logo
5 affordable holiday destinations in Europe, Asia as vacation alternatives to Turkey, Azerbaijan

5 affordable holiday destinations in Europe, Asia as vacation alternatives to Turkey, Azerbaijan

Time of India19-05-2025

If you're looking to make a change, here are five alternative international destinations that offer rich experiences within the same expenditure.
As Indians drop Turkey and Azerbaijan from their holiday plans, we bring you five affordable and culturally rich alternatives across Europe and Asia. By Yasmin Hussain.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
7 Days in Georgia
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
7 Days in Serbia
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
7 Days in Greece
7 Days in Thailand
7 Days in Vietnam
With public sentiment turning decisively against Turkey and Azerbaijan over their stance on the India-Pakistan tension, many Indian travellers are reconsidering their itineraries.Leading travel platforms such as MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, and Ixigo have reported a significant spike in cancellations for trips booked to Turkey and Azerbaijan. To show solidarity with the national sentiment, travel aggregators have suspended bookings and removed promotional offers for both countries.Many travellers are now making plans for nations perceived as more friendly and welcoming to Indians. A typical budget trip to Turkey or Azerbaijan costs Rs.1-1.5 lakh per person—including round flights, visa, accommodation, activities, food, and local transport. If you're looking to make a change, here are five alternative international destinations that offer rich experiences within the same expenditure.Rs.85,000-90,000 for one personRs.30,000 round trip (Delhi/Mumbai to Tbilisi; off-peak, Mar-Apr)Rs.1,800Rs.1,000 per day per head (meals, coffee, snacks)Hotel Rs.2,000- 3,000 a night (Rs.21,000 a week)Car rental Rs.2,000 a day(Rs.10,000-12,000 for 4 days)Georgian Lari (GEL),Rs.1.0.032 GEL (as of May 2025)Rs.2,000Rs.9,000-11,000Tbilisi, Kakheti wine region, Gergeti Trinity, BatumRs.1.1-1.2 lakh for one personRs.60,000 round trip (Delhi/Mumbai to Belgrade; off-peak, Mar-Apr)Rs.2,700Rs.1,700 per day per head (meals, coffee, snacks)Hotel Rs.2,000-3,000 a night (Rs.19,000 a week)Rs.800-1,000 a daySerbian Dinar (RSD), Rs.1.1.22 RSD (as of May 2025)Rs.2,000Belgrade, Novi Sad, SuboticaRs.1.1-1.3 lakh per personRs.45,000 round trip (Delhi/Mumbai to Athens; shoulder season, Mar-Apr)Rs.10,000-12,000Rs.2,500 per day per headHotel Rs.3,000 a night (Rs.21,000 a week)Scooter rental Rs.2,800-3,000 a day, car rental Rs.3,800-5,000 a dayEuro,Rs.1.0.01 Euro (as of May 2025)Rs.2,000Rs.4,000Athens, Paros, Naxos, SantoriniRs.80,000- 1 lakh for one personRs.20,000 round trip (Delhi/Mumbai to Bangkok; off-peak, Apr-May/Jul-Sep)Rs.2,500; visa on arrivalRs.1,200-1,500 per day per headHostel Rs.700-800 a night, hotel Rs.1,500-2,000 a night (Rs.14,000 a week)Taxi Rs.1,500-2,000 a day, ferry Rs.160 a ride per head, internal flights Rs.2,500-4,000 per person (total Rs.13,000-15,000 for a week)Thai Baht (THB), Rs.1.0.39 THB (as of May 2025)Rs.2,000Rs.22,000-25,000Bangkok, Phi Phi Island, Pattaya, PhuketRs.70,000-80,000 for one personRs.20,000 round trip (Delhi/Mumbai to Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City)Rs.2,100Rs.1,200-1,500 per day per headHotel Rs.1,500-2,000 a night (Rs.10,000-12,000 a week)Scooter rental Rs.500-600 a dayVietnamese dong (VND), Rs.1.302.58 (as of may 2025)Rs.2,000Rs.10,000-12,000Hanoi, Ba Na hills, Ho Chi Minh City

