Where you can have an inexpensive holiday abroad: overview of options, recommendations and reviews. Where to have a cheap holiday at sea this summer? Which resort is the cheapest

We studied guidebooks, forums, bloggers' reports, booking systems, sites with food prices and selected the most affordable countries for vacation. For each, we calculated a budget for two per day and converted it into dollars. This is the average amount for a couple of travelers who live in the same room, do not like to spend too much and stick to the golden mean in everything. After all, everyone understands differently by comfort: for some, a bed in a hostel is enough, for others, they will still choose among five-star hotels. Therefore, we did not take into account luxury hotels and restaurants, but found out how much it costs to have a meal in ordinary local cafes and stay in guesthouses, mini-hotels or Airbnb apartments.

In some countries, expenses can easily be cut by one and a half to two times if you use public transport, eat in non-tourist places and look for hotels according to the principle “we just need to spend the night.” For India and Indonesia, for example, we recommend a daily budget of $40–$50, but you can travel to these countries as a couple for $20 per day.

Faktrum publishes a very useful article from the Skyscanner blog that will help you plan your vacation profitably.

Cheap countries without visa

Armenia

Approximate prices:

You can have a hearty and cheap meal in Armenia at every step: khachapuri in Yerevan costs up to 500 drams ($1), lamaj (flatbread with spicy meat filling) costs up to $1.7, and crayfish kebab near Lake Sevan costs about $3. The average bill in a simple cafe is $3–4, and for dinner for two in a tourist restaurant you will pay $7–30.

Photo source: Skyscanner.ru

In the capital of Armenia there are inexpensive hotels with double rooms for $25–30. If you like the comfort of home on vacation, rent a nice studio in a quiet area for $20 or an apartment in the city center on Airbnb for $30–40 per night. Outside the capital, prices are slightly lower. In Armenia, as in Georgia, a stranger can invite you for coffee, dinner or even overnight. Agree: this is not fraud, but hospitality.

Standard route:

Yerevan and surroundings; Lake Sevan; Vanadzor and Lori Gorge; Khor Virap monastery with views of Ararat; Vorotan Valley and Tatev Monastery.

Visa:

You can enter Armenia without a visa for up to 180 days during the year. If you want more, find out how to apply for an Armenian visa.

Georgia

Approximate prices:

There is no street food as such in Georgia. The only thing you can grab on the go is fresh khachapuri or lobiani, which are sold on every corner for 2-3 lari ($1). Lunch at the cafe will cost $6, and for a generous dinner with wine you can pay from $8. An intermediate option is khinkali: you won’t have to look for them for long; one piece costs 60–70 tetri ($0.25–0.30). A dozen khinkali with salad and a glass of beer (for everything - $4) is enough to fill you up for the whole day.

A modest double room in Tbilisi and Batumi costs from $40 per night. It will cost $10 less to rent an apartment in a pleasant area near the center of the capital. In seaside Batumi, you can rent a small apartment in the private sector in 2016 for $20–25. Prices here are tightly tied to the season: an apartment by the sea with a fresh renovation and all amenities costs about $40 per day in mid-summer. In less touristy areas, you can easily find guesthouses with rooms for $15-$30.

Standard route:

Tbilisi; Mtskheta and the Georgian Military Road; cave city in Vardzia; Sighnaghi and Kakheti; Svaneti; Batumi and the Black Sea coast. If time permits, you can take a one-way ticket to Georgia, travel further overland to Armenia or Turkey, and fly home from there.

Visa:

Russian citizens can spend a whole year in Georgia without a visa.

Abkhazia

Daily budget for two: $65–75

Approximate prices:

A skewer of aromatic chicken kebab in Abkhazia costs about 200 rubles ($2.7), a cheburek with cheese and meat costs 70 rubles ($1). Lunch at a cafe by the sea will cost $5–12 for two, and a hearty dinner at an Apatskhe (national cuisine restaurant) will cost $9.5–13.5. For a one and a half liter bottle of homemade Abkhaz wine you will pay about $2.7.

On Airbnb, you can rent a room in a house by the sea in Sukhumi for $10 per day, and an apartment in the city center for $37 per day. If you dare to look for housing locally, it may turn out even cheaper: a room in a private house in Gagra can be rented for $9, and near Pitsunda there are options for $8 for two. A room in a good seaside hotel in Abkhazia costs $20–33 per night.

Standard route:

Botanical Garden, Kelasur Wall and the ruins of Bagrat Castle in Sukhumi; monastery and underground karst cave in New Athos; beaches of Gudauta, Pitsunda and Gagra; reserve near Lake Ritsa.

Visa:

To enter Abkhazia, Russians do not need either a visa or a foreign passport - an ordinary one is enough. Fly to Adler - from there it is only 10 km to the Abkhaz border, which runs along the Psou River.

Laos

Daily budget for two: $55–65

Approximate prices:

Lunch in street cafes costs from 12 to 50 thousand kip ($1.5–6), in a tourist cafe or restaurant - 50–100 thousand ($6–12). On average, a simple double room will cost about $12 per night. In the village of Vang Vieng, you can bargain on the spot and stay for that amount in a room with a wonderful view of the mountains. But in the capital, Vientiane, it is cheaper to book a hotel in advance: you can rent a cozy room for $15–17.

Almost all the attractions of Laos are paid, although they are very cheap: for example, entrance to the Paku caves will cost $2.5. These Buddhist caves can be reached by boat on the Mekong - you will pay $8 for a round trip and a stop at the “whiskey village”. Renting a motorbike with a manual transmission for the whole day in Laos costs about 70,000 kip - for $9 you are completely free to move around the country.

Standard route:

Vientiane; Luang Prabang; trekking in the Bocau National Park and/or rafting along the picturesque U River; Pakse and waterfalls of the Bolaven plateau; cruise along the Mekong south to Si Phan Don or to the 4000 Islands. You can continue your adventures in Cambodia or, if you go in the opposite direction, in Thailand.

Visa:

If you are traveling to Laos for less than 15 days, you do not need a visa. The only requirement is that the passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of entry.

Indonesia

Daily budget for two: $40–$50

Approximate prices:

Street food in Indonesia costs pennies: nasi goreng or mi goreng (fried rice or noodles) will cost no more than $1.5–2. You can have breakfast and lunch in local cafes for $2.5–4.5, and a hearty dinner costs $5–8 depending on the level of the establishment. You can rent a decent guesthouse room in Sumatra for $10, in Java for $10–15, and in Bali for $15–20. Traveling between the islands is also cheap - ferry travel costs about $3.

Standard route:

Since you have flown 9,000 km, spending your entire vacation in Bali, no matter how beautiful it may be, means depriving yourself of many impressions. There are 17,000 islands to choose from, from tiny paradises like Gili to Sumatra the size of Spain. Don't miss Borobudur and Mount Bromo in Java, visit Lake Toba or go on a jungle trek in Borneo.

Visa:

Citizens of the Russian Federation can enter Indonesia without a visa for 30 days through the international airports of Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Denpasar, Batam Island, as well as through four seaports. At other border points, Russians can obtain a visa on arrival for a period of 30 days.

Vietnam

Daily budget for two: $45–$55

Approximate prices:

Banh mi sandwiches in Vietnam are sold at every turn for 10–15 thousand dong ($0.5–0.7), and juices cost the same in fruit shops. For a bowl of pho soup in a cafe, pay 1–2 $, and for 0.5 liters of homemade bia hoi beer - 1 $. In local eateries they offer food for pennies: two servings of fish or chicken fried in ginger sauce, with a plate of rice and a bowl of soup - $2. In a presentable restaurant these amounts are multiplied by 2–3. A hearty seafood dinner at a tourist establishment with Vietnamese cuisine will cost $12–20. If you miss European dishes, pizza for $5 will save you. You can eat a burger, fries and soda at fast food Lotteria for $3. Imported alcohol in Vietnamese stores is no more expensive than in duty-free, and a bottle of local rum can be bought for $3-4.

