For a long time a winter holiday meant either New Year or nothing at all here. The choice is wide now and in fact divides into three entirely different directions: the ski mountains, warm countries, and the European cities with Christmas markets. The budget, the clothing and the planning time differ for all three. Below I have written about each separately.
Three directions for a winter holiday
| Skiing | Georgia, Turkey, Austria, Italy, Slovakia |
| Warm countries | The UAE, Egypt, Thailand, Malaysia, the Maldives |
| Christmas cities | Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Munich, Tallinn |
| The northern lights | Finland, Norway, Iceland |
In budget terms the best value are the Georgian ski resorts and the Central European cities with Christmas markets. The most expensive is the northern lights route, because both the accommodation and the tours there are highly priced.
The ski route on a winter holiday
For a beginner the most important indicator is the number of blue pistes; the black ones are not for you yet. When choosing a resort, look at the price of the lift pass and whether there is a school. Renting the equipment is always the right decision on a first trip.
The insurance question needs particular attention here. A standard travel policy does not cover winter sports and an injury on the slopes is not paid for. When booking, look for the words “winter sports” on the policy, and if they are not there, have it added.
A winter trip to warm countries
In the Gulf countries November to March is the only comfortable period; in summer walking outdoors there is impossible. In Southeast Asia those months fall in the dry season and there is almost no rain. That is, our winter is their best time.
There is one condition: it is also the most expensive season and places run out months ahead. For the end of December the ticket has to be bought in September or October. Start looking at prices by destination in the winter months at the beginning of autumn.
Christmas markets and New Year
The Christmas markets open at the end of November and most of them close on the twenty-third of December. That is, on New Year’s Eve the markets are no longer working, and many people who do not know that are disappointed. If you want to see the markets, choose the first three weeks of December.
In that period hotel prices rise two or threefold and get dearer still at weekends. Going midweek is a serious saving. It is worth looking at tour offers on the winter routes too, because in the holiday period packages can come out better value than booking separately.
Clothing and details for a winter holiday
Dressing in layers is always better than one thick coat, because it is warm indoors. Waterproof shoes are essential in the northern cities. On the northern lights route, going outside without thermal underwear and gloves is not possible.
In the winter months the chance of flight delays is high, so leave extra time for a transit. Official weather warnings are published on the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources site.
In summary
A winter holiday comes in three different formats and the choice is made by budget and interest. Check the insurance for skiing, buy the ticket for warm countries in autumn, choose the first half of December for the Christmas markets. To build the route and the visa dates together, fill in the application form.
Note: market dates and the resort season change every year, so check the official sites before the trip.
