Where to go on holiday in January

January often feels like an extended month. With the holiday season a distant memory, it brings 31 days of post-Christmas, back-to-work blues and dismal weather. However, the new year also ushers in a renewed sense of optimism and a longing for far-flung adventures. To help you jump start your travel plans, Sunvil's destination experts have handpicked their favourite destinations for January.

From the sun-drenched shores of the Caribbean to the snow-covered wilderness of the Arctic, and the vibrant history of the Mediterranean, this month caters to a wide array of travel preferences. Whether you're seeking tropical warmth, an encounter with the Northern Lights, stunning coastal beauty, or a blend of ancient culture and island relaxation, the options for a memorable January getaway are abundant. This blog explores a selection of destinations, including the nature island of Dominica, the magical Swedish Lapland, the dramatic Lofoten Islands, the perpetually spring-like Madeira, and a captivating two-centre holiday combining the historical wonders of Athens with the serene beaches of Cyprus.

Dominica

Long haul adventures in Latin America will provide you with the opportunity to maintain your New Year’s resolutions albeit to be more active, to learn more about different cultures, to sample new cuisine or to challenge yourself.

Beautiful Dominica - The Nature Island is a Caribbean island with a difference. Escaping the cold, grey climate of the UK, there’s the chance to relax in secluded high-end hotels, but here you can also glide silently down the Indian River through untamed Pirates of the Caribbean rainforest, snorkel through underwater thermal springs, and take on remote hikes through rugged wilderness to tumbling waterfalls and bubbling lakes.

A holiday to Dominica can be about testing your limits on epic outdoor adventures or enjoying back-to-nature wellness escapes with just hummingbirds and bananaquits for company. There are impressive efforts in eco-tourism and conservation going on too, including ground-breaking plans to become the world’s first ‘climate-resilient’ nation. Dominica is still relatively unexplored by UK travellers, so you’ll feel like you’ve been let in on a well-kept secret with our 10 Night twin centre holiday.

Winter Escapes to the Arctic

A little closer to home, head north to the awe-inspiring land of the Aurora Borealis - Swedish Lapland, northern Norway and the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Holidays here can be as relaxed or as active as you desire. Try your hand at mushing a team of husky-dogs, learn how to capture the dazzling Northern Lights on camera, stay in sub-zero accommodation at the ICEHOTEL or stay in one of the many unique cabins at the Treehotel.

Discover the unique archipelago of Lofoten with its spectacular glacial rock formations and where picturesque fishing hamlets cling to the coastline with our 3 Night 'Relaxing winter break in Lofoten' itinerary.

Madeira, Athens and Cyprus

A holiday in January to Madeira will take you to a land of breathtaking landscapes and botanical beauty. This sun-drenched Portuguese island is known as the ‘Floating Garden’, so you can expect lots of colour. From the turquoise Atlantic coastline to its year-round climate promising exotic blooms and the scarlet poinsettias that decorate its backdrop. Escape the grey skies and spend 7 nights at the Cliff Bay hotel in Funchal, one of the most highly-praised hotels on the island. The hotel's dramatic cliff top setting offers wonderful views of the ocean from the bedrooms, gardens and swimming pool.

Another choice for a holiday in January is the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus where the mild temperatures are perfect for touring and sightseeing. Year-round warmth and blue skies will tempt you away from the cold and damp of the UK, while azure seas, sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and rolling hills complete Cyprus' roll call of dramatic scenery. You can experience all of this on our 'Two centre Athens and Latchi in Cyprus' holiday.