You can rent a double room in a Hanoi hotel for $11–15; in the village of Mui Ne, prices start at $10 for a bungalow with a shower and air conditioning right next to the sea, and in Nha Trang you can still rent a nice room with amenities for $6–10. Service in Vietnamese hotels is excellent, regardless of star rating. Breakfast is included in the price nine times out of ten.

Standard route:

Hanoi; Ha Long Bay; Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang; Nha Trang; Mui Ne village; Dalat; Hoi An Museum City; Phu Quoc Island off the coast of Cambodia.

Visa:

Citizens of the Russian Federation can vacation in Vietnam without a visa for up to 15 days.

Serbia

Daily budget for two: $70–80

Approximate prices:

Serbian analogues of fast food - cheese pie gibanica, spicy sausages cevapcici, pljeskavica (cutlets with a side dish or in a bun) - cost no more than 200 dinars ($2). Moreover, to fill up, one splash of water is enough. You can have lunch for two in a decent restaurant for $7–9.

A simple double room in Belgrade hotels costs about $30 per day. For $16 you can rent a room in a hostel, and for $25–35 you can rent an apartment in the center.

Standard route:

Belgrade; Novi Sad; Smederevo; national parks Tara or Fruska Gora; Bajina Basta or other towns along the picturesque Drina River; Drvengrad is an ethnic village from the films of Kusturica. You can go to even cheaper Macedonia.

Visa:

To travel to Serbia, Russian citizens do not need a visa if the trip is within 30 days.

Montenegro

Daily budget for two: $80–90

Approximate prices:

Montenegrins' favorite national fast food is burek (a round pie or tubes filled with vegetables, cheese or meat) - sold for $1 in bakeries and on the beaches. A generous portion of cevapchichi with potatoes and pita bread costs $5–9 and is enough for two. It's even cheaper to have a meal at Mesar. In these butcher shops They sell semi-finished products, but you can ask for the same cevapchichi to be fried on the spot - this is called “made on roshtile”. You can have a thorough breakfast in a Montenegrin cafe for two for $7–10, and a three-course restaurant dinner will cost $25–30. If you move literally 500 meters away from coastal establishments, you can save up to 50%.

The most expensive city in terms of housing is Budva: during peak season, simple one-room apartments by the sea are rented for $35–45 per day. But even in Budva, even in summer, you can rent a neat guesthouse room or a small studio for $20 if you book in advance. In winter in Montenegro, prices for hotels and apartments fall by almost half.

Standard route:

Podgorica; resorts of the Bay of Kotor (Kotor, Perast, Risan, Koštanica, Tivat, Herceg Novi); resorts of the Adriatic coast (Budva, Becici, Rafailovici, Sveti Stefan, Petrovac, Bar); Ostrog Monastery; national parks Lovcen and Durmitor with the Tara River canyon.

Visa:

Citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in Montenegro without a visa for 30 consecutive days.

Cheap countries with visa on arrival or online

India

Daily budget for two: $40–$45

Approximate prices:

Street food in India costs practically nothing: a serving of vegetarian thali (rice, stewed vegetables, lentils and flatbread) will cost 50 rupees ($0.8), and you can have a hearty lunch at a local eatery for 150 rupees ($2.3). The average bill in tourist restaurants is $3–6.

The situation with housing is similar: almost everywhere for 5–8 $ you will get a set of a bed, walls and roof, for 10–15 $ you will get a decent room with air conditioning. In Mumbai, Goa and Kerala, prices during the peak season - from December to February - increase 2-3 times. You can rent a scooter for a day for 200–250 rupees ($3–4). If you are traveling for a long time, it is better to rent a scooter for a week or a month - it will be even cheaper, about 150 rupees per day, and you will also be able to see neighboring states.

Standard route:

Delhi; Agra; a circle through the cities and villages of Rajasthan or a trip through the foothills of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand; and further - according to interests: either to Varanasi and Nepal, or to the south, to Mumbai and Goa or to Kerala. If time permits, visit Punjab (Amritsar), Kashmir and Ladakh.

Visa:

If you are entering India through Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Cochin, Hyderabad and Trivandrum airports, you can apply for your visa online.

Nepal

Daily budget for two: on a track in the mountains - about $40; in the rest of the country - $45–50.

Approximate prices:

In Nepal, you can have a hearty lunch for two at a street eatery for 400–500 rupees ($4–5). In tourist cafes prices are 2-3 times higher; lunch for two will cost closer to $15.

You can rent a double room in a cheap guesthouse with a shower and toilet on the floor for $5–8 per day. For $15–20 you can stay in a decent hotel in Kathmandu. The average cost of a small comfortable room for two in Nagarkot is from $15 per night, and in Pokhara - from $10.

Standard route:

Kathmandu and surrounding areas (Bhaktapur, Nagarkot); several days in the Chitwan Nature Reserve; Lumbini; Pokhara and mountain trekking - to Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, etc.

Visa:

A Nepalese visa can be obtained both at the Embassy in Moscow and at the airport upon arrival. Simply fill out the online form 15 days before your trip and present it at the border.

Cambodia

Daily budget for two: $70–80

Approximate prices:

You can buy a fried spider, a kilogram of mango or a bunch of bananas for $1 in Cambodia. Two servings of baked mussels with salad will cost $6. A hearty dinner with pork steak, potatoes and vegetables costs the same, and for a huge pizza for two in a regular cafe you will pay about $5. A glass of local beer in seaside bars costs $0.5, a jug will cost $2. You will spend more on spiritual food in Cambodia than on regular food: a ticket to Angkor for 1 day - $20, for 3 days - $40, for a week - $60. To rise above Angkor Wat in a yellow hot air balloon, pay $20.

A room with a double bed, air conditioning and shower in a guesthouse in the resort of Sihanoukville can be rented for $12–15 per day, and comfortable hotel rooms in Phnom Penh cost $15–20 per night. Khmers do not like to bargain; it is better to book accommodation in advance.

Standard route:

Siem Reap and Angkor temple complex; Lake Toplesap with floating villages, beaches of Sihanoukville (Ochuteal-Serendipity, Otres); Koh Rong island; national park Phnom Bokor; Phnom Penh.

Visa:

You can obtain a visa to Cambodia immediately upon arrival or in advance via the Internet.

Sri Lanka

Daily budget for two: $60–70

Approximate prices:

Food in Sri Lanka is similar to South Indian food in both taste and prices. Roti (spring rolls) cost from 40 Sri Lankan rupees ($0.28) for a vegetarian option to 120 rupees ($0.8) for a triangle with chicken and cheese. For a bunch of bananas you will pay $0.14, for a drinking coconut - $0.25, for a kilogram of papaya - $0.42. King prawns at the Hikkaduwa market sell for $7/kg, and buy a 0.75-liter bottle of red rum for $10. Kottu (something like a shredded hamburger) costs $1.5–2 in non-tourist cafes. Two servings of seafood dinner, rice with curry, salad and beer in a restaurant will cost $7–10.

average price for a room with hot water and a fan in a guesthouse - $14–20 per day. In party areas like Mirissa and Unawatuna on the south coast, prices are higher - below New Year and until March, locals rent housing for $28–$55 per night. Prices for double rooms in Colombo hotels start from $25, and you can spend the night in a hostel for $16. If you plan to stay in Sri Lanka for a long time, it is wiser to rent a house or apartment for $330 per month (including utilities) on the spot.

Standard route:

Colombo; Pinnawela Elephant Nursery; Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, Lion Rock in Sigiriya, other Buddhist sites in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa; tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya; national reserve in the Sinharaja forest.

Visa:

There are three ways to obtain a visa to Sri Lanka - at the Embassy in Moscow, upon arrival at the airport or online.

Cheap visa countries

Romania

Daily budget for two: $80–90

Approximate prices:

You won't find street food in the Asian sense of the term in Romania. You can have lunch in a cheap cafe or fast food for about 10–30 lei ($2.5–7). A hearty lunch in restaurants in Brasov and Sighisoara will cost $12–14. Dinner at a highly advertised establishment in Bucharest will cost 100 lei ($24).

