Say ‘holiday’ and the first thing that comes to mind are beaches, palm trees, and pina coladas.
I’ll be honest – I fell in love with colder destinations only after we started travelling extensively and I discovered heavy duty down jackets and insulated thermals. I urge you to invest in good outerwear if you’re contemplating a cold weather holiday! It’s only when you’re super warm even at sub-zero temperatures that you can truly enjoy these destinations 🙂
Once you’re snug, cold destinations have so much to offer – frozen lakes, snow clad landscapes, igloos, snowmen, reindeer sleighs, and THE Northern Lights 🙂 Here are 5 of our favourite cold weather experiences:
1) Northern Lights and Reindeer in Lapland, Finland
Our love for Lapland is no secret. So many of you have visited the Arctic Circle since we first wrote about it and loved it as much as we did. Finnish Lapland is a magical place that’s perfect for couples and families. Kids love visiting Santa’s hometown, going on a reindeer sleigh ride, and meeting the ‘real’ Santa Claus at his headquarters in Rovaniemi.
But that’s not all – you can also rent a cabin or heated igloo and marvel at the incredible Northern Lights dancing overhead. The lack of light pollution make Lapland one of the best places for spotting Aurora Borealis -it’s an experience you won’t forget for a long long time!
Suggested length of stay: 2 nights in an igloo, 2-3 nights in a log cabin near Ivalo
Best time to visit: December – February
Packing: Read The Ultimate Guide to Packing For Finnish Lapland
Further Reading: All our articles on Finnish Lapland
2) Staying in an igloo village in Zermatt, Switzerland
If a heated igloo isn’t for you and you want the real deal, then consider a cold weather holiday in Switzerland. We stayed in an igloo at Iglu Dorf – an igloo village that is build from scratch every winter. It’s so much fun to sleep on beds of ice, go for a midnight adventure in the snow, enjoy quiet surroundings and star-spangled skies while sipping on warm mulled wine in a bar carved entirely out of ice. Nom 🙂
Suggested length of stay: 1 day at igloo, 4 days in surrounding Swiss villages
Best time to go: November – March
Packing for Switzerland: Read our article on packing for winter sports
Further Reading: Read all our articles on Switzerland
3) Camping in Ladakh, India
If you love remote places and barren panoramas then there’s no better place than Ladakh. The northernmost region of India shares borders with Tibet. Expect stunning plateaux, azure skies, gorgeous night skies (The Milky Way frequently makes an appearance!), hidden lakes that will leave you speechless and scenic roads straight out of a National Geographic Documentary.
Glamping sites in Ladakh offer the rare opportunity to stay right next to some of the remote panoramas of the world in complete luxury-think four-poster beds, hot showers, and 24 hour butler service. If you enjoy basic camping, there are lots of budget-friendly camps in the area. It’s also possible to pitch your own tents in a number of places around Ladakh.
Suggested length of stay: 1 -2 weeks
Best time to go: June- September
Packing for Ladakh: Read our article on packing for Ladakh
Further Reading: Read our 5 part guide to planning a road trip to Ladakh
4) Christmas Markets in UK and Europe
Every single day we get loads of emails asking us about the best time to visit tourist hotspots like London, Paris, Vienna, Prague, or Munich. Summer month seem to be the favourite – but Christmas time is one of our favourite times to visit busy European cities. At this time, summer hordes have dissipated and there is magic in the air.
During the month of December, the cities come to life- little markets and stalls lit with fairy lights dominate the landscape and the smell of mulled wine lends a celebratory feel. Make yourself a Gourmesso coffee or grab a glass of warm mulled wine before you plunge headlong into the madness. The weather can be unpredictable and you can expect the occasional rain shower but who cares? Christmas is in the air and you’re in Europe – it doesn’t get more romantic than that does it?
Suggested length of stay: 4 days in 1 city of your choice
Best time to go: December
Packing for Europe’s winters: Read our article on packing for the European Winter
Further Reading: Read all our experiences from Europe
5) Cruising in Alaska, USA
Alaska – the remote region, jam-packed with glaciers, fjords, and lagoons laden with icebergs is well and truly special. Most remote panoramas in Alaska are accessible only by boat or plane, so a cruise is one of the best ways to explore the area. Watch entire schools of whales at close quarters in Juneau, stare at dozens of glaciers at the astounding Glacier Bay, or go hiking on a glacier in Skagway. Alaska is truly an experience of a lifetime!
