Best Travel Destinations To Escape January Blues

The best place to travel in January depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking to escape the winter chill, you might want to consider a tropical destination such as Phuket, the Maldives, Seychelles, Dubai, Sri Lanka, or Costa Rica. These places offer beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, and a range of outdoor activities. If you're looking for a city break, Melbourne, Australia, is a great option, with its warm summer weather and a host of cultural events. For a European city break with a bit of history, Amsterdam is a good choice, with its charming canals and historic buildings. If you're a ski enthusiast, you might want to head to the Alps or the Japanese Alps, which offer great snowfall and a range of ski resorts. If you're looking for a more unique experience, Harbin in China hosts the International Ice and Snow Festival in January, or you could try a safari in Kenya or Tanzania.

Sun and sea in Thailand

If you're looking for a tropical escape from the chilly winter weather, Thailand is a great choice for travel in January. With warm temperatures, sunny days, and cool evenings, it's the perfect time to explore the country's exotic landscapes and enjoy outdoor activities.

Weather

January is one of the best months to visit Thailand, with comfortable temperatures ranging from 20°C to 32°C in most places. The weather is generally dry across the country, making it ideal for outdoor activities and beach days. The southern regions, such as Phuket and Krabi, experience slightly higher temperatures, with averages between 26°C and 32°C, while the northern regions, like Chiang Mai, have cooler evenings due to the higher mountain altitude.

Places to Visit

• Bangkok: January is an excellent time to explore Bangkok, with comfortable temperatures and low humidity. Visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Khao San Road, the Temple of Dawn, and Chinatown.
• Chiang Mai: The pleasant weather in Chiang Mai makes it perfect for outdoor activities such as safari adventures in national parks and temple visits. The night markets, local cuisine, and cultural attractions like Wat Phra Singh, Doi Inthanon, and Wat Chedi are also worth exploring.
• Phuket: Phuket is a delight for water sports enthusiasts in January, with calm and clear waters. It's a great time for swimming, diving, and snorkelling, especially around the beautiful coral gardens. The world-famous beaches of Patong, Kata, and Karon are ideal for soaking up the sun.
• Kanchanaburi: The mild weather in January makes it a good time to visit Kanchanaburi and explore attractions such as the Bridge over the River Kwai and war museums. A boat ride on the Kwai River offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
• Railay Beach: Railay Beach, located in southern Thailand, is known for its iconic limestone cliffs. It's one of the driest months of the year in this region, making it perfect for rock climbing, kayaking, and exploring caves and lagoons.

Activities

• Hiking: With milder temperatures and less rainfall, January is ideal for trekking through Thailand's jungles and mountainous regions, especially in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
• Underwater Sports: January offers excellent snorkelling and diving conditions, with clean seas and abundant marine life. Popular destinations like Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Phi Phi offer diverse marine ecosystems and pleasant water temperatures.
• Kayaking: The cooler weather and calmer seas make kayaking a fantastic activity in coastal regions like Krabi and Phang Nga Bay, where you can explore mangrove forests, limestone cliffs, and hidden lagoons.
• Wildlife: January is a great time to spot elephants in the wild, as the parks have lush vegetation, providing ample food sources for the herds. Baan Chang Elephant Park is one of the best places to see Asian elephants.

Travel Tips

January is part of the peak tourist season in Thailand, so popular destinations can be crowded, and accommodation prices may be higher. It's advisable to book in advance, especially for accommodations, tours, and transportation, to secure your preferred options.

Despite the cooler weather, stay hydrated, especially when engaging in outdoor activities. Also, be aware of the "Burning Season" in wider northern Thailand, where farmers use controlled fires to clear their land, which can result in haze.

Lanzarote's art and food scene

Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands, is a great place to visit in January, with its pleasant year-round temperatures and dramatic volcanic landscapes. The island boasts a vibrant art and food scene, influenced by its unique geographical location and cultural history.

Art Scene in Lanzarote

Lanzarote's art scene is diverse and thriving, with a range of artistic interventions embraced by the island's inhabitants. The island is home to several museums and art galleries exhibiting internationally renowned artists, making it a cultural highlight of the Canary Islands.

One notable aspect of Lanzarote's art scene is the large historical-artistic heritage found in its many monuments, castles, convents, mansions, and religious buildings. The Fundación César Manrique in Teguise, for example, is dedicated to the renowned local artist and architect, César Manrique, whose works are deeply influenced by the island's volcanic landscape.

In addition to these permanent fixtures, Lanzarote also hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year. These include musical performances, ranging from jazz to folk music and opera; theatre productions, such as the promenade production of "Romeo and Juliet" in Teguise; and craft markets like the Dia Canarias in Haria and the Feria de Artesania in Mancha Blanca, where visitors can interact with local artisans.

Food Scene in Lanzarote

The food in Lanzarote is a unique blend of Spanish and Canary Island influences, drawing on culinary traditions from Africa, South America, and beyond. The island's agricultural practices have adapted to the dry, desert-like conditions, with innovative methods employed to conserve rainwater and channel dew for irrigation.

The signature dish of Lanzarote is the papas arrugadas, small Canarian potatoes with a wrinkly, black skin, typically served with a spicy red mojo sauce and washed down with white wine from La Geria. The island also offers a variety of fresh seafood dishes, including grilled octopus (pulpo a la plancha), parrillada pescado (a mixed platter of grilled fish and seafood), and sancocho (a hearty seafood stew).

In addition to its traditional cuisine, Lanzarote also caters to international tastes, with Indian and Chinese restaurants and English-style pubs found in the holiday resorts and capital city of Arrecife. However, for a true taste of Lanzarote, the traditional fish restaurants by the sea and the contemporary Canarian cuisine with a modern twist are highly recommended.

