What is the nicest time of the year? "Vacation" - I will answer. And you need to use it, so short-term, to the maximum. So that the warm sea and the bright sun were as much as possible, and the bureaucratic delays - as little as possible.
Fortunately, many countries have entered into a visa-free agreement with the Russian Federation. Of these, this ranking presents the ten most popular and affordable visa-free destinations in 2019.
10. Abkhazia
Without a visa and a passport.
Small and proud Abkhazia opens the list of countries where you can go by sea without a visa in 2019. Local authorities are allowed into the country with an ordinary Russian passport.
There are many beaches in Abkhazia, from quite comfortable ones in the local party center - Gagra, to completely wild ones, almost without feeling the touch of civilization. So you will have to take both the rug and the lounger with you. But there are fewer people. And the beautiful nature is what the "land of the soul" is loved and praised for by those who have visited it at least once.
Rest in Pitsunda is suitable for parents with children. Due to the favorable location, strong winds and storms do not penetrate the bay.
However, it is better to go to Abkhazia with a company of several people. Not all local people are friendly to visitors. In addition, extortions on the roads and theft of things flourish in the country (even in hotels, so it is better to carefully read the reviews about the chosen vacation spot before traveling).
9. Montenegro
Visa-free: 90 days (during the tourist season - from April 15 to October 31).
If you are attracted by the atmosphere of a resort town with its nightlife, attractions and active shopping, then Budva is ideal for a beach holiday in Montenegro. And in order not to spend extra money on an excursion, you can go for an independent inspection in Bar, Kotor or Herceg Novi. Fortunately, Budva and other resort towns are connected by a well-established network of bus routes.
If you want peace and quiet, there are quieter options like the Lustica peninsula with its cozy coves and olive groves. And for lovers of seafood and avid fishermen, this is a paradise.
Seasoned tourists say that it is best to go to Montenegro in September, when the air and sea are still warm, but there are fewer tourists.
8. Morocco
Visa-free: 90 days.
An exotic Arab country has become available to tourists relatively recently. The most popular beach destinations for locals and visitors alike are Essaueira and Casablanca (where the Hollywood masterpiece of the 1950s takes place).
Agadir with Casablanca - resorts of the European level, where you can swim, sunbathe and surf at your pleasure under the reliable supervision of the police. And this is not a joke, the beaches are really patrolled by the police.
Essaouira is a more exotic option for those wishing to immerse themselves in the local culture. True, due to the still underdeveloped tourist infrastructure, many hotels do not reach the European level of comfort, and there are almost no Russian speakers.
7. South Korea
Visa-free: 60 days.
This option for a visa-free trip to the sea is perfect for fans of a polite, tactful and unobtrusive oriental service. South Korya was included in the list of visa-free countries just a few years ago, but Russian-speaking people are welcome there. Even the country's official tourist site has been translated into Russian.
Korea is a maritime country, it has access to three seas at once, and on each of them you can relax. The most favorite part of the locals is the eastern part, where there is the most sun (and tourists). If you want something a little more relaxed, you can head to the Yellow Sea coast, where the solar activity is less intense.
In general, a trip to South Korea will cost a pretty penny if you fly from the European part of the country. But for Siberians and the Far East, tickets will cost a third or even half the price.
Good news for culture lovers: museums in Korea are free or sell tickets for a nominal fee.
6. Israel
Visa-free: 90 days.
This small state has three seas at once, included in list of the cleanest seas on Earth... These are the Mediterranean, Red and Dead Seas.
The most popular destination is Tel Aviv, the capital of the country, which is always full of people and opportunities for entertainment. All local beaches are under the control of the city administration.
Strikingly different from the noisy and hurried Tel Aviv, Herzliya is the most fashionable resort in the country.
And Eilat, located on the coast of the Red Sea, is perfect for diving enthusiasts.
5. Cuba
Visa-free: 30 days.
"Island of the Crimson Dawn" is traditionally one of the most popular tourist destinations for Russians. Especially between November and April, when the rainy season ends and sunny weather begins in Cuba.
In addition to the resort-communist exoticism and low prices, the homeland of Fidel and Che Guevara can offer many beaches of excellent quality, with the most delicate and whitest sand and transparent warm sea. Many of them have been awarded the Blue Flag.
But it's better not to go to Cuba in August - hurricanes are possible.
4. Vietnam
Visa-free: 30 days.