Suggested length of stay: 1 week
Best time to go: May – October
Packing for an Alaskan Cruise: Carry a mix of black-tie outfits for gala nights, smart casuals for days on the cruise ship, and thermals and down jackets for excursions in Alaska
Those are some of our favourite winter holidays. What about yours? Do you enjoy winter holidays or beaches and sunshine?
Great compilation of cold weather destinations. Have been dying to visit Alaska since months!
You’ll absolutely love Alaska Anu 🙂 Hope you make it there soon
What a fab blog post. Sylvia and I would love to go to the northern lights one day. Fab post.
Thanks a ton Angela – the Northern Lights are quite something. I was well and truly overwhelmed when I saw them for the first time 🙂
What amazing holidays, really loving the igloo village as well as the Northern lights:-)
Thanks Camilla – we had so much fun at the igloo village in Switzerland 🙂
I definitely see the appeal in winter holidays – they seem somewhat more magical. However, when it comes down to it, I’m definitely more of a summer girl!
I hear you Lauretta – beaches and pina coladas can be VERY seductive 😉
I have always wanted to see the Northern Lights, I have yet to take my son anywhere abroad and Lapland is out on to do list! The igloos look amazing and just so alien to us here in the UK, we complain about the ‘cold’ but seriously!! If we really did get cold winters how different life would be, well the entire country would close down 😉
Love the photos – really encapsulating!
Hehe that’s so true – Scandinavian countries work like clockwork even with 20″ of snow 🙂 You should definitely take your son to Lapland – he’ll love it SO much.
Some amazing places and it’s very different to try a location thst is colder if you’re very prepared x
Absolutely – thermals, down jackets, and snow boots all the way 🙂
Oh yes please! Sign me up for any of these! I’m definitely a cold weather holiday kinda gal. 🙂
Aah – so glad there’s someone else who loves winter as much as I do 🙂
Seriously amazing post , I don’t think anybody would consider having a winter vacation 😛 until they read this post .
Now I’m tempted .. For somewhere with Snow 🙂
Thanks Sonal – glad you enjoyed reading it. Winter vacations are the best 😀
So many to choose from! The Nothern Lights and Lapland to take the little one to see Father Christmas are high on my list.
Jemma your li’l one would absolutely LOVE Lapland. It’s truly a special place 🙂
I reckon Lapland at Christmas must be so magical! I love the Christmas markets too. Birmingham isn’t too far from us sbc it’s great x
Oooh never been to Christmas Markets in Birmingham – must sample them 🙂 Lapland would be magical but REALLY crowded at Christmas 😉
I’d love to go to Lapland and see the Northern Lights. I’d also like to sleep in an igloo, that looks like so much fun. The Christmas Markets have always been on my to do list. Yes, I do need to get some new outer clothing and have a Winter holiday.
Vicky you definitely need to see the Northern Lights in Lapland – you’ll love the experience so much 🙂
Oh wow how amazing are those photos. All those placces look so amazing and beautiful!
Thanks a million 🙂
I have been reading your blog since last 15 days. I am amazed at all your wonderful places & pictures. You are the most beautiful traveller couple who are fortunate to spend time for travelling. You are inspired me take grand tour too.
I would like to hear some obstacle incidents from you which you faced and let us know how you overcome from it.
Stay blessed 🙂
Thanks Anant – so happy to hear you enjoy reading Bruised Passports. That’s a great idea – will definitely pen an article on the obstacles we’ve faced while travelling the world 🙂
Ah man! I would just love to do all of these! Especially staying in an igloo x
You’ll love the igloo stay so much Sam – it was an incredible experience 🙂
Even though I love a good summer holiday on the beach I actually prefer winter holidays. I am loving your suggestions, I have Switzerland and Finland on my list.
Thanks Anosa – I do have a soft spot for beach vacations but every once in a while I crave a winter holiday 🙂
Going to Finland, that my ultimate dream. xx
It’s a good ‘un to have Anna – you’ll love it so 🙂
I really want to go to a Christmas market they look fantastic 😉
Thanks Melanie- love the Christmas Markets of Prague and Paris 🙂
Oh my gosh these sound like incredible experiences. I didn’t know there were lovely places for glamping in Ladakh, India!
