Holidays are no longer all about beaches and bikinis - a growing number of people are heading to colder places for their getaways. So, if you’re a fan of a chillier climate, we’ve shared some of our favourite destinations by time of year, from the majestic landscapes of Norway to the mountainous kingdom of Nepal.
US Rockies - November-April
This magnificent mountain chain stretches 4800km from British Columbia in Canada to New Mexico – more than twice the distance as from Helsinki to Rome. You won’t have time to visit all the Rockies in the USA alone, which are in north-central Colorado state; it’s best to focus on the Rocky Mountain National Park itself, and on Estes Park in the Front Range, which is the gateway to the Rockies.
The national park is one vast outdoor playground, with 60 mountains of more than 3500m in altitude, shimmering glacier lakes, more than 500km of trails, and spectacular wildlife viewing. In winter it’s a true wonderland, with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and snowboarding.
Norway - November-April
Stupendous fjords and mountains, the Northern Lights in the far north, vast unspoilt swathes of national park, rugged wilderness, breathtaking waterfalls, and pretty islands – Norway is quite simply dazzling. And it’s all the more so in winter when you can enjoy skiing (cross-country and alpine) and snowboarding amidst those glittering landscapes.
Bergen is a great base for exploring the fjords or going up into the mountains for skiing and hiking. Take the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen, and you can sledge back down on floodlit paths. For the Northern Lights, head for Tromsø or the Finnmark region ('Norwegian Lapland’), where you can also get an insight into local indigenous Sami people and take a snowmobile safari.
Alaska - May-October
Expedition cruising is the best way to discover this north-west US state, with its estimated 100,000 glaciers. You’ll get to see many of them, perhaps including the iconic Hubbard Glacier, together with other natural wonders, including breathtaking fjords and fascinating wildlife such as humpback whales, dolphins, and sea otters.
Depending on who you cruise with, you might go crabbing in the Bering Sea, helicopter flightseeing, and glacier trekking. Other attractions during this time of year include visiting the lively historic gold-mining towns Juneau and Skagway and the Native American fishing village of Ketchikan. And the wild landscapes of the Katmai National Park and Preserve are packed with salmon and brown bears.
Nepal - January-February
This time of year can be very cold in this tiny mountain kingdom, but you’ll be rewarded by bright, clear skies, glorious views, and quieter trekking trails (although it’s best to avoid high altitude treks). And you can cosy up in lodges or hotels with open fires, blankets, and hot water bottles These drier months are also great for wildlife spotting, especially in the well-protected national parks of Chitwan and Bardia with their rhinos, elephants, monkeys, and birdlife.
Switzerland - November-April
This is another outdoor playground and one with some of Europe’s best skiing. Among the best spots are the resorts of the Bernese Oberland, including Interlaken between the lakes of Thun and Brienz – a brilliant base for exploring snowcapped mountains, lakes, and waterfalls, with a vast array of winter sports – and Grindelwald.
Alternatively, the Valais region in the south-west is home to the ski resorts Saas-Fee and Zermatt, as well as the craggy Matterhorn with its excellent snowboarding. Another spot is the Graubünden region in the south-east, with the luxury resort of St. Moritz and Weisse Arena, which brings together Flims, Laax, and Falera.
To book your stay in one of these destinations, or for more inspiration, contact your Travel Counsellor today.
Yearning for a brief escape that promises to enchant, refresh, and invigorate? Europe’s mosaic of cultures, history, and breathtaking landscapes offers some of the most spectacular weekend getaways and short breaks for a whole host of travellers. Here's our curated list of top European cities that need to be on your radar this year.
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