By Nina Rodriguez
School is out and the holidays are in! Instead of catching the yearly winter flu, how about catching the travel bug? Here are some classic, trendy, and underrated travel destinations for this winter.
Let’s start with some classics.
1. New York City
There’s nothing like Christmas in the city! As a native Jersey girl, going to New York was an absolute must every holiday season. The city is lit up with world-class decorations. The holiday essentials include the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, light show at Saks Fifth Avenue, holiday window displays at the Midtown Macys, and other decorations along Fifth Avenue. Bryant Park is hosting its annual holiday market, with over 180 vendors providing everything from food to clothes to gifts to holiday spirit! Ice skating is another quintessential activity and can be done at iconic landmarks such as Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, and Central Park. Also, catch The Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall for incomparable talent and a fun family activity.
Aside from the holiday spirit, New York City is the perfect place to find delicious, world-class cuisine of all cultures and styles. Top restaurants and hole-in-the-wall pizza shops are sure to leave you satisfied. My personal favorite pizza place is “Little Italy Pizza” on East 32nd St. and 5th Avenue; it also has a perfect view of the Empire State Building! Make sure to visit a viewing deck to get breathtaking views of the city. Another way to see the skyline is to hop over to my home state, New Jersey, and look across the river from Hoboken. Grab a $1 slice of pizza and a cozy cup of hot chocolate and head over to NYC for an incomparable sense of holiday spirit!
2. London
London is another city with an abundant amount of season’s greetings! The city is home to many iconic landmarks such as the London Bridge, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye—and they get even more magical in December/January. Oxford Street and Regent Street are lit up with life-sized angels and stars. With an array of more than 100 stalls, Borough Market features top-tier food and local produce for a perfectly unique meal experience. Quintessential holiday experiences include engaging in the spirit at Oxford and Piccadilly Circus by looking at Christmas decorations, and displays, and listening to holiday songs. Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is a park full of festive attractions such as rides, entertainment, food, drinks, and popular winter activities. London is an undeniably beautiful city with so much to offer and holiday spirit to take part in!
Looking for some underrated destinations?
3. Seville, Spain
Seville is an often overlooked small city in Spain. Full of culture and delectable Spanish cuisine, there is so much to see and do aside from holiday attractions. The weather in southern Spain is mild this time of year, at 60 degrees. Spain is notorious for being a tourist destination, however, tourism rates decline in the winter, which provides more opportunities to live like a local. Some festive activities include quaint holiday markets and the celebration of the Three Kings Festival at the beginning of January. Seville is the perfect getaway for cultural immersion, appreciation of Spanish architecture, and Christmas cheer!
4. Park City, Utah
Park City, Utah is most famously known for hosting the “Sundance Film Festival,” however, it is diversifying its market to be a true winter wonderland with magical snow, never-ending opportunities for sports, and relaxing spas. Park City is the best place for winter sports like skiing or snowboarding at one of its luxury resorts such as Montage Deer Valley, Stein Eriksen Lodge, and the St. Regis Deer Valley. These resorts are perfect for relaxation as well as thrilling activities. However, Park City’s main attraction is its new name “The Greatest Snow on Earth.” Snowy landscapes, rejuvenating spas, exciting slopes, and luxurious resorts — Park City has it all!
Want to escape the cold weather?
5. Maldives
The Maldives is a jaw-droppingly beautiful tropical paradise that is the perfect escape from the bitter cold. With an abundance of beautiful islands, island-hopping and exploring local communities is the perfect immersion to island time. An essential destination is Malé, the capital of the Maldives. This small city is densely populated and home to attractions such as the Malé Fish Market and the Old Friday Mosque, the oldest mosque in the Maldives. Other attractions include scuba-diving and snorkeling in Baa Atoll which is one of the largest coral reef groups in the Indian Ocean. Similarly, watching marine life such as manta rays, whale sharks, and dolphins is a daily occurrence. Dinner on the water or relaxing in an over-the-water bungalow is the perfect way to relax and experience luxury. Get ready to experience winter break on island time!
