The world is literally my oyster: January solo holiday destinations
November 18, 2022 10:16 AM Subscribe
I am based in the north of the UK and finish my current job on Wednesday 11th January, and start a new one on Tuesday 24th January. I want to go on a solo holiday to recharge and rest, ideally with impressive scenery and quite quiet (I'm not one for nights out!).
Where is nice in deepest darkest winter, that is a bit off the beaten track? Ideally somewhere with a temperature above 5C / 40F.
My budget is £2,000 for ten days. I'm quite happy doing road trips, train trips, flying etc - just I'm struggling with everywhere being possible. I'm happy to travel for up to 24 hours.
In the last four years I've been to Jordan, Japan, Ukraine, Norway, Germany, north Spain, Malta, Italy, South Korea, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, San Francisco, Hawaii, Vegas, New York, and would like to do somewhere that isn't one of them!
I loved the scenery and peace of Norway's fjords, Hawaii's volcanoes, Crater Lake in Oregon, Japan's culture and trains. I loved Chernobyl and the North Korean border. I wasn't so bothered with the noise and smells of New York or SF.
At somepoint I'd like to go to Kyrgyzstan (but not in the depths of winter!), India (but getting a visa is a challenge with needing to do a face to face appointment) or do the Trans-Siberian (but not for a while due to the current situation). Iceland I'm going to with my wife later in 2023.
I realise this is possibly the most first world "problem" ever. Any suggestions or recommendations will be gladly received.
My budget is £2,000 for ten days. I'm quite happy doing road trips, train trips, flying etc - just I'm struggling with everywhere being possible. I'm happy to travel for up to 24 hours.
In the last four years I've been to Jordan, Japan, Ukraine, Norway, Germany, north Spain, Malta, Italy, South Korea, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, San Francisco, Hawaii, Vegas, New York, and would like to do somewhere that isn't one of them!
I loved the scenery and peace of Norway's fjords, Hawaii's volcanoes, Crater Lake in Oregon, Japan's culture and trains. I loved Chernobyl and the North Korean border. I wasn't so bothered with the noise and smells of New York or SF.
At somepoint I'd like to go to Kyrgyzstan (but not in the depths of winter!), India (but getting a visa is a challenge with needing to do a face to face appointment) or do the Trans-Siberian (but not for a while due to the current situation). Iceland I'm going to with my wife later in 2023.
I realise this is possibly the most first world "problem" ever. Any suggestions or recommendations will be gladly received.
Normally I wouldn't suggest anywhere I haven't been, but my kids went to Madeira last winter, and they really enjoyed it. They are very much into nature, and also enjoy a drink or two and meeting people.
The Azores is another place I'd love to go, but I don't know if it can be done within your budget.
posted by mumimor at 11:07 AM on November 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
The Azores is another place I'd love to go, but I don't know if it can be done within your budget.
posted by mumimor at 11:07 AM on November 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
How much would it cost for you to fly to Cambodia? You could easily spend a week around Angkor Wat and then see a bit of the rest of the country too. I wouldn't consider it off the beaten track but it's still a lot quieter than neighbouring Thailand.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 11:10 AM on November 18, 2022
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 11:10 AM on November 18, 2022
I wonder if Cape Cod in the US might work for you?
Cape Cod is that bit of the state of Massachusetts that looks like a strongman's arm sticking out into the Atlantic Ocean. It would be warmer than you'd think this time of year - the ocean surrounding it acts as a sort of natural insulator, and it's often warmer than the mainland. It is also gorgeous in a smaller and more modest way; no jaw-dropping cliffs, think more like quiet peaceful seascapes. And even better - in January, it would be very, very quiet indeed. The high tourist season there is in summer, when scores of people come to rent little beach cottages; but in winter it is left to the locals, and is very quiet indeed. Not devoid of people, but much more of a quiet small-town vibe. I visit my parents there once a year and we're always able to find restaurants to go to and low-level things to do; small museums, quaint shopping trips, things like that. The "fist" of the Cape, Provincetown, also has a sort of artists-community vibe. (Although, if you're trying to ensure mild weather, I would stay in one of the towns along the "inside" of the "arm" - anything along the outside would get wind from the Atlantic.)
