“This Cure Works for Everyone”: Readers’ Favorite Trips to Banish the Winter Blues

Winter fun in Glencoe, Highlands

Nothing beats an impromptu trip when it comes to an exciting journey to a new place during the darkest and most boring time of the year. South of the village of Glencoe, Glencoe Mountain Resort (micro huts for two from £75 a night) offers affordable tobogganing and skiing, as well as lovely winter walks – an almost Scandinavian experience for those on a budget. Breathing in the invigorating Scottish air and enjoying the stunning scenery is the tonic we all need to get through the spring. Sleeping in a cozy micro-house will add adventure and make this short stay as comfortable as possible.
Claire Renton

Night walk, Lancashire

During the harsh winters, we discovered the pleasures of night walks. We live in Manchester, in the middle of high light pollution but a short drive from Rivington, close to Chorley with its accessible woods and moorlands. Bare trees and high moorland provide enough moonlight for a safe walk without flashlights, awakening all the senses and fully embracing the beauty of dark winter evenings. I love to look at the city lights in the distance, colorful sunsets at tea time and fresh cold air.
Kay

Views and hot chocolate, Turin, Italy

Home to Juventus coffee, Fiat and Lavazza, the city of Turin is full of churches, museums, palaces and squares, but there are few tourists during the off-season. Do not miss Mole Antonelliana tower, whose elevator soars 85 meters to the observation deck. My favorite view from Bell towerwhere for a bargain price of 4 euros you can view the skyline including the Mole. After that, warm up with a glass of traditional try, a multi-layered blend of hot chocolate, espresso and frothed milk. I’ve been blessed by the winter sun; if not, there is an eclectic mix of world-class museums and 18km of indoor walking paths to explore.
Christine Reardon

Horizontal rain cleared the web, Yorkshire Dales

January trip up pen-and-gent in the Yorkshire Dales is a sure way to dispel the web of Christmas. The forecast was clear and it was a beautiful morning when we arrived, but the higher we climbed the more the weather changed – gale-force winds and torrential horizontal rain. All of this added to the fun and challenge of climbing to the summit, and made the flask of tea and sandwich at the summit even more rewarding. The weather improved as we descended, and all in all it was a fantastic January walk, ending with a pint of beer by the welcome fire on the veranda. Golden Lion in Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
Alex

Wild Coast Wester Ross, Scotland

We had a great time spending New Years Eve and then the following week at Puleve Beach House (from £900 per week, sleeps nine). It’s a two hour drive from Inverness and quite a distance but only six miles from Garloch where we used to go daily for coffee and hot chocolate. There are so many amazing beaches that go on forever. In spring and summer, guests can visit the Invereve Garden. Pulewe is located between two beautiful lakes – Yue Sea Lake and Inland Mari.
Morag Yul

Go for the waterfalls, Snowdonia

The spectacular Snowdonia Falls is our cure for the January blues – just off the A55, a gentle path climbs two miles from the village of Abergwingregin to the foot of Aber Falls. We took the whole family with stroller, wheelchair and picnic enjoying mountain ponies and amazing views along the way and ending at Cafe Hen Felin or Aber Falls Cafe. On other days we walked and finished the tour of But distillery Falls near. Whether invigorating or relaxing, this medicine works for everyone.
Suzanne S

Throw a turnip, Extremadura, Spain

Many people visiting Spain have heard of Tomatina Festival which involves throwing tomatoes. Less well-known but equally absurd is jugs (January 19-20) in the village of Extremadura Piornal (140 miles west of Madrid). A local volunteer dresses up in a colorful scarecrow costume and runs around playing a small drum while locals throw turnips at them as punishment for stealing cattle. Like most Spanish holidays, this is an extraordinary spectacle that also serves as an occasion for socializing and partying in the streets and squares.
Sara Collings

Paradise for walkers, Madeira

Madeira has always been my choice for an adventure holiday in the middle of winter. Located off the northwest coast of Africa, the island is synonymous with winter sunbathing. But this mountainous island offers so much more. It’s a walker’s paradise, with some of the most stunning views in the world. Those looking for a leisurely walk can stop at the famous Mt. taken (narrow irrigation channels), while those who want their heart to beat faster can opt for more complex veradasa network of well-groomed trails connecting the highest peaks of the islands, some of which reach 1850 meters.
Cassandra Jackson-Baker

Cornwall’s indoor subtropical paradise

Invigorating walks are good, but if things go awry, only the hardiest will head for the hills and coasts. I prefer to go where the weather doesn’t matter, so Eden project my port of call to banish the winter blues. I love to awaken the senses with the sights and smells of warmer, sunnier times ahead and draw inspiration from garden projects and create a little corner of paradise in my own back garden. For those looking for an adrenaline rush, there are plenty of opportunities to hover, dive, jump and swing thanks to Hangloose Adventures and its Zip Wires and Air Skyways. For those seeking an education in the conservation of our beautiful planet, this is the place to go and see what you can do to help. And for those who immediately after a change of scenery – that’s for sure.
Tracey Belcher

Winning Tip: A Good Way to Get to the Côte d’Azur

Our best blues decision in January was a short train ride at the end of January to the Côte d’Azur, near Nice. It was easy to take the Eurostar and TGV trains and get to Nice in a day – our train left London St Pancras at 9:30 am and we arrived in Nice at 8 pm. Travel agency has links to accommodations for all tastes and budgets. Last year we found that the beaches were empty, the temperature was not high, the restaurants were relaxed and unhurried. We bought tickets for local transport in lignesazur.com and explored the hilltop artist community Saint-Paul-de-Vence And Villa Rothschild nestled by the sea. market And Picasso Museum The trip to Antibes was a lovely short trip, as was the hop over the border into Italy on the coastal railway for a walk through the gardens and the old town. San Remo.
Rosie Edwards

Please use the comments to share your January blues favorites.

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