7 Destinations You Should Not Visit This Winter According To Travel Experts

Winter trip—two phrases that conjure photographs of cozy escapes, festive markets, or a sun-drenched seashore to beat the chilly. But let’s be actual: the hole between the journey you see on Instagram and the truth on the bottom might be huge, particularly in winter.

As the skilled crew of editors and writers right here at Travel Off Path, we have seen all of it. We know the frustration of arriving in a “dream” vacation spot solely to seek out it chilly, grey, and fully shut down for the season. This is not about avoiding these fantastic locations eternally; it is about avoiding them once they would possibly disappoint.

So, drawing on our collective information and present journey traits, listed here are 7 locations we’re advising warning on for this winter. We’ve additionally included a sensible different for every, as a result of the purpose is to journey smarter, not tougher.

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1. The Greek Islands (Mykonos, Santorini)

The Problem: The “Ghost Town” Vibe

Ah, these iconic blue domes and whitewashed villages. The drawback is, the Greece you see in photos is a summer season phenomenon. In winter, common islands like Mykonos and Santorini are usually not simply quiet; they’re virtually ghost cities in comparison with peak season. The climate is commonly chilly, moist, and windy, and many of the charming inns, vibrant eating places, and even the inter-island ferries are shut down till spring. You’ll be met with a lonely, dreary actuality, not the sun-soaked paradise you have been dreaming of.

Instead, think about: The Canary Islands, Spain. For a European island escape that really delivers on winter solar, head right here. Destinations like Tenerife and Gran Canaria are absolutely operational year-round, providing heat climate, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and bustling cities.

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2. The Amalfi Coast, Italy

The Problem: The “Closed for Business” Vibe

The glamorous, cliffside cities of the Amalfi Coast are a summer season dream. In winter, nevertheless, that dream is on hiatus. The well-known seashore golf equipment in Positano are closed, the climate is continuously cool and wet, and that stylish, see-and-be-seen power is totally gone. While the views are nonetheless there, you may discover many of the retailers and eating places that give the coast its buzz are shuttered for the season, making for a surprisingly sleepy journey.

Instead, think about: Madeira, Portugal. Known because the “Island of Eternal Spring,” this Portuguese archipelago is a improbable winter vacation spot. The climate is constantly gentle, the dramatic landscapes are lush and inexperienced, and it is a world-class spot for mountain climbing and exploring.

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Marrakech, Morocco

The Problem: The “Exotic Deep Freeze” Trap

The photographs are intoxicating: sun-drenched courtyards in vibrant riads, bustling souks full of spices, and romantic dinners beneath the celebrities. Travelers e-book a visit anticipating an unique and, most significantly, heat escape from the North American winter.

The actuality? Marrakech might be surprisingly chilly. While daytime temperatures within the 60s might be nice, they plummet into the 40s at evening. The largest lure, which floods journey boards each winter, is that these stunning, open-air riads are constructed to remain cool and infrequently don’t have any central heating, resulting in uncomfortably chilly nights. Popular day journeys to the Atlas Mountains or the desert are additionally very chilly, not the nice and cozy Sahara escape many envision.

Instead, think about: Egypt (Luxor & Aswan). For vacationers looking for a genuinely heat, unique, and culturally wealthy winter escape, the Nile Valley is the right different. During our winter, the climate there may be idyllic—sunny, dry, and constantly within the 70s, delivering the really heat climate that Marrakech solely guarantees in photographs.

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4. Dublin, Ireland

The Problem: The “Perpetual Gloom”

While Dublin’s pubs are at all times cozy, the actual challenge for vacationers in winter is not simply the chilly and rain; it is the extraordinarily restricted daylight. In December, the solar can set earlier than 4 PM. This makes sightseeing tough and might be genuinely miserable for vacationers who got here to see the well-known inexperienced landscapes of Ireland, solely to spend most of their time at nighttime.

Instead, think about: Lisbon, Portugal. It’s one in all Western Europe’s sunniest and mildest winter capitals. It provides world-class historical past, unbelievable meals, and a vibrant ambiance with out the oppressive winter darkness.

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5. Paris, France (Specifically Around The Holidays)

The Problem: The “Poor Value Proposition”

Paris throughout Christmas and New Year’s is undeniably magical, nevertheless it comes at a price—a really excessive one. Flights and inns hit their absolute peak costs, and town turns into extremely crowded. You’ll spend an enormous chunk of your journey ready in lengthy queues within the chilly, damp climate. It’s a basic case of paying probably the most for the largest crowds.

Instead, think about: Prague, Czech Republic. It provides a Christmas market expertise that’s arguably much more magical, with fairytale structure and a comfy, festive ambiance, all for a fraction of the price of Paris.

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6. Iceland

The Problem: The “High-Stakes Gamble”

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Everyone goes to Iceland in winter for one purpose: the Northern Lights. But the truth for a lot of is a visit stricken by excessive climate, blizzards, frequent highway closures, and solely 4-5 hours of daylight. Seeing the lights is of venture, not a assure, making this a really costly journey with a excessive potential for disappointment if the climate does not cooperate.

Instead, think about: Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi). It provides a extra “guaranteed” winter wonderland expertise. You can go to Santa Claus Village, go on reindeer and husky safaris, and the infrastructure is constructed for the intense winter situations, making it a way more dependable and magical journey.

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7. Northern Italy’s Lake Region (Lake Como, Lake Garda)

The Problem: The “Hollywood vs. Reality” Trap

Americans see motion pictures of George Clooney on a ship on a glowing, sun-drenched Lake Como. The actuality of a winter journey may be very completely different. Most of the long-lasting lake cities change into extraordinarily quiet and are sometimes shrouded in chilly fog. Many of the grand villas, well-known gardens, and even the ferry companies function on severely restricted schedules or are closed fully till spring. It’s stunning, nevertheless it doesn’t ship the energetic, glamorous Italian lake getaway you have seen on display screen.

Instead, think about: Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada. It provides that very same gorgeous mixture of a deep blue lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, however it’s a vacation spot that’s constructed for winter. The ski resorts are world-class, the lakeside cities are bustling and comfortable, and it delivers a magical winter wonderland expertise that’s absolutely operational.

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Choosing the precise vacation spot for the season is the last word journey hack. Before you e-book your sensible different, run our important 1 Minute Trip Check to immediately confirm all present entry necessities and journey advisories to your trip!