Winter is a great time to travel! The air is crisp, the trees are bare, and there’s no better way to see the world than from your armchair. Here are ten of my favorite winter travel destinations:
#1 New York City: Take in a Broadway Show.
A Broadway show is the quintessential New York experience, and plenty of options exist. Of course, tickets can be expensive and sold out well in advance. If you do manage to score a seat, it’s worth checking out the following shows:
- “Waitress” – The musical based on the 2007 film of the same name follows Jenna Hunterson, a waitress who works at Joe’s Diner with dreams of escaping her suburban life for one elsewhere. She begins writing and baking pies as an outlet for her emotions before falling in love and getting pregnant with her husband Earl’s child. The show has been nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival!
- “Harry Potter: A Winter’s Tale” – This new adaptation of JK Rowling’s popular Harry Potter book series follows Harry Potter as he travels through time with his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger while his son Albus struggles between what he wants versus what others expect from him as Head Boy at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry—until he meets someone who changes everything!
#2 Paris: See the Eiffel Tower Light Up.
If you’re looking for a romantic escape this winter, Paris is the perfect place to go. Not only do you get to see the Eiffel Tower light up on New Year’s Eve, but it also lights up on other occasions like Christmas and Bastille Day in July. If you want an activity-filled visit, there are plenty of things to do in Paris during winter—from visiting museums and monuments or ice skating at the Champ de Mars park on the Seine River. You can also learn French cooking and culture with free lessons from local schools or take an art class at one of many cultural organizations throughout France. Or you could just watch the snow covering the Eiffel tower from a small Paris hostel.
#3 Barcelona: Marvel at Gaudí’s Architecture.
Barcelona’s Gaudí-designed buildings are some of the most beautiful in the world. The legacy of Gaudí is on display throughout Barcelona. Still, you can also visit one of his museums:
- Fundació CaixaForum Barcelona: The CaixaForum was designed by Ricardo Bofill and has an interior that uses natural light to create a luminous space for exhibitions.
- Casa Batlló: The Casa Batlló is an apartment building with playful chimneys and sculptural balconies inspired by nature and Catalan culture. It’s located on Passeig de Gràcia between Career Rosselló and Carrer Dulcinea de Toboso.
- La Pedrera: This residential building features Art Nouveau flourishes, such as its undulating facade, which mimics waves crashing onto shoreline rocks out in nature (or something like that). It sits at number 107 Passeig de Gràcia between Carrer de Provença and Carrer d’Aragó.
#4 Vancouver, Canada: Enjoy the City’s Many Beaches and Parks.
Vancouver, Canada, is a great place to visit in winter. The city is known for its many beaches and parks that are perfect for enjoying the outdoors during the colder months. If you’re looking for something more active, try skiing at Whistler Blackcomb or cross-country skiing at Cypress Mountain.
#5 Napa Valley, California: Relax in Wine Country
Napa Valley is a beautiful wine region in California. It has many spas that offer everything from massages to mud baths to facials, and each location offers its unique experience.
Napa Valley’s spas cater to every need: if you’re looking for something relaxing, head to the French Laundry and enjoy lounging by the pool with your favorite book or glass of wine. If you want something more active, like hiking or biking, take a trip to Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, where numerous trails are available for all levels of hikers—from beginner to advanced.
Whether you’re looking for pampering treatments or an adventurous getaway with friends, Napa Valley has everything!
#6 Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles: Explore the Underwater World
Curaçao is a tiny island in the Caribbean with a population of 138,000. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for natural wonders and culture.
The island has many beaches and is known for its diving and snorkeling opportunities. There are several reefs to explore, including the Curaçao Underwater Park, which covers more than 40 square miles of marine habitat and houses hundreds of fish and coral species, including sea turtles and dolphins. Curaçao is a great choice for people who wish for a dash of summer on their winter travel destinations.
#7 Quebec City, Canada: Go on a Romantic Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride Through Old Quebec
With its steep cobblestone streets and European architecture, it’s no surprise that Quebec City has made it onto many people’s top winter travel destinations. What may not be as obvious is how romantic this city can be—especially if you take advantage of one of their horse-drawn carriage rides in the wintertime. The 45-minute tour takes you through the Upper Town area of old Quebec, so there’s plenty to keep you entertained while your driver tells stories about the history of his city. While these tours are available year-round (weather permitting), they’re trendy in December due to their proximity to Christmas celebrations, making them an excellent way for couples who want to get into the spirit of things!
#8 Reykjavik, Iceland: Ice skating through a fairytale village made of ice
Iceland is one of my favorite winter travel destinations. The weather is mild, and the days are long, with many hours of daylight from December through February.
Ice skating is a popular activity during the winter months in Iceland, especially at the world-famous Laugardalslaug swimming pool in Reykjavik. The facility has an open ice rink year-round for public use—and it’s free! Plus, if you’re lucky enough to visit around Christmas time or New Year’s Eve (when most other places are closed), there might even be live music playing nearby as you skate.
Iceland has only about 320 thousand inhabitants, but they’re spread out over a large area, so getting around isn’t too difficult even though it takes longer than traveling within continental Europe or North America. This is due to fewer roads being paved on this rugged terrain that covers most of its surface area (with less than 10 per cent being covered by glaciers). On top of that, there aren’t any large cities where tourists flock together as they do here at home. Visiting attractions like museums or going shopping will usually give them peace & quiet while still having plenty of options available nearby when needed later on down the road.
#9 Salt Lake City, Utah: Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing and Other Snow Sports
Skiing, cross-country skiing and other snow sports are available at resorts within minutes from downtown Salt Lake City. The city is home to several ski resorts within minutes of downtown Salt Lake City (just a short drive from the airport).
A popular destination for winter travel is the nearby Park City Mountain Resort, which offers skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities on two mountains with over 2,000 feet of vertical drop. The resort also offers an affordable lodging package called “Stay & Ski”, where guests can stay at an onsite hotel for $129 per night plus lift ticket prices starting at $109 per day/person (based on a four-day/three-night stay).
#10 Istanbul, Turkey: Take a Dip in Thermal Waters
Istanbul is a great winter travel destination. The city has a variety of thermal waters, which are perfect for relaxing after being out on the town all day. There are also plenty of swimming pools where you can enjoy some time in the sun or relax by the poolside while sipping an ice-cold drink.
There are many historical sites and monuments in Istanbul, so check them out! If you’re looking for something more modern and contemporary, this city won’t let you down either! There’s shopping galore at malls like Topkapi Palace Mall, which includes stores like Uniqlo and Zara; it’s worth checking out if you’re into fashion as well!
Winter is a Great Time to Travel!
It’s no secret that traveling can be a little overwhelming. Between the costs, the planning, and the inevitable stress of getting everything ready before you leave, it’s no wonder many people choose not to travel during their winter break. But they might not realize that taking a trip over winter break can be significantly less expensive than going during other seasons of the year! Winter is also an excellent season for those who don’t want to deal with crowds—so long as you’re willing to brave colder temperatures sometimes.
Here are some tips for planning your winter vacation:
- Research ticket prices: You may find that flights are cheaper or even free if you book them around December or January
- Make sure your destination has activities available in winter: Some people prefer warmer climates and will avoid destinations where it will be too cold outside (and therefore inside), while others enjoy skiing or snowboarding on vacation
Conclusion
We hope these ideas and a list of winter travel destinations have inspired you to get out there and explore the world during the cold months. Winter is an excellent time for travel, and with so many places to visit, there’s no reason not to go somewhere! Whether you prefer snow sports or exploring old castles, we think one of these destinations will be perfect for your next winter escape.