When you think of winter travel, you might picture ski resorts or cities with festive holiday decorations — or alternatively, beach retreats where you can escape the winter weather entirely. Indeed, the beauty of winter travel is that it can mean pretty much whatever you want. We’ve compiled the below guide to help you pick just one or two destinations.
Activities
Ask yourself how you want to actually spend your winter vacation. Are you active and outdoorsy? If so, spring for the classic ski-resort experience at a Swiss Alps resort like Davos, which offers access to venues for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, winter hiking, or ice skating. Or, head to Lake Tahoe, which is popular among snowshoers.
Do you prefer visiting art museums, cinemas, theaters, and concert halls instead? Why not head to cosmopolitan Vancouver, Barcelona, London, or even a glitzy city like Singapore? If you’re more of a night owl, you could even check out the extensive nightlife scenes in Malaysia’s Penang, or Thailand’s Pattaya.
Ambience
Along with taking the weather into account, consider whether you’d like to be somewhere lively or peaceful. There are countless cities and resort towns with more of a winter party scene, from Vegas to Cancun to Ibiza to the happening Balinese neighborhood of Kuta and India’s North Goa region. But if you’re looking for an off-the-grid escape, then head somewhere quieter — say, the gated community of Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic.
Accessibility
Once you’ve started narrowing down the list, choose how far you want to travel. If you’re traveling with small children, or you’re on a tighter budget, it might make sense to choose a place that’s close to home. If you live in America or Mexico, for instance, you might choose the Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, San Diego, or Orlando.
If you’re more flexible with your budget and accommodation — well, this is a great opportunity to splurge on a more unexpected and exotic destination, whether Brazil’s gorgeous Ilha do Sol or a remote atoll in the Maldives.
Where to Stay
If any of the destinations mentioned sound appealing, then you’re in luck — they all feature sleek, stylish Hard Rock Hotels. Browse our tempting destinations and find the perfect offer to turn your winter vacation into the perfect holiday treat.
