Expectations and reality
Despite the speed with which time flies and Christmas holidays are approaching, to arrange an unforgettable vacation abroad is still very real. Perhaps the ideal scenario will have to adjust that, however, does not mean that the trip will be worse than was originally planned.
The most popular and "difficult" by the book are top destinations for Christmas holidays for Europeans. First and foremost these include major ski resorts. Difficulties with accommodation may occur in those who at the last moment decided on a trip to a specific ski resort key countries – Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy. Europeans are booking their Christmas parties well in advance, places may simply not be there.
Hint: in European countries the peak Christmas and new year holidays is the period from 24 December to 2 January. And stay at resorts vacationers can until the end of the school holidays, in different European countries end in different days. So, in Switzerland and France it's January 3rd, and in Austria and Italy – 6 January. So we have to consider for the holiday period, starting with the Russian Christmas – January 7.
This year, according to preliminary statistics, the number of Russians planning to travel abroad, decreased by 40%. The previous boom in real estate and tourist agencies not – the same applies to the availability of the lease in a number of ways and free tickets to the new year date.
According to agents, book apartment – new year's prices – today you can easily in historical cities and European capitals. Here you can spend a real Christmas – cozy and romantic, with attractions, exhibitions and museums, incredible Christmas markets and fairs and, of course, new year sales.
Now, in the middle of November, you can easily rent apartments and houses in the ski resorts of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovenia, as well as Turkey, Cyprus and even Greece. It will be much cheaper than in Switzerland or France. However, if you have decided to spend the holidays on the slopes of Eastern Europe, you should ask the presence on them of snow cover! Towns and seaside resorts of these countries is also available for late bookings, because it is not popular for winter recreation.
Markedly decreased interest of our compatriots to the countries of the Muslim world. It is obvious that the flow of Russian tourists to Egypt has essentially ceased and representatives of real estate agencies have noted that this trend has affected other countries – UAE, Morocco, Tunisia and even Turkey.
Therefore, for holidays on the beach, experts recommend to consider such a reliable and prestigious area Canary Islands – albeit not the most budget, but offering the best ratio price-quality, safety, high level of service and a host of activities for a sea vacation with family or friends.
And as the exotics are still available for booking and loved by the Russians resorts Miami, Maldives, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and India (the States of Goa, Kerala). The flow of our compatriots in these, like other countries, has decreased markedly, but difficulties with the organization of the trip – especially for those who have a higher budget and time should arise. In order to save on the tickets professionals recommend to contact the travel Agency and to consider package tours, in which the flights may be more profitable. As for the rest in such countries of Southeast Asia like Thailand, Vietnam and India – to follow the advice of travel agents and stay in hotels with the name, not to be mistaken with independent accommodation, which may not entirely correspond to the description in the Internet.
Objects and pictures
Housing prices overseas during the Christmas holidays, on average, increase by 20% -30% depending on the direction of a particular city and type of facility. If you plan on the period immediately after the holidays – you can save about 10% of the budget. In that case, if "stake out" housing for 3-4 months before date of arrival was not possible, but there is a need to save on rent, should pay attention to cheaper destinations for holidays. Instead of Switzerland to Slovenia, is Slovenia to Bulgaria, etc.
For a ski holiday experts recommend to reserve "family" apartments in the resorts with the developed infrastructure, as they will be cheaper than a small hotel room. At such resorts, as a rule, there are several supermarkets where you can buy food and prepare meals, saving on food while traveling. Besides, it's especially convenient for families with small children.
Hint: if the ski resort you plan to celebrate the holidays, doesn't have any offers, you can explore options in nearby villages, within a radius of 15 km from the desired destination. Most likely a good suggestion there – and cheaper. To reach the ski slopes in a rented car or public transport, which in developed ski regions has functioned flawlessly. In Swiss buses even have special boxes for ski, good Breakfast – but on the way you may find picturesque towns with Christmas markets, beautifully decorated for the holidays. Stop for shopping – a wonderful rest after a day of skiing!
In the leading ski Europe Christmas and New year is the most expensive time of the year. So, for example, weekly rent a spacious apartment with three bedrooms in the premium complex in the famous Swiss ski resort of Nendaz will cost for the New year in CHF - 2600, whereas the price in April will amount to CHF - 1800.
As for the "gornolyzhny" in Eastern Europe, it is more budget-friendly. So, in the popular Bulgarian ski resort Bansko "new year" rent the Studio for two people will cost about 5000 rubles per day. Apartment for such a low cost are very popular and they are becoming fewer by the end of November. For the winter holidays rent a Villa with a two bedroom apartment in Bansko costs 12 000 per day.
Accommodation in very decent conditions in the cities and European capitals during Christmas and New year can cost quite reasonable money. So, rent one-bedroom apartments in the prestigious apartment complex in the centre of Rome will cost guests ˆ200 per day.
Winter and summer
When booking a Christmas trip, we often forget about "non-traditional" areas – countries, popular for beach holidays and subsiding in winter. These include Montenegro, Cyprus, Bulgaria is suitable for a quiet family holiday in the countryside. As well as a very "revealing" Greece, the temperature in which the New year is around +20 °C.
Due to the small demand of Greece, before the new year holidays without fuss, you can book the plane tickets. Regular flights from Moscow fly all year round to Athens and Thessaloniki. So, today two-way ticket from Moscow to Thessaloniki on new year's dates will cost from ˆ145 up to ˆ320. Villa by the sea with a spacious garden, a gazebo and BBQ, pool and five bedrooms in the suburbs of Thessaloniki can be rented for ˆ400 per night for stays of 10-12 guests and a modern house with swimming pool, sauna, home cinema, three bedrooms and panoramic views of the Athenian Riviera for six guests – ˆ260 a day.
Hint: well, if travelers already have an open Schengen visa, and if not – then there is still time to register. We will remind that today to obtain a "Schengen" subject to the mandatory procedure of taking biometric data appointment that extends the visa till 14 days.
Of course, on New year's day swim in the sea here will fail, but this is a great time for long walks, picnics or BBQ outdoors, sightseeing, SPA or Thalasso centers, and restaurants, taverns or by the fireplace in a rented Villa with a glass of wine. Art lovers who went on holiday to Greece, like to start the Christmas holidays watching the ballet "the Nutcracker" performed by troupe "Big" that will be on tour in Athens until the end of December or in the vicinity of the colorful Cirque
