Where to Travel in Winter: Top Destinations Around The World

To create our bespoke list of luxury winter holiday destinations, we asked our travel designers for their expert insights and favourite places to take a winter vacation. Chase the northern lights in snow-blanketed Finland or browse centuries-old cute Christmas markets in Germany. Go on safari in Botswana or beat the heat on a Nile cruise in Egypt. Visit the remote Top End of Australia, or hike in the lush, green hills of Colombia’s Coffee Triangle.

Keep in mind that our recommendations are in both the northern hemisphere (where winter falls from December to February) and the southern hemisphere (winter from June to August), and include countries close to the equator that have fairly consistent temperatures year-round – but alternate between wet and dry season.

Winter in Egypt (November to April) is when the weather is sunny and mild, rarely dropping below 19°C (66.2°F). As summer can be sweltering, particularly in the Sahara, winter is a great time to appreciate the Pyramids of Giza or scale the mighty sand dunes of Wadi Al Rayan. It’s also a good time to discover the best family-friendly things to do in Egypt, as it’s not too hot for little ones. With your expert guide, dive into the Red Sea, embark on a cruise of the Nile and explore the worn stone alleyways of Old Cairo.

Need to know: For a multi-night Nile cruise, we particularly love the elegant Historia, the perfect combination to your adventures on land. For an authentic Egyptian sailing experience along the river’s tranquil waters, nothing beats a traditional felucca small boat.

Winter in Botswana (May to October) means the cool, dry season and the best time to visit Botswana to go on safari. Little to no rain falls during the winter months and herds – and their predators – gather around the water sources which endure. Paradoxically, it’s the peak season for safaris by speedboat or mokoro (dugout canoe) in the waterways of the Okavango Delta, flooded from its upstream river, just as the rest of the country dries out.

Need to know: Botswana prioritises high-end, low-impact tourism with a focus on conservation and wildlife welfare and you’ll find the country has some of Africa’s most exclusive private reserves and concessions, particularly at Linyanti and Mababe.

June to October are the winter months in Tanzania, also known as the dry season. Nighttime temperatures can drop as low as 13°C (55°F), but in the day temperatures are regularly a balmy 25°C (77°F), with clear skies and almost no rainfall. From May onwards, wildebeest start thundering north from the south of the Serengeti National Park and you can spot large herds of elephants in Tarangire National Park, as they congregate en masse at the limited water sources. Other outstanding dry season adventures include visiting the Mahale Mountains for trekking to observe chimpanzees, ascending the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro and beach time in tropical Zanzibar.

Need to know: Singita Grumeti, the largest private reserve in Tanzania, offers an area of around 350,000 acres of wilderness where you can observe huge numbers of wildlife in exclusivity from your choice of luxury Singita lodge or mobile camp.

A little off-the-beaten track, Namibia is a dry, desert country with a vast wilderness and remote Namib desert destinations such as Kunene River and Damaraland. As it’s in the southern hemisphere, winter here is from June to October, the best time to visit Namibia for safari and hot air ballooning, as well as stargazing from the dunes in Sossusvlei. Days are warm but not too hot, averaging 21–25°C (70–77°F), while nights can be cold, sometimes dropping to freezing in the desert.

Need to know: Speak with our travel expert Emily who has firsthand knowledge of this incredible country and can give advice on planning the perfect trip to Namibia. Her favourite experiences include tracking black rhino on foot, meeting with the Himba community at Wilderness Serra Cafema Camp and enjoying a big five safari in Etosha National Park, all perfect winter activities.

Any conversation about exclusive winter escapes has to include Finland and the cultural region of Sápmi in its far north, where in winter (December to March) temperatures can plunge to -50ºC (-58ºF). Winter is the best time to visit Finland to stay deep in the snowy wilderness in luxury lodges like Octola, learning about Sámi culture and reindeer herding, and chasing the elusive and mesmerising Finland northern lights.

Need to know: Finland’s polar nights – when the sun does not rise above the horizon – are an ideal time to marvel at the ribbons of pale yellow, pink and emerald green in the night sky. During winter this natural phenomenon is often more intense around the March equinox.

The winter (December to February) in Iceland is the perfect season for glacier hiking and exploring the ice caves that are only stable enough to enter during these colder months. It’s also the time of year that some waterfalls, like Gullfoss in the Golden Circle, develop stalactites and freeze into intricate walls of ice, and when the northern lights often illuminate the night sky.

Need to know: Visit the volcanic landscape of the Reykjanes Peninsula to soak in the steaming waters of the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. To enjoy the guests-only private lagoon, stay at the Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland, or let us book you into the lavish spa for a day of rest and restoration during your winter Iceland adventure.

For some of the best winter experiences in Europe, visit Germany. Discover beautiful landscapes, fairy-tale castles (some of the most luxurious in the world) and cosy chalets in the Bavarian Alps (where you can enjoy sleigh rides in the snow). Enjoy traditional Christmas markets (best from the end of November to Christmas Eve) in handsome cities like Berlin, Munich, Cologne and Nuremberg.

Need to know: Germany is chilly in winter with temperatures ranging from -5 (23°F) to 5°C (44°F), with snow more prevalent in the south and east – Bavaria’s Nuremberg and Munich Christmas markets will often be laden with snow.

There are many reasons to visit Australia in winter (June to August). In the tropical north these months fall within the dry season, so it’s an excellent time to visit the Top End, experience Uluru and the Outback or journey to private island resorts on the Great Barrier Reef. In southern Australia, the cooler months are ideal for hiking and wildlife watching – you can see southern right whales and humpback whales from the clifftop Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, the ultimate luxury winter holiday destination.

Need to know: The best time to visit Australia is anytime, but your travel designer can help you plan your trip around your interests. Many national parks in Australia are best accessed in winter, and The Ghan – Australia’s renowned outback train – operates from March to November. In summer, temperatures in the arid outback often exceed 40°C (104°F).

Cambodia’s coolest (winter) months are during the dry season (November to April), but even then it’s a balmy 30°C (86°F) most days. These months see blue skies, festivals and low humidity, and are the best time to take a Mekong River cruise. Visit temples, relax on white sand beaches and for a family winter vacation don’t miss snorkelling or paddle boarding from Song Saa Private Island Resort.

Need to know: Winter is the best time to visit Cambodia for sightseeing at Angkor Wat, it can also be quite busy. Our expert travel designers will suggest staying at a peaceful hideaway where you can bicycle to the incredible temple complex at sunrise, accompanied by a private guide who will share secluded viewpoints.

Winter in Colombia falls between December and March. This is also commonly referred to as the dry season as it’s generally considered to be the period when rain is least likely across the country. It’s worth noting that dry weather and sunny skies makes winter a popular time for travellers in Colombia, so be sure to book well in advance, particularly if you plan to travel over the Holidays. Some of the best winter sun destinations in Latin America include Cartagena on the Caribbean coast and the lush, green Coffee Triangle.

Need to know: Colombia is a year-round destination, an equatorial country without too much variation in temperature – the climate varies more by region (and altitude) than by month.

Ecuador straddles the equator and so does not experience four seasonal climate distinctions. That being said, the wet, warmer months of October to May (the rainy, or green season) are typically known as winter. Travelling at this time of year gives you the chance to experience several festivals and gain an insight into culture and tradition in Ecuador. Many festivals are celebrated with vibrant processions, such as Fiestas de Quito in December, La Diablada de Píllaro in January and Carnival in February.

Need to Know: These warmer ‘winter’ months are also considered the best time to combine Ecuador with a wildlife safari on the Galápagos Islands, particularly December to April when the water is calm, warm and great for snorkelling.