Your first vacation abroad: where better to go on vacation for the first time

Resting on your own for the first time is always scary. To make it easier to decide, choose a friendly and travel-friendly country. Best of all - no language barrier. Start with any country from our list and you yourself will not notice how travel agencies will become unnecessary.

Preparing for an independent travel takes longer than buying a ready-made tour, but it is more interesting and not like others. To save on airfare, plan your travels, and find good accommodations, read our guide for those looking to travel on their own. And in this article, we have collected five ideal countries for the first vacation without a package tour.

Best countries for your first trip abroad

Latvia

Georgia

Thailand

Czech

Montenegro

We hope that this year we will all be lucky enough to travel, but no one knows for sure the date of the opening of the borders. While you can dream about new countries and plan trips for the future.

Latvia

Why Latvia: A close and understandable Europe without language problems.

What about the visa: To travel to Latvia, you need a regular Schengen visa.

When to go to Latvia: It is best in Latvia from May to September. Come to lie on the beach and splash in the Baltic Sea from the end of June to the end of August. And in December you will be taken straight to the Christmas markets.

Latvia is a foreign country, but not quite: everyone here speaks Russian, from schoolchildren to pensioners. So they will prompt you how to get to the street where "Seventeen Moments of Spring" and "Sherlock Holmes" were filmed. Despite the Russian language, the atmosphere in Riga and other Latvian cities is European: narrow streets, organ music, castles, colorful houses, tower spiers and a pleasant audience on a leisurely promenade. In order not to miss anything interesting, keep your inner fire burning with Latvian cuisine. In addition to caraway cheese and peas with bacon, there is an unexpected bread soup with raisins and cinnamon, as well as bread ice cream.

Even if you come only to Riga for the weekend, consider that the first experience of traveling in Europe was a success. In addition, it is not far from the capital to Jurmala: at the same time you will have a rest on the sea. The next level is to sit down to the map and plan a trip to the cities, beaches and national parks of Latvia. You can ride buses and trains - try it, it's easy.

Interesting route in Latvia

Fall in love with Riga

Walk among the Latvian Art Nouveau houses, find a monument to the Bremen Town Musicians, listen to the organ in the Dome Cathedral and remember the taste of Riga Balsam.

Hang in Sigulda

Play the bobsleigh and ski trails, listen to the echo in the Gutmana Cave and explore the ruins of Sigulda Castle. Don't forget the ruins of Krimulda and the lovingly restored Turaida Castle.

Visit the Cesis Castle

Climb the narrow spiral staircase to the tower. And then, in the flickering of candles in hand-held vintage lanterns, go down to the basement where there used to be a prison.

Wander the streets of Bauska

Find the ornate Town Hall and view the ancient cannons in Bauska Castle. In the meantime, admire the lush Rundale Palace - 15 minutes' drive away.

Get out of the foam of the sea in Jurmala

Swim in the sea and frolic in the water park, and when you want variety, walk along the trail of the Great Kemeri bog and drive to the pretty town of Tukums.

Georgia

Why Georgia: They speak Russian, prepare awesome khachapuri and receive guests like family.

What about a visa: In Georgia, Russians can spend a whole year without a visa. Just don't forget your passport.

When to go to Georgia: Georgia is especially beautiful in May-June and September to early October. Trekking in the mountains is good from June to September, and December-April is the time to go downhill skiing.

It is good and calm in Georgia even for those who have never left their own dacha before. The locals are so hospitable that it is easier to find the way in the old fashioned way without a navigator, and conversations by themselves turn into toasts. Relaxing, you notice that the handsome Kazbek is floating out of the clouds, ancient temples are watching from the hills, and even an ordinary stall with churchkhela looks like a treasure chest. You want to sing the menu in the restaurant, not read: khinkali, lobio, phali, ajapsandali, ojakhuri.

There are activities in Georgia for everyone. Swim in the sea, hike in the mountains, take a steam bath, wander through the cave cities or take a tour of the wineries. If you want everything at once, so much the better. At the same time, make sure that independent travel has nothing to do with the plot of the movie "The Survivor".

