winter travel

Finnish Lapland, the natural winter wonderland

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With much of its territory in the Arctic Circle, Finnish Lapland is a natural winter wonderland. It’s a remote place, of startling beauty, where pine forests are dusted with powdered snow and the star-studded night sky is illuminated by the ethereal glow of the northern lights.

Come here to enjoy the view from the cosy privacy of a glass igloo, or embrace the chill on sleigh rides. Bring the kids along too, for this is the home of Santa Claus. And then there are the ski runs, the safaris and the snowmobile expeditions. In short, there’s an awful lot to do in this expansive wilderness.

See the northern lights 

The northern lights are visible in Finnish Lapland for around 200 days a year, with the months between September and March offering the best window for viewing. The trick is to head as far away from other light sources as possible – a lake or hilltop is ideal – and then be on the lookout between 9pm and 2am.

Venturing north also helps. The Finnish Meteorological Institute tracks the geomagnetic disturbances that trigger the northern lights in 12 different locations. Three resorts in the north – Kevo, Kilpisjärvi and Ivalo – see almost double the geomagnetic activity compared to those in the south. You don’t need to wait until the dead of winter either. These disturbances are most active in the spring and autumn.

Finnish Lapland’s capital Rovaniemi is home to Santa Claus Village, where daily meet-and-greets are completely free. It’s open all year round, although of course the setting is at its most magical just before Christmas. For a more intimate experience, try Santa Claus’ Secret Forest in nearby Joulukka. Here, you can become a certified Santa’s Helper at his hidden toy factory.

If you want a good chance of spotting the northern lights, too, head for Northern Lights Village in Saariselkä. Its three-hour ‘Searching for Santa’ experience is led by an elf and includes gingerbread making and a short sleigh ride.

Whether it’s big luxury hotels or small eco-cabins, you can find it all in Finnish Lapland – but there are two standout memory-makers.

For northern light seekers, a night in a glass igloo is a bucket list experience. You can spend hours looking up at the mesmerising light show before falling asleep under the starry sky – all without leaving the comfort and warmth of your bed. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Saariselkä has glass igloos that are big enough for four people.

Meanwhile in Sinettä, there’s the Arctic SnowHotel, which is carved from blocks of snow and ice each year. Each suite is a work of art, but you’ll need to wrap up warm for the stay.

One-bag packing hacks to change the way you travel

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by Jacks Flight Club

If you’ve ever tried flying anywhere on a budget, you’ve no doubt run into low-cost airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air or easyJet. With fares that are often dirt-cheap, it’s hard not to be lured in…

But when it comes to actually booking your flight, you quickly find out that these prices come with seemingly endless additional fees for things we used to take for granted. Sitting with your travel companions, having a drink (even water!), and—their top moneymaker—bringing a regular-sized cabin bag onboard can apparently be classified as true luxury these days.

That’s where so-called “one bag travel” comes in. More than just a logical way of being tight-fisted and sticking it to the man by refusing to pay up, it’s become a whole way of life with a passionate online community. In fact, many travellers prefer the one-bag life, even when they don’t have to pay extra for a checked bag

how on earth are you meant to pack for anything longer than just a couple of days using only a “personal item”?

The community of minimalist packers over on One Bag Travel has most of the answers you could possibly want.

Their example packing lists for different lengths of trip and destination are good for inspiration, but it’s the Carry-On Travel Backpacks section that is worth its weight in gold (or would be, if it weighed anything). It’s basically a comprehensive database of backpacks suitable for use on different airlines, including dimensions, capacity, user reviews and links straight to Amazon.

Rummaging around the site, I also spotted an ‘ Ultimate Guide to Packing for Carry-On Only Travel’. There are lots of handy pointers there to get you thinking practically before you pack, especially when it comes to being selective about the clothes you bring. That said, I personally draw the line at the suggestion of only bringing one pair of underwear!

Check out these budget items from Temu

Japan in 2024

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If you are thinking of visiting Japan in 2024 there are a couple of extra-special events in the calendar.

Our trip to the Sapporo Snow Festival returns, with departures in February ’24. Visit this fascinating festival to marvel at enormous snow and ice sculptures in the shape of cute characters, ice caves and architectural landmarks. Combine this with bullet train journeys through wintery landscapes and an ice-breaker cruise for a unique take on Japan – a great way to experience Japanese culture for the first time, or for an alternative view if you’ve already seen Japan in the warmer seasons.

