As 2025 nears, the allure of winter travel grows stronger, inviting jet-setters to embrace a fresh start or simply escape the chill. Whether it's chasing the sun in Mexico, carving through the snowy landscapes of rural Norway, or basking in the summer warmth of Mendoza, Argentina, these captivating destinations offer a fresh start to the new year for every type of traveler. Please see below a list of the top destinations on where to travel in January.
Relaxing Retreat in Puerto Vallarta
Villa Lala — Romantic Boutique Hotel in Puerto Vallarta
At Villa LaLa, an exclusive boutique hotel, discover a haven of serenity and romance for adults only.Nestled in the captivating South Zone of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, this oasis awaits you with only 12 rooms, seamlessly blending unique architecture with natural beauty, accessible by both land and sea.Indulge in a dining and beverage service exclusively crafted for guests. The hotel features two palapas and a terrace by the communal pool, where you'll experience personalized attention. Authentic gardens, each surrounded by floral plants, whispering trees, small streams, and ponds inhabited by fish, create a truly unique atmosphere. Hammocks, comfortable loungers, and strategically placed tables allow you to delight in bird watching to the gentle lapping waves of the sea.The private dock is the gateway to a world of maritime experiences. Immerse yourself in the waters for swimming or kayaking, join a panga tour to discover paradisiacal beaches, snorkel, and spot whales during the season. When you wish to relax, enjoy a hammock surrounded by water, bask in the sun on loungers, or share a romantic dinner in this idyllic setting.
Norwegian Culinary Adventure
Presented by Up Norway
For travelers wishing to expand their culinary horizons in 2025, Up Norway, a sustainable luxury travel curator, offers a culinary discovery journey for the most adventurous of foodie travelers. While the journey is offered year round, January is an especially enchanting time to visit Norway as snow coats the fjords and forests. The dry and sunny arctic climate invites visitors to explore, both in nature and indoors through Norway’s rich culinary landscape. Up Norway’s new gastronomic adventure combines world-class dining at both MICHELIN-starred establishments and charming eateries, hands-on culinary experiences like sea foraging in the fjords, private cooking classes with a Bocuse d'Or World Champion, sustainable fishing, guided culinary tours, and scenic explorations of Bergen, Beckerwyc, Rosendal, and Stavanger. Guests will revel in the Norwegian culinary traditions celebrated worldwide for its emphasis on sustainability, local ingredients, and rich cultural heritage. Included in the journey are whiskey tastings of ocean-aged spirits on a remote island, farm visits, cheese tastings, expedition dining at a floating restaurant set against the backdrop of Norway’s majestic fjords, a salmon safari, guided hikes of Norway’s majestic winter scenery, and a chance to see the famed Northern Lights at winter’s peak. Through Up Norway’s comprehensive digital itinerary with insider tips and 24-hour direct chat support with the team, guests can easily add on winter excursions like skiing, cold plunging, animal encounters and more.
Slow Travel in Rome
Rome, Italy
In January, Rome’s charm remains with a rich selection of culinary and cultural offerings. The city’s Mediterranean climate ensures milder weather compared to many other destinations and the tourist off-season makes winter the perfect time for European slow travel. Individuals eager to kick off travel in the New Year can immerse themselves in the Eternal City's iconic sights, gastronomy, and unparalleled cultural essence at Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese. Nestled within a 19th-century Roman palazzo and conveniently situated near the city's renowned cultural landmarks and parks, this exquisite hotel promises an array of tailor-made services and amenities. Guests can customize their Italian journey with a variety of packages and experiences from the Sofitel Rome team, including family-friendly itineraries, culinary experiences, film-inspired sightseeing, personal shopping and styling, and guided walking tours.
Summer Adventure in Wine Country
Mendoza, Argentina
The Southern Hemisphere comes to life in January as summer ushers in bright sunshine, thriving flora and fauna, and flourishing vineyards in cities such as Mendoza, Argentina. This wine-centric region combines adventure, natural beauty, and oenology, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Andes Mountains and expansive vineyards. Visitors seeking to escape winter's chill can enjoy various outdoor activities, including invigorating hikes through the Andes, horseback riding among the vineyards, white-water rafting and cat-skiing along the Mendoza River, and hot air balloon rides over wine country. After days filled with exploration in Mendoza’s balmy summer climate, guests are beckoned to rejuvenation and relaxation at the wine and wellness focused boutique retreat, SB Winemaker's House & Spa Suites. The brainchild of Argentina’s first female winemaker, Susana Balbo, the House opens guests to the world of winemaking through curated wine, culinary, wellness, and authentic Argentine cultural experiences. Each room at the seven-suite hotel boasts fully integrated in-room spa features, including steam rooms, sensation showers, massage tables, and even dry saunas in select suites, all steps away from wine country.
Wellness Escape Anywhere in the World
With HomeExchange Collection
A new year is the perfect incentive for jet-setters to experience a new way to travel with home swapping, an emerging trend in alternative travel. HomeExchange Collection, the luxury division of global home swap leader HomeExchange, offers members the opportunity to home swap with more than 5,000 homes across 85 countries. Members can start their new year with a wellness focused retreat, choosing from homes on sunnier islands, winter-kissed escapes, or historic city settings. When selecting a home to swap, HomeExchange Collection members can filter based on settings like home gyms, swimming pools, tennis courts, walkability, and more, offering customizability to kick off the year. From penthouses in sprawling cities to charming villas in lush jungles, HomeExchange Collection homes span the globe, allowing endless travel possibilities in 2025.
