19.09.2016 11:39

Not everyone likes cold winter evenings and slippery snowy roads. If you are one of these people, then you will definitely like this review, in which we will talk about five countries where you can spend the winter inexpensively and comfortably.

Why is Cyprus good for living in winter?

Cyprus - beautiful island where you can have a great winter. If you do not plan to lie on the beach and sunbathe in the hot sun, but want to live in a country with a milder climate while the cold is raging in Russia, then this country will suit you for sure. In winter, there is no sultry heat here (the maximum temperature during the day is 25 degrees, the sea heats up to 17).

The price level in the winter months pleases, compared with the summer. So, apartments can be found from 200 euros per month, a good two-room apartment will cost 300-400. It is quite inexpensive by European standards. True, a communal apartment will need to be added to the rental price (this is another 50-70 euros). Keep in mind that water costs the most.

Cyprus is good for living in that you will not need to pay for a visa (you can stay up to 90 days in the country by applying for an electronic visa via the Internet). In addition, the flight is also cheap and fast. But there are also a few downsides. One of them is expensive restaurants and cafes both in the tourist season and in the closed one. In addition, most establishments do not work at all during the off-season. Therefore, it is best to cook yourself. If you are not completely new to the culinary business, you will feel great.

Winter in the Philippines and arrange your personal life

The Philippines is secretly called the country of brides, there are a lot of beautiful, unmarried girls for whom family values ​​are not an empty phrase. They will obey their husband, as long as he provides for them. Therefore, if you are single, then you may well try your luck in the Philippines.

However, this country is rich not only in brides. Here you can have a great rest and live, the climate is mild, in winter it is warm here. Prices are also very pleasing, for example, renting an apartment or house starts from $150, more luxurious apartments will cost a little more - 500. Meals here are the envy of Cyprus. You can eat well in a restaurant for 7-8 dollars, that is, you don’t have to cook. True, there is one minus - the flight to this paradise country is quite expensive.

Thailand is good at any time of the year

If you love Asia, then go to spend the winter in Thailand - the most popular country among tourists. After all, here you can rent an apartment inexpensively, and you won’t spend much on food either. Renting a whole, however, a small house will cost no more than 300-400 dollars, the same budget can be allocated for food.

But before a long trip to Thailand, learn the main features of the country: cuisine, traditions, and so on. So, for example, there is no a large number cars, people ride scooters, moreover, road rules surprise and a little shock tourists. It is advisable to learn how to ride the most popular transport in Asia. Renting a scooter will cost $80 a month, no more. It is much cheaper than renting a car.

However, not everything is so smooth, a flight to Thailand is not cheap. But if you book tickets in advance, then you can. In addition, you will have to take care of a long-term visa, a short-term one is issued for 59 days. You will have to pay $17 per month for late payment.

Egypt: cheap and comfortable

If it is still important for you to swim in the sea and sunbathe on a golden beach in winter, go to Egypt, the climate and the Red Sea will delight you. There will be no problems with air travel and a visa, it will be delivered immediately at the airport, and it will cost $ 25. In a month, you need to come to the appropriate service and prolong your visa free of charge for another same period. So, you can live up to three months. After the expiration of this period, you need to repeat the whole procedure from the beginning. If this is not possible, then you will have to pay a fine of $ 30 for an overdue visa.

As for housing, it is very affordable here in winter. Apartments with a swimming pool and secure parking will cost $350 per month. If you rent an apartment from the locals, it will cost even less. Food is also cheap. The only thing if you want to go to the beach, then remember that here they are all paid. Although the entrance can not be called expensive, from 2 to 5 dollars. On the plus side, you can organize inexpensive diving here. Note that renting a car in Egypt is not the best idea, it is expensive (from $50). While a taxi ride is from 3 to 5 dollars.

Vietnam is a paradise for budget travelers

Today, more and more tourists choose Vietnam, because the prices here are simply stunning, as for a resort. In addition, it is very clean here. A visa is not free, but not very expensive either (from $70 for six months and from $25 for a short-term visa).

The most interesting begins with the rental of housing. You can spend the night in a hotel room for only $ 7 per day. True, renting a separate apartment will cost $ 200 already. You won’t spend much on food, going to good restaurant- from 10 dollars. And if you buy products in the market, it is even cheaper.

Unfortunately, flying to Vietnam is expensive. But you can find cheaper tickets if you plan everything in advance.

How can you save money on mobile communications?

Of course, if you go to another country for 3 months, you should take care of an inexpensive cellular communication to maintain contact with family and friends. In addition to calls, the availability of mobile Internet will be no less important. We offer some super low cost rates.
If you are going to spend the winter in Europe, in particular in Cyprus, you can buy a sim card any of these operators: Orange, Vodafone, Ortel Mobile. Their rates are more than reasonable.

• Orange accrues an hour for calls for 1 euro and for 100 MB for Mobile Internet you will also spend only 1 euro.
• A month of communication and access to the Net will cost 20 euros if you stay at Ortel.
• Vodafone will provide 30 minutes for all calls and 200 MB of internet for 3 euros per day.

Tariffs for tourist SIM cards we have spied on the Euroroaming website. There is not only, but also a blog about roaming, where there are many useful tips And interesting reviews on the use of SIM cards.

If you are going to spend the winter outside of Europe, and even travel around the countries, then you should choose a SIM card from Globalsim. The telecom operator expands the opportunities for tourists and operates in 200 countries, including exotic ones. So with Globalsim you will always be in touch, wherever you go. Note that to get the cheapest tariffs, you need to purchase 2 SIM cards, then an outgoing call will cost only 25 cents. This SIM card can also be bought on the Euroroaming website.

