As I sit here and work in my upstate New York home, it continues to snow outside. As beautiful as it is on the bare trees, I'm not a fan of the powder.
So I spend many winter days dreaming of a warmer climate where snowplowing is not an activity.
"This leaves us with two choices; bravely embrace the winter months or completely deny their very existence," said Rob Wells, marketing manager of Evaneos in Paris, France.
If you're not like me, however, and you'd rather embrace the season of making snowballs and snowmen, skiing down the slopes, or skating on the ice, there are many incredible winter destinations to visit.
Iceland
Iceland has fast become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
"Its fascinating culture and stunning landscapes offer something for everybody; whether you're admiring Reykjavik's colorful architecture or the breathtaking ice caves at Vatnajökull glacier," said Wells.
With more and more tourists flocking to Iceland during the peak season between June and August, Wells said that traveling during the winter months seems a more obvious.
"Not only will you avoid the crowds, you will also have the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights and get a true sense of the Icelandic lifestyle," said Wells. "Icelandair, a government-run airline, is also running an incentive that has made it easier than ever to tick this destination off your bucket list. They are offering passengers the chance to stop-over in Iceland for up to seven days on many of their flights between the USA and Europe."
The best part is that the layover won't cost you anything.
"With tours typically lasting between three and four days, why not take a long weekend in Iceland to break up a long transatlantic flight?" Wells noted.
Japan's year-round festivals are also a highlight during these months, such as Kamihinokinai's Paper Balloon festival in February, or the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall festival from January until March.
"Many may be put off by Japan's mythical reputation for being on the pricier side, but a recent UK report named it as one of the top ten best value destinations for daily living costs. Japan offers the perfect mixture of fascinating cultural heritage and a modern, vibrant trip," Wells noted.
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