Rising air ticket prices are forcing many to reconsider their plans for how to celebrate the New Year. Sometimes it seems like a ticket to Paris or the Vienna Christmas market will make you happy. However, even if you decide to postpone the idea for some time and go to another place or stay in your hometown, the New Year holidays can become unforgettable, because the joy from the experience does not depend on the cost of tickets and kilometers traveled.
We have come up with 12 options for celebrating the New Year and spending a long holiday weekend in an interesting way: both for those who are ready to buy a plane ticket and fly far, far away, and for those who want to spend the holidays in Russia.
Every day is a new city
Oddly enough, many saw more foreign cities than Russian ones. What is nearby seems to always be available, so you buy tickets to Turkey or Barcelona again and postpone your trip along the Golden Circle.
During the long New Year holidays, you can take several small excursions to nearby cities (for example, to Kolomna, Suzdal, Vladimir and others), if a multi-day tour around the country is not yet part of your plans. Even if you have visited these places before, for example, on business trips, do not be too lazy to come again, but as a tourist: stroll around the city without haste and explore its most interesting corners.
In every city there are majestic churches, historical buildings, and characteristic crafts. For example, on the highway in Pokrov there is a gingerbread shop, it’s hard not to notice it and hard not to return on the way back. Classic gingerbread cookies, with state symbols or funny hares and dolphins, with or without glaze, small and giant - you can stock up on gifts for all your friends!
Or in Kolomna, handmade marshmallows in a factory store, where on a theatrical excursion you can see with your children how and what sweets are made from, and then buy a mountain of multi-colored boxes with marshmallows of different tastes, shapes and textures. There is also a museum in Kolomna called “Kalachnaya”, where they sell takeaway rolls in the form of funny curls, hot, in paper bags, people line up for them right on the street!
Find out which Russian cities can surprise even the most experienced travelers!
Ecological farm
If you want to get out of the information flow for the entire New Year holidays and relax your soul and body, go to the village. Enthusiasts in various Russian cities are now actively developing this type of tourism. For example, there is an ecological farm in the Moscow region, in the village of Sivkovo. Here you can rent a house, ride a snowmobile, ride a sleigh or even ride horses, go fishing on the lake and hunt in a specially designated area. And also see with your own eyes how chickens, goats, cows live, pet and feed the animals.
You can decorate a Christmas tree right in the forest, like in the cartoon “Prostokvashino,” and eat Russian cuisine prepared from farm products in a local restaurant. A great option for celebrating the New Year without TV, Olivier, the president's speech and explosions of firecrackers outside the window.
We have collected even more stunning eco-hotels around the world in a special selection.
New Year in the castle
Have you ever celebrated New Year's Eve in a real castle with a medieval feast led by a monk from centuries past? In many castles you can stay for a few days, learn how to cook ancient dishes, dance as they did several centuries ago, and tell each other scary mystical stories. For example, this is organized in Norviliškės Castle in Vilnius.
During one trip you can see several castles at once: sleigh rides, long walks and tasting of national dishes are provided. The only drawback of such a holiday is that it can be quite cool in the castle, because this is not a full-fledged hotel, so take blankets and warm clothes with you. From Moscow to Vilnius there are less than two hours of flight and there are many direct flights.
Find flights to Vilnius
Option four - “Police”
This option is suitable for those who want to shock their friends and family on January 1st. Think about the look on their faces when you announce that you celebrated New Year 2022 with the police. On the evening of December 31st, arrange with a law enforcement representative to have them “take you away” for violating the order. It’s better, of course, if it’s a police officer you know. Otherwise, you risk staying there longer than planned. You don't even have to take alcohol with you. The police will also be walking around. In addition, in the bullpen you can find out the latest crime news.
As a last resort, just grab champagne and snacks and go to the nearest police station just like that. Congratulate the guys on the New Year and ask them to celebrate this event. Rest assured, our law enforcement agencies know how to have a blast, and you will not be turned away.
Health trips
When thinking about the New Year holidays, many people dream not of a guidebook lined up and down and excursions from morning to evening, but of a quiet, peaceful place where they could sleep, read as much as they never have time to do during working days, and walk in the fresh air .
