There are several fun places to travel to in January. Thus, this article will discuss some of these places so that you can continue the fun of the holidays.
Usually, January is considered the most tedious and slowest month of the year.
That feeling is high from the holidays is over, and restrictive New Year’s resolution diets and exercises have started.
All these make January the ideal time to plan a getaway trip. Moreover, holiday locations are less congested in January because most people travel during the holidays.
There are several location options available in January, ranging from an outdoorsy environment to snow-powered mountains to an oceanfront view.
Thus, either you are pursuing sun or snow, these are the best places to travel to in January.
Due to the pandemic, take Covid-19 precautions seriously and strictly follow the guidelines of the government authorities and medical personnel to keep yourself and others safe.
Furthermore, after making the necessary precautions, including taking the Covid-19 test, here are some of the best places to travel to in January;
1. Washington, D.C., USA
Washington, D.C. is one of the best places to travel to in January. Even though there is no beach or ski resort, visiting Washington in January should be on your list. January is the inauguration month.
On January 20, America’s 46th president, Joe Biden, and his Vice president, Kamala Harris, would be sworn into office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, Washington.
Even though this year’s inauguration might be more muted than those of the past, there is always a celebratory feel all around the nation’s capital.
Notwithstanding, you can mark the occasion in your way, there are several places to visit. For example, you can see the new Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr.
Memorial Library, or the new National Native American Veterans Memorial. Also, you can stay at Rosewood’s new townhouses in Georgetown to give you the feeling of a true Georgetown denizen.
2. Park City, Utah, USA
Park City, Utah, is one of the best places to travel to in January.
Before the pandemic, Park City hosts the Sundance Film Festival, in which a lot of celebrities come to Park City to watch the work of hundreds of indie filmmakers at the Egyptian Theater for ten days.
However, Sundance is held online because of Covid-19.
Nonetheless, Park City is still one of the fun places to travel to in January. The city has some great snow in January and is one of Utah’s best places to ski.
For example, Park City Resort or Deer Valley Resort is one of the best places to ski.
3. Miami, Florida, USA
Miami is one of the best places to travel to in January. It has many suns and very little Florida’s oppressive humidity in January, thus, making it a fantastic place to visit.
Miami, Florida, is a wonderland for tourist-friendly boutiques, glittering beaches, Art Deco architecture, and luxurious hotels.
Moreover, you can spend an entire day looking at the street art murals at Wynwood Walls.
Some of the places you can visit in Miami are Everglades National Park, Coral Castle, a quirky sculpture made between 1923 and 1951, Artechouse,
The Bass, and Pharrell Williams’ new hotel, The Goodtime. Miami celebrates Art of Black Miami, which promotes Black diaspora’s visual art, in January. Hence, it is no wonder Miami is nicknamed “The Magic City.”
4. Cancun, Mexico
Cancun is also one of the best places to travel to in January. Moreover, you can extend your festive season for a few days in Cancun, as January 6 is the traditional gift-giving day in Cancun.
Cancun has near-perfect January weather, there is little rain or humidity, and the ocean water is more relaxed than in summer, making for a more refreshing dip.
To get a premium experience, stay at the brand new SLS Cancun. This hotel is the first Mexican property for the hotel chain.
Moreover, the hotel guarantees privacy as it is situated in a gated community with a private beachfront. Tom Weiskopf designed an 18-hole golf course and 175-boat slip marina.
5. Sonoma, California, USA
Sonoma is one of the best places to travel to in January. This is because Sonoma Valley Delicious is staged all month.
This is a celebration of food and drink in Sonoma. In addition, restaurants offer special menus during this period, wine tastings, and new signature dishes.
Moreover, to get the best experience, book one of the nine rooms at the newly refurbished Cottage Inn & Spa.
Also, there is a two-day celebration in Sonoma in January. This involves the local wine production; winemakers allow guests to taste their rare vintages and limited editions of wine from their vineyard.
6. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA
Jackson Hole is one of the best places to travel to in January. There is no winter playground for outdoor enthusiasts like Jackson Hole.
Jackson Hole’s ski run is legendary and very challenging. Its surrounding wilderness is home to elk, bald eagles, bears, bison, wolves, etc.
Also, Jackson Hole’s national parks have many activities to entertain you, such as snowmobiling, dog sledding, sleigh rides, fly fishing, and for highly adventurous people, there is heli-skiing and cross-country.
Furthermore, you can get the best experience if you stay in one of the rooms at Hotel Jackson. This hotel has views of Snow King and Jackson Valley mountains.
Also, the annual Pedigree Stage Stop Race occurs on January 29. This is a dog sledding competition where the winner gets $165,000 in prize money.