Wintering in warm countries has already ceased to be something out of the ordinary. Climate change is sometimes simply necessary for a sick child or adult who does not like wet frosty weather.

We decided to analyze the situation in the winter tourism market and calculate how much a 3-month winter stay in warmer climes.

Tenerife and Gran Canaria: European-style beautiful

Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the two largest Canary Islands belonging to Spain. The subtropical climate will appeal to those who like to be under the sun. average temperature air in winter - 21 ° C, water - 18-22 ° C. Dry, warm, comfortable.

Mandatory expenses:

The climate of Tenerife is suitable for wintering with children, and the cuisine is canary islands identical to the European one, so there will be no problems with catering.

Medicine is well developed in the Canary Islands. But if you do not have the appropriate insurance, you will have to pay even for a standard examination by a doctor (approximately 15 €).

Now about food prices. slightly lower than Moscow. If you do not get into tourist traps, then it is quite possible to eat in restaurants. A light dinner in a Chinese restaurant for two will cost 15-20€, in a fashionable restaurant - 25-30€.

Minuses:

1. Prices for medical care. They won't even take your blood pressure for free. Arriving, take out medical insurance, it will be cheaper. The calculation is simple: 0.75 euros per day of stay on the islands. For 3 winter months or 90 days, you will have to pay about 68 euros.
2. The cost of renting a home. One-room apartments in the center will cost at least 450 euros per month, on the outskirts - 300.

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Strict and comfortable Israel

Eilat is one of the most attractive resorts for wintering. Winters are mild, with little rainfall. The average air and water temperature is 22°C. There is no wind, fog is generally not heard here. Beauty!

A great option to spend the winter with children in the mild climate of Eilat and improve your health.

Mandatory expenses:

The cost of the flight will cost about 250 euros (round trip). Another point: for a visit for the purpose of tourism, you do not need to apply for a visa. But you can stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days.

It is no secret that Israel is a leading country in terms of the quality of medicine. Many medicines are produced here, complex operations, tests and procedures are carried out. Most of the procedures (the same MRI, for example) will be done for free, and the results will be ready within a few hours.

Food prices are average. For example, a business lunch in a cafe for two will cost 15€. Half of the dishes will be from high-quality tasty cooked meat, fish or seafood. A dessert in a restaurant costs 7€, a hot dish costs 15-17€.

1. One of the most developed tourist countries.
2. Good salaries. It is quite possible for a tourist to get a job in Israel, for example, in the service sector. Estimated salary - $ 1300 per month. Teachers, doctors receive a minimum of $2400.
3. Israel is a very legal state. If, for example, you need to contact the police (even a tourist), everything will be according to the letter of the law.

1. High housing prices. Rental housing per month will cost 600 - 700 euros + utilities about 100 euros.
2. High prices for tobacco products, alcohol and gasoline.
3. Problems with fresh water.

Such native Thailand

Thailand is one of the most beloved Asian countries among Russians. They fly here all year round. The cost of a ticket for the Moscow-Bangkok flight is 300 euros. You can only stay in the country without a visa for 30 days. If you want to "overwinter" here the entire cold season, apply for a visa. Do it at home, it will be easier.

The climate of Thailand in winter is characterized by high humidity.

The average water and air temperature is 22°C. But because of the same humidity, it seems that everything is +40°C outside.

Food is cheap here. There are a million fast foods on the street, the Thais call them "mushrooms". The range is unusual for Europeans. Pancakes with coconut, for example, will cost about one euro, meat on a stick - 0.5 € (but there is meat, as they say, for one tooth). Lunch in a Thai restaurant will cost up to 10 €, in a European one - up to 25.

In Thailand, medicine is built according to the American system, and its level of development is very high. Doctors (and pediatricians, and surgeons, and dentists) often practice in England or the USA, the hospitals are clean, there are no problems with funding.

Mandatory expenses:

1. Affordable cost of food, rental housing (about 150 euros per month). And is it worth talking about tropical fruits, which are in abundance here just at ridiculous prices?
2. Safety. There is a minimum of theft, rape, murder.
3. Simplicity. You can solve housing issues (transport, domestic problems) in a matter of minutes. In Thailand, everything is geared towards tourists.

1. Heat. The high humidity makes it difficult to breathe.
2. Unstable internet.
3. Language problems. The farther from the resort areas, the more difficult it is to communicate with the local population.
4. Work problems. There are many forbidden professions in Thailand, for illegal work (we call it “part-time work”) you can be sent to prison. It remains only to spend the winter in idleness and idleness.
5. Insects. It is likely to meet in a rented apartment with ants, cockroaches and other "residents".

Valencia/Malaga: always on the move

These cities in Spain are dynamic, vibrant and well suited to those who love a busy life.

The average temperature in winter is +12°С. The air is soft, Mediterranean. It almost never rains.

If your goal is not to warm up in the sun, then these options can be considered for wintering with children.

There are no direct flights from Russia. You will need to make a transfer in Paris or Rome. The flight will cost about 350 euros, and, of course, a Schengen visa is required.

On mainland Spain, the cult of food reigns. The dishes here are beautifully presented, juicy and very large. A portion of paella, for example, will cost 10 €.

The level of medicine is rated as one of the highest in the world. It successfully treats both mild fractures or viral infections, as well as severe diseases of the internal organs. If, God forbid, something happens, you can count on quality medical care, provided that you have insurance.

