Vacation destination for winter

Perhaps Budapest and Vienna? We flew into Budapest on Christmas Eve with our three young adult children, saw the nutcracker, spent time at the baths, ate good food, enjoyed the Christmas Markets. Moved to Vienna for the rest of the trip - lots to see there, more Christmas Markets, horse draw carriage ride, great museums, kid-friendly food (lots of hot chocolate and cakes is a bonus!) and wonderful fireworks on New Year's Eve.

If you want to break from winter weather, go to the south. Sicily is close to the warmest place in Europe in the winter season.

You could try the Greek islands, but they're pretty seasonal. On some of them a lot of stuff will be shut down. But I suspect that the more touristed ones like Santorini etc will still have plenty open and nice weather without the crazy crowds.

If you want wintery weather but sun, go towards the southeast slopes of the Alps. I bet the Italian lake districts are beautiful in winter and still reasonably sunny.

Wikipedia includes climate-summary charts in its entries for most cities. Although the level of detail in insufficient for me when I'm considering whether I dare travel somewhere off-season, they are good for comparing statistically-likely weather in different locations. I had my doubts about the lake district, so I compared Como to Rome and to Seville in southern Spain.

Average hours of sunshine in December (for the entire month):

Como: 58
Rome: 147
Seville (Spain): 154

That's a good time of year for SE Asia; Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, parts of Vietnam are all great locations and lots to see. With ten to twelve days I would pick one country. The weather will be cooler and drier that time of year. Thailand is a good first taste of SE Asia for most people, as there is a good tourist infrastructure and lots to do.

Plenty of good options, from Central America to the South Pacific to SE Asia.

End of December: the absolute peak of high season, almost everywhere. Check your calendar: it's late in the game to be starting from scratch. Expect high prices and scarce availability given the timing and supply/demand.

What am I looking for? - A great experience

That's not much to go on. "Great experiences" can be had almost anywhere. But, you have 10-12 days. If that includes travel time, I'd skip SE Asia (from the US midwest, it's gonna take you 1-2 days to get there, same to get back, do the math). Hawaii, or some other Pacific Island (all spendy, especially in peak Holiday season), or (probably more practical), Central America - it's closer, cheaper (though parts of it may be "too Caribbean" for you). Take a look at Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico.

We rarely go to the same Caribbean island twice. The problem can be multiple flight time, plus a boat ride. There was one place we repeated, but the management changed too much.

Malaga, Barcelona, Seville, Lisbon, Malta, Crete

Tiderfan’s recommendations sound wonderful!

I love winter travel! Places we have enjoyed in the winter include London, Scotland, France, Germany, Austria and Iceland(3 winter trips and another one coming up). You can't go wrong with any of these, IME.

Let me add a wild card for you or some other family reading this thread later:

Merida, the cultural capital of the Yucatan. My neice did a semester abroad there and I went down to visit for a week. Day trips to see the flamingos, chichin itza, the beach, swimming in cenotes, etc.

Cape Verde is another winter sun option.

The Algarve is mild and sunny all year round but it won’t be beach weather.

Madeira or the Azores would be another option. And more accessible than Cape Verde, which is apparently tricky from the US.

We loved our time in Cadiz a couple of years ago. We were there first few days of January, but still Christmas time. It was warm (60s), lovely walkable old town, La Caleta beach right in town, great food, Christmas parades and festivities every day, Christmas market with toboggan rides. Day trip possibilities if 10 days is too long in one place.

Merida, the cultural capital of the Yucatan. My neice did a semester abroad there and I went down to visit for a week. Day trips to see the flamingos, chichin itza, the beach, swimming in cenotes, etc.

This post reminded me about a frequent poster in a now defunct Playa Del Carmen forum. He and his wife fulfilled their dream when they moved to Merida almost ten years ago. Although I'm not FB friends with him, I could see some of his wonderful pictures of their life there. I went on his page last night to see if they were still living there, and was saddened to see he had died earlier this year in a car accident while on vacation in the US from Mexico:( We went to Mexico almost yearly for 15 years when we were working and wanted a winter weather getaway from the cold.

I am always interested in a European destination in January-March, so I will be following this post. 

