3. Los Angeles, USA
The home of Hollywood is a surprise in January. It’s not warm but mild, with temperatures ranging from around 8°C to 20°C. An ideal time to take on a walking tour of the city, spy celebrities arriving at the Golden Globes in early Jan, or do what LA natives do best: hike!
Griffith Park, to the east of the Santa Monica Mountains, is well-suited to low-key hikers. The Charlie Turner Trail is a popular 40-minute ascent, offering a glimpse of the legendary Hollywood sign and glorious panoramas over the city from the top of Mount Hollywood. The reward doesn’t end there: Griffith Park Observatory is in the vicinity, and it’s a must for stargazers.
Another option is Runyon Canyon, one the best-known trails in Los Angeles. Even in mild January, you’ll find plenty of super-fit locals hiking along this dirt path. It slopes up gradually – but watch out for a couple of steep surprises thrown in to keep you on your toes.
If it all seems a little too touristy for you, there’s no better time to visit neighbouring areas of California. Malibu, Long Beach and Santa Monica are some of the best-loved beaches in LA county, while Burbank, Silver Lake and Culver City neighbourhoods offer a bevy of cool bars, health-conscious eateries, independent boutiques and cultural gems.
4. Slovenia
Slovenia doesn’t immediately come to mind as a winter getaway. It’s not sunny, and you can’t see the Northern Lights, but you can experience a different side to a country that is traditionally explored in summer.
First things first: Lake Bled. This classic stop looks simply magical when frosted over, with the added benefit of fewer visitors clogging up the paths. It’s usually virtually impossible to experience Bled sans the presence of other travellers, so make the most of the off-peak season and spend a day exploring the lake, its island and the small town surrounding it.
Then there’s skiing. In January, Slovenia’s national parks become a ski enthusiast’s paradise. The mother of all skiing hot spots is Kranjska Gora, although you’ll never be short of options: Vogel in Triglav National Park has views of Lake Bohinj and Krvavec, Slovenia’s second largest ski resort, is just 25 minutes from the capital, Ljubljana. Warm up after a busy day on the slopes with an evening in the spa. Bliss.
If Slovenia doesn’t float your boat, the Balkan region and its neighbours often surprise as affordable ski destinations. Sarajevo in Bosnia & Herzegovina, as well as Kopaonik in Serbia both offer various winter sports trips.