Mandatory expenses:

1. Lack of central heating in houses.
2. If you don't know Spanish you won't be able to find a job.

Painfully familiar Cyprus

Winter in Cyprus is short and quite warm. The average water temperature is +18°С, air +19°С. The air is clean but humid. If availability warm sea not worth as a priority, you can consider the possibility of spending the winter in the resorts of this island.

The cost of an air ticket is about 180 euros. Russians need a visa to stay in Cyprus. It is issued in one day at the Embassy in Moscow, there is no visa fee.

State medicine on the island is "interesting". Everyone needs to be booked in advance, except for a pediatrician or therapist. If, for example, you need to see a gynecologist, you will have to wait 3 to 6 months for an appointment. Calling an ambulance will cost 15€. Each analysis, procedure will cost 50€. And there are crazy queues everywhere. There are private clinics. There service is fast, high-quality, but not cheap. A regular appointment will cost 20 € + you will be prescribed a lot of tests (medicines, procedures). Therefore, it is very important to have insurance.

There will be no problem with food. In all resorts, taverns, cafes and restaurants are literally at every step. Dinner in a restaurant (main course + salad + dessert + drink) for two will cost from 40 euros. In taverns, prices are lower: a business lunch (soup + salad + dessert) will cost about 20 euros.

Mandatory expenses:

Vietnam: unusual and interesting

Beautiful and very colorful Asian country.

The cost of a flight from Moscow is about 400 euros (round trip). You can stay in the country without a visa for only 15 days. Therefore, for a longer stay, you need to apply for a visa at the embassy.

The climate is subtropical. Winter is great: sunny and dry weather. Air temperature - +25°С, water - +23°С.

Another amazing fact: Vietnam has good public hospitals. They really help: they carefully examine, prescribe treatment, take tests, even if you applied at night. By the way, many doctors and nurses speak Russian.

The country has cuisine for every taste and budget, but for the most part it is too spicy (spicy, sweet). There is street food. For example, a large pancake with seafood will cost 0.75€, rice manti - 0.3€. But it doesn't look very appetizing.

In cafes and restaurants a little more expensive, but still cheap. Soup with chicken and mushrooms will cost 2.5€, spaghetti with seafood - about 4€. The portions are very large, and the establishments themselves are usually pretty decent.

Mandatory expenses:

1. A large number of temples, beautiful architectural monuments.
2. A completely different culture. This is a great chance to learn something new.
3. Pleasant climate.

1. Expensive housing. A house by the sea will cost at least 850 euros. Minimum cost housing rental - 250 euros per room in a guesthouse.
2. A very poor country. If you live for resort area, you will see garbage on the street, people sleeping right on the sidewalk, hungry children, etc.
3. For a Vietnamese, a person of another nationality is comparable to a bag of money.

Ahead - prolonged rains, slush, cold and - adored! - snow. If you jump from snowdrift to snowdrift and dig out the car every morning instead of charging, you got really fed up over the past winters, and you can work remotely - it's time to think about a temporary move. Of course, you can talk about the nuances of moving and living in any country for a very long time, but the purpose of this article is to make a general overview of the countries so that on its basis you can outline the directions that suit you.

The main nuances that should be taken into account when choosing a country are how long you can stay there on a simple tourist visa, how much the climate and lifestyle in the country suits you, and of course, how much money this adventure will cost. For some, an important factor may be the number of compatriots in the winter or the level of English among the locals.

In this post, we'll take a look at the popular destination — hot countries: "winter" here is from 25 degrees Celsius and above.

General nuances: when it is cold in our country, it is hot in the first place in Asian countries. And this usually means a long and rather expensive flight, far from sterile cleanliness, cheap but specific food, chaotic traffic, the need to ride a motorbike or taxi, and the almost complete absence of sidewalks for pedestrians. But the presence of fresh tasty fruits, the warm sea and the absence of snow in most cases seriously outweigh all these nuances.

A real mecca for those looking for a warm winter. True, since August 2014, the visa regime here has become more strict - on the basis of a tourist visa, you can only stay here for 60 days. And if earlier the problem was solved by monthly departure from the country to the neighboring one for one day - “visa-run” - (and then a new visa), now they also plan to tighten this system - in order to be longer, you will have to sign up for one-year courses, for example, Thai language. But today, if you plan to spend no more than 2 months in the country, then there will definitely not be any problems.

There is an abundance of fruits, a warm sea and many of our compatriots. Pattaya and Phuket are especially popular; lovers of a more secluded and slightly cheaper life choose Chiang Mai and Hua Hin.

Renting decent housing will cost about 200-400 dollars a month, but the closer to winter, the more prices increase. It is worth making a footnote that there is decent housing in Thailand. Alternatively, it can be an apartment in a multi-storey building with furniture. This house will have its own territory, where, as a rule, there will be a fairly large swimming pool with sun loungers, a gym, and a lounge. The use of these options is free for residents and tenants. Another option is a more spacious villa, where the pool will generally be only yours. This good idea for a holiday with several families, especially if you have small children. However, if you are going to work remotely, pay attention to the speed of the Internet - it is far from being good everywhere.

Food here is relatively inexpensive and, interestingly, often self-cooking and eating in a cafe are equal in cost. English in tourist regions know.

Of the specific disadvantages - a humid climate, the presence of all kinds of insects, left-hand traffic (and without personal transport it will still be difficult here).

India

Most often, winterers fly to North Goa - to be honest, the feeling there is as if you never left Russia - there are very, very many Russian speakers. South Goa is quieter and quieter, the distance between them is quite small (an hour and a half drive), so you can live in the south, where prices are a little lower, and go to “loud” rest in northern part state. Wintering in the state of Kerala is also gaining popularity - this is for even more connoisseurs of solitude and, let's say, intellectual recreation.

