However you look at things, it feels like January is a really long month.
It’s also one of the darkest months of the year and everyone seems to be dreaming of travel.
From a long weekend enjoying a stylish city break, to getting some winter sun in some far-flung location to a stellar slopeside break, where are the top passport-fillers to take you through the winter months?Â
If you are wondering where to go on holiday in January, let us help you out with our handy guide which will determine whether you are all about the slopes, the beach or a nifty city break!
The Maldives
If you are looking out your window to concrete-coloured skies, then you can be totally forgiven for wanting to spirit yourself away to somewhere a smidge more tropical. Enter The Maldives.
We’d take this tropical paradise of pristine archipelagos in any month, but if you are asking where to go on holiday in January, then you couldn’t really ask for more than a trip to the Maldives.
The crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, warm temperatures and luxury resorts are the perfect antidote to drizzle and the January ‘mehness’.
Blue Monday, what Blue Monday? The only blue will be the dazzling hue of the ocean and perhaps a azure-coloured Margarita.
Austria
January is one of the best months of the season for a trip to the mountains, but which mountains do you choose for world-class skiing, snowboarding and a cheeky bit of apres-ski?
Whether you favour evergreen favourites or are considering a more off-piste alternative, if you love to ski, you’ll know that January is the best time for hitting the slopes.Â
Kitzbuhel has to be one of the prettiest and most charming towns in the Alps thanks to its attractive medieval centre which is an alluring mix of frescoes, pastel colours and inviting lantern-strewn restaurants.
This is ideal for a mid-range ski break, it’s not quite as cheap as the likes of Bulgaria, Slovakia and Poland, but it hits the sweet spot when in comparison to pricier resorts like Courchevel, Zermatt and similar.
If you visit in January, you can enjoy watching the annual Hahnenkamm race which is considered the most demanding and dangerous run on the men’s World Cup circuit.
Barbados
Even in January, Barbados shimmers with clear skies, sunshine and temperatures of up to 30°C.Â
You can’t go wrong with a relaxing retreat in Barbados, but this infectiously colourful and stunning island has more to it than just some serious R&R, although the beaches are eye-poppingly scenic!
For those who love to live a life on the ocean wave, you may just want to take advantage of Barbados Sailing Week which takes place in mid to late January.Â
If flora and fauna are your thing, late January also heralds the blooming lovely display that is the Barbados Horticultural Society’s annual Flower and Garden Show.
Barbados has got a good game when it comes to vibrant displays and you can fully expect to be wowed with rare blooms.
Mexico
Sun, sea, and the sort of views that make you fall in love with a place: Cancun is as gorgeous as it is fun. It’s also a very popular answer when wondering where to go on holiday in January.
A dreamy destination that is filled with sun-drenched days exploring Mayan ruins and snorkelling the Great Mayan Reef by day and enjoying the best nocturnal scenes in all of Latin America at night.
However, whilst Cancun is synonymous with a more than raucous nightlife, scratch beneath the surface and escape the resort and you will find lots of enticing hidden spots, like the charming colonial town of Valladolid that you can explore within easy reach of the resort.
Tenerife
You can’t really go wrong when it comes to winter sun when visiting the Canaries, but for the best in show sunshine, Tenerife comes out top of the islands for sure for the most sunshine thanks to its enviable location.
It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most visited islands in the Canary Archipelago.
Often referred to as ‘the island of eternal spring’, Tenerife has an ideal climate all year round andÂ
It’s not just about the gorgeous beaches however, this sun-soaked island packs a punch with its lush pine forests, verdant valleys and its diverse volcanic landscapes.
From high-octane fun to relaxing with a cocktail and getting some post-Christmas zen, Tenerife has so much to offer someone who is wondering where to go on holiday in January.
Budapest
From its rich history and fascinating architecture to its vibrant nightlife and must-eat food, Budapest is a superb choice for a city break.
You may not get the balmy temperatures of other destinations, but you will get oodles of culture, top-notch attractions like the popular thermal baths and of course, there’s the infamous ruin bars!
Chock-full of bohemian charm, Budapest is an awesome alternative to other city break destinations like Prague.
The Hungarian capital is an ideal choice for those wanting a complete change of scene without venturing too far away from a home.
If you are wondering which European city to peruse when considering where to go on holiday in January, Budapest could be the answer.
It’s an absolute treasure trove when it comes to fun-filled winter activities.
Cape Verde
The words Cape Verde and winter sun go together like gin and tonic.
Of course, the lure of the world-class beaches is a huge enough draw to book your plane ticket, but Cape Verde also offers oodles of culture thanks to its rich heritage, beautiful landscapes and exciting trails to explore in the verdant mountains.
History buffs will also love perusing the cobbled streets of its UNESCO-listed former capital and exploring the ancient ruins of Curral Velho.
