Summer is a wonderful season to finally give free rein to your desires and dreams and go on a long-awaited vacation.
Although, however, any season opens the doors for a full-fledged rest. Colleagues come back every now and then tanned and rested, showing colorful photos, sharing funny stories. And you sit in the office and think about where to go on a limited budget so as not to lag behind inspired colleagues. The most important postulates of any rest: get a good night's sleep, devote time to a hobby, change the environment, not keep track of time and, of course, gain new emotions and impressions.
1. Short trips
If your vacation is short and you are too tired to spend energy on active flights and crossings, you can go on a vacation "on the local area". We highly recommend visiting Ufa, and from there it is only a 7-hour drive - and you are already in Kazan, where you can see the local Kremlin, the famous Annunciation Cathedral and mosques. And 10 hours of travel will bring you to Yekaterinburg with its famous sculptures of famous people, beautiful architecture.
2. Everything is open for research
The Golden Ring of Russia – Kostroma, Rostov, Sergiev Posad, Vladimir and other beautiful cities. Arrange an educational tour, not staying in each city for more than 2-3 days, to cover more amazing places.
3. Advanced training or retraining
There are people who really enjoy working, but their soul and body are asking for new experiences. It is possible to perfectly combine business with pleasure. Workaholics can enroll in courses that allow them to acquire new skills or knowledge, retrain for another profile, improve their qualifications, etc. They are often held in various cities around the country, and some seminars are even held abroad, which will allow you to relax with benefit for your career. Some trainings and business seminars involve active games, various quests and difficult tasks that will help you to unite with a new team, make useful contacts and friends, and also share a lot of impressions.
4. Natural attractions of Russia
Mother Russia is rich in natural landscapes and reserves. Believe me, having left the usual metropolis, you will be able to plunge into a completely different world of mystery and tranquility of nature. For travel, we recommend the Altai Mountains, the mineral waters of Pyatigorsk, Lake Baikal, wild and beautiful Karelia, the famous Weathering Pillars, the Curonian Spit. Everyone should visit Baikal, as the nature of the area is a UNESCO heritage site. Beautiful blue water, amazing flora and fauna - a real nirvana for a soul tired of the bustle of work
5. Relax at home
Some might think that there is nothing worse than spending a vacation at home, without changing either the decor or the atmosphere. Of course, we are not encouraging you to do housework, do a general cleaning or visit your neighbors. You can simply have a good vacation without leaving the city. Come up with an intensive program for each day, for example, look at city events (exhibitions, fairs, concerts). You can visit local museums, terrariums, wax houses, theaters, enjoy the city architecture, explore areas you have never walked in before. It's time to visit a new restaurant or buy a ticket to a circus that has just arrived. After all, in the city park you can read a desired book that you have not had time to read for a long time.
6. Beach holidays in Russia
Russia can offer not only cultural recreation in historical places, but also active beach tourism. The resorts of the Azov, Baltic and Black Seas, Krasnodar Krai attract tourists from all corners of the former USSR. Vacations are affordable financially, and can also be filled with a variety of excursions and entertainment. The best beaches, surrounded by natural landscapes, are best seen in Crimea (Feodosia, Evpatoria and other cities of the South Coast of Crimea) and the Caucasus. Lake Seliger, the village of Nebug, the famous Sochi, Yeysk, Anapa and Gelendzhik are also considered a resort area.
7. Go on holiday to Bashkiria
Who would have thought that in this country you can fully relax and gain impressions, but "little Switzerland" really does contain unique places, such as the Kapova cave, lakes (Kandrykul, Aslykul, Talkas), the Zilim river, the Nugush reservoir. Everyone advises to definitely visit the Akhunovskie menhirs, which will completely replace the expensive and tiring trip to the English Stonehenge.
8. Visa-free European countries
Small European states that have opened a visa-free regime for residents of the post-Soviet space are becoming increasingly popular. These include Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and amazing Serbia. Unique natural landscapes, mountains and seas, winding rivers, and at the same time European level of service. Prices for tours to these countries are quite reasonable, which makes it possible to visit various historical sites and excursions. The language barrier in these countries is minimal - many know Russian and English well. A comfortable climate for relaxation and a warm attitude towards guests will allow you to have a great rest, especially since the tireless flight from Moscow takes only 2.5-3 hours.
9. Traveling through one of the countries of the former USSR
If you have already traveled all over Russia and want to change the scenery, then other CIS and post-Soviet countries are also open to you. Moreover, prices there are not so dependent on foreign currency fluctuations. We suggest you go to Abkhazia, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan or Azerbaijan. You can travel to most countries only with a Russian passport, and some require a foreign passport, but without the need to obtain a visa. Try the unique national cuisine, admire the mountainous terrain and simply unwind in an unfamiliar country.
