By mid year, everyone is on the look out for exciting and cheap winter destinations to celebrate the holiday season. The popular locations are usually sold out by this time or the prices would have skyrocketed.
So we decided to list some of the winter destination underdogs. These places are underrated, affordable, promises a magical winter wonderland experience and could easily be the next big thing in the winter tourism market.
10 Unique & Cheap Winter Destinations To Visit In 2020
GUDAURI
It is still a mystery how the Caucasus region and its breathtaking beauty remained hidden from the world for so long. Winter in Georgia starts around November and lasts till April. Snow fall in this region vary year to year and it is best to check the webcams on the Gudauri website for live updates.
If you love Skiing or plan to learn the basics, Gudauri is one of those cheap winter destinations as compared to rest of Europe.The other Georgian slopes of Bukuriani and Mestia also attracts seasoned skiers.
HOW TO GET TO GUDAURI
The nearest international airport is in Tbilisi, the capital. It is a 3 hour drive from Tbilisi.
FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES IN GUDAURI
- Paragliding in Gudauri
- Snow tube riding
- Explore the stunning stratovolcano, Mt Kazbek
- Visit a traditional Russian sauna- Banya
QABALA
The ancient capital of Caucasian Albania, the city of Qabala in Azerbaijan comes alive in the winter months.You can enjoy a perfect winter getaway here without breaking the bank.
Also Read: Explore Baku-The Capital of Azerbaijan in 48 hours
HOW TO GET TO QABALA
It is a 4 hour drive from the capital city of Baku.
FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES
- Check out the Tufandag Winter Complex
- Take a ride on the Tufandag Telifric or cable car for stunning views of the snow blanketed city
- Snow sliding and skiing.
- Qabala is the go-to place for wellness retreats in the region. Check into one of their many state-of-the-art wellness centre’s to pamper yourself on your well deserved break.
TSAGHKADZOR
A wellness town in Armenia, Tsaghkadzor is an excellent getaway for winter fun as well as some pampering “me” time.
HOW TO GO TO TSAGHKADZOR
It is just a an hour away by road from the capital Yerevan.
FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES
- Tsaghkadzor Ropeway is an excellent activity for snow first timers
- Tsaghkadzor Zipline
- Enjoy Balneotherapy-mineral bath at Grand Resort Jermuk
- Check out the Casinos
FARAYA
Lebanon is the only country in the Middle East without a desert. Faraya in the Keserwan district is a must visit for winter lovers and is one of those underrated and cheap winter destinations.
HOW TO GET TO FARAYA
It is 42 Kms from the capital, Beirut. The best way to get here is by cab.
FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES
- Ski at the high altitudes resort Mzaar Kfardebian
- Enjoy the various christmas markets
- Chateau Ksara, one of the local favourite winery runs free tours year around.
- His quotes has shaped our life today. So why not visit Khalil Gibran’s birthplace and a museum dedicated to his work in Bcharrè .
ZLATIBOR
Beginner skiers and children can enjoy the gentle slopes of Obudovica while the experienced skiers can opt for the Tornik slopes in this Serbian town.
HOW TO GET TO ZLATIBOR
It is a 3.5 hour driver from the capital city of Belgrade. Check the bus & train timetables here.
FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES
- Visit the snow blanketed valley between Tara and Zlatibor mountains
- Take a ride on the famous railway Sargan Eight
- Visit Drvengrad, an ethnic town complete with wooden houses
- Explore the Kapaonik mountain ranges, the ultimate winter wonderland and its various ski routes
- Explore the beautiful Uvac Canyon
Christmas Markets
POIANA BRASOV
Nicknamed the Alps of Romania, Poiana Braşov is another one of those equally stunning yet cheap winter destinations when compared to rest of Europe. Did you know that the mountain here are home to Brown Bears?
HOW TO GET TO POIANA BRASOV
180 Km from the capital city of Bucharest, the drive takes close to 3 hours. You can check the train schedules here.
FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES
- Hike up to Peak Postravaru. You can also take a cable car to the top.
- Go for a cycle tour of Poiana Braşov
- Enjoy Romanian folk music and dance at the wide range of bars and discos
- Lighting up of the Christmas tree and the opening of the Christmas market on Dec 6th followed by a spectacular fireworks show.
- Visit the vampire city of Transylvania
Sunset over the Dracula Castle, Transylvania
BUKOVEL
This Ukranian town is a fairly new entrant into the tourism industry and a favourite winter destination among locals. It is one of those cheap winter destinations that do not get packed with people.
HOW TO GET TO BUKOVEL
You can directly fly to Bukovel. Check out the options to travel from Kiev to Bukovel.
FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES
- Bukovel Winter Fair
- Want to learn Skiing? Why not enroll yourself at the Bukovel Ski School
- Bike Zip
- Jeep tours to the Carpathian region
Also Read: Winter activities at Bukovel
MINSK
If you are a Friends fan, Minsk will always be that strange land Phoebe Buffay’s scientist boyfriend David went to work. Though Belarus is one of the last countries to have a dictator ruler, as tourists, you wont be affected by it in any way.
HOW TO GET TO MINSK
You can directly fly into Minsk and by doing so you can enjoy a visa-free entry into Belarus. Read on about visa regulations
FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES
- Swim in an Ice Pond, a very common site in Minsk
- A walk in the woods in Minsk is a truly amazing activity for nature and silence lovers
- Enjoy a banya (Russian sauna) experience
- Though there are no mountains in Minsk, there are high hills and steep ravines suitable for skiers. Check out the top ski resorts in Belarus.
- Belovezhskaya Pushcha is one of the most ancient forests in Europe, mentioned in a chronicle as far back as 983
- Sledging with Huskies
- Zorbing
MANALI
Tourist season in Manali is during the summer months and this town in Northern India is quieter during winters. You get great deals on hotels and tours during this season.
HOW TO GET TO MANALI
The nearest airport is Bhuntar. Flights to Bhuntar depends heavily on weather and volume. Expect frequent cancellations. Another option is to take a flight into Chandigarh Airport and take an taxi onwards towards Manali.
FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES
- Manali Winter Carnival
- Skiing, tubing, snow sledges at Solang Valley
- Hot springs in Vashisth
- Visit Rohtang Pass
KARAKOL
Come November and the regions of Karakol and Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan will turn into a winter wonderland. This is a cheap winter destination with numerous family friendly winter activities.
HOW TO GET TO KARAKOL
There are various public transportation options to get to Karakol from Bishkek
FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES
- Dungan family dinner
- Paragliding
- Snow shoeing and snow mobiling
- Skiing at the Karakol Ski Base
- Camp in a traditional Yurt
Traditional Yurt in Kyrgyzstan
We really hope this article has helped in your planning process. Comment down below or click that ‘Contact Us’ button if you have any questions. We would be super happy to help!
Happy Travels!
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Le Mentok
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Glad you find it helpful:)