With Christmas behind us, winter in the northern hemisphere can seem long and dispiriting. It’s no wonder that this month leaves many of us longing to jet off to somewhere different, whether that be to far-flung locales or places closer to home. If you yearn for a culture fix or simply need some warm sunshine, here are six picks for the best places to visit in January.
Antigua, Guatemala
Central America’s dry and sunny at this time of year. Base yourself in Antigua, Guatemala’s former capital. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is crammed with buildings that survived the 1773 earthquake that signaled a loss of status and turned it into a backwater town. But every cloud has a silver lining, and here it meant that the historic character of its cobbled streets and plazas was preserved and saved from modern development. Colorful and photogenic, it’s a place to stroll and enjoy a leisurely coffee in one of the many excellent cafés that litter its centuries-old core. When you’re ready to explore, there’s plenty of day trip possibilities within easy reach of the city, including scenic lakes, active volcanoes, Mayan ruins, and vibrant Chichicastenango market.
The Coromandel, New Zealand
January is the height of summer in the southern hemisphere and in outdoorsy New Zealand it’s the ideal time of year to head to the beach. Make your way to Cathedral Cove, a highlight of the Coromandel Peninsula. Reached either by boat, kayak, or via a scenic hike across the cliff top — in January you’ll need to get up early to beat the crowds to this popular spot, whose cathedral-like arch frames the view of a sea stack the locals call Te Hoho. Offshore, the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve awaits snorkellers and scuba divers. A ten-minute drive south gets you to Hot Water Beach, where naturally heated water bubbles up onto the sand. Time your visit two hours either side of low tide so you can dig yourself a pool and soak in your own alfresco hot tub before it gets washed away by the incoming waves.
The Shetland Islands, Scotland
Visitors flock to Lerwick on the last Tuesday in January for the Up Helly Aa festival. The capital of the Shetlands is the setting for a magnificent spectacle that incorporates Norse traditions and celebrates the islands’ Viking heritage. Continuing a tradition that dates from the 19th century, costumed squads, known as guizers, bear torches as they process through the streets dragging a replica longship. The guizers gather around the boat and sing the ‘Galley Song’ as custom dictates. Then they throw their torches onto the vessel and watch it burn. More singing follows, and plenty of drinking and dancing. If you’ve time to hang around, other smaller versions take place throughout the next month or so across the islands.
Barbados
This beautiful Caribbean island is dreamy in January. The postcard-perfect west coast is lined with luxury resorts, while surfers flock to the wilder eastern shores around Bathsheba. Beyond the beach there is a slew of places to visit. Georgetown, the island’s capital, is where you’ll find George Washington’s house and its hidden tunnels. Close by, spend the afternoon at the racetrack or get up early to watch the jockeys exercise their horses. Inland, make your way to Hunte’s Gardens, where verdant shrubs and tropical flowers fill an exquisitely landscaped ravine. Alternatively, take a tour of St Nicholas Abbey, a Jacobean mansion built in 1658 that’s now run as a sugar plantation and rum distillery.
Cape Town, South Africa
Capetonians love to make the most of the hot sunny weather and head to the beach, making this the ideal time to enjoy this captivating South African city. The suburb of Camps Bay boasts a palm-flanked strip of sand backed by the iconic Twelve Apostles. Get a closer look as you hike up or ride the revolving gondola to the top of Table Mountain. Watch cute furry dassies scuttle about in the fynbos vegetation and take in the breathtaking view over the city and its coastal hinterland. Down below, take a walking tour of colorful Bo Kaap or catch a ferry out to Robben Island to see where Nelson Mandela was once incarcerated. Back on the mainland, head down to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront to take advantage of this lively marina’s many excellent bars and restaurants.
Iceland
Despite its northerly latitude, Iceland is a year-round destination, so consider timing your visit for January. This is the month that signals the start of Þorrablót, an important winter festival. It’s a time for feasting, and if you have a strong stomach, it’s customary to eat delicacies such as hákarl (fermented shark), hrútspungar (rams’ testicles) and svið (boiled sheep’s head). January’s also a good time to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights; you’ll need a strong aurora forecast and clear skies. Be sure to fill your days with activities such as riding an Icelandic horse, experiencing one of the country’s luxurious geothermal baths or visiting its jaw-dropping waterfalls and glaciers.
