December in the UK is a time for festive fun, family get-togethers, and partying with friends. But once Christmas and New Year are over, January is dark, cold, and it can feel like an eternity before the springtime. Instead of returning to work, start the new year with a positive experience—one you can carry through the rest of year—and book yourself a holiday in January in one of these exciting destinations.
For a mid-range island holiday this January, the archipelago of Cape Verde is the perfect winter getaway. Year-round sunshine means great weather over the gorgeous sandy beaches, and there is plenty to do on and below the waves to keep active tourists entertained. While the shore and ocean are the biggest allure, there is plenty of wildlife to observe, volcanic landscapes to hike, and small towns to soak up the culture and dance the night away.
Few places offer a starker contrast to the UK’s gloomy January weather than the Caribbean Islands. Barbados is one of the cheaper islands with luxury beachside resorts where you can enjoy being pampered in temperatures approaching 30˚C. However, if you need a break from sipping cocktails by the bright blue ocean, the local towns are full of brightly-coloured Caribbean buildings, vibrant food, and historical and cultural entertainment.
Lanzarote has been a top January holiday destination for a while now, but with good reason: it has something for everyone! Less populated than neighbouring Tenerife and Gran Canaria, Lanzarote is also cheaper while still providing beautiful hotels with great service and delicious meals. The spectacular national park and lava caves make for some adventurous exploration, while museums, theme parks, and nightlife spots mean it appeals to most tastes.
Vietnam has transformed its reputation in the last few decades. Once thought of as a place of conflict and poverty, it is now one of the most up-and-coming holiday destinations in the world. The rainforest-covered mountainous island of Phuket offers the perfect microcosm of what the country has to offer: wildlife around every corner, stunning natural hikes, jaw-dropping waterfalls, busy-but-friendly markets, and picture-perfect beaches.
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast offers some of the world’s best surfing spots, but the country’s true USP is its ecotourism. It was the first country in the Americas to ban all forms of hunting, runs almost exclusively off of renewable energy, and over a quarter of the country has been designated as protected—more than any other country. Consequently, the country feels like one giant safari park, and as soon as you leave the capital city of San José, you will find yourself surrounded by jungle, volcanoes, and wildlife. It’s position in lower Central America mean it has lots of warm sunshine all year, so take advantage of those January deals!
While Thailand is making efforts to combat the consequences of mass tourism, winter is a great time to holiday in the north of the country, where rainfall is at its lowest and heat and humidity are much more comfortable. Despite the country’s popularity as a backpacker nirvana, prices are still cheap, the people are friendly, and the eclectic mix of jungle wildlife and seaside paradise make Thailand a unique and adventurous January holiday.
The Indonesian island of Bali is another trending holiday destination that is fast becoming a world favourite. Despite January falling slap bang in the middle of the wet season, sunshine is still relatively prevalent that you can enjoy the best beaches and hotels without paying peak-season prices. In fact, January is one of the slowest months for the island, so prices won’t just be lower for flights and accommodation, but in the art markets and restaurants, while crowds at the lush natural and historic sites are at their thinnest.
Mexico City is fast catching up with the other cosmopolitan capital cities of the world, while the Yucatan Peninsula hosts some of the world’s best hotel resorts, ancient ruins, and the second-largest coral reef in the world, making it a dream destination for ocean lovers. January is one of the best times to visit Mexico as the post-Christmas dip in tourism mean prices are lower, queues are shorter, and rain is practically non-existent. Whether you want to travel alone, with your partner, or with the whole family, Mexico is full of exciting attractions to start your 2019 off the right way!
January is the perfect time to travel to Dubai. The city is a haven for shoppers and the post-Christmas sales will be in full swing, while sun-worshippers have a wealth of beaches, seaside bars, and ocean toys to enjoy. January may be Dubai’s coolest month of the year, but it still averages 20˚C, so the sunshine is warm enough to lazily walk the beautiful marines and promenades, while a trip to the desert dunes or one of the many theme parks around the city is comfortable and fun.
While many of the United States’ other big cities are firing up the snow ploughs, the City of Flowers and Sunshine lives up to its name. Temperatures average highs of 20˚C, so tourists can enjoy the world-class Venice and Malibu beaches in comfort without the high-season crowds. LA is close enough the mountains to go skiing, the perfect place for celebrity-spotting, and has a city full of fun events just waiting to be discovered. Visitors hoping for a more relaxed vibe should book a stay at Silver Lake or Santa Monica, where there are still plenty of vibrant music spots, a huge selection of tasty restaurants, and natural landscapes to enjoy.
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