The best places to relax by the sea in winter in 2020

Who doesn't like to relax under the rays of the scorching sun, contemplating the sound of coastal waves? The climate of Russia and the CIS countries is not conducive to such a holiday in winter, however, the countries of Africa, Central Asia and Oceania offer all interested tourists such an opportunity. These paradise oases will fill any seemingly winter day with warm rays of the sun, a light sea breeze and excellent mood.

The warmest, most hospitable and vibrant countries for recreation.

Thailand.

The Kingdom of Thailand is an independent state located in Southeast Asia. For the past few years, this country has remained the most popular holiday destination at sea in winter and autumn among Russians and residents of the CIS countries.

Thailand is washed by the Pacific and Indian Oceans: the Andaman Sea from the east, and the South China Sea from the west. The Islamic Gulf, which is part of the South China Sea, also washes this country.

The indigenous population speaks Thai, but native English speakers are increasingly common in resort towns.

This paradise country is worth visiting from late autumn to early spring, because in the summer there are torrential tropical rains around the clock.
People who decided to go to Thailand in the summer were faced with the fact that the huge amount of rainfall specifically interfered with a pleasant pastime. Such tourists were forced to sit for a long time in hotel rooms, watching the rain outside.

What attracts tourists to this Asian country?

First, there is a real exotic here. In Thailand, literally for a few Thai baht (the national currency of the kingdom) you can buy any exotic fruit that is not easy to find on store shelves in Russia. For example, on the free market there are such delicacies as

• passion fruit;
• malay apple;
• longan;
• carambola;
• lychee;
• pomelo;
• papaya;
• jackfruit;
• pitahaya, or dragon fruit;
• durian.

The list of tasty and healthy fruits is not limited to this. Also, everyone can get a tropical cocktail for a small fee: coconut water mixed with the juice of other fruits and other delicious delicacies. This drink is poured either in coconut or pineapple.

Interesting fact.

Traditionally, this cocktail is believed to symbolize paradise beaches, sunny lagoons and wonderful relaxation. In addition, in Asia and Oceania, it is customary to welcome guests by stabbing a lotus or orchid flower in their hair, or wearing a wreath of tropical leaves around their neck.

Secondly, flying to Thailand is easy and simple. Residents of Russia from the Far East, Siberia or the Volga region, as well as residents of the CIS, can take a charter flight to their destination. If you do not want to fly a charter flight, you can fly through the United Arab Emirates or Qatar. The flight, although it takes a lot of time, is easily transferred.
The most popular tourist destinations in Thailand are Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui.

Some people are worried about the question: "Is it possible to go to Thailand with a child?"Of course, this country is very hospitable towards Russian tourists, but there is one subtlety here.

Should I go to Pattaya with a child?
If you are planning a vacation in Pattaya, then you should immediately study the entire infrastructure of the city.
Everyone knows that Pattaya is the largest sex tourism center in all of Southeast Asia. Here in the evening transsexuals or local priestesses of love can walk around the city, offering their services.
However, at the same time, Pattaya is equipped with a huge number of children's entertainment: rides, parks, water parks. Children will definitely not get bored.
But in order to competently spend time without negative emotions, you should still study the city's entertainment program, attractions, places for children's leisure and streets, places where 18+ establishments are located.

But if the prospect of being in the capital of sex tourism is frightening, you should choose other resorts: Samui, Phuket. These places are famous for their clean, uncrowded beaches, developed infrastructure, an abundance of attractions and an excellent entertainment program.

Thirdly, Thailand is a place with amazing flora and fauna.

Tropical, humid monsoon forests, in which delightful butterflies live, trees and shrubs grow with a peculiar shape of leaves to protect against the evaporation of additional moisture from their surface, bizarre insects crawl, and incredibly beautiful amphibians and amphibians are found in the springs, which will interest any traveler.

And for diving here, in general, paradise conditions. Crystal clear water in blue lagoons, sandy bottom, a huge number of tropical colorful fish, echinoderms and starfish, gastropods and cephalopods, bizarre corals and sea sponges, as well as sunny weather will help every tourist to fully explore the marine world.