Thanks Liz – Ladakh has some uber-luxe glamping options. We left feeling extremely pampered 🙂
I love cold weather holidays, much more comfortable for me. I really want to stay in an igloo and attempt to see the northern lights x
Rhian if you enjoy cold weather holidays, you’ll LOVE the igloo experience 🙂
I really want to go on an Alaskan cruise. We went to Iceland in January and it was incredible.
Aah I love Iceland – it’s one of my favourite countries in the whole entire world 🙂
I’ve always fancied going somewhere wintery, the northern lights look amazing x
Thanks Hannah – the Northern Lights make for such an incredible travel experience 🙂
I would never have thought of India for a cold weather holiday! I’ve always wanted to go to Norway, but Finland looks beautiful too!
Hey Becca – Ladakh doesn’t feature on most itineraries on India but it’s a stunning corner of the world 🙂
I love Christmas markets and can’t wait to visit some this year! Lapland/Finland is also on my bucket list!
Aah hope you make it there soon Rebecca 🙂 I love visiting Christmas Markets too
Seeing the Northern Lights and visiting Iceland are the two things I really really want to do x
Rachel both those things are completely bucket-list worthy for sure 🙂
I love your post! I enjoy winter destinations more then summer ones. Actually I’m already planning a trip to Finland to enjoy a nights stay at the glass igloo- that will be so cool.
Thanks again for the awesome post!
Xoxo Mayuri
Thanks Mayuri – send us photos from the glass igloo in Finland. We’d love to share them with our readers 🙂
This is a great post – I’m looking for holiday inspiration for a mini break in November.
Thanks Jessica – hope this provided some inspiration for your winter break 🙂
I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Lapland!! x
You should definitely visit Hannah – you’ll love it so 🙂
Wow! This is beautiful! I love al the snow and the pretty pictures! I am glad you both had an incredible time!
xoxo, Candice
http://www.candicenikeia.com
Thanks a ton Candice 🙂 I do love all that snow, hard to beat it
Chritsmas Markets are a must! We went to Edinburgh last year and had a great time! In the UK though you’ll need to save up! I love my warm holidays but that’s all I’ve ever really been on so I’d love to go somewhere where there’s snow!
Absolutely Kira – Scotland’s Christmas Markets are magic 🙂
I’m not a big fan of the cold weather, but these places look really worth the visit. I’m sure they offer a one of a kind experience!
They truly do Lubka – you should give them a go 🙂
These sound amazing adventures! I must try one!
You must, you must 🙂
I have never had a winter holiday before and these sound amazing! I am going to Prague in December for the Christmas Markets and am so excited. I will visit Lapland one day x
You’ll love Prague in December – it’s magical. Hope you make it to Lapland soon 🙂
I would never have put India down as a cold weather deatination. How cool!
Thanks Jemma – I know right? This part of India doesn’t often feature on itineraries on India that focus on the Golden Triangle but it’s really special 🙂
Hi it’s always great to read ur posts and get some really good ideas and suggestions , ur post on Iceland was really helpful to
Me on my last trip, it’s so great to see that there are some really great places around the world to see and we are here wasting our time , u Guyz are an inspiration to travel and make stories and memories.
But I need ur suggestion, want to do a 10 day trip in Nov and we are looking at some place picturesque and beautiful, scenic and of course traveling from india we Dnt want to waste much time traveling to that destination. Please advice. Thank you and god bless..
Hey Sakshi – we’d suggest Finland. There are easy connections to Helsinki and some of the most scenic cold-weather destinations are right there in Finland 🙂 You could also consider Switzerland – once again there are easy flights to both Geneva and Zurich. For a warmer holiday, consider the Canary Islands
Thank you so much.. You suggest we drive around and see the Country for 10 days, or do we couple it with another country?
Isn’t Switzerland a very commercial destination, we are looking at untouched and not v crowded places of course.. Please advice
Hey Sakshi – you can easily couple it with another coutry (France/Italy are perfect for this). There are few untouched places in Europe as most of it is extremely developed. But that doesn’t translate into huge crowds. In fact, a lot of Swiss villages around Geneva aren’t crowded at all.
Savi and Vid,thank you for creating such lovely page and sharing your travel adventures with us.
Went through your blog and found that even Europe can sound exciting in Winters. I am planning a trip to Europe at the end of february next year. Could you please suggest some nice places to visit, not crazily cold. . Based on your experience.
Thanks and lots of love.
Keep travelling and keep inspiring us.
Nipunika
Hey Nipunika – You could visit Finnish Lapland in February. It’s perfect that time of year 🙂
Love your blog, your insta posts and stories. Keep traveling, writing and posting.