On average across the country, a simple double room in a guesthouse or two-star hotel costs $20–30. You can rent an apartment in the heart of Bucharest for $30–40 per day; in Brasov, aim for $35–45.

Standard route:

Bucharest; Danube Delta; Mamaia and other Black Sea resorts; Peles and Bran castles (“Dracula’s castle”); medieval Brasov; Transylvanian towns of Sighisoara and Sibiu. If you travel by car, do not miss the beautiful Transfagarasan mountain road.

Visa:

Romania is a member of the European Union, but has not signed the Schengen Agreement. With a national visa you can not only travel around the country, but also go to Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus. If you already have a long-term entry permit for these countries or a multiple-entry Schengen visa, you will not need to obtain a separate visa for Romania. In other cases, you need to apply for a Romanian visa.

Hungary

Daily budget for two: $85–95

Approximate prices:

The famous Hungarian goulash costs from 950 forints ($3.3). You can have a snack for two in an inexpensive cafe for $10, and a thorough dinner in a restaurant for $28. An impressive pizza will cost $5, and a cup of coffee with a delicate cake in Hungarian csukrázdy (pastry shops) is priced at only $2.5.

Cozy apartments in the very center of Budapest on Airbnb cost from $35–45 per night; in guesthouses on the outskirts you can live in comfortable rooms for $25. Apartments near Lake Balaton will cost another $5 less.

Standard route:

Budapest with its baths; Medveotthon Bear Park in Véresegyháza; open-air ethno-museum Skansen near the town of Szentendre; ancient Székesfehérvár; Pannonhalma Abbey; Lake Balaton and 10 more ideas for short trips from Budapest.

Visa:

To enter Hungary you need a Schengen visa.

Bulgaria

Daily budget for two: $80–90

Approximate prices:

A cup of coffee in Bulgaria costs from 0.8 to 1.5 levs ($0.5–0.8), a plate of soup (pileshka - chicken or trampota - with meatballs) - about 1 $, and Shopska salad - 2-3 $ . You can have breakfast in the Sofia cafe for $10 for two. A three-course dinner with drinks in a good metropolitan restaurant will cost about $20–22.

A double room in guesthouses in the city center costs from $16 per night. For $18 you can rent a room with a shower, air conditioning and a refrigerator in Kosharitsa and Ravda. A studio room in a three-star apart-hotel in the Sunny Beach resort costs about $26. Through Airbnb you can rent an excellent apartment by the sea with a pool in the yard for $25–35.

Standard route:

The most striking places in Bulgaria: Sofia and Mount Vitosha; Koprivshtitsa; Plovdiv and Perperikon; Valley of Roses; Rila Monastery and the Seven Lakes; Nessebar; tiny Melnik; beaches of Sunny Beach.

Visa:

Bulgaria is not part of the Schengen zone, but you can enter this country with a double or multiple-entry Schengen visa. You can also visit Bulgaria if your passport contains valid multiple-entry visas from Romania, Croatia or Cyprus. In other cases, you need to obtain a Bulgarian visa.

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On your long-awaited vacation, you want to try all the exotic local dishes, see the sights, see the most beautiful places and swim to your heart's content in the gentle, warm sea. But not everyone and not always have the savings to implement these plans. Fortunately, at the moment there are many places where you can relax comfortably, while significantly saving money.

Beach resorts

Budget sea holidays always attract many tourists. However, for the opportunity to sunbathe in the southern sun and plunge into the sea, many are not ready to give up all their accumulated savings. That is why most tourist countries provide coastal holidays for a low price of accommodation and food, which only adds to the attractiveness of their offers.

Resort of Saints Constantine and Helena (Bulgaria)

Located near Varna, the large complex of Saints Constantine and Helena is considered one of the first holiday destinations on the Bulgarian coast. According to legend, it was named after convent St. Helena (at the moment only the chapel remains from it).

Beach at the resort of Saints Constantine and Helena

The resort is located on the shore of a magnificent bay with sandy beaches. An undoubted advantage will be the fact that all hotels have extensive park areas with coniferous trees, and you can go down to the sea via equipped and safe stairs.

Important! Connoisseurs of active recreation will not get bored at the resort of Saints Constantine and Helena - vacationers have the opportunity to go surfing, water skiing, and master scuba diving.

The resort's infrastructure is growing rapidly - every year new hotels, restaurants, swimming pools are being built, and the quality of service is improving. The climate here is mild due to the mixed forest, so tourists do not face the suffocating heat.

Main advantages:

• absence of sweltering heat due to the abundance of greenery;
• good transport links with neighboring settlements;
• hot hydrogen sulfide springs at the resort.

Main disadvantages:

• the height of the coast above sea level - tourists have to go down stairs to the water;
• lack of large stores;
• small selection of recreational activities for children.

Video - Review of the resort St. Constantine and Helena

Gagripsh is traditionally considered one of the most modern resort complexes in the Caucasus. It is located in Staraya Gagra, on the territory of Abkhazia, just 40 km from Sochi. The boarding house has a park in which cypresses, oleanders, and eucalyptus grow. The complex has a small-pebble equipped beach 40 m from the building buildings.

Important! Within walking distance from the resort there are many restaurants and cafes where tourists can enjoy homemade wine and dishes of Caucasian national cuisine.

Main advantages:

• an excellent choice for excursion tourism;
• availability of health services;
• Citizens of the Russian Federation do not require a visa to enter the country.

Main disadvantages:

• the entertainment industry is underdeveloped;
• small beach area.

Antalya, Türkiye)

Antalya is the capital of the province of the same name on the coast of Turkey, which is one of the most famous resorts with an international airport and developed infrastructure.

The city was created in 159 BC. e., then it was captured by the Romans and Byzantines. In the 60s of the last century, a tourism boom began sharply in Antalya and in just a few decades the city became one of the largest resorts. Today, many hotels, sports complexes and the entertainment industry will satisfy even the most demanding tourist.

Important! It is worth noting that cheap three-star hotels usually do not have closed access to the sea, so their guests are often forced to use city beaches.

Main advantages:

• clean and warm sea;
• practically complete absence rains from June to mid-September;
• developed infrastructure.

Main disadvantages:

• crowded beaches;
• changeable weather towards the end of September, sometimes not suitable for swimming.

Video - What to see in Antalya on your own

Another budget resort in Turkey is Marmaris, which is located on the Mediterranean coast in the southwestern part of the country. This is a port city, the entrance to the bay of which is protected by an island located nearby, so strong waves almost never reach the coastline. The region is characterized by low humidity due to the special local microclimate.

Marmaris lies in a valley between a pine-covered mountain range and azure waters, making it a great destination for sailing and diving. The resort is famous for its developed infrastructure, the presence of many clubs and concert venues.

Attention! Marmaris has a constant ferry connection with the Greek island of Rhodes.

Main advantages:

• the resort is ideal for yachting and windsurfing;
• mild climate and low humidity;
• convenient location in relation to the main natural and historical attractions.

Main disadvantages:

• most of the hotels are city hotels;
• narrow beaches;
• From time to time the water in the bay becomes cloudy.

Sunny Beach is deservedly considered one of the most popular tourist centers in Bulgaria. On its territory there is a 15 km beach area, a large number of hotels and cottages, restaurants, cafes. Comfortable beaches are equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas.

Attention! For a fee, tourists can enjoy a massage, play golf or rent a scooter.

There are quite a lot of hotels in Sunny Beach, both premium and budget. They are practically no different from the boarding houses in Turkey or Egypt, but it is worth considering that the prices for accommodation at this resort are still slightly lower.

Main advantages:

• a lot of Russian-speaking service personnel;
• inexpensive, but high-status resort.

Main disadvantages:

• not suitable for families with children due to the vibrant nightlife;
• lack of attractions;
• in the middle of the holiday season there is a lot of algae in the sea.