Many vacation down on the Mediterranean in Winter--like the Algarve region of Portugal or in Spain. I prefer to hit great cities like Budapest and Vienna. You just have to dress for any kind of weather.

We've been to Europe the end of January, and about froze our tails visiting Venice on a cold, windy day. But most of our vacation was skiing in Tirol.

We usually save our winter vacations until the end of March into April--after the winter weather has changed to spring weather.

Mnannie,
Meridia has a strong expat community.

Sorry to hear about the death of your friend, it's hard to process these things when they happen far away from us.

About six months ago, I started a thread suggesting that because of pricing winter travel to Europe may become more popular. One reason for this reply (since the OP probably has taken her trip) is to say that I was wrong. In December, my itinerary was Amsterdam-Bruges-York-Edinburgh-London. The weather proved a greater challenge than I thought--in particular, winter rain in York and Edinburgh. And yes, it was gray seemingly every day, and winter clothing makes packing an issue. In fact, upon my return, to those who asked about my trip, my favorite description was "challenging" following by "exhausting".

Spring and fall travel? Delightful.

Summer travel in much of Europe? I am willing to give it another shot because I am finding the airline and hotel pricing can be comparable to that in April, May, September, and October (and I know I can cope with heat and especially humidity better than many of you just as most of you can deal with cold weather better than I can).

But winter travel? If we talking about one great city like Paris or especially London, yes (and I recognize European travel in Spain and elsewhere in southern Europe is different). But I doubt seriously that I will ever again in a cold-weather month take a European trip involving much travel in Europe and different destinations.

Well, I am Spring/Summer beach person married to a Winter sports enthusiast, so I have had to learn all about Winter destinations.
I never thought I would learn so much about being around snow and cold, but I have!

Where do we go in North America? I choose locations with both great skiing (for husband) and things for me to do, too. Examples--Quebec City, Canada: very French, historic old town area, holiday markets, fine dining, famous hotel Chateau Frontenac, frozen waterfalls, and so much more. I learned how to drive a dog sled here. Lake Placid, NY: Home of Olympic training center, quaint, nice restaurants, great frozen lake, scenic. I ice-skated on the Olympic rink here. Stowe, VT: small, sweet, busy, Trapp family lodge (Sound of Music family). Vail/Beaver Creek, Colorado: Created and trendy ski towns, very safe, fun to explore, many restaurants, family-friendly, pricey. I have also gone snowshoeing and ridden a snowmobile. I tried skiing a long time ago and failed out, but your children may enjoy the learning experience.

In Europe, why not head to Iceland, and see the northern lights (but go in November-December, before it gets too dark and snowy, or later in the Spring), and then visit the waterfalls, the geysers, and lots more. There are many great cities to see in Europe, but with little ones you want some fun activities for them as well. You could go to one of the trendy ski areas like Zermatt, Switzerland (no cars, arrive by train) if you want to blow your budget, or just visit scenic Munich and a quaint walled town like Rothenburg ob der Tauber--very fun to explore. I agree that it can be cold in Europe, so if you are not into outdoor sightseeing, perhaps choose a city with a lot of museums and cafes, like Paris.

I guess you want to escape the cold, but I have learned to adapt a bit at this time of year as long as I find a very comfortable location for myself as well. If I could choose sunshine, I might book us on a cruise at that time of year--very fun and festive, and some cruise lines like Royal Caribbean really cater to children.

Yes, I enjoy the Caribbean, but we usually go there in the Spring and Summer--and then husband is off scuba-diving! Well, at least I can snorkel. Have fun researching and planning!

The warmer European locations are generally so special in warm weather that I think you miss out on to much by using them in the winter, just to avoid 10F lower.

The warmer locations also tend to ‘weather out” the cold while the locations with more traditional long cold winters embrace the season. So is like choosing if you want to suffer with the masses or party with the masses.

