Smart Travelers Don't Hibernate During Winter, Says NYT

December 29, 2009 at 5:04 PM | by Heidi Atwal | Comment (1)

There are deals to be found even in Vancouver right now

If you're smart, and not a hibernating mammal, then you're probably actively looking into travel deals for the month of January. While most people are recovering from holiday shopping trauma, others are taking advantage of less-crowded flights and predictably lower prices.

As The New York Times recently reported, "January may be the best time of year to take a vacation, as passenger traffic drops and resorts, airlines and cruise companies all roll out deals." Single travelers and childless couples, especially, may want to consider a trip in the dead of winter. As "families return to school schedules," there likely aren't too many teens, tweens, and toddlers with whom you'll be sharing airline time.

During this chilly season, "Discounts range from 30 to 50 percent compared with the holidays and other busy travel periods," says the Times. However, they also note that warm weather destinations like Hawaii still tend to be heavily trafficked, with deals more scarce, but not completely impossible to come by. They name Mexico as a major bargain destination, noting that H1N1 madness and "visitors scared off by reports of Mexican gang and drug violence" make for slashed fares and less crowded resorts.

Hotels in snowy climes, too, are reducing prices�even at Olympic host city Vancouver, which the Times states is "cheap if you go now."

Bottom line: Take these suggestions to heart and do a little research of your own. If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to travel more, then there's no time like the present to start.

Related Stories
· January�s Snows Mean Sales [The New York Times]
· Lonely Planet Predicts El Salvador, Morocco, London Will Be Hot in 2010 [Jaunted]
· Winter Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: darrenstone]

Comment (1)

Return to » Smart Travelers Don't Hibernate During Winter, Says NYT

about five years ago i decided to take a last-minute (solo) trip to prague in early january. it was early enough to still have christmas decorations still up, but late enough so that the holiday crowds had already gone home. the hostel (miss sophie's) was practically empty (and practically brand new at that point).

i went to cesky krumlov for a couple days and it was nice and deserted (i still have wonderful memories of having pretty much the entire old town all to myself) and again, the hostel and restaurants were pretty much empty.

luckily the weather was good (one of the warmest winters in a long time, iirc), so you do have to keep that in mind when thinking of a january trip!

Jaunted

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