If you have two weeks of vacation, take yourself a wellness vacation, for example, in Karelia, in places that are famous for their forests, lakes and clean air. You can choose the type of treatment that is right for you, such as a detoxification program. You will cleanse your body and gain strength under the supervision of doctors who will prescribe appropriate procedures: body wraps, massages, visiting the pool and much more. For those who want to see the cherished numbers on the scales after the New Year, there is a program of therapeutic fasting.
You can easily take children on such a trip. During adult procedures, a nanny will sit with the kids, and the older ones will be able to go through their own program with you: go to the pool, sauna, exercise, massage, drink herbal teas and eat according to a special menu. Children's leisure in such clinics is usually also organized.
While vacationing in Karelia, you can get to Murmansk to get acquainted with the history and culture of the indigenous peoples of the Far North, ride a reindeer sled, ride a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle and see the northern lights. There are comfortable houses there too.
Find flights to Murmansk
Even more medical tourism destinations await you in our wellness selection!
Yoga tour in Asia
If you are interested in yoga or have long wanted to try what it is, there is an opportunity to spend the New Year holidays in an unusual environment, permeated with the high energies of ancient spiritual traditions, in the company of like-minded people. It doesn’t matter whether you are concerned about strengthening peace on earth or you are just curious about what yoga is, the main thing is to choose reliable tour organizers. There are many offers: Nepal, Bali, Cambodia, Thailand and other heavenly places - for every taste.
What will you do there? Seminars, meditations, yoga classes themselves, lectures on Vedic philosophy and yoga theory and several days of good rest, in addition, the opportunity to eat without meat, without causing puzzled looks. Even if we forget about romantic books about the epiphany that people have in such places, we can say with confidence that a week in this mode will definitely distract you from everyday problems and work issues.
Option three - “Bathroom”
This option is suitable for those who want peace and tranquility. Decorate your bathroom with a Christmas theme. Hang garlands, rain, shiny toys. Place decorated fir branches and a radio on the table. Closer to midnight, run nice, warm water into the bathroom. Add foam, sea salt or other flavorings. Turn off the lights and turn on the garland. Immerse yourself in the fragrant water and surrender to the feeling of mysterious magic. With a glass of champagne in your hands, while the chimes are chiming, it will be very romantic in the bathroom.
Ski resort
You don’t have to go to distant Austria to start skiing for the first time. There are mountains in Russia, and tourism is well developed there. For example, in Western Siberia, in the Kemerovo region, there is a resort called Sheregesh. The ski slopes of Sheregesh meet the standards of the International Ski Federation, this allows for competitions of the highest level, and it will simply be a pleasure to ski.
You can start skiing for the first time under the guidance of an instructor. For young tourists (from 3 years old) there is a Ski-board school and children's ski nursery "Tumbler", there is an indoor skating rink. You can live nearby in a cottage, guest house or traditional hotel.
Find flights to the nearest Novokuznetsk
Gastronomic tour to Georgia
Have you been on gastronomic tours in Spain, tasted cheeses in France and Italian dishes somewhere in Rome? To have a luxurious dinner, you don’t have to sit in a Michelin-starred restaurant with well-trained waiters and a fancy menu. Go to Georgia! Whatever, you will be provided with an interesting cuisine. And don’t even worry about how to celebrate the New Year: at midnight you will be offered not just a festive table, but a real culinary feast.
Khinkali, satsivi, chakhokhbili, khachapuri and achma - all this is probably familiar to you, thanks to Georgian restaurants, which have recently opened in almost dozens in Moscow alone, but, of course, in their native land and from other products, the dishes will taste a bit different. Don’t be surprised if they bring you shish kebab, salad and freshly baked pita bread for breakfast. In general, get ready not to taste, but to eat - in the full sense of the word. In addition, you can look at Tbilisi from a bird's eye view by climbing the mountain in a funicular (both during the day and in the evening to take stunning shots), walk along interesting streets, choose and take home a lot of famous local wine.
Find flights to Tbilisi
By the way, we have a whole guide to Georgia on our blog!
Magical night on the roof
If you can’t get out anywhere for the New Year, try to find unusual places close to home, for example, go with your significant other... to the roof. Would the roof of a private building or the flat roof of a high-rise building be suitable, the main thing is that nothing covers the starry sky, otherwise how will you see multi-colored fireworks?
