Winter Travel Doesn't have to Suck
Winter Travel is a thing that many people shy away from. At least, when people think of traveling in the winter, they think of going somewhere warm and sunny to escape the winter months or somewhere covered in snow to ski for two weeks. I am talking about traveling deliberately to a country during that country’s winter to experience things there. It doesn’t have to suck and I think that winter travel is underrated. Buckle up and hang with me, because this is going to get interesting. When you travel in the off season, you should know:
You are part of a small group of tourists
You will have access to some things not accessible in the peak season
You will not have access to some things accessible in the peak season
The weather may not be perfect (it may not even be comfortable)
Traveling in off season means lower prices in flights, hotels, and attractions. It can also mean less comfortable weather. Traveling to Paris in February a number of years ago, I experience snow for the third time in my life (I have since moved North and understand snow much better). Is was so cold, I not only had to buy a scarf, but that grey hat in the photo above and those cute little gloves, too. The jacket in that shot was not a winter coat, by any means, but I’m a southerner; I didn’t know any better. The lesson here is simple: do your research.
In your smaller group of tourists, you might find a different kind of people that in the Summer. Retirees, home school families, self-employed people, and the occasional family vacation might all be with you on your winter journey. You’re likely to see more business people around than families and there will be some places that aren’t even open. Just think. If you brave winter travel, you could:
Take a Ski Trip
Sleep in an Igloo
Have vodka in an ice bar
Break ice in the arctic
Enjoy hot cocoa in a sleepy mountain town
Don’t be afraid to travel outside of your comfort zone and see what new adventures you can find.
Thanks, y’all!