Helpful warning!

Despite all the beauty of the flora and fauna of Thailand, direct and indirect contact with bright, poisonous living things and sea corals should be avoided. Indeed, in nature, a bright color warns that the animal has special defense mechanisms.
If you are planning a vacation with various excursions or research trips to local forests or diving, then you must have a first aid kit with vaccines against the main animal poisons (including jellyfish poison). Such living beings usually inject a lethal dose of poison into the human body, and if the antidote is not introduced in time, then everything will end in death.

Fourth, Thailand is a great place to study Buddhist culture and Buddhism as a religion. There are a huge number of temples throughout the country, open to everyone. Anyone who wishes can have a meditation session with the local clergy.

In addition, this country has a lot of entertainment: elephant trekking, diving, excursions to famous temples. Gourmets will also like it here - Thai cuisine is very original and interesting. New dishes prepared in accordance with national traditions will please everyone.

The souvenir industry is also developed: everyone can buy decorative items painted according to national traditions, as well as olive, black cumin, natural oils, which are sold at exorbitant prices in Russia.

Entertainment in Thailand is very democratic: everyone can afford a course of Thai massage, SPA services and other joys of life.

Thus, a vacation in Thailand in winter is a great choice! A visa-free country for Russians, where you can feel yourself in a paradise tale, be surrounded by blooming lotuses, fluttering huge butterflies and fancy fish. A visit to this country will clearly remain in your heart forever, and you will want to return there again and again.

More atmosphere of Thailand - in the video:

Egypt.

The Arab Republic of Egypt also remains one of the most popular winter holiday destinations on a par with Thailand.This country is located next to the Suez Canal, which provides a short route to the Atlantic or Indian Oceans. In addition, visa-free entry is organized for Russians and residents of the CIS countries.

Unlike Thailand, which has tropical rains in the summer and where you cannot go at this time, you can fly to Egypt at any time of the year.

This country is washed by two seas of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans: the Mediterranean - from the north and the Red - from the east.

Egypt is famous for its hot climate, monuments of ancient culture, an excellent entertainment entertainment program for children and adults, as well as a beautiful warm sea filled with tropical fish.

The climate is really hot here. If you go to Egypt in winter, then the average daily temperature in resort cities will reach 30 - 35 degrees Celsius.

Therefore, if you are planning a vacation in this country, you need to purchase several bottles of sunscreen or emulsion with a sunscreen (SPF) factor equal to 50 or more. Don't forget about a headdress, a light cape on the shoulders and loose, breathable shoes.

Otherwise, there is a chance of getting heatstroke, sunburn and some unpleasant foot diseases resulting from wearing tight, uncomfortable, closed shoes in hot climates. And the services of a doctor, as well as medicines in pharmacies in tourist cities, cost a considerable amount of euros (despite the fact that the national currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound, tourists are supposed to pay in euros both in the city and at the hotel).

Tourist memo.

When buying a tour to Egypt, you should carefully study the beach infrastructure at the hotel.
The beach should be sandy, not pebbled. It should have sun loungers and sun umbrellas, as well as a rescue post. These necessary requirements are due to the fact that the temperature in Egypt is very high in winter, and even being on the beach in the late afternoon there is a risk of sunburn.
Walking on hot sand is not as painful as walking on pebbles, and sun umbrellas will prevent direct sunlight from reaching human skin. Rescuers in case of anything will provide the necessary medical assistance and will be taken to the room.

The Mediterranean and Red Seas in Egypt are very warm even in the morning. The main popular tourism destinations are the cities of Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, El Gouna, El Quseir, Soma Bay on the Red Sea coast (they mistakenly say Sharm El Sheikh).

The sea water is clean, transparent, and the bottom is usually covered with white sand. Tourists note that when entering the sea, you can walk on the sand for a long time before the depth begins to exceed their height.

Warm currents prevail here, however, people who have swum far from the coast note that cold underwater currents begin to be felt clearly.