Thanks Salil 🙂
Hi . I have been following your trips on Instagram and must say you two have great pics and you both look great together , I am planning a trip in January for Switzerland 6 nights and Finland 6 nights , it would be really great if you can guide me through some itinary . I am traveling with my husband just the 2 of us and we like adventure as well . Thank you so much
Hi Rimmy,
thanks a lot 🙂 We have written about our experiences in Switzerland and Finland on our blog – please have a look there. Hopefully you’ll get some ideas about planning your itinerary 🙂
Have a great trip.
Hi!! I enjoy following your instagram account, and I’m wondering why it has taken me so long to come visit your blog! You guys are inspiring in so many ways – power on!!
I’ve been staring at maps and hitting up every flight price website out there looking for a one week holiday with my husband from Dubai in the last week of November. We did Tanzania last year, and we don’t want to to go East, so I sort of zero-ed down to Andalusia and Southern Portugal before chancing on your blog and looking up all your Finland articles! Can’t make up my mind now!!
We’re both in our almost 30s n we love outdoorsy holidays.. do let me know if you have any ideas/ opinions 🙂
Hey Soumya – thanks for the kind words. Finland is great. You guys could consider New Zealand too – it’s ideal for an outdoorsy holiday 🙂
Hey Savi, Vid, first off, great great job on the blog content you guys!
I have been looking for winter vacations for long and would love to know your inputs for Alaskan experiences in the peak of winter – December to March. I understand you’ve suggested the Alaskan cruise from May to October, but can you also highlight the limitations of extreme months and alternative destinations for Dec-March.
Thanks, and lots of love!
Meghana
Hi Savi, Vid,
First off, great job on the refreshing blog content you guys!
I was looking for winter vacation options and I wanted to know your insights on visiting Alaska during the peak winter months – Dec to March. I understand you’ve suggested the Alaskan cruise from May to October but can you also highlight the limitations, if any, for Alaska in the peak months, and any alternative destinations to visit during December to March?
Lots of love,
Meghana
Sorry, i meant alternative destinations in North America
Hey the obvious limitation to visiting Alaska during peak months is that it can get a tad costly and crowded. If you’re looking for a winter holiday between Dec and March Finnish Lapland, Norway, and Iceland are great options – Northern Lights and glaciers by the dozen!
Ur really awesome ?? I love you u people to d moon and back … Ur northern lights Pictures were d one of my favourite ….
Seeing northern lights were my dream …suree one day I I’ll go ?… U be d inspiration of d young people ✌️ … Suree after my studies I I’ll travel alot ?️????????️?️??️
Hi Savi-Vid… I need your help… My husband is away for 5 months and have asked me to plan a vacation for both of us after he comes back to India.. somewhere in Jan or Feb. I would do the whole planning but could you suggest some places that I should consider.. I don’t want too cold places too as I will be uncomfortable… Also no beaches since we went to Thailand in march.. thank you so much… Keep loving, keep travelling..
Hey
You could look into Laos or even Bali if you don’t want to venture too far from India. Otherwise Australia and New Zealand are great options for Jan/Feb. All details for these places can be found on our webiste 🙂
We have planned to go to Kulu-Manali and Corona has spoiled our plans. Hope we won’t miss next year at least.
wow, how amazing are those photos. All those places look so amazing and beautiful! I am glad you both had an incredible time!
Yaar, to see Northern Lights is a dream for so many people including me.
Wow: awesome Blog. I really Just Love it And Thanks for sharing such a great blog with great information
This is amazing this can be very good winter is on way this blog helps me alot!!
really love to see the info dear. great going dear
We have planned to go to Kulu-Manali and Corona has spoiled our plans
I have planned to go to Manali with my family but this Corona pandemic ruined all my plans. Hope everything will me fine soon.
Corona has ruined all the plans in the past 18 months. Hope we will be on track in 2022..
Love teh page you have created. Now it’s my go-to page for reference on mage sizes. Thanks!
We have planned to go to Kulu-Manali and Corona has spoiled our plans
I am amazed at all your wonderful places & pictures. When it comes to the best places to visit in Ladakh, Pangong lake is the most popular tourist attraction. The beauty and allure of this lake has attracted people from all over the country. One of the interesting things about this lake is the fact that it keeps changing colors. Thanks for sharing.
The most recommended vacation spot. thanks for giving me the idea