The benefits of skipping summer for winter holidays

The general trend for holidaying is to head to the sort of destination where you lie on a beach somewhere sunny, sipping mojitos. But how about reconsidering what you’ve always done, and conjuring up a magical winter getaway?

There are some amazing reasons to skip summer destinations and head for where the temperatures are falling instead.

Destinations in winter often have reduced rates

Our favourite reason for taking winter holidays is that you can save a bundle if choosing to vacation in the right spot. If a destination is well known for its beautiful, bustling summers, but can get colder in the wintertime, then chances are that you’ll find flights, accommodation, and tourist packages to that spot for reduced rates over winter.

Off peak, savings can mean you’re able to stretch your dollar further, perhaps even spending longer away.

Travelling at off peak times will also allow you to see the destination from a local’s perspective rather than a tourist. During the busy tourism seasons, locals either hide away or are busy working in tourism. During the quieter off peak periods, locals will often stop and speak to you and people working in tourism will have more time to speak to you and share what makes the destination special for them.

Some destinations are at their peak in natural wonder outside of the crazy tourist period for example Arrowtown just outside of Queenstown is a sight to be seen in Autumn.

The perfect opportunity for some peaceful downtime

If your life is a bit hectic, then the type of holidays for you are the ones that capitalise on peaceful downtime. Often beach break summer holidays, while appearing peaceful in pictures, aren’t all that they’re cracked up to be – jostling for beach lounger space and battling hoards on the beach-walk. Winter holidays, on the other hand, encourage you to stay indoors, curled up by the fireside with a winter warmer and a good book.

Escape from everyday life with a cosy winter getaway to Scandinavian countries like Oslo or Copenhagen, or in our own backyard, like the Bay of Plenty or Wellington.

How about a white Christmas?

In the Southern hemisphere, it’s not often that we’re treated to a white Christmas, with all the trimmings. We think, deep down in everyone, there’s that feeling that we’d like to experience Christmas the way that we have always seen in the movies.

Does snow falling, carolers, traditional roasts, big church services, ice skating, parades and Christmas decorations as far as the eye can see sound like an exciting adventure? Then you should look into winter celebrations in the US in places like Philadelphia and New England.

It’s always winter somewhere! Make your next holiday a winter break and take advantage of all the benefits that choosing a winter holiday can bring. Either browse around online for some good deals or stop by your local travel agent to start planning a wintertime holiday that ticks all the boxes. You could just find your dream destination to escape to every year…