Where to relax with children in winter. Where to go on holiday with a child in winter? Where is the best place to relax in winter abroad? Where to go in winter with children

It was already ten in the evening when the husband returned home. His wife, a young mother of two children, looked at him reproachfully:

It's a bit late. I barely got the kids to sleep, they were all waiting for you. Where are you?
He hugged his wife tenderly:
- I have a surprise for you.
- Which?
- We're flying to the Dominican Republic! For two weeks! To the sea, palm trees and pelicans! And not so expensive - 350 thousand for four, all inclusive. Special offer, cannot be returned.
- How expensive it is! And scary. With small children, and so far away.
- But you yourself said that you were mortally tired and wanted to rest.
- Well, yes, but still somehow restless...

30 days before departure. Saturday

The youngest son Petya (1.5 years old) then developed a fever, runny nose, and severe cough. Before this, the eldest son (4 years old) was sick, apparently, he infected the younger one. Usually, in such cases, my mother would call a doctor from a private clinic, but there would be such expenses - we had to save money. Mom hoped that she could handle it herself. She inhaled the child through a nebulizer, gave mucolytics, dripped it into the nose, and brought down the temperature.

26 days before departure. Wednesday

The temperature has persisted for the fifth day. Petya coughs a lot. No appetite at all. I had to call the doctor. Against the background of powerful whistles on both sides - a sign of obstructive bronchitis, gentle fine rales were clearly heard in the lower parts of the lung on the right. - Most likely, the child has pneumonia.
- We have a trip to the Dominican Republic in three weeks. Will we have time to cure the child? - the doctor’s mother asked anxiously.
“In principle, it’s nothing to worry about,” answered the pediatrician. - They should finish it in a couple of weeks.
Augmentin in syrup, and after a couple of days the condition improved significantly. After 10 days, the antibiotic was stopped.

11 days before departure. Thursday

The alarm bell rang within 3 days. The eldest Dima returned from kindergarten again with snot, and Petya also became infected a couple of days later. We called the doctor. So far it’s okay, it’s probably just an ARVI: just a runny nose. Appetite is good. There's not even a temperature.

4 days before departure. Thursday

Doctor, I know that you are not working today, but what should we do: Petya is 39 again, his snot is thick, yellow-green. Somehow he grabs his ear.
“Unfortunately, otitis is most likely starting, and you will need to take an antibiotic again.”
- But we just drank it away. Maybe we can do a blood test first and you can look at it tomorrow?
- Fine.

3 days before departure. Friday

The blood test showed elevated leukocytes and ESR. Both ears were very inflamed. Bilateral otitis.

I need to take the antibiotic again. Let's suprax.
- Doctor, can we fly? You can’t return your ticket anymore...
- No comments. I can't decide for you. Take an antibiotic for a week. If anything, write. Take the entire first aid kit with you, as much as possible, and two more antibiotics just in case.

4th day after arrival. Tuesday

Viber call:

Doctor, we took the last dose of antibiotic this morning, everything was fine for six days. But now the child’s temperature has risen again - 41!
- Call a doctor. But most likely this is something new.

In one hour:

We are already at the hospital. Blood - slight leukocytosis. They offer an antibiotic (rofecin) intravenously. Stay in the hospital?
- How is the child feeling?
- Lousy.
- Then stay.

5th day after arrival. Wednesday

Viber call:

How are you?
- The temperature has disappeared. But the child was covered in everything. Sores in the mouth. Rash on the hands, feet, body and legs.
- Send a photo... Yes, it looks a bit like an enterovirus, only the rash is very severe.
- The hospital says it's the Coxsackie virus. They say there is no need for antibiotics and they send me home.
- They say that correctly.
- So that's great.

8th day after arrival. Saturday

Doctor, excuse me, it's us again.
- What happened again?!
- Our dad is sick. Looks like the same thing. It turns out that the whole hotel is sick with this Coxsackie. I had a fever for one day, and today it’s all over. He can't even walk, it hurts to step on him - all his feet are covered in blisters. What to do?
- What can you do here... We have to wait. Take antihistamines.
- Okay thank you.

1 day before leaving home

SMS: “Doctor, Petya is 40 again. We are flying out tonight. There are no other symptoms.

He eats normally."

Answer: “Okay, shoot it down.”

1st day after arriving home

Phew, we're finally home! Dominican doctors, by the way, turned out to be very adequate, but in their own walls, of course, it’s calmer.

The temperature persists for the second day, but the child feels fine. When examined by the doctor, there is nothing special. Tomorrow a clinical blood and urine test.

3rd day after arrival

The temperature went away, and a large rash appeared on the face, back and stomach. Blood tests show leukopenia. This means it is roseola (sudden exanthema). A common childhood infection, no big deal. But it made me nervous, you can’t say anything.

