5 Winter Escapes to Warm Your Heart & Soul
Whether your style of winter travel is cozying up by the crackling fire after a day of dog-sledding, or you’re more inclined to kayak under the blazing sun, these destinations are sure to delight you during the winter doldrums. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling to shake off the winter chill or you’re ready to dive into the snow with both feet, what matters is that you find a destination that challenges you as you begin a new year. We particularly love this time for traveling because it’s a great time to reflect and set intentions for 2024. So whether you’re traveling with loved ones or you’re taking your first solo trip halfway across the world, you can’t go wrong with these incredible winter spots.
Enchanting Chile
If there were ever a plane ride worth the distance, it would be to untouched Chile. With some of the most majestic landscapes in the world, Chile moves from the dry, other-worldly Atcama Desert to the snowy paradise of Patagonia. Explore the salt flats of the Andean foothills, and at night take advantage of being in one of the world’s first Dark Sky projects with some milky-way stargazing. When you venture down to Patagonia, you can sleep in old-school Mongolian yurts or stay at a working horse ranch and experience the beautifully simple gaucho lifestyle in the mountains. This once-in-a-lifetime trip will surely leave you feeling alive and connected to the wonders of the world.
Gorgeous Guatemala
Less of a trek but no less glorious, a trip to Guatemala starts you off in Antigua, a colorful city surrounded by volcanoes and misty mountains. Here you will get to explore the unique culture, partaking in a cooking class and getting to know the people of the region. From there, a four-day trek will lead you up and down the mountains and volcanos, camping (but in a real bed in a tent with shower access) and ending at the pristine Lake Atitlan. Splish splash in the turquoise water and take a boat to explore all the coastal villages. In one village, you can take a weaving workshop with the talented craftswomen, or you could sit with a shaman for a spiritual ceremony. From there, you can fly to Tikal National park to marvel at the ancient archeological sights. Don’t sleep on this vibrant destination if you’re looking for a warm-weather getaway!
The Incomparable Northern Lights
Pack your puff jacket because these destinations are chill in more ways than one. Iceland, Greenland, Norway, and Sweden are some of our favorite destinations for viewing the otherworldly Northern Lights and experiencing a true winter wonderland. For the most polar fun, venture north where the sunlight comes out for just a few hours every day. Michael’s expert tip for seeing the Northern Lights? Try to plan your trip when there’s a new moon, so there’s less light pollution in the sky. Skiing, dog-sledding, snow-shoeing – it’s all here for you. If the Christmas markets are a must, choose a Scandinavian country like Sweden or Denmark. It's here that you can experience true ‘hygge’ hospitality and cozy up with your loved ones.
Amazing Australia
As we hunker down for hibernation here in the States, Australia is just waking up to a beautiful spring/summer. With world-class wines, incredible wildlife, the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Daintree Rainforest, the other-worldy Tasmania, the Outback, Kangeroo Island, Perth, and, of course, the southcoast cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, This ancient land is abound with endless adventures for you. We always suggest giving yourself at least two weeks to explore. This warm weather destination will not disappoint those looking to escape the dregs of winter.
Revitalized Rwanda
Make some space in your 2024 winter calendar for a magical visit to Rwanda, especially if gorilla trekking is something you’ve always dreamt of doing. Traverse through the bamboo landscape to catch glimpses of these majestic creatures. Observe them in their natural habitat and see what you can learn from these gentle giants. One of the big draws of going to Rwanda is how close Volcanoes National Park is to Kigali International Airport. After your trek, spend some time along the shores of Lake Kivu for water activities and birdlife.