Ski resorts

You don't have to spend a lot of money to spend a few weeks surrounded by snow-capped peaks and go skiing, snowboarding and sledding. A tourist who wants to go on a trip and have fun at a foreign or domestic ski resort can choose one of many cheap options.

The small resort of Kolasin, located in Montenegro on the banks of the Tara River, is surrounded by several mountain ranges. The city became part of the country only at the end of the 19th century, but immediately after its annexation it became a popular tourist destination.

Despite the fact that Kolasin is an extremely compact settlement, the size of its ski slope is about 15 km, which exceeds many of the world's ski resorts. The season usually starts from the beginning of winter and lasts until mid-spring. At the same time, the slopes are equipped with artificial snow equipment, good lighting and two modern lifts.

Important! The resort has 7 mountain trails that pass through local forests and are interconnected.

Main advantages:

• reasonable prices for ski equipment rental;
• you can ride on the slopes even if there is little snow cover;
• availability of trails for beginners.

Main disadvantages:

• lack of cross-country ski trails;
• lack of attractions in the city.

The Bulgarian resort of Borovets provides the opportunity for lovers of mountain holidays to enjoy any kind of winter sports - skiing, snowboarding, skating. This is the first and one of the most elite ski resorts with magnificent slopes of varying difficulty levels and a well-organized lift mechanism.

Tourists will also be pleased with the developed infrastructure, which includes a large number of restaurants, cafes and hotels. Borovets is located on the territory of a coniferous forest, so the air here is unusually fresh.

Attention! Not far from the resort there are 190 lakes and 79 snow-capped peaks.

Main advantages:

• proximity of hotels to ski lifts;
• the presence of themed parties and night ski carnivals.

Main disadvantages:

• small hotel rooms;
• lack of equipped rooms for storing skis and boots.

Khibiny is traditionally considered the cheapest domestic ski resort of all possible options. The infrastructure still leaves much to be desired, but for the sake of winter skiing for little money, many tourists neglect the lack of bars and discos. The unpreparedness of the resort for families with children can create some problems, but they are compensated by breathtaking landscapes, pristine nature and clean air. For example, in neighboring Kirovsk, tourists can admire the northern lights.

Important! The resort cannot boast of an abundance of Western-style hotels, but local residents rent apartments to vacationers at lower prices.

Main advantages:

• accessibility of the resort for domestic tourists;
• large area for skiing.

Main disadvantages:

• short ski season;
• unpredictable and changeable weather.

Luosto resort is located in central Lapland. The ski slopes here are distinguished by an increased level of comfort - there are prepared slopes of varying difficulty, two illuminated pistes and eight slopes. For the convenience of tourists, the slopes are equipped with 6 lifts.

Attention! Beginning athletes can use the services of a coach, and the resort has a ski school for children.

Luosto has many inexpensive restaurants and cottages. In their free time from winter sports, tourists are invited to take excursions to local mines, try Lapland national cuisine, go snowshoeing and watch the polar lights.

Main advantages:

• suitable for family holidays;
• long ski season;
• stable maintenance of optimal snow cover.

Main disadvantages:

• distance from the main attractions of the country;
• distance from the airport.

The Jasna ski resort is considered the best winter sports resort center in Eastern Europe. It is based on the slopes of Mount Chopok and is currently the most famous resort in the Low Tatras.

There are 14 lifts with a magnetic system on the territory, which ensures high throughput(up to 11,000 people per hour). The resort is equipped with 15 ski slopes, the maximum length of which reaches 42 km. There are also tracks for children, as well as slopes for motor sleighs or snowboards.

The main infrastructure is located literally 30 m from the ski lifts, but all cottages and boarding houses are built below the ski area. Tourists are invited to relax in bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Hiking in the mountains, walks to waterfalls and caves are organized on the territory of the complex.

Important! In Jasna hotels, children under 6 years of age have the right to stay free of charge.

Main advantages:

• proximity of the resort to the airport;
• Availability of a ski training center.

Main disadvantages:

• the need to obtain a Schengen visa - additional costs;
• distance of hotels from ski lifts.

Cost Comparison Chart

Resorts for ecotourism

IN last years ecotourism is becoming increasingly popular, and this is not surprising - city residents strive for the beauty of nature, tired of contemplating the “concrete jungle”. They are often attracted by magnificent landscapes, incredible colors, and an abundance of diverse flora and fauna. Fortunately, any tourist can afford to go on such a trip.

The resort of Mersa Matrouh (translated from Arabic as “thrown anchor”) is located in northern Egypt, west of the city of Alexandria. According to legend, Cleopatra loved to visit these places, so at some distance from the city, tourists can admire a small bay surrounded by rocks - Cleopatra’s baths.

Important! Mersa Matruh is not the most popular resort, but during the season half the population of the lower Nile and Cairo vacations here. Only at the end of September the city returns to its usual serene, measured life.

The luxurious snow-white bay becomes deserted, so foreigners have the chance to relax inexpensively, swim to their hearts content in the Mediterranean Sea and admire the azure coastline.

Main advantages:

• continuous improvement of service quality;
• availability of developed infrastructure;
• proximity to historical and natural attractions.

Main disadvantages:

• crowded beaches in season;
• cool weather in winter, not suitable for swimming.

The resort of Puntarenas provides the most budget holiday in Costa Rica. The cheapness of accommodation and food here is explained by the income level of the population, so the services of a guide or guide will cost the tourist very little. At the same time, the resort area is equipped with beaches that are washed by the warm ocean.

Despite the lack of developed infrastructure, foreigners have something to see. For example, numerous islands located near the resort, which are inhabited by exotic bird species.

Important! Worthy of attention in Costa Rica are the jungle tracts, as well as the Tarcoles River, which goes into the tropical forests and is inhabited by crocodiles.

Main advantages:

• the sand on the beaches does not heat up due to its coral origin;
• presence of ecological park areas.

Main disadvantages:

• remoteness from large populated areas;
• abundance of mosquitoes and sand flies.

A small state in the Caribbean Sea attracts exotic lovers from all over the world. The standard of living of the population also dictates low prices, while the tropical exoticism of Belize can be considered unique.

Tourists can admire incredible atolls and coral reefs, appreciate the beauty of the mountains and tropical mountain flora and fauna of the country.

Important! The specific cuisine, which is a combination of Asian, American and local culinary traditions, is also worthy of attention.

Main advantages:

• the resort is ideal for diving;
• unique nature.

Main disadvantages:

• infrastructure is insufficiently developed;
• expensive flight.

Chiang Mai (Thailand)

Chiang Mai is located in northern Thailand, so there is no access to the ocean. The climate in this resort is harsher than in the beach areas, which explains its cheapness.

Fans of exotic species will love Chiang Mai, as its main attractions are the mountains covered tropical forests. There, on the slopes, there are rice fields that resemble wavy green steps.

Important! The infrastructure of Chiang Mai is not developed; local entertainment is limited to elephant rides and mountain hiking.

Main advantages:

• abundance of natural and cultural attractions;
• the presence of a large number of bazaars, shops and shopping centers.

Main disadvantages:

• lack of city buses;
• the presence of smog in the city in the spring.

Marsa Alam is considered a relatively new resort on the Red Sea coast in Egypt. Only recently a large airport was built on the territory of this former fishing village - it is located quite far from Hurghada.

Important! This resort primarily attracts diving enthusiasts - the mesmerizing beauty of coral reefs and untouched nature cannot leave ecotourism connoisseurs indifferent.

The coastline of the resort stretches for 70 km, construction of five-star luxury hotels is actively underway on the territory, but so far there is no infrastructure in the village. Despite this, the popularity of the resort is increasing every year, and with it, prices for services in the tourist segment are rising rapidly.

Main advantages:

• possibility of kitesurfing;
• suitable resort for diving.

Main disadvantages:

• almost complete lack of infrastructure outside the hotels.

Cost Comparison Chart

Family-Friendly Resorts

A budget family vacation is possible at any time of the year, but for the trip to be successful, you should choose the right route based on the age of the children, the weather and the length of stay in warm countries.

