Travel groups on Facebook are often great sources of inspiration for adventure seekers and unconventional explorers. An example is the story of a couple who celebrated the transition of 2023–2024 by exploring Romania, Hungary and Georgia.
New Year’s holiday otherwise in three different countries Collage Maria Manole Facebook
Instead of enjoying New Year’s Eve in a single destination in Romania, in places like Valea Prahova or Bucovina, the couple chose to explore three countries for 10 days, spending about the same amount they would have paid for a vacation for both of them on New Year’s Eve only one of them.
On a tight budget, they lived the magic of the winter holidays to the fullest at one of the most spectacular Christmas markets in Europe, where they watched an impressive firework display on New Year’s Eve. Afterwards, they explored stunning landscapes in Georgia, letting themselves be captivated by their beauty and recharging their batteries. At the end, they relaxed in the thermal waters of Budapest. Above all, the salt pans at Praid and Sovata provided them with the necessary energy to welcome the New Year in a special way.
The plane tickets for the routes Romania – Hungary, Hungary – Georgia and return cost him a total of 250 euros. Accommodation, food and other entertainment expenses in the three countries exceeded 1,000 euros. In the night between years, they caroled through the Christmas markets in Budapest, without opting for accommodation, having an early morning flight to Georgia. In total, they spent just over 1,300 euros.
Although the author does not mention it directly, her story suggests that they chose to explore as many places as possible, opting for hitchhiking, local means of transport, smaller airports (such as Târgu Mureș and Kutaisi) and unplanned destinations which, in the end, turned out to be to be fascinating This underlines the idea that when you are open, flexible and step out of your comfort zone, your vacation can become a memorable experience.
Their adventure, marked by authentic encounters and spectacular scenery, serves as inspiration for those looking for special escapades.
Budapest Christmas Market Collage DMS
“We wanted to live the experience like the locals”
Here’s how the author started her post in a Facebook group for people who tend to plan their own vacations: “If you still haven’t made your New Year’s Eve plans and are looking for something different, we tell you about our experience from last year. On December 29, I drove from Bucharest to Târgu Mureș, a city I had not visited until then. I explored the city, went to Salina Praid and Sovata. It was cold, but worth it. On December 31, at noon, I flew to Budapest (with Wizz Air). We did not rent accommodation, but left our luggage in a locker in the city center. The Christmas market in Budapest remains open on New Year’s Eve. We warmed up with (many glasses of) mulled wine, ate langoustines and walked around town all night. I saw spectacular fireworks, the center was full of people, being New Year’s Eve”.
From Budapest, at 06:00 in the morning, they flew to Kutaisi, the second largest city of Georgia, also with a low-cost flight. Exhausted after a sleepless night, they boarded a bus bound for Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, more than 200 km away, not before buying a SIM card, “because there are very high costs in Roaming, even on Digi”.
“Let me mention from the beginning that we chose not to rent a car because we wanted to live the experience like the locals”the author of the post also specified the reason why they resorted to bus transport.
“Georgia was great. We were very surprised by the beauty, food and culture”
The destination reinforced their belief that they had made an excellent choice: “Georgia was great. It impresses with authenticity and unpolished landscapes, offering travelers rare experiences. We visited Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Kutaisi, Tskaltubo and Prometheus Cave. We only got to Mtskheta because we hitchhiked, and the family that picked us up wanted to show us more of their culture. They didn’t speak English very well, but the way they instantly connected with us really impressed us. I hiked to Lomiso, but I didn’t complete it because the snow was waist deep.”
Magic of Georgia Collage DMS
Georgia attracts hikers with its imposing mountains and accessible trails, offering authentic experiences and unforgettable landscapes. A must-see is the trail near the village of Stepantsminda, also known as Kazbegi, where travelers can discover a famous church perched on a hill with spectacular views. Nearby, the Lomiso trail makes its way to a monastery of monks, a place where Romanian tourists planned to warm themselves with a cup of hot tea. Although the snow turned their plans upside down, the silence and the majesty of the landscape won them over for good.
“In Kutaisi, we also wanted to reach the famous canyons near the city, but the weather did not allow us. We arrived at Tskaltubo by accident, but were charmed by the gorgeous buildings, former Russian spa resorts, now in ruins. They were inhabited only by a few quite territorial dogs and refugees from Abkhazia.” the author of the post also told.
Grandeur and decay, in a fascinating setting
Tskaltubo, one of “the jewels” hidden gems of Georgia, it is a city full of history and contrast, where the imposing architecture of the old Soviet resort still preserves the memories of once opulent resorts: “Visitors to Prometheus Cave, one of the country’s main attractions, often arrive in Tskaltubo by traveling on their own on the marshrutka, the popular local transport. The city is fascinating for tourists, but it also requires a special sensitivity towards its residents, who since 1992 have found shelter in the abandoned buildings. This particular tourism can be charming, but it implies respect for the privacy of those who live here”.
The tourist also mentioned the challenges of local transport in Georgia: “Traveling here is a challenge, but also an authentic experience in itself. Marshrutka, the traditional maxi-taxi, has no fixed timetable and cannot be found online. But all the delays and unpredictability were offset by the meetings with the locals, giving us an authentic look at Georgian life.”
During the four days spent in Georgia, the Romanian tourists declared themselves “deeply impressed by the gorgeous scenery, delicious local gastronomy and authentic culture”. They managed to communicate with the locals using the universal language of gestures: “We talked a lot, mostly through signs. I resorted to hitchhiking, because public transport is unpredictable and thus I ended up in surprising places, which I had not originally planned”.
Gastronomy from Georgia on a New Year’s Eve vacation of some Romanian tourists Collage Maria Manole Facebook
A destination with tradition, less touristy: the thermal baths from the Ottoman period
On January 5, 2024, the Romanian tourists returned to Budapest, where they chose to stay for the following two nights: “We visited the Veli Bej Baths, which we highly recommend. They are cheap, authentic and much less crowded than the other baths in the city, which are often overcrowded, especially during the holidays.”
The Veli Bej Baths in Budapest are a lesser-known spa destination, but appreciated for their quiet and authentic atmosphere, in contrast to the more popular and crowded baths of the Hungarian capital. Famous for its thermal baths fed by natural springs with mineral-rich water, Veli Bej offers a more relaxing and intimate experience. They are often appreciated by those who want to relax in a quieter environment and away from the tourist bustle of other places in Budapest, such as Gellért Complex or Széchenyi.
Budapest’s thermal baths Sursă Aventurescu YouTube
They have a long history, being one of the oldest thermal facilities in Budapest, with a tradition dating back to the Ottoman period. In addition to the thermal baths, the complex also offers massage services and other wellness facilities.
On January 7, the Romanian couple returned to the country by plane, to Târgu Mureș, where they recovered their car with which they went home to Bucharest.
The total cost of the 10-day adventure through three countries: 6,700 lei
The author of the post also shared details about winter vacation expenses: “In total, I spent approximately 6,700 lei, broken down as follows: 1,300 lei in Romania for accommodation, parking, food, petrol and entrances to tourist attractions; 1,950 lei in Hungary for entrance fees, accommodation, food and transport; 2,250 lei in Georgia for accommodation, food, SIM card and internal transport. In addition, I paid 1,200 lei for the flights TGM-BUD, BUD-KUT and return”.
In the end, the couple admitted: “Sure, it’s a lot, it’s on the run, but it’s also exciting, with lots of memories and lots of places we’d go back to in a heartbeat”.