If earlier, after the expiration of the visa, at least 2 months had to pass before the next entry into the country, but now this rule has been canceled - after the expiration of the visa, you can go to any neighboring country and quickly get a new visa there. Visas are issued for a period of 30 days to six months, depending on the situation and the embassy.

Wintering in India is probably the most a budget option for lovers of warm countries. But India, ahem, is not for everyone. In any case, especially if you have never been to this country before, you should not take small children with you for the winter, but what you should do is to eradicate the feeling of disgust and the desire for habitual cleanliness in yourself. And if I exaggerate, then only a little. A spoonful of honey - most Hindus know very well English language and, importantly, their English is easy to understand, without any particular accent. As for housing, here you are free to choose the conditions you need: a normal house near the sea will cost about 300-400 dollars per season, more unpretentious winterers can cost 200-250 dollars, but in most cases for this price you can only count on a bed and fan.

Philippines

Here everything is very simple with visas - the first one is made in the country of residence before arrival and is valid for 30-59 days (depending on citizenship), and then the visa can be extended up to two years without leaving the country. True, the first renewal is quite expensive - about $ 180, then this service costs $ 60-80.

For $300-500 (depending on the region) you can rent a pretty decent house with furniture.

If the main thing for you in wintering is beautiful landscapes and fresh fruits, then the Philippines will suit you (just budget money for moving between the islands - boat, ferry and plane), but if you need more communication and entertainment, then it can be boring . In addition, typhoons and other natural disasters most often occur in the Philippines, this should be taken into account.

Most of the winterers live on the island of Boracay, other islands are more secluded and often have rather poor internet. An interesting nuance - probably half of the local food is sweet! How do you like glazed chicken or mussels in coconut? Nevertheless, I advise ardent seafood lovers to take a closer look at this country.

Vietnam

A visa is made simply, it is also easy to extend - right on the spot, you don’t need to go anywhere, and you can live without leaving for up to six months. The renewal costs about $50.
Housing here will be a little cheaper - for $ 300 you can already find a studio with an almost personal pool. By the way, I must say that of all the Asians, the Vietnamese are the most careful about the cleanliness of their homes.

Another convenient moment for those who are afraid to drive a motorbike is a fairly well-developed network of city and suburban buses- they are clean, often air-conditioned, run on schedule and, importantly, very inexpensive, as are tickets to local attractions. The main centers of Russian-speaking winterers are Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne and Nha Trang.

By the way, the Internet in most cities is simply excellent by Asian standards. And the food here is quite varied and, importantly, healthy and with inexpensive dairy products in stores.

Malaysia

Here with visas it’s a little more complicated - for the first 30 days a visa is not needed at all (but they may require a return ticket upon entry - so make sure in advance and make at least a reasonable reservation), then it can be extended for 2-4 months (depending on the type of visa) . After that, you will have to leave the country.

Housing here is also quite expensive compared to other Asian countries - decent living space can be found from $450 and up. Renting a motorbike is also a little more expensive than in neighboring countries. The food is also specific - a lot of spicy and fat.

Many people like Malaysia because of its more developed infrastructure, tolerable knowledge of local English, for what it is more places for walking with a child, etc., but due to visa difficulties and the relative high cost of housing, few people choose this country for a full-fledged wintering.

Indonesia

For many, the island of Bali is associated with some kind of heavenly, meditative, relaxing place ... You can come and check it out on personal experience- Fortunately, a simple visa regime and beautiful nature clearly contribute to a constant increase in the number of winterers.

Where to go to winter in the coming winter? First of all, this question worries us. It seems that it always seemed that Asia is so big, there are so many countries, but in fact it turns out that the number of places where you can relatively inexpensively and safely spend the winter in the cold Russian winter is not as much as it seems at first glance. I would like to discuss with you. Today this topic is relevant.

Wintering in Asia - we need a country that will

1. Convenient visa regime.
2. Peaceful and adequate population.
3. Affordable accommodation with amenities.
4. Food is cheaper than in Russia.
5. The ability to move around the cities, in case the permanent location gets bored.

You can also sign minor points here, but they are all purely their own.

Let's start with the countries and analyze each of them individually. What suits them, and what categorically does not meet our requirements. We have already been to some countries and have little experience. Some do not yet, so I will be based on the opinions of people found in blogs and forums that live in these countries.

1. Vietnam

The population in Vietnam is not as welcoming and smiling as in Thailand, but not aggressive either. The Vietnamese behave with dignity. Girls are not approached.

Products are not as cheap as in Thailand. Only alcohol and vegetables are inexpensive in Vietnam. Especially when compared with prices in Russia. For two in a budget of $ 300-400 per month, you can live very well on food. .

Traveling in Vietnam is convenient. Although the distances are quite large, and the speed of movement is very small, but modern air-conditioned trains will help you.

About resorts in Vietnam controversial issue. IN major cities the sea is dirty, for swimming it is better to go to the islands. There is civilization in many cities. Basically, winterers, like tourists, prefer to live in or in. In the city, I suspect that they also live. But on the island of Phu Quoc, judging by the blogs, long-term residence has not yet been established.

Check prices for flights to Vietnam:

Moscow — Ho Chi Minh City Moscow — Nha Trang Moscow — Hanoi From another city

2. Cambodia

Local Cambodians are quite noisy, but at the same time cordial people. They will not go on the rampage, but cases of theft in the country are not uncommon. However, expats most often describe Khmers as pleasant and good-natured people.