Alanya is located on the Mediterranean coast, not far from Antalya. The first mention of the city dates back to the 2nd century BC. e., therefore its rich history has seen both prosperity and decline. Since the 50s of the last century, Alanya has become a popular resort among Turks, and at the moment the city attracts thousands of tourists from the CIS countries due to its low prices and well-developed infrastructure.

Turkish resort - Alanya

Alanya is considered a traditional beach resort, but the city also has interesting attractions, museum complexes, nightclubs and discos. Tourists with children are recommended to visit the dolphinarium and water park.

Important! The beaches of Alanya have convenient access to the water and a huge number of bays, where even in the most severe storm the sea remains relatively calm.

Main advantages:

• long holiday season;
• an abundance of shops and markets for extended shopping.

Main disadvantages:

• high humidity and very hot summers;
• long transfer from the airport.

In the north of Bulgaria, on the territory of the Baltavto nature reserve, there is the Albena resort, which is rightfully one of the best modern complexes on the coast. Since the 60s, the region has been experiencing a tourism boom; Albena is especially loved by the Germans and French, which could not but affect the cost of services, which are a little overpriced for the level of service provided. However, the resort is ideal for families with children - there is an abundance of free playgrounds, swimming pools, clubs and attractions. If necessary, parents can use the services of a nanny or animator.

Attention! Numerous beaches offer a large selection of water activities, and sports clubs for teenagers include football, volleyball, surfing and horse riding.

Main advantages:

• forest areas on the territory of the resort;
• proximity of hotels and inns to the sea.

Main disadvantages:

• lack of cultural or architectural attractions.

The Curonian Spit National Park includes a sandy peninsula that separates the Curonian freshwater Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. This coast with sandy beaches stretches for almost 100 km from the Kaliningrad region to the border of Lithuania, and its territory belongs to both states.

The Curonian Spit is considered a favorite vacation spot for family tourists. Lovers first budget holiday families with children appreciate the clean azure beaches and the delightful nature of the national park, where you can see sand dunes, coniferous forests and meadows.

Important! Part of the braid belonging to Russia- these are the villages of Rybachy, Lesnoy and Morskoy.

Main advantages:

• beautiful nature and fresh air;
• abundance of greenery in the park.

Main disadvantages:

• lack of developed infrastructure;
• abundance of mosquitoes.

Costa Brava is one of the most colorful regions of the Mediterranean coast, located in Girona on the border with France. The resort combines beach areas and active recreation complexes.

Important! Costa Brava became the first Spanish region to provide its services to Russians, so prices for holidays here are much lower than in other regions of the country.

Vacationers can create a dense entertainment and cultural program - during the day, families have the opportunity to explore ancient villas, monasteries, museums and ruins of ancient castles, and in the evening noisy foam parties take place on the beaches.

Main advantages:

• natural beauty of the resort;
• the proximity of the resort to Barcelona.

Main disadvantages:

• a small number of beach hotels.

Video - About the Costa Brava resort

The peninsula of Halkidiki in the northern part of the Aegean Sea has been attracting tourists who are interested in a relaxed and family holiday for several decades. The beaches of the resort are sandy, with a safe entrance to the sea. The main attractions and infrastructure are based in small towns - the entire entertainment industry of the peninsula is located here. About an hour's drive from Halkidiki there is a large water park.

Attention! Tourists who prefer a cultural holiday have the opportunity to take an excursion to the Athos monastery and go to the excavation sites of ancient Greek cities.

Main advantages:

• low humidity - no sweltering heat;
• proximity to main attractions.

Main disadvantages:

• distance from the airport.

Cost Comparison Chart

We studied guidebooks, forums, bloggers' reports, booking systems, sites with food prices and selected the most affordable countries for vacation. For each, we calculated a budget for two per day and converted it into dollars. This is the average amount for a couple of travelers who live in the same room, do not like to spend too much and stick to the golden mean in everything. After all, everyone understands differently by comfort: for some, a bed in a hostel is enough, for others, they will still choose among five-star hotels. Therefore, we did not take into account luxury hotels and restaurants, but found out how much it costs to have a meal in ordinary local cafes and stay in guesthouses, mini-hotels or Airbnb apartments.

In some countries, expenses can easily be cut by one and a half to two times if you use public transport, eat in non-tourist places and look for hotels according to the principle “we just need to spend the night.” For India and Indonesia, for example, we recommend a daily budget of $40–$50, but you can travel to these countries as a couple for $20 per day.

Faktrum publishes a very useful article from the Skyscanner blog that will help you plan your vacation profitably.

Cheap countries without visa

Armenia

Approximate prices:

You can have a hearty and cheap meal in Armenia at every step: khachapuri in Yerevan costs up to 500 drams ($1), lamaj (flatbread with spicy meat filling) costs up to $1.7, and crayfish kebab near Lake Sevan costs about $3. The average bill in a simple cafe is $3–4, and for dinner for two in a tourist restaurant you will pay $7–30.

Photo source: Skyscanner.ru

In the capital of Armenia there are inexpensive hotels with double rooms for $25–30. If you like the comfort of home on vacation, rent a nice studio in a quiet area for $20 or an apartment in the city center on Airbnb for $30–40 per night. Outside the capital, prices are slightly lower. In Armenia, as in Georgia, a stranger can invite you for coffee, dinner or even overnight. Agree: this is not fraud, but hospitality.

Standard route:

Yerevan and surroundings; Lake Sevan; Vanadzor and Lori Gorge; Khor Virap monastery with views of Ararat; Vorotan Valley and Tatev Monastery.

Visa:

You can enter Armenia without a visa for up to 180 days during the year. If you want more, find out how to apply for an Armenian visa.

Georgia

Approximate prices:

There is no street food as such in Georgia. The only thing you can grab on the go is fresh khachapuri or lobiani, which are sold on every corner for 2-3 lari ($1). Lunch at the cafe will cost $6, and for a generous dinner with wine you can pay from $8. An intermediate option is khinkali: you won’t have to look for them for long; one piece costs 60–70 tetri ($0.25–0.30). A dozen khinkali with salad and a glass of beer (for everything - $4) is enough to fill you up for the whole day.

A modest double room in Tbilisi and Batumi costs from $40 per night. It will cost $10 less to rent an apartment in a pleasant area near the center of the capital. In seaside Batumi, you can rent a small apartment in the private sector in 2016 for $20–25. Prices here are tightly tied to the season: an apartment by the sea with a fresh renovation and all amenities costs about $40 per day in mid-summer. In less touristy areas, you can easily find guesthouses with rooms for $15-$30.

Standard route:

Tbilisi; Mtskheta and the Georgian Military Road; cave city in Vardzia; Sighnaghi and Kakheti; Svaneti; Batumi and the Black Sea coast. If time permits, you can take a one-way ticket to Georgia, travel further overland to Armenia or Turkey, and fly home from there.

Visa:

Russian citizens can spend a whole year in Georgia without a visa.

Abkhazia

Daily budget for two: $65–75

Approximate prices:

A skewer of aromatic chicken kebab in Abkhazia costs about 200 rubles ($2.7), a cheburek with cheese and meat costs 70 rubles ($1). Lunch at a cafe by the sea will cost $5–12 for two, and a hearty dinner at an Apatskhe (national cuisine restaurant) will cost $9.5–13.5. For a one and a half liter bottle of homemade Abkhaz wine you will pay about $2.7.

On Airbnb, you can rent a room in a house by the sea in Sukhumi for $10 per day, and an apartment in the city center for $37 per day. If you dare to look for housing locally, it may turn out even cheaper: a room in a private house in Gagra can be rented for $9, and near Pitsunda there are options for $8 for two. A room in a good seaside hotel in Abkhazia costs $20–33 per night.

Standard route:

Botanical Garden, Kelasur Wall and the ruins of Bagrat Castle in Sukhumi; monastery and underground karst cave in New Athos; beaches of Gudauta, Pitsunda and Gagra; reserve near Lake Ritsa.