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The Isle by Wonderla amusement park is a new water-themed resort on the edges of Bengaluru
The Isle by Wonderla amusement park is a new water-themed resort on the edges of Bengaluru

The Hindu

time11 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

The Isle by Wonderla amusement park is a new water-themed resort on the edges of Bengaluru

An hour's drive from Bengaluru, the Wonderla amusement park has been a summer holiday staple since it opened its doors in 2005. Located on Mysore Road, this one was the brand's second offering, after the first park in Kochi in 2000. While amusement parks are not typically my scene — I have not visited Wonderla since my teens, an invitation to their new water-themed resort, The Isle, immediately piqued my interest. For someone who gravitates towards beaches and water-centric holidays, Bengaluru offers limited options within driving distance. So, I set out for a first look. I get in the car around midafternoon and reach Mysore Road in an hour, surprising given Bengaluru traffic's propensity to ruin plans. The amusement park's iconic clock tower (part of a ride called the sky tilt) looms on the horizon. I am not an adrenaline junkie by any means and stay far away from such rides, but there is a thrill in the air. The Isle is a few steps away from the amusement park. Spread over 4.5 acres, it has 39 rooms on offer. As I enter, an ocean of blue greets me. A happy sight for beach lovers in Bengaluru. The stay My cottage is cute. A small room but boasting a four-poster bed and deep bathtub. The real attraction reveals itself when I open the curtains. Right outside my French window is the lagoon with a sit out area, and a hammock. It is raining so I make a cup of tea and enjoy the patter of the rain on the stream. Apart from the water hammock cottages, the Isle has cottages with a private jacuzzies and dome shaped cottages with a skylight. If you have a more adventurous vibe, go for the tent style rooms. Although made like tents, they come equipped with bathrooms and air conditioners. The property After unwinding in my room, I head out. Arun K. Chittilappilly, the executive chairman and managing director of Wonderla Holidays Ltd welcomes us. We take part in a coffee mixology session by Maverick and Farmer. Over cups of coffee, we mingle with the Wonderla team. Arun takes us on a tour. We climb up the tree house that gives a 360-degree view of the area and is a great sunset point. You can catch a glimpse of the hillocks in the area from here. Next to the lobby is a sandy area with gazebos, for an added beach-like feel. If you want to take a dip, they have a temperature-controlled pool. With so many water bodies, the question of sustainability is on my mind. But I am informed that they are committed to using sustainable practices, and use closed-loop water reuse systems that reduce water requirements. The resort is pet-friendly, and there is a pet park for your furry friend. The Therapy Tree Spa is not yet operational when I visit but claims to have signature treatments that are inspired by local ingredients and traditions. The food I head to dinner at the Spice Cove restaurant. The restaurant has an open kitchen dishing out baos, dim sum and bowls of ramen. There is also a buffet spread with Indian, European and Asian food. The dishes are average and nothing to write home about. I am more impressed with the Oasis poolside bar. The bar stools are in the water, so you dip your feet in while sipping on your cocktails. As of now they only have wine and wine-cocktails, but will have a full bar license soon. I head back to my cottage after dinner and unwind by the lagoon. The serene and quiet atmosphere with the sounds of running water can lull anyone to sleep. As I leave the next morning, I feel fully relaxed because of the short escape from the city. Cottages are priced at ₹10,000 upwards. At Mysore Road. For more details call 7026500011. The writer was at The Isle by Wonderla by invitation from the resort

Centre introduces annual toll pass for private vehicles in big relief for Tamil Nadu commuters
Centre introduces annual toll pass for private vehicles in big relief for Tamil Nadu commuters