There's even a bus line that runs between Boston and the Cape, so you could fly into Boston and then take the bus in between towns, and could do without renting a car if need be. (Although I'd consider renting one anyway to help with exploring - the individual towns are walkable, but walking between towns would be quite a hike.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:21 AM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Cape Cod is that bit of the state of Massachusetts that looks like a strongman's arm sticking out into the Atlantic Ocean. It would be warmer than you'd think this time of year - the ocean surrounding it acts as a sort of natural insulator, and it's often warmer than the mainland. It is also gorgeous in a smaller and more modest way; no jaw-dropping cliffs, think more like quiet peaceful seascapes. And even better - in January, it would be very, very quiet indeed. The high tourist season there is in summer, when scores of people come to rent little beach cottages; but in winter it is left to the locals, and is very quiet indeed. Not devoid of people, but much more of a quiet small-town vibe. I visit my parents there once a year and we're always able to find restaurants to go to and low-level things to do; small museums, quaint shopping trips, things like that. The "fist" of the Cape, Provincetown, also has a sort of artists-community vibe. (Although, if you're trying to ensure mild weather, I would stay in one of the towns along the "inside" of the "arm" - anything along the outside would get wind from the Atlantic.)
There's even a bus line that runs between Boston and the Cape, so you could fly into Boston and then take the bus in between towns, and could do without renting a car if need be. (Although I'd consider renting one anyway to help with exploring - the individual towns are walkable, but walking between towns would be quite a hike.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:21 AM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
I did a solo trip to Argentina in December 2018 for 2 weeks and absolutely loved it. I spent 3 days in Buenos Aires, 3 in Ushuaia, 2 in Calafate, and 2 in Iguazu.
posted by dmd at 12:09 PM on November 18, 2022
posted by dmd at 12:09 PM on November 18, 2022
If you're up for rough weather, the west coast of Ireland, and particularly West Cork and Kerry, could be a good choice. Rugged and spectacular scenery, very quiet, cosy pubs, nice restaurants and food if you want it.
posted by knapah at 12:09 PM on November 18, 2022
posted by knapah at 12:09 PM on November 18, 2022
It sounds like you're looking for scenery more than cities and culture, but Mexico has all of the above and January is a great time to visit with warm, dry weather. This would also be a good time to visit much of Central America. Guatemala would be my top recommendation here.
In South America you'd also find plenty to see and do in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru -- with the chances for wet weather increasing as you head south. In the highlands of Ecuador it's like perpetual springtime all year round.
posted by theory at 12:15 PM on November 18, 2022
In South America you'd also find plenty to see and do in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru -- with the chances for wet weather increasing as you head south. In the highlands of Ecuador it's like perpetual springtime all year round.
posted by theory at 12:15 PM on November 18, 2022
I love the south of Egypt, anywhere from Luxor on down.
posted by Ardnamurchan at 12:19 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Ardnamurchan at 12:19 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Go to the Mediterranean coast. It's quiet at this time of year but not completely shut like an off-season resort, the temperatures are pleasant, you can enjoy both the coast and the mountains, the scenery is amazing, and lots of it is accessible by train.
posted by quacks like a duck at 12:27 PM on November 18, 2022
posted by quacks like a duck at 12:27 PM on November 18, 2022
A few years ago I visited Belize in February. Its a beautiful, quite heterogenous country, with white sand beaches, thick jungle, winding rivers, Mayan ruins, and a mind-boggling mix of cultures. The coastline was populated by the descendants of freed/escaped Caribbean slaves, with all the culture/music/food etc you would expect from those historical origins. Much of the rest of the country is inhabited by the descendants of the Mayan empire, most of whom still speak the Mayan language. There is also a large population of Dutch Amish, so you will see the traditional horse and buggy with bearded men and white-capped women in traditional garb. Belize takes great pride in the fact that they were never a colony, neither subjugated by Spain, England, or any other colonial power.