Roseola has nothing to do with travel; it can occur at any time, usually in children under 2 years of age.

Did you at least manage to rest?
- Don't laugh, doctor. In those rare days When we were healthy, it rained in the Dominican Republic. My husband said that he would never travel with us again!
- But it was he who decided to buy the ticket?
- Yes, but before he and I vacationed in the same place, just the two of us, and everything was wonderful.

This is an absolutely real story from life... But this does not mean that the author is categorically against winter holidays!

It's very nice to relax in the south. Especially in winter. The sun, sea, fresh vegetables and fruits are much nicer than the slush or frost of our harsh climate. Adaptation? Yes, this is a problem. But not when you fly there - from cold to warm. Often, the residual effects of ARVI - all these snot and coughs - instantly disappear under the rays of the gentle southern sun.

But when you fly back, from warm weather to winter, problems with adaptation arise regularly. The body needs time to adjust to the cold. Therefore, we recommend that upon returning, dress warmly and be careful about possible hypothermia.

In general, when we decide how to relax in winter, we must remember that a sudden change in climate can be stressful for the entire body. You can get sick, if not there, then already here, after returning, and then your vacation will still be ruined.

By the way, for small children the main problem not in adaptation, but in being among mass gatherings of people, where there may be sick people (airport, plane, hotel). It is definitely safer and cheaper not to go far - to renew the ski track at the nearest sports center, swim in the pool and warm up in the sauna.

But for those who have finally decided, I give general recommendations on a trip to the south in winter with children.

1. Vaccinate your children in advance against all possible infections that may occur on vacation. The most relevant are measles, hepatitis A, pneumococcus, chickenpox. Temper your children, then adaptation will be easier.
2. Remember that children get sick much more often than adults. If possible, purchase travel insurance with your trip. It’s better not to take your children to kindergarten for the last week, so as not to catch something just before leaving.
3. Do not plan to leave on the last day of work (school/kindergarten). It’s better to go on vacation gradually; go on vacation a couple of days before departure, then the adaptation will be smoother.
4. Take a first aid kit with you. On the plane for your child, take vasoconstrictor nasal drops and an antipyretic/pain reliever. For children prone to stenosis/obstruction, you will also have to take a nebulizer and appropriate medications with you. When traveling to Europe, it is better to take a couple more antibiotics, they are not sold there without a doctor’s prescription, and situations vary.

Mikhail Nikolsky

Photo istockphoto.com

Many adults do not particularly like winter because of the cold, slush and lack of sun. It seems that daylight lasts only a couple of hours, and the rest of the time is endless twilight. However, children perceive this time of year completely differently - snowfalls and cold weather bring with them a lot of fun games and entertainment. Winter means sledding, building snow castles, and snowball fights for kids. This is why winter holidays become as long-awaited as summer holidays. There are different ways to spend a winter holiday with children: for lovers active rest It will be interesting to spend time in nature; those who miss summer should go for a week in the heat of the country, and those who dream of fairy tales and magic should pay attention to a holiday in European countries ah or in the homeland of Santa Claus.

Rest outside the city

During the winter holidays, many parents choose to vacation outside the city for their children - in the Moscow region, Leningrad region or outside another city. One of the main advantages here is saving time on travel - you can get to a cottage community or dacha in just a few hours, and if necessary, go back to the city. Also, the cost of the road will be incomparably lower than a trip, for example, to Finland, not to mention a trip to the sea. Also, this format of winter holidays is chosen by those parents who do not want to expose their child to climate change and sudden changes in temperature. In your native land, you don’t have to worry that your baby will spend most of the vacation suffering from acclimatization.

Finally, holidays at country recreation centers, boarding houses and hotels are in no way inferior to holidays abroad in terms of entertainment. During the winter holidays, almost all hotels and resorts host a variety of entertainment programs, sporting events and offers all sorts of exciting activities for the whole family. By the way, after spending a week or two outside the city, you can not only have a great rest, but also improve your health and strengthen your immune system, since many sanatoriums offer special health programs for adults and young tourists. Also, most modern recreation centers, for example, in the Moscow region, offer nanny services for small guests. This will allow parents to leave their child with a qualified specialist and spend a couple of hours in the spa or playing bowling or billiards. In addition, for young holidaymakers, most boarding houses offer specially compiled children's menu, as well as a variety of entertainment and games with animators.

On vacation to Karelia

The picturesque nature of Karelia is beautiful at any time of the year - both summer and winter. A trip to this region of forests and lakes will be a wonderful option for a winter family holiday both for those who like active spending time and for those who like quiet idleness. In Karelia, tourists can stay in comfortable hotels and cottages, as well as in real Russian huts.