New Indian Express

time2 hours ago

  • New Indian Express

Centre introduces annual toll pass for private vehicles in big relief for Tamil Nadu commuters

CHENNAI: The decision of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to introduce an annual toll pass (ATP) priced at Rs 3,000 — allowing up to 200 single trips for private vehicles such as cars, vans, and jeeps through national and express highway toll plazas — is expected to bring huge relief to commuters. With several major projects, including the Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway, expected to be operational by February-March 2026, private vehicle owners are likely to see a substantial reduction in toll expenses. The average toll fee per trip is Rs 15 when motorists use ATP. Currently, motorists travelling 343km from Chennai to Bengaluru on the NH pay Rs 430 across six toll plazas, from Sriperumbudur to Attibele. Using the ATP, the average toll cost will drop to around Rs 90. Similarly, for the 332-km stretch between Chennai and Tiruchy, toll charges for non-transport vehicles will reduce from Rs 495 to Rs 105. The ATP will be available exclusively through the RajmargYatra mobile app or the NHAI portal and will come into effect from August 15. The move is also expected to ease congestion on the Madurai-Tiruchy NH via Chittampatti, as a section of motorists may opt for the Madurai-Thuvarankurichi route instead. This alternative stretch currently sees limited traffic due to the high toll fee of Rs 190 per car at the Parali Pudur toll plaza — the highest in the state. The highway connects Madurai with Dindigul and Tiruchy. According to NHAI sources, non-transport vehicle owners can purchase the ATP multiple times a year without any cap. For example, if a vehicle owner uses up all 200 trips within three months, they can renew the ATP by paying another Rs 3,000 through the RajmargYatra mobile app.

'Bustling with activity': CM Omar Abdullah hails 'revival' of tourism in Pahalgam; April attack had dented visitor flow
'Bustling with activity': CM Omar Abdullah hails 'revival' of tourism in Pahalgam; April attack had dented visitor flow

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

'Bustling with activity': CM Omar Abdullah hails 'revival' of tourism in Pahalgam; April attack had dented visitor flow

NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday expressed satisfaction over the revival of tourism in Kashmir, particularly in Pahalgam, which had seen a sharp decline in visitors following the April 22 terror attack at the Baisaran meadow that claimed 26 lives, including 25 tourists and a local pony ride operator. Sharing his observations in a post on X, Abdullah noted a remarkable change in the atmosphere of the popular tourist destination. "The last time I was in Pahalgam I cycled through a market that was all but deserted." he wrote. "Today I came back to a Pahalgam that was bustling with activity. Tourists from various parts of the country competed for space with local picnickers who were enjoying the cool climate & rainy weather.." He credited the visible recovery to the sustained efforts of his administration. " It's very satisfying to see the efforts my colleagues & I have been putting in slowly bearing fruit.," he added. On April 22, brutal terrorist attack in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the lives of 26 people, including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali national, marking one of the deadliest assaults in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here Undo The attack sparked nationwide outrage and led to a spate of travel cancellations across the Valley, casting fresh doubts on the region's security. The massacre drew strong condemnation from world leaders and reignited concerns over cross-border terrorism. In a swift and strategic response, India launched Operation Sindoor during the night of May 6–7, targeting nine terror hideouts of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Though India maintained that its actions were focused and non-escalatory, Pakistan retaliated with drone strikes on Indian cities. In turn, India responded by disabling Pakistan's HQ-9 air defence system. As tensions escalated, border evacuations were initiated. On May 10, following further provocation, India carried out strikes on eleven Pakistani air bases, including Nur Khan, Murid, and Rafiqui. After four intense days of missile and drone exchanges, both nations agreed to a ceasefire, bringing temporary relief amid growing international calls for de-escalation. Operation Sindoor was not just a security measure but also a message of reassurance to the rest of India that Kashmir remains committed to ensuring the safety of its visitors. With improved security, confidence began to return, and the region is now witnessing a gradual but hopeful revival in tourism.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store