Travelling during the winter can be a challenge, and not just because of the weather. With the holidays in full swing, many people want to spend time away from home, see new places, relax and unwind. There are many places where you can go, depending on how you expect to spend your time, and what kind of holiday you’d like to have. Here are some of the spots that should be on your list.
Vienna
Walking around Vienna after dark during the winter is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Everything is covered in Christmas lights and the festive atmosphere is genuinely unlike anything you’ll ever experience. From December to February, the weather tends to be quite chilly, so if you really hate the cold, it might not be the best destination for you. If that’s not a problem, you can start packing your bags. Look into the options you have with eSIM for Europe to get unlimited data for your trip, as well as calls that will keep you connected to your family and friends back home.
Moreover, there are twelve main Christmas markets in Vienna, the perfect thing for those who love shopping. Since most of them are situated in the Old Town, particularly around the Wiener Ringstraße, all of them are easily walkable, and you can move from one to the next. Christkindlmarkt is the most visited, located right in front of the Wiener Rathaus, the city hall. Giant Christmas trees are typically located at the centre, and all around, there are stalls filled with decorations, gifts, confectionery and other local treats, warm drinks and artisan pieces.
If you have the time, you should explore more of the Innere Stadt since there are so many landmarks to see, including:
- Albertina: One of the most-visited museums in the world, hosting one of the most extensive print rooms in the world with 1 million old master prints and over 60,000 drawings
- Vienna State Opera: Home to the Vienna State Ballet, members of the Vienna Philharmonic are also recruited from the opera’s orchestra. The Vienna Opera Ball also takes place at the opera.
- Kärntner Straße: An excellent place for upscale stores, as well as the Palais Todesco, Maltese Church and Hotel Sacher, the origin of the Sachertorte
- Museum of Art History: The interiors are decorated with gold leaf, murals and stucco ornaments, and there’s a grand stairway that features works by Klimt, Makart and Matsch.
New Zealand
Because of its geographic position, New Zealand is experiencing summer weather during the months many call wintertime. The country has some of the most incredible natural landscapes in the world, so if you love the great outdoors and want to experience a stunning, pristine wilderness environment, you must visit New Zealand. To enjoy seamless connectivity regardless of where you are, remember to check Holafly before you leave to get the best deals available for you.
The country also has a rich and old history, represented by the indigenous Maori people. One of the best ways to experience the culture is to enjoy a Hāngī dinner, a meal cooked using a traditional method that employs heated rocks in a pit over. You can even stay overnight at a marae, a communal space that serves both social and spiritual purposes. Many provide performing arts experiences, and you can learn more about the traditional legends and stories.
You can also visit the Te Papa, which is Maori for “treasure box.” This museum includes an extensive textile collection, fossils, a herbarium, as well as several tens of thousands of species of mammals, birds and reptiles that are endemic to New Zealand.
Sri Lanka
Located in South Asia, separated by the Indian peninsula by the Gulf of Mannar and sharing a maritime border with the Maldives, Sri Lanka is an eclectic country that is home to numerous ethnicities, cultures and languages. You can see the elephants in one of the several sanctuaries in the country, such as Udawalawe National Park, one of the most important natural habitats for these animals in the entire Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is well-known for its tea production, accounting for roughly 2% of the GDP. You can also buy tea from smallholders to support the local people’s work and effort. And if you love history and discovering places from bygone eras, you’ll be happy to hear that Sri Lanka is home to a plethora of ancient ruins. The Sigiriya rock fortress has been both a capital and palace for King Kashyapa I, who ruled between 477 and 495, as well as a Buddhist monastery and a place of meditations for ascetics and monks since the 3rd century BC.
The ancient city of Polonnaruwa and the sacred Anuradhapura are just two of the other destinations that should be on your itinerary. Head to Weligama to relax in one of the many boutique hotels and relax by the beach. You can also gaze upon a 3-metre-tall bas-relief of Avalokiteśvara. The area is also famous for fishing and lace-making.
Estonia
Another beautiful destination for those who don’t mind the cold, Estonia sees snowfall between November and March, and the average temperature can go as low as -5°C, so make sure to bundle up well. Tallinn, the capital and most populous city, becomes a legitimate winter wonderland due to its impressive architecture, the crisp sunsets and sunrises, and, of course, the festive Christmas atmosphere.
The city’s Christmas market has been held every year since 2001 and is one of the main tourist attractions in the country. You can buy handcrafted items, as well as numerous souvenirs. The mediaeval Old Town is exceptionally intact, showing an obvious picture of what the city looked like back in the 13th century. It is bordered by the Walls of Tallinn, constructed in 1265 following orders from Queen Margaret Sambiria.
There are many beautiful spots to visit during the winter. The most important thing is to determine whether you want to experience a chilly, snow-filled Christmas or one where you can lounge in the sun.
