Getting out of Om el Donia for a respite this winter is still possible, even on a budget. Our guide this week comes to you with a selection of international destinations that may not have come across your mind when you think of traveling during the winter.

Aside from the appeal of being new destinations, these countries are also easier on the pocket — or can be, depending on how much you intend to spend.

ORGANIZING A TRIP CAN BE A CHORE- Planning and budgeting yourself can be as draining as waking up early to go to work, which is why to save you the hassle and stress we’ve got a list of travel agencies that can do the dirty work for you:

REMEMBER- As always, all exchange rates are subject to change due to the season.

DESTINATION #1-

MARRAKECH- Nestled in the heart of Morocco, this vibrant city is a destination that captivates visitors with its bustling souks, rich history, and stunning architecture.

With milder temperatures and fewer crowds, winter in Marrakech opens up numerous opportunities to immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant energy and cultural hotspots.

LOCATION- It’s in the northwest of Africa — we are literally neighbors.

VISA- Required, but the list is relatively short.

TRAVEL- It’s five hours from Cairo to Casablanca. Then you have the option to either take an hour flight from Casablanca to Marrakech or rent a car/hail a taxi to drive to Marrakech which will cost you around MAD 500 which is equivalent to EGP 1.5k.

FLIGHT TICKET PRICES- The price for flights ranges from EGP 12k to 15k from Cairo to Casablanca. Then from Casablanca to Marrakech, flights cost roughly EGP 5.5k.

LANGUAGES- Moroccan people speak Spanish, French, Arabic, and English — thank you, European colonization.

CURRENCY- Moroccan Dirham, MAD 1 = EGP 3.05.

ACCOMMODATION COSTS- Stay in a stunning Moroccan riad, immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage and indulging in the luxurious tranquility it offers. Prices start from EGP 1k up to EGP 10k per night.

MUST DO/VISIT- One of the many places that tourists flock to is the Jemaa El-Fnaa, which is the souk or market where the majority of your shopping will be. Other places that tourists flock to are the Jardin Majorelle and YSL museum. You can also marvel at the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains, or make your own Moroccan slippers. If you are looking for other activities you can click here and see what Marrakech has to offer.

DON’T MISS OUT ON-

#1- Authentic Moroccan food…obviously? A popular local haunt of national dishes is Ali Ben Fallah and Paolo, or you can opt for the restaurants in Jemaa El-Fnaa. There is also the Babbouche (snail soup), Sfenj (moroccan donut), Atay (Moroccan tea) and their vast collection of tagines.

#2- Moroccan hammam: Similar to a Turkish hammam, where it has steam rooms, saunas, and followed by a scrub with their ‘beldi’ soap to remove sins and dead skin. To avoid foreign price fluctuations Alf Leila W Leila is price appropriate.

PRO TIP- When going to Jemaa El-Fnaa (Marrakech Souk) keep an eye out for pickpockets.

DESTINATION #2-

#2- RIYADH- Come winter a new dimension of cultural exploration emerges as there are mostly sunny skies without the regular scorching summer temperatures.

LOCATION-Saudi Arabia’s capital city across the Red Sea.

VISA- Required. Their list is longer and requires some preparation before making your visit.

TRAVEL- It’s two hours and a half from Cairo to Riyadh.

FLIGHT TICKET PRICES- The tickets will set you back EGP 5k to 7k.

LANGUAGES-Arabic is the official language but English is also spoken informally.

CURRENCY- SAR 1 = EGP 8.24.

ACCOMMODATION COSTS- The upcoming bustling city has a lot to offer regarding accommodation from affordability to straight up luxury, which will move you into broke-ville in no time. Prices start from EGP 1k up to EGP 45k per night.

MUST DO/VISIT- Explore the ancient wonders tucked amidst modernity at The NationalMuseum of Saudi Arabia. Indulge in Saudi’s national cuisine at Najd Village. You can also discover the kingdom’s traditional markets at Souk Al Zal, and, perhaps, even get the bedouin experience. If none of the options speak to you, look at this list to consider other options.

DON’T MISS OUT ON-If you want a break from the city you can escape to Saudi’s new retreat hotspot AlUla. They offer a variety of tiers of hotels but the ones that are budget friendly are Habitas and Cloud7. If you’re worried about activities, they’ve got you covered from wellness to hiking.

PRO TIP- The dress code matters in Saudi culture and women are expected to cover their legs, chest and shoulders — keeping your hair exposed is permitted. Also, if you’re a group, men and women are not allowed to room together unless married and have proof of marriage.

DESTINATION #3-

TALLINN- Probably not the first city to cross your mind when thinking of winter getaways abroad, but if you fancy nippy weather, cobbled streets, and fairytale-like old towns topped with snow-covered rooftops, twinkling lights, and cozy cafes, then Tallinn in Estonia should be on your itinerary.

LOCATION- It’s Estonia’s capital city by the Baltic sea.

VISA- Required. Estonia is a Schengen country, so if you have a visa, you can book your ticket and head over there.

TRAVEL- Flights are tricky: Since there’s no direct flight to Tallinn the flight duration will be between seven to 14 hours, including layover.

FLIGHT TICKET PRICES- The ticket prices range fromEGP 7k to 13k, depending on dates.

LANGUAGES- Estonian is the official language but English is also spoken informally.

CURRENCY- EUR 1 = EGP 33.60.

ACCOMMODATION COSTS- Best thing about hotels in Tallinn is that everything is walking distance or you’ll need a short taxi trip. Prices start from EGP 1k up to EGP 7k per night.

MUST DO/VISIT-The city is packed with medieval architecture and sites such as the ToompeaCastle and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The winter season also offers a unique opportunity to experience Estonia’s rich cultural heritage, with traditional Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, and captivating folklore performances,

DON’T MISS OUT ON-

Exploring more. Tallinn is a busy city during the winter, and investing more in your activities and sightseeing is more important than splurging on where you are staying.

PRO TIP- The weather in Tallinn can go well below the zeros — so you need to layer up. Packing that thermal, jacket, scarf, boots, and beanie will be essential to your stay.

DESTINATION #4-

HONG KONG- This melting pot of Chinese and international culture is another destination worth a go.

LOCATION- In the south-eastern tip of China, it’s not a part of China, or an independent country, it is a Special administrative region (SAR) of China.

VISA- Not required — yay— but only for up to 90 days.

TRAVEL- There are no direct flights to Hong Kong, so expect an overall flight duration to take between 13 to 20 hours, including layover.

FLIGHT TICKET PRICES- The ticket prices range fromEGP 17k to 60k, depending on dates and the number of stops.

LANGUAGES- The top three languages spoken in Hong Kong are Cantonese, Mandarin and English.

CURRENCY- HKD 1 = EGP 3.97.

ACCOMMODATION COSTS- While the accommodation is relatively modern with a hint of Asian oriental design, you’re ensured a view of the city. Prices range from EGP 2k-20k per night.

MUST DO/VISIT-The city is packed with things to do. To avoid being overwhelmed we suggest visiting some of their small independent shops, exploring historic landmarks such as the Cape D’Aguilar’s Lighthouse, one of Hong Kong’s museums, and getting some street eats and more.

DON’T MISS OUT ON-

DISNEYLAND- If you’ve budgeted your way through the trip and managed to save an extra few geneehs splurge on a day at Disneyland Hong Kong to treat your inner child — or real children — for EGP 3k.

PRO TIP- While you might think the early bird gets the worm, you won’t be able to experience the true local lifestyle in Hong Kong’s markets until after sundown where all the locals come out and play music.

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