With an average flight time of 5 hours (from London), year-round sunshine and delicious Creole food, if you are pondering where to go on holiday in January or indeed any month of the year, definitely add Cape Verde to your hit list.
The Maldives
If you are looking out your window to concrete-coloured skies, then you can be totally forgiven for wanting to spirit yourself away to somewhere a smidge more tropical. Enter The Maldives.
We’d take this tropical paradise of pristine archipelagos in any month, but if you are asking where to go on holiday in January, then you couldn’t really ask for more than a trip to the Maldives.
The crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, warm temperatures and luxury resorts are the perfect antidote to drizzle and the January ‘mehness’.
Blue Monday, what Blue Monday? The only blue will be the dazzling hue of the ocean and perhaps a azure-coloured Margarita.
Austria
January is one of the best months of the season for a trip to the mountains, but which mountains do you choose for world-class skiing, snowboarding and a cheeky bit of apres-ski?
Whether you favour evergreen favourites or are considering a more off-piste alternative, if you love to ski, you’ll know that January is the best time for hitting the slopes.Â
Kitzbuhel has to be one of the prettiest and most charming towns in the Alps thanks to its attractive medieval centre which is an alluring mix of frescoes, pastel colours and inviting lantern-strewn restaurants.
This is ideal for a mid-range ski break, it’s not quite as cheap as the likes of Bulgaria, Slovakia and Poland, but it hits the sweet spot when in comparison to pricier resorts like Courchevel, Zermatt and similar.
If you visit in January, you can enjoy watching the annual Hahnenkamm race which is considered the most demanding and dangerous run on the men’s World Cup circuit.
Barbados
Even in January, Barbados shimmers with clear skies, sunshine and temperatures of up to 30°C.Â
You can’t go wrong with a relaxing retreat in Barbados, but this infectiously colourful and stunning island has more to it than just some serious R&R, although the beaches are eye-poppingly scenic!
For those who love to live a life on the ocean wave, you may just want to take advantage of Barbados Sailing Week which takes place in mid to late January.Â
If flora and fauna are your thing, late January also heralds the blooming lovely display that is the Barbados Horticultural Society’s annual Flower and Garden Show.
Barbados has got a good game when it comes to vibrant displays and you can fully expect to be wowed with rare blooms.
Mexico
Sun, sea, and the sort of views that make you fall in love with a place: Cancun is as gorgeous as it is fun. It’s also a very popular answer when wondering where to go on holiday in January.
A dreamy destination that is filled with sun-drenched days exploring Mayan ruins and snorkelling the Great Mayan Reef by day and enjoying the best nocturnal scenes in all of Latin America at night.
However, whilst Cancun is synonymous with a more than raucous nightlife, scratch beneath the surface and escape the resort and you will find lots of enticing hidden spots, like the charming colonial town of Valladolid that you can explore within easy reach of the resort.
Tenerife
You can’t really go wrong when it comes to winter sun when visiting the Canaries, but for the best in show sunshine, Tenerife comes out top of the islands for sure for the most sunshine thanks to its enviable location.
It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most visited islands in the Canary Archipelago.
Often referred to as ‘the island of eternal spring’, Tenerife has an ideal climate all year round andÂ
It’s not just about the gorgeous beaches however, this sun-soaked island packs a punch with its lush pine forests, verdant valleys and its diverse volcanic landscapes.
From high-octane fun to relaxing with a cocktail and getting some post-Christmas zen, Tenerife has so much to offer someone who is wondering where to go on holiday in January.
Budapest
From its rich history and fascinating architecture to its vibrant nightlife and must-eat food, Budapest is a superb choice for a city break.
You may not get the balmy temperatures of other destinations, but you will get oodles of culture, top-notch attractions like the popular thermal baths and of course, there’s the infamous ruin bars!
Chock-full of bohemian charm, Budapest is an awesome alternative to other city break destinations like Prague.
The Hungarian capital is an ideal choice for those wanting a complete change of scene without venturing too far away from a home.
If you are wondering which European city to peruse when considering where to go on holiday in January, Budapest could be the answer.
It’s an absolute treasure trove when it comes to fun-filled winter activities.
Cape Verde
The words Cape Verde and winter sun go together like gin and tonic.
Of course, the lure of the world-class beaches is a huge enough draw to book your plane ticket, but Cape Verde also offers oodles of culture thanks to its rich heritage, beautiful landscapes and exciting trails to explore in the verdant mountains.
History buffs will also love perusing the cobbled streets of its UNESCO-listed former capital and exploring the ancient ruins of Curral Velho.
With an average flight time of 5 hours (from London), year-round sunshine and delicious Creole food, if you are pondering where to go on holiday in January or indeed any month of the year, definitely add Cape Verde to your hit list.