Winter is usually the time of year we hunker down and wait out the dreary weather….but there’s no reason you can’t shake off the blues and take a winter vacation! Winter getaways can be a good way to shake up the end of year routine; this is especially true if you work remotely and your kids are in flexible or online school systems.
Here are 3 winter getaways for families looking to slow travel for a month! Each of these locations are great for families, remote working, and child care!
- Montreal, Canada
While Montreal is known to be a hotspot in the spring and summer with its endless list of festivals and concerts, it’s actually a great place to travel in the winter, too! It will definitely be cold but the city is beautiful in the snow and there’s plenty of fun, holiday activities for the family if you go during November and December. Plus, they have an “underground city” that connects many downtown centers and metro stops, so you can keep warm while getting from point A to B. Montreal is definitely one of the best winter getaways, but you’ll probably want to avoid January as that’s the coldest month of the year! And, unlike the other destinations on this list, you won’t have to experience any jetlag for a touch of Old World charm!
- Best winter months to go: November — December for milder weather and holiday fun. February through April can also be a good time to go as the city starts to thaw out and you may experience milder winter weather (but still get lower hotel prices!).
- Things to do: Besides stuffing yourself with the amazing international cuisine the city has to offer, there’s plenty of things to do! You can ice skate around the old port, catch one of the amazing winter festivals the city has to offer (including a Snow Festival in January and February), check out a winter market, enjoy winter sports like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Mount Royal Park
- Weekend visits: Mont Tremblant is an absolutely amazing place to travel in the winter — plus, if you go in December, you’ll find that they really go all out for the holidays! You can ski, snowboard, eat, and shop to your heart’s delight! They do have at least one nanny agency available, so if you’re looking for a quick winter vacation then you may even want to go directly to Mont Tremblant instead of Montreal if you’re into winter sports. However, for those families looking for a slow travel experience, setting up a homebase in Montreal and visiting Mont Tremblant may be cheaper and more convenient option.
- Budapest, Hungary
Like most European cities, Budapest can be cold and gray during the winter season. However, the snowfall during the holiday season turns the city into a winter wonderland along with the tinsel, Christmas wreaths, and ornaments that adorn the city streets.
- Best winter months to go: December for holiday fun; or, try the shoulder months (November and March) for a slightly warmer winter vacation.
- Things to do: Soak in a thermal bath, visit a Christmas market, eat at the Grand Central Market, get a babysitter and have a date night at the Opera House, take in a light show at St. Stephen’s Basilica, visit the iconic Buda Castle.
- Weekend visits: 2 hours from Budapest is Héviz, Europe’s largest thermal lake. The water stays warm year-round, so even if it’s snowing in the middle of winter, you can still bathe in the lake. There’s also other relaxation and healing services on the lake, such as massage, facials, mud baths, and more.
- Munich, Germany
Southern Germany fairs much better during the winter time than northern Germany, which makes Munich one of the best winter getaways! The Bavaria region is also one of the best regions to experience traditional German culture and food, and Munich itself is one of Germany’s most picturesque cities. With these views, it’s no wonder Munich is one of the all time favorite winter getaways!
- Best winter months to go: November and December for Holiday fun, and late February through April for shoulder season
- Things to do: Go to a holiday market, try your hand at winter sports like ice skating, curling, and cross country skiing, go museum hopping, attend the Opera, enjoy a thermal bath
- Weekend visits: Take a trip to Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak. It’ll give you a gorgeous view of the German Alps and there’s a Bavarian restaurant at the top.