Housing in Cambodia varies by different amounts. Here you can live like a king, or you can live on a budget. Renting a room in a guesthouse or hotel for $300 is quite realistic. This is the most common option. .

There are not many places in the country where a white man would live the way he used to live. The most popular among tourists are 3 cities:, and. Phnom Penh is the capital. Siem Reap - small town, where they go only to visit, and Sihanoukville is a beach resort.

It turns out that living in Cambodia for a long time is not a problem. Yes, and you don’t need to be a millionaire, but you need to remember that this country has long been worth more than one dollar and you have to pay for everything here.

Check the cost of flights to Cambodia:

3. Indonesia (Bali)

Visa regime interesting. Without leaving the country, a person has the right to stay here for six months on his visa. It is called a social visa and is issued at the embassy or consulate of a third country. It cannot be issued in Indonesia. However, there are still some difficulties. To obtain a social visa, you will need to provide a passport, a return ticket from Indonesia, and a sponsor's letter. Any Indonesian who is ready to come with you to the immigration office a couple of times can act as a sponsor. If you cannot find a candidate on your own, then the agency will do it for you.

At this point, the Internet is full of rumors that thefts are increasingly happening in Indonesia. They rob the houses of foreigners. Conflicting opinions are written about the Indonesians themselves. To some, these people are pleasant, but someone considers them fanatics of their faith. I heard that there are a lot of divorces in Indonesia and the locals want to cash in on vacationers.

It is theoretically possible to rent a house in Indonesia for a more or less crazy price, but most often those who live there pay at least $ 500 for housing, and this amount, provided that the person rents for a long time. Often they may be asked to make a deposit in full and not for one, but for several months at once. Here, how to agree with the owner. Although, it is theoretically possible to find an option for $ 300 to this day.

Not everyone manages to eat varied and tasty in this country. Some people like Indonesian cuisine, but for some it's not even a kitchen. Fortunately, there are supermarkets with a good range of products in Indonesia. Products are more expensive than in Vietnam and Thailand. I think if we came to live in this country, then the cost of food per month would be about $ 400 at best.

What is good about Indonesia is that Bali alone can be explored for years and there are secret places where you have not yet been. And if Bali is already tired, then a trip to the island of Java will leave indelible emotions, judging by the reviews of almost everyone who has been to this country. You won't get bored for sure.

We conclude that Indonesia is more problematic in terms of visas than the countries described above. Prices here, to put it mildly, are high for state employees, both in terms of rental housing and in terms of food. But such a fat plus as the nature and area of ​​​​the country is worth it, if only for a short time, but to save some money and come to Bali.

Check the cost of flights to Indonesia:

4. Philippines

Entry to the Philippines visa-free is given only for 21 days. Further, visas are extended every two months (up to 59 days). After this period, at the second renewal, you need to issue an I-CARD at the migration office. If you extend this visa for the whole year, then it will run up to about 600 dollars per person. On the Internet, information comes across that it is no longer $600, but $700. But, according to this scheme, you can stay in the Philippines without leaving anywhere, up to 2 years. Agree, the conditions are more than favorable if you plan to settle here for a long time.

I never read negative reviews or creepy stories about Filipinos, but I didn’t see any rave reviews either. I think that people are like people, but this is just my opinion, not yet based on personal experience.

Rental housing in the Philippines is common. Depending on where and on which island you would like to live. This plays a huge role in the Philippines. I am glad that you can rent a house without frills and not on the most popular island of Boracay for about $500. Although in Boracay, if you come out of season and for a long time, there is also a chance to find housing for such an amount.

Winterers spend about $300-400 per month on food. This is for two. It turns out, about the same amount as in Indonesia.

The Philippines, perhaps, is a country where the number of beautiful and sometimes untouched places just rolls over. There is something to see here, only funds are needed to move. Most often, you will have to pay for ferries, boat rental, sometimes even for a plane. Bikes alone are indispensable here, unless, of course, you want to sit on only one of the islands in the Philippines.

The picture came out positive for us. The visa regime is humane, however, expensive, but student visas in the same Thailand would take no less. In addition, you do not need to make a visa-wound. The people in the Philippines are decent. Compromises can be found with food and rental housing. Only one factor sometimes prevents travelers from wintering in this country - frequent typhoons and earthquakes. You are not safe from them anywhere in Asia, but you need to understand where the probability is more and where it is less. No one wants to put themselves in unnecessary danger. Although, sometimes you really want to score on everything and rush into the world of beautiful beaches.

Search and purchase of air tickets to the Philippines:

5. Sri Lanka

You can stay in the country without a break for 6 months. A visa to Sri Lanka for 30 days costs $30. Issued or at the airport upon arrival for $ 35. Then in immigration for 2 months for $25. After that, you can extend for another 3 months for $110. However, people write that there are problems with the second extension, the Sri Lankan officers are mischievous and extend it for a whole month, then for two, then for two weeks. The total cost of a visa is $165-170 per person for six months.

The Sri Lankans are by far the most unpleasant and deceitful people we have met on the way. You should not expect honesty, kindness or understanding from them. Locals are trying to cash in on the Europeans by any means. But, remember that even in this country there are pleasant exceptions. This mainly applies to women. .

The most convenient way to travel in Sri Lanka is by train. There are trains in all directions. Also, you can use the buses, which move ordinary locals. The fare is outrageous. There are a lot of cities to visit.

