on a trip with very high-quality accommodation.

In addition, you will be able to not only save a lot of money, but also enjoy some peace and quiet, because the number of tourists will decrease significantly. And all the weather troubles in the form of cool weather or stormy seas can be more than compensated for by interesting excursions, moderately warm days and fresh sea air.

Save in Egypt and Tunisia

Two more budget destinations for a wonderful beach holiday are Egypt and Tunisia.

Savings begin with the fact that visiting these countries does not require a visa. In Egypt, at the airport, special stamps are pasted into the passport (price 15 dollars); in Tunisia, there is no such procedure. As a result, prices for holidays in these countries are approximately in the same range. Holidays in August are a little more expensive, and from September prices drop noticeably.

However, in pursuit of savings, you should not relax. When choosing a hotel, you should not rely only on the star rating of the hotel. Preliminarily study the information on the Internet, read reviews from experienced travelers. Be careful not to let old plumbing or an unkempt pool become a cause of disappointment.
It doesn’t make much sense to dwell on a detailed description of inexpensive hotels in these countries, since they are all equipped standardly and almost identically:

quite comfortable rooms;
daily cleaning;
change of towels;
all-inclusive food system (mostly);
private beaches equipped with canopies and sun loungers;
animation programs for adults and children;
organization of excursions;
transfer.

You can purchase tours to resorts in Egypt and Tunisia at almost any travel agency. If you make an effort, keep abreast of special offers and last-minute travel packages, it is quite possible to relax with the whole family for a very reasonable amount.

Intelligent exotica

Some Tourists prefer to choose an Asian destination for an inexpensive holiday in 2019. It is especially popular; our fellow citizens love to travel both on and in. Most of the vacation budget in this case is spent on flights. But everything else, including food, accommodation and entertainment in these countries is extremely cheap. This vacation is perfect for lovers of exotic cuisine and unusual nature.

Vietnam

So, when planning a budget trip to Europe, we follow the advice of experienced travelers:

we find cheap tours using specialized services;
Using a bank card you can save a lot. After all, a budget trip begins with cashback: this includes booking airline tickets and spending in a cafe. At the same time, cashback can reach up to 7-10% from each purchase made;
consider traveling during the non-tourist season. At this time there are much fewer tourists, the service is better, and prices are much lower. But it’s more expensive to travel around Europe in July, August, September, and cheaper in November and February;
try to avoid activities that are not interesting to you. At this time, prices are 2-3 times higher, so why waste money;
when traveling in large cities, purchase travel tickets;
register on the websites of airline and transport companies, so you will have the opportunity to receive information about various promotions;
do not rush to book a car at the same time as a plane ticket, study prices and offers, you can save from 10 to 30%;
join groups with other tourists, this way you can save on renting a car and buying group tickets;
in cafes and restaurants, inquire about the price of sets; such a purchase is often much cheaper than purchasing individual dishes;
In Europe, chain supermarkets have this feature: 30 minutes before the end of work you can buy products at half the price.

However, there are expense items on which you cannot save. These include health insurance.

In this case, you can save on only one thing - learn to buy insurance a little cheaper.

Also, you should not stay in cheap accommodations, couchsurfing and similar establishments, this can be completely unsafe. If you are really strapped for money, it is better to stay in a trusted hostel.
And most importantly, always be friendly and smile.

Independent trip or tour?

Package tours, and especially beach holidays, have been popular for a long time. During this time, they have changed many times, pricing policies and trends have changed. Practice shows that in the most popular destinations it is much more profitable to purchase last-minute offers. And this cheapness is able to cover all the disadvantages of a holiday with a package.

And many travelers even enjoy the process of searching for routes for their future adventures, so they are even willing to pay a little more to organize everything themselves.

Let's look at some of the pros and cons of both an independent trip and a package trip.

Package tour.

no need to strain and look for anything yourself;
assistance in obtaining a visa;
the opportunity to receive last-minute offers;
flight, accommodation, meals, transfer, insurance - all this is already included in the tour package;
assistance from a travel agent at the stage of choosing a tour. The experience and knowledge of the agency’s staff is at the client’s service.

The disadvantages include:

may disappear from the tourism services market, in which case no one will return your money;
it is unprofitable to travel to unpopular destinations;
package tour - usually charter flights with all the ensuing consequences: tasteless food (or small portions), small aisles between seats, etc.

Self-guided tours.

complete independence in organizing travel;
when planning a trip in advance, it is cheapest to purchase air tickets 29 weeks before departure;
complete mobility and independence from the group.

The disadvantages include:

a huge number of airline and hotel websites are designed in English;
the need to independently purchase medical insurance and organize transfers;
Sufficient proficiency in English is required.

The cost of a vacation largely depends on the way the trip is organized. For some countries, it will be cheaper to buy a ready-made tour, while for others, a self-organized trip will be profitable. It makes sense to buy a fully compiled tour if you are going to Tunisia, Turkey or Egypt. But it’s cheaper to travel to European countries, India, Vietnam or China on your own.

For an independent trip, you need to study offers on the Internet and buy and pay for tickets yourself, as well as choose a hotel room and plan your entertainment. When choosing travel tickets, choose budget airlines and take advantage of special offers that many airlines often have. Choose a time for your trip. The most expensive offers occur during school breaks or holidays. Therefore, choose other days for your vacation. Early booking and paying for tickets online will also help you save a lot. But remember that such tickets most often cannot be exchanged or returned. If you are not sure that you will be able to fly on time, then it is better to buy a more expensive ticket. If necessary, you can easily return this ticket or exchange it for another without paying additional fees.

So, in the article we looked at some possibilities for a budget holiday abroad. The choice of where and how to relax, go on a trip on your own or buy a package tour is up to you.