Top 10 Winter Destinations
Colder temperatures, shorter days. Winter brings some amazing travel opportunities. Whether you are looking to get into the snow or get out of the snow, winter travel offers some of the best experiences. Although we are definitely more summer people, there is something about those cold winter days and nights that make the season feel special. These are some of our favorite winter destinations in no particular order:
Cold Weather Adventures:
Vail, Colorado, USA
If you want to experience little Europe in America, Vail is a wonderful destination. It is fairly easy to get to from Denver (roughly 2 hours west on the I-70), with plenty of shuttle services directly from Denver International Airport. If you are a skier or snowboarder, the mountain offers some great runs (for those specifically looking to ski/snowboard, you may also want to check out nearby Breckenridge for additional ski runs). Vail also offers individual or guided snowmobiling rentals and trails, Nordic skiing tracks (Cross Country Skiing), and snowshoeing.
After hitting the slopes or winter activities, you can check out the two main downtown areas: Vail Village and Lionshead Village. Both offer great shopping and restaurants. Some of our favorite places to grab a bite are Vintage (brunch/French) and Alpenrose Vail (amazing German cuisine). Be sure to make reservations in advance for both of these popular spots!
Bramberg am Wildkogel, Austria
Tobogganing down Bramberg Am Wildkogel
If you have ever wondered what Mario Kart feels like in real life, look no further than Bramberg Am Wildkogel. When we lived abroad in Germany, we traveled here almost every single year. Bramberg has the world’s longest floodlit tobogganing (sledding) hill at 14 km (roughly 8.7 miles). The course also has three restaurants and chalets to stop at along the way to grab food, your favorite beverage, or a place you can just relax and soak up those mountain views. The twilight sledding makes for a fun and unique experience. Grab some friends or your family and enjoy the amazing tobogganing runs.
While in Austria, you can also pair this with a trip over to Berchtesgaden, to see The Eagle’s Nest and Salzburg to see the beautiful back drop where the Sound of Music story took place. Salzburg is about a two hour drive from Bramberg or you can take the train. Be sure to take some time to take in the beautiful Austrian alps in winter time.
Transylvania, Romania
Have you ever wanted to chase the mystery of Dracula? Then Transylvania should definitely be on your bucket list. The area of Transylvania is roughly a 3 to 4 hour drive from Bucharest or you can fly into the town of Brasov to explore the region. Transylvania offers beautiful old world castles, medieval walled towns, and beautiful scenery nestled in the Carpathian mountains. In the winter time, Transylvania is gorgeous and blanketed with the snow and gray overcast clouds can create eerie days which add an air of mystique to this region. This area’s lore comes from the vampire legend of Count Dracula mixed with the frightening historical stories of Vlad the Impaler. Luckily, this area now is home to the colorful town of Brasov as well as Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) and the beautifully constructed Peles Castle.
We based our trip from the city of Bucharest and opted to take a day trip that explored Transylvania. First, we stopped at Peles Castle. Peles castle is a 19th century Neo-gothic revival castle with construction beginning in 1873. In the winter time, the castle and grounds look utterly majestic blanketed in snow. The deep red and brown colors of the castle pop against the white backdrop. Although it is technically called a castle, the inside is much more like a palace with ornate decorations and wood paneling that gives it a rich feel. It is lavishly decorated with gothic style architecture, tapestries and 19th century furniture. Make sure to tour the inside and also walk the beautiful castle grounds and garden.
On our day tour, we next stopped at Dracula’s castle, officially called Bran Castle. The little town of Bran has some cute cafes and restaurants, and a host of small vendors that sell Dracula souvenirs as well as Romanian gloves, hats, and other trinkets. Bran Castle sits imposing atop the hill above the village. When you enter Bran Castle, you will see a stark contrast compared to Peles. Bran Castle is gloomy, cold, and gray adding to the mystique of this castle. There is some furniture inside the castle but for the most part it lays barren and empty giving you that eerie feeling of being isolated even though the village is a short walk below. Although visiting Bran is what mostly attracts visitors, we enjoyed touring Peles Castle the most and found it to be a great gem in the area. Both are still worth a visit!
Our final stop of the day was to the town of Brasov. Brasov is a wonderfully quaint city that offers a nice pop of color in the dreary winter. The main town square with its shops and restaurants are definitely worth a visit. The most impressive and striking feature are its cathedrals, specifically the Black Church and Saint Nicholas Church. Visit both to explore their interesting history. While wandering around the town, we stopped at the Transylvania Bakery to try the traditional kurtos-chimney cakes (try cinnamon!). This is a warm and delicious local pastry to try especially on a cold day. If you choose to stay in the town, there are plenty of accommodations and also ski-resorts nearby to fully enjoy the area.
