20 Sweet Spots for Winter Value

by  ShermansTravel Editorial Staff | Dec 12, 2012
Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas / Sean Pavone/iStock

In life, being in the right place at the right time can come down to serendipity. But in travel, it is almost always the result of good planning. To avoid crowds and inflated prices, we recommend the period between high and low seasons when the weather is fine, places are still open and happy to welcome travelers, and you can explore a destination at your own pace. We call this magical time and space continuum the Sweet Spot and make it a point to round up the best of them for you each season. We've covered the 20 best places to travel for value this winter and grouped them by region – follow the links to right to discover this season's Sweet Spots.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deal. 

Mardi Gras New Orleans

United States & Canada

Winter Forecast: With the exception of its southernmost terrain, the U.S. and Canada experience the colder side of winter. Cool breezes from Canada spill into the northern United States, serving as a tailwind for southbound vacationers. Regardless, seasonal shopping overtakes New York and Chicago, spreading holiday cheer. The Rockies see a surge in ski traffic, while Florida celebrates the end of hurricane season.

1. AUSTIN, TEXAS
The music starts at the airport, but that’s not all this hip, funky Texas capital city has to offer. Consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the U.S., Austin embraces film, cuisine, and its outdoor terrain equally.

Why Go In Winter: Visitors find more package deals and fewer crowds during winter months, yet the weather still hovers around a pleasant 65 degrees. The best promotions can be found in December, including during the holiday period.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Armadillo Christmas Bazaar (Dec. 12–24; www.armadillobazaar.com); Carnaval Brasileiro (Feb. 2; www.sambaparty.com); South by Southwest (Mar. 8–17; www.sxsw.com); Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo (Mar. 8–23; www.rodeoaustin.com)

See our Austin Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Austin.

2. LOS ANGELES
As the frontier of the American Dream, laid-back Los Angeles allows visitors to be a pampered star, an earnest culture vulture, a die-hard foodie, and anything else their heart desires. Head here for celebrity sightings, super shopping, and the chance to mix with the beautiful people.

Why Go In Winter: Spotty rains, temperatures in the mid-60s, and that trademark West Coast sunshine clear Los Angeles of its usual smog halo during the winter months, making for picturesque cityscapes, room discounts, and comfortable celebrity-spotting from Beverly Hills to Hollywood. Don't miss the Rose Parade in January, and starch that bowtie for the all-important Academy Awards come late February.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: LA Art Show (Jan. 23–27; www.laartshow.com); Chinese New Year / Golden Dragon Parade (Feb. 16; www.lagoldendragonparade.com); Vintage Fashion Expo (Santa Monica; Feb. 2–3; www.vintageexpo.com)

For more trip-planning information, see our Los Angeles Travel Guide, then search for Los Angeles travel deals.

3. MAINE
From its towering mountain summits to its sandy seashores, Maine offers diverse year-round activities for vacationers of all stripes. Maritime sites abound, romantic inns flourish, and family fun spots thrive in all regions. Stay south for sparkling beaches and quaint coastal villages, or trek north for rugged, untouched wilderness.

Why Go In Winter: Holiday time is bustling in harbor villages, but not bursting at the seams with tourists. Winter snows bring calm to the coast, but droves of skiers schuss down the slopes in Kennebec and Moose River Valleys and huff along the Nordic trails in the Highlands.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Rangeley Snowmobile Snow (Rangeley; Jan. 24-26; www.rangeleymaine.com); Special Olympics Maine State Winter Games (Sugarloaf; Jan. 27–29; www.specialolympicsmaine.org); U.S. National Toboggan Championships (Camden; Feb. 8–10; winter.camdensnowbowl.com)

See our Maine Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Maine.

4. NEW ORLEANS
The Big Easy is a delectable gumbo of red-hot jazz, historic streetcars, lacy French-colonial balconies, powdery beignets, and zesty Cajun cuisine. Its unique blend of Southern hospitality, eccentric tradition, and unabashed debauchery give it a distinct character unlike anywhere else in the United States. The city’s tourism infrastructure – especially in the relatively unscathed French Quarter – has largely recovered post-Katrina.

