Jordan
Last year we celebrated the May holidays mainly at home or at the most in the country, but now there is an opportunity to escape from the routine somewhere far away. We have selected eight countries open to Russian tourists with excellent weather and no quarantine. All can be quickly reached by plane. Take your pick!
Conditions of entry
You will need two negative PCR tests: the first must be done no more than 72 hours before departure, the second at the airport upon arrival. It is important that you pay for the second test before sending it. If you are arriving at Amman airport, you can do it here, and if your destination is Aqaba, here.
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Must-see in the country
People come here mainly to get acquainted with historical sights, including ancient Petra with the mausoleum of Al-Khazneh, the ancient fortified city of Gadara, the Roman settlement of Jarash and the archaeological complex Um-er-Rasas. Many tourists are attracted by the splendor of the Wadi Rum Desert, while religious travelers are eager to plunge into the Jordan River.
Unusual sights
Jordan is a country with amazing nature, and you can see here not only desert landscapes. For example, the Dana Biosphere Reserve, which is located on mountain slopes and is divided into several geographic zones that are completely different from each other. There are routes for short walks, as well as for multi-day hiking (campsites and hotels on the way are also available!), There are trails for mountain bikes.
While relaxing on the coast of the Dead Sea, do not miss the opportunity to visit the picturesque Wadi Mujib gorge and the natural reserve of the same name. Also, Jordan has its own thermal springs – Main. These are hot waterfalls reaching 30 meters in height. Not far from them is a spa where you can relax after a walk or improve your health with multi-day programs.
Montenegro
Conditions of entry
Russians are exempt from the need to provide PCR tests.
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Must-see in the country
Montenegro is a tiny country on the Balkan Peninsula, located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. People come here to relax on the beaches, wander through the old streets, eat the freshest seafood and admire the unusual architecture, because in the Montenegrin cities, buildings of western and eastern architecture are mixed. The most favorite tourist destinations are Kotor, Budva, Herceg Novi and Tivat.
Unusual sights
The small old town of Perast is slightly less popular than the main resorts of Montenegro, but it deserves attention. The city, once a thriving seaport, has preserved palaces, cathedrals and monasteries of the 17th-18th centuries. From here you can sail with an excursion to the Island of St. George and look at the old abbey of Benedictine monks. Hikers should definitely take a walk in the Lovcen National Park (on one of the peaks there is the mausoleum of Metropolitan Peter II Petrovich Njegosh), along the Durmitor mountain range (this place is almost not spoiled by mass tourism), along the canyon of the Tara and Moracha rivers, as well as in the vicinity of Skadar lakes – water lilies bloom there in May.
Armenia
Conditions of entry
PCR test in Armenian, Russian or English, done no earlier than 72 hours before arrival in the country.
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Must-see in the country
Beautiful Yerevan continues to retain its special charm and flavor through time. Tourists try not only to visit all the sights of this city, but also to get to the spiritual center of Armenia – Echmiadzin, enjoying the view of the mountains from the pagan temple in Zvartnots on the way. The most impressive landscape with Ararat opens from the terraces of Khor Virap monastery, and locals love to relax on Lake Sevan at any time of the year.
Unusual sights
While in Armenia, be sure to find a driver who will be ready to spend the whole day with you, or rent a car on the spot and go on a trip on your own. First, drive to Voghchaberd village and admire the sunrise Ararat from the Charents arch. Then continue to Garni to look at the stunning beauty of the pagan temple, the foundation of the palace of ancient kings and the natural wonder – the Basalt Organ, also known as the Symphony of Stones. The final destination is Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of its rooms are carved into the rocks, and the gloomy interiors are a real work of art. By the way, be sure to buy a gata (sweet pie with nuts) from the grandmothers who sell near the walls of Geghard.
Kazakhstan
Conditions of entry
PCR test in Russian or English, done a maximum of 72 hours before arrival.
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Must-see in the country
Despite the fact that Kazakhstan is our closest neighbor, this country is not very popular with Russian tourists. Basically, Russians are familiar with such locations as the Singing Dune and the environs of Almaty: Turgen waterfalls, Big Almaty Lake, high-mountain skating rink “Medeo”, ski resorts Tabagan and Shymbulak.
