Summer is invariably associated with vacation, sea, beach and fresh fruit. Where to go if you’re on a limited budget? We’ve selected several options for you where you don’t need to spend money on a visa, and where food and housing don’t cost exorbitant prices.
Albania
From April 1, 2019, Albania abolished the visa regime for Russians. All summer and half of autumn until October 31, you do not need to fill out any additional documents to enter the country.
There is a stereotype that Albania is a Muslim country. In fact, there are several times more Catholic churches in the country than mosques. The Albanians themselves are nice and welcoming, the vast majority speak fluent English. The unique authentic culture makes this place truly unique. There are stunning mountains, two seas (Ionian and Adriatic with pebble and sandy beaches) and beautiful lakes.
The coast where most of the seaside resorts are located, the most popular of which are Himara, Borsh, Saranda, Ksamili, Dhermi, is called the Albanian Riviera. It is a 240 km long coastline located just opposite the Italian region of Puglia. By the way, if you have a multiple-entry Schengen visa, you can take a ferry to Italy – the two countries are separated by the Strait of Otranto, 75 km wide.
Montenegro
Last summer, 29 beaches in Montenegro were awarded the Blue Flag, an international award for clean water and safety.
The cost of a holiday in Montenegro depends on the place chosen for accommodation. The highest prices are in Kotor, Becici, Rafailovici, Przno and Milocer. In Tivat and Herceg Novi, prices for food and accommodation are noticeably lower.
Locals love to relax in Tivat; there are few tourists here. One of the most beautiful places in the vicinity of the city is the Island of Flowers, not far from the medieval monastery. Hiking enthusiasts can see the traditional Montenegrin fishing villages of Nizhnyaya Lastva and Verkhnaya Lastva within 5 km from the city.
Herceg Novi is located on the hills of the picturesque Bay of Kotor. Walking around the city can be compared to walking through a botanical garden. A long time ago, sailors began to bring plants from different countries to the city, so now Herceg Novi is literally buried in all kinds of flowers, huge cacti, banana palms and other exotic plants grow here.
Georgia
Progressive Georgia last year ditched plastic bags and elected its country’s first female president. Here you are welcome wherever you go. In the capital of Georgia, even with a small budget, you can easily feel like the king of life. For example, in the center of the old city, in a cafe with the inscription “I love Tbilisi,” you can order a portion of khinkali for 100 rubles and a bottle of the famous Borjomi mineral water and enjoy your meal with a view of the old city, the Kura River and the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
The city seems to have been created to be photographed. After taking another photo, don’t rush to put your phone in your pocket; with a 100% probability, another retro or architectural masterpiece will be waiting for you around the next corner. Among other things, prices in Georgia for group excursions to the main attractions of the country are encouraging. You can go to the Gergeti Trinity Church along the picturesque Georgian Military Road and to the Alazani Valley for an amount of around 2000 rubles.
Turkey
Of course, the easiest and most affordable way to relax in Turkey is to go to the all inclusive, which has generated many jokes and stories. Even in high season, hotels offer tours with discounts of up to 50%. It is better to purchase a tour two weeks before the trip in order to have time to catch a good price. On the OneTwoTrip website, some tours are available in installments.
Popular Turkish resort towns in the summer turn into a continuous holiday with a lot of entertainment. A large number of affordable accommodation options and free entertainment can be found in Alanya, Marmaris and Bodrum. The most expensive resorts are Fethiye, Side, Kemer and Belek.
Russia and Abkhazia
For those who like their holidays to be noisy and fun, Sochi is the place to be. There is an opinion that Sochi is expensive. But in fact, prices for food and groceries here are the same as in most Russian cities, the main thing is to know the places. In other words, it’s the same life as in your city, but you’ll have to pay separately for housing. Ask the hotel reception to recommend places where the food is tasty and inexpensive. In addition to large hotels, throughout the coastal area, local residents rent out many guesthouses at affordable prices.
For those who don’t like to be surrounded by crowds of tourists on vacation, we advise you to go to Abkhazia. A big plus is that you can enter the country using an internal Russian passport. The nature in Abkhazia is just as beautiful, but the prices are lower. For vacation, choose cities located close to the Russian border – their infrastructure is better developed there. Take the time to visit Lake Ritsa, surrounded by mountain peaks, the huge New Athos cave, the mesmerizing Geg waterfall, the picturesque New Athos monastery on the top of the mountain, climb where you can along the path of sinners, and a trout farm.
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