Summer rest in the Caucasus - this is swimming in the warm Black Sea, hiking in the mountains and rafting on boats along the turbulent mountain rivers. And what to do there in winter? In fact, rest in the Caucasus in winter is no less good than in summer.
Rest in the Caucasus in winter.
Holidays in the mountains of the North Caucasus: ski resorts
Ski resorts North Caucasus are famous far beyond the borders of Russia. The most popular resorts are:
- Dombay;
- Arkhyz;
- Cheget.
Dombay is considered the most expensive ski resort in the Caucasus. There are the best tracks for every taste. There are tracks for both beginners and professionals. But Cheget, on the contrary, is the most cheap resort... Here you can find inexpensive hotels and restaurants.
Recently, another ski resort, Krasnaya Polyana, has been actively developing. Thanks to the Sochi Olympics, there are still wonderful ski slopes that will be appreciated even by experienced skiers.
All the resorts described above offer their visitors a range of additional services: rental of ski equipment, training in skiing, and more.
Winter holidays in the Caucasus mountains: health resorts
At the health resorts of the Caucasus, they are treated with healing mineral waters. These resorts are open all year round. They are located in 4 cities:
- Pyatigorsk;
- Essentuki;
- Zheleznovodsk;
- Kislovodsk.
People have been coming here to drink healing water for several centuries. It is never boring at these resorts. Tourists are surrounded by stunning nature: mountains, waterfalls, forests. In addition, the specific Caucasian flavor with its shops, bazaars, restaurants and hospitable locals deserves special attention.
In general, visiting local restaurants turns into a separate adventure. Caucasian cuisine is delicious. Be sure to try on vacation khinkali, khachapuri, pilaf, shorp, mamalyga. Those with a sweet tooth in the Caucasus will surely like Armenian halva and baklava.
And finally, tourists vacationing in sanatoriums and boarding houses can order all kinds of excursions, depending on the season and weather. Trips to local sights steeped in legends are very exciting.
However, in winter you can stop at sea resorts. Of course, you won't be able to swim, but you can walk along the embankment, breathe healing sea air, to rest in mind and body. V last years sea vacation by the sea for Christmas and New Year is gaining popularity, so you need to book hotels and boarding houses in advance. As you can see, the Caucasus is beautiful at any time of the year!
Russian winter is a fabulous time for lovers of this season. In Russia, winter is already a huge and famous landmark in itself. After all, when foreigners hear the word Russia, they automatically program a picture of Russian nature with huge snow drifts and bitter frosts. In addition, during the onset of the crisis, many refused to travel abroad and decided to take a closer look at the vastness of their homeland. And by the way, not in vain. We also have something to see. What are the bewitching northern Lights, riding on the famous Russian troikas, dog sleds and fast snowmobiles. Let us analyze in detail where and what in Russia you can choose for a full-fledged winter trip.
it greatest creation nature has long established itself as an excellent holiday destination in winter and summer. It is famous for its size and age; it is about 25 million years old. In winter, many travel companies provide exciting vacation for any tourist to taste. This and ski tours, and trips on "Khivus" (high-speed amphibious boat on an air cushion) on the ice of Lake Baikal, ATVs, buggies, dog sleds, it is not without reason that they have been gaining momentum in Baikal tourism lately. Also, tourists are offered helicopter tours, ice diving, hunting and fishing, visiting caves.
In addition, this amazing lake will be a real attraction for children and corporate events. Tour operators include a lot of interesting entertainment programs in their programs. Who else can play golf on the ice of the lake in their life?
Holidays at Lake Baikal are becoming more and more popular among active travelers every year. There is something to see here, how to be inspired and maintain a healthy mind. A trip to Olkhon Island will help in this, where you can see rocks, Shaman's stone and Devil's finger, Cape Shamansky, Petroglyphs, Mount Yord and many other natural and historical monuments... After all, the most valuable sights were presented to Baikal not by history and culture, but by nature.
Rest in Karelia is wonderful at any time of the year, and especially in winter!
Rest in Karelia is wonderful at any time of the year, and especially in winter! it beautiful place will not leave indifferent any tourist. In amazing Karelia there is an opportunity to test yourself for hardening - felting in the snow after a hot steam in a fragrant bathhouse on fir wood, merry cheesecake rides, skiing, and what about without an active safari on husky dogs or reindeer sledding. Karelia is rich in a variety of game and fish, which will not leave indifferent fishermen and hunters. And what could be better and more comfortable than accommodation in a wooden house by the fireplace, with fragrant thyme tea and Karelian honey?
For those interested sightseeing tours it is possible to organize a trip to the main attractions: Cape Runopevtsev, Sacred Grove, ethnographic museum, 200-year-old Karelian house, etc.