Or, if springtime is more your season, did you know Japan is famous for its cherry blossom? In 2024 the blossom trail is expected to start from mid-March and run until early April. Join one of our bestselling Japan trips at this to be treated with a spectacle for the eyes, with landscapes blooming in pink and white as you explore this fascinating country.

Georgia in Winter

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Contrary to what you may expect from winter in Georgia, the weather doesn’t tend to be all that harsh, especially in cities like Tbilisi or Batumi. While the western regions are damp, and the Caucasus become a haven for snow bunnies, you can expect lovely conditions for wandering through the capital and its (absolutely massive) botanical gardens.

Arguably, winter is the best time to fully appreciate Tbilisi’s famous sulfur baths. It’s easy to be lured in by the fancy mosaic facade of Chreli-Abano – what it lacks in traditional domed roof, it makes up for in high-end (English-speaking) service. Gulo’s Thermal Spa offers the best of both worlds, with the classic brick walls, marble and intricate murals, topped off with a hot tea after your soak.

But if you’d rather plunge into the authentic local experience, head to Sulfur Bath No. 5, where the baths may or may not be in order and customer service is especially “gruff”. Just what you want when you’re half naked in front of strangers.

With the festive season in Georgia comes a whole raft of new treats for us to claim we’re having “just one more” of. The main ones to watch out for are gozinaki, a chewy, crunchy, honey nut brittle usually made with walnuts, and churchkhela, a strand of nuts threaded along a piece of string and dipped in grape syrup until they resemble candle sticks. And of course, that’s all best washed down with a nice warming glass of chacha.

There are a couple of staples on every Christmas table in Georgia, too – the obligatory Imeruli khachapuri, and aubergine rolls stuffed with – you guessed it – walnuts. Traditionalists needn’t worry, as turkey still features (albeit covered in walnut sauce), but other Georgian celebrations will be less familiar. Christmas is celebrated on 7th January, according to the Orthodox calendar, so don’t be surprised if you find people burning shaved hazelnut branches and parading through the streets after New Year.

Remote working in the Azores

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The Azores

Winter temperatures – 16-17 °C in January – March

Why should I visit? – You’d find it hard not to rush outdoors and breathe in the Azores’ fresh mountain air. The islands are made for hiking, with trails leading you to waterfalls, around volcanic craters, and along the craggy coastline. And although you may never have heard of a lava tube, we bet you’ll want to snoop around inside one now that you know it’s possible on São Miguel Island. We’d also recommend visiting a local winery or two – just for science, of course. Despite the extreme growing conditions out there in the middle of the Atlantic, wine has been made there for hundreds of years.

Is it suitable for remote working? – The largest island in the chain, São Miguel, is well-equipped as a hub for digital nomads and remote workers, and has several shared offices available. If you fancy trying a whole new lifestyle during your trip, you could try out Novovento or Dwell, both of which offer accommodation and coworking spaces. Room prices are fairly reasonable, but are they worth the flashbacks to 3-week-old lasagne in our shared university accommodation?

Budget Skiing

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Slovenia – Vogel Ski Resort

Just a hop and a jump from both Italy and Austria, you’ve got Slovenia’s Julian Alps. We’d suggest hitting the Vogel Ski Resort in Triglav National Park to combine action and glorious scenery. The resort is known for its idyllic views over Lake Bohinj, and is only 40 minutes by bus from the town of Bled (and its famous lake).

Once you get to the resort itself, you’re looking at €35 per day for a pass. Purchasing multi-day lift passes will save you cash if you know that one visit won’t be enough to quench the thirst – 3 days come in at around €90.

Vogel is known for its wide, beginner-friendly runs, and has a variety of nursery slopes to help build up confidence.

Overall, though, the resort offers 16 pistes at various lengths and altitudes, most of which are geared towards intermediate skiers. The Žagarjev Graben is Slovenia’s longest descent. You should aim for a February trip if you want the best snowfall, although the resort is open from early December to mid-April.

And there’s no need to worry about accommodation prices here – the area has everything from 5 nights in a loft flat in Bled for £190, to private lakeside beach houses for… well, let’s just say more.


Romania – Pioana Brașov

This one’s a great choice if you’re into a bit of spooky history, reader, as you’ll be shredding the mountains in Transylvania near the legendary Bran Castle – we assure you all the impaling is a thing of the past.

