Top 10 Best Winter Vacation Destinations

Typically, summer is that time of the year when everyone is busy planning for a vacation. But why not choose to different from the rest of the pack and go for a winter vacation getaway instead? Here are the top ten best winter vacation destinations that are sure to be a raging success.

If you are an adrenaline junkie and winter activities are right up your alley, then going for a winter vacation is just your thing. At least, it's better than sitting at home doing nothing. So, if you are a snowboarder, a skier or just one of those people who loves the winter, then going to a fun winter destination is just what you are looking for. However, winter vacations don't necessarily mean roughing it out in the snow, you could also go to a sunny, relaxing location to soak up the sun while all the others back home are freezing their hands off!

With so many winter destinations all over the world that make for some of the most unusual getaways, it shouldn't be hard for you and your family to find the best spot. But, if there are too many choices and it is becoming incredibly difficult for you to come to a final destination, then here are a few hot favorites that you need to consider.

Top Winter Vacation Destinations for the Family

If you are finding it difficult to find the right winter holiday spot to go to with the family, then here are ten great choices that could help you:

Jukkasjärvi

If you are looking forward to visit a serene place and see something out of the world, then visit the tiny riverside village of Jukkasjärvi, in Sweden. This village is one of the best winter destinations. Jukkasjärvi is known for its ice hotel. Yes, a hotel made of ice. The Ice hotel is world-famous for its fantastic winter packages. Created from scratch each year out of hundreds of thousands of tons of ice and snow from the river nearby, the hotel is a real sight! This hotel features the Absolut Ice Bar, which has become a favorite amongst the youth all over the world.

How to Reach Here

You can reach the IceHotel by road. The village of Jukkasjärvi is just 15 km from Kiruna Airport and 17 km from Kiruna train station. The Swedish train company 'SJ', operates trains daily that pass Ice Hotel and the Björkliden Ski Resort. You can take the train and enjoy the serene ride, passing through the ski slopes of Björkliden. You can even book a flight to Kiruna to reach the Ice Hotel. There are many connecting flights from around the world that take you to Kiruna airport. You can even enjoy attractive package deals and take flights from the London Heathrow airport to Kiruna.

Alaska

If you are planning on taking your kids along, Alaska makes for the perfect family winter vacation destination for you. Winter is the time when fun starts in Alaska. From going dog sledding to viewing the beautiful northern lights, Alaska has a little something for absolutely everyone. Even though it is notorious because of it's incredibly cold climate, you will find Alaska has a lot of entertainment options and activities that are likely to keep you and your family laughing throughout. The temperature is about 20°F and you can enjoy about 6 to 13 hours of daylight. There are plenty of activities for you and your family to enjoy when in Alaska. You can try dog mushing, enjoy the northern lights, go snowboarding and spend time skiing on the Nordoc and alpine regions. Apart from adventurous activities, you can visit the museums, cultural centers, have fun shopping and lift up your spirits drinking the local beer.

How to Reach Here

You can travel to Alaska by air and enter the state from the primary posts of entry like Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. If you are thinking of driving to Alaska, then add this travel arrangement into your list of adventures in Alaska. The Alaskan highway begins in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Along the route to Alaska, you can stop over at some of the most beautiful state as well as national parks. If you want to taste the high-seas and absorb the abundant marine life of Alaska, you can choose to travel by sea. There are two kinds of transportations available, the cruise ship and ferry. If you are in for getting entertained and enjoy lavish food and shopping sprees, then cruise ships is your choice. However, if you are tight on budget, then try the ferry system. You can even bring along your personal RV on the ferry. These ferries are equipped with dining rooms, cafeteria, movie hall and even small trinket shops to keep you busy.

Mont Tremblant

One of the best places to go in winter is Mont Tremblant. Situated in the scenic Laurentian Mountains of Quebec, Canada, Mont Tremblant draws millions of tourists every year. With more than 600 acres of land that is solely used for snowboarding and skiing, Mont Tremblant is perhaps the perfect choice if you want a fun-filled vacation time with the wife and kids. This region is famous for its ski resorts such as the Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort that is just 13 km away from the main village at the foot of the mountain Mont Tremblant. This region also boasts of a race track Circuit Mont-Tremblant, which hosted Formula One, Can-Am, Trans-Am as well as the Champ Car World Series. You can try hiking, cycling, even your favorite golf when in Mont Tremblant.

How to Reach Here

Tremblant is one of the most accessible winter vacation destination. You can take a flight from anywhere in the world to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport. Mont Tremblant is just 90 minutes away from this airport. It about 35 km away from the Mont Tremblant International Airport. If you wish to travel by air, then try booking car rentals. You can pick up a car at the airport or directly at Mont Tremblant, whichever suits your needs. There are plenty of bus and shuttle services that you can opt for at the airport. Apart from this, you can indulge yourself by booking a limousine service that takes you to and from Trudeau International Airport.
 

Wisconsin Dells

The small town of Wisconsin Dells offers some of the best winter vacation packages like the Great Wolf Lodge, which is home to some of the biggest indoor water parks. The kids will simply love it! If you are visiting Wisconsin Dells, you'll get the best of both the worlds - from a perfect winter with snow falling outdoors to a beautiful summer recreated indoors! Christmas is celebrated with great pomp and show. You can enjoy the trees decked with treats. You can enjoy a charming afternoon, figure skating in the Dells with your family. Be prepared to rock yourself on New Year's Eve enjoying the number of parties thrown at Dells.

How to Reach Here

You can travel to Dell in your own personal car. You can even opt for flights and get off at the Wisconsin Dells Dane Co. Regional Airport in Madison or the O'Hare International in Chicago. Look out for rental cars at these airports and reach Dells by road. Apart from cars and flights, you can check out the train and bus service to reach your top US winter destination. As you can see, you have plenty of options to reach Wisconsin Dells.