Want to ignite adrenaline in your blood? Then choose the Elbrus region. Elbrus is the highest (5642 meters) peak in Russia and is a cone of a volcano. From the earliest times to the present day, this mountain attracts travelers, scientists and climbers. Many peoples considered this mountain sacred, to this day it keeps riddles and secrets that defy explanation and refutation. It is known that even Hitler was looking for the famous and mysterious Shambhala in these places. This mountain is considered the mountain of wisdom, the mountain of the Gods, the father of all mountains, the mountain of the blessed, and among other things, it is incredibly beautiful.
Want to ignite adrenaline in your blood? Then choose the Elbrus region.
In the Elbrus region, the famous ski resorts"Cheget" and "Azau". The world famous slopes of Cheget and Elbrus, snow-covered even in summer, compete with any ski resort in the world. total length ski slopes is more than 35 km. On the roads leading to the peaks, you can enjoy the power of the majestic landscapes, slopes, mountains.
Among other things, the resort is famous for the most delicious Caucasian cuisine, the recipes of which have been passed down from generation to generation.
The Dombay resort is located in the most beautiful place, surrounded by the chains of the North Caucasian mountains, the height of which fluctuates almost 1.500 meters above sea level, which makes it ideal place for ski lovers.
Dombay today is high-class comfortable hotels and hotels, as well as a developed infrastructure for a good rest for extreme lovers and excellent service that meets all standards of service quality.
The best place for skiing in the Dombay ski resort is the southwestern slopes of Mount Mussa-Achitara. Dombai has all the conditions for heli-skiing (helicopter disembarkation of skiers and descent from the top of the mountains), from which you get incomparable pleasure, as well as freeride (off-piste routes from the upper station of the 5th stage of the chair lift).
Large snowboard festivals have been held in Dombai for 10 years already. And for lovers of tourist walks, there are walking and horse trails in the beauty of local landscapes.
Veliky Ustyug is a unique opportunity to get acquainted with old town Russia, plunge into fairy world and find out how the main wizard of the country, Santa Claus, lives.
The city is located on the banks of the Sukhona River in the north-east of the Vologda Oblast. It is rich in its ancient monuments bearing a century-old history, numerous temples, churches, cathedrals and monasteries. The houses, made in an unusual old Russian style, surprise and amaze with their architectural beauty no less. But the main attraction of the city is the magic patrimony of Father Frost. The magnificent carved tower of Santa Claus, rides and slides, horseback riding, a journey along the Path of Fairy Tales, walks in a magical winter forest - all this awaits you in Veliky Ustyug. Not only children, but also parents will be delighted.
You can also visit equally fascinating events: numerous attractions, game programs with interesting theatrical performances, all kinds of skiing: from slides on inflatable sleds, on snowmobiles, in a sleigh with horses, on a small train and in a completely exotic way - riding on a Russian stove - all this will be an extraordinary continuation of a fun holiday in the estate of Santa Claus. An unforgettable experience can also be obtained in a small zoo. There are many northern animals and birds here.
Good time of the day, dear readers. The beginning of October is in the yard, the time of holidays for the majority of Russians is behind. For the sake of fairness, it should be noted that many of our compatriots have not had a very successful vacation this year.
The reason for this was massive problems with tour operators, many of which have suspended their activities. This circumstance, as well as the tense political situation around Russia, led to a sharp decline (according to some sources, up to 30%) in outbound tourism.
As they say, there would be no happiness - but misfortune helped. Rosstat recently reported that there is a surge in domestic tourism in the country. The Russians, for obvious reasons, began to rest more "at home" than over the hill.
Rest in the Caucasus since the times of the USSR it has been shrouded in a veil of mysteries and stereotypes. The entire territory of the North Caucasus is strewn with recreational, natural and historic centers: medical resorts of the Stavropol Territory, ski resorts of Sochi and Kabardino-Balkaria, the famous Dombay, the coast of the Black and Caspian Seas, oldest monuments architecture and modern skyscrapers of Grozny ...
You can continue for a long time. For example, a lot of people come just to breathe in the clean mountain air. I have a friend who visits every three years only to eat plenty of organic fruits and vegetables.
Recently, more and more often I hear from people that they would be happy to visit the Caucasus, only "it's a little scary." The arguments are different: there are strict traditions and customs, people wear burqas, a lot of nationalities, wild views among young people, rampant criminality, religious fanatics ...
Do you need to consider these 10 points when planning your vacation in the Caucasus?
I will not pull the cat by the known organs, straight to the point. I confess, I'm already a little tired of answering the same questions on social networks about planning a vacation in the Caucasus: how to dress, what to take with you, what kind of food is there, how they treat Russian girls, whether it is necessary to learn local languages, what is customary to give Caucasians, how to talk to them correctly? And a million more similar questions.
