7 Stunning Destinations for a Winter Holiday

Vilnius, Lithuania

The heart of Lithuania’s capital city, Vilnius, is beautiful at any time of year with its medieval layout, baroque cityscape and cobbled streets. However, it’s at its most charming during winter, when castles and rooftops are dusted with a layer of snow and the city’s historic centre, also known as the Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – transforms into an enchanting winter wonderland. Enjoy seasonal highlights such as performances of The Nutcracker at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Winter Safari on Snowmobile, which takes you through nearby national park forest trails and across stunning frozen lakes.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Fancy getting away from the cold? Temperatures in the capital of Puerto Rico during the winter months resemble a warm spring day in Malta, so you can enjoy the warmth without excessive heat. The city is known for its old colonial streets, buts it’s transformed itself into a major metropolis with its vibrant lifestyle, varied nightclubs, international restaurants and world-famous museums. It’s ideal for any kind of holiday really – from surfing the waves on a family trip to a week of non-stop partying.

Dublin, Ireland

Image: www.culch.ie

Ring in the New Year in Dublin at the New Year’s Festival (NYF), a popular and much-loved event within the Irish capital. Take in dazzling streetscapes lit up with 3D projections and attend the outdoor New Year’s Eve countdown concert at this family-friendly annual event. If you happen to be there on January 1^st, you may also participate in Resolution Day events, such as the NYF Dublin 5K Fun Run and various other fitness workshops.

Le Trois Valleés, France

Image: Koh-l Nor Hotel

If you’re after a skiing trip at one of the most picturesque destinations in the world, look no further than Le Trois Valleés (the Three Valleys) in the French Alps. Val Thorens, located within this region, is Europe’s highest resort at 7,546 feet, and is renowned both for its slope as well as for its post-skiing scene. Expect lots of Michelin-starred restaurants, cosy cabins and picture-perfect winter settings.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA

Some places are best visited off season, and this is one such place. The rock formations of the Bryce Canyon attract more than one million visitors each year, but hardly during winter, when the iconic red rock spires are topped with snow in the most striking of scenes. The air is crisp but dry even during winter thanks to its desert location, and travellers can enjoy anything from spectacular star gazing to full moon hikes and winter astronomy sessions.

Chiloé Island, Chile

Image: www.yvephoto.com

The Southern Hemisphere enjoys its summer between December and March, making this destination a perfect one for escaping the cold. Witness the Pacific’s only known mixed penguin colony of Magellanic and Humboldt penguins to southern Chile, located on the Puñihuil Islets, a protected national monument off the northern coast of Chiloé. A boat ride around the islets will offer incredible sightings of other animals too, including sea otters, pelicans and various other sea birds.

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Image: Getty Images on www.lonelyplanet.com

Rolling hills and thousands of acres of vineyards are the order of the day at Okanagan Valley, which lies between two mountain ranges and stretches roughly 125 miles north from the US-Canada border. The area’s gorgeous scenery draws lots of travellers during summer, but its increasingly sophisticated food and wine scenes are making it an all-year round destination. From top of the range accommodation to wine-focused restaurants and plenty of wineries to visit, Columbia should certainly make it to your top 10 list.