The winter holidays are here, and maybe it’s time to take yourself away on that alternate vacation you’ve always dreamed about. While the holiday season can be full of cheer, family, friends, and excitement, it’s ok to want to get away and try something new this holiday season
How to escape the holidays?
So, where do you go to avoid the chaos of the winter holidays? Perhaps you’re seeking some winter sun, a change of culture, or a visit to a new continent you’ve yet to discover? Our team has put together a list of destinations across Asia, Africa, and South America that all offer something totally unique.
Here are our top picks of places where you can go to avoid the holidays and have a different kind of winter break!
Japan
For those seeking a winter break that still feels ‘wintery’, Japan is a great choice. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in Japan’s rich and exciting culture, whilst still having the feeling of winter coziness away from home. December also typically offers the driest weather across most of Japan.
In the winter months, you’ll get fantastic views of Mount Fuji with a snow-capped peak, and can even take to the slopes from January. If you’re arriving in November or early December, you’ll still catch some of the fall colors in Japan, especially on the country’s third-largest Island, Kyushu. Visit the cities of Nagasaki, Fukuoka, and Kumamoto to indulge in hot spring stays, and see sweeping landscapes of mountains, volcanoes, and beautiful beaches.
While seasonal holidays like Christmas aren’t typically celebrated in Japan, you’ll still find plenty of winter cheer if you’re seeking it. This includes Christmas markets in Tokyo, Yokohama, and Sapporo, featuring Japanese Christmas cake, mulled wine, and plenty of trees, lights, and decorations.
Morocco
December is a great time to visit Morocco—while temperatures are a little cooler than the rest of the year, the days can still be sunny and warm, with chillier nights. One of the best things about this time of year is the air clarity, meaning it’s an optimum time for stargazing in the Sahara Desert. If cities are more your thing, Marrakesh is rich with mosques, palaces, and gardens. Explore the Moorish history, or if there’s an adventure in you then consider a trip into the nearby Atlas mountains.
If a more relaxing trip is on the cards, check out Taghazout on the Atlantic coast—a fishing village with some of the best surf breaks in the country. With many bays, it’s also a good spot for beginners, and when not surfing you can enjoy the charming town and sandy beaches.
Vietnam
A trip to Vietnam is one filled with rich history, brilliant food, and a vast variety of landscapes as you travel down the coastline of the narrow-shaped nation. December and January fall nicely in Vietnam’s dry season, meaning you’ll avoid the monsoons that generally appear from April through October.
A great trip through Vietnam features the charming and cultural cities of Hanoi in the north and the capital Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) in the south. Don’t miss Sapa for great hiking, or Ha Long Bay for a beautiful scenic day or overnight cruise.
Heading further south, the imperial city of Hue is packed with history, and nearby Hoi Ai is a famous spot for tailor-made clothes and charming riverside lanterns that bring the city to life by night. Finally, for stunning national parks and a whole network of ancient caves, visit Phong Nha. All in all, a real backpacking treat!
Thailand
Vietnam’s neighboring country, Thailand, is another great option for getting some winter sun—and as it’s only a 90-minute flight between the two capitals, we’re going to throw it out there that you could tick both places off your bucket list on the same vacation!
Thailand’s capital Bangkok is an overload for the senses, making it both mesmerizing and sometimes a little much in the intense humidity. You’ll find plenty of fantastic temples and ancient ruins, day and night markets, and the famous Khao San road, often cited to be the place for nightlife.
Heading further into Thailand’s north, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai all serve up plenty—the walled city of Chiang Mai sits with a mountainous backdrop, Pai offers a beautiful canyon, and the white temple at Chiang Rai is a must-see. Heading South, the Thai islands offer a spot of paradise for anyone wanting a more relaxing break. White sand, warm seas, and Thai cuisine await!
Panama
If you’re seeking a quieter South American break, the winter-time is a great time to visit Panama. December will see a break in the rain as things start to gear up towards a busy season starting in January, so you’ll get a good chance of sunny days and cooler evenings, whilst avoiding the peak crowds.
Panama’s many national parks offer a huge draw to many visitors, while the coast has a vast display of marine life and waves to ride for days. If the city is calling to you, explore the winding streets of Casa Viejo (The Old Quarter) which is absolutely bursting with charisma and awash with different cultures. Finally, it wouldn’t be a trip to Panama without checking out the Panama Canal—it’s the number one tourist spot in the country for a reason!
Namibia
Namibia, located in Southern Africa, is a wildlife-lover’s haven. While the winter holidays fall in the middle of the rainy season (November to April), the weather is often characterized by hot, humid days with tropical thunderstorms and downpours in the afternoon. If you can handle a dash of heavy rain, it’s arguably one of the best times to visit some of the national parks to see newborn wildlife, most notably at Etosha National Park.
Namibia boasts one of the few places on earth where the desert meets the sea on its Western coast and has plenty of breathtaking sand dunes to enjoy.
Finally, Namibia is cited as one of the best spots on earth for stargazing, with its sparsely populated desertland offering very little in the way of light pollution, often providing fantastic sights of the Milky Way. If you’re from the Northern Hemisphere, you’ll get treated by a view of the Southern Cross—a constellation only visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
Long story short…
There are plenty of adventures out there waiting for you in the winter holidays, offering a vacation that's a little different than the summertime. Whether that’s making the most of Panama’s quieter beaches, seeing newborn wildlife in Namibia, or dipping your toe into a little bit of homely holiday traditions with a backdrop of snowy Mount Fuji in Japan—there’s something out there for any type of holiday-maker.
Written by Alex Callahan
