How are we resting in May 2024
This year, Russians are entitled to two “portions” of mini-holidays in late April and early May. First, from April 28 to May 1 inclusive, four days of rest in honor of the spring and labor holiday. And then from 9 to 12 May — on the occasion of Victory Day. At the same time, the working day on the eve of the second long weekend (this is Wednesday, May 8) will be shortened.
Inspired by the publication of colleagues from NGS.EN, we also wondered where to go for the May holidays from Russia. And we looked for flights from Moscow with departure on May 8 and return on the 12th – if we really dream, then let’s assume that the boss allowed us to take time off on the 8th and add it to the weekend.
Note that prices are relevant at the time of publication of this article and may change unpredictably — most likely, in the direction of increase, following demand.
Abkhazia — Pitsunda, Gagra and other resorts
In the case of an unrecognized country in the western Caucasus, the word “fly” is not quite appropriate. The airport of the country’s capital Sukhumi has not accepted flights for many years. Recently, news has appeared several times a year that communication with Russian cities will finally open, but the deadlines are pushed further each time, and direct flights to Abkhazia remain an impossible dream for tourists. According to recent data from the Russian Ministry of Energy, the repair of the aircraft factory is nearing completion, and the first aircraft will take to the sky from the runway in Babushary by the end of 2024. In the meantime, they are going to Abkhazia through Sochi and the Psou border crossing. How much does it cost?
The cheapest tickets from Moscow to Sochi and back for May 8-12, 2024 cost 22,508 rubles, the departure and arrival times are convenient, both flights are direct. If you have luggage, you will have to add another 6633 rubles to the price. Other flights are not much more expensive: from 25 thousand rubles there are dozens of options from different airports in the capital.
Add the cost of a taxi from the airport to the border and a few hundred rubles for a minibus to the desired city or village — and here is an approximate price tag for those who want to spend time by the warm Black Sea when there are still no crowds of tourists there.
We have told you what to see in different cities of Abkhazia here. And why in this country it is better not to wait for the service familiar to Russians, we figured it out here.
Samarkand
To fly to Uzbekistan, you will have to pay at least 27,800 rubles. At the time of writing, there were tickets for direct flights worth within 30 thousand rubles round trip, but there are few such offers. The next flights will cost 47 thousand rubles.
They fly to the country of the former USSR mainly from Vnukovo, which the metro has already reached, the travel time is a comfortable four hours (no longer than in the same Sochi). If you are ready to resist a small jetlag (the time here is two hours ahead of Moscow time), it is quite possible to have time to see the main sights. The country is quite cheap, there are many picturesque antiquities, the Russian language in Uzbekistan will be understood by most residents, but funny incidents also happen.
Why a tourist in Uzbekistan should not ignore ancient Khiva, although it is located far from major cities, read this article.
Georgia — Tbilisi
This route is the most expensive in our selection, there are only four airlines flying to Tbilisi, among which there is not a single major one. The cheapest ticket costs almost 50 thousand rubles, and luggage will add another 6 thousand to the price tag. There is no departure from Zhukovsky — Aeroexpress there yet, especially the metro, so it is better to study the route and put more time on the way to the airport.
The most expensive flight from Moscow to Tbilisi and back costs 72 thousand. You will have to spend about three hours on the way.
How life in leisurely Tbilisi “slows down” Russians accustomed to the hustle and bustle, read here. And here we have a curious route along the main street of the Georgian capital.
Belarus — Minsk
There are railway and bus connections to the capital of Belarus, but it may be more convenient for some travelers to fly. Prices range from 19 to 24 thousand rubles, the cheapest options are few, but if you add a couple thousand, the choice becomes much more. Luggage is included in almost all flights, the travel time both there and back is 1 hour and 25 minutes. There are departures from all three major airports in Moscow, except Zhukovsky.
Among the advantages, we note the complete absence of a language barrier and short distances: one day each can be allocated to the Brest Fortress and ancient Vitebsk, see Nesvizh and Mir castles, get acquainted with bison in the famous Belovezhskaya Pushcha. It is inexpensive for Russians in Belarus, the main thing is to plan the route correctly and not overwork, leaving for a new point every day.
Why Belarusians eat babka and have fun with crambambules, read in our collection of facts about the inhabitants of a neighboring state.
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