10. Treat yourself to a holiday in your own “Prostokvashino”
It is not necessary to go to the dacha to sow, water and harvest. Of course, a little physical activity will strengthen your muscle corset and will benefit your body, but do not overdo it. Go out of town just to breathe in the clean air, permeated with the aromas of hay or herbs. Arrange a series of kebabs and other preparations on the fire. Collect medicinal herbs to add to aromatic tea in the winter, go on a productive fishing trip, dry mushrooms for future use, swim in a river or reservoir. And the opportunity to eat fresh vegetables, fruits and berries from the garden will help the body restore metabolism, replenish vitamin deficiency and return a healthy glow.
11. Resorts of Turkey and Egypt. The famous "all inclusive" has been attracting our tourists for many years
It is very convenient when you can go to the azure shores and well-kept beaches without any visa, drink refreshing smoothies and fill your belly with local dishes. At the same time, these resorts are rich in truly unique attractions, such as Pamukkale, the Sphinx, the pyramids of Tunisia, etc. Travel agencies now and then throw out last-minute tours that allow you to have an affordable vacation. Chocolate tan and complete nirvana make vacations in hot countries popular at all times. Wherever you decide to vacation, remember that a carefully planned program is the key to success. Make a list of events and excursions that you would like to visit in advance, and try not to deviate from the planned plan in order to capture the maximum of positive impressions.
12. Georgia – a wine revival at the foot of the Caucasus
Georgia has all the hallmarks of a new great wine country: an ancient winemaking tradition, hundreds of local grape varieties and stunning landscapes. Now it is easier to taste Georgian wines: wine bars have opened in Tbilisi (Konka, Vino Underground), and in Kakheti there is a wine road, where wineries (Pheasant's Tears, Iago's Winery, Winery Khareba) offer traditional and modern Georgian cuisine. In 2015, four major events will be dedicated to wine: the Young Wine Festival, Wine City Tbilisi on Tbilisoba, Telavino and the Tbilisi Cheese Festival.
13. Yellowstone National Park, USA. New cabins in the oldest national park
The first national park in the United States has begun a program to renovate its main visitor lodge complexes, the Canyon Lodge and Cabins. The investment is $70 million, and the number of rooms will exceed 500. Near the Grand Canyon, through which the Yellowstone River flows, five large lodges have already been built to replace the old cabins, three of which will open this spring. New hiking and biking trails are being laid, which will connect the cottage village with the one-lane park road North Rim Drive. If you manage to visit Yellowstone this winter, before the new lodges and trails open, you will find a snow-covered preserve untouched by human hands. The non-profit Yellowstone Association offers three-day ski or hiking tours, and for the first time since 2003, the administration has begun issuing licenses for independent visits to the park on a snowmobile.
14. Elqui Valley, Chile Enjoy the starry skies in northern Chile before it's too late
Chile's desert north has long been known as one of the best places on Earth to admire the starry sky. It is no coincidence that astronomical laboratories have placed some of the largest telescopes in this highland with a dry climate and crystal clear skies. Recently, the view of the starry sky and the earthly beauty of the Elqui Valley have begun to attract tourists. This valley, which is conveniently accessible from the city of Santiago, is 150 km long, full of gardens, vineyards, distilleries and colonial towns, located on the southern border of the Atacama Desert. About a dozen small observatories invite stargazers, and family hotels have special rooms - semi-circular (for guests with their own telescopes) or with transparent ceilings and telescopes. But do not postpone the trip: new tourist infrastructure is already beginning to eclipse the magnificent starry sky of Elqui.
15. Singapore - A Year-Long Birthday
In 2015, Singapore celebrates 50 years of independence. The small but strong city-state spares no time, effort or money. The celebrations began on the eve of the European New Year in Marina Bay with a giant fireworks display accompanied by loud music. In February, the traditionally noisy and cheerful Chingay parade will take place, where thousands of colorfully dressed artists celebrate the Chinese New Year. In the autumn, the public will see the opening of the 8-kilometer exhibition of monumental art, Jubilee Walk, and the luxurious buildings of the former Supreme Court and City Hall will host the Singapore National Gallery, which will present one of the world's largest collections of Southeast Asian art. A colorful event will be the parade in honor of Independence Day at the place where it was declared in August 1965.