Scenic route in Georgia

Become your own in Tbilisi

Explore the carved balconies in the Old City, try the healing power of the sulfur baths in the Abanotubani quarter, take the cable car to the Narikala fortress, and finally buy a wine horn at the flea market

Drive along the Georgian Military Highway

Cross the Cross Pass, listen to the hum of the Terek and fall in love with the mountain scenery. Stay overnight in Stepantsminda or Gergeti and eat khachapuri overlooking Kazbek

Taste fine Georgian wines

For two days in Kakheti you will have time to taste drinks in five to ten wineries and wineries, and at the same time be impressed by the size of kvevri. You can stop in Sighnaghi or Telavi, both towns - as in the picture

Visit Mtskheta - the oldest city in the country

Light a candle in the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral: according to legend, the Lord's tunic is buried under it. And also go up to the Jvari temple, about which Lermontov wrote in "Mtsyri".

Deeper into the cave cities

In Uplistsikhe, where Queen Tamara was crowned, do not slip past the ancient pharmacy. Set aside at least half a day in Vardzia to thoroughly explore secret tunnels, steep staircases and cave temples

Relax by the sea in Batumi

Put the sun on your sides right on the city beach. Or take a dash on the minibus and find yourself in Kvariati, Gonio or Sarpi, where the water is bluer and the landscapes are prettier.

Thailand

Why Thailand: Summer all year round, sunshine, exotic fruits and smiles.

What about the visa: If you do not plan to stay in Thailand for more than a month, you do not need a visa.

When to go to Thailand: November to February - great weather in the north of Thailand. On the Andaman coast - Phuket, Krabi - the season lasts from November to the end of April, then the rains begin. In the Gulf of Thailand - Pattaya, Koh Samui, Ko Chang, Huahin - good from January to August.

All the good things you've heard about Thailand are true. The islands and beaches are full of bounty, the palaces are luxurious, the food is unusual and tasty, the locals are friendly. Questions are solved with smiles, and you can find a common language with anyone, even if you know English at the level of a first grader. Trains, buses and domestic flights are inexpensive and comfortable, and figuring out when the next flight to Bangkok is easy is as easy as shelling pears. An ideal country for the first exotic trip without a travel agency.

The easiest thing is to choose a Thai resort, lie on the beach and take a few walks around the area. It is more difficult, but more interesting - first to go around a few cultural attractions, and then relax on the sea.

Ready route in Thailand

Explore Bangkok

Visit the reclining Buddha in cotton wool, take a river taxi ride through the klong canals, catch a monitor lizard in Lumpini Park and squint from the splendor of the Royal Palace.

Escape to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam.

Stroll among working Buddhist temples and atmospheric tree-lined ruins. You can stay overnight in Ayutthaya or return to Bangkok.

Head for Chiang Mai Shop for cute trinkets at the Night Market, touch the pandas at the zoo, circle the Wat Chedi Luang in the Old City, and watch the sunrise at Doi Inthanon.

Stay in a bungalow amid rice paddies

At Pai, drive for pastoral tranquility, hot springs and waterfalls. If you want to see the whole valley at once, go up to the huge White Buddha on the side of the mountain.

Get a Bronze Tan in Phuket

Relax on the beach and go boating to the Similan Islands. Also try durian, ride elephants and get out of your massage as a different person.

Czech

Why Czech Republic: One of the cheapest and most beautiful countries in Europe. Many people know Russian, especially in Prague. And after a couple of glasses of Czech beer you can already communicate freely in any language.

What about a visa: You need a Schengen visa , which is easy to get.

When to go to the Czech Republic: The most pleasant weather is from May to October. In December in Prague - around 0 ℃ and the whole month Christmas markets sparkle and lavish magical aromas.

The Czech Republic lives up to expectations: it is a fairy tale country. The streets of Prague are beautiful and atmospheric, Karlovy Vary does not seem to have changed since the days of Goethe and Beethoven, ghosts probably live in castles, and beer is much tastier than the Czech foam that is sold here. In addition, vacationing in the Czech Republic is significantly cheaper than in neighboring Germany and Austria. And if you can't figure out what dumplings and boar knee are, many restaurants will bring you a menu in Russian.

