159 destinations scored for January.
Where to travel in January
The southern hemisphere's July, the tropics at their driest, and the cheapest Europe of the year.
The straight answer
The best places to travel in January are Thailand and the Maldives in their dry-season prime, Patagonia and New Zealand at the height of southern summer, and Cape Town at its sunniest.
January is the month the travel map flips. The northern hemisphere is cold, dark, and cheap, while the southern hemisphere is in the heart of its summer: Patagonia's trails are open, New Zealand is at its warmest, and Cape Town is running beach weather. Meanwhile the tropical dry-season belt, the Caribbean, Mexico's Riviera Maya, Thailand, the Maldives, is at its absolute best, which is exactly why it is also at its most expensive once the New Year crowds roll in.
The smart money in January plays one of three hands. Chase the dry season in the tropics and pay peak rates for near-guaranteed sun. Chase the southern summer for long days and big landscapes. Or run the contrarian play: Europe's great cities in January are the emptiest and cheapest they will be all year, and a museum-and-cafe trip to Paris, Rome, or Prague costs a fraction of June.
One more January secret: East Africa. The Great Migration's calving season happens on the southern Serengeti plains roughly January into February, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves and the predators that follow them. It is the best wildlife spectacle most travelers have never timed a trip around.
Our January picks, ranked
Each one opens its own month page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
The full January board
All 159 destinations we cover, scored for January.
At their best in January
35 places. One of their best months of the year.
Swiss Alps
Cold and often clear, valley highs near 32F (0C), colder up high
Dubai
Ideal, highs near 75F (24C), cool evenings
Egypt
Cool and clear, Cairo highs near 66F (19C), Luxor near 74F (23C)
Thailand
Dry and 'cool', Bangkok highs near 89F (32C), northern mornings crisp
Maldives
Dry and sunny, highs near 86F (30C), calm seas
Orlando
Mild and dry, highs near 71F (22C), cool evenings
Riviera Maya
Dry and sunny, highs near 82F (28C), occasional cool-front winds
Costa Rica
Dry season, Pacific highs near 88F (31C), cooler in the mountains
Patagonia
Peak summer, highs near 60F (16C), ferocious wind days, light until late evening
Hokkaido
Snowy and cold, Sapporo highs near 30F (-1C)
Palawan
Dry and sunny, highs near 88F (31C), breezy
Angkor Wat
Dry and warm, highs near 88F (31C), cool mornings
Luang Prabang
Dry and sunny, highs near 80F (27C), mornings near 55F (13C)
Sri Lanka
Dry on the south and west, highs near 87F (31C); rain on the east coast
Rajasthan
Sunny, Jaipur highs near 72F (22C), nights near 46F (8C)
Kerala
Dry and sunny, Kochi highs near 89F (32C)
Goa
Dry and sunny, highs near 89F (32C), cool evenings
Kuala Lumpur
Highs near 90F (32C), relatively dry, occasional storms
Oman
Warm and sunny, Muscat highs near 77F (25C), cool desert nights
Abu Dhabi
Warm and sunny, highs near 75F (24C), cool evenings
Puerto Rico
Breezy and mostly dry, highs near 83F (28C)
Jamaica
Dry and sunny, highs near 85F (29C) on the coast
Turks and Caicos
Dry and sunny, highs near 82F (28C), water near 77F (25C)
US Virgin Islands
Dry and breezy, highs near 84F (29C)
St. Lucia
Dry and breezy, highs near 84F (29C)
Barbados
Dry and breezy, highs near 84F (29C)
Punta Cana
Dry and breezy, highs near 83F (28C)
Los Cabos
Dry and sunny, highs near 78F (26C), cool evenings near 57F (14C)
Puerto Vallarta
Dry and sunny, highs near 81F (27C), pleasant nights near 62F (17C)
Oaxaca
Dry and sunny, highs near 77F (25C), cold nights near 46F (8C)
Panama
Dry and breezy, highs near 88F (31C)
Cartagena
Dry and breezy, highs near 87F (31C)
Medellin
Driest stretch, highs near 81F (27C), cool nights near 62F (17C)
Key West
Pleasant, highs near 75F (24C), dry
Zanzibar
Hot and mostly dry, highs near 90F (32C), humid
Also good
21 places. Solid conditions, no major caveats.