Preference is given to resorts: Mirissa and Bentota in the south. In the north, resorts: Waduwa, Kogalla, Negombo and Beruwala. For a couple of days, it is definitely worth going to cities such as Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Dambulla and Polonnaruwa. At the same time, see Mount Sigiriya. Kiev - Colombo

From another city

6. India. Goa and Kerala

Standard single entry visa is issued for a period of validity from one to three months, a double, triple or multiple entry tourist visa is issued for a period of validity from 90 to 180 days (the validity of the visa starts from the moment of issue, and not from the day of the first entry).

Hindus are cunning and savvy people. They are intrusive, but at the same time they do not have aggressive politeness, as, for example, among the Nepalese. We would not advise one girl to go to India, and thousands of winterers live in India as a company or a couple. Petty robberies and rapes most often occur in large non-resort cities in India.

It is possible to rent a house within walking distance from the beach for $500. In order to rent a room in a guesthouse or a small house, you will need to pay an amount per month, most often you can agree to do without a deposit. as elsewhere in Asia, bargaining is appropriate and necessary.

Those who fall in love with Indian cuisine will not be able to wean themselves from the abundance of spices, aromas and spiciness in food for a long time. Even a very budget traveler can afford to eat in cafes at least once a week. As far as I remember, there was no large supermarket chain in Goa. Only one large supermarket was noticed, but judging by the prices, it is focused exclusively on tourists. The resorts are scattered with small food shops, winterers in India, most often acquire their kitchen in the house. Most Indian expats spend about 8-10 thousand rubles a month on food.

Travelers travel around India using trains, slip-buses and planes. Cheapest of all trains, but they are not for the faint of heart. Plane tickets, if you travel around India itself, are inexpensive. Price air tickets India Express.

For wintering, North and South Goa, as well as the state of Kerala, which differs from the previous two in greater purity, are suitable.

In India, conditions for wintering are good, both in terms of visas and prices. Only India is not for everyone. You can fly there and in two days cry bitter tears, saying, I will never come back here again. Or accept and love this country, it is so unique and unique that, if you understand it correctly, you will not want to leave even after six months.

Outcome

So the list of countries that we have selected for wintering 2014-2015 has come to an end. There are a couple more interesting countries, such as, but a visa is given there only for a month, and in order to spend the winter, you will have to make visa-runs every month, that is, travel to any neighboring country for at least 3 days, spend a lot of money on it and it’s not a fact that after On the third or fourth such visa, you will be allowed back into the country. So this option is out. It is generally not worth going to Laos for the winter, because the stay there is only possible for 30 days, without any extensions. Well, as for Burma, I think that no one will go to spend the winter for another 5-10 years. We are left with Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Korea, Japan, Macau. But these countries are expensive, a budget winterer can not pull.

Three beautiful traveling mothers told us why and how they spend the winter with their children in Thailand.

EKATERINA VARFOLOMEEVA
(@minipugovka and @instamamathai on Instagram) and her daughter Sofika, 2.5 years old:

Before the birth of my daughter, I went to India for the winter, and with her appearance, I could not even think that we would stay in St. Petersburg. I chose a country and a city for a long time. Of course, everything was important: medicine, kindergartens, infrastructure, people…. And Thailand on all counts said that we needed to go there. Our daughter was born on March 20, and on November 1 we flew to our new house in Phuket. Now we have a big house there, 20 minutes walk from the beach. There are many cafes, shops and massage parlors around. Everything is easy to reach with a stroller. We have long been known to all the locals.

I don’t like to sit in one place, so on my first visit I immediately began to explore the area around: Krabi, Samui, Khao Lak, Khao Sok, Koh Phangan, Similan, Phi Phi, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur… when Sophie turned one year old. I very quickly learned to move and enjoy traveling with her together. It's so great to show the world to a little person! Together in a car, we drove 5,000 kilometers in Thailand in a month! I highly recommend everyone to see not only beautiful beaches but also the country itself.

I think that the formation of my daughter's character is strongly influenced by our lifestyle with constant travel and meeting new people. We usually leave in October and return in April/May. Sometimes we are delayed and come to Russia for holidays only in the summer. All the children I know have a positive attitude towards summer in winter: a minimum of clothes, a minimum of worries, a maximum of fruits, the sea, fun and games.

In two years I found a job that I like to do. We are doing a project #winteringvtae20142015, such a family mini-camp with an interesting program. I am often asked for help in finding a house, a car and excursions. I also send local cosmetics to girls on order. I also have a big business in St. Petersburg, which I do remotely - this is a children's charity.

NATALIA BARINOVA
(@natalibarinova on Instagram), journalist, author book "Traveling with children. Guide to Thailand», and her daughter Alexandra, 3 years 9 months:

All my life I dreamed of traveling, but did not notice how I myself built barriers to my dream. Either study, then work, then a decree, then “a cat gives birth”. Now I can divide my life into two periods: life before travel and after.
Travel is a spiritual and intellectual adventure. Man discovers a new universe, nature, planet, a new understanding of the world. A person discovers a new self, setting off on a journey. The way of thinking ceases to live in its former form. There is a full reboot.

This year, on October 10, we fly again - this time the plane will take us to the Philippines, which will then be replaced by Vietnam. Next, we will look at the ancient ancient Cambodia. We will visit smiling Thailand with friends, we will visit those for whom the Kingdom of Smiles has become a second home. We will fly to Singapore and finish our trip in Bali. We invite those who wish to join us!

In Asia there is no concept of time. There are no Mondays - solid Friday so scheduling a return date is difficult. So far we have taken a one way ticket. When we realize that we miss Russia, relatives and friends, we will immediately fly back.

