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Believe it or not, one of the best times to visit a country is during the winter. Why? Because for many locales, you can enjoy a cheaper vacation since it’s a less busy time of year. Winter isn’t as ideal for exploring by foot (if there’s snow to trudge through) or touring, but depending on the activity, it can be great since there are fewer crowds to deal with at popular attractions like museums.
Check this post: Top Winter Destinations: Travel Bloggers’ Favourites
However, you may be at a loss when it comes to packing for your wintry vacation. Below, we’ve gathered some general tips for planning your winter vacation.
What to Know Before You Go
First and foremost, you’ll need to do some serious research on your destination if you’re planning on traveling during the winter. It’s important to know if you’re heading into a mild winter environment where snow is only in Christmas movies or if you’re about to be in a snowy wonderland.
As soon as you figure out the temperature ranges and weather conditions, you’ll have a much better idea of what you need to pack.
Packing Essentials for Winter
Here are some ideas for what to pack in your suitcase so you can be warm and cozy when you arrive at your winter destination.
A great scarf
This isn’t the time to bring out a thin scarf and hope it protects you from the elements. Think function over fashion when shopping for a winter scarf. Ideally, you can invest in a cashmere one that will keep you warm and comfortable. If you don’t want to drop a ton of money, woolen scarves act as a less expensive alternative.
Winter hat
When shopping for a winter hat, make sure you choose one that covers your ears. Hats made of modern materials like fleece will deliver extra protection against the cold. Plus, they’re a fun extra accessory that can jazz up a boring winter outfit.
Good snow boots
There are few things worse than having cold feet during the winter. It’s important that your shoes allow you to explore your destination without being held back by freezing feet. In addition, exposing your feet to very cold conditions without adequate protection could put you at risk for frostbite. So, always look for shoes made out of quality materials.
As a general rule of thumb, the winter shoes you bring with you to a snowy destination shouldn’t be determined by fashion. Unfortunately, cute boots that also protect against harsh conditions are very hard to find. Throw out the fashion rules and look for boots that are weatherproof and dark-colored. It’s also essential that you find boots that have a decent tread because you don’t want to risk falling on ice or deal with worn-out shoes midway through your vacation.
Thick socks
As you might have already guessed, layering is essential to staying warm during cold temperatures. If your winter vacation involves winter sports, like snowboarding, for example, throw on some nice snowboard socks. You can shred the gnar without shredding your feet.
Down alternative jacket
One of the most important parts of your winter outfit is your coat. If you’re going somewhere very cold, a down alternative jacket is a smart choice to bring with you. A warm coat will help keep your core body temperature a little higher.
Our fellow from Travel Gear Zone lists the Best Winter Jackets for Men.
Fleeces and vests
As you might already know, layering and travel go together like two peas in a pod. As you pack, don’t forget to bring flannels, lightweight fleeces, and vests you can layer. Not only can you use these versatile clothes to put on top of each other for more protection against the cold, you can also peel them off if it gets warmer.
Smart gloves
Don’t let winter conditions stop you from posting an Instagram pic! Invest in heavy duty touchscreen-friendly gloves so you can text and scroll with abandon.
Takeaways
While a winter vacation doesn’t sound that fun, it can actually be the best time of year to travel – especially if you’re looking to escape the rat race for some winter sports fun. Just make sure to research the local weather, pack layers, and invest in a nice coat. With these tips in mind, you’ll be warm and ready to take on any cold weather with confidence!
