7 Destinations You Should Not Visit This Winter According To Travel Experts

Winter trip—two phrases that conjure photographs of cozy escapes, festive markets, or a sun-drenched seaside to beat the chilly. However let’s be actual: the hole between the journey you see on Instagram and the truth on the bottom may be large, particularly in winter.

Because the skilled workforce of editors and writers right here at Travel Off Path, we have seen all of it. We all know the frustration of arriving in a “dream” vacation spot solely to search out it chilly, grey, and utterly shut down for the season. This is not about avoiding these great locations perpetually; it is about avoiding them after they would possibly disappoint.

So, drawing on our collective data and present journey developments, listed here are 7 locations we’re advising warning on for this winter. We have additionally included a sensible different for every, as a result of the aim is to journey smarter, not more durable.

1. The Greek Islands (Mykonos, Santorini)

The Drawback: The “Ghost City” Vibe

Ah, these iconic blue domes and whitewashed villages. The issue is, the Greece you see in footage is a summer time phenomenon. In winter, well-liked islands like Mykonos and Santorini should not simply quiet; they’re virtually ghost cities in comparison with peak season. The climate is commonly chilly, moist, and windy, and many of the charming resorts, vibrant eating places, and even the inter-island ferries are shut down till spring. You may be met with a lonely, dreary actuality, not the sun-soaked paradise you have been dreaming of.

As a substitute, take into account: The Canary Islands, Spain. For a European island escape that really delivers on winter solar, head right here. Locations like Tenerife and Gran Canaria are absolutely operational year-round, providing heat climate, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and bustling cities.

2. The Amalfi Coast, Italy

The Drawback: The “Closed for Enterprise” Vibe

The glamorous, cliffside cities of the Amalfi Coast are a summer time dream. In winter, nevertheless, that dream is on hiatus. The well-known seaside golf equipment in Positano are closed, the climate is incessantly cool and wet, and that stylish, see-and-be-seen power is totally gone. Whereas the views are nonetheless there, you will discover many of the outlets and eating places that give the coast its buzz are shuttered for the season, making for a surprisingly sleepy journey.

As a substitute, take into account: Madeira, Portugal. Generally known as the “Island of Everlasting Spring,” this Portuguese archipelago is a implausible winter vacation spot. The climate is constantly delicate, the dramatic landscapes are lush and inexperienced, and it is a world-class spot for mountaineering and exploring.

Marrakech, Morocco

The Drawback: The “Unique Deep Freeze” Entice

The images are intoxicating: sun-drenched courtyards in vibrant riads, bustling souks full of spices, and romantic dinners below the celebrities. Vacationers ebook a visit anticipating an unique and, most significantly, heat escape from the North American winter.

The fact? Marrakech may be surprisingly chilly. Whereas daytime temperatures within the 60s may be nice, they plummet into the 40s at night time. The largest lure, which floods journey boards each winter, is that these stunning, open-air riads are constructed to remain cool and infrequently haven’t any central heating, resulting in uncomfortably chilly nights. Standard day journeys to the Atlas Mountains or the desert are additionally very chilly, not the nice and cozy Sahara escape many envision.

As a substitute, take into account: Egypt (Luxor & Aswan). For vacationers searching for a genuinely heat, unique, and culturally wealthy winter escape, the Nile Valley is the proper different. Throughout our winter, the climate there may be idyllic—sunny, dry, and constantly within the 70s, delivering the actually heat climate that Marrakech solely guarantees in images.

4. Dublin, Eire

The Drawback: The “Perpetual Gloom”

Whereas Dublin’s pubs are at all times cozy, the actual concern for vacationers in winter is not simply the chilly and rain; it is the extraordinarily restricted daylight. In December, the solar can set earlier than 4 PM. This makes sightseeing troublesome and may be genuinely miserable for vacationers who got here to see the well-known inexperienced landscapes of Eire, solely to spend most of their time at midnight.

As a substitute, take into account: Lisbon, Portugal. It is one among Western Europe’s sunniest and mildest winter capitals. It presents world-class historical past, unimaginable meals, and a vibrant ambiance with out the oppressive winter darkness.

5. Paris, France (Particularly Round The Holidays)

The Drawback: The “Poor Worth Proposition”

Paris throughout Christmas and New 12 months’s is undeniably magical, but it surely comes at a price—a really excessive one. Flights and resorts hit their absolute peak costs, and the town turns into extremely crowded. You may spend an enormous chunk of your journey ready in lengthy queues within the chilly, damp climate. It’s a basic case of paying essentially the most for the most important crowds.

As a substitute, take into account: Prague, Czech Republic. It presents a Christmas market expertise that’s arguably much more magical, with fairytale structure and a comfortable, festive ambiance, all for a fraction of the price of Paris.

6. Iceland

The Drawback: The “Excessive-Stakes Gamble”

Everybody goes to Iceland in winter for one motive: the Northern Lights. However the actuality for a lot of is a visit suffering from excessive climate, blizzards, frequent highway closures, and solely 4-5 hours of daylight. Seeing the lights is a big gamble, not a assure, making this a really costly journey with a excessive potential for disappointment if the climate does not cooperate.

As a substitute, take into account: Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi). It presents a extra “assured” winter wonderland expertise. You possibly can go to Santa Claus Village, go on reindeer and husky safaris, and the infrastructure is constructed for the acute winter circumstances, making it a way more dependable and magical journey.

7. Northern Italy’s Lake Area (Lake Como, Lake Garda)

The Drawback: The “Hollywood vs. Actuality” Entice

Individuals see films of George Clooney on a ship on a glowing, sun-drenched Lake Como. The fact of a winter journey could be very completely different. Many of the iconic lake cities turn out to be extraordinarily quiet and are sometimes shrouded in chilly fog. Lots of the grand villas, well-known gardens, and even the ferry companies function on severely restricted schedules or are closed totally till spring. It’s stunning, but it surely doesn’t ship the energetic, glamorous Italian lake getaway you’ve got seen on display.

As a substitute, take into account: Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada. It presents that very same gorgeous mixture of a deep blue lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, however it’s a vacation spot that’s constructed for winter. The ski resorts are world-class, the lakeside cities are bustling and comfy, and it delivers a magical winter wonderland expertise that’s absolutely operational.

Selecting the best vacation spot for the season is the last word journey hack. Earlier than you ebook your good different, run our important 1 Minute Trip Check to immediately confirm all present entry necessities and journey advisories to your trip!