LONG-AWAITED HOLIDAY

For most Azerbaijanis and people around the world, summer is the most anticipated season of the year. Summer means sunshine, beaches, relaxation, tasty ice cream, trips to the countryside and nature, outdoor cafes and restaurants, adventures, and travelling abroad. And above all, summer means a long-awaited vacation that makes these dreams come true.

Scientists say that 2024 may be even hotter than the record-breaking year 2023, due to the effect of El Niño - a temperature phenomenon that makes the equatorial part of the Pacific Ocean heat up by more than three degrees above its normal level. But will that stop the strong desire to enjoy all the pleasures of summer and have some fun? Absolutely not. Many people start saving money from the beginning of the year, plan their vacations, choose dates and destinations for travel, buy tickets, book hotels... And finally, they go on a diet to look their best in public.

Top places to travel in 2024

You may be wondering which destinations will be the most interesting and popular in 2024. Well, the world's largest platform for travellers, TripAdvisor, has already announced the hottest trends for this year. Surprisingly, the European routes favoured by Azerbaijanis did not make it to the most expected ones. Tokyo, Seoul, Halong Bay (Vietnam), Palawan Island (Philippines), mountain village of Sapa (Vietnam), Bogota (Colombia), Pattaya (Thailand), Alajuela (Costa Rica), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Kuala Lumpur are among the best destinations in the ranking. The only European destination in the top 25 was the Romanian city of Brasov, which ranked 21st in TripAdvisor's rating.

Baku ranks 13th in the list of Best Gastronomic Destinations of 2024. It is followed by such cities as Hanoi, Rome, Crete, Cusco, Florence, New Delhi, Barcelona, New Orleans, Lisbon, Phuket, Paris and Jaipur, as well as Crete Island.

The popular travel guide Lonely Planet has revealed its selection of the best places to visit in 2024. Not without surprises, the guide named Mongolia as the best country to travel to for its "wide-open spaces, adventure activities, and distinctive culinary and musical culture". Also in the top 10 were Mexico, Croatia, Benin, Uzbekistan, India, Morocco, Chile, Pakistan and St Lucia.

Kenya's capital Nairobi has topped this year's ranking of recommended cities to visit. Lonely Planet experts called Nairobi the No. 1 city destination for its "unique rhythms, impressive array of local restaurants and constant rotation of arts and culture." Paris, Prague, Montreal, Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Philadelphia, Manaus (Brazil), Jakarta, Izmir and Kansas City are also in the top 10.

The top places with the best value for money include the Midwest of America, Algeria, Poland, Nicaragua, Bulgaria, Normandy (France), Egypt, Ikaria (Greece), New Zealand, already a favourite among Azerbaijanis.

By the way, Azerbaijan, according to the Russian Union of Travel Industry, is among the top 10 countries where Russians plan to spend their summer holidays in 2024.

Holidaying on a budget, but in comfort

Many people in Azerbaijan plan to spend their holidays in June, July and August. But not everyone is aware of the possibilities of budget holidays in May, September or even October. For example, in Türkiye, everyone's favourite, the beach season is already in full swing in May, especially in the region of Antalya (Alanya, Kemer, Belek, Side, etc.). In this area, summer with beaches lasts until the end of October. And the best part is, the prices are much lower in late spring and during the velvet season.

If you are looking for a great deal on your summer vacation, you might want to consider booking your trip in May or autumn. Why? Because you can save up to 50% on tour packages that include flights, hotels and food. And we are not talking about the fake discounts that some travel agencies offer in the winter, when they inflate the prices and then slash them by 40-50%. We are talking about real bargains that you can find in Türkiye, one of the most popular destinations for Azerbaijanis and travellers from all over the world.

In May or autumn, you can enjoy the warm sea, the sunny beaches, and the rich culture of Türkiye without the crowds, the heat, and the high prices of the peak season. You can find a hot tour package to Türkiye for a week for only $250-350, depending on the region and the hotel rating. For example, you can visit the Dalaman region, where you can explore the beautiful resorts of Marmaris and Fethiye, or the Bodrum region, where you can experience the nightlife and the history of this ancient city.

But Türkiye is not the only option for a budget-friendly vacation. You can also find amazing deals in other countries, especially in Europe. For instance, you can stay in a hotel on the Amalfi coast of Italy (Positano, Salerno, Amalfi, etc.) for a fraction of the price that you would pay in the summer. The same goes for Montenegro, a green and charming country that offers visa-free entry to Azerbaijanis. You can also visit Egypt, where you can see the pyramids and the Nile, or other Arab and European countries that have a lot to offer in terms of culture, nature, and cuisine.

The trick is to plan your vacation well in advance and choose the right dates. For your convenience, here are the non-working days of the 2024 season in Azerbaijan, according to the decision of the Collegium of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection: April 10, 11 - Ramadan holiday; May 9 - Victory over Fascism Day; May 28 - Independence Day; June 15 - National Salvation Day; June 26 – Army Day; June 16, 17 – Eid al-Fitr. In addition, June 18-19 are also days off in 2024, according to the Labour Code and resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Prices, prices, prices...

Of course, the cost of summer tour packages is one of the main factors that influence your decision. Many travel agencies have been offering tour packages to Azerbaijani citizens within the framework of early booking campaign since January. They include air travel with luggage, accommodation in a hotel with meals ("All Inclusive"), group transfer and insurance.

The best prices for June for 7 nights are available in the Dalaman region, where you can stay in resorts such as Marmaris and Fethiye. The cheapest offer starts from $417 with accommodation in simple three-star hotels. For four stars, you will have to pay from 505 euros in Marmaris, and the minimum price in 5 stars is 645 euros. In Fethiye and Oludeniz, all-inclusive packages will cost at least $850 now and $150-200 more expensive during the season. Packages to Marmaris for August for 6 nights in simple five-star hotels start from $855.

If you prefer the Bodrum region, another favourite Turkish resort, you can find offers for 7 nights starting from $750 when staying in a three-star hotel, from $800 in a four-star hotel and from $920 in a five-star hotel.

If you want to visit visa-free Europe, we have good news for you. From June 10 to September 9, you can buy tour packages to the lovely and green Montenegro. Now with early booking, you can still buy week-long packages for June with prices starting from 668 euros. But keep in mind that the cheapest packages usually include only breakfasts, and those with an all-inclusive system will cost 300-400 euros more.

Don't forget that these are prices for early booking tour packages - during the summer season, the price will definitely be higher.

Most likely, tourist trips from Baku to the hot resorts of Sharm el Sheikh, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha will be inexpensive in summer. But you should consider unbearably hot temperatures (+40-50°C) at these locations in July and August, and often also in June and September. Therefore, properly calculate your strength and health capabilities.

Prices for holidays in neighbouring Georgia, particularly in Batumi, Kobuleti and Sarpi, are expected to be about the same as last season - from $600-650 per week. This amount can be slightly cheaper if you buy tickets in advance and choose hotels or apartments according to your wishes.