Visa:

To enter Abkhazia, Russians do not need either a visa or a foreign passport - an ordinary one is enough. Fly to Adler - from there it is only 10 km to the Abkhaz border, which runs along the Psou River.

Laos

Daily budget for two: $55–65

Approximate prices:

Lunch in street cafes costs from 12 to 50 thousand kip ($1.5–6), in a tourist cafe or restaurant - 50–100 thousand ($6–12). On average, a simple double room will cost about $12 per night. In the village of Vang Vieng, you can bargain on the spot and stay for that amount in a room with a wonderful view of the mountains. But in the capital, Vientiane, it is cheaper to book a hotel in advance: you can rent a cozy room for $15–17.

Almost all the attractions of Laos are paid, although they are very cheap: for example, entrance to the Paku caves will cost $2.5. These Buddhist caves can be reached by boat on the Mekong - you will pay $8 for a round trip and a stop at the “whiskey village”. Renting a motorbike with a manual transmission for the whole day in Laos costs about 70,000 kip - for $9 you are completely free to move around the country.

Standard route:

Vientiane; Luang Prabang; trekking in the Bocau National Park and/or rafting along the picturesque U River; Pakse and waterfalls of the Bolaven plateau; cruise along the Mekong south to Si Phan Don or to the 4000 Islands. You can continue your adventures in Cambodia or, if you go in the opposite direction, in Thailand.

Visa:

If you are traveling to Laos for less than 15 days, you do not need a visa. The only requirement is that the passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of entry.

Indonesia

Daily budget for two: $40–$50

Approximate prices:

Street food in Indonesia costs pennies: nasi goreng or mi goreng (fried rice or noodles) will cost no more than $1.5–2. You can have breakfast and lunch in local cafes for $2.5–4.5, and a hearty dinner costs $5–8 depending on the level of the establishment. You can rent a decent guesthouse room in Sumatra for $10, in Java for $10–15, and in Bali for $15–20. Traveling between the islands is also cheap - ferry travel costs about $3.

Standard route:

Since you have flown 9,000 km, spending your entire vacation in Bali, no matter how beautiful it may be, means depriving yourself of many impressions. There are 17,000 islands to choose from, from tiny paradises like Gili to Sumatra the size of Spain. Don't miss Borobudur and Mount Bromo in Java, visit Lake Toba or go on a jungle trek in Borneo.

Visa:

Citizens of the Russian Federation can enter Indonesia without a visa for 30 days through the international airports of Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Denpasar, Batam Island, as well as through four seaports. At other border points, Russians can obtain a visa on arrival for a period of 30 days.

Vietnam

Daily budget for two: $45–$55

Approximate prices:

Banh mi sandwiches in Vietnam are sold at every turn for 10–15 thousand dong ($0.5–0.7), and juices cost the same in fruit shops. For a bowl of pho soup in a cafe, pay 1–2 $, and for 0.5 liters of homemade bia hoi beer - 1 $. In local eateries they offer food for pennies: two servings of fish or chicken fried in ginger sauce, with a plate of rice and a bowl of soup - $2. In a presentable restaurant these amounts are multiplied by 2–3. A hearty seafood dinner at a tourist establishment with Vietnamese cuisine will cost $12–20. If you miss European dishes, pizza for $5 will save you. You can eat a burger, fries and soda at fast food Lotteria for $3. Imported alcohol in Vietnamese stores is no more expensive than in duty-free, and a bottle of local rum can be bought for $3-4.

You can rent a double room in a Hanoi hotel for $11–15; in the village of Mui Ne, prices start at $10 for a bungalow with a shower and air conditioning right next to the sea, and in Nha Trang you can still rent a nice room with amenities for $6–10. Service in Vietnamese hotels is excellent, regardless of star rating. Breakfast is included in the price nine times out of ten.

Standard route:

Hanoi; Ha Long Bay; Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang; Nha Trang; Mui Ne village; Dalat; Hoi An Museum City; Phu Quoc Island off the coast of Cambodia.

Visa:

Citizens of the Russian Federation can vacation in Vietnam without a visa for up to 15 days.

Serbia

Daily budget for two: $70–80

Approximate prices:

Serbian analogues of fast food - cheese pie gibanica, spicy sausages cevapcici, pljeskavica (cutlets with a side dish or in a bun) - cost no more than 200 dinars ($2). Moreover, to fill up, one splash of water is enough. You can have lunch for two in a decent restaurant for $7–9.

A simple double room in Belgrade hotels costs about $30 per day. For $16 you can rent a room in a hostel, and for $25–35 you can rent an apartment in the center.

Standard route:

Belgrade; Novi Sad; Smederevo; national parks Tara or Fruska Gora; Bajina Basta or other towns along the picturesque Drina River; Drvengrad is an ethnic village from the films of Kusturica. You can go to even cheaper Macedonia.

Visa:

To travel to Serbia, Russian citizens do not need a visa if the trip is within 30 days.

Montenegro

Daily budget for two: $80–90

Approximate prices:

Montenegrins' favorite national fast food is burek (a round pie or tubes filled with vegetables, cheese or meat) - sold for $1 in bakeries and on the beaches. A generous portion of cevapchichi with potatoes and pita bread costs $5–9 and is enough for two. It's even cheaper to have a meal at Mesar. These butcher shops sell semi-finished products, but you can ask for the same cevapchici to be fried on the spot - this is called “made on Rostile”. You can have a thorough breakfast in a Montenegrin cafe for two for $7–10, and a three-course restaurant dinner will cost $25–30. If you move literally 500 meters away from coastal establishments, you can save up to 50%.

The most expensive city in terms of housing is Budva: during peak season, simple one-room apartments by the sea are rented for $35–45 per day. But even in Budva, even in summer, you can rent a neat guesthouse room or a small studio for $20 if you book in advance. In winter in Montenegro, prices for hotels and apartments fall by almost half.

Standard route:

Podgorica; resorts of the Bay of Kotor (Kotor, Perast, Risan, Koštanica, Tivat, Herceg Novi); resorts of the Adriatic coast (Budva, Becici, Rafailovici, Sveti Stefan, Petrovac, Bar); Ostrog Monastery; national parks Lovcen and Durmitor with the Tara River canyon.

Visa:

Citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in Montenegro without a visa for 30 consecutive days.

Cheap countries with visa on arrival or online

India

Daily budget for two: $40–$45

Approximate prices:

Street food in India costs practically nothing: a serving of vegetarian thali (rice, stewed vegetables, lentils and flatbread) will cost 50 rupees ($0.8), and you can have a hearty lunch at a local eatery for 150 rupees ($2.3). The average bill in tourist restaurants is $3–6.

The situation with housing is similar: almost everywhere for 5–8 $ you will get a set of a bed, walls and roof, for 10–15 $ you will get a decent room with air conditioning. In Mumbai, Goa and Kerala, prices during the peak season - from December to February - increase 2-3 times. You can rent a scooter for a day for 200–250 rupees ($3–4). If you are traveling for a long time, it is better to rent a scooter for a week or a month - it will be even cheaper, about 150 rupees per day, and you will also be able to see neighboring states.

Standard route:

Delhi; Agra; a circle through the cities and villages of Rajasthan or a trip through the foothills of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand; and further - according to interests: either to Varanasi and Nepal, or to the south, to Mumbai and Goa or to Kerala. If time permits, visit Punjab (Amritsar), Kashmir and Ladakh.

Visa:

If you are entering India through Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Cochin, Hyderabad and Trivandrum airports, you can apply for your visa online.

Nepal

Daily budget for two: on a track in the mountains - about $40; in the rest of the country - $45–50.

Approximate prices:

In Nepal, you can have a hearty lunch for two at a street eatery for 400–500 rupees ($4–5). In tourist cafes prices are 2-3 times higher; lunch for two will cost closer to $15.

You can rent a double room in a cheap guesthouse with a shower and toilet on the floor for $5–8 per day. For $15–20 you can stay in a decent hotel in Kathmandu. The average cost of a small comfortable room for two in Nagarkot is from $15 per night, and in Pokhara - from $10.