January is the transition out of the rainy season, so the weather is generally mild, highs in the high 70s/low 80s (F). The Mayan ruins we visited were nearly empty of tourists, since January/February is still the off season and most people go to Guatemala or Mexico to see ruins anyway. The snorkeling was sublime, and all of Belize seemed focused on preserving the natural wonder of the second largest coral reef in the world. And an added bonus for us ignorant Americans, Belize is an English-speaking country.
posted by Illusory contour at 12:42 PM on November 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
January is the transition out of the rainy season, so the weather is generally mild, highs in the high 70s/low 80s (F). The Mayan ruins we visited were nearly empty of tourists, since January/February is still the off season and most people go to Guatemala or Mexico to see ruins anyway. The snorkeling was sublime, and all of Belize seemed focused on preserving the natural wonder of the second largest coral reef in the world. And an added bonus for us ignorant Americans, Belize is an English-speaking country.
posted by Illusory contour at 12:42 PM on November 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Nth mumimor for Azores. If you like a hike, Pico is the highest mountain in the state Portugal. Horta is full of vagabond yachties. Terceira shares its airport with the USAF. São Miguel has loadsa lakes and hot springs. São Jorge is just magical. Fly to Lisbon and take an internal flight to Ponta Delgada or Terceira then pootle about internally by ferry. Metaprev
posted by BobTheScientist at 12:56 PM on November 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by BobTheScientist at 12:56 PM on November 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
Laos is beautiful and very relaxed/quiet. There aren’t a ton of traditional “sights” but it’s a wonderful place to spend a week or two, and the weather will be great. You could pair it with Cambodia or Thailand, both of which will be busier/more hectic, but have big exciting things to see and do.
posted by lunasol at 2:00 PM on November 18, 2022
posted by lunasol at 2:00 PM on November 18, 2022
I'm struggling with everywhere being possible. I'm happy to travel for up to 24 hours.
I loved the scenery and peace of
possibly the most first world "problem" ever.
Consider that traveling for up to 24 hours might be too much. You're struggling with everywhere being possible. Since you need to limit your options, and since you love scenery and peace (which is incompatible with casual airplane travel) and since you're concerned with this being a first world problem, I suggest that you limit yourself to a smaller radius. If it helps to know, it looks like you might even be a 1%er. It's a good article, I hope you'll read it and find it useful.
Since you want warm, it looks like the Mediterranean is probably your option. As much as I hate to send people in motor vehicles from faraway places "off the beaten track" you can easily find all the "off the beaten track" places by looking at a map of the earth at night.
posted by aniola at 3:28 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
I loved the scenery and peace of
possibly the most first world "problem" ever.
Consider that traveling for up to 24 hours might be too much. You're struggling with everywhere being possible. Since you need to limit your options, and since you love scenery and peace (which is incompatible with casual airplane travel) and since you're concerned with this being a first world problem, I suggest that you limit yourself to a smaller radius. If it helps to know, it looks like you might even be a 1%er. It's a good article, I hope you'll read it and find it useful.
Since you want warm, it looks like the Mediterranean is probably your option. As much as I hate to send people in motor vehicles from faraway places "off the beaten track" you can easily find all the "off the beaten track" places by looking at a map of the earth at night.
posted by aniola at 3:28 PM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Seconding the recommendation for Mediterranean destinations, though they may still be quite dark. If you're interested in the Southern US, Savannah and New Orleans are great in January. Or farther afield, the SW corner (Arizona, New Mexico) is dry year round and definitely has impressive scenery!
posted by basalganglia at 7:04 PM on November 18, 2022
posted by basalganglia at 7:04 PM on November 18, 2022
Arizona and New Mexico are the same latitude (and thus have similar daylight hours) as much of the Mediterranean.
posted by aniola at 7:39 PM on November 18, 2022
posted by aniola at 7:39 PM on November 18, 2022
Direct flight to Heraklion, Crete, within two hours drive you have several options. If you want very quiet I would head to the beach on the east end, just past Palaiokastro. You have that small town for necessities and restaurants. A place I almost stayed at is Georgia's Apartments (at Kouremenos beach). Another option is at Zakros south of there. If you don't want to be near the water (and it might be windy), there are hundreds of inland villages in Crete, and the southeast is warmest / most sun. It would be will under your budget.
posted by melamakarona at 1:02 PM on November 19, 2022
posted by melamakarona at 1:02 PM on November 19, 2022
Possible destinations that come to mind include Lanzarote, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Cuba, Morocco, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Thailand. I would be disinclined to do northern Europe, I think even if you don't need to escape the cold it's good to escape the dark and travelling is more fun with longer days. I would have suggested Greece, Croatia and other places on the Med but slightly wonder how much fun they would be so far out of season.
posted by plonkee at 6:45 AM on November 21, 2022
posted by plonkee at 6:45 AM on November 21, 2022
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posted by praemunire at 10:31 AM on November 18, 2022 [1 favorite]