One of the favorite pastimes of tourists at sea in Egypt is to observe and visit the peculiar islets protruding from under the crystal clear water during low tides, which pass every day in the morning.
In this case, about half an hour, at a distance of about fifty meters from the coast, islands of white sand appear, which you can safely go to in shallow water, take a picture there and even wait for the hiding of this island during high tide, being right on it. In this case, it will not be difficult to swim to the coast.

However, this is not always the case in the seas of Egypt. As you know, the Red and Mediterranean Seas are famous for their rich flora and fauna. Therefore, for example, in Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada, entry into the sea is possible only through a pontoon, a special floating platform that allows entering the sea only at a depth that exceeds the average height of a person by 2.5 - 3 times.

This is due to the fact that echinoderms, or sea urchins, live in the coastal zone, where shallow water stretches. Often there are fish that disguise themselves and have poisonous glands that can cause significant harm to human health with their poison.Pleasing to the eye is the abundance of harmless tropical fish and beautiful corals.

Of course, such an abundance of marine life in shallow waters is a paradise for diving. Even special dives are organized at the optimal depth in order to get a closer look at the creatures of interest to the tourist.
But there is a serious danger in all this, so when visiting Egypt, you need to have some things with you in order to protect yourself, just in case.

What should be taken with you to Egypt if it is indicated that the shallow water is dotted with marine life?

Echinoderms are the main danger for tourists. Their sizes are different: some types are not larger than a children's cam, others are the same size as a soccer ball.
Water distorts the image, making it smaller, so a person may think that on the stone (and this is where the sea urchins sit) is just a small hedgehog, and step on it. Then the tourist will feel an incredible cutting pain in the foot or in the injured toe, and you cannot do without hospitalization.
The needles of the marine life are equipped with small hooks located in the opposite direction. Therefore, when a person wants to independently pull out the needle from their wound, he will feel even more pain, because the flesh inside will be damaged more and more.
The hospitalized tourist will undergo a mini-operation to pull the needle out of the wound, and the whole rest will be ruined, because it will be impossible for a certain time to contact with chlorinated or sea water, or walk barefoot. In addition, a check from the hospital and treatment in general will amount to a considerable amount of money.
To avoid such unpleasant situations, you should carry special one-piece slippers, which are equipped with a thick rubber sole and are made of a soft synthetic material with a mesh. They must be worn every time you enter the sea, even if you are swimming from a pontoon. Even if a tourist steps on a representative of echinoderms, his needles will not reach the foot, but only rest against a thick sole, and the tourist will immediately notice this and avoid sea urchins.

There are many interesting things in the ancient history of Egypt: pilgrimage, pyramids, legends and beliefs, myths about the Egyptian gods and the Supreme Ra.

Tourists are offered a huge number of excursions in Egypt: riding quad bikes in the desert, traveling to pilgrimage places for several days, visiting ancient buildings and swimming in hot springs, traveling to the pyramids, and more.

Also, traditional boat trips are offered with overnight stays in certain ports, swimming at a depth; riding on a boat or yacht.

About Egypt's many faces - without words in the video:

But it's worth noting that Egypt is a poor country. There is nothing to do outside the hotel, except just go on excursions to ancient places with trusted people, recommended by guides from a travel company.

Never book excursions, especially off-site excursions, from people who are not credible and are not recommended by the tour guides. Often these are just scammers who want easy money.

Even on the way from the airport to the hotel, collapsed, unfinished buildings will be visible, and poor Egyptians, who make up 97% of the entire population of the Arab Republic, will walk along the street.

Some early Egyptians talk about cheap jewelry, fur coats, ceramics, and porcelain purchased from a local shopping center near the hotel.

Usually, tourists are taken to such retail outlets by special transport. Indeed, everything can be found there: from grocery goods and souvenirs to furs and jewelry, branded Chanel perfumes and Michael Kors bags.

Taking anything from expensive goods, even if the price for them is surprisingly low, is not worth it. In Egypt, fur coats, jewelry and other goods are not produced, for which people specially travel abroad.Traders usually have the strongest gift of persuasion and can sell any product of questionable quality to a susceptible tourist. It is better to buy the desired things in Duty Free at the airport, there, the quality will definitely not let you down.

