If you don’t yet know where you will spend the January holidays, why not change the scenery and go on a spontaneous trip? We have selected 10 countries where you can still get tickets in time: Asia, tropical islands, the Middle East , Caucasus and Europe.
Armenia
For the New Year, many people want comfort and home warmth. This is exactly what you need to come to hospitable Armenia: there is delicious cuisine, fabulous landscapes, cities and villages rich in history. It’s cool outside, about -2 °C, but if you dress warmly and take a mug of hot coffee in your hands, it will be quite comfortable .
An obligatory part of the program is a tour of winter Yerevan. Swan Lake (you can ice skate there), Winter Park, Yerevan Cascade, Charles Aznavour Square, numerous museums and the streets themselves as a separate attraction. The city will be able to surprise you with its colors, contrasts, atmosphere and mood. If you wish, you can get to the legendary Lake Sevan. You will spend about an hour on the road from the capital.
People in Armenia love the New Year and celebrate it with pleasure. Here they bake special holiday bread tarehats, Asilik and Vasilik cookies, and fir trees are decorated with white doves, garlands and fruits. A large decorated Christmas tree and a clock counting down are installed on the main square of the capital. The space around is transformed with the help of lights and garlands and they wait for Dzmer Pap to appear. By the way, he lives very close, in Armenian Lapland. This is the name of the Christmas town where the local Santa Claus greets guests every year.
Belarus
If you want a classic New Year with snow, Christmas trees and holiday fairs, go to Belarus. You won’t be bored, but it’s better to study the routes in advance. A 30-meter-tall spruce tree and many thematic structures including a fairy-tale town have already been installed on the main square of Minsk, and a spectacular show and fireworks are promised on the night of December 31 to January 1.
A Christmas market, knightly tournaments and a gastronomic festival will be held near the Sports Palace. The Minsk Children’s Railway invites guests to the performance “Visiting Santa Claus”. There is an observation deck on Freedom Square, come here for views and beautiful photographs. You should definitely include in your plan an excursion to the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. It is here that the estate of Father Frost is located on an area of 15 hectares.
50 km from the city there is a park-museum of interactive history “Grand Duchy of Sula”. During the holidays, they talk here not only about the main milestones of Belarusian history, but also about the traditions of celebrating the New Year and Christmas. They also offer participation in a variety of thematic activities.
Egypt
One of the most beloved and accessible beach resorts at the moment. December is not the highest season here; the air warms up to +25 °C, and the water in the sea reaches +21–22 °C. For some, this is a completely comfortable temperature, but for others, swimming pools with warm water will be their salvation.
The most favorite locations among Russians are Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. But it is in December that preference should be given to the second resort; it is warmer and less windy here. There is a lot of entertainment in the hotel areas. You can go diving, surfing, ride ATVs and camels, buy souvenirs at atmospheric local bazaars and sunbathe on the beach.
The absence of sweltering heat is an excellent opportunity to get to know the country better and get out to Cairo. The capital (besides the pyramids and sphinxes) has a lot of interesting things to see. You can visit the Egyptian Museum, take a walk in the green Al-Azhar Park, see the Abdin Palace built especially for the royal family and look into the papyrus museum.
On the banks of the Nile is the Persian fort of Babylon, founded in the 6th century BC. e. But even if you don’t get to him, meeting Neil is already a vivid impression. A visit to the authentic local Khan el-Khalili market will create a completely immersive effect.
On the New Year itself, almost every hotel organizes bright entertainment programs with treats and animation especially for tourists.
India
A great opportunity to break away from the usual traditions and do everything differently. Completely change the scenery, dress up a palm tree and celebrate 2023, for example, on the beach.
Heavy showers begin in November, but by December they usually calm down. Beach lovers will have a good time in Goa. The water temperature here at this time is about +28 °C, the waves are small. You can endlessly enjoy the beach and the surrounding nature, immerse yourself in the local culture, dine in local cafes (tasty and inexpensive), buy souvenirs at the market, find an Ayurveda master.
If you want peace and greater comfort, you should choose hotels in the south. North Goa is more popular among tourists: accommodation here is simpler and prices are lower. On an excursion you can go to the abandoned city of Hampi, see ancient local temples, visit nature reserves and Anshi National Park, be sure to photograph the Arvalem waterfall and visit the cave of the same name.
If you want a more varied experience, stay in Mumbai. The financial capital of India is both the largest modern metropolis and the custodian of ancient English architectural monuments. But the beaches in the city are unsuitable for swimming: there is a lot of garbage. For this purpose, it is better to go to the nearest villages.
Thailand
Now this country is the most accessible destination for Russian tourists in Southeast Asia. December is the high season in Thailand, the air temperature rises to +30 °C, and the sea warms up to +28 °C. All the plants are in bloom and the markets are full of juicy ripe exotic fruits at very low prices.