Why Go In Winter: Daytime temperatures in the mid-60s and fewer crowds make winter a comfortable time of year to visit New Orleans. Winter is also quiet and less crowded, though Mardi Gras festivities bring the highest rates of the year and New Year’s Eve draws crowds who come for the fireworks and the fleur-de-lis drop (celebrated in the same vein as the Times Square ball drop).

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Celebration in the Oaks (through Jan. 1; www.celebrationintheoaks.com); Crescent City Countdown (Dec. 31–Jan. 1; www.crescentcitycountdown.com); Mardi Gras (Feb. 12; www.mardigrasneworleans.com)

See our New Orleans Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to New Orleans.

5. PARK CITY, UTAH
This chic resort town invites outdoorsy types to go skiing, sleigh riding, snowshoeing, ice skating, hot air ballooning, or even bobsledding down the same track used in the Olympics. But Park City also offers plenty of entertainment for the more laid-back crowd: Lounge at the Egyptian Theatre on historic Main Street, stroll through 20-plus art galleries, or debate between 100-plus bars and restaurants for a dinner destination.

Why Go In Winter: An early ski season in a place with near-perfect snow conditions is a bargain hunter's dream come true. Three easily accessible premier ski resorts offer bargains to jump-start the season, and the town is dripping with alpine holiday spirit.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Sundance Film Festival (Jan. 17–27; www.sundance.org); FIS Freestyle World Championships (Deer Valley Resort; Jan. 30-Feb. 2; www.deervalley.com); The Canyons Spring Grüv (Mar. 22–31; www.thecanyons.com)

See our Utah Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Utah.

6. SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
Considered the heart and soul of New Mexico, enchanting Santa Fe boasts more than 400 years of history in its narrow streets and quaint adobe structures – it also offers one of the best blends of dining, shopping, art, and culture in the United States.

Why Go In Winter: Good snowfall, sunny days, and families on holiday spell crowds, but many properties offer worthwhile ski-and-stay package deals during this time.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Canyon Road Farolito Walk (Dec. 24; www.farolitowalk.com); Winter Weekend Classical Concerto (Jan. 25–27; www.ticketssantafe.org); ARTFeast (Feb. 22–24; www.artfeast.com)

See our Santa Fe Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Santa Fe.

7. VANCOUVER

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains, British Columbia’s largest city is heralded for its culture, cuisine, and proximity to the region’s spectacular natural surroundings. Given all Vancouver has to offer visitors, it’s no surprise it was chosen to host the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Why Go In Winter: Take advantage of lighter crowds to see museums and galleries, plus sample Vancouver’s multicultural menu offerings. Note though that December is Vancouver’s wettest month, with the other winter months falling close behind.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: VanDusen Botanical Gardens Festival of Lights (Dec. 7–24; www.vandusengarden.org); PuSh International Performing Arts Festival (Jan. 15–Feb. 3; www.pushfestival.ca); Talking Stick Festival (Feb. 13–Mar. 3; www.fullcircleperformance.ca)

See our Vancouver Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Vancouver.

Visit Mexico

Caribbean & Mexico

Winter Forecast: After hurricane season, winter reminds our Caribbean neighbors that island life is worth the trouble. Like clockwork, hotel occupancy levels peak come December and cost a premium for a week of perfect beach days. Spanning the same latitudes, Mexico thaws frostbitten Midwesterners and entices the adventurous into a thrill-packed mountainous interior. For a brief window pre-holiday season, you can expect great weather at affordable prices.

8. OAXACA, MEXICO
Although one of Mexico’s poorest states, Oaxaca is rich in art and history. The city of Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s colonial gems, surrounded by awe-inspiring ruins and villages specializing in local folk art, while the largely untouched coastline includes the beautiful beach areas of Puerto Escondido and Huatulco. 