Unusual sights
In fact, the nature of Kazakhstan is more than just mountains and steppes. Sometimes she is able to really surprise: what are at least the alien landscapes of the red-purple Akzhar mountains, the clay patterns of the Kiin-Kerish and Shekelmes tracts, the multi-colored “layer cake” of the Aktau chalk mountains, the Charyn canyon with rock columns, the bizarre or Mangistau hills Bozzhyra with its blue-gray peaks, popularly nicknamed “fangs”.
Egypt
Conditions of entry
PCR test in English or Arabic (not older than 72 hours before arrival).
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Must-see in the country
The best time to travel to Egypt is from March to June: you can already safely swim in the Red Sea, but the heat has not yet reached its peak. People usually come to this country for excellent diving and, of course, for the sake of the monuments of an ancient civilization: must visit the Valley of Kings and Queens, the temples of Luxor, the pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, sanctuaries carved into the Abu Simbel rock, the Colossi of Memnon and the Egyptian National Museum in Cairo.
Unusual sights
If you want your stay in Egypt to be remembered forever, conquer the Sinai Mountains – picturesque granite peaks with layers of crystalline shale. Climbing the famous Mount Sinai is easy and accessible to travelers of almost any fitness level. The Sinai Peninsula is also home to the impressive fortress of St. Catherine’s Monastery – a veritable oasis in the middle of the desert. Near it there is also the White Desert with karst formations, popularly nicknamed “mushrooms”. Another unusual place is the Colored Canyon near the village of Nuweiba with pale yellow rocks of bizarre shapes.
Serbia
0Conditions of entry
A maximum of 48 hours prior to arrival must be tested for coronavirus by PCR.
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Must-see in the country
Guests from Russia are always welcome here. The most popular cities are Belgrade, Subotica, Novi Sad and Nis. Tourists rarely miss the Belgrade Fortress, the Nikola Tesla Museum, the capital’s art quarter Skadarlija, the Djerdap Gorge, the Sirogoino ethnographic open-air museum and the village of Emir Kusturica Drvengrad, built for the filming of the film Life is Like a Miracle.
Unusual sights
It is in Serbia that travelers are given the opportunity to ride on the old railway – the “Shargan Eight”. This narrow-gauge railway was laid between the villages of Shargan-Vitasi and Mokra-Gora in 1916. The route of the retro wagons runs through breathtaking green landscapes.
Another interesting place is the so-called Devil’s City – 202 high stone pillars, standing not far from Kursumliya. Locals love to tell frightening legends about this location. Well, to admire the Serbian nature, visit the Shar Planina National Park.
1Albania
2Conditions of entry
Entry into the country is possible without PCR tests and vaccination certificates.
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Must-see in the country
Albania is a tiny state that has not yet been spoiled by mass tourism. Situated on the coast of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, it offers its guests an excellent beach holiday with relatively cheap hotels and restaurants. Travelers invariably visit the capital – Tirana, and then stop in one of the resort cities: Saranda, Berat, Durres, Vlora or on the Ksamil islands. Popular attractions include Lake Skadar, which Albania shares with Montenegro, the ancient Rozafa fortress in Shkodra, the ruins of the ancient Greek port of Apollonia, the city-museum of Gjirokastra and the ancient fortress of Kruja.
Unusual sights
Take a break from your seaside holiday for the breathtaking scenery. In the vicinity of Saranda, for example, there is a karst spring of an extraordinary azure color Süri-i-Kalter (translated from Albanian its name means “blue eye”), the water temperature in which is always kept at around 13 degrees. If you want some really unusual photos and good hiking, go to Tet National Park. Here, be sure to visit the Grunas mountain gorge, the Giechai waterfall, and if you are interested in mountaineering, conquer the two-thousanders – Radohimu and Arapi. Another beautiful place is the artificial lake Coman on the Drina River, surrounded by verdant rocks. Having arrived here, visit the surrounding villages to get acquainted with the life of local residents and real Albanian cuisine.
3Turkey *
4Conditions of entry
* From April 15 to June 1, Russia suspended regular and charter flights with Turkey. The exception will affect only two regular flights a week between Moscow and Istanbul.
Recommendations for passengers flying to Turkey between April 15 and June 1, 2021 can be found in a separate article.
Photo: unsplash.com