East Africa Safari
Warm and mostly dry, highs near 82F (28C), green from the short rains
Vietnam
South sunny near 89F (32C); Hanoi cool and misty, highs near 68F (20C)
Singapore
Hot and wet, highs near 86F (30C), monsoon downpours
Mexico City
Dry and sunny, highs near 72F (22C), cold nights near 43F (6C)
The Dolomites
Cold, valley highs near 34F (1C), reliable snow
Seville
Mild and sunny, highs near 61F (16C), cold nights
Madeira
Mild, highs near 66F (19C), rainier spells
Finnish Lapland
Very cold, highs near 10F (-12C), lows can fall below -20F (-29C)
Canary Islands
Mild and mostly sunny, highs near 70F (21C), sea near 66F (19C)
Hong Kong
Cool and dry, highs near 66F (19C), lows near 57F (14C)
The Bahamas
Mild, highs near 77F (25C), water near 74F (23C), occasional cold fronts
Aruba
Dry and breezy, highs near 85F (29C)
Belize
Mostly dry, highs near 81F (27C), occasional cold-front showers
Guatemala
Dry and sunny in the highlands, highs near 73F (23C), cold nights near 50F (10C)
Galapagos Islands
Warm and sunny with showers, highs near 84F (29C), water near 75F (24C)
New Orleans
Cool and damp, highs near 62F (17C), occasional cold snaps
San Diego
Mild, highs near 65F (18C), occasional rain
Los Angeles
Mild, highs near 68F (20C), occasional storms
Banff
Cold, highs near 23F (-5C), cold snaps well below 0F
Quebec City
Frigid, highs near 18F (-8C), snow on the ground
Sedona
Cool, highs near 57F (14C), cold nights, occasional snow
Quiet value
65 places. Fewer crowds and lower prices, with honest tradeoffs.
ParisThe quietest, cheapest Paris of the year. Museums nearly to yourself; winter sales (soldes) run most of the month.
LondonThe cheapest London of the year. January sales, empty museums, and theatre tickets at their softest.
RomeThe emptiest Rome of the year after Epiphany on January 6. Vatican lines shrink dramatically.
FlorenceThe emptiest month. Uffizi lines evaporate, winter sales run, and trattorias feel local again.
VeniceThe emptiest, moodiest Venice. Acqua alta remains possible. If Carnival starts late January, crowds and prices jump with it.
BarcelonaThe quietest, cheapest month, and far warmer than Paris or Prague. Three Kings celebrations open the month with parades.
LisbonThe quietest month in a city that never really closes. Sunny breaks are common; prices bottom out.
AmsterdamThe quietest, cheapest month. Museums nearly to yourself and the Light Festival's canal artworks still glowing early month.
PragueThe emptiest, cheapest Prague. Dress warmly and the floodlit city is yours.
IrelandThe emptiest, cheapest Ireland of the year. City-and-pub weather; rural sights run winter hours.
CroatiaThe coast at its emptiest and cheapest. Old towns are atmospheric but many island businesses are closed for the season.
IstanbulThe quietest, cheapest month. Museums and cisterns without queues; pack for rain and wind off the Bosphorus.
JordanThe quietest month. Crisp, clear days between rain spells; desert camp nights near freezing. Occasional snow can briefly close Petra.
MoroccoSunny afternoons and near-freezing desert nights. Pack warm layers; many riads have more charm than heating.
TokyoThe clearest skies of the year and the best odds of seeing Mount Fuji from the city. January 1 to 3 is a major holiday: many restaurants and shops close while shrines overflow.
KyotoThe quietest Kyoto of the year. A dusting of snow on Kinkaku-ji is the rarest and most beautiful shot in Japan. January 1 to 3 brings shrine crowds and shop closures.
SeoulReal winter, thin crowds, and the city glowing at night. Seollal falls in late January some years, closing small businesses for a few days.
Washington, DCThe quietest DC of the year. Free indoor museums make winter here better than almost any other US city. Inauguration years spike late January.
New York CityAfter January 1 the city empties and prices crater. Museums, Broadway, and restaurants all wide open. The value month.
SicilyCities and major sites stay open and cheap. Beach towns and island ferries are quiet or closed.