Edinburgh, Scotland
The stunning medieval town of Edinburgh is one of our absolute favorite cities in the world. When you visit Edinburgh, you feel like you're transported back in time (or inside a Harry Potter novel). The imposing castle on the hill, rugged green mountains, and rough seas make this a charming destination just waiting to be explored. Winter time in Edinburgh is fantastic, even if the weather can be a bit overcast and cold. The town itself is compact, extremely walkable, and offers an abundance of attractions. The Edinburgh Castle is a must see and the walk up the Royal Mile transports you back to medieval lively and bustling markets and shops (and Whiskey tasting). In addition, Edinburgh has a variety museums, such as the National Museum of Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland, Scott’s Monument, St. Giles Cathedral, and one of our favorites, the Holyrood Palace. If you want to experience something a little different, try out the ghost tours and underground vaults. You can also venture over to Calton Hill to get amazing views of the city or take a much longer hike (just be aware it can be quite windy) up Arthur’s seat, a 2.7 mile loop that offers expansive views of downtown and the sea.
If you are visiting around the Christmas holiday, the Christmas Market is a must see. We have been to this Christmas Market three times and it never gets old. The market is located right in the heart of the city center containing rides and many different vendors selling ornaments, warm weather gear, decorations, jewelry, and food and drink. As the Christmas season ends, the New Year’s Eve Hogmanay party gets ready to kick off. One of the coolest experiences is the torch lighting and procession that occurs a few days before New Year’s Eve. Although it will be quite crowded, it is quite an experience to watch the thousands of torches pass by the old city streets. You can also join in and purchase a torch yourself to participate in the parade (and yes, this is a family friendly event). To ring in the New Year, enjoy the outdoor Hogmanay Festival with concerts, DJs, food and drink stands, and fireworks launched from the castle above. Be sure to bundle up and enjoy the celebration.
Outside of these festivities, make sure to take in all the sights and sounds of Edinburgh. The old gray walls and closes (small historical alleyways) reveal some amazing vibes and character. Tuck in to one of the numerous cafes to warm up and enjoy the old historical character. If you are interested in venturing out a bit, Dean’s Village is a striking community that used to be a milling village. Wander around a bit and enjoy the scenery by the Water of Leith. There are also plenty of day trips and whiskey tastings that you can enjoy from Scottish distilleries. If you have some extra time, take a Highlands or Outlander tour, a trip to Loch Ness, or Glencoe and Glenfinnan to take in the beauty that this country has to offer.
Tromso, Norway
The shimmering northern lights make this town above the arctic circle an awe inspiring one. Tromso in the winter time is majestic. The different colored buildings make for a beautiful contrast to the white snow and beautiful snow covered mountains. If you go between November 21 and January 21 you can experience the polar winter, where the sun does not rise, but you will get some twilight hours to go and explore. If you go in February or March you will get somewhere between 6-8 hours of sunlight. In either case, it makes for some amazing views and experiences. We really enjoyed wandering around the compact town, but just be mindful of the ice and snow. We had to buy crampons (spikes) in order to walk around. While in Tromso, be sure to check out the Arctic Cathedral and take the cable car to the top of the mountain to see amazing views of the town and scenery. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or coffee before heading back down.
Winter in Tromso offers some amazing experiences. We recommend going on a tour outside of the city far away from the light pollution to enjoy the Northern Lights. Take a tour that will drive you to chase the lights, keep you warm with cocoa and blankets, and help with camera tricks to capture this natural wonder. The other we recommend is taking a husky sleigh ride. Definitely do both: drive the sled team of dogs and enjoy the snowy landscape from the comfort of the seat below. The tour guide allows you to switch positions halfway through. The huskies absolutely love it and are built for these frigid temperatures. We went during an unusually “warm day” that hovered around 30 degrees Fahrenheit and at stops, the dogs would roll around in the snow to keep cool. These dogs also have their own caretakers that groom them and take extra care of their paws after each sleigh ride. These both rank as two of our favorite travel experiences. While we were there in February we were fortunate to experience Sami week, which celebrates and honors the Sami people who are native to this region and watched the reindeer races through the city, which was a really cool experience! We truly enjoyed everything this arctic wonderland had to offer.
Petra, Jordan
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be in an Indiana Jones movie? From a young age, Petra has been on our bucket list. Winter time in Petra offers pleasant weather during the day with cool desert nights. The crowds were fairly low during this time as well. You will want to stay in Wadi Musa for easy access to this UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site. Petra is a 2,000 year old city that is carved directly into the sandstone cliffs. For a 2,000 year old city, the buildings are in really good shape and give you a feel for what life must have been like back in this city’s heyday. Petra was a historical major trading hub in the region and had many modern amenities, such as carved rain gutters that are truly impressive. There are a multitude of hiking trails to choose from, with each offering unique perspectives and historical treasures to find. We really enjoyed the main trail, which was very easy to walk, and also enjoyed the Al Dayr Trail, the Mughur Al Nasara Trail, and the Wadi Al Farasa Trail.