Why Go In Winter: With the exception of the Christmas holidays, winter is Oaxaca’s low season, marked by stellar hotel deals and thinned-out crowds. While temperatures can drop into the 50s, they often linger in the 70s during the day, making it warm enough to swim. Another plus: This period is comfortably rain-free. 

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Radish Night Festival (Dec. 23; www.visitmexico.com)

See our Oaxaca Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Oaxaca.

Visit Helinski

Europe

Winter Forecast: Less sunshine and every kind of precipitation have northern Europeans hibernating. Gondola lines snake their way across much of Switzerland, Austria, and northern Italy, where snow is usually plentiful and the Alps have room for everyone. Much of Europe’s charm sits in climate-controlled museums, gastropubs, and guesthouses, so the combination of sharply discounted transatlantic airfare and low-season rates holds promise.

9. ATHENS
Greece's capital city serves as much more than just a pre-party island pit stop – this ancient birthplace of democracy manages to effortlessly mix history with modernity, owing much of its present-day polish to its hosting of the 2004 Summer Olympics. Sights like the iconic Acropolis and the Theater of Dionysus come together with inventive Mediterranean cuisine and some of Europe’s best nightlife – it's easy to see why Athena and Poseidon once competed for power over this exciting metropolis.

Why Go In Winter: Lock in deals galore by visiting Athens in the winter. Cooler temperatures and sunny skies allow for comfortable exploration of outdoor antiquities, while tourist-trap restaurants close, leaving the authentic local eateries open.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: "The World of Emmanouel Voureka" at the Benaki Museum (through Feb. 12; www.benaki.gr); Dionysia Wine Tasting Festival (Feb. 11); Clean Monday (March 18)

For more trip-planning information, see our Athens Travel Guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Athens.

10. CANARY ISLANDS

This Spanish archipelago off the coast of North Africa lures visitors primarily to Tenerife, the largest of its islands and a major port of call in the Atlantic Ocean, where visitors flock to Puerto de la Cruz, a charming colonial town of curving streets and plazas that attracts shoppers with its tax-free status. Its other less-traveled isles likewise beckon with national parks and Biosphere Reserves, beautiful beaches, and activities like big-game fishing and camel riding.

Why Go In Winter: A good-value destination year-round, the Canary Islands see dependable spring-like temperatures and a relatively peaceful lull in December and January before rowdy Carnival visitors take over in February.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Canary Islands Music Festival (Jan. 11–Feb. 15; www.festivaldecanarias.com); Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival (Feb. 6–17; www.carnavaltenerife.es); Las Palmas International Film Festival (Date TBD)

For more trip-planning information, see our Spain Travel Guide, then search for Spain travel deals.

11. FINLAND

Although long influenced by both Sweden and Russia, Finland maintains a distinct culture, language, and mindset. While Helsinki couldn’t be hipper and hotter these days, with booming architecture, film, fashion, and music scenes, the Finnish soul resides within the cool and timeless countryside beyond.

Why Go In Winter: In late winter, before spring springs, the days get longer, temperatures get warmer, and the collective Finnish spirit lifts. Hotels are mostly cheaper than in summer – except in skiing areas, as this is peak ski season for tourists and locals alike.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Season of Light (Helsinki; January; www.visithelsinki.fi); Kokkola Winter Accordian Festival (Kokkola; Feb. 17–24; www.festivals.fi)

See our Finland Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Finland.

12. SLOVENIA
Chock-full of the same medieval towns and quaint villages that made the Czech Republic – namely Prague – a household name, Slovenia’s charms can be enjoyed for a fraction of the price of its trailblazing predecessor. Activities like winemaking are popular in Slovenian shore towns, while further north in the Alps, Lake Bled is a popular winter sports destination. A trip to the capital, Ljubljana, reveals ornate row houses, picturesque rivers, and iconic castles and bridges.

