Oktour Journal

Travel without the fluff: destinations, honest prices and the behind-the-scenes — from curators who travel every route themselves.

Guides

Winter in Krasnaya Polyana: how to plan a ski holiday without overpaying

When to book a hotel by the lift, where to get your ski-pass and why January isn't always the best month to ski.

Галина Дубровская28 June7 min👁 4 874♥ 215

Destinations

The Maldives are cheaper than you think: 5 ways to save on paradise

Guesthouses, combined tours and the right season — how to reach the atolls for half the catalogue price.

Марина21 June6 min👁 6 376♥ 343

Guides

All inclusive in Turkey: how to choose a hotel and get it right

How ultra all inclusive differs from the standard kind, why beachfront isn't always the best view, and what to look for in reviews.

Галина Дубровская14 June8 min👁 8 976♥ 405

Behind the scenes

How we build our signature tours: from idea to itinerary

Why the travel designer travels the route first, how local partners are chosen and what happens if the mountain weather turns.

Сергей7 June9 min👁 3 140♥ 188

Tips & tricks

5 early-booking mistakes that cost you money

Early booking can save up to a third of your budget — if you avoid these traps. We break down travellers' most common mistakes.

Марина31 May5 min👁 5 534♥ 264

Destinations

Your first Mediterranean cruise: what you need to know

A balcony cabin or an inside one, what's included in the price and how shore excursions work — a primer for first-timers.

Евгений24 May7 min👁 2 950♥ 141

About the journal

The Oktour Journal is the blog of Oktour, a travel agency from Krasnaya Polyana: honest destination reviews, real tour prices, guides to Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana, booking tips and the behind-the-scenes of our signature routes. Written not by copywriters but by the curators who travel every route themselves.