To prepare a holiday for the New Year on the roof is not difficult, you will need:
- the most difficult part is to negotiate with the right person to be allowed on the roof;
- Pre-clear the site from snow and ice;
- bring a light table, chairs or armchairs;
- stock up on champagne, sweets or fruits of your choice, bring light snacks;
- It won’t hurt to take warm tea or coffee (in a thermos);
- blankets or blankets;
- laptop or smartphone with wi-fi (watch the president’s address outdoors or turn on the New Year’s broadcast on the radio).
Christmas tree decoration museum
In the city of Klin in the Moscow region there is a museum of Christmas decorations “Klinskoye Podvorye” and a company store of a factory for the production of New Year’s decorations - “Yelochka”. In the museum, which is open all year round, you can look at a rich collection of ancient and Soviet toys, and watch how glassblowers and painting artists create modern jewelry. Theatrical excursions are organized for children.
There is no shortage of holiday spirit in cities. Starting in November, shops and shopping centers decorate Christmas trees and put themed products on sale, but it’s one thing to buy New Year’s decorations in a supermarket, and another thing to go on a short trip to buy them.
Find out about other interesting museums in Russia from our special review!
What to cook for the festive table when we meet 2022
Decorating the New Year's table is a separate ceremony. Choose discreet colors, blue, dark blue shades and monotonous decor. It is better to do without variegation, choose a simple white tablecloth, which will match almost any dishes, and napkins to match the dishes or other decorations. Candles on the table will create a warm atmosphere and add coziness. A small bouquet of spruce paws will remind you of the miracle of New Year's Eve; you can place pine cones, Christmas tree decorations, dry fruits or berries between the dishes.
But the main decorations of the table are, of course, the dishes. It is important that they are not only tasty, but also captivating. The tiger is not just a predator, he is an omnivore: he loves to chew grass and eats vegetables and fruits. Therefore, you can put all your favorite New Year's dishes on the table without worrying about your choice.
Meat is, of course, the main part of a tiger’s diet, so dishes made from pork, lamb, beef, and poultry would be very appropriate. It is better to cook the meat in one piece and cut it before serving: bake, grill, stew.
Trampoline jumping, reindeer farm and floating
If you are thinking about how to celebrate the New Year in Moscow, we recommend paying attention to a lot of interesting places in the capital. For example, take up a now fashionable sport - trampolining. This entertainment is available to both children, adults, extreme sports enthusiasts, and completely inexperienced athletes. The organizers promise that jumping will help relieve stress, chronic fatigue syndrome, vascular problems and even help you lose weight.
You don't need to have any special skills to start jumping; you can do it in groups or individually. A safe environment in such clubs is created by definition, so there is nothing to be afraid of, but it is, of course, possible and necessary to do what you have dreamed of since childhood - to fly up to the very sky.
Another method of dealing with stress and just a fun activity is horse riding. Take a horseback ride through the forest (if you are doing this for the first time or have a child on a horse, an instructor will be walking nearby) or take things more seriously - take hippotherapy lessons (exercises on a horse without a saddle).
You can take your children to a deer farm. Surely, at first, children won’t even believe you, because it seems that deer only exist in fairy tales. But it turns out that you can pet them, hug them, and feed them! You will see how animals are harnessed to a sleigh, which you can then ride on.
Another original and fashionable entertainment and relaxation today is floating. This is a dive into an unusual bath filled with water and salt. There are walls around, through which neither sounds, nor light, nor smells penetrate - complete darkness and silence, the force of gravity does not act on the body, the muscles are relaxed, the brain stops processing tons of information. Some feel such catharsis that they begin to go to this procedure regularly.
Want something “hot”? Then check out our top ten most extreme winter activities!
New Year's signs to attract happiness
The tiger is a measured and calm predator even when hunting. Therefore, it is better to prepare for the holiday without haste and fuss - thoroughly, measuredly and in advance.
To attract wealth into your home in the New Year, put a larger bill in your wallet before the holiday, and preferably a new, “crispy” one. Ideally, pay off your debts before the New Year; the proud Tiger will appreciate it.
Let the house be clean and fresh on this holiday night. The tiger knows his own worth, does not like chaos, and even the jewelry is better to choose laconic and stylish, without unnecessary variegation.
