Winter wanderlust: 5 travel tips for the cold season

When we think of vacations, the first image that comes to mind is often that of a sandy beach on a sunny day. But as many of us know, there are plenty of reasons to vacation during wintertime; from off-season prices to magical holiday traditions, the cold season can actually be pretty hot. 

Western travelers who enjoy exploring the globe during the winter already know that there are specific tips and tricks for creating the perfect holiday. These next paragraphs will share a few of our top tips, and just might inspire you to book a trip for the upcoming weeks. 

1. Plan your route in advance 

If you like piña coladas but hate getting caught in the rain, planning ahead is the smart way to go. Thanks to weather apps, you can still be spontaneous to a certain degree without paying a harsh price and even though tropical monsoons can be somewhat unpredictable, you’ll still have a serious advantage.

Try combining these apps with remote booking apps and websites to make sure that you’ll never arrive at your new destination in the middle of the night during a rainstorm, when the next bus in hours away. True story, BTW. It really doesn’t take much to plan and book your route and it will mean everything. 

2. Choose a sunny vacation spot 

Just because it’s raining where you currently are doesn’t mean it’s not summer somewhere, right? If you are desperate for a sunnier vibe, take advantage of the different seasons on our magnificent globe and travel someplace warm. That’s what birds do every year and it seems to be working for them.

Did you know, for example, that the dry season in the Philippines is between the months of November and April? And that this is also the best time of the year to visit Thailand? Travelers at heart know that the world offers us a variety of options, even weather-wise, and choose whatever works for them at any given moment.   

3. Accept the weather with love

Whether you focus on the colder section of the Northern Hemisphere or travel during monsoon season, do it with a smile and keep that smile going even when it rains and snows. The weather is what it is and you cannot change it, so get in a Zen state of mind and appreciate the monsoon charm and the change in plans it may bring.

Fighting the climate is both futile and silly, so don’t waste your time. With an umbrella in one hand and a cup of hot cocoa in the other, you’ll manage to enjoy any place, any time of the year. Let your attitude become your inner sunshine and don’t hang out with travelers who complain about the rain all day long. 

4. Get in the holiday spirit

Many travelers take advantage of the holiday season that just flew by to travel. If you’re one of them, I recommend saving this post for next year and reminding yourself that it’s not only fun to celebrate your own tradition elsewhere, but also to visit different cultures and traditions.

So many holidays take place around the same time of the year! Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Novy God, and Diwali (which is celebrated a bit earlier) are only part of the list. Grab these excuses to party with both hands and allow them to further elevate your winter trip.  

5. Step inside

In most cases, a travel destination offers a variety of indoor and outdoor activities to choose from. When it’s cold outside, you might want to focus on museums, restaurants and shops rather than parks and walking tours. I’m not suggesting that you abandon these experiences altogether, but make sure to create a list that allows you to play with the different options and find something to match your mood as well as the climate. Even with sophisticated weather prediction tools available, it’s hard to predict how we ourselves would feel about going for a walk in the rain. It can be romantic and magical, but it might also be pretty annoying. Give yourself the freedom to choose by preparing a list of recommendations that’s a bit longer than usual. 

There’s no reason for you to postpone your travel plans until the sun comes out. Wanderlust has its own special timing and the beauty of travel is that it just always seems to work. With a little bit of planning and support from your favorite tech tools (*clears throat*), you’ll be able to enjoy your time off in any temperature. Don’t you feel all warm and fuzzy inside just thinking about it?