Intercontinental Hotel DC Wharf, Washington D.C.

With the winter holidays approaching (wohoo!), it’s time once again to begin thinking and planning for how and where you’d like to spend the festive season. With so many different ways to spend the holidays, the options are endless. Are you interested in unique ways to spend this upcoming holiday season? Check out these 5 different ways (and accompanying destinations) to inspire, fuel, and motivate you, as you prepare and plan for your upcoming trip.

Winter Vacation Ideas And Destinations:

1. Spend it on a Beach

Interested in swapping that winter jacket for some beach attire? If you’re like me and are always in search of warm weather destinations to escape the freezing weather during winter, why not spend your holiday at the beach? Exchange the winter cold for a nice, warm, and sunny island getaway! Feel free to research warm weather or island destinations that are convenient for you, or if you already have an option in mind, go for it! Alternatively, if you’re open to suggestions, Seychelles and Mauritius are beautiful warm weather destinations.

Mahé, Seychelles

Stunning, breathtaking, warm, and full of activities for a variety of travelers, Seychelles and Mauritius are great islands to spend the winter holidays. Located in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Africa, both Seychelles and Mauritius are well known for their beautiful beaches, gorgeous scenery, and vibrant island life. Both are distinct, unique, and offer different activities. However, since they’re close by you could choose to visit both destinations during a holiday or spend an extensive amount of time in one location. Of the two destinations, be aware that Seychelles can be more expensive than Mauritius.

Interested in how to spend your time in Seychelles or Mauritius and what activities each island offers?

Mauritius Awaits..

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2. Spend it exploring the Great Outdoors

The world is home to so many beautiful natural wonders. Why not leverage this holiday season to visit one? From waterfalls, to national parks, to desert dunes, the options are endless. Swap your sweats, PJs, whatever you lounge in, for an explorer's hat and be amazed at the different wonders of the world. Feel free to research destinations that are convenient for you, or if you already have a destination in mind, go for it!

Alternatively if you’re open to suggestions, Namibia is a beautiful and rich destination for exploring the great outdoors. Known for its diverse scenery, beautiful landscapes, and amazing wildlife, Namibia is a stunning destination to spend the winter holidays.

Windhoek, Namibia

Located in south west Africa, Namibia is blessed with a west coast that borders the Atlantic ocean, vast desert and dunes in the south, and amazing wildlife and national parks in the north. From hiking sand dunes to taking in stunning views of the Atlantic, Namibia offers diverse attractions.

Interested in how to spend the holidays in Namibia and what the country offers?

Getaway to Swakopmund, Namibia

Check out these 4 Activities to do in Swakop.

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3. Spend it Basking in Luxury

After a long year, the holiday season is usually the time of the year where people plan to treat themselves or loved ones (don’t be confused though - I’m an advocate of treating and pampering yourself and loved ones all year round). So, why not spend your holidays in a lavish, luxurious, and modern destination? Feel free to research lavish destinations that are convenient for you, or if you already have an option in mind, go for it!

Alternatively if you’re open to suggestions, look no further than Dubai!

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Home to a variety of activities (from extravagant to calm), Dubai offers excursions for a wide range of travelers. While there, take in the views from the Burj, admire the city’s skyline and architecture, go on a desert excursion, or shop until you can’t anymore at the Dubai Mall.

But…don’t stop there! Check out Ski Dubai, skydive with Skydive Dubai, stop by Adventure Waterpark, wander through the Souks, and so much more! Not interested in all the action? …Simply relax at one of its numerous resorts and grand hotels.

4. Spend it exploring a Major City

Interested in having an action filled, energetic, and busy holiday? Why not spend your holidays exploring a major city? Sure…major cities can be crowded, dirty, and very pricey, but along with the holidays comes a certain charm, where cities become festive! The city transforms and is decorated, holiday markets and events pop up, and charming traditions come to life.

Are you located by a major city or is there a city you’ve always wanted to visit? Leverage this time to explore and discover all it has to offer! Be aware that visiting major cities during the holidays means visiting during the peak period when prices are at an all time high. To avoid this, plan and book your holiday in advance.

Interested in suggestions of cities to visit? Check out none other than New York City! (cliche much? I know, I know)

New York, USA

From the holiday displays in shop windows to ice skating in Bryant Park, New York (albeit expensive) is a fun and festive city to spend the holidays. While there, check out the Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller center, enjoy the holiday displays at major store fronts such as at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, and Macy’s, catch a show (for example, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular), visit a holiday market, try out a new restaurant, or go ice skating. The options are honestly unlimited!

Other exciting cities to consider spending the holidays are Accra, Ghana, Berlin, Germany and Seoul, South Korea.

Interested in exploring Seoul?

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Check out 10 best things to do in Seoul, South Korea.

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5. Spend it NOT Breaking the Bank

Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Yessss spending the holidays on an island, basking in luxury, or in a major city sounds great and all, BUT what if you want to enjoy those finer things in life without breaking the bank? Why not take a holiday trip that allows you to get away, immerse yourself in a new culture, try new activities, make new memories, and IS affordable? It’s possible! Leverage this holiday to check out one of the various affordable travel destinations the world has to offer. Feel free to research affordable destinations that are convenient for you, or if you already have an option in mind, go for it!

Alternatively, if you’re open to suggestions, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a great affordable destination to spend the holidays! Known for its multiculturalism, diverse and beautiful landscapes, adventure activities and experiences, and unique local cuisine, Malaysia is an amazing affordable destination to spend the holidays.

Petronas Twin Towers, KL, Malaysia

From exploring major metropolitan cities, such as Kuala Lumpur to visiting historic cities such as Malacca, and to island hopping in Langkawi, Malaysia offers a variety of sceneries and activities for different types of travelers - at an affordable price point.

Depending on your departure point (Africa, South America, North America, Europe vs parts of Asia and North America (west coast)), the biggest expense could be ticket costs. Apart from flights, dining, accommodation, transportation within the country, and activity expenses are available at different price points. From cheap to medium/affordable to expensive, Malaysia offers a wide range of options for different budgets AND quality doesn’t need to be sacrificed because one is on a budget.

….I’m talking luxurious and amazing hotels in Kuala Lumpur at affordable price points or parasailing over the South China Sea in Sabah without breaking the bank. Malaysia offers great accommodations, experiences, etc that are both good and affordable.

Being soft on the budget is just the icing on the cake, because Malaysia by itself is a standout destination. Get ready to immerse yourself in this multicultural country (Malaysia is home to three cultural groups, Malay, Chinese, and Indian) and to experience how this cultural diversity influences everyday life, such as local cuisine, languages spoken, and much more. While there learn about the country, people, and history, try different foods, engage in a variety of activities, and experience the night life - all without breaking the bank ;)