The New Year's table should not remain empty until the morning. When the guests have finished with the appetizers and main course, let there be at least snacks, fruits, sweets and drinks on the table.
The tiger is a loner by nature, so he does not like noisy companies. It is better to celebrate this New Year with family or close friends.
Avoid “cat” prints in clothes and jewelry - do not create competition for the Tiger.
Don't give frying pans or car mats - the Tiger doesn't really like household gifts. But accessories, perfumes, and clothes are a good option.
Spend the pre-holiday day in a good mood: take a walk, chat with loved ones, and tune in to the positive. Have you prepared for the holiday in advance? So spend the last hours of the old year in a good mood.
New Year's Marathon
Many of us promise to start leading a healthy lifestyle on Monday, after vacation, or on January 1 (underline as appropriate). What if you start implementing your plans from the first minutes of 2020? This opportunity is provided by the unusual New Year's Marathon, held in Zurich, Switzerland! The race starts right under the volleys of festive fireworks, and in addition to headlamps, participants can decorate their costume with a Santa Claus hat or masquerade elements.
Everyone chooses the marathon “size” that suits them: four 10-kilometer laps, a half-marathon of two laps, only one 10-kilometer race, or a marathon relay. By the way, little travelers can also come to Zurich to take part in a special children's Kids Run, which is also free (unlike the marathon for adults)! And after the race, everyone gathers in the gym at the start, where the restaurant is open all night and popular DJs play.
Find flights to Zurich
What other interesting marathons are there in the world?
Option one - “Roof”
This method is suitable for romantics who live in cities. Undoubtedly, there are multi-storey buildings in your locality. The higher the better. Imagine how exciting it will be to rise above the entire city and get closer to the stars. It would be better if there was an observation deck on some high-rise building. Maybe there is a small cozy cafe or restaurant where you can enjoy a slice of your favorite pie and a cup of coffee. And you can celebrate the holiday on the roof of your own house. Worry in advance about the absence of locks on attic doors. Although, if you are going to the roof with friends, the stronger half of your company can take care of this. On the roof you can set a festive table, light candles, pour out champagne, and when the clock strikes 12 times, set off a festive fireworks display.
Multi-day mountain hike
How to celebrate the New Year so that you can remember this unusual festive night for a long time? Pack your backpack and head to Morocco to conquer the mysterious Atlas Mountains! You will have a walk along a deep canyon through date and olive groves. The impregnable stone fortress cities in the mountains will seem like scenery left over from the filming of some film about the Persian Shahs. The culmination of the trip will be the ascent to the highest peak in North Africa, Mount Toubkal.
You will spend New Year's Eve by the fire under a heavenly carpet of stars in a Berber settlement in the middle of the Sahara Desert. By the way, don't forget to bring some small souvenirs for your fellow travelers who will accompany you on this exciting holiday adventure. A bonus to Moroccan trekking will be relaxing on the beautiful beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and walking through the colorful oriental bazaars, which will serve as an excellent replacement for European Christmas markets!
Find flights to Morocco
Find out even more about holidays in Morocco from our country guide!
Santa Claus in scuba gear
Novorossiysk divers offer to drink champagne near the Christmas tree in the Black Sea and arrange a round dance.
And of course, with the main characters of the holiday - Father Frost and Snow Maiden. “Will there be tangerines? And how to clean them under water? — we ask the founder of the diving club “Black Sea Diver” Vyacheslav Korshunov. “But why do we need tangerines? To snack on champagne? Although let’s think about it, it’s a good idea,” he laughs. — How do we open champagne? We shake the bottle, open it in the same way as on the shore, close it with our thumb, and everyone takes a sip - purely symbolically.” Any diver can become Father Frost and Snow Maiden. The outfits are also purely symbolic: as a rule, he wears a beard and a cap, and she wears a kokoshnik. “Everything takes about an hour - preparation, diving and the underwater part,” explains Vyacheslav Korshunov. “As a group of five to eight people, we dive to a depth of five to seven meters.”
Divers usually celebrate New Year's Day during the day for safety reasons. Moreover, this year it so happened that not only technical safety, but also sanitary and epidemiological safety. A mask or wetsuit provides protection not only from the water elements, but also from the viral one. And even social distance may not be observed...
