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 since the holidays are 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.
Several location options are available in January, ranging from an outdoorsy environment to snow-powered mountains to an oceanfront view.
Thus, whether you want 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 taking 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. Although 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 in the past, there is always a celebratory feel throughout the nation’s capital.
Notwithstanding, you can mark the occasion in your way, and 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 feel like 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 hosted the Sundance Film Festival, during which many celebrities came to the Egyptian Theater to watch the work of hundreds of indie filmmakers 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. In January, Miami celebrates Art of Black Miami, which promotes the Black diaspora’s visual art.
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 there, as January 6 is the traditional gift-giving day.
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.
Stay at the brand-new SLS Cancun, the chain’s first Mexican property, for a premium experience.
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 a 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. During this period, restaurants offer special menus, 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, in January, there is a two-day celebration in Sonoma. This involves 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.
Jackson Hole’s national parks also offer many activities to entertain you, such as snowmobiling, dog sledding, sleigh rides, and fly fishing.
For highly adventurous people, there is heli-skiing and cross-country skiing.
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, and the winner receives $165,000 in prize money.
7. Tulum, Mexico
Tulum is another of the best places to travel to in January in Mexico.
Its atmosphere is ideal for relaxing and unwinding after the stressful festive season.
You can de-stress in the city’s wellness centers and plush spas.
You can also participate in an indigenous Temazcal ceremony and do yoga on the beach.
Afterward, you can swim or soak yourself in one of the city’s cenotes, 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 show the diversity of wildlife in the Yucatan, including pumas, jaguars, and howler monkeys.
8. Vail, Colorado, USA
Vail is one of the best places to travel to in January. It has over 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, 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 celebrity’s 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, some of the most serene beaches, rugged mountains, and friendly locals.
It has the typical Caribbean Island elements: a laid-back charm, an off-the-grid feel, several beautiful landscapes, and tropical beaches.
Nevis’s culture is centered around drinking, eating, talking, and pulsing soca beats.
To get the best experience, try eating at 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, considering that Dubai is a desert, it is still hot. However, 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, from traditional souks, sizzling beaches, swanky malls, and great amusement parks.
Moreover, Dubai has the tallest building globally, the Burj Khalifa, one of the biggest shopping centers in the world, the Dubai Mall, and 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 distinct Arabic architecture from the 19th century.
In January, traditional dance and music performances are held. The underwater zoo, Global Village, Jumeirah Beach, and Dubai Creek are also worth visiting.
11. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one of the best places to travel to in January. It has some of the warmest weather.
Moreover, this island has breathtaking natural landscapes, lovely beaches, exciting wildlife, and heritage monuments.
On a safari in Sri Lanka, you can surf, scuba dive, camp, and see wildlife. Sri Lanka’s attractions include Galle, Mirissa, Yala National Park, Dambulla Cave Temple, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Gangaramaya Temple, and Jami UI-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque).
Hence, Sri Lanka is 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 at another 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.
One of the festivals in January in Rajasthan is the Camel Festival, which 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, which takes place every January 14.
Later in the month, the Jaipur Literature Festival is where tourists and locals meet international authors and listen to uplifting readings.
At the end of the month, there is the Nagaur Fair, where over 200,000 animal owners and their cows, camels, oxen, and other livestock attend a massive trade show.
The Nagaur fair turns into a dance and music showcase at night. 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 ballooning 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 can see the views of the stunning mountain range in close range.
Moreover, the festival is also fun from the ground as it is on air. The festival features several balloons in every rainbow color and floats them into the sky.
Thus, it creates 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.
Its significant topography includes the savanna, mountain highlands, Lakelands, 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 starts, a funky competition starts, in which people throw giant rice crackers near the mountain’s base.
Also, smaller rice crackers are sold to feed the wild deer at Nara Park.
In the evening, essential festival participants go to Mizuya Shrine to light their torches and set the mountainside on fire.
The festival ends with a mesmerizing display of fireworks 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 yearly for a whole week, called the Mozart Week festival.
Tourists get to listen to a series of performances of Mozart’s compositions by top musicians throughout the festival.
Furthermore, throughout the festival, tourists can attend stage productions, film screenings, dance recitals, panel discussions among music professionals, and pantomime.
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 also one of the cheapest.
Laos is the land of millions of elephants and home to magnificent cascading waterfalls.
However, Laos is known for its shining temples and friendly Buddhist monks. Unlike neighboring Southeast Asian countries, Laos has a very relaxed and pleasant vibe.
In January, Lao’s weather is warm and dry, making it a perfect time to visit famous rivers and waterfalls, such as the Mekong River, Kuang Si Falls, and Pha Pheng Waterfall.
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 part of the French Alps ski resort, which 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, all luxurious, giving you access to Michelin-starred restaurants and high-end spa centers.
Furthermore, you can engage in wine tasting and winter hiking while in Courchevel.
Some 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. The weather is cozy and comfortable, with minimum rainfall and an optimum temperature.
Nicaragua has unique cuisines and a friendly culture you will never tire of.
Additionally, Nicaragua’s attractions include the crater of a smoking volcano at Masaya Volcano National Park, the beach Playa Maderas, the Corn Islands, Granada, Leon, San Juan del Sur, and Apoyo Lagoon Natural Reserve.
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, a respite from routines and lifestyles.
When it comes to art, Amsterdam could be described as a city with hidden treasures, as valuable objects can be found on every street.
Furthermore, the 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 planning your following vacation.
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.