A weekend in Prague is enough to fall in love with the Czech Republic. This is a good option for the first time: no need to bother with the route, transport and hotels in different cities. If you penetrate, look for tickets to the Czech Republic for a week or two and discover other facets of the country: from mineral spas to a nature reserve with the true name "Bohemian Paradise". You can get around by buses and trains or by a rented car.

Beautiful route across the Czech Republic

Feel the spirit of old Prague

In the capital of the Czech Republic, you should admire Prague Castle, make a wish on the Charles Bridge, climb the Petřín observation tower, feel the gloomy Kafka Museum and visit the lemurs at the zoo.

Travel back to the Middle Ages in Kutná Hora

View the stained glass windows in St. Barbara's Cathedral, go down the silver mine and count the skulls on the chandelier in the chapel of All Saints, decorated with human bones.

Admire the Gothic Karlštejn Castle.

It stands stately on a wooded hill near Prague. You can only enter the castle with a guided tour, but you will learn the history of the Karlstejn ghost - White Lady.

Recover your health in Karlovy Vary Take a dip

in thermal waters and taste mineral water from a dozen springs. Do not forget about the 13th: the locals claim that Becherovka liqueur also invigorates and rejuvenates.

Learn how Czech beer is brewed

In Pilsen, the beer capital of the Czech Republic, go beyond a pub tasting. Take a look at the malt dryer and medieval cellars at the Brewery Museum, or at the Pilsner Urquell distillery, walk through an authentic bottling workshop.

Visit the Cesky Krumlov

Festival At the Five-Petal Rose Festival, everyone dresses up in medieval costumes, and knights' tournaments are held in the squares. See the dates on the Czech tourism website.

Get back to nature in Bohemian Paradise

This nature reserve features steep sandstone cliffs, dense forests, scenic paths and seemingly miraculous castles, the most famous of which is Trosky.

Montenegro

Why Montenegro: A seaside resort in Europe without a visa and a language barrier.

What about the visa: If the trip is shorter than 30 days, a visa to Montenegro is not needed. After arrival, you need to register within 24 hours - usually, this is done by the hotel owners.

When to go to Montenegro: It is best to come in May-June and September-October. In July and August, it is hot on the coast and crowds of tourists, but it is good in the mountains. You can swim from mid-May to early October. If you still want to stay and live abroad, you can find a job on layboard.com

Small and cozy Montenegro is as if copied from a postcard. Ornate medieval cities, the transparent Adriatic Sea, mountains with combed pine trees and magical lakes - everything in Montenegro is beautiful everywhere. In addition, it is inexpensive: you can have a thorough lunch in a cafe for $ 20 for two, and if you move away from the embankment, it is even cheaper. There will be no problems with understanding: many speak Russian. And you can easily understand the local language: for example, coffee is kafa, and milk is mleko.

The best way to travel around Montenegro is by car. Drive from bay to bay and explore the sights along the way. If you like mountains, leave more time for the mainland. You can spend the night at least every day in a new place. And if you don't want to waste time looking for housing, choose a "base" from where it will be convenient to travel to interesting places in one day. It will not be difficult: in Montenegro, everything is close.

Ready travel plan in Montenegro

Start in enchanting Kotor

Climb the ramparts, trample stone pavements, admire the Venetian style of palaces and churches, and choose the best local prosciutto on the market.

Take a ride around the cities of the Boko-Kotor Bay

Only, mind you, without a tough program. Stop wherever you want, gaze at the houses with red-tiled roofs and sit on the verandas of the cafe with a glass of wine.

Go to Mount Lovcen.

Upstairs you will find a great view of almost all of Montenegro, especially from the observation deck behind the Njegos mausoleum. Don't forget to bring your windbreaker: it's cool in the mountains even in summer.

Enjoy the Adriatic Sea

Explore the coast from Budva to Ulcinj, sunbathe in romantic coves and lose track of time in bougainvillea-covered towns.

Admire nature in the Durmitor National Park

Walk along the forest path to the Black Lake, swim and collect strawberries. And if you take trekking shoes with you and push up, you can overcome Bobotov-Cook.

Visit Ostrog Monastery

This is one of the most important Orthodox shrines in Montenegro. Be sure to climb to the Upper Monastery to see the temple in a cave on a sheer cliff.