Although ordinary Russians did not make it onto the famous US sanctions list, access to many countries was closed to most of them. And not because they are not allowed, but because there is not enough money.
But do not lose heart. Having calculated the cost of flights and expenses on the spot for popular tourist destinations, Skyscanner experts created ranking of countries suitable for budget holidays in 2018. All prices in the list are based on a two-week stay for two tourists.
10. Hungary - 98,000 rubles.
This is the most expensive of the best budget travel destinations of 2018. Two weeks in Hungary will cost a couple of tourists about 98 thousand rubles. However, for the money it will be possible to rest so well that it would be nice to remember all year.
Here's what you can do in Hungary:
- Take a dip in the Gellert Palace baths - the most beautiful of Budapest's 13 hydropathic centers.
- Visit the Bear Park in the town of Vereshedhaz.
- Take a boat trip on Lake Balaton - the largest lake in Central Europe.
- Visit the oldest Hungarian monastery - the Benedictine monastery of Pannonhalma.
- Improve health by plunging into the waters of the Hevis Thermal Lake.
9. Albania - 92,770 rubles.
For those who want to know how the real Albanian language differs from the jargon, which at one time was popular in RuNet, the trip will cost 92,770 rubles. Despite the small size of the country, it has many attractive features:
- clear sea and comfortable beaches;
- the largest ancient Roman amphitheater in the Balkans in Durrës;
- Unique Ottoman architecture that can be admired in the city of Berat;
- many medieval castles, including Rozafa Castle, Petrel Castle, and Skanderbeg Castle.
Russian citizens can enter Albania without a visa for up to ninety days.
8. Nepal - 92,000 rubles.
A two-week visit to Buddha’s homeland will cost 92 thousand rubles. Nepal is known as the spiritual center of Asia, many people come here, eager for enlightenment.
Experienced tourists are advised to visit the following attractions in Nepal:
- Bodnath is one of the most famous Nepalese temple complexes, in the center of which is a huge Buddhist stupa.
- Kumari Ghar is the residence of the living incarnation of the goddess Kumari. The honor of “representing” on Earth a deity falls to a girl from 3 to 5 years old, originating from the Shakya caste and having 32 signs of perfection - from voice and appearance to a horoscope for compatibility with kings' horoscopes and the absence of the slightest scratches on the body.
- Sagarmatha National Park, there are several species of rare animals, including the small panda and the snow leopard.
- Kopan Monastery is an abode of tranquility and an ideal place for meditation.
7. Turkey - 91,000 rubles.
Despite the fact that many Russians are wary of traveling to Turkey, due to frequent terrorist attacks and popular unrest in the country, this budget tourist destination remains one of the most popular. It will cost 91 thousand rubles.
On the territory of Turkey is one of the strangest places on Earth - the Cotton Palace, thermal pools with a snow-white surface.
And for those who are interested in ancient Roman and ancient Greek history, but have no money to visit Greece and Rome, we recommend visiting the Turkish archaeological complex of Ephesus. There are many famous attractions: the Temple of Hadrian, the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, the cemetery of gladiators and one of the most ancient library of Celsius.
6. Azerbaijan - 90,000 rubles.
Majestic mountain scenery, delicious national dishes, mud volcanoes and clean beaches of the Caspian Sea - this is not a complete list of reasons to visit Azerbaijan. The trip will cost about 90 thousand rubles.
The most famous Azerbaijani sights include:
- The Carpet Museum, which contains beautiful carpets from various weaving schools, national costumes, ceramics and medieval metal products.
- Gobustan reserve with cave paintings and mud volcanoes.
- Palace of the Shirvanshahs, which served as the residence of the rulers of Shirvan.
- Flaming towers in Baku are the tallest buildings in the country.
5. Armenia - 85,500 rubles.
A visit to this country will cost 85.5 thousand rubles. Most of the attractions are concentrated in Yerevan, however, other cities have something to see and try (for example, the famous Armenian wines).
On the territory of Armenia is Mount Ararat, the peak of which served as a pier for the ship of Noah after the Flood.
And in Armenia it is worth visiting the Blue Mosque - this is the only Muslim cathedral operating in the country.
Since Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion, there are a great many churches and monasteries on its territory. Perhaps the most prominent of these are the Noravank Monastery Complex, the Sanahin Monastery and the Etchmiadzin Cathedral.
4. India - 85,000 rubles.
A mysterious country full of descendants of the Rajas and the poor, will be available to tourists for only 85 thousand rubles.
So if you have long dreamed of walking around the Red Fort, visiting the Taj Mahal - one of the most beautiful architectural monuments on Earth, admiring the golden temple of Harmandir Sahib, or meditating in some ashram, then it's time to start saving money for the trip.
3. Abkhazia - 84,000 rubles.
A small but proud republic opens the top 3 of the best countries for a budget trip. Traveling across the expanses of Abkhazia will cost 84 thousand rubles.
Almost all the tourists who visited this country noted that the nature there is magnificent, the sea is clean, and the chacha is delicious. But with the attitude to Russian tourists - what is called "how lucky." Therefore, it is better to travel in groups of several people and carefully read reviews about a particular hotel.
From popular attractions:
- Gagra Colonnade is the oldest and most famous Abkhazian landmark. This is a beautiful multi-arch design in the Moorish style.
- New Athos Cave is a unique natural gift, a huge dungeon leading to the bowels of the Iverskaya Mountain.
- Ritsa Lake is alpine, very clean and unforgettably beautiful.
- The water park in Gagra is a fun, noisy and huge attraction with 7 pools, 9 slides of different heights, including a 101-meter slide for thrill-seekers.
2. Moldova - 76,800 rubles.
Traveling to a country with well-developed winemaking will cost 76.8 thousand rubles. At the same time, Russian citizens do not need to apply for a visa, but a passport is required.
During a budget trip to Moldova in 2018, we recommend that you look in Chisinau:
- Arch of Victory. This architectural and historical monument was built in honor of the victory in the Russian-Turkish wars.
- Cathedral of the Nativity. In the 19th century it was the main Orthodox church in the city.
- Amphitheater Old Orhei. Once upon a time there was a settlement of the Golden Horde, but now the Amphitheater serves as an open-air museum.
- Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences. Amazingly beautiful place, divided into two equal parts by Valya Kruchiy stream. Most of the plants in the garden are placed in the style of landscape design.
1. Belarus - 76,500 rubles.
The best country for a budget holiday in 2018. A two-week tour will cost the Russians 76.5 thousand rubles for two. Those who have visited Belarus praise its clean cities, good roads and picturesque corners. Popular tourist destinations include:
- Minsk Zoo, where over 500 species of exotic animals and rare representatives of the Belarusian fauna are represented.
- The Brest region, the garrison of which in 1941 for more than a month held the defense against the Nazis, in complete encirclement.
- The oldest forest in Europe is the Bialowieza Forest, where nine hundred species of plants grow.
- Mir Castle Complex is one of the most beautiful in Europe.
- Braslav Lakes National Park, which is also called the “blue necklace" of Belarus for its stunningly beautiful lakes.
We hope that you liked one of these popular budget destinations and wish you a pleasant stay!