In the winter season, Karelia offers tourists all kinds of entertainment options - here parents with children can go on a ski trip, a tour snowy expanses on snowmobiles or even dog or reindeer sleds. Such a vacation will surely be remembered by children for a long time and will give the most unforgettable emotions and impressions. Since Karelia is mostly focused on family and excursion holidays, many tours here include visits to attractions, museums and the most interesting places in this region. For those who are limited in time, the best option would be two to three day tours, which are especially popular during the New Year holidays and Christmas. The most popular here, of course, are trips to the Karelian Father Frost. The children will see how the Karelian Father Frost lives in an unusual tent on the shores of Lake Onega, and will also meet his assistant named Lumine. New Year's trips for children also include sleigh rides pulled by huskies, sightseeing and various fabulous adventures.

European winter

Winter holidays with children in Europe are extremely varied, so in order to spend your holidays profitably, you should think through the route in advance. Such European holidays will be a wonderful pastime not only for children, but also for adults, as you can successfully combine trips to museums, water parks, zoos and visits winter sales, exhibitions and entertainment centers.

By the way, European museums will definitely appeal to little tourists, since in each of the European countries there are special museums for children dedicated to toys, fairy tales, games and other topics interesting to children. The exhibits of most children's museums can not only be viewed from a distance, but also touched with your hands. For example, in Prague there is a toy museum, which is the ultimate dream of many boys. There are countless models of cars on display here, as well as a replica of a real train station. Girls will not be able to pass by the collection of teddy bears and the collection of Barbie dolls.

An excellent gift for a child would be a themed trip to Europe, for example, a tour of several countries with visits to local zoos, amusement parks, Disneyland, etc. You can also go with the whole family to one of the ski resorts. This type of recreation is becoming more and more accessible - for example, of Eastern Europe offer tourists their ski slopes at a price 2-3 times lower than the slopes of Switzerland and Austria. Slovenia is famous for its well-equipped slopes, Bulgaria will appeal to fans of snowboarding, and you can safely go to Uludag in Turkey with small children, since easy and wide slopes prevail here, ideal for children and beginners.

Snowy Finland has been one of the most popular European destinations during the winter holidays for many years. Here you can enjoy all the delights of European Christmas - fabulous decorations of houses and streets, fairs that create the appropriate spirit and festive mood, and an abundance of entertainment for children of all ages. At the same time, Finland also pleases with the obligatory New Year's decoration - pure white snow and real New Year's frost. Although this is not surprising - after all, it is here, not far from the city of Rovaniemi, that the birthplace of Santa Claus is located. Here, even adults can believe in a fairy tale and forget about everyday worries for a while, plunging into the magical atmosphere of the entertaining Santa Park.

Lapland will become an ideal place to celebrate a “real” Christmas with your child and celebrate the New Year the way it should be. Here you can not only get to know Santa himself better and look at his elf helpers, but also ride a sleigh, reindeer and dog sled, and also go to the mountain slopes in Ruka, Vuokatti, Himos. Animal lovers should set aside a couple of days to visit the Finnish Arctic Zoo, underwater world and a dolphinarium.

New Year under a palm tree

One of the options for spending the winter holidays is traveling to hot countries. Such a vacation can be recommended to parents whose child has already reached the age of 5-7 years, since it will be quite difficult for children to endure acclimatization with such a sharp change in climate. As a rule, children adapt well to a warm country, but there is a risk colds when from the hot sun and warm sea the family will return to the chilly and windy Russian winter. For those who plan to take their child to New Year to the sea, it is worth paying attention to the convenience of the flight. It would be ideal if you can find direct flights without tedious transfers and connections. The road to Tunisia, Egypt, the UAE or the Canaries will not be too difficult for a child, while flying to Thailand or the Maldives with a baby will not be easy.

As for Egypt, it has long become a lifesaver for tourists, attracting with low prices for holidays at any time of the year. However, when traveling here with a child, it is better to choose a high-quality and comfortable four-five-star hotel, so as not to spoil your vacation with the possible disadvantages of hotels of lesser stars. In large hotels, the main entertainment for children and adults is concentrated on the hotel territory, and for variety you can go on excursions, sail on a yacht or ride ATVs.

Add a little luxury to your winter holidays by taking your family to magnificent United Arab Emirates. By the way, it is better to come here before the New Year, since in January it will already be cold to swim - the water temperature in January-February is about + 20 degrees Celsius. Although at this time you can enjoy sunbathing, since the air temperature does not drop below +28. Among other things, the UAE is famous for its high-quality service, which will allow you to carefreely enjoy a family vacation and not worry about everyday details. Finally, both adults and young shopping lovers can't help but enjoy Dubai, where children will definitely want to get new model phone, a modern car, a Barbie doll or some designer trinket.