ProvenceTruffle markets and quiet cities. Many village restaurants and guesthouses close for the winter.
The French RivieraCheap, quiet, and pleasant for walking and museums. Beach clubs closed and Saint-Tropez dozes.
MadridLow prices and quiet museums. The Three Kings parade on January 5 and winter sales afterward.
The AlgarveQuiet and cheap. Great for golf and coastal walks; many seasonal beach restaurants closed.
PortoCheap and quiet, with port lodges and cafes as rainy refuges. Expect several wet days per week.
ViennaCheapest month and the start of ball season. Museums and coffee houses carry the day.
BudapestRock-bottom prices and the best bath atmosphere of the year. Pack a warm hat for the walk between pools.
BerlinCheapest month. Museums, concerts, and clubs only; the outdoors is off.
MunichCheapest month. Museums, beer halls, and Alpine ski trips.
CopenhagenQuiet and cheaper, but dark and gray. Museums, restaurants, and saunas only.
StockholmDark and quiet. Museums, saunas, and natural ice skating if the lakes freeze.
Norway's FjordsShort days, mountain passes closed. The Flam Railway and some fjord boats still run.
Scottish HighlandsShort days and many seasonal places closed. Skiing and aurora chances in the far north on clear nights.
EdinburghThe cheapest, quietest month after New Year. Museums and whisky bars shine.
BrugesQuietest and cheapest month. Museums and cafes; the town can feel sleepy.
SalzburgQuiet and cheap, except for Mozart Week in late January. Ski resorts are close.
KrakowCheapest and quietest month. Cold and gray, with occasional smoggy days.
AthensThe emptiest Acropolis of the year and the lowest hotel rates. Rain comes in bursts, not all day, and every museum is open.
MaltaThe quietest, cheapest month. Everything cultural is open; sea swimming and Comino boats are off the table for most.
MallorcaPalma is open and cheap; most beach resorts are closed. The Sant Antoni bonfires (January 16 to 17) are the island's great winter festival.
Lake BledA snowy postcard if the weather cooperates, with Vogel's ski slopes nearby. Vintgar Gorge is closed and boats run on a limited basis.
TaiwanGray and damp in Taipei, dry and sunny in the south. Chinese New Year can fall late in the month.
OsakaCheap and quiet after the New Year holidays end. Some sights close for a few days around January 1.
OkinawaToo cool for most swimmers, but whale watching is on and cherry blossoms start in the north late in the month.
NepalClear, crisp mountain views and empty lower trails. High passes like Thorong La can be snowbound; Chitwan mornings are foggy but pleasant.
BhutanCrisp blue skies and almost no other visitors. Punakha is milder; cranes are wintering in Phobjikha.
BeijingThe quietest, cheapest month. Bitter wind but clear days, and frozen lakes at Houhai and the Summer Palace for skating. Chinese New Year sometimes lands late in the month.
ShanghaiQuiet and cheap, but the damp cold feels colder than the thermometer suggests. Chinese New Year may fall late in the month.
UzbekistanThe emptiest month. Snow on the domes is beautiful, but some Khiva guesthouses close and days are short.
BermudaThe quietest, cheapest month. Good for golf, walking, and museums; not beach weather. Some hotels close for refurbishment.
San FranciscoLow hotel rates outside convention weeks. Storms come in waves, with brilliant clear days between them.
Las VegasCES in early January sends rates soaring for that week. After it, some of the year's best hotel deals. Too cold for pools.
CharlestonThe quietest, cheapest month. Oyster roast season. Easy restaurant reservations.
SavannahQuiet and cheap. Great for museum days and historic home tours.
NashvilleThe cheapest month. Ice storms can snarl the city for a day or two. Shows run as usual.
BostonThe cheapest month. Museums and restaurants are easy; nor'easters can disrupt travel.
SeattleDark, drizzly, and cheap. Great for museums, coffee, and food. Snoqualmie Pass skiing is close.
AustinQuiet and cheap. Cedar fever (mountain cedar pollen) peaks now and hits some visitors hard. Rare ice storms can shut the city for a day or two.
Grand CanyonThe quietest South Rim of the year. Snow on the red rock is a spectacular bonus; trails below the rim are icy, so carry traction.
