Best Winter Holiday Destinations To Kickstart The New Year 2025
Featuring Destinations From All Over The World!
As the year winds down, there’s no better time to plan a rejuvenating winter escape to kickstart the new year. Whether you’re dreaming of snow-capped mountains, festive Christmas markets or tranquil tropical escapes, the winter season offers something for every type of traveler. We’ve put together a diverse range of travel destinations from all over the world where the family can enjoy a well-deserved getaway.
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BERN, SWITZERLAND *Best Winter Holiday Destinations To Kickstart The New Year
A Picturesque Winter WonderlandSwitzerland is one of the most enchanting travel destinations, especially so during the winter season. In Bern, you'll be experiencing a mix of history, culture and snowy landscapes, exploring Christmas markets while appreciating the old-school town with its cobblestone streets and medieval architecture. For outdoor enthusiasts, the nearby Swiss Alps is ideal for a skiing or snowboarding experience. Whether you're seeking cultural immersion or thrilling winter sports, Bern is a wonderful travel destination that combines the best of both worlds.
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LAPLAND, FINLAND *Best Winter Holiday Destinations To Kickstart The New Year
Natural Beauty And Unique ExperiencesA winter holiday in Lapland is like stepping into a magical winter wonderland, the travel destination renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. Here, you can chase after Northern lights (one of the most sought-after activities) while staying in glass igloos or aurora cabins. Lapland is also home to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, a must-visit attraction where kids can meet Santa himself while enjoying some Christmas cheer together with the family. For nature lovers, snowmobiling across frozen lakes and exploring serene, snow-blanketed forests are great activities to add to the itinerary.
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HARBIN, CHINA *Best Winter Holiday Destinations To Kickstart The New Year
A City That Goes All Out During The Winter SeasonHarbin, China is a spectacular choice for a winter holiday. Known as the "Ice City", it's most famous for its annual ice and snow sculpture festival, transforming the city into a dazzling spectacle of illuminated ice castles and larger-than-life snow sculptures. It'll be a magical sight for the kiddos to marvel at, and the city's wintery atmosphere also adds an enchanting authenticity to these lovely attractions. Other activities the family can enjoy include ice skating, ice swimming (if you dare!), and warming up with hotpot after a full day of exploring this icy wonderland.
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NEW YORK CITY, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA *Best Winter Holiday Destinations To Kickstart The New Year
Catch The City's Annual Ball Drop During NYE!A winter holiday in New York City can be very exciting, with the city usually all dressed up in festive lights and Christmas decorations. You can start the trip with a visit to Rockefeller Centre, where the family can admire their massive Christmas tree while ice skating under sparkling lights. Fifth Avenue also has extravagant holiday window displays during the season, and Times Square hosts the city's iconic ball drop every New Year's Eve. To stay warm and toasty, indulge in some hot cocoa and yummy bagels as you soak in the festive atmosphere.
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SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND *Best Winter Holiday Destinations To Kickstart The New Year
Amazing Landscapes And Cooling WeatherFor families who aren't quite fond of icy cold weathers, South Island is perfect during the months of December and January. It's a nice summer escape with vibrant landscapes, but the temperatures are still cooling enough to be enjoyable. The end of the year is ideal for exploring the island's beaches and vineyards, and activities like hiking, jet boating and lake cruises are also pretty popular. Although snow is rare during this season, it still does persist year-round on glaciers like Franz Josef and Fox Glacier.
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM *Best Winter Holiday Destinations To Kickstart The New Year
Christmas Markets, Ice Skating, And More!During the winter season, London comes alive with Christmas lights, holiday markets and seasonal events. A walk down Oxford Street and Regent Street allows you the chance to admire elaborate light displays, while Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park provides family-friendly entertainment in the form of carnival rides and ice skating. Their festive attractions are also usually open the whole 12 days of Christmas, so you can easily visit them even after ringing in the New Year. You can also book yourself a traditional afternoon tea experience to wind down and warm up after a cold day out and about.
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SAPA, VIETNAM *Best Winter Holiday Destinations To Kickstart The New Year
For Families Who Enjoy HikingA winter holiday in Sapa is ideal for families who want a nearby getaway that isn't freezing cold. Located in the northern highlands of Vietnam, it's known for its beautiful terraced rice fields and amazing landscapes. Temperatures do dip during the winter season with occasional frost, adding a magical touch to the gorgeous scenery. Visitors can explore activities like hiking through scenic trails that lead to Cat Cat Village or Muong Hot Valley, where you can experience the rich traditions of ethnic communities such as the Hmong and Dao people. If you're lucky enough, you might even be able to witness Sapa's rare snowfalls.
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QUEBEC, CANADA *Best Winter Holiday Destinations To Kickstart The New Year
For Travelers Who Love Sub Zero TemperaturesQuebec is a wondrous holiday destination if you want to enjoy a frosty winter and sub zero temperatures. For starters, the family can visit their German-inspired Christmas Market where you'll find Christmas ornaments and handmade crafts for sale. Beyond the city, families can also partake in an abundant array of exciting activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, ice canoeing and even ice fishing. A trip to Quebec allows both kids and adults to immerse themselves in a gorgeous winter wonderland where none of you will be bored.
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ALASKA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA *Best Winter Holiday Destinations To Kickstart The New Year
For Chasers Of The Northern LightsA winter holiday in Alaska is definitely a one-of-a-kind-adventure. There is such a wide variety of activities to explore that you'll never run out of things to do, with aurora chasing in Fairbanks taking the top spot on that list. Tourists can also visit the Denali National Park, where you'll be instantly greeted by a snowy wilderness. The charming town of Talkeetna, known as a base for Mount Denali expeditions, is a popular location for winter sport and also a cozy haven with quaint shops and cafes.
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BERGEN, NORWAY *Best Winter Holiday Destinations To Kickstart The New Year
Visit The Famous FjordsBergen is one of the top holiday destinations during the winter season, and it offers a charming blend of Nordic beauty as well as festive magic. Seeing the famous fjords is a must while you're there, and the easiest way to do so is by embarking on a scenic cruise, where you'll be greeted by panoramic views of the snow-dusted landscapes in winter. Back in the city, Bergen's Christmas market in Festplassen serves up traditional food and artisan crafts, plus an enchanting Ferris wheel which offers gorgeous views of the cityscape.
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