7. Tulum, Mexico
Tulum is another one of the best places to travel to in January in Mexico. It creates an atmosphere where you can relax and unwind after the stressful festive season. You can de-stress in one of the city’s wellnesses centers and plush spas.
You can also take part in an indigenous temazcal ceremony and do yoga at a beachside. After which, you can swim or soak yourself in one of the city’s cenotes, which is a sinkhole filled with water, or at one of the beautiful beaches.
Additionally, you can explore Tulum’s ancient Mayan ruins and the Punta Laguna Nature Reserves, which shows the diversity of wildlife in the Yucatan, such as pumas, jaguars, and howler monkeys.
8. Vail, Colorado, USA
Vail is one of the best places to travel to in January. Because It has more than 5,000 acres of ski-able terrain, making it one of America’s most popular ski destinations.
Vail has more snow in January, making it one of the best periods to visit Vail. It has seven back bowls that allow people of various ski levels and ages to find the perfect slope.
Afterward, you can warm up in the heated street of Vail’s villages which is lined with lovely boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries.
Vail is quite expensive to have a good time as hotel rates and lift tickets are expensive. However, you might see one or two celebrities as Vail is a celebrities’ favorite area of Colorado.
9. Nevis, Caribbeans
Nevis is another one of the best places to travel to in January. It has breathtakingly beautiful scenery and views. Nevis has some of the most serene beaches, rugged mountains, and the locals are friendly.
It has the typical Caribbean Island elements; it is has a laid-back charm, has an off-the-grid feel, has several beautiful landscapes and tropical beaches.
The culture of Nevis is centered around drinking, eating, talking, and pulsing soca beats. Additionally, to get these best experiences, try eating from Lime Beach Bar, Oasis in the Gardens Restaurant, or Wilma’s Diner.
Also, part-take in the funky monkey tours, Nevis Yacht Charters, and visit Cottle Church.
10. Dubai, UAE
Dubai is one of the best places to travel to in January. Even though the staggering heat of the desert might discourage travelers, Dubai cools down considerably in January.
However, it is still hot, considering that Dubai is a desert, but when compared to other months, January is one of the best times of the year to see one of the most impressive cities in the world.
Dubai has many attractions, ranging from traditional souks, sizzling beaches, swanky malls to great amusement parks.
Moreover, Dubai has the tallest building globally. The Burj Khalifa has one of the biggest shopping centers in the world, the Dubai Mall. It also has one of the most expansive artificial harbors, the Dubai Marina.
Furthermore, Dubai contains less flashy attractions, the Bastakia Quarter, also known as Old Dubai, has some well-preserved limestone buildings with a distinct Arabic architecture from the 19th century.
In January, you will be able to see traditional dance and music performances. Additionally, the underwater zoo, Global village, Jumeirah beach, and Dubai Creek are worth visiting.
11. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one of the best places to travel to in January. Lanka has one of the warmest weather in January. Moreover, this island has breathtaking natural landscapes, lovely beaches, exciting wildlife, and heritage monuments.
You can surf, scuba dive, camp, and see wildlife in the safari in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s attractions are Galle, Mirissa, Yala National Park, Dambulla Cave Temple, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Gangaramaya Temple, and Jami UI-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque), among others.
Hence, making Sri Lanka one of the best countries to visit in January.
12. Rajasthan, India
Rajasthan is one of the best places to travel to in January. There is a festival in Rajasthan all year round, but it is a whole other level in January.
January has an event calendar full of incredible festivals you would want to attend. Also, January is the coldest month in Rajasthan, resulting in more comfortable temperatures than spring and summer.
Some of the festivals in January in Rajasthan are; Camel Festival, the Camel festival occurs every mid-January.
Residents of Rajasthan dress up their camels with flags, dangling pom-pom streamers, and even dance with the camels during this festival.
Another is the International Kite Festival that occurs every January 14.
Later on in the month, there is Jaipur Literature Festival, where tourists and locals meet international authors and listen to uplifting readings.
At the end of the month, there is Nagaur Fair, where over 200,000 animal owners and their cows, camels, oxen, and other livestock show up for a massive trade show.
Then, at night, the Nagaur fair turns into a dance and music showcase. Hence, Rajasthan should be on your list of places to visit this January.
13. Dobbiaco, Italy
Dobbiaco is one of the best places to travel to in January. However, in January, Dobbiaco is known for its hot air balloon during the annual Dolomiti Balloon Festival.
This festival occurs mid-January every year, and for a few hundred euros, you can take a once-in-a-lifetime ride in a hot air balloon and soar over the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites.
You have the opportunity of seeing the views of the stunning mountain range in a close range.