Standard route:

Kathmandu and surrounding areas (Bhaktapur, Nagarkot); several days in the Chitwan Nature Reserve; Lumbini; Pokhara and mountain trekking - to Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, etc.

Visa:

A Nepalese visa can be obtained both at the Embassy in Moscow and at the airport upon arrival. Simply fill out the online form 15 days before your trip and present it at the border.

Cambodia

Daily budget for two: $70–80

Approximate prices:

You can buy a fried spider, a kilogram of mango or a bunch of bananas for $1 in Cambodia. Two servings of baked mussels with salad will cost $6. A hearty dinner with pork steak, potatoes and vegetables costs the same, and for a huge pizza for two in a regular cafe you will pay about $5. A glass of local beer in seaside bars costs $0.5, a jug will cost $2. You will spend more on spiritual food in Cambodia than on regular food: a ticket to Angkor for 1 day - $20, for 3 days - $40, for a week - $60. To rise above Angkor Wat in a yellow hot air balloon, pay $20.

A room with a double bed, air conditioning and shower in a guesthouse in the resort of Sihanoukville can be rented for $12–15 per day, and comfortable hotel rooms in Phnom Penh cost $15–20 per night. Khmers do not like to bargain; it is better to book accommodation in advance.

Standard route:

Siem Reap and Angkor temple complex; Lake Toplesap with floating villages, beaches of Sihanoukville (Ochuteal-Serendipity, Otres); Koh Rong island; Phnom Bokor National Park; Phnom Penh.

Visa:

You can obtain a visa to Cambodia immediately upon arrival or in advance via the Internet.

Sri Lanka

Daily budget for two: $60–70

Approximate prices:

Food in Sri Lanka is similar to South Indian food in both taste and prices. Roti (spring rolls) cost from 40 Sri Lankan rupees ($0.28) for a vegetarian option to 120 rupees ($0.8) for a triangle with chicken and cheese. For a bunch of bananas you will pay $0.14, for a drinking coconut - $0.25, for a kilogram of papaya - $0.42. King prawns at the Hikkaduwa market sell for $7/kg, and buy a 0.75-liter bottle of red rum for $10. Kottu (something like a shredded hamburger) costs $1.5–2 in non-tourist cafes. Two servings of seafood dinner, rice with curry, salad and beer in a restaurant will cost $7–10.

The average price for a room with hot water and a fan in a guesthouse is $14–20 per night. In party places like Mirissa and Unawatuna on the south coast, prices are higher - on New Year's Eve and until March, locals rent out housing for $28–$55 per night. Prices for double rooms in Colombo hotels start from $25, and you can spend the night in a hostel for $16. If you plan to stay in Sri Lanka for a long time, it is wiser to rent a house or apartment for $330 per month (including utilities) on the spot.

Standard route:

Colombo; Pinnawela Elephant Nursery; Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, Lion Rock in Sigiriya, other Buddhist sites in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa; tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya; national reserve in the Sinharaja forest.

Visa:

There are three ways to obtain a visa to Sri Lanka - at the Embassy in Moscow, upon arrival at the airport or online.

Cheap visa countries

Romania

Daily budget for two: $80–90

Approximate prices:

You won't find street food in the Asian sense of the term in Romania. You can have lunch in a cheap cafe or fast food for about 10–30 lei ($2.5–7). A hearty lunch in restaurants in Brasov and Sighisoara will cost $12–14. Dinner at a highly advertised establishment in Bucharest will cost 100 lei ($24).

On average across the country, a simple double room in a guesthouse or two-star hotel costs $20–30. You can rent an apartment in the heart of Bucharest for $30–40 per day; in Brasov, aim for $35–45.

Standard route:

Bucharest; Danube Delta; Mamaia and other Black Sea resorts; Peles and Bran castles (“Dracula’s castle”); medieval Brasov; Transylvanian towns of Sighisoara and Sibiu. If you travel by car, do not miss the beautiful Transfagarasan mountain road.

Visa:

Romania is a member of the European Union, but has not signed the Schengen Agreement. With a national visa you can not only travel around the country, but also go to Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus. If you already have a long-term entry permit for these countries or a multiple-entry Schengen visa, you will not need to obtain a separate visa for Romania. In other cases, you need to apply for a Romanian visa.

Hungary

Daily budget for two: $85–95

Approximate prices:

The famous Hungarian goulash costs from 950 forints ($3.3). You can have a snack for two in an inexpensive cafe for $10, and a thorough dinner in a restaurant for $28. An impressive pizza will cost $5, and a cup of coffee with a delicate cake in Hungarian csukrázdy (pastry shops) is priced at only $2.5.

Cozy apartments in the very center of Budapest on Airbnb cost from $35–45 per night; in guesthouses on the outskirts you can live in comfortable rooms for $25. Apartments near Lake Balaton will cost another $5 less.

Standard route:

Budapest with its baths; Medveotthon Bear Park in Véresegyháza; open-air ethno-museum Skansen near the town of Szentendre; ancient Székesfehérvár; Pannonhalma Abbey; Lake Balaton and 10 more ideas for short trips from Budapest.

Visa:

To enter Hungary you need a Schengen visa.

Bulgaria

Daily budget for two: $80–90

Approximate prices:

A cup of coffee in Bulgaria costs from 0.8 to 1.5 levs ($0.5–0.8), a plate of soup (pileshka - chicken or trampota - with meatballs) - about 1 $, and Shopska salad - 2-3 $ . You can have breakfast in the Sofia cafe for $10 for two. A three-course dinner with drinks in a good metropolitan restaurant will cost about $20–22.

A double room in guesthouses in the city center costs from $16 per night. For $18 you can rent a room with a shower, air conditioning and a refrigerator in Kosharitsa and Ravda. A studio room in a three-star apart-hotel in the Sunny Beach resort costs about $26. Through Airbnb you can rent an excellent apartment by the sea with a pool in the yard for $25–35.

Standard route:

The most striking places in Bulgaria: Sofia and Mount Vitosha; Koprivshtitsa; Plovdiv and Perperikon; Valley of Roses; Rila Monastery and the Seven Lakes; Nessebar; tiny Melnik; beaches of Sunny Beach.

Visa:

Bulgaria is not part of the Schengen zone, but you can enter this country with a double or multiple-entry Schengen visa. You can also visit Bulgaria if your passport contains valid multiple-entry visas from Romania, Croatia or Cyprus. In other cases, you need to obtain a Bulgarian visa.

Rest is necessary for all people, without exception, but, unfortunately, not everyone can afford expensive resorts. If you want to relax, but there is no opportunity to visit premium places, you should pay attention to cheaper vacation options.

Greece is a country with an amazing history. This Republic is famous for its warm climate and clean beaches. Even despite the economic crisis, tourists did not stop vacationing.

Inexpensive resorts in Greece:

1. Kos. One of the most popular islands in Greece. It attracts tourists with its unique attractions: the plane tree of Hippocrates, the Knight's Castle and Polemi Beach.
2. Jos. The Greek island of Ios is located in the south of the Aegean Sea. There are magnificent sandy beaches here. You can relax on the island both in summer and winter, because the swimming season at this resort is year-round. In summer, the air temperature reaches 30 degrees Celsius, and in winter it does not drop below +23 degrees. Ios has a large number of vineyards, fields planted with olive trees and many other plants that mesmerize with their beauty.
3. Crete is the largest island in Greece. The main advantage of this island is that it is washed by 3 seas at once: Cretan, Libyan and Ionian. The most famous sights of Crete are: the Samaria Gorge, the Palace of Knossos and the ancient city of Gortyna.

On average, a trip to the above resorts for 10 days will cost from 300 USD per person. Prices in local restaurants are also considered very low compared to other resorts in Europe.

Prices for meals in local restaurants (indicated in EUR):

1. Greek salad – 4.
2. Vegetable stew – 8.
3. Moussaka – 4.
4. Pastitsio – 6.
5. Grilled carp – 7.
6. Grilled mussels – 6.