Phangan, Koh Chang and Phuket are ideal for a relaxed beach holiday, and if you are going to Thailand for active nightlife, choose Pattaya. There are many bars and restaurants here, and from December 25th there is a holiday fair on Beach Road.
It is better to celebrate the New Year itself in a larger city. On the night of January 1, dragons (not scary) roam the streets, houses and trees are decorated with lights, and colorful fireworks are launched into the sky.
Cuba
The weather in December is the most suitable for travel: warm and without rain. The air temperature reaches +28 °C, the Caribbean Sea warms up to +25 °C.
Here you can enjoy a beach holiday or engage in water sports, learn more about the history of the island of liberty on excursions, or simply wander around Havana, every nook and cranny of which is an excellent location for a photo shoot.
Be sure to go to the village of Santa Cruz del Norte, where the legendary Havana Club rum is produced, and visit the Guanaacabibes National Park. And if you are staying in Havana, dedicate one of your days to a walk through the historical center. There is a special rhythm and atmosphere that you can only feel. Diving lovers will love Varadero and Santa Lucia.
If your priority is more active entertainment with music and dancing, then go to Santiago de Cuba. You can relax and rest your soul and body on the island of Cayo Coco, located on the territory of the reserve.
The New Year in Cuba is loved and celebrated on a grand scale, raising glasses with the favorite cocktail “Cuba Libre” to the chime of the clock. And January 1 is celebrated here as Victory Day of the Revolution. This is a large-scale event with colorful processions, parades and fireworks.
UAE
For a hot and sunny holiday, you can go to popular Dubai or choose more economical Ajman and Sharjah. The bay is equally good everywhere, but in terms of leisure, these two emirates are somewhat inferior. They are usually preferred by connoisseurs of a more relaxing holiday.
In December in the UAE there is no longer such heat (+25..+26 °C), so you can not only linger on the beach, but also choose an excursion to your liking: visit the desert or go on a boat trip along Persian Gulf. Shopping lovers know that at this time the Dubai Festival City Mall hosts a shopping festival with very large discounts (up to 70%) on your favorite brands.
The country treats Christmas calmly, but celebrates the New Year with pleasure. The main celebration takes place near the Burj Khalifa building. At exactly midnight, fireworks are launched here, which are regularly included in the Guinness Book of Records. You can also celebrate at the hotel or go on a New Year’s safari and welcome 2023 right in the desert.
Maldives
There are about a hundred islands in the archipelago that are suitable for recreation. The weather in December is ideal (temperatures hover around +30..+32 °C), and the service is at the highest level all year round.
In addition to the classic beach holiday, the Maldives has a lot of entertainment options: you can go diving and snorkeling, watch sharks or go on an excursion to Male. In the capital, we recommend visiting the Good Friday Mosque, checking out the fish market and visiting the National Museum. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to go on a tour of local villages.
It is worth considering that the weather on the atolls may vary, so we recommend studying the local Nikaya weather calendar. A cyclone can bring waves, but most beaches are protected by reefs.
There are quite a lot of tourists in the Maldives in December, so almost every hotel has a New Year’s program on the night of January 1.
Jordan
In winter, the weather deteriorates a little and is no longer suitable for a beach holiday: it is windy here, +19…+21 °C. Although in the Aqaba area during the day it is about + 25 °C. The absence of heat is a pleasant bonus for those whose goal is unusual landscapes and attractions. Indeed, there is something to see in the country.
For example, the mysterious ancient Nabatean city of Petra, completely carved into the rock, Martian views in the Wadi Rami desert, the healing microclimate of the Dead Sea, Mount Nebo, where according to legend the prophet Moses is buried, a large selection of excursions and interesting authentic cuisine .
New Year in Jordan is celebrated modestly, solely out of respect for tourists. They decorate spaces in large hotels and shopping centers, and some restaurants serve special dishes. But you shouldn’t expect a festive program; instead, it’s better to plan a family evening or an unusual excursion.
Tanzania
An option for a truly exotic New Year celebration. However, it is worth keeping in mind that the service and infrastructure in the country are not developed at the highest level, and a sophisticated traveler may be slightly confused. But the wild, pristine beauty of these places more than compensates for possible roughness.
The weather in December is quite hot and humid. During the day, the air warms up to +30…+35 °C, the water temperature is about +29 °C. You can stay at the resorts of Matemwe, Nungwi and Kedwa. The fishing villages are quite quiet and cozy in their own way.
Of course, the main attraction here is nature. But in the old part of the capital of the peninsula, Stone Town, included in the UNESCO heritage list, there is also something to see. Colorful bazaars, the Malindi Mosque, the Sultan’s Palace “House of Miracles”, ancient streets and atmospheric African life. For a safe encounter with wild animals, you can visit the Cheetah Rock Nature Reserve.
The New Year is celebrated noisily and cheerfully, and this day is considered a holiday in Tanzania. There are processions and colorful carnivals with costumes and dances, and themed parties are organized for tourists.
