Traditionally, our compatriots associate winter with sledding, ice skating, skiing, sculpting snow figures and playing snowballs, and the New Year's celebration usually takes on the character of a protracted and plentiful feast, accompanied by watching Soviet New Year films and entertaining TV programs. Recently, however, more and more Russians violate the prevailing stereotypes and go to other countries to make the New Year holidays bright and unforgettable.
Egypt
Egypt is one of the most popular tourist destinations during the winter holidays and New Years. In January, cold winds blow quite often in Egypt, especially for the resort of Hurghada, but in general the weather conditions in this country are quite consistent with a full-fledged beach holiday, so you will return home with a beautiful bronze tan. Less windy resorts include Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh.
Despite the fact that it is not customary in Egypt to celebrate New Year's Eve, tourists will not be left without a holiday - most hotels organize a festive dinner and entertainment program. The rest of the New Year's holidays can be devoted entirely to beach vacations and diving in the Red Sea.
Thailand
Holidays in Thailand guarantee wonderful sunny weather and an unforgettable experience. This exotic country is the best place to spend your winter holidays. In Thailand, it is not customary to celebrate the New Year on the night of December 31, but all the necessary conditions for this have been created for Russian tourists in hotels, including a New Year tree and festive fireworks.
In addition to relaxing on sandy beaches with clear sea, tourists can take themselves shopping in bustling Bangkok and visiting local attractions.
United Arab Emirates
For those who want to get away from the cold winter and celebrate a holiday in an exotic country during the New Year holidays, they can go to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The New Year celebrations are especially vibrant in the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - exactly at midnight, the sky is lit up with colorful fireworks.
The weather in January is hot and sunny, but the sea at this time is quite cool and does not contribute to comfortable swimming. However, most of the hotels located in the UAE are equipped with special heated pools. Also, the whole family can go to the water park.
New Year's Eve in the UAE is a great time to shop as the world-renowned Shopping Festival kicks off at this time, which marks the start of the official sales.
Turkey
Turkey remains the unchanged leader in the number of tourists from Russia not only in the summer months, but also during the New Year holidays. This is primarily due to the huge selection of all kinds of hotels and affordable prices. The weather in Turkey at this time of year, of course, is not conducive to a full-fledged beach holiday, but many hotels are equipped with heated seawater pools. In addition, during the New Year holidays, you can pamper yourself with various spa treatments.
On New Year's Eve, all hotels provide an interesting festive program with concerts, masquerades, dances, gifts from Santa Claus, champagne and delicious treats.
Ski resorts are gaining more and more popularity among Russians due to the variety of different slopes and the presence of their favorite all-inclusive system. Holidays in the mountains of Turkey in terms of service level can be compared with European ski resorts, but the voucher will cost half the price.
Turkey is a country with a rich history and cultural heritage; on its territory, many traces of ancient civilizations have been preserved in the form of chic palaces and luxurious temples. During the New Year holidays, for excursions and shopping, you should definitely visit one of the greatest cities in Turkey - Istanbul.
Finland
This European country is a traditional winter tourism destination. And this is not surprising - where if not to the homeland of Santa Claus to go on New Year's holidays. It will be interesting for children and adults to visit the village of Santa Claus, where you can ride a reindeer sleigh, dine in a cozy cafe and buy Christmas souvenirs.
Ski enthusiasts will be able to appreciate such resorts as Levi, Rovaniemi, Kuusamo Ruko, famous for their excellent slopes for both beginners and professionals. Also, many hotels in Finland offer vacationers to rent a snowmobile.
But the most interesting thing is participation in various entertainment programs with colorful national customs. For example, a famous Christmas tradition is the Finnish evening sauna, after which the whole family gathers at the table. The festive menu includes must-have dishes such as vinaigrette, baked pork, national flatbreads and Christmas mulled wine.
China
It is a huge country with a large population, rich history, culture and national traditions. Due to the large extent of the country's area, weather conditions can vary greatly depending on a particular climatic zone.
In China, as in other countries, the New Year is celebrated on December 31, but the main holiday for the Chinese is the New Year according to the lunar calendar. On this day, concerts with the participation of famous pop stars, all kinds of competitions and entertainment are held in the squares of large cities. Instead of Christmas trees, the Chinese decorate the Trees of Light, and parades with multi-meter dragons are held on the streets of the city.
One of the most unusual and beautiful traditions of celebrating the New Year is the launching of paper lanterns into the sky, this event takes place after the chimes and the grandiose New Year's fireworks.
Germany
Germany turns into a fairy-tale country on the eve of Christmas, the streets are decorated with colorful garlands, and the aroma of gingerbread cookies and mulled wine soars in the air. On the eve of Christmas, fairs and bazaars open throughout the country, selling all kinds of Christmas tree decorations and holiday souvenirs. The most colorful Christmas markets with concerts and entertainment are held in cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Cologne and Düsseldorf.
Nature lovers can book a hotel room in one of the many ski resorts in Germany.
France
New Year's Paris is perhaps the most romantic place to celebrate the New Year. On the eve of the Christmas holidays, numerous fairs and markets open in the city, and the sales season begins in the shops. If the French prefer to celebrate Christmas in a narrow family circle, then the New Year is a public holiday - people gather in a big company in clubs and restaurants, and after midnight they go out to the square in fancy dress, showering each other with confetti.
On the remaining days of New Year's holidays, you can go to Disneyland, admire the sights of Paris or go on a sightseeing tour of the cities of France.
Fans of outdoor activities will be able to appreciate the ski resorts, famous for various slopes of any difficulty level and mesmerizing alpine landscapes.
Austria
Austria on New Year's and Christmas Eve turns into a magical place reminiscent of a real winter fairytale - the city streets decorated with Christmas trees and colorful garlands look like toy settlements. On the squares of large cities (Mirabell Square, Town Hall Square in Vienna, Cathedral Square in Salzburg), Christmas markets are opening, where in honor of the passing year, costume parades are held to the sound of bells.
A truly magical festive event is the Vienna New Year's Trail, which starts from Vienna Square and runs along the streets of the Old Town. Waltz sounds on every corner, and cafes and restaurants offer visitors gourmet treats and punch.
In Austria, baked pork or carp is a traditional Christmas dish on the holiday table. Hot punch is considered a popular drink among the Austrians during the New Year holidays, for the preparation of which wine, rum, citrus juice, cloves and cinnamon are used.
After celebrating the New Year in the capital, the rest of the New Year's holidays can be spent in the mountains, skiing.
Czech Republic
Every year, during the New Year holidays, tourists from all over the world come to the Czech Republic. And this is not surprising, because on Christmas Eve Prague becomes a truly fabulous city. You can celebrate the New Year in one of the many restaurants in the capital, and after the chiming clock, you can admire the grandiose festive fireworks that illuminate the sky above the Prague towers.
The Czech Republic is famous for its excellent beer, but if this drink is not to your liking, then you can order local wine made from grapes grown in Moravia (one of the regions of the Czech Republic).
All New Year's holidays can be devoted to excursions to the wonderful sights of the Czech capital. For a change, you can also visit cities such as Dresden, Karlovy Vary and Cesky Krumlov.
