Skip to main content

MEMBER LOGIN

Departures Logo Created with Sketch.

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Departures Logo Created with Sketch.
  • City Guides
  • Travel
  • Fashion
  • Art + Culture
  • Home + Design
Departures Logo Created with Sketch.
  • City Guides
  • Travel
  • Fashion
  • Art + Culture
  • Home + Design

FOLLOW US

LOGIN

NEWSLETTER

More In City Guides

Mix Classic With Cool on Your Next Vacation in Charleston

A diverse group of chefs, makers, and entrepreneurs is creating a dynamic future for Charleston b

A Classic Hollywood-Inspired Luxury Road Trip Through Southern California
It's No Surprise Why Big City Dwellers Are Flocking to Ski Country
Take a Look at the New Manhattan Penthouse With Two Stunning Outdoor Spaces That's Listed for $7.69 Million

More In Travel

  • Hotels
  • Travel Guides
  • Restaurants

Dior Teams Up With Painter Peter Doig for Its Newest Collection

Fashion meets figurative painting.

14 of the World’s Top Ethical Fashion Brands
Our Editors Found Every Gorgeous Winter Cashmere Piece You Need This Season
Dior Launches New Bag to Pay Homage to the Late Designer's Sister

More In Fashion

  • Style
  • Shopping

Midtown Manhattan Could Look a Lot Different If the Madison Square Garden Redevelopment Were to Take Shape

The proposal would change the skyline forever. 

20 of the World's Most Beautiful Midcentury Modern Buildings
We Asked Independent Bookstores Across the US for Their Favorite Travel-Inspired Reads—Here are 19 Books They Recommended
Create Your Own Custom Vinyl Record at These 8 Record Shops  

More In Art + Culture

  • Books
  • Philanthropy
  • Film

The Best Online Poker Sites for Every Kind of Player

From organizing a Texas Hold’em tournament among friends to playing solo for real cash. 

Can’t Travel? Get the Scent of Famous Destinations With These Luxe Candles
How to Turn Your Living Room Into a Luxurious Space to Entertain
Luxury Linens That'll Make You Never Want to Leave Your Bed

More In Home + Design

  • Art + Design
  • Architecture
LOGIN
NEWSLETTER
  • City Guides
  • Travel
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Travel Guides
  • Fashion
    • Style
    • Shopping
  • Art + Culture
    • Books
    • Film
    • Philanthropy
  • Home + Design
    • Art + Design
    • Architecture
  • MEMBER LOGIN
  • JOIN OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
  • Contact Advertise Sitemap
Home / Travel
Travel

The Best Vacation Destinations for January

By Cailey Rizzo on December 05, 2018

There’s only one surefire way to beat the January blues: bust out of your day-to-day routine and spice things up with a vacation.

© Dukai/Getty Images

SHARE:

January is, perhaps surprisingly, one of the best months of the year to travel. Not only are most of us in desperate need of a relaxing getaway after the hectic holiday season, but January is also one of the cheapest months to travel, with hotels and airlines offering steep discounts in the aftermath of their peak seasons.

But not all January vacations should be treated equally. Consider a January vacation like a personalized prescription. Perhaps you want to make the Christmas spirit last longer with a visit to a magical snow-covered place or maybe you’d rather forget the winter season ever happened and jaunt off to a secluded ocean beach.

No matter how you want to spend the first month of the year, these are eight of the best places around the world for every type of travel taste.

 
Blueroomuwp/Getty Images

Kauai, Hawaii

There are plenty of warm-weather destinations that are great for a January escape, but Hawaii has one particular and significant draw during this month: it’s peak whale watching season. Hang out at Poipu Beach for a glimpse of North Pacific humpback whales as they rest in warm Hawaiian waters. Rent a catamaran or zodiac boat tour to get even closer to the action.

