Winter holidays don't have to be expensive tropical resorts! Many popular places in winter offer a pleasant climate, fewer tourists, and significant discounts on entertainment. Here are some ideas for your winter trip without overpaying.
Dubai, UAE
Climate and weather
December in Dubai is a comfortable time for walking: +24-28°C during the day. The Red Sea warms up to +22-24 ° C - if you are lucky, you can swim.
What to do
- Admire the view from the Burj Khalifa, take a look at the historic Al Fahidi quarter.
- In Dubai Miracle Garden, flower arrangements have been created that are striking in scale.
- On the Palm Jumeirah, you can find restaurants, a water park and terraces with views of the city.
In the evening, go for a walk along the Dubai Marina promenade or a jeep safari in the desert.
Istanbul, Turkey
Climate and weather
In December, the temperature is +9-11 ° C, rain is possible, but the queues at museums become shorter.
What to visit
- Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque will surprise you with their history and architecture.
- Topkapi Palace will introduce you to the life of the Ottoman sultans, and Dolmabahce will show the influence of European culture.
- At the Grand Bazaar, you can haggle for unique souvenirs.
- Art lovers will find the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.
Antalya, Turkey
Climate and weather
The average temperature is +14-17°C, sunny days are replaced by short rains, but this does not interfere with excursions.
What to see
- Enjoy the tranquility of the Old City: Hadrian's Gate, Hıdırlık Tower, and Ottoman streets.
- Try trekking to the ancient city of Termessos or visit the Lycian tombs in Xanthos.
- A three-hour drive away are the hot springs of Pamukkale, the water temperature in which reaches +36°C.
- The Saklıkent ski resort is open in the vicinity.
Cairo and Egyptian resorts
Climate and weather
On the coast of the Red Sea, it is +26°C, and the water warms up to +24°C. The main concern is a strong wind, from which, however, you will be saved by colorful stoles from local markets.
What to do
- In Hurghada you can visit the marine aquarium, and in Sharm el-Sheikh you can go diving.
- Excursions to the Luxor Temple and the Pyramids of Giza provide a remarkable insight into the ancient culture of Egypt.
- In Cairo, see the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and the famous statues of the Sphinx.
Beijing, China
Climate and weather
Sunny January with temperatures from 0 to +5 ° C is conducive to walks.
Where to go
- The Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square.
- Sections of the Great Wall of China that were deserted at that time, for example, Mutianyu.
- At the end of January, you can celebrate the Chinese New Year loudly and cheerfully - this fantastic event will be remembered by you for many years.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Climate and weather
In January, the temperature is from 0 to +10 ° C. Atmospheric snowfalls are infrequent, but you can enjoy the comfort of winter streets.
What to see
- Historical center, Mtskheta, walks along the Kura embankment,
- Enjoy Georgian cuisine, wine cellars and homely hospitality.
Yerevan, Armenia
Climate and weather
In January, Yerevan pleases with dry and cool weather: the air temperature varies from 0 to -3°C, there is practically no precipitation, and there are about 11 sunny days per month. In warm clothes, walks around the city will be very comfortable.
What to see
- Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the world, 28 years older than Rome. There are many museums that are worth visiting.
- The central place is occupied by the Cascade - a staircase with modern sculptures and installations. From its top there is a view of Mount Ararat. Inside the Cascade, there is a free modern art gallery and an escalator to go up.
- To explore the culture, visit the house-museum of Martiros Saryan and the National Gallery of Armenia, where works by famous masters are presented.
- To immerse into history, go to the ruins of the Erebuni fortress - the place of the foundation of Yerevan!
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Climate and weather
February in Tashkent meets with variable cloudiness and moderate precipitation: the temperature ranges from +7 to +10°C, there are about 12 sunny days per month.
What to see
- Tashkent is a city with a rich history, an important junction of the Great Silk Road. The atmosphere of the East is conveyed by the religious complex of Hazrati Imam, where unique Islamic relics, including the Koran of the VII century, are kept.
- Visit the local madrasahs: Barakkhana and Kukeldash, and the Museum of Applied Arts to appreciate the handicraft traditions of Uzbekistan.
- At the Chorsu bazaar, you can try traditional pilaf and buy souvenirs.
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Climate and weather
February in Almaty is a real continental winter with temperatures ranging from −5°C to −10°C during the day and up to −15°C at night. The period is ideal for winter sports.
What to see
- Almaty is a large city surrounded by the foothills of the Tien Shan. Go to the Medeu sports complex with a high-altitude skating rink.
- For lovers of alpine skiing, the Shymbulak resort is suitable, offering trails of different levels of difficulty.
Baku, Azerbaijan
Climate and weather
February in Baku is a time of transition from winter to spring. The temperature ranges from +5°C to +10°C, there are about 12 sunny days, winds from the Caspian Sea bring coolness, sometimes it rains.
What to see
- The old city of Icherisheher impresses with its historical monuments.
- Visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the observation deck on the Alley of Shahids, as well as the famous Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center.
- For active recreation, you can go to the Shahdag ski complex, where there are trails of varying complexity and entertainment for the whole family.
Tips for budget-conscious travelers
- Subscribe to airline newsletters to find out about promotions.
- Check the services for booking tickets - they regularly update offers, among which there is probably something tempting.
- Travel with carry-on luggage to save on luggage.
- Use bank cards with miles or cashback to accumulate bonuses.
- Book hotels with refunds or discounts in apps.
Plan your trips in advance to make your winter vacation as comfortable and profitable as possible. Happy Holidays!