Looks so romantic, but at 50F and a 15mph onshore breeze, they are freezing their nubies off. https://static.vecteezy.com/system/resources/previews/026/812/672/large_2x/couple-posing-on-the-beach-in-winter-day-photo.jpg

Or
Ice Skating in the park: https://i0.wp.com/nellicioustravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ice_rink_budapest3.jpg?fit=1607%2C699&ssl=1
Christmas Markets: https://media.tacdn.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/0c/0b/f2/b7.jpg
Theater: https://previews.123rf.com/images/quasargal/quasargal1206/quasargal120600553/14148484-Hungarian-State-Opera-House-in-Budapest-Hungary-Stock-Photo.jpg
Or theater: https://dynamic-media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/28/b5/44/53/teatro-di-gran-classe.jpg?w=1200&h=-1&s=1
Or concert: https://bmc.hu/storage/images/2019/11/GulBabaJazzNights/medium_bhp_3143.jpg
Or concert: https://dailynewshungary.com/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://dailynewshungary.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Franz-Liszt-Academy-Hungary-Budapest-music-best-1030x684.jpg&nocache=1
Or bathhouse: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a3bb03b4c326d76de73ddaa/1642518775504-SH54HCQDEUGSMOX1ML3H/The+Common+Wanderer-185-3.jpg
Or bathhouse: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.offbeatbudapest.com%2Fbudapest-city-guide%2Fbest-thermal-baths%2F&psig=AOvVaw05dUjGE3WFaNvqVLvBICdN&ust=1707568681016000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBMQjRxqFwoTCNj8rZ2jnoQDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
Or brunch: https://magyarkonyhaonline.hu/storage/media/images/2021/10/26/image00030-2.JPG
Or brunch: https://images.ctfassets.net/314o13npeir2/vxWF5adpXHmITyoc6VCTe/e438ca9e7cbc2a4347e8c7ff6e2946b4/new-york-cafe-budapest-9.jpg?w=784&h=588&fl=progressive&q=80&fm=jpg
Or brunch: https://welovebudapest.com/i/2d/parisi-udvar-20211025-hirling-balint-011.jpg

We used to take winter vacations to Lake Tahoe every year. But I had an accident and broke both legs in my mid 50's and never went back to snow skiing.

With two young kids, I would suggest going somewhere in the Caribbean or Bahamas. We found the Turks & Caicos to be very nice, and we especially love St. Lucia.

An Eastern Caribbean cruise is also great to go on with kids. And it's cheaper than those big resorts in The Islands. The best cruises start and end in St. Juan. We avoid Mexico after so many trips there.

David - We have been to the Caribbeans so much that we need a break from there. We didn’t try cruise though.
We also love Tahoe in winter.

Hi Bushrat,
Have you considered an African safari? We went to Tanzania in February about 7 years ago and it was great. Lots of baby animals and great cultural experiences. Very hot in places, especially Zanzibar (after safari). If you are interested I can recommend Expert Africa as a tour company to make arrangements.

We visited Norway this fall, and looked at Tromso, way up north, as a potential part of the trip. Research said that winter, more than summer or fall, is the most popular time to be there. Despite the short daylight and long nights, attractions include dogsled rides, snowmobile tours, and cross-country skiing. The northern lights are a big draw, too. The town itself is full of museums, and has been called “The Paris of the North.”

We spent the end of December 2012 in Italy, first in Rome, then Sicily (Christmas at an agriturismo), then Sorrento/Naples. New Year’s Eve fireworks in Sorrento were a neat experience, with everyone in the neighborhood setting off elaborate displays. New Year’s Day 2013 was a great time to see Pompeii, not too busy, and not scorching hot like it would be in summer. Towns and cities everywhere were decorated for the holidays, and there were special Christmas pastries and baked treats, too. As popular and crowded that Italy is now in summer, winter is the time to go!

My son and his wife are honeymooning in Madiera, Portugal right now. They have had one day of rain and the rest of the time the weather has been amazing. Not sure how December would compare to early February but I have been surprised by the weather. They have worn jackets in the mountains but also have been swimming. They said the water was warmer than Lake Como in August (which we had visited a few years ago).

We travelled to Northern Vietnam one year for two weeks over Christmas with our teens. Did the usual Hanoi/Sapa/Halong Bay itinerary. The weather was very pleasant, not too warm - tshirt or light jacket only. Vietnam is an inexpensive destination and felt quite safe. We enjoyed it very much.