YosemiteQuiet Valley, snow-dusted granite, and skiing and snowshoeing at Badger Pass. Tioga and Glacier Point roads are closed; chains may be required.
ZionThe quietest Zion. You can usually drive the Scenic Drive yourself; upper trails can be icy and The Narrows is frigid.
Glacier National ParkOnly the lower ends of the park are reachable. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing near Lake McDonald and Apgar; almost no services.
Great Smoky MountainsThe quietest month. Snow sometimes closes Newfound Gap Road; Kuwohi Road is closed for the season.
AcadiaWinter solitude on the carriage roads for skiers and snowshoers. Park Loop Road is closed to cars and most of Bar Harbor is shut.
Napa ValleyThe quietest month, with the lowest hotel rates and restaurant deals. Mustard begins to bloom between the vines.Tradeoffs
26 places. Real upsides and real downsides. Read the month page before booking.
IcelandDeep winter: aurora and ice caves at their best, but storms can pin you down and daylight is a scarce budget.
Cape TownPeak summer, peak crowds, and the Cape Doctor at full strength. Beautiful, busy, and windier than the photos suggest.
New ZealandGlorious weather and the national holiday crush: Kiwi families fill campgrounds, beaches, and rental fleets through most of the month. Book everything far ahead or come in February instead.
SydneyPeak everything: school holidays, top hotel rates, packed beaches, and the Sydney Festival's arts program. Big fun at big prices; book far ahead.
HawaiiWhale season in full swing and the post-holiday crowd still thick. First week is peak-priced; late month eases slightly.
YellowstoneInterior access is by guided snowcoach or snowmobile only. The northern road stays open to cars, and Lamar Valley wolf watching is at its winter best.
PeruGreen terraces, low crowds, real rain. Trek conditions suffer, but Machu Picchu by train works fine between showers, and this is Lima's summer.
CreteCities, museums, and Knossos are open and empty. Beach resorts are closed and the rainiest weather of the year makes it a city-and-food trip, not a beach one.
AzoresCheap and quiet, and the hot springs at Furnas are at their most atmospheric. Views are often clouded out and seas are rough.
SardiniaCoastal resorts are closed. Cagliari and the interior are open, and the Sant'Antonio fires in mid January start the island's carnival season.
KotorQuiet and cheap, with the old town to yourself between downpours. Many excursions and seasonal businesses are paused.
CappadociaSnow-covered chimneys are beautiful and prices bottom out, but balloon flights are often canceled and some valley trails are icy.
BorneoThe heart of the northeast monsoon. Wildlife trips still run, but expect rain, muddy trails, flooding risk, and rough seas. Chinese New Year brings regional visitors.
Delhi and AgraPeak tourist season but the foggiest, often smoggiest month. Train and flight delays are common. Republic Day parade on January 26.
Rio de JaneiroPeak summer, school holidays, and beaches at full capacity. Hot and expensive, with frequent storms.
Atacama DesertChile's summer holidays fill San Pedro. The altiplanic winter can bring storms that close high-altitude tours and cloud the night sky.
VancouverGray and rainy in the city but prime ski season at Whistler and the North Shore hills. Dine Out Vancouver brings restaurant deals.
MontrealDeep winter, cheap hotels, and Igloofest's outdoor dance parties on the Old Port. Fun if you dress for it, miserable if you do not.
NamibiaGreen season: storms, lush plains, calving, and top birding. Game spreads out away from Etosha's waterholes; desert heat is intense.
Okavango DeltaGreen season: lush, empty, and cheap, with excellent birding and baby animals. Water levels in seasonal channels are low; game is dispersed.
Victoria FallsThe river is rising and the falls fill back out. Devil's Pool usually closes around now as water climbs. Green, quiet, and cheaper.
MauritiusWarm sea and lush landscapes, but it is peak rainy season and cyclone risk is real. The holiday crowds leave after New Year.
SeychellesNorthwest monsoon rains, often in short heavy bursts. Calm seas on the southeast coasts; post-holiday rates ease mid month.
Great Barrier ReefPeak wet season and stinger season, with cyclone risk. Warmest water of the year; Australian school holidays keep it busy.
MelbourneThe Australian Open fills the city for two weeks. Great beach and rooftop weather between heat waves; hotels peak.