Moreover, the festival is also fun from the ground as it is on air. The festival features several balloons in every color of the rainbow and floats them into the sky.
Thus, creating a dreamlike sight, especially when the sky is streaked with wispy white clouds.
14. Kenya
Kenya is one of the best places to travel to in January, especially for wildlife lovers. It has a significant topography that includes the savanna, mountain highlands, lake-lands, and dramatic Great Rift Valley.
Kenya’s wildlife attracts most tourists to the country, and January is one of the most accessible times of the year to see animals because the bushes are less dense than usual. Also, the lack of rain draws the animals to watering holes.
Moreover, It is known for its parks. Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the top game reserves in Africa and is home to a large population of lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, and other animals.
Also, the breathtaking view of Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro from Kenya’s Amboseli National park is worth taking the trip to Kenya.
15. Nara, Japan
Nara is one of the best places to travel to in January. On the fourth Saturday of January, Nara holds the annual Wakakusa Yamayaki.
This festival is a one-day celebration that involves lighting the grassy hillside of Mount Wakakusayama on fire. The view is spectacular.
The event starts at noon. Immediately after the event start, a funky competition starts, in which people throw giant rice crackers near the base of the mountain.
Also, smaller rice crackers are sold to feed the wild deer at Nara Park, then in the evening, essential participants of the festival go to Mizuya Shrine to light their torches and set the mountainside on fire.
The festival ends with a mesmerizing display of fireworks that could be seen throughout Nara. The fireworks and a burning mountain make Nara a place you should visit in January.
16. Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg is one of the best places to travel to in January. Mozart was born in Salzburg on January 27, 1756. Salzburg celebrates his birthday every year for a whole week, and it is called the Mozart Week festival.
Tourist gets to listen to series of performances of Mozart’s compositions from top musicians all through the festival.
Furthermore, tourists can attend stage productions, film screenings, dance recitals, panel discussions among music professionals, and pantomime throughout the festival. Hence, visiting Salzburg in January is a brilliant idea, as it will deepen your appreciation of Mozart.
17. Laos
Laos is one of the best places to travel to in January. It is not only one of the best places to travel to in January, but it is also one of the cheapest.
Laos is referred to as the land of million of elephants and home to magnificent cascading waterfalls.
However, Laos is also known for its shining temples along with Buddhist monks who are friendly. Laos has a very relaxed and pleasant vibe, unlike neighboring Southeast Asia countries.
In January, Laos weather is warm and dry, making it a perfect time for seeing some of her famous rivers and waterfalls, such as the Mekong River, Kuang Si Falls, and Pha Pheng Waterfall.
Additionally, other sights you can visit in Laos are the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wat Phu, the thousands of Buddhist statues in Pak Ou, and Pha That Luang.
The breathtaking waterfalls and historical sights make Laos one of the best places to travel to in January, and the fact that it’s one of the cheapest does not hurt.
18. Courchevel, France
Courchevel is one of the best places to travel to in January. It is a part of the French Alps ski resort is the largest ski area in the world.
As the largest ski area in the world, Courchevel has fantastic trails and breathtaking views.
This resort has a lot of beautiful attractions that would make your vacation a five-star.
Accommodations range from hotels to tiny chalets, which are all luxurious, giving you access to Michelin-starred restaurants and high-end spa centers.
Furthermore, while in Courchevel, you can engage in wine tasting and winter hiking. Some of the top tourist attractions are Courchebel 1650, Meribel, Courchevel and Sommet de la Saulire.
19. Nicaragua
Nicaragua is one of the best places to travel to in January. It is known for its virgin beaches, tropical forests, and lofty volcanic cliffs.
January is the perfect time to visit this Central American country as the weather during January is cozy and comfortable with minimum rainfall, resulting in an optimum temperature.
Nicaragua has unique cuisines and friendly culture, which you will never get tired of.
Additionally, some of Nicaragua’s attractions are to crater of a smoking volcano at Masaya Volcano National Park, beach Playa Maderas, Corn Islands, Granada, Leon, San Juan del Sur, and Apoyo Lagoon Natural Reserve, among others.
20. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is one of the best places to travel to in January. It is a city of Golden Age canals with several museums, awe-inspiring buildings, and vintage shops.
Amsterdam has super-hype dining and drinking scenes, which is a respite from usual routines and lifestyles.
When it comes to art, Amsterdam could be described as a city with hidden treasures as things of value could be found in every street in the town.
Furthermore, Van Gogh Museum, Dam Square, Rijksmuseum, and Anne Frank House are worth visiting.
In conclusion, these are some of the best places to travel to in January; they are worth considering when making your following vacation plans.
All the locations in this article are worth every penny you spend. Besides, you might see yourself returning to one or more of these locations more than once.