Why Go In Winter: Nestled between popular ski regions in Italy and Austria, Slovenia’s Julian Alps offer a similar experience for much less cost. Before heading to the modern ski towns of Kranjska Gora and Cerkno – which have remarkable winter deals – you'll fly into the charming capital city of Ljubljana, just a short distance from the ski resorts. 

Winter 2012/2013 Events: “20th Century / Continuities and Ruptures” at the Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova (Ljubljana; www.mg-lj.si); Kurentovanje Carnival (Ptuj; Feb. 2–13)

See our Slovenia Spotlight for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Slovenia.

Visit Costa Rica

Central & South America

Winter Forecast: As fall rain clouds fizzle over the sea, the increasingly popular beaches and nature reserves of Central America prove irresistible to sun seekers. South America’s summer swells with Carnival, and Rio’s beach culture is a memorable bonus. Moisture-laden air off the Pacific tempers the occasionally sweltering sun along the Andes, and exploring Patagonia digs up moderate temperatures.

13. COSTA RICA
Appropriately enough for a country whose national mantra is pura vida (pure life), ecotourism is the major draw in Costa Rica. One of the most biodiverse countries on the planet – home to 4 percent of the world’s species – this stable, safe, and still affordable Central American democracy boasts dense rain forests, tropical beaches, unique cultural attractions, fresh eats, and a growing number of luxury resorts.

Why Go In Winter: The value of visiting this popular destination during December and January is the weather: Skies are clear, temperatures linger in the 80s, and fresh from the rainy season, everything is lush and green. For more hotel availability and less congestion on jungle trails, skip the period between Christmas and New Year's when families on winter break flood in.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Puntarenas Carnival (Puntarenas; Feb. 2013, dates TBD); Día de los Boyeros (Oxcart Drivers’ Day) (San Antonio of Escazú; Mar. 10; www.visitcostarica.com)

For more trip-planning information, see our Costa Rica Travel Guide, then search for Costa Rica travel deals.

14. VENEZUELA
This biodiverse paradise at the top of South America boasts thundering waterfalls, a vast chunk of the Amazon, nearly 1,800 miles of Caribbean coastline, and snow-covered Andean peaks. Visitors can combine Amazon expeditions, beach time, and rich South American culture for a value-packed vacation.

Why Go In Winter: The country experiences occasional spots of rain during this shoulder season, but prices are down and crowds are minimal. Temperatures hover in the 90s.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Virgen de la Candelaria (Caracas, Feb. 2); Carnival (countrywide; select dates in Feb.)

See our Venezuela Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Venezuela.

Discover Hong Kong

Asia & Middle East

Winter Forecast: In Asia, squirrelly North Pacific winds cause trouble closer to the equator, whipping up monsoons, but they suppress rates at coastal resorts in Vietnam and Malaysia. West of Mount Everest, the blanket of heat is temporarily lifted from the Indian subcontinent, prompting a festival blitz that can at times be experienced for low-season rates. The Sahara Desert region experiences a bout of cool, dry, winter weather that makes visits to most of the Middle East mild and comfortable.

15. HONG KONG
Designated a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China after the British handed it back in 1997, Hong Kong is a study in opposites: Colonial, historical buildings nuzzle up against cutting-edge skyscrapers, while the entire city stands starkly against lush, green mountains and the jewel-blue buffer of the surrounding South China Sea.

Why Go In Winter: It’s the best time of year for savings on hotel stays and weather is comfortably cool – around 55 degrees – in the earlier part of the year. Avoid Chinese New Year when crowds abound and attractions close.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival (Dec. 1-2; www.discoverhongkong.com); Hong Kong Arts Festival (Feb 21–Mar. 22; www.hk.artsfestival.org); Spring Lantern Festival (Feb. 24; www.discoverhongkong.com)

See our Hong Kong Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Hong Kong.

16. JORDAN
Unlike its neighbors, Jordan has few natural resources. And yet, the country has capitalized remarkably on its natural and historic treasures, making it one of the Middle East’s top tourist destinations. Visitors can enjoy ancient ruins in the desert, bathe in Dead Sea mud, and indulge in five-star hotel stays.

