When cold weather hits, escaping to somewhere warm might just cross your mind once or twice. Whether it be for one day or an entire week, taking some time to refresh and recharge can be very beneficial. While some may choose to take a more traditional vacation to a resort in a warmer area, you may crave a more exciting type of getaway. Whether it be the increasingly overcrowded vacation spots or simply just the feeling of being “stuck” in one place, many are seeking different outlets for their more adventurous sides, and you can follow suit. In lieu of more traditional travel, here are three unique ways you can escape your winter blues.
Take a Cruise
Cruises are a great, less-traditional way to enjoy your vacation. They still have elements of traditional vacations, but can be much more exciting. Every day can be a new experience. Plus, only having to pack your bags one time can be a huge stress relief. There are things like river cruises, adventure cruises, themed cruises, and more. They’re also for those travelers who like a lot of excitement, but prefer minimal planning. Your itinerary can be as full (or as empty) as you’d like with things like pool volleyball, spa treatments, and sight-seeing in beautiful cities.
Contrary to popular belief, booking with an all-inclusive cruise line can actually end up saving you money in the long run. If you plan on doing the majority of your eating and drinking on the ship, then paying a flat fee for these amenities could be the smarter option. Some all-inclusive packages even offer more in terms of spa treatment and entertainment in the deal as well. All things considered, no matter what kind of cruise you choose to book with, you might just find that cruising is your new favorite way to vacation.
Go Local
Air BnBs and hostels are steadily growing in popularity, and they generally tend to be the more financially conscious option as well. However, it is important to note that with these more, “local experience” destinations, you might not get the same lavish treatment as you may be used to with traditional hotels or cruises. That being said, it could be an eye-opening experience to shop, eat, and live like the locals do. When making plans to visit an area, just be sure to consider many important factors that could drastically impact your trip like cultural environment, group size and budget to name a few.
With that being said, this type of traveling could definitely be beneficial for local economies, too. You can feel good knowing your money will go to family-owned restaurants and shops instead of larger corporations. However, if you want to go the extra distance to help the local population, you may also want to consider doing a bit of volunteering while you’re there. Plenty of organizations exist to connect you with volunteer opportunities abroad, so be sure to take advantage of all the resources you have!
Embrace the Cold
Instead of trying to escape the winter, embrace it! Try going for something exciting like a group ski trip or ice-skating. There are plenty of benefits to doing activities in the winter, so see if there’s anything that interests you and get out there. You might even start associating winter with your new hobby, and that might just help make the snowy months a little less gloomy. If the cold is absolutely not your thing, try curling up next to your fireplace or heater with a nice book and a hot chocolate. If you can’t get away, at least you can get cozy. No matter how you embrace the winter months, anything is better than simply dealing with it until the flowers bloom, so be sure to find activities you truly enjoy.
If the winter affects you negatively, then it’s completely fine to want to escape from reality for a little, and what better way to use up those extra miles on your credit card or those last few PTO days at work? Also, it’s important to keep in mind that these aren’t the only unique ways to travel. There are so many other ways people vacation, so be sure to share your travel stories below to inspire the community. Who knows? Maybe you might just get inspired yourself.
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