The island also has a rich wine culture, with unique and ingenious methods employed in the volcanic La Geria region to produce high-quality wines. A visit to the wineries and vineyards of La Geria is a must for those interested in wine, offering a chance to taste the local Malvasía Volcánica grape variety and other aromatic wines.

In conclusion, Lanzarote offers a captivating art and food scene, providing visitors with a unique cultural experience that reflects the island's history and geographical setting.

Sri Lanka's beaches and cities

January is a great time to visit Sri Lanka, with warm and dry weather across the country. The island is known for its emerald green forests, rolling hills, turquoise ocean, and charming colonial coastal towns.

Beachfront Vacation

The beaches along the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka are a perfect spot to enjoy the sun and warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The beaches at Bentota, Galle, Mirissa, Weligama, and Tangalle are ideal for a mix of relaxation and water sports, including surfing, snorkelling, whale watching, and windsurfing. Unawatuna is a tourist-friendly choice, while Mirissa is great for whale watching.

Trekking

January is a great time for trekking, with clear weather and illuminated trails. Adam's Peak, a popular pilgrimage site, offers a leisurely ascent to the top, with food stalls open along the path. Keep in mind that this is also the pilgrimage season, so the trails might be busier on weekends and full moon days.

Safaris and Wildlife

With minimal rainfall in January, the fauna gathers at the lakes and water holes in the national parks, making it an ideal time for wildlife safaris. Yala, Udawalawe, Horton Plains, and Bundala National Parks offer a wide range of wildlife, from elephants and leopards to migratory birds. The Wilpattu National Park is also a great choice, with its salt basins brimming with post-monsoon rainwater.

Cultural Triangle and Hill Country

The historical sites of the Cultural Triangle, such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, and Kandy, witness little rain in January, making it an excellent time for all-day excursions. The hill country, including Kandy, Ella, Horton Plains, and Nuwara Eliya, offers colder and scenic locations with panoramic views, tea estates, gardens, and lakes.

Festivals

January is also a festive time in Sri Lanka, with Duruthu Poya, commemorating Lord Buddha's first visit to the country, and Thai Pongal, a Hindu harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil minority.

Norway's northern lights

Norway is one of the best places on Earth to see the Northern Lights. The phenomenon, also known as the aurora borealis, is caused by collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun and atoms in the Earth's atmosphere. The result is a celestial ballet of light dancing across the night sky, with a colour palette of green, blue, pink, and violet.

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Norway is between September and April, with October to March being the best months. Peak time is between 11 pm and 2 am, and the darker the night, the clearer the lights. To increase your chances of seeing the lights, it's best to get away from light pollution and head to remote locations such as the Lofoten Islands, a stunning, mountainous Norwegian archipelago. The city of Tromsø, located inside the "Northern Lights Belt", is another ideal spot.

Northern Norway offers a range of activities beyond the Northern Lights, including winter fishing, hiking, skiing, dog sledding, and whale and wildlife safaris. You can also experience Sami culture and stay in unique hotels such as the Kirkenes Snow Hotel.

To prepare for your trip, it's important to dress warmly with plenty of layers, including woollen base layers, insulated outerwear, and gloves. If you plan to capture photos of the Northern Lights, bring a DSLR camera with manual focus, a tripod, spare batteries, and a headlamp or flashlight.

• Northern Lights by Train and Cruise: A 10-day trip that includes a cruise and train journey.
• Norway in a Nutshell & Best of Northern Norway Classic: A 10-day trip that combines two popular tours.
• Northern Lights Norway Express: A shorter, 4-day trip focusing on the Northern Lights.
• Northern Lights in Lofoten & Tromsø: A 5-day trip to the Lofoten Islands and Tromsø.
• Best of Northern Norway Classic: A 7-day trip exploring the best of Northern Norway.

South Africa's Garden Route

The Garden Route is a 300-kilometre (190-mile) stretch of South Africa's coastline, running from the small town of Mossel Bay to the mouth of the Storms River. It's a diverse region, with sandy beaches, lagoons, lush forests, and rocky shores. The route is set up for both seasoned and first-time road-trippers, with excellent driving conditions and countless detours and pit stops showcasing the region's beauty, culture, and hospitality.

Mossel Bay, the western gateway to the Garden Route, is a five-hour drive from Cape Town. Before reaching Mossel Bay, drivers are treated to coastal idylls such as Betty's Bay and pit-stop cafes serving farm-fresh road trip snacks known as padkos. In Mossel Bay, you can stretch your legs on the St Blaize Trail, a rugged, nine-mile coastal hike from a cave below the Cape St Blaize Lighthouse to Dana Bay.

The historic timber town of George lies 30 minutes down the coast from Mossel Bay. Here, you can visit the Garden Route Botanical Garden to learn about the fynbos, the indigenous vegetation that characterises the Cape Floral Region, recognised by UNESCO for its biodiversity. From George, you can head inland to Wilderness, a town known for its tranquil waterways, ideal for wild swimming and canoeing, or continue along the coast to Knysna, a culinary hotspot famous for its oysters.

Plettenberg Bay, half an hour east of Knysna, is renowned for its breathtaking beaches, with sandy coves popular with surfers sitting beneath sheer cliffs. The area is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, with migrating whales and dolphins visible from the shore year-round. Nearby Robberg Nature Reserve, a jutting peninsula home to seal colonies, is perfect for picnics and offers a 5.6-mile round-trip trail to The Point.

The eastern terminus of the Garden Route is Storms River village, known for its rugged and indomitable landscape. Inland, you'll find the dense, mountainous Tsitsikamma Forest, home to zip-lining, kayaking, and the world's highest bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge. Along the coast lies the maritime Tsitsikamma National Park, where the Otter Trail, the oldest hiking route in the country, kicks off at Storms River Mouth.

Frequently asked questions