15 Overlooked Winter Travel Destinations

January and February is low season in Savannah, Georgia so visitors can expect to find plenty of deals on accommodations. What's more, the winter season here is typically mild so you can pack light. Notable February events taking place include the Black Heritage Festival, the Savannah Book Festival and the Mardi Gras Tybee.

If you're short on time off, fear not because Savannah can be experienced in as little as a day.

There's no time like winter to tour Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Warm up with world famous pizza in New Haven's Little Italy neighborhood or head over to Koffee? on Audobon Street for a fresh cup of organic joe. Da Legna's handcrafted pizzas are also worth the trip to State Street, but that's just the tip of New Haven's dynamic foodie scene.

Mid-February through March is a fantastic time to visit Cozumel, Mexico. Temperatures are very comfortable, and visitors can also experience the one-of-a-kind Cozumel Carnaval celebration February 7-14. Travelers should expect to shell out a little a more on a hotel stay if visiting around those dates, but the experience will be worth it.

You don't have to be an expert skier to enjoy winter in Ruka, Finland. This tiny town is phenomenal for outdoor activities in the snow, including snowmobiling, dog sledding and hiking thanks to the nearby Karhunkierros hiking trail. The resort is also home to more than two dozen ski slopes, many of which are lit up for night skiing in the winter.

The Live Music Capital of the World plays host to the SXSW Music, Film and Interactive Conference and Festival every March, but there's plenty more to look forward to this winter.

One of the biggest Brazilian Carnaval celebrations outside of South America, Carnaval Brasileiro, is scheduled for February 10, while the progressive OUTsider Festival starts February 14. Visitors can also plan their trip around the Austin Oyster Festival (February 24) or the 89th ABC Kite Fest in Zilker Park (March 4- the nation's oldest kite festival.

Amsterdam becomes even more intimate when the temperatures drop during the winter months. Take your significant other for some romantic ice skating on Valentine's Day and then stick around for the Wonderland Festival on February 17. Winter is a premier time to catch marquee musical acts like Imagine Dragons, who will perform at the Ziggo Dome February 19.

Described as Mardi Gras with an Eastern European flair, Cleveland's annual Kurentovanje is a Slovenian festival that celebrates the impending end of winter and arrival of spring with traditional masks, costumes, food, drinks and dancing. The main festival takes place February 10, but the fun begins much earlier in the days leading up.

On March 17, Downtown Cleveland also hosts the more well-known St. Patrick's Day Parade.

North America's winter is Auckland's summer so the start of the year is the perfect time to explore the City of Sails. Visitors will stroll to the city's many sights and landmarks in shorts and a t-shirt. The Sky Tower-the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere at 1,076 feet-is a must for jaw-dropping panoramic views of Auckland.

This underrated college town sits on the banks of Lake Champlain less than 50 miles from the U.S.-Canada border. Groups visiting with the Queen City with young children will want to check out the Brrrlington Winter Bash on February 10, while ice cream lovers should plan to attend the Ben & Jerry's Winter Festival in nearby Waterbury March 3.

The weather and beaches are beautiful year-round in Punta Cana, so there's never a bad time to visit. However, travelers are likely to find fewer tourists if they wait until March and the end of winter. You can't go wrong with a stay at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, winner of a 2018 Travvy Award for best premium gaming hotel in the Caribbean and Bahamas.

Quebec City hosts one of the world's largest winter carnivals. In 2018, the festivities-which include night parades and a plethora of snow-related activities like snow slides, snow sculptures and a snow bath for the bravest of visitors-get underway January 26 and continue through February 11. For a truly unique winter visit to Quebec City, book a stay at Hotel de Glace, a hotel made of ice and snow that's open until March 25.

Visitors to Gatlinburg, Tennessee can literally stay inside of a cozy cabin in the woods as this mountain resort town sits on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park & Ski Area offers skiing, ice skating, trails, wildlife and rides for the entire family. Later, the adults can settle in and warm themselves up at Sugarlands Distilling Company and Tennessee Homemade Wines.

Belize's dry season runs into April, so winter is the ideal season to experience warm-but-comfortable temperatures before the humidity kicks in. This Central American destination is an absolute paradise for those who love being around the water as the expansive Belize Barrier Reef off the coast is full of surprises for snorkelers and scuba divers.

Travelers who aren't turned off by chilly temperatures are sure to be pleasantly surprised by a winter trek to Boise.

Families can take part in Idaho's Winter Wonderland at nearby Twin Oaks Farm all season long or stick around a little longer to wave winter goodbye during the five-day Treefort Music Fest (March 21-25). The 2018 lineup includes George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic, Andrew W.K. and others.

In addition to a burgeoning craft beer scene, Costa Rica's capital city boasts a unique valley location between scenic mountains and volcanoes. The latter supply natural heat to the region's beloved hot springs, which visitors can experience in reinvigorating fashion at the Tabacon Thermal Resort in Spa a few hours northwest in Arenal.

Beyond the lush nature and wildlife that surround it, San Jose offers several premier attractions like museums and landmarks, including the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum featuring artifacts dating as far back as AD 500.