Best Places To Visit In January
Brief Overview
The festive season has gone, the hangover from New Year’s Eve is still strong, and normal work and school schedules have resumed. The new year is a time to celebrate, but once January 1 rolls around, it’s back to business as usual. During the time between Christmas and Valentine’s Day, you may find great off-season deals all over the world, from the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean to the most pleasant parts of Sydney and Los Angeles. Listed here are some of the top destinations for a vacation in January of 2024.
Norway
Believe it or not, January in Norway is a little chilly. In fact, January is the coldest month of the year, with average lows of -2°C (or below) in the extreme north. But, if you’re looking for a snowscape like you’ve never seen before or a winter sports adventure like you’ve never had before, January is one of the best months to visit. So, get the warmest winter clothing you own packed, and get moving.
Snow is likely to cover much of the country, and the resulting sunrises and sunsets will be nothing short of breathtaking. The dark, clear winter night sky in Norway are a photographer’s dream since they increase the likelihood of viewing the Northern Lights, a neon show only visible in Norway.
In the off-season, when temperatures are lower, there will be less tourists around to get in the way of your shots. It also helps bring down the overall cost of living in this otherwise high-priced nation.
Barbados, Caribbean
Visitors return year after year to the Caribbean island because of its joyous atmosphere. Okay, and the pirates’ booty of pristine, white sand beaches doesn’t hurt either. Whilst the west coast is renowned for its glitz and glamour, things take a decidedly more local turn as you head south. The people of the vivacious village of Oistins gather every Friday night for the Fish Fry, an outdoor feast including grilled fish caught that day and booming reggae.
St. Lawrence Gap, a row of rowdy rum bars, is even closer. Bathsheba, on the island’s east coast, is the most bohemian area, home to professional surfers and tattoo artists drawn by the larger Atlantic waves. During the beginning of the dry season in January, when the sun shines for an average of nine hours a day, everything looks and feels wonderful.
Melbourne, Australia
Do you live in the Northern Hemisphere? Put an end to your winter in the northern hemisphere and head south to Melbourne, Australia, where it’s currently summer. Melbourne is often regarded as Australia’s hippest major city, and its reputation is well-deserved (soz, Sydney: take solace with that massive bridge and those lovely beaches). Aside from being figuratively and literally toasty in January, Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is also quite warm. T-shirt weather is to be anticipated, and the Big Three of coffee, street art, and St. Kilda should not be missed.
Brazil
You may have observed on a map that Brazil is a huge country, and this means that the climate you encounter will vary depending on the region of the country you travel to. The average high temperature in January is a comfortable 27 degrees Celsius (or 78 degrees Fahrenheit). Rio de Janeiro is the perfect place to begin your Brazilian adventure, as it is wrapped around a mountainous natural harbour and boasts some of the world’s best beaches. Bug spray should be brought along for the ride!
Los Angeles, USA
Los Angeles is a pleasant surprise in the middle of January. Average highs and lows are in the 8°C to 20°C range, making it neither hot nor cold. Perfect weather for strolling across the city, star-gazing when the Hollywood elite arrive for the Golden Globes in early January, or doing what L.A. locals do best: hiking!
East of the Santa Monica Mountains, at Griffith Park, hikers can enjoy a more tranquil experience. A popular 40-minute hike, the Charlie Turner Trail ascends Mount Hollywood to provide views of the iconic Hollywood sign and the city below. But the benefits don’t end there; nearby stargazers can’t miss the Griffith Park Observatory.
Runyon Canyon is one of the nicest paths in Los Angeles and another possibility. The path is frequented by residents who are both extremely fit and surprisingly active in the warm January weather. The ascent is moderate, but there are a few unexpectedly steep sections to keep you on your toes.
If you find the area to be too crowded with tourists, now is a great time to explore other parts of California. Some of the most well-known beaches in LA County include Malibu, Long Beach, and Santa Monica, while the neighbourhoods of Burbank, Silver Lake, and Culver City are home to a wealth of hip bars, healthy restaurants, unique shops, and interesting historical sites.
Laos & The Mekong River
The month of January is ideal for a trip to Laos because of the pleasant weather. Luang Prabang, the country’s cultural capital, has an average temperature of about 24°C in January.
We suggest spending some time in the Parisian-style capital of Vientiane and relaxing in the ancient city of Luang Prabang. After all, there are more than 33 temples to see, miles upon miles of night market stalls, and even a mountain, Mount Phou Si, to scale.
Southerly Laos can be reached after a leisurely cruise along the Mekong. Seekers of warmth in January should know that temperatures in the south might reach 30 degrees Celsius.
At Si Phan Do, you can marvel at Khon Phapheng, the “Niagara of Asia,” the largest waterfall on the Mekong. Pakse, the second largest city in Laos, is located at the confluence of the Mekong and Xe Don rivers; it is bursting with colonial architectural elegance, is a cultural hub, and is home to the revered Wat Luang.
Shetland, Scotland
You remember how we started off by mentioning clear skies? Nope, not in this case (but your limbs might become blue). If you think a vacation on a bleak, rocky, rain-lashed island 200 kilometres north of northern Scotland in the North Sea is a bad idea, hear us out. In the month of January, there is a festival celebrating Viking culture. A celebration of Viking culture. It goes by the name “Up Helly Aa,” and while we’re a little bummed we haven’t had the opportunity to experience it for ourselves just yet, it looks great.
Thailand, Asia
In the middle of winter, Thailand is a paradise. It’s peak season, yes, but the chaos of the holidays is over; Bangkok is as pleasant as it gets; and the islands off the Andaman Coast to the west are beautiful, especially Koh Phi Phi, Phuket, and Koh Lanta. It rains more in the eastern islands of Koh Samui, Phangan, and Tao, so you might want to postpone your trip until March. Still, the monsoon-like downpours last for only a few minutes before the sun comes out again.
Greener travellers might consider taking one of Thailand’s sophisticated and pleasant sleeper trains instead of flying within the country. Don’t automatically make your way to the airport either when visiting islands; ferries are usually available.
Val d'Isere
In January, the top European ski resorts are much less crowded than they are during the rest of the season. Val, a ski resort in France, has the best powder on the continent, and it’s just becoming fancier as the years go by. The highest hotel in France, Le Refuge de Solaise, is a restored cable car station with unparalleled views of the Alps, early morning access to the ski runs, and quiet after dark when the lifts close.
Yet, those who enjoy chalets have more stylish options than ever before. Although not the best idea after a night at Dick’s Tea Bar, Chalet Husky’s seven rooms include a climbing wall, infinity waterfall, and place for rifle shooting and archery. Yet if the downhills at the Olympics and gourmet meals at Michelin-starred restaurants aren’t cutting it, there are lots of other creative options. Anybody interested in taking on BMW’s ice track?
Antarctica
A baby penguin is the cutest thing ever. Right? If you want to go on a trip of a lifetime, we think you should go to the Antarctic in January on an expedition.
During the month of January, the many penguin colonies that dot Antarctica are bustling with (loud!) activity. This is in part because it is summer in the Antarctic, with temperatures reaching a comfortable 2°C and seemingly unending summer days. In other words, the time of the Midnight Sun has arrived.
Particularly cute and squishy at this time of year are the penguin chicks. If you’re lucky, you might see some emperor, Adélie, chinstrap, or gentoo chicks. Despite the inherent cuteness of penguin chicks, there are other other species to see during this period. Generally speaking, the best months to go whale watching are February and March, however you might see some of them in the area as early as January.
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