Round the world holiday: Best winter destinations

Day 1 - 4: Iceland Northern Lights trip

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. From your base in Reykjavik, you’ll have a chance to see the highlights of Iceland in just three days, starting with a trip to the Blue Lagoon where you can relax and enjoy a face mask of mineral-rich white mud. You’ll also take a wintery trip around the Golden Circle, passing gushing waterfalls and spouting geysers, topped off with a snowmobiling adventure across a glacier! You’ll also set off on an evening tour to hunt for the Aurora Borealis, leaving the city in the hope of seeing green and purple lights flickering across the sky.

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Day 5 - 8: New York city break     

Winter sees New York City come alive with ice skating rinks, cosy festivals and huge Christmas trees decorated with sparkling lights. With our New York stopover package, you can catch an ice hockey game at Madison Square Garden or head to the Rockefeller Center for views over a snowy Central Park and a quick skate around the glistening rink. Wander along Fifth Avenue, where the Christmas window displays at Saks and Bloomingdales will put a massive smile on your face. Take a walk across Brooklyn Bridge and grab a famous bagel with lox at one of the local delis before visiting the 30-foot-high menorah in Prospect Park to celebrate Hanukkah. A winter break in New York will reveal a new and playful side to this city.

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Day 8 - 14: Vancouver and Northern Lights in Canada

Just in case you missed the Northern Lights in Iceland, we’ve given you another chance to see them in Canada. You’ll experience our eight-day Vancouver and Northern Lights trip, combining a trip to the city with some exploration in the Great White North. Cosy up in chilly Vancouver, people-watching from warm independent cafes and cycling through Stanley Park for views of the snowy mountains. If you’re feeling active, try snowshoeing up on Grouse Mountain. After a few days in the city, head north to Whitehorse, in the Yukon Territory, where you’ll stay in a small, beautiful ranch. Here, you’ll try dog-sledging, learn about the First Nations and relax in the hot tub while you wait for the Northern Lights to appear above the treeline.

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Day 14 – 20: Explore Hawaii - Oahu & Big Island

We couldn’t make a winter trip around the world without a hint of sunshine, could we? Hawaii is your next stop, and you’ll visit both Oahu and the Big Island to relax on the beaches, hike up the mountains and snorkel amongst the turtles. In Oahu, you’ll be able to visit Pearl Harbour and learn about the history of Hawaii, as well as hiking up to Diamond Head for views over Waikiki Beach. Heading over to the Big Island, split your time between Volcanoes National Park, where glowing lava bubbles out of the earth, and the snowy summit of Mauna Kea, where you can stargaze at one of the brightest skies on the planet.

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Day 21 – 28: Winter in Japan

Winter is a beautiful time to visit Tokyo. With our eight-day Japan winter holiday, you'll explore the city as well as the surrounding areas, taking in the highlights of Japan’s culture, wildlife and natural beauty. Learn about the history of Shinto Buddhism at Tokyo’s essential temples before experiencing the smooth side of the city in Shinjuku, where skyscrapers and electronic stores reign supreme. Head out of town to Nagano Prefecture, where you can watch the famous snow monkeys taking a warming dip in the hot springs and explore the local towns and villages from your traditional ryokan lodgings. Further south, you’ll encounter magnificent Mount Fuji, with views from the shimmering lake below, before heading back to Tokyo to try the best sushi and sashimi it has to offer. 

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