UMA SANDAL
tourism specialist in the past, today an Internet entrepreneur,
project creator mama-asia.ru and the eponymous festival of family creativity,
and her son Vladislav, 10 years old:

I myself am an avid traveler, I have long been accustomed to this way of life, and now my son is with me. For the last five years we have traveled together across South-East Asia. We winter in India, Thailand and Nepal. My son loves this lifestyle. Together we choose the route, together we decide where to go next. When we get tired of our trips, we will settle down somewhere.

Usually we rent a small house and a scooter for transportation, I have more than 15 years of driving experience. We are constantly moving. On planes, trains, buses, minibuses. Fortunately, there are no problems with this in Thailand. My son is already quite an independent guy, sometimes he even helps me to remind the route or the road.

In Thailand, we do a lot of things: we study (we are home-schooled), ride around, chat with friends, swim, cook together, go to different classes, go hiking, go on motorcycle trips along mountain serpentines, go to concerts, visit local attractions , and there are many of them here, and sometimes we even live in a monastery, we practice meditation.

ABOUT SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS IN THAILAND

Natalia: Going to Thailand for the winter, I panicked a little: will my child be able to go to kindergarten? The issue was resolved in one day. Over the past three years, several Russian kindergartens have opened in Phuket. There is also a Russian school "Spektr", in which education is conducted in accordance with the Federal basic programs approved by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. Pupils pass intermediate and final certification. It is possible to study remotely or by the type of a boarding house. For those who are going to Phuket, I can give a detailed free consultation on the education of children of any age. At one time, I collected material about this and visited every educational institution for my research.

Mind: We (Uma's son Vladislav is 10 years old) we study on our own, we practice the so-called unschooling - when there is no pre-planned training program. We order textbooks from Russia and study them. Sometimes we complete assignments on various online homeschooling resources. Often I hire tutors for subjects that are difficult to take on my own. For example, the son studied English at the same time with two different teachers, but both are native speakers. Often we attend different children's classes, which are taught by Russian teachers.

Sometimes I ask friends who have some talent to work with a child. So we had with learning to play the djembe (drums) and wood carving. It turns out that the child is doing what he likes. He chooses what he would like to learn in this moment. She runs with joy in all classes. He loves mathematics, biology, is interested in history and physics.

WHO DO CHILDREN IN THAILAND FRIEND AND TALK TO

Kate(in the photo on the right - Sofika, Katya's daughter): In Phuket, our life is the same as everyone else's. I work, my daughter goes to kindergarten, guests, playgrounds, cooking .... There are, of course, insanely nice bonuses: the beach every day, yoga on the beach, fruits, warmth, cheap food, delicious seafood, no washing (here washing and ironing in the laundry costs a penny). Living in the summer is great.

I communicate with everyone - I have Thai friends, there are the same Russian residents of Phuket as I am, there are still tourists. There are definitely no problems with communication. The same goes for Sophie. I communicate in two languages, Russian and English. But my daughter is three, she still knows Thai. She is just starting to speak, so her speech is a mix of three languages.

Uma (pictured below): Over the five years of traveling, we have gained many friends in different countries. Sometimes we travel with fellow travelers. Sometimes our friends come to visit us. Often we get to know someone, and the children very quickly find a common language. My son speaks English and has friends of different nationalities. And there are not so few Russians in Southeast Asia.

Natalia: We communicate with everyone here. And with Russians and with those foreigners who know English. I usually do not have barriers in communication. My sash is the same. Only for her knowledge of the language is not important. Children have their own language, they understand each other well through the game. Travel removes barriers in communication between children of different nationalities. Surprisingly, speaking different languages, children perfectly understand each other.

WHAT TO FEED YOUR CHILD IN THAILAND

Kate (below in the photo is Katya's daughter Sofika): For me, this issue is very acute in Russia - what to feed Sofika in St. Petersburg. For some reason it is difficult to find fresh vegetables, allergies come from somewhere, etc. If your baby is allergic to some kind of food, of course, you need to be careful. So.

Fruits vegetables. We tried a piece: if there is no allergy, then we eat further. Mango, banana, papaya, lychee and many, many other delicious goodies. This is for an adult child.
What to give for complementary foods for crumbs? Pumpkin, zucchini, potatoes, asparagus, spinach, carrots…. All this is easy to cook in 10-15 minutes and is whipped into a puree with a blender. Sophia's food looked exactly like this. Later I began to add fish, chicken, beef, eggs there. I made different combinations every day: potatoes, asparagus and spinach. Carrot, pumpkin, zucchini. Invariably, it is olive oil and some greens.

A blender and a double boiler cost in the supermarket from 350 baht for each device (this is about 400 rubles). And by the way, in Thailand there is a very healthy papaya, which is ideal for the first feeding, and delicious coconut milk, which children love very much.

Dairy in Tai there is, but not in such abundance as in Russia or Europe. There is cheese, sour cream, a large selection of yoghurts, butter, milk. I made cottage cheese for my child myself: I took one jar of yogurt per liter of milk and simply warmed it up on the stove. The milk curdled, I filtered it through a sieve, and then whipped the cottage cheese with a mango blender. Delicious!

Meat and fish. There are no problems with this in Thailand either - you can buy them in the market, in the supermarket. Can be fresh, can be frozen. You can have a large piece of meat, you can give a child a small piece at a time. New Zealand beef, lamb, pork, chicken and offal. I generally keep quiet about seafood, as there are a great many types of fish. On fish market you can buy fish or shrimp and the restaurant across the street will prepare it for you according to your recipe.

