Where to Travel in Winter 2026
Travellagio · 5 min read
Winter travel splits into two camps: escape the cold or embrace it. Here are the best destinations for both.
Warm escapes (December – February)
Thailand
Peak season, best weather, dry and warm (28–32°C). The most popular winter escape for Europeans. Fly Wizz Air or budget carriers for $200–400 from Europe.
Mexico
Dry season, perfect beach weather on both coasts. The Yucatán (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum) and Pacific coast (Puerto Vallarta, Oaxaca coast) are at their best.
Egypt
The ideal time to visit — warm but not the scorching 40°C+ of summer. Perfect for pyramids, Luxor, and Red Sea diving.
Vietnam
Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc) is dry and warm. Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay) is cool and misty — atmospheric but pack a jacket.
Snow adventures
Georgia (Gudauri)
Europe’s cheapest ski destination. Lift passes $15–20/day, ski-in hotels $40–60/night. Freeriding is exceptional.
Japan
Hokkaido’s powder snow is legendary. Niseko, Furano, and Rusutsu get 15+ meters of snow annually. Combine with onsen (hot springs) for the full experience.
Iceland
Northern Lights season (October–March). Cheaper than summer, fewer tourists, and the landscapes are ethereally beautiful under snow.