For an entrance ticket to the museum you will have to pay from 5 EUR, and scuba diving costs from 40 EUR.

Table: food prices in Greece

Holidays in Turkey

Türkiye is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Russians can visit this country without first obtaining a visa at the embassy. . This permit allows you to stay in Turkey for 60 days.

The cheapest resort in Turkey is Alanya.

It is famous for its quiet bays and mirror-clear waters in the sea. The city is located at the foot of the Taurus Mountains. The resort is characterized by an abundance of green spaces, Special attention attracted by palm trees.

Alanya has many historical attractions, the main place among which, according to tourists, is Incekum. According to legend, this place was the favorite refuge of the great Egyptian Empress Cleopatra.

One of the disadvantages of this resort is that it takes a very long time to get from the airport to the city.

On average, for 7 days of vacation you will have to pay about 350 USD.

Cheap resorts in Turkey:

1. Antalya is a resort on the Mediterranean Sea. This city has a well-developed infrastructure; all conditions for a comfortable stay are created for guests.
2. Side is a city on the Mediterranean coast of Antalya. Side attracts tourists due to its large number of historical attractions.
3. Fethiye. The resort always has a comfortable climate. Thanks to the high mountains, the city rarely experiences strong winds. In winter, the temperature does not drop below 14 degrees Celsius. This resort is perfect for those who do not like extreme heat. The average air temperature in Fethiye in summer is +25 degrees Celsius. The beach season here opens in May and lasts until October. The resort is rich in attractions: the Knight's Castle, the ancient ancient theater, the Lycian Tombs and the Historical Museum.

For a holiday in Turkey, it is better to take US dollars with you. Turkey has very inexpensive prices for food in restaurants and cafes. So, for example, lunch for 1 person will cost about 4 USD, and for dinner you will have to pay from 20 USD. In a fast food cafe, lunch or dinner costs no more than 6 USD.

Food prices at the above resorts in the Republic of Turkey (prices are in USD):

1. Milk – 0.80.
2. Bread – 0.50.
3. Chicken fillet – 4.20.
4. Tomatoes – 1.
5. Potatoes – 0.65.
6. Apples – 1.
7. Oranges – 0.65.

For a trip on public transport you will have to pay at least 0.70 USD, and a liter of gasoline costs 1.60 USD. You can rent a car in Turkey from 47 USD per day.

Cost of entertainment in inexpensive resorts in Turkey:

1. Yacht trip – from 20 USD.
2. Safari – from 21 USD.
3. Visit Turkish bath– from 20 USD.
4. Quad biking – from 42 USD.
5. Visit to the dolphinarium – from 35 USD.

In this video you can see what prices are in Istanbul.

Holidays in Spain

Cheap resorts in Spain:

1. Costa Brava is an amazing place that combines beautiful nature, high service and a large number of historical attractions. Particularly impressive is the medieval fortress called “Vila Vella”.
   The average air temperature in this paradise in summer ranges from 18 to 28 degrees Celsius. The Mediterranean Sea warms up to 23 degrees Celsius in the summer months. There is a lot of entertainment on the Costa Brava. In addition to swimming in the sea, tourists are invited to visit the marine zoo called “Marineland” and a huge water amusement park.
2. Costa Dorada. The name of this resort literally translates as “Gold Coast”. It received this name thanks to its endless golden beaches. Every year this resort attracts thousands of tourists due to its unique nature. The Costa Dorada has an interesting nature reserve, which contains unique and rare plants.

Resorts in Spain are very popular due to the national cuisine of this country. In the Kingdom of Spain, such dishes as paella (rice dish with seafood), gazpacho (cold tomato soup) and tortilla (Spanish omelette) are in demand among holidaymakers.

Prices at cheap resorts in Spain cannot be called too low. So, you can have lunch at a local cafe for 12 EUR, and for dinner you will have to pay from 20 EUR.

Food prices are also reasonable. The bulk of vacationers' budget goes to renting housing or renting a hotel during their vacation. In Spain it is very expensive to stay in hotels, but in some cities and resorts in this country hotel services are quite inexpensive.

Table: average cost of living in hotels in different cities of Spain

In these videos you can see the prices of food in Mallorca and Barcelona in cafes and large supermarkets.

Inexpensive resorts in Bulgaria:

1. Tsarevo.
2. Sozopol.
3. Nessebar.
4. Balchik.

Nessebar is the most expensive Bulgarian resort of the above. Nessebar is one of the oldest cities in Europe. This city is suitable for holidays in the summer and spring. The holiday season here opens in May and lasts until October. It is not recommended to visit the city in winter. Although the city is warm in summer, winter is accompanied by heavy snowfalls and strong cold winds.

Tsarevo is a quiet and very calm resort. It is most suitable for families with children. Elderly people love to visit this village.

On average, a trip to Bulgaria for a week will cost 280 USD. According to reviews from tourists, 100 USD per person is enough for a week, so Bulgaria can be called one of the cheapest resorts in the world.

The cost of the excursion varies from 50 to 70 USD.

Cost of food in resort towns of Bulgaria (indicated in rubles):

1. Soft cheese – from 350.
2. Cottage cheese – from 70.
3. Drinking yoghurt – from 90.
4. Ayran – from 30.
5. Milk – from 30.
6. Butter – from 300 per kilogram.
7. Pork meat – from 260.
8. Bacon – from 320.
9. Chicken eggs - from 60 for 10 pieces.
10. Sugar – from 45.
11. Cucumbers – from 50.
12. Tomatoes – from 60.
13. Apples – from 50.

Doc Let Beach (Zoklet) Nha Trang

Nha Trang has many beautiful beaches and bays. On the beaches you can rent sun loungers and sun loungers for $25 per day. It is better to go to Nha Trang on vacation in winter, namely in early January. In summer, the rainy season begins here, which ends only closer to October.

In winter, the sea water temperature ranges from 22 to 28 degrees Celsius.

Attractions:

You can have lunch in an inexpensive restaurant in Nha Trang for 2.30 USD, and lunch in a more prestigious food establishment will cost over 13 USD. Lunch at a McDonald's fast food restaurant costs from 4 USD. A cup of cappuccino will cost a tourist from 1.10 USD, and a bottle of water from 0.20 USD.

Particularly popular among the above resorts in 2020 is island of Sicily. It hosts various festivals all year round, which will be a real discovery for tourists and will allow them to look at the country with different eyes.

The warmest month in Sicily is August. The air temperature does not drop below 33 degrees, and the water stays at 30–31 degrees Celsius. But if a person does not like such heat, then it is better to go on vacation to Sicily in early October.

Food prices on the island are very high. So, for example, you can buy a kilogram of pears for 0.80 EUR, and a head of cauliflower costs from 1 EUR. A liter of milk can be bought for 1.70 EUR, and a kilogram of Parmesan cheese costs from 10 EUR. The price for peaches is from 2.5 EUR, and a watermelon can be purchased for 0.80 EUR.

Lunch at a restaurant will cost from 10 to 15 EUR per person. When coming to Sicily on vacation, it is better not to stay in hotels, but to rent a house by the sea or rent an apartment. It will work out much cheaper. So, for example, renting a villa will cost a maximum of 350 EUR per week, while a night in a hotel will cost from 40 EUR.

Italian is also considered popular, but very inexpensive. Capri resort. Daytime temperatures in summer rarely rise above 20 degrees Celsius, and the nights in Capri are very cool, which encourages night walking.

If a person wants to relax in the open spaces, then it is better to go to Albufeira. This is a small town that fascinates with its picturesqueness. The best time to visit this Portuguese city is in the summer, when the air temperature of the Atlantic Ocean warms up to 23 degrees Celsius.

This vacation spot is very welcome by windsurfers due to the presence of constant waves.

Albufeira is a city with unique architectural buildings made in the Moorish style. Tourists are recommended to visit a park called “Zoomarine”. This park combines a zoo, a dolphinarium and a various amusement park.