Note: In the area you will come across stray cats, dogs, and other animals wandering around. While they are very cute, do be careful since these are wild animals. There are fairly high rates of rabies in the country, trust me Ashley knows. Be very cautious if you decide to pet the cats or dogs!
While in the area, we highly recommend staying in the Bedouin Camps in Wadi Rum. There are so many different Bedouin Camps to choose from, each offering unique lodging opportunities from tents, cabins, or Geodesic (AKA bubble) domes to enjoy the night sky. Each of these camps are self-sufficient and offer full board experiences. including activities - we paired ours with a jeep tour in the desert. This was a great cultural trip also offering a wonderful red landscape where Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was filmed. Enjoy this other worldly experience!
Escape the Cold:
Costa Rica
Ziplining in Costa Rica
Only a few hours from most major airports in the USA, Costa Rica is a beautiful destination that has so much to offer. Costa Rica has beaches on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, with a lush rain forest interior. The beaches and beach towns offer a great escape for reasonable prices, where you can surf, relax, or go boutique shopping. We stayed in Tamarindo and enjoyed the laid back beach vibes. Although the beaches are beautiful, the interior is where Costa Rica really shines. Our favorite aspect of Costa Rica is the La Fortuna district with the imposing Arenal Volcano. The interior offers so much to explore. Some of our favorite adventures were spotting the sloths at the Bogarin Trail, zip lining at Sky Adventures, trekking around the Fortuna Waterfall, catching amazing glimpses of Arenal Volcano and watching the monkeys swing from tree to tree at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, and relaxing in the natural hot springs throughout La Fortuna. Within the warm interior you can also enjoy jeep tours, hiking, four wheeling, chocolate and coffee tours, and many other adventures. There are also an abundance of Eco-friendly resorts, hostels, and campgrounds that you can choose from. There are also plenty of opportunities and places to volunteer for conservation efforts and animal rescues, if you would like to give back to the local community. Costa Rica is an amazing escape to paradise whether for the beaches or the rain forests, but we suggest opting for a mix of both!
Key West, Florida, USA
Key West is a vibe unto itself. This compact town is very walkable, but you will definitely want a car to get around and venture outside of just Key West. Key West is roughly 3 hours south of Miami. In between Miami and Key West there are 44 different keys or islands that you can drive and explore to on the way down to the town of Key West (or on the way up from Key West to Miami).
The best way to experience Key West is out on the water. If you have the opportunity get out on a boat and explore the different natural coves, bays, and protected ocean sanctuaries.
Key West has some really cool museums like the Hemingway Home,the Truman little white house, and the Mel Fisher Maritime museum. The town also has a very vibrant downtown scene with tons of bars and restaurants. Don’t forget to head down to Mallory Square for the Sunset Celebration as you watch the beautiful sunset with plenty of music, vendors, and street performers.
Our favorite highlight was visiting the second least visited U.S. National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park. We opted to take a sea plane to visit Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson and it was an epic experience. We saw multiple old shipwrecks and sea turtles from the air, and coral reefs and different species of fish while snorkeling. If you have the opportunity, be sure to visit Dry Tortugas and visit by sea plane!
San Diego, California, USA
San Diego is one of our favorite places in the world. We lived there for four years and may be a little partial. San Diego is a great winter destination, especially around the holidays if you are looking to get away from the snow. Typically on two evenings in mid December, there is the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights where participants will decorate their boats to a Christmas theme and sail across the bay. In downtown, you can find an area called Seaport Village where you will find shops, Christmas stores, and a massive poinsettia tree to add to the ambiance. The Hotel Del Coronado sets up an amazing holiday display and even has an ice skating rink right on the beach. The weather hovers in the mid 60’s Fahrenheit as a high and is still warm enough to enjoy a few hours at the beach. The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park also offer festive lights and events from December into January.
If you are looking for other things to do in winter, San Diego has it all, from exploring the beautiful beach towns, golfing at the numerous beautiful courses, hiking the mountains, or just strolling along the Embarcadero. The restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter, Banker’s Hill, and Little Italy offer some of the best food in San Diego. You can also check out one of the many micro-brews from Karl Strauss to Coronado Brewing Company. You can also head to a local coffee shop like our favorite, Better Buzz, for coffees and acai bowls, and wander around the beach towns of Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, or Pacific Beach. Lastly, check out the sea lions over at Children’s Pool in La Jolla.