But you can and should take food in such shopping centers (olive oil, local sweets and drinks). The cost of these goods itself is low even in the Egyptian capital Cairo, so there is no doubt about their quality.

Also, the purchase of things made of cotton fabrics is encouraged: light cape, T-shirts. These things are made from natural cotton, which is produced in large quantities in Egypt. They last a long time, allow the skin to breathe and will always resemble on a trip to Egypt.

By the way, the main source of income for the state budget of the country is precisely agricultural activities for the cultivation of vegetables, grain and legumes, fruits and the production of cotton fabrics from the ubiquitous cotton.

Egypt is also renowned for its hotel service and excellent entertainment program for children and adults.

Service in a hotel, really top class. Daily housekeeping, friendly staff and guides make Egypt a great winter destination. The tourist gets a good mood every day.

The animators at the hotel also deserve special attention. Every day a huge number of activities are held for tourists: dancing, yoga; water polo or exercise at sea or in the pool; playing golf or throwing darts with prizes. Every evening there are comic or entertaining shows: performances of circus acrobats, artists; theatrical performances, comedians' performances, as well as events where tourists can show themselves.

It should be noted that most of the hotel staff are Russian-speaking, as 80% of all tourists are from the CIS countries and Russia.

With such an entertainment program, no tourist will be bored.

All this makes Egypt an excellent place for families with children, as well as for newlyweds or a couple in love, a fun company or even work colleagues.

Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean state near Jamaica, Cuba and Puerto Rico, famous for its paradise beaches, warm but not hot climate, as well as friendly locals and crystal clear waters in blue lagoons. It is washed by the Atlantic Ocean on one side, the Caribbean Sea on the other, and also borders the Strait of Mona.

The Dominican Republic was discovered by Columbus in the 15th century, and even then it fascinated the traveler with its incredible beauty.

For Russians and residents of the CIS countries, entry without a visa is possible for up to 30 calendar days.

Unlike Egypt and Thailand, the Dominican Republic is not such a popular destination for winter seaside vacations among the general population of the Russian Federation. But most people from Europe, famous personalities travel to this heavenly place almost every year, and compatriots still began to master this direction.

The small popularity of this resort among Russians is mainly due to the long flight and the relative high cost, comparable to the cost of the same summer vacation in Spain or Montenegro.

However, this country deserves attention: the incredible beauty of nature, clear water and excellent climate make the resort one of the best destinations for sea holidays in winter.

The climate in the Dominican Republic is tropical, but not too hot. Average daily temperatures in winter range from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. Again, unlike Thailand, this country does not experience tropical rains in summer, so you can go there at any time of the year.

The sand on the beaches is snow-white, it is pleasant to walk on it barefoot, and the ever-green palm trees create a feeling of bliss, heavenly pleasure. In the Dominican Republic there is even a jungle, impenetrable forests, which can be visited by ordering a tour along the paved tourist routes.

The crystal clear water creates ideal conditions for diving or surfing. In addition, sharks are not found here in the coastal zone, so you can safely take a board and go to conquer the waves: there is definitely nothing to be afraid of in the area allowed for swimming. Additionally, at a distance of two hundred meters, special nets are located, which prevent accidental or deliberate entry of sharks into the zone by swimming tourists.

The beauty of the republic - in the video:

But some tour guides offer cage diving with sharks swimming in the open sea. Tourists are taken on a special boat or small ship to a distance of half a kilometer, where reef or tiger sharks are found. Such entertainment can be very dangerous for human life and health, because no one guarantees that the sharks will not attack or that the cage will not be faulty (a similar situation is described in the 2018 movie "Blue Abyss").

Helpful warning.

If on the territory of the Dominican Republic there is a lagoon, a bay or just a beach on which there are no people, but on which there are excellent waves, there are no marine inhabitants and it is simply beautiful, in no case should you swim there, and even more so go surfing.
A similar situation with a very unpleasant outcome is described in the movie "The Shoal" with Blake Lively, where the main character went to surf on an almost forgotten beach in Mexico. In the middle of the endless ocean, a great white shark overtakes her, and a real game of survival begins.
It is worth surfing only in proven places, where a priori there can be no sharks in the coastal zone and where there are nets against them.

