While choosing a holiday destination in January, you should first of all consider whether you desire traveling in warm weather destinations or just vice versa. Some of the best warm spots to visit in January include Caribbean, Central America and even Mexico that are popular year-round with temperatures not fluctuating so much. Other great candidates for a warm January trip are Thailand, Dubai, Egypt and the paradise islands of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
Those who prefer colder climes, January is a great month for ski vacations. With pristine natural beauty, excellent snow conditions and a variety of experiences for skiers and boarders of all levels, the world’s best ski resorts give a warm welcome to challenging athletes. January is also an ideal month for cultural breaks and for shopping. From the Canary Islands to the stunning Antarctica, here are our inspirational ideas for January 2012.
The Canary Islands
If it’s sun and a fabulous holiday you are after, head to the picturesque Canary Islands, offering much more than just a winter-sun beach destination. The warm sub-tropical climate and year-round temperatures that rarely fall below 18°C, add to this a range of beautiful sandy beaches and gorgeous lunar landscapes are what make the Canary Islands a popular winter hotspot, drawing tourists from every corner of the world. The Canary Islands holiday destinations are the five larger islands, comprising Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura each with its own charm and variety of attractions. From enjoying Canarian cuisine to planning boat and fishing trip in Tenerife to exploring the Caldera de Taburiente – one of the biggest and most fertile volcanic craters in the world, you’ll have a memorable January holiday to remember for a long time!
Antarctica
Another fantastic getaway is the vast ‘white continent’ of Antarctica, which until recently, was accessible only to men and women of meticulously planned pioneering expeditions. Blessed with dramatic scenery, unique wildlife and immense ice-shrouded wilderness, the 7th continent warmly welcomes adventure seekers for the ultimate holiday experience. To fully appreciate this exclusive continent, make sure to indulge in an Antarctic Cruise, which will bring you close to its amazing scenery and a range of polar animals, like penguins, seals, endangered wandering albatross and minke whales. Other interesting things to do include Antarctic Ice camping, Antarctic Sea kayaking, cross-country skiing and ice climbing. Considered by many to be the most beautiful place on Earth, Antarctica is especially authentic in December and January, the time when temperatures are starting to rise and the hatching of penguin chicks begins.
Maldives
Scattered across the South Asian Indian Ocean are the tiny Maldivian Islands , offering an atmosphere that is as close to the castaway dream as you can possibly get. Indeed, Maldives is a very popular destination for Europeans in December to April because of its glorious winter sun. Made up of 1,190 coral islands that form an archipelago of 26 major atolls, Maldives is a true paradise that never fails to amaze. The warm waters and balmy breezes that sweep the lagoons make it a haven for diving and sailing. Maldives is also famous for its shopping opportunities, whale and dolphin watching experience, golf vacations and this is just the beginning. If you want to feel and see the real Maldives, do not miss out Male – the delightful and pleasant eccentric nerve center and capital of Maldives!!!
Florence
For people who don’t mind the cold, winter can be a great season to travel to Florence – a Renaissance city in Italy, filled with some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. And as far as the crowds have subsided and there is a tremendous festive atmosphere of Christmas and New Year waiting to be enjoyed, you can relax to your heart’s content and see the city without waiting in the long lines in the heat. Festivities begin from the 8th of December, the holiday of the Immaculate Conception, bringing joy and happiness to both locals and international travelers. One of the most important dates is undoubtedly the 6th of January (Epiphany), when the Befana (a witch) visits deserving children to give them gifts for their good behavior.
Do not miss out the Florence Christmas Market at Piazza Santa Croce, where you can find food, decorations and tons of souvenirs to bring back home as presents; the awe-inspiring Uffizi Gallery – one of the world’s top art museums, housing works by Leonardo da Vinchi, Giotto, Michelangelo and Botticelli; and an Italian restaurant, which will surely offer some wonderfully tempting food!
South Africa
South Africa is mostly popular as a summer holiday destination, however, tourists are realizing little by little that winter in this lively getaway is as beautiful as summer season, plus you can save a lot. If you list the most popular criteria for a wonderful winter sun destination in terms of weather, beaches, scenery, prices and even accessibility, South Africa will come on the top. The range of holiday offers to choose while considering a January trip to South Africa include: Cape Town holidays; South Africa Rail; South Africa tours and Safari, South Africa Self Drives and South Africa Tailor Made. Worth a visit are the inspirational garden Route with its pristine beaches, fascinating mountains, wild flower meadows and lush forests; Johannesburg, offering quiet gentility and bohemian chic and other points of interest.
Dubai
Dubai is a truly fantastic winter sun destination popular among travelers from all over the world. People come to this ‘paradise’ to see its top notching futuristic resort hotels, to indulge in a world-class shopping (the city offers over 40 malls), dine in the city’s first-rate restaurants and laze out in its majestic white sandy beaches; these are just a few of the abundant activities that will keep you young and entertained. A must experience is the Desert Safari that starts at 3:30pm and ends at 9:30om. The weather in Dubai is very hot in summer, so the ideal time to visit is during the winter, with the average high being 23°C.
Thailand
If it’s sheer relaxation you are looking for, the resorts of along the Andaman coast beckon even the most discerning travelers. Palm-fringed beaches, thrilling watersports, exceptional cuisine, scintillating sightseeing tours and vibrant night scene, your trip to the Land of Smiles is nothing less than an overdose of fun, enjoyment and full relaxation. Thailand also boasts some of the best shopping in the world, from big open-air markets like Chatuchak in Bangkok to luxurious shopping malls to floating markets, so make sure to take a lot of money with you : )
