No matter what part of the world it is, the winter season is one of the most anticipated times for travelling and having a great time. You’d better start planning now, whether you’re travelling solo or with your family, as it might already be too late to avoid the price hikes. Winter travel is completely different from summer travel because of lower temperatures and changing weather.
In this article, I will help you plan your ultimate winter trip so that you get the most out of it. Feel free to skip to the conclusion if you don’t feel like reading the article.
Most Important: Budget Planning
I have seen so many people who consider budget planning beneath them, only to see them regret it as they spend more money than needed. Planning a budget is not just useful for getting the most value for money, but also for organizing your finances. Don’t be one of those who don’t know where the money went until they come back from the trip.
My suggestions while planning a budget:
- Do NOT take a loan for travelling.
- Don’t cheap out on accommodation. There is no problem with going for luxury accommodation if you can afford it.
- Keep the seasonal price hikes in mind when planning your budget.
Key Takeaways:
- Having a budget is essential whether you’ve got a lot of money or are short of money.
- You will have to expect higher transportation prices during the winter season if you book them late.
- Find all the best destinations to visit in the city, then narrow it down to a few places if you’re low on budget.
I’d recommend doing heavy research for the places you’re planning to visit. You’d risk wasting time by finding places to visit after you reach there, especially if your winter trip is 3 to 4 days.
Hotel Reservations
As I said in the previous section, accommodation and food are the two things that you shouldn’t hesitate to spend money on. The location of the hotel you book could set the tone for your entire trip. Therefore, it is better to go for hotels that are near the sights or airport, as it saves you a lot of travel time and money.
My Favourite Hotel Recommendation & Things to Look for When Booking Hotels
One of my go-to hotel brands is Radisson Hotels, whether I am travelling abroad or domestically. I know many people only think of luxury hotels when they see the Radisson brand name. The Park Inn by Radisson and Prize by Radisson are their hotel brands that focus purely on budget-friendly accommodation.
They have a variety of hotels for all budgets, from luxury to budget options across France, India, Spain, Italy, and other major tourist destinations. Therefore, you can plan your trip without worrying about hotel availability.
Hotel Brands Offered by Radisson Hotels: You can trust these hotel brands if you see them online, as they are associated with the Radisson brand.
- Radisson Collection
- Radisson BLU
- Radisson
- Red Radisson
- Radisson Individuals
- art’otel
- Park Plaza
- Park Inn by Radisson
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
- Prize by Radisson
Main Highlights:
- Try booking a hotel near the airport. You can use the saved time to explore new destinations in the city.
- Don’t forget to apply coupons at checkout to get affordable prices on hotel bookings.
- You can find many Radisson hotels near the airport(depending on the city), making the commute easy. Hence, there would be no reason for unnecessary travel costs.
Booking Attractions & Fun Activities
Now, let’s come to the fun part, which is what the winter vacation is about. Some of the best countries to visit in winter are Japan, Finland, Norway, and the UAE. Visiting countries such as Finland, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland is a no-brainer, but people often miss the chance to visit countries with an arid climate such as the UAE during winter. If you’ve ever been wanting to visit hot countries, then winter is the right time to do so.
Main Takeaways:
- Try booking fun activities after you arrive. It is best to ask locals to find underrated places.
- Visiting Hokkaido in winter is recommended if you’re planning to visit Japan.
- Winter season is the right time to visit nations like the UAE(United Arab Emirates) because the summer heat is usually unbearable at other times of the year.
People With Food Allergies: Be Careful
People with food allergies need to be really careful when they’re trying out street food or local cuisine. This is because local food stalls may not disclose all the ingredients used in the food and may not maintain standards for cooking without the ingredients you’re allergic to.
For vegans & vegetarians: Most popular tourist nations these days feature a variety of options for vegetarians and vegans, especially in tourist hotspots such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Paris.
But you need to know one thing before visiting countries known for non-vegetarian food. Just because you get veg options in the tourist areas doesn’t mean that is the case with the entire country. For example: A vegetarian will easily find great veg & vegan restaurants in Tokyo, Kyoto, and the Osaka area of Japan. This is completely opposite when you visit the countryside of Japan, where even soups are made using fish broths.
Key Highlights:
- Try going on a group street food tour (if available) as it might help you socialize and make some new friends.
- Vegans and vegetarians should check the country’s cuisine before visiting. You might find it hard to find edible options in some countries.
- Finding vegan food options is harder than finding vegetarian options.
- Some countries have special cuisine that is eaten during the winter season.
Final Thoughts
Visiting countries with hot climates is great during the winter season because the temperature becomes more bearable. One of the best example of this are cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. When planning your winter vacation, it is not about planning what to do, but making sure you don’t face unnecessary roadblocks upon arrival that waste your time.
I would highly recommend that you stay till New Year’s Eve to finish the year on the best note.