Those brave parents who decide to take a long (10 - 12 hours) flight with their children will be able to spend their winter holidays in hospitable Thailand or on delightful Maldives. Thailand is suitable for those who are looking for a combination of exoticism, heat and humid climate. By the way, winter is considered the best time to visit Thailand, since during these months it is hot, but without the sweltering heat. However, it is worth remembering that it is in winter that most tourists come here, so it may be worth booking hotels, tickets and buying tours in advance.

The Maldives in winter will delight travelers with a warm climate and comfortable (about + 25 degrees) water temperature in Indian Ocean. This paradise with snow-white sand and clear turquoise ocean will be equally pleasant for both children and adults. Kids can frolic on the soft sand without fear of stepping on an angry reptile or sea urchin, and also admire the colorful fish and parrots. The water here is so clear that you can observe the underwater inhabitants without a mask, you just have to go knee-deep into the water.

When planning a winter vacation with children, you should take into account a number of factors: the age and wishes of the child himself, the duration of the trip, and financial costs. For example, it is advisable for a schoolchild to travel during school holidays so as not to interrupt educational process and do not catch up on missed material. But this time is considered a high season for travel, which means the price increases. It is difficult for a baby to endure a long flight, therefore, a place for winter rest should be located nearby. Therefore, where to go on vacation with children in winter needs to be carefully considered.

Return to summer

It is not by chance that the temptation for Russians to extend summer arises in winter. Lack of sun, cold winds and heavy snowfalls, lack of natural vitamins do not contribute to the health of the body. The summer charge is clearly not enough. Therefore residents different regions in our country, people choose a beach holiday with children in winter. The nearest beach resorts where you can fly with your baby:

• Israel
• Jordan

There are sandy beaches and comfortable air temperatures. The flight to these countries averages 4.5 – 5.5 hours. A little longer to South Goa in India – 6–6.5 hours.

Other beach destinations for relaxation in winter period much further and more expensive:

• Vietnam
• China,
• Thailand
• Indonesia (Bali island)
• Dominican Republic
• Tenerife (Spain)

The flight to these resorts ranges from 9 to 14 hours. When traveling to hot countries in winter with a child, you should take into account the acclimatization period. Vacation in such places should be at least two weeks, since the body, tuned to the winter period, often experiences stress, which can last 4-5 days and is accompanied by indigestion and fever. Moreover, both during the trip itself and upon returning home. This is especially dangerous for small children.

From winter to winter

You don’t have to fly to warm countries to get a sea of ​​emotions. It's enough just to change the environment. Relaxation in the lap of nature, against the backdrop of snow-covered Russian forests, is an excellent opportunity for relaxation for children and adults. Popular in Lately winter north directions. They do not require acclimatization of the body.

A budget winter holiday option is Karelia, where young travelers have a lot of interesting activities from dog sledding and reindeer riding to a trip to icy waterfalls. A trip to Lake Baikal, where incredible fresh air. This lake is becoming transparent, strong ice. Rafting on an ice floe, winter fishing, swimming in Baikal hot springs, a Siberian solar radio telescope in the village of Baydary. This incomplete list proves that neither children nor adults will be bored at Lake Baikal. Finland is an interesting place for winter travel, where they offer to make a symbolic crossing of the Arctic Circle and even issue a polar explorer certificate. Ski resorts, ice hotels, Santa Claus village - a winter trip to Finland will be interesting for both kids and schoolchildren.

Going to eco trip in winter, you need to take care of:

• warm wind and waterproof outerwear,
• waterproof warm shoes,
• thermal underwear,
• spare mittens and socks.

Leisure

Snowboarding and skiing– one of the most popular types of active recreation with children from November to March. The European slopes of the Alps, popular and expensive, are more suitable for youth recreation. But all resorts in Germany, France and Austria have dedicated tracks, recreation areas and a range of entertainment for children. Ski resorts in Austria offer Serfaus for children. Here, along with children's slopes and amusement parks, there are even ski gardens. In just a few days, experienced instructors will put a young skier on the slope and teach him the basics of handling a snowboard.

Budget options for mountain trails are offered by Bulgaria, Slovenia or Georgia. An alternative to expensive Euro resorts is the Russian slopes in Sochi's Krasnaya Polyana or Dombay in Karachay-Cherkessia. It is no less comfortable here, but cheaper than abroad. The mountain air is useful even for preschool children, and in addition to skiing, you can ride bagels or sleigh rides on the children's slides.

Kind with healthy

Winter trip for a child school age It can also become an educational excursion. Of course, this type of trip is not suitable for a baby. But a teenager of 11-14 years old is able to receive aesthetic pleasure from getting acquainted with the famous paintings of great artists in the Dresden Gallery, for example. You can go to bus tour in Europe - one of the most budget trips covering maximum amount attractions. There are also many interesting winter excursion routes in Russia: St. Petersburg, where museum grounds are open; Kazan, which warmly welcomes its guests at any time of the year.

