Wild Winters: A Sun Worshipper's Wish List

December 11, 2025

What’s your relationship with colder climes? Do you swoon at the sight of white-coated snowscapes? Feel a thrill at icicle-clad city streets? I envy anyone who does, because I’ve never had a good relationship with the cold. Give me high pressure and heat over frostbite any day.

Heat-Seeker at Heart

My dream holiday is a tropical island with turquoise waters or a 30-degree desert trail. The desert is where I feel most at home — that dry, shimmering heat without a hint of humidity. The hot midday sun baking ochre sand. Heatwaves hovering above long, empty roads. Cacti scattered like sentinels across the landscape. Even packing is easier: a few lightweight clothes and you’re set. That’s my happy place.

The cold? Absolutely not my friend.

Finding Magic in the Cold

And yet, despite this lifelong allegiance to warm climates, the cold and I have had some wild adventures together. I still think about the terrifying day I spent clambering over iced waterfalls and rock climbing in Devil’s Kitchen, Snowdonia — a brutal January day that left my teeth chattering but my adrenaline sky-high. Not enjoyable, exactly… but unforgettable.

I’ll also admit: there’s something invigorating about walking a deserted beach on a winter’s day. I’m no cold-plunge enthusiast (though I’m slowly improving), but I have been known to throw myself into the North Sea on a frosty November morning. The essential follow-up: a Bailey’s hot chocolate to revive the soul. Mandatory.

Winter Wonderlands

Canada in winter, too, is nothing short of magical. I have memories of skiing Grouse Mountain with sweeping views over Vancouver, and wandering through Cypress Mountain where Christmas-tree pines sit dusted in perfect snow.

And then there’s Whistler — a snowboarder’s paradise and one of North America’s largest ski resorts. A lively mix of seasoned skiers, fearless snowboarders, and a village that parties as hard as it shreds. I loved the youthful energy there, where nights are loud and days are spent carving down mountains.

Then there were the cold-weather trips closer to home: the dramatic cliffs and rugged peaks of Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands; remote seaside towns across Devon and Cornwall; the countless weekends spent breathing crisp air on winter beaches before ducking into a pub for something warm and hearty. I’ve frozen in cities too — Tokyo in October, Berlin in November, Copenhagen in December, Edinburgh in January. Somehow, the cold keeps finding me.

A Reluctant Winter Wanderer

It’s not my climate of choice, nor the holiday I dream of planning. Winter, for me, is a time of hibernation. But I can’t deny that winter adventures have a way of waking you up — of sharpening the senses and making you feel startlingly alive.

I’m not planning a winter escape any time soon, but one day I hope the Alaskan landscape, the lights of the Arctic Circle, Icelandic lava fields dusted in frost, or Swiss alpine villages will tempt me into another memorable tryst with winter. I want to see the Northern Lights. Explore more of Eastern Europe. Find beauty in those far-flung, frozen corners of the world.

One day, when I’m brave enough to face the cold again.

What’s your favourite winter holiday destination?

Warm-Up Wanderlust: A Sun-Worshipper’s Guide to Enjoying Cold-Weather Travel

1. Layer Like a Local
The secret isn’t more layers — it’s the right layers. Start with moisture-wicking base pieces (cotton traps cold!), add an insulating mid-layer like fleece or down, and finish with a windproof outer shell. You’ll feel surprisingly toasty without feeling bulky.

2. Pack One “Instant Comfort” Item
Whether it’s a favourite hot-water bottle, a travel-sized body warmer, your comfiest wool socks, or a particular tea blend, bring a small ritual that cues warmth and comfort. It sounds tiny — until you’re thawing out with it after a frosty day.

3. Move Every Chance You Get
Cold sinks in when you stand still. Choose activities that keep you moving: snowshoe walks, brisk town explorations, gentle winter hikes, or even a casual ice-skate. Your body heat becomes your best travel companion.

4. Seek Heat in Local Traditions
Different cultures have mastered the art of warming up: Scandinavian saunas, Japanese onsens, Alpine candlelit chalets, Icelandic geothermal pools. Build at least one heat-based experience into your itinerary — it turns the cold into a feature, not a foe.

5. Aim for “Cosy Corners,” Not Endless Exposure
You don’t have to be outside all day to enjoy a winter destination. Look for cafés with foggy windows, snug bookshops, firelit taverns, or museums where you can warm up between bursts of exploration. Winter travel is all about alternating extremes.

6. Upgrade Your Hot Drink Game
Every cold destination has its iconic drink — mulled wine, hot chocolate thick enough to stand a spoon in, butter tea, spicy chai. Make it a mission to try a new warm drink each day. It’s a delicious way to stay warm and discover local culture.

7. Prioritise Sunlight When You Can
Even in snowy regions, mornings often bring the brightest light. Plan your most scenic moments then — not just for photos, but for a psychological boost. Sunshine does wonders when you’re far from your usual warm climate.

8. Give Yourself Permission to Rest
You do not have to become a full-fledged winter warrior. If you need a midday warm-up nap, a long hot shower, or two hours tucked inside with a view of the snow — that counts as part of the winter experience.