Dreaming of that year end winter escape? ❄️
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Christmas markets and winter sports, we're ready for you! The year end holidays are coming and you know what that means - it's officially the festive season and the perfect time to start planning your next winter escapade. If you haven't decided of where to head yet, don't worry as we've got a list of the top 10 winter destinations in 2023 for you to pick from for the perfect year end holiday!
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10 of the best winter destinations in 2023
1. South Korea
Photo credit: Ash Hayes
Photo credit: @eworld.official
For the winter holiday of your K-drama dreams, why not book a ticket to South Korea and spend your year end there? From exciting ski resorts and indoor winter theme parks, to enjoying a hot bowl of Korean stews and ramyeon, you'll be surely kept warm and having lots of fun here during these colder months. The winter scenery here is also an enchanting sight to see as you explore the country's snow-capped national parks and beautiful islands.
Best things to do in South Korea this winter:
- Go skiing at famous South Korean ski resorts
- Eat street food at Seoul's night markets
- View winter light shows - Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival, Daegu E-World Starlight Festival
- Visit Jeju Island or Nami Island
- Go ice skating - Seoul Plaza Skating Rink, Seoul Arts Center
2. Japan
Photo credit: Weiqi Xiong
Photo credit: takahiro taguchi
Photo credit: Sapporo Snow Festival
It's always a good time to visit Japan, including the winter season! Forget the cherry blossoms and autumn foliage, the winter experience in Japan is breathtaking and one of our personal favourites, especially since there are a little less tourists during this colder season. Don't miss out on visiting onsen towns for a relaxing dip in the hot springs or attending magical snow festivals with their majestic ice sculptures, snow sports and Japanese gourmet stalls.
Best things to do in Japan this winter:
- Visit a snow festival - Sapporo Snow Festival, Asahikawa Winter Festival, Lake Shikotsu lce Festival
- Go skiing or snowboarding in Hokkaido
- Outdoor onsen experience
- Visit Shirakawago Village
- Enjoy views of snow-coated Mount Fuji (p.s. - the view is the clearest in winter!) 🗻
3. Switzerland
Photo credit: Johannes Hofmann
Photo credit: Neil Bates
Photo credit: Basel Tourism
The dramatic natural landscapes, picturesque villages and majestic snow-covered mountains of Switzerland make up the postcard perfect image of a winter wonderland, so it's a no brainer to add this must-visit European destination into our list. Spring in Switzerland may be beautiful, but winter brings on its own sparkle - just think of the best skiing opportunities you'll find in Europe and charming Christmas markets!
Best things to do in Switzerland this winter:
- Go skiing or snowboarding - Zermatt, St. Moritz, Davos
- Visit Christmas markets - Basel, Bern, Zurich
- Ride the Bernina Express across the Swiss Alps
- Take a dip in a thermal bath
- Winter paragliding at Interlaken
4. New York
Photo credit: Johnell Pannell
Photo credit: Josh Wilburne
Photo credit: Kayle Kaupanger
Just like what you see in the movies, winter in New York City is a sparkling experience of its own. NYC isn't just a shopping and food haven, there's just something magical in doing the simplest things here like ice skating with friends or sipping on hot chocolate as snow falls over the city. With the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree taking centre stage, the metropolis offers a dazzling amount of winter events and activities you can look forward to while you're here.
Best things to do in New York, USA this winter:
- Go ice skating - Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Wollman Rink @ Central Park
- Visit a Christmas market - Bryant Park Winter Village, Union Square Holiday Market
- Watch a Broadway show
- Join the Times Square Ball Drop on for the New Year's countdown
- Go window shopping at Fifth Avenue
5. Taiwan
Photo credit: Han Hsing Tu
Photo credit: Angela Lo
Photo credit: Maggie Hung
The natural landscapes of Taiwan are a beauty, so you know you can expect no lesser than a winter wonderland up in the highlands over here. Head out of Taipei for a day or two to experience the snowcapped Central Mountain Range, where you can expect picture perfect sceneries of the mountains and national parks being covered in blankets of snow. Once you've got your fill of snow-filled adventures, return to the city to enjoy warmer weather, exciting winter festivities and some delicious hot pot!