The more expensive Thailand becomes, the more tourists are attracted by the nearby Vietnam. Prices there are so low that a Russian vacationer who gets there for the first time can "blow off the roof." And then he will rush to buy everything that he sees around. Fruit! Seafood! Excursions! Local souvenirs!
And if we add here the favorable geographical position of the country, which is located in three climatic zones at once, it becomes clear that you can relax here all year round. If the rainy season has begun in one place, it doesn't matter, you can go to another.
A little tip: don't get carried away with local coffee. It is very tasty, only there is a lot of caffeine in it. Combined with humidity and heat, this can lead to severe pressure build-up.
3. Maldives
Visa-free: 30 days.
Top 3 best places for Russians to travel without a visa in 2019 opens a hospitable tropical paradise - the Maldives. The Maldives archipelago includes over a thousand coral islands, and everyone will find a place to their liking: from the seething nightlife and beautiful restaurants of the world to secluded retreats with European level of comfort.
The most popular time for tourists is from December to April, when the north-east wind direction prevails in the Maldives. The weather is sunny and dry, the very thing to sunbathe and swim. However, prices during the "velvet season" are three times higher than in summer. However, there are options for state employees: for example, guest houses, where you can find accommodation for a ridiculous amount for the Maldives of 25 euros per day.
2. Cyprus
Visa-free: 90 days.
For a trip to one of countries with the lowest crime rates it is enough to send an e-mail to the address of the consulate and receive a stamp upon arrival. Both of these operations are completely free.
And the number of beaches in Cyprus is amazing, each of them with its own character: from youthful and daring Nissi Beach to family, quiet Protaras.But the title of the most famous of them went to the beach of Aphrodite, from where the goddess of love herself emerged from the sea foam.
1. Turkey
Visa-free: 60 days.
The tourist flow of Russians striving for the best resorts in Turkey... The reason is the fact that the territorial position of the country is to fly there from Russia quickly and easily, there are many low-cost airlines - as well as the sea coast and the excellent climate.
And also in Turkey, an extensive system of hotels, from budget to five-star, as well as many proposals for the favorite of tourists "all inclusive". It is important that almost all service personnel in Turkey know Russian at least at the level of "my yours understand". And, most importantly, the Turks really try to make Russian tourists comfortable and pleasant to have a rest. After all, a satisfied tourist will definitely return next year.
Which countries can Russians travel to without a visa?
According to Henley & Partners, which annually constitutes rating of world passports, in 2019, 119 countries of the world offer visa-free entry to their country for Russians. At the same time, the company's experts took into account the countries that offer entry under the simplified regime, with obtaining a visa upon arrival, right at the airport.
The list also includes the former Soviet republics, and four of them can be entered not only without a visa, but also without a passport. It:
- Abkhazia.
- Belarus.
- Kazakhstan.
- Kyrgyzstan.
To cross the border with others (for example, Georgia), a passport will still have to be issued.
Only four European states allow Russian residents to enter their territory without a visa. These include:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Macedonia.
- Serbia.
- Montenegro.
But in South and Central America, travelers have plenty of space. It is possible to cross this continent from one side to the other, and at the same time a visa is never required.
The same applies to the islands of the Caribbean:
- Antigua and Barbuda.
- Bahamas.
- Barbados.
- Haiti.
- Grenada.
- Dominica.
- Dominican Republic.
- Cuba.
- Saint Lucia.
- Saint Kitts and Nevis.
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
- Trinidad and Tobago.
- Turks and Caicos.
- Jamaica.
Among the most popular African countries for holidays, visa-free entry is allowed for Morocco, Tunisia and the Seychelles.
In the Middle East, Russians are welcomed in a visa-free or simplified regime:
- Egypt.
- Israel.
- Iran (for persons in the tour group).
- UAE.
- Lebanon.
- Qatar.
- Cyprus.
- Oman.
- And, of course, Turkey.
The list of Henley & Partners also includes Syria, but hardly anyone sane will dare to rest there in the near future.
The countries of the Asian continent are gradually opening up towards Russian tourists. Moreover, these include both business centers like Hong Kong and Macau and highly popular with tourists Thailand, Hainan and the Maldives, and still little-known Laos.
And eight more island states in the Pacific Ocean are ready to welcome Russians into their warm tropical embrace without the need for paperwork. It:
- Vanuatu.
- Guam.
- Micronesia.
- Cook Islands.
- Niue.
- Nauru.
- Fiji.
- Northern Mariana Islands.