Cairo, Egypt
If you have ever wanted to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World in person, Cairo is a place you have to visit. The surreal experience of seeing the pyramids and the sphinx in person are mesmerizing. Winter is considered the high season for Cairo, where the weather is more mild (temperatures are in the high 60’s/low 70’s Fahrenheit). Cairo and the entire region is an archeological heaven. You have a few options for getting around the Pyramids, but we highly recommend selecting a small group or private tour with a licensed Egyptologist. Our hotel concierge was able to set this up for us the day before. Having a guide and Egyptologist makes the experience more impactful by walking with you to explain the history and the artifacts. Additionally, it was helpful to have an individual that was willing to take pictures (note: if you ask one of the locals or if a local offers to take your picture, they expect a tip so make sure to have some small bills on hand).
Standing in front of the Pyramids were awe-inspiring. To take in so much history and contemplate the mysteries of the pyramids and the tombs leaves you feeling overwhelmed. Do not miss out on visiting Saqqara to see some of the lesser visited pyramids. This area has an intricate underground tunnel system and burial chambers. Go inside the step pyramid for a different perspective of this the true wonder. In addition to the Pyramids, we visited the Grand Egyptian Museum and saw King Tut’s artifacts up close. Holding over 100,000 artifacts and presenting the history of the Egyptian civilization, piqued our curiosity and quickly became our favorite museum we visited. We also took a Coptic Cairo half day tour to see the old Christian sites around the city. We visited the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Hanging Church, and St. George’s church. Seeing a different historical side of Cairo was informative and extraordinary. If you have time, we also recommend taking a traditional felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) down the Nile River. Cairo is a remarkable city and winter is a great time to marvel in its history.
Plus Two Bonus Favorites!
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is an absolutely beautiful gothic and medieval city. The city is striking with its many churches, spires, and bridges - and of course its astronomical clock. Small stands are set up throughout the downtown selling hot cocoa & warm treats to warm up on a cold winter day. Pop into a restaurant and dine in one of the enclosed, heated patio areas for people watching and try the original Budweiser, Budvar. Wandering around the medieval city is a memorable experience. From the gothic style Charles Bridge, Old Tower, and old town Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, the winter adds to the architectural aura of the city. Grab a hot beverage and head to the waterfront to see the swans swimming along the Vlatava River. If you come in December, you can enjoy the traditional Christmas Market in the city square, with Prague all decorated for the holidays.
Be sure to check out the St. Vitus Church, the Prague Castle complex, the Dancing House, amazing breweries (try the dark lagers) and clubs, and the famous astronomical clock. Enjoy wandering around this stunning city and take in the historical gothic and baroque architecture.
If you have an extra day, take a trip to see the Kunta Hora’s bone church, Sedlec Ossuary, and learn the history of this unique UNESCO Heritage Site.
Moab & Canyonlands & Arches NP
Red rocks and snow make for a magical contrast. Although the weather may be a bit better in springtime, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park offer a unique experience in the winter. Without the crowds, the park feels more grand. We heard horror stories of people visiting during the summertime (you will have to get a timed entry reservation in the summer) and having to get to the park by 5 AM; otherwise, visitors would get stuck in huge lines trying to get in and wait to find parking at each pull off. In winter, we experienced none of that. We were able to enter and find parking with ease. The trails (while a few were a bit snowy and icy) were wide open, which made hiking much more enjoyable. Remember to bring a pair of crampons for more traction on the trails in case it’s icy. Arches National Park contains over 2,000 geological arches and the snow provides a majestic feeling. Arches National Park contains a multitude of hiking trails you can explore (we especially liked the Park Avenue, Delicate Arch, and Double Arch hikes) for all fitness levels. Additionally, you can easily drive around the park to see the amazing landscape.
While Arches National Park is beautiful, be sure to make the 45 minute drive to Canyonlands National Park as well. Canyonlands is lesser known and provides so much natural beauty. It is one of our favorite overlooked National Parks. The drive around Canyonlands is breathtaking with Grand Canyon style views, snow capped mountains in the background, and vibrant red rocks dusted in snow. Canyonlands contains natural arches to view as well, but also contains The Needles, amazing sandstone spires that rise from the Earth. The geological features are truly impressive and something to admire, whether you are hiking around the many trails and back country or stopping at the incredible viewpoints. Ensure to stay for the colorful sunsets (think pastel pinks and purples) in the park before heading back to your accommodation. Don’t miss out on these two beautiful National Parks.
Are you over the Winter blues already and looking forward to Spring? Check out our Top 10 Favorite Spring Destinations!