TahitiAmong the wettest months, in the heart of cyclone season. Warm lagoons and lower rates, but expect some rainy days.Think twice
12 places. Heat, storms, closures, or the year's worst crowds.
SantoriniMost caldera hotels, Oia restaurants, and tours are closed for winter. Quiet and cheap, but you are visiting the island's off switch.
BaliThe wettest heart of the rainy season once the New Year crowds leave. Green and cheap, but expect daily downpours and seasonal debris on west-coast beaches.
FijiThe heart of cyclone season and the wettest stretch of the year, with holiday-week crowds lingering early month. Insurance and flexibility required.
AlaskaTourist Alaska is closed outside the winter niche. Aurora trips to Fairbanks are the exception, and a spectacular one on clear nights.
The Amalfi CoastMuch of Positano is closed, ferries barely run, and many restaurants are shut until spring.
Lake ComoVillas closed, many lakefront hotels shut, ferries on a skeleton schedule. Como town is the only real base.
Cinque TerreMany restaurants and rooms closed, no boats, and trail closures after rain are common.
MykonosTourist Mykonos is closed. A handful of local tavernas stay open, but hotels, beach clubs, and most shops are shuttered.
Buenos AiresHot and sticky, and many locals leave for the coast. Some restaurants and cultural venues close or reduce hours for summer holidays.
ChicagoThe cheapest and coldest month. Museums and theater are quiet, but outdoor Chicago is effectively off the table.
MadagascarPeak rains and cyclone risk. Roads wash out, western parks close, and domestic flights are unreliable.
UluruThe hottest month. Walks close from early morning on extreme days, flies are intense, and midday heat is dangerous.The US in January
3 states are in their best window.
Hawaii
Humpback whale season is in full swing off Maui, and post-holiday January brings a brief lull in prices after the New Year exodus.
Colorado ski country
Midwinter snowpack without the Christmas-week crush. Mid-January weekdays are the sweet spot for lift lines.
The Florida Keys
Dry season, highs near 75F (24C), and the best sunset-and-seafood weather of the year. Peak season pricing, worth it.
Utah ski country
The famous light, dry powder tends to stack up deepest from January into February. Multiple resorts under an hour from the Salt Lake City airport.
Think twice about: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia.
January events worth flying for
Chinese New Year
China, plus Singapore, Hong Kong & Taipei
Late January or February, on the new moon that begins the lunar year; the date moves with the lunar calendar, and festivities run about 15 days to the Lantern Festival
Venice Carnival
Venice, Italy
Roughly two weeks ending on Shrove Tuesday, so usually within late January and February; the dates move with Easter
Rose Parade (Tournament of Roses)
Pasadena, California
New Year's Day morning, January 1, unless January 1 falls on a Sunday, in which case it moves to Monday, January 2
Sundance Film Festival
Boulder, Colorado (Park City, Utah through 2026)
About ten days in late January every year
Humpback Whale Season in Maui
Maui, Hawaii
Roughly December to April, with the peak from January to March
The Great Migration
Serengeti, Tanzania and Masai Mara, Kenya
Year-round, with calving in the southern Serengeti from roughly late January to March and river crossings from about July to October
Up Helly Aa
Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland
The last Tuesday of January every year in Lerwick, with smaller fire festivals in other Shetland communities from January into March
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
Officially opens January 5 every year, with the main ice park often opening in late December and running into February while the cold holds
Holidays and breaks in January
A holiday week has its own crowds and prices. These guides rank the world for that exact week.
Where to go for MLK Weekend
The first long weekend of the year lands in the dead of winter. Go chase sun, powder, or the history the holiday is named for.
Where to go for Winter Break Ski Trips
Four holiday weeks, every family on the same lifts. Pick the resort by the snow and the calendar, not the brand name.
Where to go for New Year's Eve
One night, a dozen very different ways to spend it. Choose between the giant public show, the tradition you cannot get anywhere else, or a quiet midnight somewhere warm.
Hidden gems in their January window
51 places from our lists whose best window includes January.