Amusement parks are another of the destinations where you can go on vacation in winter with your children. Not all of them are open this season, but Eurodisneyland and its younger brother Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris is open at the end of December and throughout the Christmas holidays. With children 4-6 years old, bypassing cultural monuments, you can come on vacation only by immersing yourself in the cartoon world of Disney. On the border of Germany, France and Switzerland, near the German resort of Baden-Baden all year round Europa-Park is functioning. A wonderful set of attractions for children from 4 years old and adults.

Eternal holiday

It will be a wonderful trip with a child if... A series of fairs, festivities, mulled wine and the aromas of coffee and cinnamon. Christmas Europe – fairy tale. According to Catholic traditions They are preparing for Christmas in advance. During the four weeks preceding it, Advent begins - the period of repentance. Believers confess, and priests in purple robes repent. AdventCatholics organize gospel readings for children about the life of Christ, weave wreaths from spruce branches, every Sunday they light a candle.

IN New Year holidays It's possible with a child. This mythical character is called differently everywhere, but personifies one thing - faith in miracles. You can visit the Frosts of Karelia Pakkaine and Talvi Ukko, in Veliky Ustyug with our Russian Father Frost, in Kazan with the Tatar Father Frost Kysh Babai, in Finland with Joulupukki.

Following the Christmas and New Year holidays in February, a series of carnivals starts in Venice, Brazil and here in Russia, ending with Maslenitsa festivities. A great opportunity to get a boost of energy and impressions at the end of winter.

Healthy holiday

Spending a few days in a sanatorium is beneficial not only for the child, but also for his parents. Balneological resorts in Russia have always been places where you can go to relax. The thermal springs of Tyumen are especially popular among Russians. The feeling in the thermal springs is extraordinary: the air temperature is -25˚С, and the water in the pool is +42˚С. Children love this kind of entertainment. Being in the pool with thermal water You can do this for no more than 20 minutes, but sometimes it’s difficult to get the child out of the water. He completely forgets that it is winter outside.

Sanatoriums on the Chelyabinsk Lakes and in Ufa offer vacationers water and SPA treatments, various body wraps, and oxygen cocktails. 4-5 days spent in such a place will help restore strength for the long winter and improve the child’s health. Those who love a more expensive holiday can go with their children to the thermal springs of Hungary.

Sea cruise

A great opportunity in winter to combine several types of vacation at once - travel or the Caribbean. Beach, sea, entertaining, educational types of recreation can be obtained in continuation sea ​​cruise. They start in December-January and last from 8 to 15 days with full board. Cruise ships are a whole floating hotel of entertainment, where animators work with children. There is an opportunity to swim in the pool, visiting the ports of different cities, see the sights, and walk through the markets. Cruises depart from cities in Asia, Europe or America. Please note that flights to the cruise departure point are not included in the price.

Whatever winter holiday option you choose, you need to remember that the comfort of any trip with a child depends on the thoughtfulness of the route and equipment. When going on a trip with children in winter, you need to take care of the baby’s nutrition and clothing so that the trip does not turn into an accident.

Winter:
So, the initial data: winter (New Year holidays), mother, father and one and a half year old child. Where to go on vacation? We do not consider purely sightseeing tours, the child is too small. Options: go in winter, i.e. Finland, the Baltic states, central and southern Europe, or go to the sea to warmer climes.

Warm sea options:

Thailand, Indonesia (Bali), Dominican Republic, Vietnam, India (Goa) or Sri Lanka, Jordan, Hainan Island in China, Maldives. It seems that's it.

After some thought, Thailand, Vietnam, India, the Dominican Republic and Bali are shallow - firstly, the regions do not seem safe from the point of view of all kinds of infections (spicy food, not very clean, exotic diseases - well, anything can happen), and also because of the long flight (Dominican Republic and Bali especially).
Sri Lanka: you can go, we’ve already asked the price - tickets are very expensive for the New Year, although the holiday itself is within our budget.
Hainan: there are concerns that on the New Year itself it is not so warm there, and I don’t like the flight: only Transaero has a direct flight, and I will not fly with this airline. More and more decent airlines fly with very inconvenient connections and transfers. It’s better to take then an excursion + vacation tour, such as Beijing-Hainan-Shanghai. When the child is older, we will definitely fly like this; in my opinion, it’s very interesting and relaxed. But now it’s too early for us to embark on such a serious journey.
The Maldives is unfortunately not in our budget. Especially, as I understand it, on New Year's Day. Even if you find a more or less inexpensive hotel, on the island itself you will have to spend a lot on food, and there will be no choice - usually there are 1-2 hotels on one island.
Jordan: everything is fine except the weather. In winter you can’t really swim there, and then there’s no point in going to the sea. In Jordan, there are cool excursions - the same Petra, but for a small child it will be more tedious than truly interesting and memorable.