Winter Festivals in Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia (pictured)
Beyond summer and sea, Croatia’s Mediterranean climate creates a mild winter reminiscent of Southern California. Many travelers rule out Croatia in the winter, but the less-crowded streets and fewer tourists mean easier access to top attractions and a chance to catch the city at its most peaceful. Dubrovnik’s rich history and breathtaking architecture come to life in the winter with festivals, religious celebrations, and entertainment. The annual Dubrovnik Winter Festival sets the city ablaze with rich musical entertainment, gastronomic celebrations, children's activities, and more. Travelers can enjoy rich cultural entertainment as they take in historic Old Town, home to medieval city walls and battlements, Gothic-style Rector’s Palace, and shop-filled pedestrian streets. Hotel Excelsior, a historic yet modern landmark hotel overlooking both the Adriatic and Old Town, located minutes away from the action, offers travelers a luxurious escape this January. With 158 rooms and suites, a glamorous spa, an indoor pool, and three gourmet restaurants, Hotel Excelsior offers something for every traveler seeking a relaxing winter getaway in Croatia.
The Singer Oceanfront Resort | Singer Island, FL
With travel research indicating Florida as the top domestic destination this winter, The Singer Oceanfront Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, nestled on four miles of Singer Island’s pristine beaches, recently debuted a head-to-toe, multi-million-dollar renovation and rebrand. As one of the only properties offering direct beachfront access, The Singer Resort is the perfect coastal escape home to 223 newly renovated guest rooms and suites, each with their own private balcony. The resort also offers multiple onsite dining concepts including the island’s only beachfront bar, Top Shell, signature restaurant, Caretta Caretta, a poolside bar as well as a grab-and-go retail concept, The Market at Singer.
Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Spa | Indian Wells, CA
Recently reopened following a $64 million transformation, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells is the ideal resort for families looking to enjoy the temperate winters of Greater Palm Springs. The resort’s new look includes refreshed guestrooms, suites and community spaces, two new restaurants from acclaimed celebrity chef Angelo Sosa, updates to the resort’s expansive waterpark HyTides – the largest in Greater Palm Springs – featuring multiple pools, private cabanas, a set of 30-foot high (150-feet in length) dueling waterslides and a 450-foot lazy river, and much more.
Rancho de los Caballeros | Wickenburg, AZ
Known as “The Dude Ranch Capital of the World,” Wickenburg, Arizona, is the oldest town north of Tucson, nestled in the Sonoran Desert. Beyond being well-known for its team roping, equestrian activities, and numerous ranches, Wickenburg offers several beginners to advanced hiking trails, including the famous Vulture Peak, off-road experiences, ghost tours, gold panning, golf, performing arts theatres, and historic museums. Within Wickenburg, Rancho de los Caballeros is a historic, family-owned dude ranch, boasting unmatched views and refined resort accommodations, from its 13,300 acres of horse-accessible trails to its plethora of authentic activities such as archery, trap and skeet shooting, championship golf, ATV tours, spa services and more.
Mayakoba | Riviera Maya, Mexico
The Riviera Maya has long attracted travelers from the U.S. and beyond, thanks to its pristine beaches, historical Mayan ruins, Yucatan culinary traditions, rich biodiversity, and stunning cenote system. With easy flight access and winter temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees, it’s an ideal destination for those looking to escape the cold. Mayakoba, the region's original luxury resort destination, is home to Andaz, Banyan Tree, Fairmont, and Rosewood properties. It offers a wealth of lifestyle experiences, including four acclaimed spas; more than 35 restaurants featuring eclectic cuisines; and the village square serves as an event space modeled after historic colonial plazas in Mexico. Additionally, guests can enjoy a three-mile-long nature trail, a variety of recreational activities through Mayakoba Experiences, the Dive and Water Sports Center, and the Mayakoba Dive School.
The Pierside Hotel | Santa Monica, CA
Located on the corner of Ocean and Colorado Avenue, just steps from the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, The Pierside is home to 132 guestrooms and suites, many with coastal views; an elevated pool experience with food and beverage service; a full-service gear rental, The Board Shop, featuring essentials such as surfboards and longboards as well as unique offerings such as GoPros, next-gen gaming consoles and a record player complete with a vinyl selection; a pool deck featuring a heated saltwater pool, plush loungers and food and beverage service; a state-of-the-art fitness center; and signature restaurant, The Surfing Fox, featuring a sprawling outdoor patio with sought-after views. A host of guest experiences with local partners allow guests to make the most of the hotel’s trendy, beachside Santa Monica location, including in-room spa and wellness partner Yada Yoga, surfing instruction for all skill levels from Santa Monica Surf School, and luxe beach picnics available with Santa Monica Picnic Co.
Andaz Maui at Wailea | Wailea, HI
Winter is always a fitting time to experience Maui’s natural beauty, warm beaches, vibrant local culture and warm aloha spirit. But as the island continues its recovery from 2023’s tragic wildfires, tourism is more vital than ever as the community urges visitors to return to the island’s welcoming embrace and, in doing so, directly support local businesses, strengthening a local economy heavily reliant on tourism. At Andaz Maui, situated in Wailea on Maui’s premier southwestern coastline along Mōkapu Beach, guests can enjoy a host of luxurious amenities while also learning about local traditions. The resort offers a famed traditional lu’au The Feast at Mokapu and excursions rooted in educational tradition including outrigger canoe excursions, poke making classes and ukelele lessons.