Katja Parkkinen/EyeEm/Getty Images

Chicago

If you don’t mind battling the blistering winds as they whip between downtown skyscrapers, Chicago could be your perfect January destination. It’s the cheapest month to visit the city, with deep discounts available on hotels and airfare. We recommend spending the trip dipping around Chicago’s fantastic restaurant and bar scene. Just remember to pack warm and consider a significant taxi allotment in your travel budget.

Felipe Mulè/Getty Images

Montreal

Those up in Montreal don’t let a little (read: a lot of) snow and below-freezing temperatures stop them from having a good time. Every January, the city hosts an epic music festival called IglooFest that brings in big acts like Diplo, Kaytranada, and Bonobo to fuel the party. Be prepared to eat gallons of poutine and inhale Tim Horton’s coffee to stay warm.

VCG via Getty Images

Harbin, China

The annual winter Harbin Ice Festival produces a veritable winter wonderland every year. Since 1963, artists have come to Harbin to carve magnificent ice sculptures that are, quite literally, larger than life. It’s become the largest snow and ice festival in the world and routinely creates some of the world’s largest ice sculptures.

Andreas Strauss/LOOK-foto/Getty Images

Dobbiaco, Italy

Get some perspective on the world by seeing it from above. Join the flock at the Dolomiti Balloon Festival for one of the most majestic sights in the world. At the beginning of January, balloons from all over the world take off and add some color to the skies over the snow-covered Dolomites. Even if you can’t book a ride, it’s still fantastic to watch from the ground.

peeterv/Getty Images

Benin

This small country in West Africa, sandwiched between Togo and Nigeria, is most often mentioned as the birthplace of voodoo. For all those intrigued in this side of Benin’s heritage, there is no better month to visit than January when the city of Ouidah hosts its Voodoo Festival. Beautiful coastal beaches, warm weather, and an expansive national park make Benin a unique destination to beat the winter blues.

bingdian/Getty Images

Beijing

Visit the Great Wall at its most serene: covered in a layer of snow and without the typical madhouse rush of tourists. January is the perfect month to book a grand tour of China. Lower hotel rates mean you could book a luxury trip for a song—all while avoiding the throngs of tourists that can clog up historic landmarks.

Nikada/Getty Images

Dubai

Depending on whom you ask, Dubai is known for luxury and material possessions. For those who visit Dubai for this reason, there is no better month to visit than January. During the first month of the year, the city hosts a month-long shopping festival. The Dubai Shopping Festival is renowned for its deals, prizes, and extravagance. Your credit card will get a workout.

Explore More in Travel

tout-img

Mix Classic With Cool on Your Next Vacation in Charleston

tout-img

A Classic Hollywood-Inspired Luxury Road Trip Through Southern California

tout-img

It's No Surprise Why Big City Dwellers Are Flocking to Ski Country


Marketing Events & Promotions

Become a DEPARTURES VIP

Join our Weekly Newsletter

Privacy Statement
Join our Weekly Newsletter
Departures Logo Created with Sketch.
  • City Guides
  • Travel
  • Fashion
  • Art + Culture
  • Home + Design
FOLLOW US
Other Meredith Corporation Travel & Leisure Group websites: 
  • Travel + Leisure
  • Food & Wine
Related Websites for DEPARTURES International Editions:
  • DEPARTURES-International.com
Learn more about the American Express Platinum Card® benefits

View Terms of Service  and  Privacy Statement.   Ad Choices EU Data Subject Requests All users of our online services subject to Privacy Statement and agree to be bound by Terms of Service. Please review.

© 2021 American Express Company. All rights reserved. Departures® is published by Meredith Corporation Travel & Leisure Group, a subsidiary of Meredith Corporation. Departures is a trademark of
American Express Marketing & Development Corp. and is used under limited license. Meredith Corporation Travel & Leisure Group is not affiliated with American Express Company or its subsidiaries.

  • RSS
  • Advertise
  • Advertise
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Promotions
  • Site Map

Member Login

The current issue of DEPARTURES is available exclusively to American Express Platinum Card® Members.

Cancel