Winter vacation is something everyone looks forward to, as it coincides with the Christmas holidays, which saves a lot on vacation leave. Here are some of the best places to take advantage of this winter for lovely weather and off-peak travel deals.
1. Dubai, UAE
This desert nation enjoys more temperate climate during the winter months, ranging from 70-80 degrees, a great way to explore its many beaches and the man-made Palm Islands facing the Persian Gulf, and to climb the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. For those who can't do without skiing, Dubai has its own "Ski Dubai", an indoor ski resort at the Mall of the Emirates, where you can even go for shopping after skiing.
According to USA Today, average winter round-trip fares to Dubai are $683 from Los Angeles and $602 from New York, a total steal to enjoy Dubai in the winter.
2. Sydney, Australia
America's winter is Australia's summer, and although this makes it peak season, flights to Oz have been fairly competitive, thanks in part to the American Airlines and Qantas rivalry, with American Airlines having opened new routes to Sydney from Los Angeles and San Francisco. In addition, Jetstar can make domestic travel within Australia very cheap, allowing for trips to Melbourne, the Gold Coast or Brisbane.
Sydney is also known for its spectacular New Year fireworks display at its famed Opera House, as well as Australia Day at the end of January.
3. Quebec, Canada
Although Quebec gets very cold in the winter, it features the best Carnaval celebration in the world. Roundtrip airfare costs just $300 from New York City and $400 from Los Angeles during the winter months. In addition, charming bed and breakfast hotels run from only $55 per night.
This is the best place to play in the snow during winter, as Quebec holds the Winter Carnival that runs from January to February, featuring fun family activities such as snow bath, night parades, snow slides, ice sculptures, sleigh rides and skating. The best part about all this is that admission to this event is completely free of charge.
4. Nairobi, Kenya
Winter is a popular time to go to Kenya, however, great travel and safari deals can be taken advantage of for this season, amidst fairly warm, dry temperatures. Roundtrip flights to Nairobi from New York start at $784 and $853 for Los Angeles. In addition, an 8-day trip through Masai Mara Kenya Wildlife Safari Tour can go as low as $1,095.
January and February spells the dry season for Kenya's safari, meaning most animals will be congregating around watering holes, making it easy for travelers to spot rare animals. It's also calvin season, which means places in Masai Mara, Lake Nakura and Amboseli will have a lot of newborn animals.
5. Venice, Italy
Although winter is cold in Venice, this also means less crowds to fight with for some of the best museums, galleries and canal boat rides in this beautiful city. According to The Huffington Post, some roundtrip flights from New York to Venice can go as low as $700, while budget carrier Ryanair can bring travelers to other European destinations like London for under $50 roundtrip.
Carnevale di Venezia starts January 23 and ends February 9, and is one of the busiest weeks for Venice, and features beautiful snowfall amidst the festivities.
