| | Book your dream winter trip | | by Rachel Craft, Travel writer |
|  | After the travel mayhem of November and December, January brings a welcome break — not only from overfilled dinner plates and chaotic family get-togethers, but from airport crowds and sky-high peak pricing as well.
Personally, I’m already dreaming of balmy beaches and snorkeling tours. Sun and sand are perfect for beating the winter blues, and Mexico and Hawaii aren’t your only options. Lesser-known places like Dominica, Malaysia, Spain, Portugal and Tanzania have fantastic beaches — and often fewer tourists to contend with.
I’m also looking forward to a ski weekend in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Snow bunnies can lean into their favorite season with a trip to the slopes, whether it’s in Banff, Alberta, or as far-flung as Pyeongchang, South Korea. Plus, European ski resorts are often more affordable than their American counterparts.
Alternatively, you could appreciate the snow globe-like magic of the season from the comfort of the great indoors. Many northern locales like Alaska, Iceland and Norway are still in the thick of aurora borealis season. Book one of these top hotels to get a warm, cozy front-row seat to the northern lights.
Winter is also prime time to visit warm-weather destinations that can get uncomfortably hot later in the year. Now’s your chance to hike the otherworldly red-rock landscapes of Sedona, Arizona, and Moab, Utah, without melting into a puddle of sweat. Alternatively, you could embark on a quest to spot wildlife and savor wine in Cape Town.
Ready to make a winter trip one of your 2026 New Year’s resolutions? Here are some stories to help you plan:
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