With the advent of winter, you are increasingly thinking about those countries where it is now warm and sunny. We present a selection of destinations where you can go right now to wait out the winter.

Mauritius

Since October 1, Mauritius has opened its borders to travelers from Russia: you must provide a certificate of vaccination with Sputnik V and a negative PCR test. And this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the new JW Marriott Mauritius Resort, which is located in the southwest of the island, an hour’s drive from the international airport Søevuzagyur Ramgoolam. The hotel is surrounded by the white-sand beach of Le Morne and is located right at the foot of the mountain of the same name.

The JW Marriott Mauritius Resort has 172 colonial-style rooms with spacious terraces or balconies that offer magnificent views of the ocean and tropical gardens. Five exquisite restaurants will present you with a real gastronomic paradise with a rich palette of tastes of the Indian Ocean, exotic Asian motives and centuries-old traditions of French and Mauritian cuisine. Undoubtedly, the richness of the wine list in the stylish lounge bar The 1904 Bar will also surprise you.

Also on site are outdoor and indoor swimming pools, fitness center, spa, tennis court, cinema. Kitesurfing, diving, snorkeling, beach volleyball are offered. In addition, boat trips, horseback riding and various excursions are waiting for you.

Maldives

This is another destination where you can go with Sputnik V and a negative PCR test. Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is located here, known for its hospitality and first-class service. To get to Raffles Maldives Meradhoo from Male International Airport, you need to book a domestic flight to Kaadedhdhoo Airport (flight takes about 55 minutes), from where Raffles Maldives Meradhoo representatives will take you to the resort by speed boat in 15 minutes.

And let the road (including the flight from Russia) seem long to you, after a couple of hours you will forget about it. A team of personal butlers will do everything to make your vacation absolutely carefree.

There are 38 villas in Raffles Maldives Meradhoo: on the beach of the main island and on the island of Ocean Pearl. Resort guests will appreciate signature massages at the Raffles Spa. Care programs combine oriental practices with traditional, time-tested methods of the Maldives.

Accompanied by a sea butler in the reefs near the hotel, you can go snorkeling and meet an abundance of tropical fish, nurse sharks, rays and local turtles. Marine Butler Raffles is not only a highly qualified expert in oceanology and marine biology, but also an excellent guide.

To enjoy the atmosphere of the atoll, it is not necessary to dive into the Indian Ocean. You can relax and enjoy the ocean with a light breakfast on one of the deserted islands, and then go sailing on a boat or watch the sun rise while cutting through the waves on a jet ski.

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

The northernmost emirate of the UAE is just an hour from Dubai Airport and two hours from Abu Dhabi. The local magnificent nature and sunny weather will not leave anyone indifferent. The coast in Ras Al Khaimah is replete with beautiful white sand beaches, natural lagoons and man-made islands. The clear waters of the bay are ideal for water sports such as sailing, water skiing and flyboarding. And the desert will gladly take adrenaline lovers into its arms: here you can cut through the dunes in jeeps and ATVs, do sandboarding and ride camels. Hiking trails are prepared in the mountains, there are trails for mountaineering and rock climbing, as well as for mountain biking.

History lovers will appreciate Al Jazeera al Hamra, the last remaining fishing village in the UAE. This is one of the few places where tourists can get acquainted with how houses were built in the old days – from shell rock and corals, or walk around the fortress and a small market, look into the mosque and residential buildings. And you can find out how pearl divers lived at the Suwaidi Pearls farm.

In the east of the emirate is a mountain range called Ru’us Al Jibal, which is part of the Hajjar Mountains, formed over 70 million years ago. Jebel Jays with a height of 1934 m is the main peak not only in Ras Al Khaimah, but throughout the UAE. A comfortable road leads to the top, where you can make several stops and admire the surroundings.

But perhaps the most famous adventure of Ras al-Khaimah is downhill on the world’s longest zipline, which is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The Jebel Jais Flight is 2832 meters long. The descent starts on the highest mountain in the UAE at 1680 meters above sea level and passes over the majestic Jebel Jais mountain range at a speed of up to 150 km/h, and ends on a suspended platform with a glass floor.

Important Information: The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Department (RAKTDA) is providing free PCR testing for COVID-19 until December 31st for all foreign guests arriving for a stay of one night or more.

Cyprus

Of all European countries, Cyprus is located in the warmest, eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, so most of the year there is clear and sunny weather. Anyone with a negative PCR test or vaccination certificate is allowed to enter the country (the Russian Sputnik V is also accepted). Before traveling, you must upload the test results or certificate to the website of the Cypriot government.

Parklane Limassol Hotel is located on the first coastline, just 15 minutes drive from the center of Limassol and 45 minutes drive from Larnaca Airport. On its territory there are 16 villas with swimming pools, the main building and a separate building Adults Only (a private area for guests without children), a kids club, a spa, four restaurants and tennis courts. More than 30 thousand trees and plants were planted for landscaping the territory, and due to the peculiarities of the coastal relief, the 300 m long beach is actually private.

The main feature of the common areas is panoramic windows that allow you to see the sea from every corner of the hotel. All pools, both outdoor and indoor, are heated, so guests can swim in them throughout the year, including in winter. The Kalloni Spa offers thalassotherapy, massages, exclusive hair, body and face treatments in a beauty salon, a barbershop, and a treatment pool. The restaurants and bars of the resort deserve special attention. The hotel team preferred the traditional flavors of the Mediterranean. There is also a sushi bar in the lobby in the evenings and live music.

Oman

Tourists can enter the country upon presentation of a negative PCR test and a vaccination certificate, such as Sputnik V. To avoid mandatory quarantine, you need to register in the Tarassud+ application and provide your health data in advance.

The Chedi Muscat is the first premium hotel in Muscat and is a member of the prestigious The Leading Hotels of The World chain. It is built in a picturesque location, 20 minutes drive from the ancient city and 15 minutes drive from the international airport. Nestled in lush gardens, the hotel’s elegant design combines Arabic décor with Asian influences. One of the three pools, 103 m long, is the longest in the Middle East.

The Chedi Muscat has six restaurants where you can order dishes from the Middle East, European, Indian, Asian countries, as well as alcoholic beverages. Guests can enjoy a romantic moonlit dinner on the beach, watch a cooking show in the open kitchen, or spend a quiet evening in the hotel’s picturesque courtyard. Must-see attractions include a private tour of local attractions: a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, where 600 weavers worked on the famous Persian carpet for four years; Wadi Shab pool, a walk through the famous Mutrah Souq bazaar.

Photo: press service