5 Reasons to Visit the Mediterranean this Winter
Winter is coming.
But that’s no reason to hibernate just yet. Sure, summer and vacations may be synonymous with each other — however, we’re here to make a case for winter in the Mediterranean. So take your suitcase out of your closet, find your passports from whichever drawer you hid them in, and get ready to start counting down to your next dream vacation.
Not convinced? Check out the top five reasons to give the Mediterranean a visit this festive season.
Off-Season Crowds
When it comes to typically sunny spots like Italy, Spain, and Greece, most travellers preferred time to visit is when the sun is at its hottest. This means that you can often share your vacation with an abundance of other people. If crowded hot spots aren’t exactly your idea of a fun time, then going during the chillier season will ensure that you’re more likely to enjoy a quieter and less crowded experience.
Additionally, locations that rely heavily on the tourist trade will often have businesses that close their doors during the winter. Essentially, this means that for those of you brave enough to travel independently, you’ll actually find a more laid back and authentic experience. Without certain services geared towards appeasing tourists, you can find yourself abroad in a more immersive way surrounded by just the locals.
For example, restaurants that stay open on certain Greek islands will be the restaurants predominantly aimed towards catering to the local population. This means you’re less likely to find yourself in a tourist trap, and more likely to have a traditional dining experience that offers a better representation of the area’s cuisine.
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Off-Season Prices
Thanks to the aforementioned lull in trade, anyone willing to hit up the Mediterranean in the winter won’t have to pay peak time prices. In typically hot places, the tourism trade can take a seasonal hit. This means that many tourism companies will offer discounted prices or packages in order to entice vacationers this way. By choosing to travel when fewer people do, you will find yourself able to get way more for much less.
While inexpensive airfare, cheaper accommodation, and lower priced packages are great, it’s not even just travel related costs that go way down. Everyone knows the January sales are the best times to find incredible bargains, and where better to shop than fashion meccas like certain French and Italian cities? Well, it’s certainly one way to spend all the money you saved.
Banish the Winter Blues
There’s something magical about winter, but it isn’t always all mistletoe and mulled wine. The winter season has an undeniable impact on some people’s moods due to shorter days, colder weather, and less travel, of course. With so long since your last vacation (or potentially so long til your next one…) winter can be made even harder and longer.
However, by choosing to vacation at the end of the year rather than in the middle, it’s much easier to escape the dreaded winter blues. One of the best things about travelling is that it gives you time to reset, relax, and unwind, but this isn’t the only benefit it offers. Researchshows that planning and anticipating a vacation has a significant impact on happiness. It’s important to give yourself a break, when better than during the occasionally more difficult time of year?
Winter Weather
There’s no denying that the Mediterranean sees a drop in temperature during the winter months. If you’re set on a tropical getaway, then obviously this isn’t for you. However, if you find the heat of the summer a little too much, or you’re a fan of slightly colder climates, then booking a trip for the cooler months is perfect for you.
Even in the winter you can find the Mediterranean sun in certain places, even if the weather is technically colder, the sun still shines through — it’s not uncommon to face the day with a jacket, scarf AND a pair of sunglasses. So if you love the sun but not the heat, then the climate at this time of year can be for you.
Conversely, if you’re looking for an experience on the much colder end on the scale, then you have many options. Whether it’s a stunning city like Madrid gently dusted in snow, or a magical mountain range like the Chamonix covered in it, certain Mediterranean locations will offer you a true winter wonderland.
Christmas Markets
The warm and fuzzies from the festive feeling, the incredible food and drink on offer, the magical Christmas lights twinkling all around — yep, there’s nothing quite as beautiful as a traditional Christmas market. The festive season is just around the corner, and the Christmas markets will be here before you know it.
If you’ve never been to one before, then it’s important to do it right. Sure, Germany and Austria are probably the most widely known homes of a traditional Christmas market, but we would argue that France is a true contender, and even lesser considered places in Italy and Spain offer an unforgettable experience.*
Wherever you go, and however big the market is, it will reflect the culture of the region — from the food and drink, to the music and decoration, all the way to the customs and traditions, you can expect to see the best and most festive of your location. This means that as a foodie and wine lover’s paradise, the Mediterranean is certain to impress.
(* Check back in two weeks for a run down of the best Christmas markets the Mediterranean has to offer!)
There’s no denying it, it’s not always for the faint of heart or the first-time traveller. However, for those of you travelling to the Mediterranean in the winter, you’ll be sure to enjoy an altogether calmer, beneficial, and incredibly special trip.