The main directions of tourist trips to the Dominican Republic are resort towns, less often - the capital or the Duarte mountains (the highest point of the Dominican Republic is located in these mountains and is about 3100 meters above sea level).
Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Boca Chica, Isla Catalina, Samana, Juan Dolio, Santo Domingo, La Romana - all these cities are famous for their paradise beaches.

However, it is up to the tourist to decide which of these resort towns to visit, based on the proposed activity on vacation.

For example, if a person prefers to bask in the sun all day long, then he needs to go to Punto Cana, one of the most famous resort cities of the Dominican Republic, where everything is specially equipped for a comfortable stay.

If a tourist travels to the Dominican Republic with the intention of surfing and other water sports, then he needs to visit cities such as Pueto Plata or Isla Catalina. These places are often visited by athletes or national teams in water sports, so the hotel has a special area for surfing and rental boards.

Those looking to dive on vacation should pay attention to the long coastline, which is home to various marine life, in the area of ​​Santa Catalina and Saona. In these places, special dives are organized, where everyone can view the object of marine flora and fauna of interest to him.

Experienced divers can pay attention to the complex of incredible beauty of stalactites - Padre Nuestro, located near Juan Dolio, or to a set of waterfalls near the city of Jarabacoa, whose height is 530 meters above sea level.

Newlyweds will also love the Dominican Republic: La Romana and Boca Chica are famous for their incredible, romantic setting, so the honeymoon will be great!

Over the past few years, a popular service has been a wedding in the Maldives, Hawaii / Dominican Republic or Thailand. In the Dominican Republic, all weddings are held in accordance with national traditions, in national costumes and with appropriate music. And at the end of the ceremony, the newlyweds are put on wreaths of exotic flowers around their necks and showered with lotus petals - this is how the local residents accompany the marriage of people.

In addition, the majority of the population in the Dominican Republic speaks Spanish, however the hotel staff speaks French or English.

They pay here with either Dominican pesos or US dollars. Both currencies are accepted within the resort towns.

The main articles of the state income of the Dominican Republic are the production and sale of aromatic coffee, sugar, precious metals such as gold and silver, real cocoa and strong tobacco. Therefore, you should buy exactly these products and souvenirs. Their prices are low, since such production is carried out throughout the country.

It should be remembered that no matter how much you would like to bring coral from an exotic country as a gift to relatives and friends, you should not do this.

When inspecting luggage, customs services look primarily at the presence of universally prohibited items and local corals, shells, seeds of exotic plants, as well as representatives of the flora and fauna of the Dominican Republic. If such items are found, the violator will be fined and detained. Such problems are hardly necessary for tourists, because this way you can be late for your plane.

The Dominican Republic has a huge amount of entertainment for tourists. A visit to the jungle, nature reserves and national parks, waterfalls and the highest point of the Antilles is only part of the entertainment that is available to everyone.

Water walks are widespread: underwater caves with stalactites, diving to marine life and to sunken ships, liners at an acceptable depth, trips to the open ocean on a yacht or boat. You can also visit local plantations that grow coffee, cocoa or tobacco. A tourist will definitely find an excursion and an interesting place to his liking.

Thus, the Dominican Republic is an excellent winter destination. Hawaiian wreaths of exotic flowers, cocktails and blue lagoons, coupled with a not hot but pleasant warm climate, awaken a sense of peace, bliss and tranquility. The vibrant flora and fauna of this country will not leave anyone indifferent, and such a vacation will be remembered forever.

How to choose the right country for a seaside holiday in winter?

First, you should start from your own budget. Secondly, you need to clearly define your desires, the results you want to get from the trip. After all, if the main purpose of arrival is surfing or active tourist rest, then the place will be one, but if you need a quiet, calm, measured rest - another. In any case, everyone can find a place to relax on the sea in winter. All resorts are good!