5 Japan Winter Festivals: Naked People and Sake
From naked men to setting off fireworks and lots of sake, here is our round up of Japan Winter Festivals ranging from the quirky to the strange. Matsutaki Festival…
Travel Topics
From naked men to setting off fireworks and lots of sake, here is our round up of Japan Winter Festivals ranging from the quirky to the strange. Matsutaki Festival…
On his journey through Norway from Bergen to Tromsø, Mark Bibby Jackson discovers an unexpected pleasure in Fjærland, Fjord Norway, and rides the Flåm Railway. Sometimes it is the unexpected…
Despite the tightening COVID restrictions, Deborah Unger discovers it was well worth the effort to travel to St Lucia for a relaxing two weeks in the sun at The Landings…
Arianna Stephen suggests you could do far worse than choosing to go on your Anguilla holidays if you are seeking some Caribbean sun this winter. Nestled in the north of…
We may still be experiencing the dark days of February, but in the Balearic capital Palma, spring has arrived, the sun is out and the city’s vibrant rooftop bars have…
Want to get some winter sun but avoid the crowds, why not head to the Balearic Islands? We have prepared some ideas for an off-season break in the Balearic Islands…
From horse-drawn sledges on a frozen lake to the world’s biggest camel race in the Gobi desert, Travel Begins at 40 has selected five great Mongolia festivals for 2020. Tsagaan…
With winter almost here, Northern Lights travel specialist Discover the World has uncovered new ways of experiencing the elusive aurora as well as highlighting some…
Antwerp, one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities in 2018 and unofficial capital of Flanders, belongs on everyone’s bucket list. Home to Belgium’s best nightlife and filled with historical monuments…
Each March, residents of Mongolia’s Khövsgöl Lake area celebrate the Khövsgöl Ice Festival with horse-drawn sleighs, elaborate ice sculptures, traditional food and vibrant competitions including ice skating…
Nabana no Sato, a botanical garden in the Japanese prefecture of Mie, is home each year to one of the country’s best and biggest winter light festivals. During several months…
From goat yoga and ice climbing, to swimming with sharks and samurai training, mix up your regular exercise routine with one of these unusual fitness experiences from around the world…
A candy shop filled with giant sweets, a bathing ice woman, a vintage VW camper and a flock of Arctic terns – the first look at the suites of the 29th Icehotel revealed. The iconic Icehotel in Swedish Lapland…
A new totally immersive Arctic adventure has been launched allowing guests to embark on an epic snowmobile adventure through Norway, Finland and Sweden – before ending up at an iconic…
Ever since 1955, the people of Quebec City have celebrated winter with the Quebec Winter Carnival. In 2006, over a million people attended the festival, making it the biggest winter…
Winter holidays are all about wrapping up warm and hitting the slopes – but hurtling down a snowy piste might not be everyone’s cup of Glühwein. For those who’d prefer a winter escape mixing snow-covered…
Dreaming of a white Christmas but not a fan of the cold? Get the best of both worlds with a festive trip to Phoenix, Arizona. The desert city is a favourite choice for winter sun-seekers, who flock here to bask in balmy 24C…
Located on southwestern Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, the Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa has announced it will be open for its first winter season this year. Set on a private beach, the…
Once mostly a regional affair, the Harbin Ice Festival, China – or the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival as it is officially known – has grown into…
If you’ve had enough of all this cold weather – look no further – and we even have some ideas about how you could enjoy the snow if you’re that way inclined, with our weekly salvo from our friends at Travel PR. So…
Iconic Icehotel in Swedish Lapland has just launched two new dedicated ‘wellbeing weekends’ in February and March (17-20 February and 03-06 March) perfect for those after a physical and mental…
Escaping from thatched roof chocolate-box cottages, Johan Smits tries out the unassuming ski slopes of Shymbulak and ice rink of Medeu in Kazakhstan. The view from the 2,840-metre ski mid-station…
Make the most of the forthcoming half term with these family holiday suggestions from Travel PR…
With golden coasts, striking blue waters and lush green landscapes, Greece wows visitors who want to spend quality time away from it all. Many travellers also come to Greece for…
There are a plethora of winter holidays to tempt the traveller, whether it is seeking the sun in warmer climes, skiing on snow clad slopes or simply taking a short break out of season to find peace and quiet.
Winter Holidays in the Sun
It is increasingly popular for travellers to search for warmer climates and escape the winter cold of the northern hemisphere. Some sun seekers take very long flights to Australia and the Far East, but shorter journeys are also enjoyable, avoiding the ensuing jet lag. The Canaries and Madeira can be excellent alternatives with much shorter flights, with surprisingly warm temperatures. Hiking on these islands often surprises the traveller with interesting and often stunning scenery.
Skiing Holidays
From luxury chalets to more modest accommodation, skiing provides an invigorating, if sometimes a challenging winter break, amongst some of the world’s most beautiful scenery. Being well prepared with a good instructor and not going off piste is essential for the novice. Fun for all the family and of course there always is the apres ski.
Short Winter Breaks
Long haul flights and ski packages can take time and money, so a pleasant alternative for your winter holidays could be a short country break. Choose an inn with good food, ale and a blazing log fire. Possible venues such as Scotland, Yorkshire and Wales are strong possibilities. Buy a walking map and traverse the countryside and then settle down in the evening with a good pint.