Japan Beyond Tokyo and Kyoto- Kinosaki Onsen, Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo. Nov-Mar
Asia's Most Underrated Places- Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang, Laos. Nov-Feb
- George Town, Penang, Penang, Malaysia. Dec-Mar
- Ella, Ella, Sri Lanka. Jan-Mar
- Taitung, Taitung, Taiwan. Oct-Apr
- Ipoh, Ipoh, Malaysia. Jan-Mar
Beach Towns That Are Still Cool- Isla Holbox, Isla Holbox, Mexico. Nov-May
- Caye Caulker, Caye Caulker, Belize. Dec-May
- Nosara, Nosara, Costa Rica. Dec-Apr
- Paternoster, Paternoster, South Africa. Nov-Mar · Aug-Sep
- Sayulita, Sayulita, Mexico. Nov-Apr
Whale Watching by Month: Where the Whales Are, All Year- Humpback season on Maui, Maui, Hawaii. Jan-Mar
- Samana Bay and the Silver Bank, Samana Peninsula, Dominican Republic. Jan-Mar
- Blue whales off Mirissa, Southern coast, Sri Lanka. Dec-Apr
- Orcas in the Arctic winter, Fjords north of Tromso, Norway. Nov-Jan
Winter Sun Escapes: Where It Is Actually Warm in January- Canary Islands, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote, Spain. Nov-Mar
- Madeira, Funchal, Portugal. Nov-Mar
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Nov-Mar
- Oman, Muscat, Nizwa, and the Wahiba Sands. Nov-Mar
- Upper Egypt and the Red Sea, Luxor, Aswan, and Hurghada, Egypt. Nov-Feb
The Best Scuba Diving by Season: Where to Dive, Month by Month- Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Oct-Apr
- Palau, Western Pacific, Republic of Palau. Nov-Apr
- Maldives, Ari and North Male Atolls, Maldives. Jan-Apr
The Best Ski Destinations by Month: Where the Snow Is Best, and When- Niseko United, Hokkaido, Japan. Jan-Feb
- Hakuba Valley, Nagano, Japan. Jan-Feb
- Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada. Jan-Mar
- Little Cottonwood and Park City, Wasatch Range, Utah. Jan-Mar
- Jackson Hole, Teton Village, Wyoming. Jan-Mar
Safari Timing Guide: When to Go, Park by Park- Serengeti calving season, Ndutu and the southern Serengeti, Tanzania. Jan-Mar
- Amboseli, Southern Kenya. Jun-Oct · Jan-Feb
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Jun-Aug · Dec-Feb
- Volcanoes National Park, Musanze, Rwanda. Jun-Sep · Dec-Feb
- Central Kalahari green season, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana. Dec-Apr
The Best Stargazing Destinations, and When the Skies Are Clearest- Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada. Oct-Apr
- Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, Iveragh Peninsula, County Kerry, Ireland. Oct-Mar
- Finnish Lapland, Inari and Saariselka, Finland. Sep-Mar
Where January works against you
- Santorini and the Greek islands. Effectively closed for the season. Many hotels, restaurants, and boat operators shut from roughly November through March, and the weather is cool, windy, and gray.
- Bali. The wettest stretch of the rainy season: daily downpours, murky seas, and the year's worst humidity. Wait for the dry months of roughly May through September.
- Interior Alaska. Subzero cold and only a few hours of usable daylight. Unless you are specifically hunting the northern lights with a cold-weather plan, save it for June through August.
- Yellowstone by car. Most park roads are closed to regular vehicles from roughly November into April. Winter access is real but means guided snowcoach or snowmobile logistics, not a road trip.
January travel, quick answers
Where is hot in January?
Thailand, the Maldives, the Riviera Maya, and the Caribbean are all in dry-season prime, with highs in the 80s F (around 28C to 32C). For summer heat, head south: Cape Town, Sydney, and New Zealand are in high summer.
Where should I avoid in January?
Skip the Greek islands and Bali, the first for seasonal closures and the second for peak rainy season. Yellowstone's roads are closed to cars, and interior Alaska is brutally cold and dark.
Where is cheap to travel in January?
Europe's cities are at rock bottom after New Year: Paris, Rome, Prague, and London all run their lowest airfares and hotel rates of the year from mid-January into February. Post-holiday January is also a soft window for Hawaii and ski towns.
Is January a good month for a safari?
Yes, and an underrated one. Calving season on the southern Serengeti runs roughly January into February with huge herds and heavy predator action, typically at lower prices than the famous July to September river-crossing window.
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