Many of you have been enquiring lately about plans for the winter months, so I thought I would throw out a few ideas to scratch that itch. I suppose planning for winter now makes sense – despite the challenges that travel is presenting to those that want to be out there, after nearly two years of sitting around the house, you’re ready to go!
Mexico and the Caribbean are the top destinations for Americans in the winter months, and we’re more than happy to help you with such plans. However, many of our clients have “been there, done that”, so I’ll focus on a few other ideas for getaways this winter.
Making the Best of Winter
Christmas Markets
A popular getaway for our clients in November and December is to visit the European Christmas markets on a river cruise. It’s a different experience than visiting Europe in the summer months. Here’s an article we posted about this a few weeks ago: https://pamperedcruiser.com/christmas-in-july/
Northern Lights Cruises
Seeing the Aurora Borealis is a bucket-list experience for many people, and your chances of seeing them increase as the daylight hours in the northern hemisphere decreases. In other words, you really can’t see these on an Alaskan Cruise. Instead, you’ll want to travel in the winter.
Hurtigruten offers a “Northern Lights Promise” – if you take one of their designated cruises, they guarantee you’ll see the Northern Lights. If you don’t see them, they’ll offer you another cruise so you can try again. Here are some examples:
- Depart November 27, 2022 – 12 days from $4383 per person
- Depart from Tromso, Norway, and follow the Norwegian coast southward to visit the North Cape, Arctic Alta, Aurora City, Senja, Reine, and Kalvag, before landing at Harlingen (Netherlands), and finally disembarking in Dover in the UK.
- Another departure on February 4, 2023 – 15 days from $5453 per person
Antarctica on Viking Octantis: $9995 per person
We haven’t seen a deal to Antarctica like this in a long, long time. If you want to visit Antarctica, you’ll want to jump on this offer. It’s capacity controlled so you’ll want to book as soon as possible while supplies last:
- Depart November through March (several departures) from $9,995 per INCLUDING round-trip flights from the US.
- Includes all taxes & fees, transfers, a landing or excursion in each port of call, zodiac and kayak outings, expedition jacket and other equipment needed to go ashore, beer/wine with meals, and wifi on the ship.
- 13 days: Visit Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, 7-days of landings on Antarctica, scenic sailing in the Drake Passage and Cape Horn.
Escaping Winter to Warmer Climates
French Polynesia and Tahiti
Tahiti is only two hours further by plane than is Hawaii, and it offers a much more exotic experience. The best way to see this unique Polynesian island is with Paul Gauguin. You can also extend you trip to include a couple of nights in one of those over-water bungalows. Here are some examples:
- Depart December 17th, 2022 (11-nights) – from $5320 per person
- Visit Tahiti, Society Islands, Aitutaki, Raratonga, Bora Bora (2-nights), Moto Mahana, and Moorea.
- Includes open bar, gratuities, water sports, airport transfers, and wifi on the ship.
- Another departure on December 28th, 2022 (10-nights) – from $5420 per person.
Australia & New Zealand
- Viking ocean cruise departing Dec 22 or 27, 2022 (15 days) – from $6999 per person
- Visit Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Rotorua, and Auckland.
- Fare reflects 270 square foot veranda room, and includes all taxes & fees, transfers, a shore excursion in each port of call, beer/wine with meals, and wifi on the ship.
South America and Chilean Fjords
- Viking ocean cruise departing December 18, 2022 (18 days) – from $6699 per person.
- Visit Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Falkland Islands, Scenic Sailing at Cape Horn, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Scenic Sailing at Amalia Glacier (Patagonia), Chilean Fjords, Puerto Montt, Santiago.
- Fare reflects 270 square foot veranda room, and includes all taxes & fees, transfers, a shore excursion in each port of call, beer/wine with meals, and wifi on the ship.
- another departure on February 24, 2023 from $6999 per person.
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley