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9 reasons to book a winter break

Escape dark and dreary days with a small group tour this winter. Whether you’re looking for sunshine, fewer crowds, a festive break with a difference or unique New Year celebrations, here are nine reasons to pick a winter travel destination for your next adventure.
Author: Helen Pettitt - Digital Content Manager at Explore Worldwide
Updated: 11 November 2024
 

Winter is the perfect time to escape the daily grind and reward yourself with a break. Whether you're looking for a winter snow vacation or winter sun destinations, our wide range of small group tours offer something for everyone. Imagine snowshoeing your way through the Narnia-like landscapes of Finnish Lapland, unwinding on the golden beaches of Jamaica or celebrating culture-rich festivals in Ghana - winter is an ideal season to create unforgettable memories.

Plus, off-peak travel deals and fewer crowds mean you can enjoy your destination to the fullest. 

Read on for the 9 best reasons to book a winter break:

  1. Winter sun
  2. Exotic wildlife
  3. Fewer crowds
  4. Cooler temperatures
  5. Festive breaks
  6. Winter wonderlands
  7. New Year celebrations
  8. Winter challenges
  9. Festival celebrations

 

1. Winter sun

Break free of winter hibernation and top up your vitamin D levels on our Jamaica small group tour. This Caribbean country is one of the best places to go for winter sun, as you can indulge in island life on the warm, golden beaches of Negril. Escape the festive season frenzy on our Maldives dhoni cruise to swim in turquoise-blue waters and spot manta ray, turtle and clown fish. If you'd prefer an active break in the winter sun, jump in the saddle for an immersive tour of Cambodia and Vietnam by bike and pedal through exotic jungles of the Mekong Delta.

2. Exotic wildlife

Get up close with mountain gorilla on our Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Discovery trip. Uganda's dry season occurs from December to early March, so this is the ideal time to catch a glimpse of these incredible primates. Visit Antarctica during the penguin-hatching season in January to see fluffy Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo chicks waddling around the vast ice floes. Or improve your chances of spotting one-horned Rhino during Nepal’s dry season in December on our Discover Nepal tour.
Discover more wildlife tours

3. Fewer crowds

Many winter travel destinations are much quieter during the off-season. For winter breaks in Europe, benefit from deserted beaches on our Canary Islands Walking trip and reconnect with nature on Iceland’s empty Ring Road on our Iceland Winter Adventure. You'll also find fewer crowds in the likes of Oman,  and on our Mountains, Deserts and Coast of Oman tour you'll camp amongst the huge, empty sand dunesof Wahiba Sands under a dazzling night sky.

4. Cooler temperatures

Avoid the intense heat and humidity of India’s summer with our Family India Golden Triangle Adventure trip. Visit India during the winter months and you'll be rewarded with cooler temperatures, which not only makes your journey more comfortable, but also increases your chances of spotting Bengal tiger in Ranthambore National Park. Take advantage of Vietnam's cooler temperatures between November to March on our Saigon to Hanoi cycling trip, where you'll pedal your way from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in the south up to Hanoi in the north.

5. Festive breaks

Discover how other cultures celebrate Christmas on a small group tour to Jordan this winter. Rise early on Christmas morning to retrace the footsteps of Moses on our Jordan adventure vacation with a sacred pilgrimage to the dusty summit of Mount Nebo. Or make this festive season one to remember with Baltic Capitals Cities tour, where you'll visit spectacular Christmas markets and tuck into hearty local food across Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

6. Winter wonderlands

From snowshoeing to cross country skiing, immerse yourself in a magical winter wonderland on one of our winter activity tours. Be wowed by the snow-covered landscapes of Finnish Lapland before going husky sledding and visiting a local reindeer herder. Or catch a glimpse of the fluorescent green, white, purple and red shards of the Aurora Borealis on our Iceland Northern Lights break. 
Discover more places to visit in December

7. New Year celebrations

If your New Year's resolution is to travel more, start as you mean to go on with an unforgettable small group tour in January. Welcome in the New Year in Cambodia; while this southeast Asian country celebrates the New Year in April, on 1 January you'll swap firework displays for sunset explorations of the iconic Angkor Wat. Or enjoy a New Years Eve exploring Funchal, going whale-watching and marvelling at spectacular fireworks on our Madeira walking trip. For more New Year destination inspiration, consider our Northern Cyprus and Mexico small group trips, where celebrations will also be in full swing.

8. Winter challenges

If summiting Kilimanjaro is on your bucket list, the winter months are an ideal time to make your dream a reality. Expect dry, sunny days from December through to March with slightly warmer temperatures in January and February. Join our Kilimanjaro Trek to hike across savannah plains and icy caldera trails before ascending over the brow of this iconic mountain. Absorb breathtaking panoramas from Africa’s highest peak, and, at this time of year, you may even be able to see the curvature of the Earth dipping over the horizon! 

9. Festival celebrations

Discover fascinating international festivals on a winter small group adventure. Go beyond the tourist trail to uncover the true culture of Ghana on our Best of Ghana tour - our dedicated festival departure dates provide an excellent opportunity to witness the lively celebrations of the Akwasidae festival. Or head to Bhutan to see the streets come alive with colorful costumes, elaborate masks and beating drums for the Black Crane festival in November. 
Discover more unmissable festivals

Don't just travel, Explore!

Whether you choose somewhere close to home or further afield, our range of winter small group tours provide unforgettable experiences that will last a lifetime. Travel solo, with the family or with friends - whatever your travel style, we've got the winter break for you.
Why book with Explore?

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