In this article, I decided to reveal 10 important aspects that must be taken into account if you are planning to spend a long-awaited vacation in one of the corners of the mountainous region. In general, I am writing this article for myself, in order to give it to those who will ask me the above questions. Although, each of you will find something useful here for yourself, or write your opinion in the comments and complement me.
- Familiarize yourself with the traditions and customs of the local people in advance.
It is very important to do this, even in order not to get trapped like Shurik in the film "Prisoner of the Caucasus":
Dozens of peoples live in the Caucasus, each of them has its own traditions. Having studied a little their history and culture, you will immediately get an indisputable advantage over an unprepared person and will be able to win over the local population.
And do not say that there is no time for this or little information. The internet is just filled with comprehensive materials about traditions. Do not be lazy, read and learn the basics, so that later it would be easier for you to talk with those who will receive you.
- Try to choose more modest clothes.
Recently, more and more people began to pay tribute to winter recreation in the forest - it is becoming popular. And it is not surprising, because such a pleasure is associated with many wonderful entertainments:
Walks in the winter forest;
Russian bath;
Ice fishing;
Snowball game;
Construction of snow fortresses;
And many many others.
Due to the mild climate and beautiful nature, more and more people choose winter holidays in Crimea - in the mountains, on the coast, in the forest, on the shores of lakes. A particularly attractive corner for this is the Baydar Valley.
Advantages of the Baydar Valley for winter tourism
Since this area is sheltered from all sides mountain ranges, there are special climatic conditions... Cooler and wetter, which leads to the fact that there is much more snow here than, for example, on the coast. And what is a winter holiday without snow?
Besides, in Baydar Valley are probably the best bases winter recreation in the forest in Crimea. You will be able to find your own place to your liking to enjoy the beauty of this nature reserve, with its lakes, rivers, deciduous and coniferous forests.
"White Island" in Orlin: features of the spa-estate
This hotel is an island of warmth and comfort in the middle of the harsh snow-capped mountains. It has all the attributes necessary for a comfortable life - and even more. Several types of baths, massage, various sports activities and delicious food - you can find all this in these walls. And, of course, if you are wondering where to inexpensively celebrate the New Year in Crimea, "White Island" is an excellent answer.
Our little guests on vacation in Eagle in winter
Celebration of the New Year in the White Island
The fabulous atmosphere of a snow-covered forest in the mountains is the best fit for this cozy family holiday. And elegant wooden houses, as if moved here from somewhere from a colorful children's book, will welcome you with hospitable warmth.
In addition, there is a very interesting entertainment program with Santa Claus, a colorful electro show and delicious food. And all this at very reasonable prices. "White Island" is perfect for
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This winter we got into the real winter's tale in Kabardino-Balkaria. And frozen waterfalls and fluffy magic trees ...
The first two days we spent in Kabardino-Balkaria, the rest of the time we walked around Pyatigorsk.
Approaching the Kavminvody we saw a beautiful winter sunrise.
Dawn before Pyatigorsk
We have been to Kavminvody more than once, but only in the warm season. We visited for the first time in winter. It is unusual to see these places in snow-white clothes, slightly illuminated by pink dawn and blue skies.
Winter road
In the early days, while we were walking around natural attractions, we were incredibly lucky with the weather: fluffy white snow gave real beauty... At Christmas it started to melt, but for city walks good weather is no longer so important.
Views along the road. Kavminvody
Views along the road. Mashuk
Views along the road. Beshtau
Views along the road. Mashuk
We were driving in two cars, six people, three adults and three children. For us, this trip is also notable for the fact that we personally met Svetlana Kusha.
She writes for my blog, The Roads of the World are wonderful. And not only.
Wonderful nature of Kabardino-Balkaria
We were in Kabardino-Balkaria for the first time. In two days we managed to see the frozen Chegem waterfalls, Blue Lakes, Cherekskoe gorge, Upper Balkaria with the Abaevs' tower.
Liked everything. But most of all - the frozen Chegem waterfalls and the extraordinary harsh beauty of the Cherek Gorge and Upper Balkaria.
View from Mount Mashuk to Mount Beshtau
We walked a lot around the city. We saw the Flower Garden, Diana's grotto, went up to the Aeolian harp, went down to and went to the Proval. We went up to the Chinese pavilion and from there also looked down at Pyatigorsk.
We went to the Gate of the Sun.
Gate of the Sun
Drank mineral water... What is a trip to Kavminvody without water?
Drinking pump-room of source No. 1 in Pyatigorsk
I don't like the cold, but after such a winter trip, perhaps, you can fall in love with the winter. A fluffy snow-white beauty. In the mountains, she is doubly beautiful.
Of course, all the impressions of the New Year's trip to the Caucasus do not fit into one story, so I will tell you about everything in more detail.
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