Lake Tahoe

For years, Lake Tahoe has been one of the most famous winter holiday vacation spots in the United States. Situated on the border of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe offers plenty of activities for all kinds of people - right from the families to the honeymooners. With an average of 360 inches of snowfall every year, Lake Tahoe is a winter wonderland of fun and excitement. With so many exotic resorts surrounding the lake, finding accommodation is not a problem. This lake is just not any lake, but a lake where you can ski and ride. You can even enjoy your nights at the casinos, or visit the mystifying taverns and get entertained by the local events.

How to Reach Here

You can reach Lake Tahoe by car directly. You can travel on the Interstate 80 via Truckee, U.S. Highway 50 or take up the Nevada Highway 431 via Reno. If you wish to enjoy the wilderness and take part in some camping and fishing activities en route, then try taking up the California Highway 89. You can take a flight to different airports that make it easy for you to travel to Lake Tahoe. These airports include the Lake Tahoe Airport, Sacramento International Airport, etc. You can take a train to Amtrak station in Truckee and reach Lake Tahoe.

Yellowstone National Park

The Yellowstone National Park is one of the most famous summer as well as winter destination in the United States. It offers everything from learning programs to lodging, where you can stay with your family. Not only will you and the family have fun but you will also be able to take educational lessons as well. These educational lessons are great way for you and the family to learn all about fascinating and beautiful Yellowstone Park. Apart from education, your family can also enjoy snowmobiling, snow coach rides, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Get absorbed in natural beauty by visiting Yellowstone National Park.

How to Reach Here

You can reach Yellowstone National Park by bus, train, car and airplane. The nearest airports to Yellowstone, include Bozeman, Montana Gallatin Field Airport; Billings, Montana Logan International Airport; Jackson Hole, Wyoming Airport; West Yellowstone and Montana Regional Airport. You can drive in your own car as there are no car rental companies within the Yellowstone National Park. However, you can find many rental companies operating in the surrounding areas. There are many bus and shuttle tours that help take you to a fascinating tour of the region.

Orlando

If frolicking in the snow is not your thing, and you want to just get away from the snow during the winter, then Florida is the best place to go. This is a hot destination to go in the winter. With so many attractions like Walt Disney that offers massive discounts during the winter and some of the most exotic restaurants, you'll enjoy everything in Florida. You can even take a tour of the Kennedy Space Center, Patrick Air Force Base, etc. in Orlando. What's more, even the weather is so beautiful.

How to Reach Here

You can fly into Orlando though the Orlando International Airport. From here, you can visit car rentals and find yourself a car. You can even book a limousine and take a tour of the city. Apart from that the taxi service is good enough to opt for. If you are flying in from United Kingdom, then you will land at the Orlando-Sanford International Airport. You can even try the train service from Miami and NYC. Bus would be a good idea, especially if you try the Disney's Magic Express. These buses provide free transportations to guests staying at Disney resort hotels.

New England

Being one of the most historical places in the US, New England offers a number of historical sites like Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Maine has some of the most beautiful ski resorts in the country and New Hampshire offers the spectacular White Mountain area. There are many activities that you can try like dog sledding, horseback riding, skating, snowshoeing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and sleigh rides. Enjoy the gourmet delights and explore the White Mountain National Forest. There are many resorts with pet-friendly themes. Thus, not just you and the family, but also your pet can have a fun-filled vacation in New England.

How to Reach Here

It is a 4 hour drive from Bar Harbor (ME), Albany (NY), Harford (CT), Montreal Quebec (Canada). You can even opt for flights to reach three major airports- Boston/ Manchester Airport (Manchester, NH), Logan Airport (Boston MA) and Portland International Jetport (Portland, ME).

Hershey

If you are going to go traveling during the Christmas season, then Hershey is the best place to go. Home to Hershey's chocolates, The Hershey Park magically transforms into a Christmassy candy land during these months, where there are more than a million lights put up on display. Women can pamper themselves at the Chocolate Spa, men can enjoy a day at the Hershey Golf Collection and children will love to visit Zoo America and Hershey's Chocolate World.

How to Reach Here

You can travel by train and reach Harrisburg Train Station. It is about 15 minutes away from Hershey. AMTRAK is available from all major cities. This will be a good option for those who look forward to a train ride. The Greyhound Bus Line will drop you off at the Harrisburg train station. You can even travel by car or take a plane. The Harrisburg International Airport is just 15 minutes away from Hershey. So, you even have the option of traveling to Hershey by plane, train and even a car. The chocolate land is ready to have you as its guest.

Caribbean

Ever considered going on a cruise during the winter? A Caribbean cruise would offer a complete change of scene from the dreary cold and snow of winter in the north. What with the pleasant winds blowing in your face and the soft kiss of the sun that softly tan's you to perfection, a Caribbean cruise in the winter is just about close to perfection. This is one of the best winter destinations for singles. The white sand beaches, turquoise ocean and the peaceful beaches make this one of the best winter destinations.

How to Reach Here

You can take a flight from United States that take you directly to the Caribbean. These flights connect in San Juan and St. Thomas. You can even try a leisure cruise to reach your favorite destination. There are plenty of packages available, especially during the winter vacation. Couples can try the 'Love Boat' to travel to their holiday island. Get lost in the romantic bliss of the Caribbean Island.

These were our top 10 best winter vacation destinations. With so many options out there, you no longer have to sit at home and crib about how you have nothing to do for winter. Get up and get packed, and take your family on a whirlwind winter vacation ride!

By Natasha Bantwal