I have another prejudice against warm regions - problems of acclimatization. Not only does the regime change greatly due to the change in time zones, but also going from winter to summer, and then back to winter - this can be too difficult for a small organism. As a result, upon arriving home, the child may get sick.
In general, it is clear that the warm sea is far from us, and we are not flying there this winter.

We look to Europe. What we don't need: alpine skiing. Well, we don't ride. Excursions are also not very good, so most likely all sorts of Austria, Germany and Italy are out of the question. We’d better go to France sometime in the summer - I’ve long had a dream of taking a barge boat and sailing along the canals in the French province on our own with our whole family - stopping at private distilleries for new wine, taking radial rides on bicycles, buying fresh bread in village bakeries... Ah, Provence.

Finland: here they say interesting place for a relaxing winter holiday. A cottage with a warm fireplace, sleighs, horses, riding a dog sled and catching fish from under the ice can be exciting for a child too. It seems that there are no severe frosts in Finland, we can easily walk all day long.
We are still looking at Finland with enthusiasm.

The Baltics: they say that in winter there is a gloomy climate, the sea is close. Well, in general it should be something like the Finns: snow, horses and sleighs, mulled wine and Christmas decorations on the trees. And it is closer to us than Finland.

Alternatively: Czech Republic or Slovakia, southern Poland (Zakopane). It seems that it’s better for us to go to the Czech Republic later too - there good excursions. I don’t know anything about Slovakia, except that there are excellent cycling routes along the hills there. I was in Zakopane in the summer, but it is a winter resort. There are beautiful houses here, delicious food (Krakow sausage!), there are also horses and even an ostrich farm. We don’t ski, but you can just take a walk here.

I’m sitting, choosing from a list of places I can think of to go on holiday for the New Year with a small child.

And here is the continuation:

As expected, we went to Latvia anyway.

For two days - one full day we walked around the square of the Dome Cathedral: there, during the period of Christmas (Catholic) and New Year, they put up houses on the square where they sell mulled wine, baked apples, they bottle balm, and also sell souvenirs such as woolen socks, mittens with national patterns, and other homemade sausages and cranberries with honey. There is also a huge decorated Christmas tree. Our daughter absolutely did not want to leave this square - children's choirs still perform there all the time - they sing Christmas songs, and everything shimmers with lights and rings bells. Fabulous, in general.

After 2 days we went to a real castle. An hour's drive from Riga is the village of Birini, and nearby is a real huge Birini castle, turned into a hotel. We were almost alone there, and at our disposal were luxurious halls with pianos - here we danced and fooled around, a restaurant with wonderful French cuisine. We were given a sled, rides on a horse, and also given a kilo of carrots every day so that our daughter could feed the live rabbits on the estate. The horses were supposed to be fed pumpkin, but we were somehow afraid. In general, we spent a whole week lying in the snow, rolling around, feeding the animals, walking, playing the piano and singing, and relaxing with our family. Our dad had a very good rest from work, and my daughter still remembers these rabbits. It was a good holiday. According to the weather - bright sun during the day and snowfalls at night. For 2 days it was minus 25, the rest of the time it was about minus five. Simply wonderful winter weather.

Note: Chip flights we search using Aviasales and Skyscanner. We search and buy tours using special services And .

Photo © Boryeongsi / flickr.com

Thailand

Thailand is a great opportunity to relax in the winter at sea. In winter, Thailand attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world. At the end of November, the high tourist season begins in Thailand and the weather is favorable for beach holiday.

Visa for Russians in Thailand it is not necessary if you do not plan to stay in the country for more than a month. You can read about a visa to Thailand in our article “”.

Photo © Jiashiang/flickr.com

Prices. Despite the exchange rate of the ruble and increased prices during the peak tourist season, prices in Thailand remain quite acceptable. In the article "" you can see detailed review prices in the kingdom.

Prices for air tickets from Moscow to Bangkok start from 21-24 thousand rubles (round trip). From St. Petersburg to Bangkok the price tag for tickets is slightly higher, from 23-25 ​​thousand rubles. (There and back again).

As for the prices of tours, it directly depends on the time of purchase of the tour and vacation dates. Phuket and Pattaya are considered the most popular holiday destinations in winter; this is where most tourists go on package tours. In the article "" we compared prices for 2 main winter holiday destinations.

Note : There are services that automatically compare the cost of tours from leading tour operators. Among them we can note, and.

Pros and cons of winter holidays in Thailand

Vietnam

In winter, you can have a great holiday at sea in the southern part of Vietnam. The weather at this time is pleasant with warmth and plenty of sun.

Weather. In winter in the south of the country the air warms up to +30-33°C. The water temperature is set at +24-27°C.

Prices for air tickets from Moscow to Vietnam in winter start at 22,500 rubles. (There and back again). It is best to purchase tickets in advance. We use the air sales service or skyscanner.