Best things to do in Taiwan this winter:
- Hike up Hehuanshan, Jade Mountain or Xueshan
- Take a dip in the hot springs at Beitou
- Visit Christmasland in New Taipei City
- Enjoy street food at Taiwan's night markets
- Join the New Year's countdown at Taipei 101
6. Germany
Photo credit: Nico Benedickt
Photo credit: Toby Christopher
Photo credit: Birk Enwald
Winters in Germany are cold and snow-filled, making it the perfect place to visit if you're looking for the dreamy white Christmas experience. The majestic mountains and ancient castles here are an enchanting sight to see, but it gets a little more magical in the winter when the snow blankets over it all. Head to the cities for their iconic Christmas markets (a winter must-do!), then challenge yourself with winter sports on some of the best ski slopes Germany has to offer.
Best things to do in Germany this winter:
- Go skiing at German ski resorts - Zugspitze, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Arber
- Hike through the Black Forest
- Go on a sledding run - Wallberg Rodelbahn, Spitzingsee, Sauerland
- Visit Neuschwanstein Castle
7. London
Photo credit: Jamie Davies
Photo credit: Pablo Soriano
Photo credit: Jack B
Winter in London? Sign us up! While you're not going to get a white Christmas experience here, the twinkling city lights, Christmas markets and jolly carollers definitely make up for it. It's literally a festive postcard come to life in the city! Be sure to grab a warm cup of Christmas drinks and cookies, then stroll around the city as you do your year-end shopping or simply just soak in all of the lights, decor, music and the buzzing festive vibe.
Best things to do in London, United Kingdom this winter:
- Visit the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
- Explore the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew
- Go on the London Eye
- Enjoy festive food at Borough Market
- Go Christmas shopping - Regent Street, Covent Garden, Carnaby
8. Iceland
Photo credit: Ken Cheung
Photo credit: Jonathan Pie
Photo credit: Jeff Sheldon
Another must-visit winter destination is the mesmerising Iceland, where you'll feel as if you're transported to a completely different world. It's the perfect place for snow-and-ice adventures that you'll remember for a lifetime - just imagine snow-covered landscapes, large geothermal pools, mystical glaciers and of course, the enchanting Northern Lights! The Icelanders Christmas and New Year's Eve are also a huge celebration here, so you're definitely in for a fun festive time in Reykjavik.
Best things to do in Iceland this winter:
- Catch sight of the Northern Lights
- Join a Christmas walking tour in Reykjavík
- Visit the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa
- Go on a Golden Circle tour of Iceland
- Explore ice caves and glaciers
9. Sapa
Photo credit: Tu Chu
Forget the festivities for a moment and go on a more laidback winter retreat at Sapa in Vietnam. Snowfall may seem nonexistent in Southeast Asia, but this sleepy little town located just north of Hanoi is an exception. Known for its beautiful rice fields and serene ambience, the town gets coated in velvet snow and shrouded in mist during the months of December all through February, creating the chilly winter wonderland of your dreams!
Best things to do in Sapa, Vietnam this winter:
- Ride the Fansipan Legend cable car up Mount Fansipan (fun fact: it's the highest and longest cable car in the world!) 🚠
- Visit Thac Bac Waterfall (Silver Waterfall)
- Hike up Ham Rong Mountain
- Visit hill tribe villages in Sa Pa's valleys
- Go shopping at Sa Pa Market
10. Canada
Photo credit: Mike O Meara
Photo credit: Jules Marvin Eguilos
Photo credit: Elvir K
A winter spent in Canada may get pretty chilly as the temperatures drop to freezing levels, but if you're willing to brave the cold, this is one of the best times to visit the beautiful country. The winter season brings on the magic of snow-covered peaks, lively festivals and the best winter sports opportunities. All of these exciting activities are outdoors though, so we highly recommend suiting up with appropriate winter gear!
Best things to do in Canada this winter:
- Visit the Quebec Winter Carnival
- Go skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway
- Visit the frozen Niagara Falls
- Enjoy winter sports and activities at Grouse Mountain
- Visit or stay overnight at the Quebec Ice Hotel
Plan your next trip with Klook! 🧡
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