5. Barbados
From December to April, Barbados shimmers with clear skies, sunshine and temperatures of up to 30°C. You’re not landing right in the middle of peak season if you go in January, but this winter sun destination is another not-so-off-the-beaten-track choice.
You can’t go wrong with a beach in Barbados, but it has more to it than that. For example, Barbados Sailing Week takes place in mid to late January, kicking off a host of sailing events around the Caribbean. Visit at the end of the month meanwhile and you are likely to catch a display that’s part of Barbados Horticultural Society’s annual Flower and Garden Show. Barbados regularly wins gold at the UK’s annual Chelsea Flower Show, so expect to be wowed with rare blooms as well as demonstrations and crafts.
6. Laos & The Mekong River
Next to no rainfall and warm, dreamy days makes January the perfect time to visit Laos, weather-wise. its cultural capital, Luang Prabang, averages out at around 24°C this month.
We’d certainly recommend getting to grips with the Paris-esque charms of the capital, Vientiane, and taking your sweet time in Luang Prabang. There are, after all, over 33 temples to see, seemingly endless stretches of night market stalls and even a mountain to climb: Mount Phou Si.
When you’re ready, cruise along the Mekong to reach the southerly regions of Laos. Sunseekers, take note: the south experiences higher temps in January, pushing 30°C.
Along the way, you’ll stop at Si Phan Do, taking in the majestic sight of the Mekong’s mightiest waterfall, Khon Phapheng, the so-called ‘Niagara of Asia’. Laos’ second city, Pakse, lies where the Mekong and Xe Don rivers meet, and bursts with colonial architectural charm, bustles with culture and houses one of the country’s most important temples, Wat Luang.