Poiana Brașov is Romania’s largest and most popular ski resort, yet it doesn’t come with a hefty price tag. You’ll be looking at 150 RON for a day pass (approx. £27), or if you only fancy a few hours on the mountain, afternoon-only passes start at 65 RON (approx. £12).

We have to admit, one of the most appealing things about Poiana Brasov is its after-dark offerings.

Floodlit slopes mean you don’t have to put your skis down at sunset, but whenever you’re ready, the après-ski awaits. And with pints at less than half the price of the UK, there’s no need to think twice. You’ll find cosy mountaintop vibes at Yager Chalet, as well as local beers and hearty traditional foods. Then it’s downhill (hopefully only literally) to party the night away at KUPA.

The £1 ‘Poiana Express’ bus service to Brașov makes it easy to head back into town and avoid inflated resort prices when it comes to both entertainment and accommodation. Well worth it, as a night in a mountain chalet will set you back double the amount of a cosy flat in charming Brasov Old Town.


France – Chamonix Ski Area

Here’s one you might not have expected – Mont Blanc Natural Resort in the French Alps. With more and more budget airline flights to Geneva and Grenoble, it’s also fairly easy to get there on the cheap.

Day passes for the Chamonix ski area can cost as little as €26 per day if you book online in advance. Hardly the hundreds you might expect from its swanky Alpine reputation! And you definitely get the most for your money here, with one ticket covering 6 different resorts.

You will be able to mix it up throughout the day, starting with a warm-up and speed test on Flégère’s sunny, south-facing slopes. Later, you can pick between steep, off-piste adventures in the light powder of Les Grands Montets, or panoramic views over Chamonix and Switzerland on the blue and red slopes at Balme.

Free shuttle buses and local trains connect the slopes to all the villages in the valley, so you can avoid paying a premium to stay in le centre-ville. Prices mostly range from £250-£350 for 5 nights, however we did find one studio in nearby Le Fayet at £170, which boasts rave reviews about both the location and host. The only real splurge you’ll have to make on this trip is trying a different fondue restaurant every night – it’s the law, or something.

Ljubljana in Winter

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Slovenia is one of Europe’s least-visited countries overall for international travel – but we’re here to shake the extraordinary capital of Ljubljana in your face and tell you why that needs to change.

Ljubljana is a small city with a young vibe – about a sixth of the population is taken up by its 50,000 students – and a complex history that dates back to the Roman era.

And in wintertime, Ljubljana becomes…look, we’re going to resist the urge to use the words ‘fairy-tale’, but there is something particularly charming about its snow-capped architecture, its splendid Christmas lights and markets, its outdoor ice skating, skiing day trips, and – yes – its massive outdoor New Year’s Eve celebrations.

For us, though, the real trump card is Ljubljana’s quite frankly ludicrous artistic scene – over 14,000 cultural events take place in the city every year, ensuring that you’ll never be at a loose end on a rainy day.

Founded as a squat in an old army barracks in 1993, the Metelkova neighbourhood is a punky cultural centre and network of clubs, and it’s rightly famous as the city’s alternative, underground heart. (The neighbourhood hostel, Cecilia, is an old prison that welcomes guests into its 20 colourfully-designed cells.)

For travellers whose raving days are long behind them, however, the city centre also holds a wide variety of museums, concert halls, theatres, and much, much more.

If you can’t make it for Christmas, then we’d head to Ljubljana in February, in time for the Pust or Karneval celebrations, where in Slovenian tradition fearsome masked figures parade to chase the winter away. (In Ljubljana, the parades are led by the city’s mascot, the green dragon.)

Eating and drinking

With a heavy emphasis on pork and deliciously doughy desserts, Slovenia is a great choice for warming winter food – but Ljubljana is way too trendy to rest on its laurels. Last year, the city had 17 mentions in the Michelin Guide, with praise going out to its talented chefs fusing traditional Slovenian cuisine with Mediterranean, Thai and Japanese influences.

While we haven’t been there ourselves, we’d be tempted to take a cab out to the delightfully infamous Gostilna Skaručna, an eccentric family-owned restaurant serving traditional Slovenian cuisine just outside the city. Wash it all down with an excellent glass of Slovenian wine, local plum schnapps, or the up-and-coming local vodka – which, for some reason, has Bill Murray as its ambassador. (Maybe Lost in Translation gave him the idea?)