16. Durban is the third city in the country, not inferior to the capital
Everyone loves Durban: the charm of its historic promenade and its mild climate all year round cannot be denied. However, residents of Cape Town and Johannesburg like to tease Durban, calling it simple; oh well. Durban is trying to outshine both cities in terms of creativity. The beginning is the restoration of Rivertown: a city within a city, with a market and a large beer garden, and soon there will be many boutiques with successful local brands, such as Dirty Indigo T-shirts and Spine menswear. Everyone’s favorite but old promenade is actively being restored, in large part thanks to the efforts of new restaurants such as Afro’s Chicken, California Dreaming and Surf Rider’s Cafe. Where to start? Try the “calling card” of local cuisine – a loaf of curry, invented in Durban by immigrants from India (Durban has one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world) – and go on a city tour.
17. Milan, Italy: A renewed city welcomes you
Of course, Italy has many romantic cities: Florence, Venice and Rome, but the most dynamic is probably Milan. This year, there is a good opportunity to appreciate its charm: the 2015 World Expo will be held here. The exhibition, which will last from May to October, will feature more than 130 countries and organizations in more than 60 pavilions. 20 million visitors are expected. The main theme is food and its best practices (which is natural for a country with such culinary traditions). The central places of the exhibition will be the Future Food District, presenting the latest technologies that allow improving the system of production and distribution of food products on a global scale, and the Lake Arena, the “crown jewel” of the exhibition, with a mirror lake and a fountain drawing water from the canals of Milan. The exhibition will see the completion of a number of urban renewal projects designed to breathe new life into semi-abandoned areas such as La Darsena: the long-neglected riverside area has been given shady alleys, bike paths and cosy courtyards. Historical landmarks have not been overlooked either: Milan Cathedral is sparkling clean, and the charming Navigli quarter has restored canals.
Milan's restaurants are gaining popularity thanks to an increasing focus on Italy's regional cuisines, of which there is a truly vast variety. In Milan, you can try everything from Genoese farinata and the famous pesto (U Barba) to traditional Neapolitan pizza (Lievito Madre al Duomo, a subsidiary of the famous pizzeria Gino Sorbillo, opened in Milan last fall). In 2015, new luxury hotels such as the Mandarin Oriental Milan will open their doors, adding to the picture of a stylish city that seems to have it all.
18. Faroe Islands: The latest Nordic cuisine at the edge of the world
The Faroe Islands, an autonomous region of Denmark in the North Atlantic, have become one of the world’s centres of innovative cuisine in the last five years – and the most remote from the mainland. The tone is set by Koks, one of the initiators of the New Nordic Cuisine Manifesto, which places an emphasis on modern cooking using fresh, seasonal, local produce. Along with it, Aarstova, a French chain, also uses Faroese produce; its new fish restaurant in 2015 will serve not just cod, but the famous Faroese cod of the early catch. In addition to fish restaurants, the islands also have the innovative sushi bar Etika and the popular Okkara brewery. Fans of exotic cuisine travel to the Faroe Islands to try local cheeses and raest – a Faroese delicacy made from fermented lamb. The Faroe Islands are at the edge of the world, but they are easily accessible by plane from Copenhagen or Reykjavik.
19. Macedonia - a new star in the Balkan constellation
Croatia was the first Balkan country to revive its tourism industry, then Montenegro, and even Albania is trying to attract travelers to the west of the region. Macedonia is next. It is known for its gloomy monasteries and sparkling Lake Ohrid. But it is not only beautiful scenery: Macedonia used to produce most of the wine in Yugoslavia, and now the local winemaking traditions have finally been revived on the Šar Planina mountain range, which is very similar to the Alps. Wine is served in snack bars and small hotels with traditional soups and pastries, the main one being pastermalia, an open meat pie. Hotels with history, such as the Hotel Montana Palace in the “cheese” region of Krushevo in the southwest of the country, offer modern comfortable rooms at low prices, as elsewhere in the Balkans. Incidentally, Macedonia is one of the few countries without a McDonald's - since 2013.
20. Medellin, Colombia: A Renewed City with Innovative Architecture and Design
In recent years, Medellin’s highly successful urban renewal has attracted the attention of professionals and amateurs alike. Many of the city’s slums have become masterpieces of urban architecture: the Spanish Library, a state-of-the-art public park library, has been installed in the notorious suburb of San Domingo. The Metrocables funiculars and half-kilometer outdoor escalators that connect the poor highlands with the city center have received worldwide acclaim as a new form of urban transportation. Schools and parks have been built throughout the city. A major expansion project for the Museum of Contemporary Art, located in a former steel mill in the booming suburb of Ciudad del Rio, is scheduled to be completed in 2015.
21. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
In 2015, the capital of the archipelago of 32 Lesser Antilles, located in the Caribbean Sea between St. Lucia and Grenada, will open an international airport - the largest construction project in the history of the country, costing 240 million dollars. Now you can fly to the islands without a stopover from North America and Europe. People usually come here for diving: there are many reefs on the islands. The private resort Petit St. Vincent recently opened a new diving center under the direction of Jean-Michel Cousteau, who is going to fight for the creation of a marine reserve near the resort. The Palm Island Resort successfully combines the tranquility that tourists come for with entertainment: “silent movie nights” have recently begun (visitors can watch a movie on a big screen on the beach using wireless headphones) and a similarly organized Silent Disco is held monthly.
22. Zimbabwe. Always beautiful - now safe too
Zimbabwe’s natural beauty and abundance were hidden from tourists for decades by political unrest and economic collapse. Now it has a stable government, hyperinflation is a thing of the past and prices are low. An international terminal at the country’s main airport is set to open in July, making it easier to get to, and new tourist routes will take in a wealth of natural and architectural beauty. These include the stunning Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River, the granite Matobo Hills (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and charming colonial cities like the capital, Harare. But perhaps most interesting of all is the abundant wildlife. You can spot hippos and lions on water safaris, such as from the new luxury boat Matusadona.
23. The alluring desert coast of the Northern coast of Peru
Peru is not just about the must-see Cusco: the hitherto unknown northern coast awaits tourists. It is worth visiting the province of Trujillo for archaeological sites such as the ancient adobe city of Chan Chan and the Moche pyramids of Sipan and El Brujo, where museums were opened a few years ago. The nearby Hotel Libertador, housed in a Spanish colonial mansion, has recently undergone an extensive restoration. Further north, near the large city of Chiclayo, is the Chaparri Natural Park, home to the rarest species of Peruvian bears, which are in danger of extinction. This year, it may attract attention with the release of the film Paddington, about a bear cub who comes to England from “the deepest part of Peru.” If you want to enjoy nature during the day and go shopping at night, the Inkaterra chain of eco-hotels is trying to help. It recently opened a six-room resort, KiCHIC, in the quiet surfing village of Mancora. The company is building infrastructure for local tourism projects, such as sport fishing and whale watching in nearby Cabo Blanco, where Ernest Hemingway loved to fish. Plans call for a marina and a hotel.
24. Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA. A century-old 24-hour ski resort.
This winter marks the 100th anniversary of Colorado’s oldest continuously operating ski resort. In late 1914, Norwegian stonemason Carl Howelsen cleared trees and brush from a steep slope near the town of Steamboat Springs, starting the Howelsen Hill Ski Area. Today, the area boasts a 455-foot slope, a two-seater chairlift, and three lifts. Howelsen Hill is a far cry from its neighboring, largest ski resort, Steamboat, which has a 4,200-foot slope and 16 lifts, and recently added 24-hour skiing and summer bike trails. But size is not everything: Over Howelsen Hill’s 100-year history, its slopes have produced at least 88 Olympic champions. Be sure to check out the Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival in February, where the resort’s centennial celebration will feature parades, ski shows, and snowmobiling.
25. Oman: Mysterious Sultanate Now Open to Tourists
The nature of Oman is not at all like the deserts of the bordering United Arab Emirates: instead of skyscrapers there are mountain peaks, the picturesque coastline is created by nature, not man, and if Dubai and Abu Dhabi are in constant bustle, then silence reigns in the numerous gorges of Oman. But the idyll may soon end: Oman has begun a hotel boom comparable to Dubai. Radisson Blu is building a hotel in the ancient port city of Sohar in the north of the country. It is reported that the Four Seasons, W, Kempinski, Fairmont and Aman chains are also planning to enter the Omani market.
26. South Coast Australia: Art, Cuisine and Vibes of Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital of South Australia, with famous vineyards and beaches nearby. But the city itself is worth exploring, mainly for its vibrant arts scene. In 2015, Adelaide will host a number of festivals: the Adelaide Festival, WOMADelaide, SALA and the Adelaide Film Festival Biennial. Adelaide is also famous for its excellent food scene, with everything from popular eateries (Fork on the Road) to chic restaurants (Hill of Grace, on the roof of the recently refurbished and very picturesque Adelaide Oval). Delicious local delicacies can be found at South Australia’s first organic market. The redeveloped West End is home to quirky restaurant Sean’s Kitchen, stylish bars (Maybe Mae) and cafes (La Moka). Samstag Museum, design studio JamFactory, the Art Gallery of South Australia and private galleries host Art After Dark and First Fridays, which are open all night with live music, artists and films. The cultural scene doesn’t stop at the galleries: the city’s art hotel The Watson opens in February.