Baby cereals and jars. I didn’t give mashed potatoes in jars to my daughter, so I won’t say about its taste. It is available in stores, but not in such abundance as in Russia. Maximum views 5. In Phuket, most of all I saw in the Villa Market supermarket. Still, Thais cook for children themselves. There are porridges, they are sold in every mini-market like "7/11" (this is a very large network of mini-markets of ball availability). There is Nestle, there are local manufacturers. There are a lot of flavors too. Dry mixes are sold in large supermarkets and, as I understand it, there are all known world representatives. My daughter drank the usual Thai mixture at 200 baht per 500 grams. International producers will, of course, be more expensive.

About food in restaurants and cafes. Everyone is afraid of the Thais' love for spicy food. But in any cafe you can cook both very spicy and completely bland. Both fried and steamed. You can even ask for mashed potatoes for your child. Of course I'm talking about tourist places where you will be understood. The menu usually has at least a couple of European dishes, so the child will definitely not be left hungry.

In general, in Thailand the cult of food. She is everywhere and always. And very tasty, and fresh, and spicy, and spicy, and sweet, and there is no food in Thailand. So don't worry at all. There is something to feed the child, and even very diverse.

In the photo: Alexandra Barinova

Natalia: As for food for a child, there are no problems with the usual products in Thailand. In large cities there are such hypermarkets as Tesco Lotus, Macro, Villa Market. They sell everything - baby formula from birth, canned purees, herring, peas, potatoes, sour cream, cottage cheese and milk. In the tourist areas, our Russian entrepreneurs have opened gastronomes, where you can buy buckwheat, which is not grown in Thailand, and lard, and cottage cheese. The prices for these products are slightly higher than in Russia.

My favorite place in Phuket - a seafood market on Rawai beach. Where you can buy the freshest fish, nautiluses, huge shrimps, crabs. And bake it there. Near such maritime markets there are usually specialized cafes where everything will be prepared for you.

Mind: Our main diet is fruits. There are no problems with this in Thailand, the amount of fruits is maximum, they are tasty and inexpensive. Sometimes we like to gourmand and try dishes local cuisine. My son loves pad thai - Thai noodles with vegetables and tofu. And she loves sushi. Often we cook something simple ourselves at home. My son also loves to cook and even makes his own homemade yogurt.

ABOUT THAI MEDICINE AND INSURANCE




Kate(pictured left): In general, hospitals in Thailand are considered among the best in Southeast Asia. Some tourists come specifically to have plastic surgery associated with the correction of appearance. Doctors most often practice in Singapore and Europe. By the way, many hospitals even have Russian translators.

If you need to take any medicines, they will be given to you at the hospital free of charge after a doctor's appointment. In addition to public hospitals in Thailand, there are many private clinics with quite reasonable prices. I went only once to the one closest to the house, when Sonya thought that her ear hurt. The cost of admission and medicine was 450 baht. But the cost of 5 stitches in the hospital, if we applied without insurance, is 72 thousand .... Which is already very expensive. Therefore, I recommend everyone to take out insurance before the trip.

Natalia: Before the trip to Thailand, we took out medical insurance, which we used only once, when Sasha had a fever. But based on the practice of my friends, I can give advice. Be sure to include the “Active Sports” item in your medical insurance. Injuries resulting from cycling or motorcycle riding, diving, mountain climbing, common medical insurance does not cover unless this "Active Sports" is included.

But chronic diseases are not covered by any insurance. Another point - almost no insurance is valid if alcohol was found in the blood. So is it worth taking out insurance? I am absolutely FOR. Because one thing is a bruise, and quite another is an operation. God forbid, in case of an accident, wake up in the hospital already operated on with a huge bill on hand.

Mind: Since we left Russia, my son has almost stopped getting sick. I think it's about immunity: the amount of fruit, fresh air, active life, sun, the almost complete absence of stress affects. But if suddenly he catches a cold, we try to be treated with natural remedies. Usually the treatment of severe cases is handled by insurance, but somehow we got past it.

WHY MOTHERS GO WITH CHILDREN TO THAILAND

Natalia(pictured above is the daughter of Natalia Alexandra): Firstly, this is the velvet climate of Thailand (November-February). Wintering in the sun in my bosom is much more useful for my child than being in the slush and rains of a metropolis. Secondly, rich nature and animal world. I will also include safaris, zoos, giant aquariums, reptile farms, etc. A child can study the world not from pictures from books, but in real life. Petting a tiger, seeing how lions live, riding an elephant, feeding a giraffe, swimming with dolphins - this is an unforgettable experience of communicating with nature.

Thirdly, the attitude towards children. You will not find such love for small children in any other country. The Thais have a belief that the child is pure as an angel. And if you touch it, then you yourself become purer in soul. Therefore, they almost squeal with delight at the sight of "white" babies. Also - frankly pleasant prices for rest, food, clothing, leisure. And, of course, a special state - sanuk - when you enjoy everything, no matter what you do.

Uma(pictured above is the son of Uma Vladislav): We like this way of life – traveling develops, makes life bright and rich. While we lived in Russia, the child was constantly sick, now we have forgotten about it. Thailand is a very comfortable country to live in, especially for children. Thais are very fond of children, and children love it here. It's warm, safe and interesting here.

Kate: I love this country: the climate, the culture, the people around, the fresh food, the nature and the insane sense of calm that goes with everything.
you can find the top 10 places in Thailand that are interesting to visit with children.

In the photo: Sasha Barinova

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Natalya Frish