Since the end of November, prices for tours have been gradually creeping up. At the beginning of December you can find tours from 25-27 thousand per person, and closer to January the price of a tour may increase by 10-20% and continue to grow. The cost of tours changes every hour, so the prices in the article are approximate. Prices for specific dates can be found and compared from different tour operators using special services, and.

Pros and cons of winter holidays in Vietnam

Useful articles about winter holidays in Vietnam

Photo © David Russo / flickr.com

Malaysia in winter is a tropical fairy tale for Russian tourists. In winter, you can relax here on clean sandy beaches surrounded by mountain and plant landscapes.

Weather. In winter, the air temperature stubbornly remains at +30 °C, and the water temperature does not drop below +27 °C.

Resorts. The most best beaches The islands of Langkawi, Pangkor, and Penang are considered holiday destinations. Popular resorts for beach holidays are Pangkor Laut and Tioman Island.

Visa for Russians it is not needed if the duration of the trip to Malaysia is less than 30 days. The stamp is placed upon arrival at the country's airports.

Prices. Compared to Thailand, prices for some things, services and products in Malaysia are slightly higher (about 1.5 times). However, many tourists claim that in Malaysia you can find a cheaper price tag than in Thailand or Vietnam. Malaysia is a majority Muslim country, so the whole alcoholic products It is quite expensive here (with the exception of the islands of Langkawi and Labuan).

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In winter, prices for air tickets from Moscow to Malaysia start from 28,600 rubles. (There and back again).

As for the prices for tours offered by Russian tour operators, they are too high and it is cheaper to visit the country on your own. 7-day tour from Moscow to Malaysia for two from 107,308 rubles. You can compare prices on any of the services, and.

Advantages and disadvantages of holidays in Malaysia

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If you don’t know where to go abroad to the sea in winter, then the Dominican Republic is a great place to relax. Winter in the Dominican Republic begins best time for relaxation with hot sun and lack of winds. Many tourists call a holiday in the Dominican Republic a visit to paradise.

Weather. In winter, the air temperature during the day stays at +27-30°C. The water temperature is around +26°C.

Resorts. Some of the most popular resorts in winter are Punta Cana, La Romana and Boca Chica. For holidays with small children, the resorts of Boca Chica or Punta Cana are best suited. You can see the description of the resorts and their location on the map in the article

Visa for Russians it will not be required within 30 days. For citizens of Belarus or Kazakhstan, a preliminary visa will be required.

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Prices. Food prices here are higher than in Russia. IN Dominican Republic high prices for dairy products, bread, however low prices for local fruits. Also, the prices for excursions (from $50 per person) are not particularly encouraging.

In winter, prices for air tickets from Moscow to the Dominican Republic start from 64 thousand rubles. (There and back again).

A hotel room can be rented from $30 (in the most modest hotels); in luxury hotels you can stay for $280. We are looking for housing in the Dominican Republic or.

In winter, a tour to the Dominican Republic can be purchased from 111 thousand for two. It is better to purchase tours with all-inclusive meals. Prices from different tour operators are compared on websites, or. On these sites you can find reviews from tourists.

Pros and cons of winter holidays in the Dominican Republic

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Goa, India

Goa in winter is favorable place for a holiday at sea. In Goa, New Year and Catholic Christmas are celebrated on a grand scale. Goa attracts tourists affordable prices and exotic climate.

Weather. During the day, the air temperature can remain at +30 °C, and the sea can warm up to +27 °C. Unlike summer, winter in Goa is less humid climate, which makes it easier to endure the heat.

Visa you need a permit to visit Goa, so you will have to spend a little time getting it done before leaving for India.

Prices. In general, Goa has low prices. In the north of Goa, prices in stores are lower than in the southern part of the resort. In cafes and shops, prices are quite reasonable and can please budget travelers.

Note: prices rise sharply before the winter holidays in Goa.

In winter, prices for air tickets from Moscow to Moscow start from 28 thousand rubles. (There and back again).
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Goa can be divided into Young and Northern. The north is dominated by young people, budget hotels and shops. A distinctive feature of North Goa is its large number of entertainment options. South Goa is mostly home to large 5-star hotels with an appropriate price category.

The main pros and cons of winter holidays in Goa

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Sri Lanka is an exotic abode, where the best time to relax is in winter. From December to April, Sri Lanka experiences favorable weather for excellent beach and sightseeing holidays.

Weather. During the day the thermometer shows +30°C. In winter, the water in Sri Lanka warms up to +28°C.

Resorts. The best resorts for winter holidays are the popular resorts of Negombo, Hikkaduwa, Bentota and Wadduwa.

Visa For Russians it is mandatory to register. An electronic ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) visa can be applied for online.

