Winter travel means different things to different people. For warm-weather lovers, the priority is to escape the snow and ice for sunny climes. For others, winter brings dreams of skiing, cozy cabin fires, or metropolitan shopping and grabbing a warm-up coffee at a romantic cafe. Below are some travel ideas for winter, whether you love or hate the cold.
What's the Best Place to Vacation In Winter?
Warm Winter Vacation Destinations
Why spend your winter vacation in the cold when you could be exploring these warm-weather wonderlands?
Singapore
Singapore is an exceptional destination at any time of year, especially for travelers who love to shop. The city offers amazing shopping experiences, from high-end boutiques to bustling local night markets. January weather is typically warm, with temperatures between 77℉ and 86℉. It does rain in January, so pack a lightweight waterproof jacket. Late January offers a chance to participate in Lunar New Year festivities, and the city’s many gardens and botanical features are the perfect escape from cold, gray winter skies and snow-covered sidewalks.
US Virgin Islands
Some of the best places to travel in winter don't require a US passport. The three Caribbean islands of the US Virgin Islands offer sandy beaches for sun worshippers, crystal clear water for fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving, and verdant hills and wildlife preserves for hiking and bird-watching. Ferries make island-hopping easy, so you can do something new and exciting every day—or spend your beach vacation relaxing in a hammock with a tropical drink.
San Diego, California
San Diego's clear, sunny skies and warm weather make it one of the most popular US winter travel destinations. Best known for such famous attractions as Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, and Seaworld, San Diego also offers secluded beaches, San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve’s slot canyon trail, and more shopping and dining opportunities than you’ll be able to fit into a single trip—which just gives you an excuse to return next winter!
Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Located off the northeast Queensland coast, the Whitsunday archipelago consists of 74 islands surrounded by the vibrant waters of the South Pacific. Go whale watching, dive the Great Barrier Reef, explore the culture and history of the Indigenous Ngaro, enjoy a round of golf, or see the archipelago by air from the cabin of a seaplane.
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Isla Mujeres is one of the best travel ideas for winter for those who love Mexico but find the crowds of partiers congregating in Cancun too boisterous. Isla Mujeres only gets about 20% of the tourists Cancun does, so you can enjoy the island's crushed coral beaches, reefs, and tropical wildlife in peace. Snorkelers and scuba divers especially love the island, as the surrounding water is home to many whale sharks. A dive with these gentle, bus-length behemoths is unforgettable.
Cool Winter Getaways
Let the sun worshippers flock to tropical beaches. For you, the best places to travel in winter are cold but magical. Just remember to pack the right outfits for winter travel.
Montreal
Montreal makes our list of the best travel ideas for winter for many reasons, from the city’s historic architecture to its fantastic food and cultural events. Stroll through the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal, sample some poutine, or attend Igloofest, the coldest music festival in the world. Museum lovers should check out the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, while the hardy can bundle up in their best snow trip clothes and take a chilly but exhilarating hike up Mont Royal for panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside.
Hokkaido, Japan
Fancy a ski trip with a difference? Hop a plane to the Japanese island of Hokkaido and ski the slopes of Niseko, home to some of the best champagne powder on the planet. After hitting the slopes, check out the ice sculptures of the Sounkyo Hyobaku Festival, which runs from late January to mid-March and features an incredible ice castle. When you need to warm up, check into one of the local hot springs, or onsens. If the ocean is more your speed, book an hour-long cruise on the Aurora Icebreaker to view drift ice.
Greenland
Greenland was made for nature lovers, with awe-inspiring glaciers, fjords, and vistas. Take a cruise along the coast, watch colossal icebergs float by, and learn about the Vikings who settled Greenland and how their culture and agricultural traditions continue influencing everyday life today. If you’re an outdoor winter enthusiast, you’ll find skiing, snowmobiling, dog-sledding, and snowshoeing opportunities, and you can end the day soaking in a hot spring while you watch the Northern Lights.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Looking for the best places to travel in winter without leaving the United States? Jackson Hole offers 3,000 acres of backcountry and downhill skiing that’ll warm your heart no matter how low the temperature drops. If skiing isn’t your thing, take a winter tour of Yellowstone or a sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge. Warm up in one of Teton Village’s fine dining restaurants later in the day.
Salzburg, Austria
Let’s round out this list of travel ideas for winter with something different: the Austrian city of Salzburg. Divided by the Salzach River, Salzburg has a fairytale feel most of the year, but especially in winter. Shop for gifts at one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, visit the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress and baroque Salzburg Cathedral, and, of course, take in a Mozart concert in the city of his birth.
Is January a Cheap Month to Fly?
January is one the cheapest times of year to travel. With Christmas and New Year over and the spring/summer tourist boom months away, you can score some fantastic flight deals in January. Trips to warmer climes are likely to cost a little more than flights to wintery destinations, but in most cases, flights are considerably cheaper. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next winter adventure!
