Travel analytical agency "TurStat" regularly presents to its readers the analysis of tourist flows - or, if it is simpler, who goes where most often. This fall, the agency published a rating of the most popular cities for autumn tourism among residents of the CIS countries. Summer heat, which makes cities unpleasant for long walks, subsides, and you can enjoy the sights in comfort.
10. Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
One of the oldest cities in the post-Soviet space. It was founded back in the 7th century! So there is something to see.
We advise you to visit the Historical Museum, where you can learn how ancient and modern nomadic peoples lived, as well as the Museum of Fine Arts, where national handicrafts are presented in abundance.
Even if you are not a fan of visiting museums, an ordinary walk in Bishkek can be a great pleasure. This is a very beautiful city with stunning views, and 41 km from it there is the Ala-Archa natural park with special landscapes, glaciers and the Ak-Sai waterfall.
The capital of Kyrgyzstan is one of the cheapest cities in the former USSR for tourists. A day's accommodation in Bishkek will cost $ 32. This is the best city for budget tourism in the fall of 2017.
9. Chisinau (Moldova)
If autumn has already firmly entered its positions in Bishkek, then arriving in Chisinau, you can still enjoy the last reflections of summer and wine.
One of the most famous places in Chisinau is the Moldavian cellars, where you can see how wine is made with your own eyes. And, of course, try it. Chisinau also has many beautiful places (this is one of the "greenest" cities in Europe), museums (including the Pushkin Museum) and restaurants.
As in Bishkek, accommodation in the capital of Moldova will be inexpensive - an average of $ 35 per day.
8. Kiev (Ukraine)
Once Mikhail Bulgakov called Kiev “the best city in the world”. Indeed, this is one of the most beautiful and interesting years in the post-Soviet space. Picturesque relief, many historical and architectural monuments, museums (including the original museum of the history of the toilet) - if you want to see everything, you will have to stay here for a long time.
Accommodation in a Kiev three-star hotel will cost an average of $ 45 per day.
7. Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)
Ashgabat received the status of a city relatively recently - in the 19th century, so there is not much ancient history on its squares. But very close by are the ruins of the ancient Central Asian city of Nisa, whose history goes back centuries, to the ancient Parthian kingdom that existed before our era.
Accommodation at a local hotel will cost about $ 50 per day.
6. Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
Although the terrible earthquake of 1966 almost wiped out the city, the residents did not give up and rebuilt their city. So do not forget, admiring the monuments of architecture, that most of them are restored.
There are many museums in Tashkent, one of the most interesting is the library of oriental manuscripts, where the famous Koran of Caliph Uthman is located.This is the only original manuscript of the Koran that has survived to this day. And we recommend visiting the famous oriental bazaars of Tashkent, where you can find almost everything - from oriental sweets to gold products.
A day's stay in Tashkent will cost an average of $ 43.
5. Almaty (Kazakhstan)
One of the most picturesque cities of the former USSR is located near the snow-covered mountain range of the Zailiyskiy Alatau. From the top of one of its mountains, Kok-Tobe, a beautiful view of the capital of Kazakhstan opens up (a comfortable cable car leads there, there is an amusement park). History lovers should visit the Central State Museum, where the history of Kazakhstan is presented in detail in more than two thousand cultural monuments. Almaty is also famous for its fountains.
The cost of living in Almaty is $ 65 per day.
4. Yerevan (Armenia)
In the fourth place in the list of the best cities in the CIS for travel in the fall of 2017, there is a place with the richest cultural and historical heritage.
There are many architectural monuments on the territory of Yerevan, ranging from the Erebuni fortress with almost three thousand years of history, ancient rock monasteries and ending with the repositories of manuscripts. And still very close to the city, in the southwestern part of it, there is the Yerevan Lake, which was once a favorite bathing place for the townspeople. Now most of them prefer Lake Sevan, which is only 60 km away from the city. In many restaurants, you can try original dishes of Armenian cuisine, washed down with them - no, not only with cognac, but with varieties of local wines or original vodka from a variety of fruits, from pears to mulberry berries.
A day in a hotel in Yerevan will cost $ 67.
3. Baku (Azerbaijan)
The third place in the rating of popular tourist cities of the CIS is the capital of Azerbaijan, which successfully combines the charm of noble antiquity, oil luxury and modern conveniences. Therefore, having arrived in Baku, get ready to fork out - a day in a city hotel will cost you an average of $ 78. But a visit to the city will pay off this money with interest, there is something to see.
One of the most interesting objects from a tourist point of view is a whole archaeological reserve, where you can touch the rock art that has come down to us from time immemorial. The city also has a paleontological museum, a national natural park, and many ancient architectural monuments. There are also original modern buildings, such as the Flame Towers, which were completed just five years ago.
2. Astana (Kazakhstan)
Astana became the capital quite recently - only ten years ago, but its appearance has changed dramatically during this time. Now it is a beautiful modern city with wide avenues and futuristic architecture, the symbols of which are the Baiterek Tower and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.
Like Baku, Astana is one of the most expensive cities for tourists. A day's stay in the capital of Kazakhstan will cost $ 85.
1. Minsk (Belarus)
The most popular city in the CIS for travel in the fall of 2017 was the capital of Belarus. Minsk successfully combines antiquity, modernity, hospitality and a certain nostalgic "Sovietness".
In the city center, you can admire the old Trinity Suburb, visit the buildings of the former monastery of the Basilians, the town hall and the oldest church in the city, built at the beginning of the 17th century. Also in the city there are enough monuments of the past not so distant - buildings in the “Stalinist Empire” style. It is also worth visiting restaurants of national cuisine, looking at local handicrafts made of clay and flax, as well as going to the Botanical Garden, the zoo and the children's amusement park.
Accommodation costs about $ 70 per day.