Why Go In Winter: Even though the winter months bring cold weather to Jordan, outdoor sightseeing is still more comfortable during these times than the scorching summer months. The Red Sea and Aqaba, in particular, are worth visiting during this period.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Milad un Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed) (countrywide; Jan. 24); The Annual Wedding Show (Amman, March date TBD)

See our Jordan Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Jordan.

17. PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA
Phnom Penh – "the pearl of Asia" and the capital of Cambodia – is one of the world’s fastest-changing cities. Here, a modern tourism infrastructure exists alongside ancient temples and lively streetside cafés in old French-colonial buildings. The city's beguiling Indochina charm, while tempered by the country’s recent violent past, is still very much alive.

Why Go In Winter:  Though December and January comprise the city's peak season, once February rolls around – and before the rainy season arrives in May – lower prices and fewer crowds combine with temperatures in the mid-70s, making it a most pleasant time to travel to Phnom Penh.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Meak Bochea Day (Feb. 25); International Women’s Day (Mar. 8)

See our Phnom Penh Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Phnom Penh.

Flickr / dany13

Australia & Pacific

Winter Forecast: As the summer sun beats down on inland Australia, the island’s southern coast enters a peak season made desirable by tempering oceanic breezes. Wannabe Kiwis touch down on New Zealand beneath clear skies and ideal trekking conditions. The threat of cyclones throughout the rest of the South Pacific should be watched, not to mention the deals on beachside bungalows.

18. MARQUESAS ISLANDS
There’s no better place to get away from it all than in the Marquesas Islands. Located northeast of Tahiti and comprised of 12 volcanic islands (six of which are inhabited), the Marquesas are situated further away from a continent than any other islands in the world. Only Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa provide hotel accommodations – the former island is best known for its stunning Ahuii waterfall, while the latter earns acclaim for its giant stone tikis (the biggest found in Polynesia) and out-of-this-world landscapes, including the remains of a sunken volcano.

Why Go In Winter: These remote Pacific islands shine in the waning dry season, pairing the best-preserved tikis outside Easter Island with the appeal of Eden.  

Winter 2012/2013 Events: None scheduled 

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to the Marquesas Islands.

Flickr / F H Mira

Africa

Winter Forecast: From Casablanca to Cairo, winter is rainy along the coast, with days that are ideal for deeper exploration of the Sahara. Farther south, the Southern Hemisphere’s summer brings drier days and peak safari season, which coincides with a big bump in lodge rates. Namibia’s nefarious Skeleton Coast is almost guaranteed to be rain-free in December and January as precipitation gives way to Atlantic breezes down the southeastern coast.

19. MOZAMBIQUE
On Africa’s southeastern edge, tropical temperatures, turquoise waters, and over 1,500 miles of beach mix with colonial-era architecture, salsa music, and wildlife, making Mozambique one of the continent’s most up-and-coming destinations.

Why Go In Winter: Temperatures are high, but in most areas the rains haven’t started and visits can be very enjoyable. Prices are also reasonable, except for the Christmas-New Year holiday period, when high season prices apply, and advance bookings are essential.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Festival of Hope (January, date TBD); Heroes’ Day (countrywide; Feb. 3)

See our Mozambique Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Mozambique.

20. ZANZIBAR
Picture-perfect beaches, tropical temperatures, beautiful palace architecture, the exotic old Stone Town, and a culture shaped over the centuries by monsoon winds give Zanzibar, also known as the "spice islands," its timeless appeal.

Why Go In Winter: Outside of the busy Christmas-New Year period, these months usually see fewer crowds and better hotel rates. Expect warmer weather (mid-80s), sporadic rains, and fickle winds, especially in December.

Winter 2012/2013 Events: Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) (Stone Town; Feb. 14–17; www.busaramusic.org)

See our Zanzibar Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find flight, hotel, cruise, and more travel deals to Zanzibar.

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