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Prices. In general, Sri Lanka has inexpensive public transport. However, excursions and accommodation are relatively expensive. Prices for groceries in stores and meals in cafes can accommodate a wallet of any size.

in winter air ticket prices from Moscow to Sri Lanka start from 26 thousand rubles. (There and back again).

In winter, prices for tours start at around 66 thousand rubles. for 2 for 7 nights. Last minute tours can be found for 35 thousand rubles, or.

Pros and cons of winter holidays in Sri Lanka

In winter, the high tourist season begins in the Philippines. The weather has stabilized since the beginning of December and the Philippines is turning into an exotic holiday destination. The country offers a variety of holidays from relaxing beach holidays to active and extreme holidays.

Weather. The air temperature in winter in the Philippines is +29-30 °C. The water warms up to +27°C and lasts until the end of winter.

Resorts. The most popular resorts among tourists are Boracay, Panay, Bohol, Cebu and Palawan.

Visa not needed for Russians. The maximum period of stay in the Philippines without a visa is 30 days.

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Prices. In general, the Philippines has low prices for food and housing.

In winter, prices for air tickets from Moscow to the Philippines start from 28 thousand rubles. (There and back again).

A standard hotel room can cost from 400 pesos ($9). On average, hotel rooms cost from 700 pesos ($15). Look for cheap housing or...

Tours to the Philippines are quite expensive: from 80 thousand rubles/person for 7 nights. You can compare prices from leading tour operators using the websites, or.

Pros and cons of holidays in the Philippines

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For those who are not strapped for money and don’t know where to relax at sea in the winter, we suggest paying attention to a luxury vacation in the Republic of Maldives. Holidays in the Maldives are primarily about beach holidays and diving. The Maldives is often chosen as a honeymoon destination.

Weather. In winter, the weather in the Maldives is as pleasant as ever. The air temperature is +30°C, and the water temperature is +28°C. The most good weather for recreation it is established from mid-December to mid-spring.

Resorts. The most popular resorts in the Maldives are Ari Atoll, South Male Atoll, Raa Atoll and Addu Atoll. South Male Atoll is perfect for a romantic getaway for two or for a family holiday with children. Ari Atoll is famous for diving.

Visa for Russians it is not necessary if the period of rest does not exceed 30 days.

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Prices. Food prices here are high (relative to previous countries). The highest price tag is in cafes and restaurants at hotels and in places where tourists gather.

If the hotel territory occupies most of the island or the entire island, then the prices there will definitely be high. The price tag is lower on large islands where local residents live.

In winter, prices for air tickets from Moscow to the Maldives start from 28 thousand rubles. (There and back again).

In addition to luxurious rooms for $400, in the Maldives you can easily find a room for $28-60 per night. You can compare housing prices in the Maldives.

Note: during New Year's holidays the price tag for tours may increase by 30-50%.

The main pros and cons of holidays in the Maldives

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If you want to relax in winter by the sea and avoid the sweltering heat, then a trip to the UAE is for you. The UAE has a well-developed infrastructure for families with children.

Weather. In winter, the weather in the UAE is relatively cool: air +24-26°C, water +23-25. Winds can spoil your holiday a little.

Resorts. According to reviews from tourists, the best place for winter holidays in the UAE these are Sharjah and Dubai. There are also popular resorts for beach holidays - Abu Dhabi and Fujera.

Visa from February 2017, it is not necessary for Russians if their stay in the UAE is no more than 30 days.

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Prices in the UAE high for a Russian tourist. If you want to save on food in a cafe, then look for places where visiting workers eat.

In winter, prices for air tickets from Moscow to the UAE start from 14 thousand rubles. (There and back again). Direct flights regularly fly from Moscow, which are the same price as a flight with a transfer.

In the UAE you can buy a last-minute tour from Moscow for 21,200 rubles. per person for 5 nights. From December, a tour to the UAE can be purchased from 46 thousand for two for 7 nights. Prices are updated regularly, so we advise you to check prices through the service, or.

The main pros and cons of holidays in the UAE

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Another place where you can go on vacation in winter is Cuba. A friendly place to enjoy winter holidays on the sea.

Weather. Winter is a favorable time to visit Cuba. At this time there is little precipitation, and the air temperature is +27-28°C. The water warms up to +25-27°C

Visa. Tourists can stay in Cuba for 30 days without a visa.

Prices. Payments to tourists are made in a special currency (cookies), which makes most services and goods for tourists a little more expensive.

In winter, prices for air tickets from Moscow to Cuba start from 35 thousand rubles. (round trip) flight with a transfer, without a transfer from 42 thousand rubles.

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A room in a 2* hotel will cost from $60 per night. An economical accommodation option with minimal amenities will cost from $17. Alternatively, you can rent an apartment or house. Find out prices for exact dates Can

Inexpensive diving

Moderate prices

2018-10-18